Whispering Canyon Cafe vs. Sci-Fi Diner

[princessbee]

There are a gazillion threads of this nature but I really enjoy reading them, and now I have my own conundrum... we currently have an ADR at Sci-Fi Diner for lunch on 1/12, but we're considering changing that to lunch at the WCC instead. We're choosing lunch because we're not on any dining plan, so it's cheaper that way, but I'm worried about whether it will be as fun as advertised, since a) it's lunchtime and b) it will be in January, after the marathon crowds have come and gone. What are your opinions either way? Do we have major Sci-Fi Diner or WCC fans, and what do you love about the restaurants?

Thanks!

 

[eventamy]

I really love Sci-Fi! It was my second favorite meal during my last trip, Spoodles being our very favorite! It topped Kona, Chef Micky and even CRT which I loved too!
You really can't go wrong if you stick with burgers, fries and shakes and the ambience is just so cool! We loved it!

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have done both for lunch...Sci Fi is awesome, WCC was gross

 

[prncess674]

Are you staying at the WL? Realize you will waste a lot of time getting to WCC at the WL. I am assuming you are touring the Studios on that day. You would save your park time by just eating at SciFi in the park.

 

[SydneyFalco]

WCC has the slightly better food, my opinion (so I'm already contradicting an earlier poster--but that's the nature of these threads). It also serves a lot more of it. If you're making lunch the primary meal, it's hard to do better than to go to WCC and order the plate that's a little bit of everything (I forget the name). It's literally unfinishable, or it was when we went there.

Our waitress did the whole "loud and brassy" shtick, even though it was just the wife and me. That said, WCC's out in the boonies, in terms of WDW geography. We were staying at the Contemporary, just a boat ride away and even then it was a time suck. I didn't mind, though; I wanted to see the resort.

Sci-Fi is fun and the food's generally better than a lot of folks give it credit for. The movie clips get old fast, but it's a cool experience. Average burger, average shake, big ol' fries. The only thing I didn't like was that, since we were only four, a couple got but in the back third row of our "car". That's a bit weird for me, having strangers peering into the back of my head while I eat.

 

[iloveeeyore]

We've never tried Sci-Fi, because we really just don't "get" the seating arrangement (in rows) and the watching movies during meals thing. We tend to want to face eachother and talk during our meals, so that environment is just not for us, but lots of people love it.

We had dinner at WCC last year and all I can say is, lunch couldn't possibly be worse! We didn't enjoy the food at all, and on the particular night we were there, it was not very fun. I MIGHT give it another try if I ever stayed at WL again, but I would absolutely not go out of my way for it, nor could I ever recommend the place to anybody.

I'd pick Sci-Fi over WCC any day, despite what I said in my first paragraph!

 

[KatMark]

I would pick any Disney restaurant over Whispering Canyon Cafe (with the exception of Hollywood & Vine). The food was disgusting (we had the skillet) and the service was horrible. We had a great dinner at Sci Fi in September and can't wait to go back.

 

[autumnpalm]

I would pick the Sci Fi for sure.

 

[wvdislover]

Sci-Fi! We tried it this last trip, and it will now be a *must* for every trip now! Our DD's loved getting to watch movie clips while we ate, DH and I enjoyed the fact that DD's were entertained! We all enjoyed our food and milkshakes...yummy! BTW, we didn't mind the "strangers" in the backseat--we talked to them some and all had fun together with our server.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

if you havent been to either, i would say go for Sci-Fi, especially if you're in DHS that day. WCC would be good on a MK, a nice boat ride from MK.
As far as the food, i prefer WCC for their skillet and milkshakes. We dont like the antics on us, but it's funny to see the other tables getting it. The WL is amazingly beautiful! You could time it to see the huge geyser in the back. Wow, it's big! Every 30 min i think. Sci-Fi is good, their ribs are pretty good, not worth the $20. Both places have similar food like burgers and milkshakes. Sci-Fi's atmosphere would be funner, WCC is a regular table with cowboy decor and antics. Sci-Fi has the dark room, stars on the ceiling, waitress wear roller skates, you sit in a cramped little car..lol, just the part they put the food on is cramped b/c it's too narrow. Service was good both times at WCC, but at Sci-FI we had terrible, excellent, terrible service. The reuben is good. you'll enjoy either place! have a blast

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I would pick any Disney restaurant over Whispering Canyon Cafe (with the exception of Hollywood & Vine). The food was disgusting (we had the skillet) and the service was horrible. We had a great dinner at Sci Fi in September and can't wait to go back.

