Disney Sci Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Review

If you’re wondering what all the hype is about this drive in movie restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, sit back and relax. There are vintage sci-fi movie clips, classic car booths, and car hops at the ready serving up burgers and milkshakes. But is it worth your Disney time and dime?

When it comes to restaurants at Walt Disney World, we are constantly reminding ourselves that these are theme park restaurants. As such, you can expect something akin to any local restaurant chain back home, in the way of food options and quality. And that is true of Sci-Fi Dine In Theater. 

However, since this is first and foremost a themed Disney restaurant, we tried to ignore that fact that we were eating our dinner in the dark, and concentrated on atmosphere instead. See, we had been to Sci-Fi Dine-In theater a few times before to see what the hype was all about. But mostly, we wondered if they were ever going to change out that sci-fi movie reel. Because it wasn’t really that kid friendly. We were also excited for milkshakes, of which they had several. But what about the actual food? Are the burgers worth the higher price tag? Is this a good restaurant for kids? We had questions, so we decided to add the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant to our Disney Dining Reservation lineup. Here’s what we think you should know before you go. 

Before we dive in, let’s share a quick disclaimer. Sci-Fi Dine-In has a following. Like a huge following. If you’ve seen the thousands of reviews online for Sci-Fi Dine-In you know that it’s a drive-in set up with a classic theme, offering burgers, fries, and milkshakes. And people love that. But Disney has lots of restaurants to choose from, so why pick this one? For us, this Disney Restaurant Review is less of an emotional post and more of a practical one. If you’re ready for a little honesty here, we’re sharing our take. 

Sci Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Details

Located in Hollywood Studios, the Sci-Fi Dine-In theater combines the classic American Diner experience with a Drive-In Movie. Playing old black and white Sci-Fi movie clips from the 1950’s, you can take a seat in the booth of your Classic Car table and settle in. Serving Lunch and Dinner, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant offers a dark and cool respite from the Florida sun and heat.

• Sci Fi Dine In Theater Hours
  • Lunch – 10:30 AM to 3:55 PM
  • Dinner – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Location: Hollywood Studios Park, Commissary Lane
• Reservations: Yes, Highly Recommended
• Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 Table Service Credit on the Disney Dining Plan?
• Cost: $15- $35 per person
• Do they Serve Alcohol? Yes
• Menu: Sci fi Dine In Theater Menu

Sci Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Atmosphere

Okay, here’s the big reason people go to Sci-Fi Dine In theater. The Atmosphere.  The Sci-Fi Dine-In is a restaurant set up like a drive-in movie theater. You’re Together, but Not Really. With each family set up to be seated in a 6-seat car, there are two people per row. As a result, your family will be sitting 2 people a seat in front of each other. Since the experience is meant to be a family watching a movie while they eat, the car setup doesn’t allow for a true family meal, as there isn’t the opportunity to have a conversation since family members aren’t facing each other. Not to mention the sci-fi horror reel playing on the screen. This could prove cumbersome for families with children who may need to cut up a child’s meal or attend to multiple children dining with them.

If you’re grown-ups, however, who have had more than enough of each other on this Disney Vacation then Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater may just give you the distance, and excuse you need to not talk to each other. 

It’s Pretty Dark Up in Here

We love a good ambiance. And we’ll take a dark evening filled with noir anytime, especially to get out of the heat of Florida! But when it comes to eating, we tend to like to see our food, and sometimes we just can’t. Again, we’ve been to Sci-Fi Dine before, this wasn’t a new experience for us. We consistently can’t see the food we eat here, mainly because the lighting bar that illuminates your car table just isn’t that bright, or big. If not for the brilliance of iPhone cameras we wouldn’t really have gotten great pictures here. Because even our regular cameras would have needed a fixed lens, with a low f-stop and probably a tripod. 

Is Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Good for Kids?

As a family dining experience, while the concept is interesting, the atmosphere here offers little for Disney families. A basic burger, fries, and milkshake menu is appealing. But, the awkwardness of sitting behind each other in a car while eating and lack of Disney integration into the films seen on-screen leaves little to appreciate here. Not having small children we’re still painfully aware that little kids can hardly see over the car seats, window, or understand what’s happening on screen. 

Sci Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Movies

While this restaurant does offer the experience of a drive-in, you don’t see Disney cartoons or clips from classic live-action films like Disney’s The Cat from Outer Space. Instead, movie clips from the ‘50’s and ’60’s are shown intermittently between old-school ads and newsreels of the olden days. In fact, almost the entire reel of clips and commercials is in black and white. While this lends to the nostalgia of the day, children will question what they’re watching.

In that same vein, the reel selections chosen are often of the most obscure Old Hollywood Sci-Fi films. Often scary, these film previews, clips, and even advertisements will be completely lost on many children, if not adults. Clearly meant to bring you back to the days of aliens and flying saucers, this drive-in is more appropriate for the older crowd and would work better at Universal Studios than Walt Disney World.

What Movies are played at Disney’s Sci-Fi Dine Theater Restaurant?

• Robot Monster 1953
• Cat Women of the Moon 1953
• Devil Girl from Mars 1954
• It Conquered the World 1956
• Invasion of the Saucer Men 1956
• The Amazing Colossal Man 1957
• Attack of the 50 Foot Woman 1958
• Plan 9 From Outer Space 1959
• The Giant Gila Monster 1959
• Tom and Jerry in “Mouse into Outer Space” Astro Mouse 1962
• The Horror of Party Beach 1964
• Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster 1965
• News of the Future Reels: The Frying Saucer, Video Phone
• Disney’s Mars and Beyond with Robot Garco 1953

Check out exactly what you’ll be watching on the big screen in this Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Video Loop at Hollywood Studios. 

