Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant in Disney-MGM Studios.
Copyright© 2005 Scott Thomas Photography

PHOTO TIP: Taking photos at night in Walt Disney World can be a real challenge. If you can't or won't pack a tripod, it's best to use film speeds of 400 or better. DO NOT use flash if possible and have a camera you can adjust the shutter speed with. Chances are you'll need to make long exposures of a second or more. To do without a tripod, brace yourself by leaning on a building, lamp post or other sturdy structure, take a deep breath and hold it and squeeze the shutter. Once the exposure is made, don't forget to breath again! Oh, and good luck!

Ah, the old Drive-In. They never served food like this!

A warm moonless night, stars twinkling overhead, a backseat of a convertible with your girl at the local drive-in theater. You go for a first kiss when you hear: "Better keep your eye on your parents, kids!". Whoops, back to reality. While most drive-ins from the past are gone, Walt Disney World has replicated this bit of Americana at Disney-MGM Studios as the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant. This unique restaurant was constructed on a huge sound stage and features car tables (see photos) to eat in and watch the large drive-in screen.

The Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater really feels like the old drive in. The kitchen is in the back right where you would find the snack shack. The soundstage's ceiling is painted like a planetarium so you REALLY feel like you are under a night sky no matter what time of day you go in. The screen features an hour loop of some of the "best" B-movie sci-fi flicks from the 1950's. Mixed in with the movie trailers are shorts from the Disney vaults with one featuring Walt Disney himself. There's even drive-in food commercials like those seen in the movie Grease. Watch for the hot dog jumping into the bun, smiling all the way. The CM servers will yell out the movie lines in sync with the screen. I guess when working at the Sci-Fi over time, one has to get these clips burned into the brain.

The Sci-Fi Dine-In food is Californian and I recommend looking over the descriptions carefully and asking questions of your server if you need clarification. Save room for dessert after your Main Feature. Kids will love the Cookie Monster while adults will enjoy The Cheesecake That Ate New York. By the way, Sci-Fi serves one of THE best Milky-way-out Milkshakes on the planet! Some people will just go for desserts for a mid-afternoon break.

Some fun facts about the Sci-Fi Dine-In. The cars license plates are all from Arizona, California and New Mexico. These states account for most of the UFO sightings in the US. Also, you'll see 3 letters in each plate which correspond to some of the Imagineers who worked on the Sci-Fi Dine-In.

To check on when you can make your reservations at the Scif-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant go to the PS Report.

-- Scottwdw