Foodie Review: Sci-Fi Dine In Theater

As I spent my summer working at Hollywood Studios, it seemed only fit that I would get to try out a couple of their signature restaurants. Sci-Fi Dine In Theater was one of these, and whilst it's heralded as being ridiculously hard to snag reservations for, persistence pays off and we nabbed a cancellation spot for two guests 3 days prior.

You "check-in" at the front desk and sit in the waiting area which is filled with plenty of themed decoration. You then get taken to your car within which you'll each your meal, with all cars seating up to 6 people (2 per row) and facing the main screen at the front of the restaurant.

It's worth noting here that you will be sharing your vehicle with other diners, and you'll all be greeted by your server and give them your orders at the same time. Some people may not like this if they prefer the intimacy of it being "just them" but then if you're in the mood for talking, this probably isn't the place for you anyway.

After much deliberation, me and my friend chose to split two milkshakes at $6 a piece - the signature Oreo one and also the house special, which was Birthday Cake on this occasion. They arrived together and were quite the sight to see!

Both verged on being ridiculously, but deliciously, thick, with the ice cream barely making its way up the straw at first leaving us to let it sit for a while until it melted. The Birthday Cake flavour came complete with chunks of cake, topped with sprinkles, and was extremely sweet. I loved it, as did my friend, but a lot of people may not be able to handle that level of sugar!

The Oreo one was slightly less so, with the cookies blended fully into the shake so it was slightly more bitter and chocolatey. I can see why it's a favourite and a menu staple. We limited ourselves to having just half between of of each before the main course arrived as these are very filling (but don't worry; we finished them in the end!).

I opted for a veggie falafel burger (being a vegetarian) at $14, and subbed the fries on the side for seasonal vegetables. The food was good, but nothing special. You're paying a premium for the setting, which I personally feel makes it worth the extra dollar.

However the burger really wasn't too different to what you can get elsewhere at Quick Service locations throughout the park. It was one of just two options for veggies, but my friend was bowled over by the choice she had on offer and throughly enjoyed her burger.

As stated previously, you're paying a little extra for the setting here, but you won't get anything like it anywhere else. The shorts are cute, all shown in black and white, and suite the general theming of the place as they take you back in time.

I'd definitely recommend giving this place a go, but be prepared for minimal interaction with your server, and also with any fellow diners as you'll likely (perhaps unconsciously) have your eyes fixed on the screen! Some may also be a bit disconcerted by the fact that you can't really see what you're eating too well, but it tastes good just the same - just no good Instagram opportunity here!

It's also worth mentioning that, like with all Disney dining experiences, we didn't feel rushed in the slightest. Whilst the food came extremely quickly (15 minutes tops) after ordering, you never feel like you're being pushed out of the place once you're finished, allowing you to soak up the atmosphere of a place like this to the full.