Sci-Fi Dine-In Restaurant Review | Hollywood Studios Dining

Go back in time to the 1950s and experience a drive in theater at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. We recently stopped in to try the newly updated menu, and we couldn’t wait to share our thoughts on this nostalgic, out-of-this-world meal!

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If you’ve never been, Sci-Fi Dine-In is more than just a restaurant, it’s an experience. Designed to look like a classic 1950s drive-in movie theater, you dine in vintage “convertible cars” under a starlit sky while watching a reel of campy sci-fi clips and B-movie trailers.

It’s a total throwback in a fun way, and kids and adults alike can enjoy this unique atmosphere.

Overview of Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

At Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant, guests are seated in car-shaped booths and tables, all facing the “big screen” in the center of the darkened dining room. It really feels like a retro movie night under the stars, complete with cheesy science fiction clips, cartoons, and drive-in ads from the 1950s.

If your kids love sci-fi films, these retro clips are playing on the screen throughout the meal. It’s neat to see the different types of films from a different era. (And also it is interesting to see just how far film special effects have come!)

If you have a younger child that isn’t particular into sci-fi flicks or monster films, this may not be the best fit for your family. On our first time eating here my younger daughter was 7 years old, and although she was old enough to know these were just stories on the screen – she still wasn’t the biggest fan of the ambiance!

Ambiance and Layout of Sci-Fi Dine-In

With that idea in mind, the ambiance is fun and family friendly. Just make sure that your kids will be alright with eating in a darken room for the duration of your meal. And you may also want to gauge their interest in older sci-fi films or cartoons before going.

There are a few “saucer” tables in the very back of the restaurant that are better lit and where families are seated in a more traditional setting to face each other. If these would be your preference, make sure to ask the check-in desk if you could have one of these seating options.

Overall the restaurant has a fun vibe and I enjoyed seeing the different clips on the big screen. My daughter has requested we put this on “don’t return to list”, because let’s face it – there is a TON of dining selections at Walt Disney World. And she’s just not big on the sci-fi monster movie vibe.

However I recently returned on an adult Disney pals trip to Disney, and we had a good time at this one. We got to try to the new menu that came out in April 2025, however I do have a few notes on that one…

Sci-Fi Dine-In Menu Selections

Disney has rolled out some exciting updates to the Sci-Fi Dine-In menu, adding new flavors while keeping fan favorites intact. During our visit, we were happy to see a few refreshed appetizers, new dishes with bold flavors, and new dessert options to choose from.

I personally avoid soy due to an intolerance, so I only had two menu options that I could eat on the new menu. Either the Drive-In BBQ Burger or the Grilled Chicken Citrus Salad.

I was happy with my choice of the Grilled Chicken Citrus Salad. It was flavorful and filling.

They had a number of desserts to choose from (well, not for me – all but one had soy ingredients unfortunately) and my dining companion loved her Beamed-up Burger with Onion Rings side (both of which have soy as well).

So while I enjoyed the meal, I’m not big on BBQ flavor and that really only left me with one entree selection to choose from. Somewhat limiting.

I was kind of taken aback by how few options I had to choose from, which usually doesn’t happen at Disney World. (The menu had literally changed the day before we went to the reservation, so the first time seeing the allergy menu was also the first time seeing the new menu as well.) Normally my daughter who avoids wheat and I typically to have a number of food safe options to choose from at Disney dining locations.

Do note that if you have an intolerance to gluten or wheat, you will have significantly more options than I did on the menu. It’s worth noting, that I also very much appreciate Disney’s clear approach to labeling their allergy menu. Being an easy place for our family with multiple intolerances to dine is one of the big reasons we continue to return to Disney World time and again.

Reservations and Planning

Reservations for Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant are highly recommended, as this one fills up quickly because of the unique dining location. Below you’ll find the regular menu, if you aren’t working around any allergies!

Booking in Advance

Guests can book through the My Disney Experience app, the Disney World website, or by calling Disney Dining up to 60 days (plus length of stay for Disney Resort guests) in advance. While same-day reservations or walk-ups may sometimes be available, they are not guaranteed, so securing a spot early is the best way to ensure your preferred dining time.

If you’re unable to find a reservation, using a reservation alert service like MouseDining can help notify you when a spot opens up.

Meal Pricing

The pricing at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is quite reasonable, especially considering the immersive experience and quality of the food. 

Main dishes like burgers and sandwiches typically range from $20 to $26, with hearty options such as the Feature Film Burger or Cyborg-er offering great value. 

Appetizers and desserts are also well-priced, averaging around $10 each, making it easy to enjoy a full meal without feeling like you’ve splurged. Kids’ meals are similarly affordable, starting at around $11.50. For a themed table-service restaurant at Walt Disney World, Sci-Fi Dine-In offers a fun, nostalgic atmosphere with a price point that families can appreciate.

Watch our experience at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant on our YouTube channel as well!