Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Review

Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant gives a lot of promise with it’s terrific theming, but the food continues to disappoint. Take a look at my review from my recent visit.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Entry

As you approach the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, you’ll see the kitschy 1950’s appeal. There’s a classic neon sign attached to the building with a small car parked out front. Many guests use the car as a family photo op.

Upon entering the building, you’ll find that it looks like a working film set with a retro check-in location. Guests currently use the mobile check-in feature, which informs them when their table is ready. It’s very convenient. Once the table is ready, your hostess will escort you directly to your table.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theming

Once you enter the dining facility, you’ll find that it is made up to look like you’re actually at the local drive-in movie. Many children have never attended an actual drive-in movie, so it’s a bit of a treat to feel like they are at the movies while dining at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater.

The lighting is darker than what you see in my photo as I brightened it a bit to allow you to see the brightly colored convertibles that you’ll sit in while you eat. The tables in front of you aren’t very large though.

There are posters along the back wall that promote the refreshment choices that you’ll find available at Sci-Fi Dine-In. They are done in that same retro theater appeal. I actually recall posters like this at our local drive-in movie in the 1970’s!

I love that the tag plate covers say Disney and 1955, which is a tribute to the grand opening of Disneyland. There is no experience like this at the Disneyland resort. It’s a very unique looking restaurant.

In the back of the room is the area where your server will pick up your food. It’s designed to appear to be an old-school concession stand. When we went to the drive-in as kids, we would always order a “suicide,” which is a variety of sugary sodas all mixed together with a shot of cherry in it. We thought it was great.

Once seated, you’ll have a view very similar to the one you see below. You’ll see a 45 minute loop of 1950’s B Movie clips, cartoons and refreshment commercials. Being Sci-Fi themed, all the movies are science fiction based. It’s all part of the hokey fun. Some of the movies that are advertised include:

• Attack of the 50 Foot Woman
• Cat Women of the Moon
• Devil Girl from Mars
• Invasion of the Saucer Men
• Plan 9 from Outer Space
• The Amazing Colossal Man

Maybe you can find some of these old B Movie standards and watch them with your kids before your next visit? It’s funny to think that kids thought these were “Horrifying” in the 1950’s. I think 1950’s parents liked to torment their young kids. I’ve seen some Spongebob episodes that were more shocking.

I’ve seen some Spongebob episodes that were more shocking.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Menu

As of August 2020, this is the current menu that is available for both lunch and dinner seatings.

Appetizers

Shrimp and Crab Fondue

A Blend of Shrimp, Crab, and Cheeses with Roasted Red Peppers, Fresh Dill, and Corn Tortilla Chips $11.00 

Fried Dill Pickles

served with Horseradish Dipping Sauce $10.00 

Crispy Chicken Strips

Your choice of Spicy Buffalo, Chipotle BBQ, or Szechuan Sauce served with Celery Sticks and Blue Cheese Dressing $12.00 

Sci-Fi Wedge Salad

Crispy Iceberg Wedge, Grape Tomato, Bacon, Red Onions, Blue Cheese Crumbles, Radish, Balsamic Glaze, and Blue Cheese Dressing $9.00 

Island Cake

with Apple and Cabbage Slaw and Dill Rémoulade $12.00

Entrées

Drive-in BBQ Burger

Our Signature Blend of Beef, BBQ Spice, Brioche Bun, House-made BBQ Sauce, Bacon, and Cheddar topped with an Onion Ring and Crispy-fried Jalapeños $21.00 

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Fried Chicken Strips tossed in Spicy Buffalo Sauce with Mixed Greens, Bacon, Tomato, Red Onion, Cucumber, Shredded Cheddar, and Fried Tortilla Strips with Cilantro-Ranch Dressing $16.00 

Pan-seared Shrimp Pasta

Penne Pasta tossed in a Smoked Tomato Four-Cheese Cream Sauce with Baby Kale, Fennel, Zucchini, and Red Bell Peppers $25.00 

