Garden Grill vs SCI Fi Dine

Dawn Peterson

Mouseketeer
Joined
Dec 30, 2018
My 2 kids(7 and 10) , my husband and my parents are debating which restaurant for dinner. Other meals we have are tusker house and Bon voyage breakfast. Which would other people choose?
 
We loved Sci-fi. The burgers were cooked perfectly and the entire staff was very accommodating. Personally one of my favorites on all Disney property.
 
We had lunch at Sci-Fi recently since the place next door was closed for renovation and not many other food choices in that area of the park. Not sure why some seem so excited about it. Fortunately, we could sit at one of the regular tables around the perimeter instead of looking at the back of the head of others in your party if sit in one of the cars. Mostly, it was too dark, food was just average and the film clips won't mean anything if you aren't over 50 yrs old.....LOL. Not someplace we would eat again.
 


They are such different experiences so really it depends on what you're looking for.
Characters and all you care to enjoy served family style and the ability to easily converse with each other.... or a fun and unique atmosphere sitting in "cars" in the dark watching campy 50's movie trailers with an a la carte menu and limited amount of the family talking to each other.
I've been to both and enjoy both experiences.
Sometimes I lean more towards a Sci-fi atmosphere because if we are getting tired, cranky, hot, and hungry its nice to just chill and zone out.
 
We recently did GG dinner for the first time in a long time. Fun atmosphere, great character interaction, ok food, and hella expensive. But as we all know, it's the characters that drive the value, not the food.

We've enjoyed Sci-Fi every time we've dined there(usually lunch.) Unique and pleasant atmosphere and the food has been very good. I think if you stuck with Burgers, rings, and shakes you'd enjoy it.
 


I've found the food at Sci-Fi to be really bad. On one visit, the burgers were greasy to the point of soaking through the buns. It was probably the worst meal I've had on Disney property. Garden Grill isn't fancy, but the food is consistent and the character interaction has always been great. My 8 and 4 year old kids insist on a trip there every time we go down.
 
I'd definitely recommend Sci Fi.

Personally, I like the food at Garden Grill, but I'm not so keen on the atmosphere. Feels geared toward the retiree crowd, with the exception of the characters.

Sci Fi, on the other hand, is completely unique, unlike any dining experience you'll find not only at WDW, but really anywhere I've seen. Plus the food was excellent when we went. My wife said her milkshake was the best she's ever had.

The kids loved sitting in the car and eating, my only complaint was that at times it was too dark to see my food (was trying to pick around the zucchini in my pasta dish). But it was worth it.
 
Sci Fi for sure. You already have 2 character meals.
Sci Fi is just fun. Gotta love the bad 50's movies. Great theme as well.
 
I hate Sci-Fi. I don’t like how eerily quite it is and I don’t enjoy staring at the back of my family’s heads while I eat. It’s also way too dark.
 
I would do Sci-Fi just to switch it up a bit from all the character meals. Sci-Fi is the best themed restaurant in WDW, IMHO.
Totally agree! its one of the best themed restaurants, and one of the quietest restaurants i've ever been to. Just love it. I do appreciate the quietness of the place. Everyone is busy watching the clip. Beautiful peace and quiet is a nice change from all of the sound/stimulation of the park.

I hate Sci-Fi. I don’t like how eerily quite it is and I don’t enjoy staring at the back of my family’s heads while I eat. It’s also way too dark.
Re: staring at the back of people's heads...it is a drive-in though. How else would you design this restaurant when its clearly suppose to be a drive-in?

Thanks for everyone’s input. I booked lunch at Sci Fi. Really excited to try it.
Great choice! Love their burgers/fries/onion rings. I never had a bad meal there. And their shakes are truly to die for! Oreo shake is my fave.
 
Re: staring at the back of people's heads...it is a drive-in though. How else would you design this restaurant when its clearly suppose to be a drive-in?

Simple. I wouldn’t. I’ve eaten there many times because my mother likes it. It’s definitely not for me. I enjoy conversation with my family while I eat. I put Sci-Fi in the same category as T-Rex.
 
Have not tried Sci Fi but I totally would next time vs. Garden Grill. Food was ok, the restaurant itself is very dated. Very. Nothing awful, just needs some sprucing up!
 

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