Sci-Fi or Mama Melrose?

[denneg]

Hi again-

Looking over my reservations yet again for our trip in 2 weeks, and I'm having second thoughts about our SciFi reservation. Mama Melrose is available the same night, but I have heard mixed reviews and haven't been there in years. So for 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 4-11), which would you recommend?

Thanks again!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

My vote would be to stick with Sci-Fi. I think kids in that age range will love the atmosphere.

We went to MM for the first time this year and I too had read very mixed reviews but I ended up loving our meal there. I actually prefer the menu choices at MM to Sci-Fi but we can get good Italian food at home whereas the atmosphere at Sci-Fi is something we can only get at Disney. Good luck with your decision!

 

[MHSweb79]

I've had bad luck with both places. We ate at MM last November with the Fantasmic package, and my steak was more than 1/3 gristle. It was, however, served with 6-8 cheese covered ziti, so at least I didn't starve.

The absolute worst food I've ever been served at WDW was at Sci-Fi, but this was about 15 years ago (never been back) and my DD talked about "eating in the cars" for years, so she had a great experience anyway.

For more recent opinions, go over to allears.net and check out the "rate & review" section. I think every restaurant will have lovers & haters, but you can get a feel for the place if the ratio is 10/1 for or against it. Tony's in MK often gets mixed reviews and we've always had good food there, so I've learned to take each review with a grain of salt.

 

[goofyintoronto]

My vote would be to stick with Sci-Fi. I think kids in that age range will love the atmosphere.
we can get good Italian food at home whereas the atmosphere at Sci-Fi is something we can only get at Disney. Good luck with your decision!

I agree with this. If I want italian at Disney, i'd go to either Tutto or Via. Not Tony's or MM.

I'd go with Sci Fi for the unique atmosphere which you cannot find anywhere else. And since there are 8 of you, its perfect for the cars. The kids will love it. The food is quite good too IMO. We tried the burgers, onion rings, spinach dip w/ tortilla chips, wings....all are DELISH. Never had a gross meal, and we've been there quite a lot.

 

[RCMommy]

We have avoided Sci-Fi for our recent trips because of the poor reviews. This trip we are going on arrival night. I decided we would give it a go regardless and make our own opinion. We have school age kids who I think will enjoy the atmosphere as mentioned above.

Our last trip we decided to go Tony's a go as well, and although it was not the best Itlaian we have had, it was certainly not as horrible as some describe (to us anyway)

I have read on numerous occasions, that if you stick with the burgers at Sci-Fi you cannot go wrong.

 

[denneg]

Ok, thanks everyone! We have Via Napoli booked a few days before this night, so I guess the Italian food wouldn't be quite up to par! I'm going to keep up my desperate attempt to get an Ohana reservation for that night, but barring any miracle, I think we'll be trying the drive in!

 

[LeighMWilliams]

I realize that I am posting a little late in the game, but I would go with the Sci-Fi with the kiddos. I'm 32 and go just for the fun of it. I enjoy the B-rated movies and the milkshakes, which happen to be included if you are on DDP. My mother and I plan on eating at the Sci-Fi at the end of October and this place is almost always on our to do list. I honestly haven't had a bad meal here-I guess it is a matter of personal taste.

 

[Forensicmom]

Sorry but I had a terrible experience with SCi-Fi and my entire family begged to never go there again. Even though the atmosphere is neat, it's is VERY difficult sitting in those tiny cars with 6 people. You are all facing forward and it's extremely difficult to see or talk to each other, making it hard when you have 4 kids and are trying to help them order, cut food, etc. Also, it was SO dark that we could not read the menu OR see our food. DH actually got sick after eating his burger.

I was told that because of the atmosphere, you're supposed to act like you're at a movie and be quiet. NOT easy with kids.

 

[Herfnerd]

Of those two choices - Sci-Fi Dine-In. My last meal there was actually pretty good!

 

[debbiembyrdrowan]

Sci-GI was awful for us as well. Was supposed to be 3yr olds bday..he loves cars, but we couldn't get the seating right...very difficult with little ones and it was so dark they were scared. The movies were not even good. Never been to mama melrose but I'd give it a try.

 

[ariane37]

This is a little off topic, but we're going to sci-fi in a few weeks with another family, first time for us both. 4 adults, 4 kids. Had planned for kids to sit together and adults together in another car as they said we'd be split up. Does this mean the adults would all be on the same side, as opposed to 2 across from 2? Something a pp wrote gave me this impression. May have to rethink our ressie!

 

[charmedlife3517]

We just got back from Disney and with the exception of Narcoosees which is a signature, Sci-Fi was probably my favorite dinner meal. The food was delicious and the restraunt is so quiet. We did go at 8:20 so everybody was tired at that point which may be why it was so quiet but we loved it. Our waiter was great. We asked for pictures and he took several from all angles. I got the steak and it was tender and full of flavor, the spinich dip was very tasty as well. The atmosphere is unbeatable. The whole restraunt is themed very well. With that being said, I have never been to MM but that was my bestfriends favorite meal of their trip this year. They went the same time as us. She showed me pictures and it looked amazing. Tough call. If you are doing Fantasmic you can get the Fantasmic package at MM.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Ok, thanks everyone! We have Via Napoli booked a few days before this night, so I guess the Italian food wouldn't be quite up to par! I'm going to keep up my desperate attempt to get an Ohana reservation for that night, but barring any miracle, I think we'll be trying the drive in!

Good idea! We've been there so many times and never had a bad meal there. Ever. Its so much fun. As i said, we've tried a variety of things on the menu and loved them all. Spinach dip/chips, onion rings, chicken wings, burgers, all so yummy! Love the theme, its one of my faves and surprisingly quiet!

This is a little off topic, but we're going to sci-fi in a few weeks with another family, first time for us both. 4 adults, 4 kids. Had planned for kids to sit together and adults together in another car as they said we'd be split up. Does this mean the adults would all be on the same side, as opposed to 2 across from 2? Something a pp wrote gave me this impression. May have to rethink our ressie!

It all depends. You can ask for two cars side by side. You might have to wait, but they can accomodate you, esp if one car will be all kids. The cars are not very far apart...so you can still whisper/talk to them if you wish. Alternatively, they also have a regular table setup in a car that you can use. Not sure if they seat 8 ppl thou. But at least you'll have that option if you dont want to sit in an actual car?

And for those ppl concerned/complaining about being in a car and not being able to talk to everyone in your party, etc etc. Honestly, its a DRIVE IN. What did you expect??? When you booked the ADR did you not know this? They have pictures of the cars on the disney website when you make your ADR. If you anticipated this would be an issue you couldve asked for one of the tables instead. Its still fun, and that way you can look at eachother through out the whole meal if you wanted. I personally dont see the big deal. youre with your party throught out the whole trip. You can talk anytime you want. A little quiet time during dinner never hurt anyone.

As for the darkness, sorry but ive never had an issue reading my menu or seeing my food.