Totally agree with everything she said.

 

[coconutprincess]

I know I'm in the minority, but I would say go with touring plans. If you've never done sci-fi, do it once.

We ate at both on our last trip (WCC for the first time), and we actually really enjoyed WCC. That being said, I'm a big meat eater and love BBQ, so I just loved the skillet (even though I only ate the corn, brisket, ribs, chicken and pulled pork).

Our server was good, but no shenanigans, we were off in like the back corner.

 

[thelionqueen]

I LOVE WCC for breakfast but would not return again for lunch or dinner, the food was just not very good. We LOVE Sci-fi, the food is standard burgers and fries but really good and a good price.

 

[wide receiver]

WOW! We loved WCC, thought the food was good, its been almost 2years since we have been there. Maybe its gone down? WOW! Sci-fi we didn't care for at all. Hamburgers (which I love usually) were not very good and seemed to us like school cafe food. But maybe it has gotten better?

 

[SydneyFalco]

WOW! We loved WCC, thought the food was good, its been almost 2years since we have been there. Maybe its gone down? WOW! Sci-fi we didn't care for at all. Hamburgers (which I love usually) were not very good and seemed to us like school cafe food. But maybe it has gotten better?

I was there nine months ago. Those folks who found it disgusting or subpar, what were the dates of these experiences and what was the exact problem?

 

[The VWL Five]

We love, love, love WCC. Period.

What I have learned a long time ago is everyone has different tastes when it comes to food. Something I enjoy others don't and vice versa. The only way to know for sure is try it yourself. I think that works best.

Enjoy.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Ate at Sci-Fi in 2009 -- absolutely disgusting food. I mean terrible. Maybe if you just wanted a soda and french fries it would be OK. The seating is cramped, service very plain. Ate at Whispering Canyon Cafe for dinner in 2008, food was just OK and the "entertainment" was really nothing at all -- the waitress was a little funny interacting with us. SciFi and WCC are not near each other. Read the reviews on www.allears.net

Where will you be on that day? There are MANY, MANY better places to eat depending on what you are looking for - characters, fine dining, entertainment, etc..... Here's my favorite lunch places ---

Magic Kingdom - Liberty Tree Tavern.
Hollywood Studios - Mama Melrose or just quick service
Animal Kingdom - Yak and Yeti
Epcot - Restaurant Marrakesh, Tutto Italia
Character Lunch - Crystal Palace (when Pooh characters return)

 

[thelionqueen]

Ate at Sci-Fi in 2009 -- absolutely disgusting food. I mean terrible. Maybe if you just wanted a soda and french fries it would be OK. The seating is cramped, service very plain. Ate at Whispering Canyon Cafe for dinner in 2008, food was just OK and the "entertainment" was really nothing at all -- the waitress was a little funny interacting with us. SciFi and WCC are not near each other. Read the reviews on www.allears.net

Where will you be on that day? There are MANY, MANY better places to eat depending on what you are looking for - characters, fine dining, entertainment, etc..... Here's my favorite lunch places ---

Magic Kingdom - Liberty Tree Tavern.
Hollywood Studios - Mama Melrose or just quick service
Animal Kingdom - Yak and Yeti
Epcot - Restaurant Marrakesh, Tutto Italia
Character Lunch - Crystal Palace (when Pooh characters return)

I just had to post a reply because 4 of the restaurants this poster chose as better than your suggestions are at the absolute bottom of my preference list.

Everyone has an opinion, good or bad. Pick which you think you will like best, and then you can post your thoughts later.

I've been to Sci-fi more times than I can count (literally at least 25-30 times) and have NEVER had food there that was "disgusting". Fair to average-yes, excellent-yes..disgusting..NEVER. But this is my experience only for what it's worth!

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

Sci-Fi has my Vote.

 

[Kennywife]

I loved WCC! They were great with my food allergies and the food was excellent. I haven't tried Sci-Fi, but I will next fall, Kenny (hubby) wants to check it out.

Anna