50's Prime Time vs. Sci Fi Dine In Theater

[savafan]

If you had to pick one table service at DHS between these 2, for a party of 4 with 2 kids (ages 5/girl and 6/boy), which would be the better choice?

[NJGIRL]

We like the SciFi more. Prime Time is good, but I think a lot of what goes on in there is lost on the younger kids. Plus, the kids love to sit in the cars and watch the movie scenes.

I feel the Prime Time is a heavier meal also.

[AgentC]

I have a 6 year old girl and 8 year old boy. They enjoyed both but the one they ask to go back to is Sci Fi. They really love the sitting in the cars and enjoy the old movie trailers. I think they also found the theme easier to understand since they aren't very familiar with 50s & 60S TV.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I'd go with SciFi. My DD has ALWAYS asked to go back, and it is just a really neat place, especially for kids! Where else can you eat in your car? :drive:

[MargaretMessler]

Another vote here for SciFi

[Katzateer]

Yes, Sci Fi for sure. But primetime is fun. My family doesn't like PT because they don't like all the attention. They love SciFi to relax and eat and be entertained without being harassed ( their words, not mine lol).

[mandaep]

I really do love both but the experience and ambiance for kids that age might be more memorable at sci fi.

[Mfarquar]

You really can't go wrong IMO - both have their benefits. We actually always try to hit up both during our longer Disney trips.

SciFi

Pros: Best theme park restaurant atmosphere in the world, in my opinion. The entire place is a surprise and captures your imagination. Plus, dining in cars is a lot of fun and novel for kids. Don't tell the kids what the place is like in advance - the look on their faces should be priceless.

Cons: The food simply isn't anything spectacular here, with some items like burgers that are very similar to counter service burgers just with a much higher price tag. But, the food isn't bad.

50's Prime Time:

Pros: Also ADORABLE theming. Some seating is better than others in the dining room. For the full effect, request a table next to one of the 1950s TVs. We've always found the food to be very good and the adult beverage list/bartenders area always very good (quintessentially 1950s cocktails). Nice details like a dessert menu that is presented in a ViewFinder. The bottom line: The waitstaff treats everyone like kids. As a kid, my sister, cousins and I got a REAL kick out of that. Nothing like your mom getting sweetly reprimanded that elbows should be off the table or dad getting chastised for not eating his green vegetables and given a Little Mermaid lobster bib. It's silly and all good fun.

Cons: Tables can be a little tight in some areas. Some adults/teenagers take themselves too seriously and can't go with the flow! Most of the wait staff should really be actors or actresses, but if you get a dud, it dulls the experience.

[Mickey'sGirl]

Sci Fi.

[mgmnut]

I agree with the others, Due to the age of your children I would go with Sci-Fi.

My kids love both. We went to 50's PT when my kids were about 8 and they thought the waitress was a riot, I did have to explain the concept to the kids that we were all a "family from the 50's".

I think they liked it mostly that night because the waitress accidentally dropped a tray of cold drinks down my back. After a few very sincere apologies, and she saw I was not upset at all, she played it off like it was my fault, she was going to send me to my room. They gave me a free Disney T-shirt so I wasn't walking around wet the rest of the night.

The kicker was that someone shortly later lost a dessert off of their tray and it hit the floor behind me, splattering some on my leg. I got "What did you do this time!!" from our server. ha ha The kids thought it was great.

[TheVBs]

I agree, probably Sci Fi. The atmosphere is a lot cooler and immersive. The food is very hit or miss though. I've seen lots of suggestions here to just stick with a burger and fries kind of order, which I'm going to do in the future.

Prime Time has great food! But you're not guaranteed one of those really cool little family nooks. If you're not seated there, the atmosphere is not impressive and it's also dependent on how good your server is as a character.

[joonyer]

We've done both, and our kids liked both, but Sci-Fi was their favorite, Stick with the burgers, onion rings and milk shakes and you can't go wrong with the food.

[ransam]

I never really liked the Sci-Fi. but I loved the prime time. I guess it's just people's preference. Just seems there was more interaction with the staff and guests at the 50's and not so much at the Sci fi....
I can definitely see why people like sci-fi, just not my cup of tea.

[#1donaldfan]

After enjoying both places several times, I'd choose Sci Fi over 50's. I think the younger kids will love the cars at Sci Fi and I would rate my food and experience a bit higher at Sci Fi as well.

[Fastpasssteve]

I prefer Sci Fi Dine-Inn. I've been to both several times. Perhaps it's the atmosphere that draws me to Sci Fi.

[RoyalDuchessofDisney]

Tough choice both are so fun. I would actually go with prime time. As a kid I can remember thinking it was hilarious that my parents were scolded, and that my sibling and I could tattle on them. :mickey:

[RAIDER]

I've been to both
The sci fi has a unique atmosphere that kids and adults will enjoy
The downside out of the two the menu is very dull

The 50s is good fun and a tad serial with the better menu

Either one you will enjoy but I think your kids will love the atmosphere of the sci fi

Ps the sci fi milkshakes are amazing by the way

Personally I would go for the sci fi if it was my choice

[nqi2]

My family may be the minority here. My 10 yr and 7 yr old hated Sci_Fi. They thought the trailers that played over and over were boring and we were there for so long because of service that we seriously seen them a bunch.

With saying that we are trying Prime Time this time with the request of the kids because they want to have the waitress mess with them because they think it would be fun. They also loved the restaurant at the Wilderness Lodge where they harassed you.

[savafan]

Yeah, I'm not so sure the car atmosphere will be that big of a draw for my kids, as we have a 50's diner about 5 minutes from home that has that setup. The drive-in screen might be cool for them, as we also have a drive-in down the road that we go to several times every summer. I feel like the primetime cafe might be more different for them though.

[savafan]

Well, it's kind of a moot point now, as I was finally able to snag ADR's for both on different days. We'll do lunch at 50's Primetime, and I think we'll just stop in at Sci-Fi for a pre-dinner dessert/snack (reservation is at 3:00) :thumbsup: