Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Turns 30!

 by Ray Keating

News/Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 20, 2021

 

One of my favorite restaurants and experiences in Walt Disney World turns 30 years old today. The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant opened on April 20, 1991.

In September 2019, I penned a DisneyBizJournal piece titled “7 Reasons Hollywood Studios Ranks Best Among Walt Disney World Parks.” One of those reasons was the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. And what I wrote then definitely still holds: “It’s hard to think of many better ways to celebrate Hollywood than coming in from the Florida heat and humidity, sitting down in a replica convertible at a car hop, watching old sci-fi movies on a huge screen under an evening sky, and enjoying some solid food, including excellent burgers and shakes. I always love going to the Sci-Fi Dine-In, but for some reason I failed to stop in on my latest visit. What the heck was I thinking?”

 

Indeed, what was I thinking? Not only is the experience – in terms of theming, atmosphere, cast members, and entertainment – what I would expect from visiting a Disney park, but the food also fits and is quite tasty … usually. Over the years, the menu has varied, as I vaguely recall a time when it seemed to veer off course a bit. But it was right back on track during recent visits. (See the menu here.)

 

And for me, it’s always about a burger at Sci-Fi, namely, the Drive-in BBQ Burger featuring house-made BBQ sauce, bacon, and cheddar cheese, along with an onion ring and fried banana pepper, on a brioche bun. And I’ll take a vanilla or chocolate shake.

 

And all the time, you get to watch clips and trailers from 1950s sci-fi B-movies on a massive drive-in screen. And yes, I try to spot clips from some movies that I admit to having actually watched in my home.

 

Happy birthday, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, an experience that I enjoy each time I park in one of those convertibles.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the  Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

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