Sci Fi Dine In - How to fix it

[MKCP 1985]

I don't agree the food "is awful." Some menu choices are better than others for the environment of a re-created drive in movie theater. Burger and shake has always been a can't miss option.

As Disney Parks has gone to a homogenous brand to cut costs, some of the cool things about Sci Fi have gone to the wayside and it would be awesome to see them return.

Several years ago, you could order a child's meal and the dinner plate was a glow in the dark frisbee (Sci-Fi, get it?) and the drink came in a glow in the dark cup, all with the restaurant logo. That was super cool!

Even as recently as a couple years ago, your dinner napkins were a heavy grade paper with the Sci-Fi logo embossed (he's talking about napkins! :dazzle: :veryconfu ) I know - who cares about napkins? But that was one of the little things that made the restaurant stand out from the commissary and made you feel you were getting a little more value for the overpriced theme park food. :lol:

I love Sci-Fi. It is still my most favorite place to eat in the Studios park. :king:

 

[lebeau]

I don't think the menu needs to be changed so much as the quality needs to improve. I wouldn't object to some tweaks here and there, but I sure don't want Drive-In food at table service prices!

 

[David Roberts]

I love San Angel Inn, but my wife hates it.

I've only always had the burger at Sci Fi, as nothing else sounds good to me. It's OK. Not the worst burger on property, not the best.

If you have only had the burger than how can you be a judge of their food at all?:shrug:

 

[sjames]

I've only been to Sci-Fi dine in once which was in my last trip in September 2009, and really enjoyed the whole experience in there. Particularly as sci-fi is a great love of mine, and also probably because of the whole 'drive in movie theater' thing which (as far as I know) has never really existed in the UK.

I had the burger on my visit, and did think some of the menu choices were a bit odd for a 'drive-in' style restaurant. Perhaps for any changes it might worth taking a look at Annette's Diner at Disney Village in Paris as that was a 50's style restaurant and had a lot of good choices of burgers, hot dogs, sundaes etc but were a bit more than the normal standard counter service fare.

 

[captainkidd]

If you have only had the burger than how can you be a judge of their food at all?:shrug:

Just going by reviews, write-ups in books, etc. It's consistently rated among the worst restaurants at WDW. In fact, of all the restaurants at WDW theme parks, the only one with a lower customer satisfaction rating is Nine Dragons.

My main problem, as I said, is with the menu. It sucks. It doesn't match the theme, and what's on there is unappealing. I mean seriously - Catfish? Tofu?

Near my house, there's a very popular drive in movie theatre. Here is the menu for concessions:

N. E. CLAM CHOWDER - CUP
N.E. CLAM CHOWDER - BOWL
FRESH LOBSTER ROLL
HAMBURGER
CHEESEBURGER
CHEESEBURGER DELUX
GRILLED CHICKEN SAND
HOT ROAST BEEF SAND
FRENCH FRIES
CHEESE FRIES
MOZZARELLA STIX
WING DINGS
HOT DOG
CHEESE DOG
CHILI DOG
TACO DOG
MINI PIZZA
POPCORN CHICKEN
CHICKEN BASKET
MEAT OR BEAN ON MEXICAN ITEMS
JUMBO TACO
TACO SANDWICH
TACO SALAD
BURRITO - (MEAT, CHEESE, LET, TOM)
NACHO WITH CHEESE
NACHO SUPREME (MEAT, CHEESE, SOUR CREAM)
JALAPENO POPPERS(STUFFED WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE)
CUP OF CHILI
BOWL OF CHILI
SMALL POPCORN
LARGE POPCORN
SOFT / HARD ICE CREAM
SMALL SUNDAE
LARGE SUNDAE
OLD FASHIONED SLUSH
COTTONCANDY
COKE
SPRITE
DIET COKE
ROOTBEER
LEMONADE
VANILLA COKE
ROOTBEER FLOAT
RASPBERRY LIMERICKY
FRAPPE
COFFEE
ICED COFFEE
HOT CHOCOLATE
VITAMIN WATER
NESTEA
BOTTLED WATER

 

[ArtieJim]

I gotta get to ^^^^^ that place.

 

[captainkidd]

I gotta get to ^^^^^ that place.

It's awesome. One of only a couple of drive in theatres left in New England. Place does an insane business. You literally have to get there at least 2 hours before the first movie starts to get a spot.

 

[barrettismyhero]

My solution..

make it a quick service of sorts.

have the actual "food stand"..

to be truthful no one is really there to actually watch the movies.. its more of the ambiance of the place.

 

[ThinkTink721]

We ate at Sci-Fi for the first time last year & we really enjoyed the burgers, fries, & milkshakes. :slurp: :wave:

 

[lebeau]

Just going by reviews, write-ups in books, etc. It's consistently rated among the worst restaurants at WDW. In fact, of all the restaurants at WDW theme parks, the only one with a lower customer satisfaction rating is Nine Dragons.

My main problem, as I said, is with the menu. It sucks. It doesn't match the theme, and what's on there is unappealing. I mean seriously - Catfish? Tofu?

Those reviews can be deceiving. I've had good meals at Sci Fi. I prefer 50s Prime Time, but they get mixed to bad reviews as well. Honestly, I've never had a bad meal at either location. The food at Sci Fi was over priced for what it was. But I knew I was paying for the atmosphere.

The problem to me is not the menu, but the execution. If the execution were more consistent, people would rave about the experience.

 

[devoy1701]

i love this restaurant and the food they offer.

 

[juniorthomas]

Yeah, I'm not getting this at all. I love the Sci-Fi Dine-In. My only complaint is that the film loop is too short. But then again, thats part of the charm.

I wouldn't mind a few more relevant items on the menu, but that wont stop me from going.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

The theme is a 50's drive-in movie showing cheesy Sci-Fi movies.

Keeping that in mind how about a Guy Fieri inspired diners, drive-in and dives theme.You could have a 50's/60' dinner featuring classic diner meals and sandwiches; keep the Reuben, add BLTs, various clubs, etc. When I was stationed in Texas many moons ago I used to have a fried chicken on the bone sandwich. They could keep some vegan items as well for those that don't eat meat.

A club BLT at Sci-Fi would be awesome!!!!

 

[David Roberts]

I guess I'll agree to disagree, but as I've said before I've never ever had a bad meal at Sci-Fi. he Reuben is one of the best I've had and I've had many:lol:. The Ribs are another good item I've enjoyed in the past. Their deserts are great too, especially the peanut butter chocolate cake.

The only thing I would change is maybe adding to the movies shown on the screen as previously mentioned.

 

[captainkidd]

I guess I'll agree to disagree, but as I've said before I've never ever had a bad meal at Sci-Fi. he Reuben is one of the best I've had and I've had many:lol:. The Ribs are another good item I've enjoyed in the past. Their deserts are great too, especially the peanut butter chocolate cake.

The only thing I would change is maybe adding to the movies shown on the screen as previously mentioned.

The desserts (shakes included) are fantastic. I'll give you that.

 

[David Roberts]

The desserts (shakes included) are fantastic. I'll give you that.

:sohappy:

 

[juniorthomas]

I guess I'll agree to disagree, but as I've said before I've never ever had a bad meal at Sci-Fi. he Reuben is one of the best I've had and I've had many:lol:. The Ribs are another good item I've enjoyed in the past. Their deserts are great too, especially the peanut butter chocolate cake.

The only thing I would change is maybe adding to the movies shown on the screen as previously mentioned.

Yeah, there are far worse restaurants in The World than SFDIT

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Its all about opinions and the only one that ultimately counts is my own. So for that reason Im out, no major changes for this chap.