Sci Fi VS 50's Prime TIme SHOWDOWN!

[Mazz519]

We love the 50s Prime Time go every year, were not big fans of Sci Fi had 2 bad experiences there so probably won't go back

 

[jimmymc]

Brown Derby is the only restaurant in Studios that really sticks out to me, so I almost always go there when I want a TS meal.

But given the choice, I would take Sci-fi. The food at 50's is just ok for me, and there's really only 3 options, all of which I can get other places for less money or better quality. I really enjoy the shrimp pasta and burgers at Sci-Fi, and especially for a theme park day I think those are better.

 

[OppR2nist]

I love them both, for different reasons. Primetime is lots of fun for CM interaction, Sci-fi is really a unique experience that feels like you're in an entirely different place. The food is roughly the same quality at both AFAIC.

 

[sbrown29]

Not a fan of either. We had one of our worst dining experiences at Sci-fi and never went back. Primetime was 'meh'-- but the shakes aren't too bad.

 

[chalee94]

I like Sci Fi. But from a food perspective, definitely just keep it simple...I liked my burger a couple of years ago but it's more about the experience.

When I want the "best" food, I'd leave DHS and go over to Epcot...

 

[disneydreamer1980]

No trip to Disney is complete for us without eating at both of these. Love the theming of each of them, IMO the best themed restaurants at Disney. The food is ok, not great, but it’s not the focus here. You can have great food at many places but you can only experience that amazing atmosphere and theming at these restaurants.

 

[fairestoneofall]

My family LOVES 50's! We usually only plan one table service and it is the overwhelming choice on every trip! The food is always good. The service is fast. They are SO fantastic with allergies (I know WDW as a whole is, but the servers at 50's generally go above and beyond for my son).

Plus, if the park closes early, 50's usually has later reservations. We did that on our last trip and came out to an empty park. The pictures I got were amazing!!!

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Ive never done 50s, the menu doesn’t appeal to me, and I don’t really care for the shenanigans that go with it. I like TS at the theme parks specifically so I can relax and escape the park madness, so I gravitate towards the quieter places.

sci fi is super cool, and apart from the movie clips on the screen, it’s much quieter then you would expect. (I think it’s the low lighting, makes everyone whisper.) I’ve heard plenty of complaints from other people about the food, but I’ve never had an issue with it, stick to the burgers/fries and simple stuff, it’s decent.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Sci Fi for sure.

 

[Castlequeen5]

We went to both during spring break 2 months ago. We’ve been to Sci Fi several times and always go for the atmosphere. My kids love sitting in the cars and watching the clips! The food is fine, but nothing special.

It was our first time at 50’s. I thought the chicken was good, way better than the burger at Sci Fi. But there were no antics that I noticed anywhere around us. Nothing stood out about the experience or the PB&J shakes that we were excited to try. Not a big deal to me, but there’s not really a reason to go back for our family.

Some of us are coming back this weekend for a graduation trip. This trip, we want to try new places. But I had 1 request...Sci Fi! One of our friends has never been, and my girls want her to experience it. I’m still on the fence, as to whether I’ll actually go with them. But if I do, I’m just going for dessert. I’m deciding between the warm donut or the homemade candy bar! Ha!

 

[nkereina]

Tough call for me - 50s and Sci Fi are two of the most uniquely themed restaurants on WDW property. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Sci Fi has more burgers and sandwich type foods - better lunch fare, IMO. 50s has more heartier dinner-type entrees. I agree that Sci Fi seems less chaotic. The seating is more spaced out and private since you're sitting side by side in rows, essentially. Perhaps its because of the movie footage they show, but it seems like people are instinctively quiet while dining at Sci Fi so as not to disrupt the "movie". I think you can see your food fine, but will caution that depending on the size of the people, the booths can be a little cramped and the table space is limited. At 50s, the servers are good at sensing how playful each party is and will adjust accordingly. If you're really opposed, you could tell your server up front that you're not there for the antics and I'm sure they'd respect that. Any antics we've had are always in good fun, nothing humiliating. I don't know for sure but I imagine they've scaled back some of the antics in the covid environment, so it might be a lessened version now anyhow.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I think I should have started a poll at the beginning of the thread! I'm going to go ahead and add one just for kicks.

 

[NickC]

I love a good meal, but in WDW, I prefer a good atmosphere. 50's Prime Time can be fun, but, to me, nothing beats the theming at Sci-Fi. It's a must do for us.

 

[maui2k5]

We love them both, but always try to go to Sci-Fi every trip. The experience is what makes it win for us. 50"s wins for food though.

 

[Marrila]

Sci-fi is relaxing fun for us. Prime time is ok, but not as enjoyable.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Not a fair "showdown".
Sci-Fi all the way!

 

[BebopBaloo]

Hey y'all. I appreciate every single reply here! I don't know what I'll end up doing just yet, but I am going to be taking a long break from the Disboards. Just wanted to say thanks before I go and explain why I wouldn't be replying.
Best wishes! Safe travels! Happy eats!

 

[BebopBaloo]

Edit: won't be deleting for now, after inquiry into deletion. So for now, BebopBaloo is still me.

 

[CableKC]

For me, it comes down to the type of food that you want.

When I look at Sci Fi, the menu is mainly made up of some type of a sandwich or burger as your entree. There are a few Non-sandwich/burger type of options ( like chicken or salmon pasta ) but you're pretty much having a better version of the standard Burgers that you can get at the counter service restaurants outside ( which I will be tired of by the time we get to HS ).

But when you look at the menu for Prime Time 50s cafe, it's more in line with having comfort food as your entree options that aren't considered to be a Sandwich or burger of some sort.

Obviously, there are other factors to deciding......like atmosphere of sitting at Drive-In theater or the enjoyment of the "show" that the "aunts and Uncles" there put on for you at the 50s Prime Time Cafe.

For me, I'd pick 50s Prime Time Cafe primarily because I don't want to eat more burgers or some type of a sandwich s for dinner ( which I am sure that I will be doing throughout the entire trip ). I'd prefer eating something a little different, as in a meal that I can't eat with my hands but with a fork and knife. I'm not trying to be snobby here, but trying to illustrate that I'd prefer to eat something different compared to what I will likely be eating for the duration of the trip.

Despite that reasoning, I can tell you that I decided to go with Sci Fi Drive restaurant for my next trip to HS. We're not going there for the food but only because of my daughter. For the 3 or 4 times that we have taken her to DW, she asked why we never go to Sci Fi Drive In Restaurant. My reasons was cuz I didn't think that the food was all that great or different the 2 times that we went there before she was born. But now, I've booked dinner reservations there just because she hasn't gone there and wanted to see what it's like.

 

[B-Ride]

Couldn't vote. No "Neither" option.