Sci-Fi Solo

[Pdollar88]

I go solo a lot, but I've never eaten at Sci-Fi solo before. Are you usually seated in a car? Do you need to request it? I would prefer the car, rather than one of the tables in the back.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I don't know what is usual, but I have dined solo and sat in a car there

 

[HopperFan]

I go solo a lot, but I've never eaten at Sci-Fi solo before. Are you usually seated in a car? Do you need to request it? I would prefer the car, rather than one of the tables in the back.

If you have an ADR you will be seated in a car. The picnic tables at the back are traditionally used for "walk up" guests who didn't have a standing ADR.

You will share a car with strangers though. You could be seated in any of the seats with strangers in the others. Our party of two has been seated in front, in back and even in the middle with two other stranger couples.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You’ll be in a car. You will have your own bench but you will share the car with others. I’ve been in the front and back.

Sci-Fi is great as a solo diner. Usually I read a book on my phone to not feel weird but here you get to watch tv which is what everyone else is doing too.

 

[BrianL]

If you have an ADR you will be seated in a car. The picnic tables at the back are traditionally used for "walk up" guests who didn't have a standing ADR.

You will share a car with strangers though. You could be seated in any of the seats with strangers in the others. Our party of two has been seated in front, in back and even in the middle with two other stranger couples.

The difference with Sci-Fi is that everyone is facing forward though, so even in a different row, you're not really set up to interact with the others in the car. They will either have their backs to you or be staring at your back. I know some people were uncomfortable with the way Beirgarten used to do communal seating, but that was a very different situation where you were mixed at a proper table (I do not believe they do that anymore).

Do they still call another party in your car "hitchhikers?" I always thought that was funny.

 

[_19disnA]

We ate lunch there a few years ago and were seated at one of the regular tables located near the back. Liked that much better. Looking/talking to the back of the head of someone else in your party seems strange to us. The old TV/film clips won't mean much to anyone under the age of 50. Our overall experience was this was a one-and-done sort of place for us.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do they still call another party in your car "hitchhikers?" I always thought that was funny.

Yes

 

[gottalovepluto]

... The old TV/film clips won't mean much to anyone under the age of 50.

Them’s fightin’ words!

I’m noticeably south of 50 and I get a laugh out of them. I think it’s less age and more your general attitude towards campy old stuff. I wouldn’t want to watch a movie of it, but little clips are kinda funny.

 

[BrianL]

Them’s fightin’ words!

I’m noticeably south of 50 and I get a laugh out of them. I think it’s less age and more your general attitude towards campy old stuff. I wouldn’t want to watch a movie of it, but little clips are kinda funny.

Yeah, I'm not quite that old, and I love a good campy B-movie sometimes. I have a friend who is really into them, but it can get to be a bit much. Every once in a while though, it's fun to watch something kind a goofy like that.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Whenever I've eaten at the Sci-Fi solo, I've been in a car, no one else in my "row", but I've always shared the car with others. I think Sci-Fi is a great choice for a solo who's eating solo for the first time. It feels sort of like sitting in your living room alone, watching TV.

 

[jcemom]

The old TV/film clips won't mean much to anyone under the age of 50. Our overall experience was this was a one-and-done sort of place for us.

My 22 year old daughter considers Sci Fi a must-do, every single trip.

 

[CarolynFH]

My 22 year old daughter considers Sci Fi a must-do, every single trip.

DH does too.

 

[kanerf]

I was there earlier this month and got seated in a car. I have also got one of the tables in the back several times. I actually prefer these. It is very hard to see your food in the cars.

 

[Cazbucket]

Solo twice, always had a car!

 

[Debbie Jean]

Yup, go to WDW several times a year solo and Sci-Fi is a must do… always a hitchhiker.

I will say I grew up going to the drive in with my folks so I have lots of warm memories of putting on my pj’s, grabbing my pillow and blanket and dozing off in the back seat watching Planet 9 from outer space lol

 

[kanerf]

We actually have a drive-in left in my small town (Johnstown, PA). I have not been there, but it is on my bucket list.

 

[focusondisney]

We actually have a drive-in left in my small town (Johnstown, PA). I have not been there, but it is on my bucket list.

There’s one about 30 minutes from us, it’s hugely popular. They gradually went from 2 to 4 screens, then about 10 years ago, they increased to 5. The owner also demolished the decades old rest room/ concession building & built a new, drive in themed building with 8 registers & 2 each male/ female rest rooms. All first run movies, except 1 screen on Retro Tuesdays & occasional fright night screenings. There’s mini golf & a playground. The capacity is 1100 cars & they’re sold out most weekends in the summer.

 

[only hope]

The difference with Sci-Fi is that everyone is facing forward though, so even in a different row, you're not really set up to interact with the others in the car. They will either have their backs to you or be staring at your back. I know some people were uncomfortable with the way Beirgarten used to do communal seating, but that was a very different situation where you were mixed at a proper table (I do not believe they do that anymore).

Do they still call another party in your car "hitchhikers?" I always thought that was funny.

Biergartin fills tables now. That was purely a Covid thing.

 

[BrianL]

Biergartin fills tables now. That was purely a Covid thing.

I haven't been much since then. I did once, and we had our own table, but it also was not very busy. That's good to know though.

 

[jcemom]

I always feel kind of awkward when dining solo at table service restaurants, but that wasn't an issue for me at Sci Fi. With the rows only allowing one or two people anyway, I was quite comfortable being alone. I think the dim lighting and built in entertainment (movie clips) also helped a lot.