Sci Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Menu

To be honest, the Milkshakes at Sci-Fi Dine-In are the main reason we gave this restaurant a second ( or third) chance. Only to find their milkshake menu now quite limited. The burgers and fries are good, but nothing to write home about and could be on par with the quick service restaurant, Backlot Express nearby. An alternative option to a burger is the chicken salad sandwich on a croissant. And while it was good, it can easily be found at other restaurants for less than the 19 dollars we paid for it here. You can also get Pasta dishes now that range from $20- $30 per bowl. A little fresher than the pasta you’d find at Mama Melrose, these are good pasta bowls, but don’t really match the American diner vibe of the restaurant. 

D-Luxe Burger over at Disney Springs has a better burger menu, milkshakes, is cheaper, and offers a better experience. The addition of the plant-based burger at Sci-Fi, however, is a great option for vegetarians and vegans. And hopefully, a sign that they are trying something new. Check out the whole Sci-fi Dine-In Theater Menu.

Appetizers

Like any good American restaurant, there is a line up of Appetizers here that offers alternatives to entrees if you’re trying to save some money. It’s a combination of sides, like Crispy Onion Rings and Fried Dill Pickles, as well as things like Black Garlic Caesar Salad, and Sci-Fi Smoked Chicken Wings. 

Chicken Salad Sandwich

This Chicken Salad sandwich is a House-made Creamy Blend of Chicken, Granny Smith Apples, Celery, Mayonnaise, and Spices with Applewood-smoked Bacon, Lettuce, Vine-ripened Marinated Tomatoes, and Cilantro-Avocado Aïoli served on a Fresh-baked Multigrain Croissant. This sandwich was a bit disappointing but the array of ingredients was appreciated. Getting a multi-grain anything at Disney is always a treat. And the cilantro avocado aioli made it feel unique and healthy at the same time. This sandwich is $19.

Flying Saucer Impossible Burger

This Plant-Based Burger at Sci-Fi Dine was good. Featuring a Grilled Plant-based Burger, Grilled Portobello Mushroom, “Cashew-Mozzarella”, Garlic-Tomato “Aïoli”, Nut-free Pesto, Lettuce, and Tomato. This sandwich was nice, the addition of the portobello mushroom always tends to make the bun a little soggy, but other than that, this was a nice offering for Plant Based Dining at Disney World. This burger is $24. 

Feature Film Burger

The seasonal “specialty burger” at Sci-Fi is a pork-on-pork burger. This burger was a pork burger, with a slab of pork on top, topped with coleslaw. Since this is seasonal, you may encounter a completely different feature film burger on your next visit. This burger, however, was good and worth the try if you love pork. This burger is $25.

Desserts and Milkshakes

Apart from the atmosphere, the other reason people come here is for the milkshakes. Because in the good old days of Disney, this place had the best ones! But, that has simmered a bit. The best milkshake in Hollywood Studios is the PB & J Milkshake over at 50’s Prime Time Cafe. At Sci Fi Dine In Theater you can choose from Oreo Cookie, Chocolate and Vanilla. They also have a non-dairy milkshake, that is a Cookie Shake with plant based milk and coconut whipped cream. The milkshakes cost about $7.50 each. Frankly this is a good price for a milkshake, but we would have appreciated more options. 

Other desserts here include a Hot Fudge Sundae, the signature The Red Planet dessert, which is Almond Cheesecake with Spiced Blueberry Compote on a Graham Cracker Tart with a Matcha Sponge and Golden Candied Almonds. Or you can get the Caramel Brownie Cheesecake which is a Warm Caramel Cheesecake Brownie topped with an Oreo-Panna Cotta Swirl and paired with Vanilla Blue Sauce, Chocolate Rocks, and Oreo Dust. Desserts range from $7- $10 and are a great add on to the meal, but nothing really mind-blowing. 

Sci Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Cost

While the cost is primarily a result of the unique theme and dining experience offered here, the cost in general, seemed a little pricey to us. Mainly because we know we can get similar foods at a variety of quick-service restaurants at Hollywood Studios, for half the cost. The Sci Fi Dine In Theater is included in the Disney Dining Plan and counts as 1 table service credit. Current prices in 2024 are below. Check the Sci Fi Dine In Restaurant menu for updates. 

• Appetizers: $11- $15 each
• Entrees: $19- $30 each
• Desserts: $7- $10 each

Additionally, while we’re happy to pay extra for a gourmet milkshake, Beaches and Cream on Disney’s Boardwalk has a better selection at a cheaper cost, and the food is similar too. 

Is Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Worth It?

Whether or not Sci-Fi Dine-in is worth it depends on why you’re visiting. If you’ve made reservations for a Sci-Fi Dine-In Drive-In experience, then this restaurant will be worth it for you. If you were hoping for a family dining experience that includes an element of Disney, then you will be disappointed.

Sci Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Review

Overall Disney’s Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is a good restaurant with decent American fare. Prices are a little higher than similar restaurants, and we found the atmosphere here jarring as a result of those creepy movie trailers, and inconvenient due to the dining layout and lighting, as opposed to fun. We would not recommend Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant to families with small children, simply because it’s difficult to navigate the car seat table set up, the overall darkness of the restaurant, and children will be disappointed in the shows on-screen. You will spend half of your time adjusting your self to either see the screen, or help your child with their food. 

Hopefully this post has helped you decide if dining at Sci-Fi Dine In Theater is a good choice for your next Disney vacation, or not. Check out all our Hollywood Studios Restaurant Reviews for our favorites.