Chicken Pasta

Penne Pasta tossed in a Smoked Tomato Four-Cheese Cream Sauce with Baby Kale, Fennel, Zucchini, and Red Bell Peppers. Also available with Whole-Wheat Penne Pasta $24.00 

Oven-roasted Turkey Sandwich

House-brined Herb-roasted Turkey served on a Fresh-baked Multigrain Croissant with Bacon, Lettuce, Vine-ripened Marinated Tomatoes, and Cilantro-Avocado Aïoli $17.00 

Flying Saucer Impossible™ Burger

Grilled Plant-based Burger, Grilled Portobello Mushroom, “Cashew-Mozzarella”, Garlic-Tomato “Aïoli”, Nut-free Pesto,
Lettuce, and Tomato $20.00 

Classic American Burger

Our Signature Blend of Beef served on a Brioche Bun with Caramelized Onions, American Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, and Gourmet Tomato $19.00 

Beef and Blue Burger

Our Signature Blend of Beef on a Brioche Roll topped with Blue Cheese, Onion Marmalade, Bacon, Lettuce, and a Gourmet Tomato $19.00

Desserts

Warm Glazed Doughnut

with Cinnamon Apples and topped with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce $10.00 

House-made Sci-Fi Candy Bar

Cookies and Cream Mousse, Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Sauce $9.00 

Hot Fudge Sundae

Vanilla Ice Cream with Hot Fudge, Whipped Cream, and a Cherry $8.00 

Cookie Shake

Nondairy Milk and Cookies topped with Coconut Whipped Cream $7.00

Kids’ Appetizers (à la carte)

Chicken Noodle Soup

 $3.00 

Garden Salad

 $3.00

Kids’ menu items for children ages 9 and younger.
Look for the Disney Check icon on printed menus to find options that meet Disney’s nutrition guidelines.

Kids’ Create-Your-Own Entrées (choose one)

Beef Skewer

Served with choice of two (2) Selections and choice of Small Lowfat Milk, Small Dasani® Water, or Small Minute Maid® Apple Juice $12.00 

Chicken Strips

Served with choice of two (2) Selections and choice of Small Lowfat Milk, Small Dasani® Water, or Small Minute Maid® Apple Juice $11.00 

Cheeseburger

Served with choice of two (2) Selections and choice of Small Lowfat Milk, Small Dasani® Water, or Small Minute Maid® Apple Juice $12.00 

Macaroni & Cheese

Served with choice of two (2) Selections and choice of Small Lowfat Milk, Small Dasani® Water, or Small Minute Maid® Apple Juice $10.00

There are also a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and kids will love the milkshakes, especially the Cookies and Cream shake!

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Food

I chose the Drive-In BBQ burger with fries. I had hoped for a fresh, hot burger and fries, but found the burger to be tepid and dry. There were very few people eating at the restaurant as it was near park closing, so my hopes were high. There was very little BBQ sauce on the burger and I asked the server for more. He never brought the requested additional sauce, so I ate it as is.

The only real flavors on the burger come from the BBQ sauce and Jalapeños. I was disappointed with the $21.00 burger. I prefer the burger at Captain Cooks or the $10 burger at STK.

My oldest daughter chose the Oven Roasted Turkey Sandwich. She said the sandwich was “okay,” and that it “is hard to mess up a turkey sandwich.” The bun was a bit dense and sort of dry. The turkey was okay and the bacon was prepared well. She did love the thick cut french fries and may return just to order Cookies and Cream Milkshake and the fries.

My wife chose the Chicken Pasta. She said it had a good flavor and overall enjoyed the dish. The chicken was a bit on the chewy side, but not so tough that it can’t be eaten. It was serviceable, but not profound.

We enjoyed our time traveling down memory lane at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater as we used to bring them here when they were kids and we were on vacation. But, it will likely be a while before we return. It isn’t worth over $100 to get a better burger for less elsewhere. Here’s some great recommendations from my writer friends.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have!

• KtP