Would Sci-Fi scare my kids???

[Ardenne]

My 2-year-old wasn't scared last summer, but my guess would be that if a child *were* scared, it would be more due to the overall atmosphere of the restaurant (it was quite dark -- hard to even see our food well) than the sci-fi clips specifically. My 7-year-old watched them and thought they were more funny than scary, though like your kids Scooby Doo is more her speed in general, but I don't think my 2-year-old paid any attention to them at all.

If you do eat there, I suggest bringing along a small flashlight to help check the table before you leave to make sure nothing is left behind -- because like I said, it's really hard to see, and with kids you never know what they might set down and forget about!

 

[TruBlu]

I think you (and the poster with the 8-year old who was uneasy at bedtime) are doing a real disservice to people who might want to eat at this place with little kids by making it sound like a scary place. IMO any 8-year old who was made to feel uneasy by the screeners in this place probably needs professional help.

Thanks for the "helpful" advice. I'll check into that whole therapy thing...

For everyone who was truly helpful...

Thanks! I think we will skip it this year. DS4 had a meltdown last night because he is afraid that he will become a GIANT!!! He was actually crying.... Oh well, I guess we'll try it out next year. Ii sounds very fun. I don't think most children would be scared. Mine is just going thru one on those phases...

 

[DVCLiz]

Although many people (correctly) see the movies at Sci Fi as comedy clips, they are only comedic because they are so cheesy in today's terms. If you are a small child and you see a giant man on the screen and a small group of people at his ankle jab a needle into him and all the waiters scream and then the giant man picks up the needle and throws it like a javelin into one of the humans, I think it's perfectly reasonable to feel frightened.

It's a matter of "once you get it, you get that it's funny", but until you are old enough to get it, I think it could be very scary for little guys.

 

[TruBlu]

If you are a small child and you see a giant man on the screen and a small group of people at his ankle jab a needle into him and all the waiters scream and then the giant man picks up the needle and throws it like a javelin into one of the humans, I think it's perfectly reasonable to feel frightened.

That would DEFINITELY freak-out my little Chicken Little!!! Thanks!!!

 

[magicmouse2]

Well youngest DD (8)has been doing ToT since age 4 and not scared of twilight zone etc. But oldest DD age 9 saw pics of Sci Fi Dine in Movie screen and was not keen at all I was going to give it a try but I think we will be doing Brown Derby Instead. We have Mama Melrose booked for another MGM dinner, and I am sick of buffets so dont want to do Hollywood n Vine. DH would have heart failure if we did 50s prime time as he hates homestyle cooking and chatty waiters/waitresses.

 

[TruBlu]

DH would have heart failure if we did 50s prime time as he hates homestyle cooking and chatty waiters/waitresses.

My DH Too!!!!
I'm bummed about that - it sounds like a place I would LOVE!!!

 

[ZIPBAGS]

My DD (11 & 8) love it. And they can't wait to go back this summer. They first went when they were 8 & 5.

 

[estnh]

Kids can be frightened by anything, and part of our jobs as parents is to make sure we understand the limits of our own children. The entire experience of Disney World is an emotional roller coaster for young kids even without being exposed to something that may frighten them.

If there is any doubt whatsoever that a child would be in the least bit frightened by this experience, then why take the chance of going there? There are literally hundreds of other options at WDW. Pick one of those, and forget about SciFi until the kids are a little older.

I'm amazed at the tone this thread has taken--the OP asked a very legitimate question. Because an adult is not frightened by a guy in a funky rubber suit does not mean a toddler would not be!

 

[slp87]

If you are a small child and you see a giant man on the screen and a small group of people at his ankle jab a needle into him and all the waiters scream and then the giant man picks up the needle and throws it like a javelin into one of the humans, I think it's perfectly reasonable to feel frightened.

This is exactly the clip I remember because the waiters screamed and it was funny, but I did shield my eyes when the giant threw down the needle and I knew it was going to stab the doctor. My DD has never been afraid of these types of things (she told us at 2 that she was going to be the headless spector from Scooby Doo), but I have friends whose children are afraid of automatic flushing toilets and would probably be scared of Sci Fi as well...Does that mean they should never eat there?? No, just wait until the kids are a little older and everyone will enjoy it more. DD was 11 this trip and she really got a kick out of the clips, much more than when she was 5.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Just to add another viewpoint.

I just asked DD - she was 8 when we were there. She said, "no I didn't like it. The food was good, but the movies were just creepy"

DS was 5 at the time and chimmed in and agreed with his sister. He said, "too creepy and dark" This coming from a kid who has seen and liked all of the Harry Potter movies and all the Star Wars with no problem.

I guess I better call the therapist!