The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is likely in my top 10 favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World, and I often bounce between this location and the Brown Derby as to which is my favorite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you want a burger and some good desserts, there isn’t anywhere much better in my opinion, and the atmosphere is the most unique of any eatery at any Disney theme park anywhere. For a few bucks more than a counter service meal of a similar style, the atmosphere and superior sweets menu here make it an easy decision to splurge on table service over counter at this park.

The seating style is different from any other restaurant at Disney theme parks as it has “cars” parked in front of a screen, with two-by-two seating facing the rotating kaleidoscope of classic cartoons, movie trailers, and more.

With all this being said, Sci-Fi is obviously a fan favorite. Being a beloved eatery, when the menu was changed a few days ago, many were concerned if the changes were for the better. Here’s a look at the new menu in question:

New to the menu are the following items:

• The Boneless Chicken Wings now have 3 sauce options, rather than just the usual buffalo. The bone-in wings are now removed completely.
• The Sci-Fi Salad is now a Wedge Salad.
• The Build-Your-Own Angus Burger option is gone, but there are new burgers added.
• The Salmon BLT Sandwich, Vegetarian Shepard’s Pie, Grilled Marinated Salmon Salad, Southwest Vegetarian Burger, and Sci-Fi-Fi Angus Burger were removed from the menu.
• New entrees include the Classic American Burger, Southern Burger, Chili-Lime Fajita Salad, the Vegetarian Falafel Burger, and the Drive-In Barbecue Burger.

As you can see, it was a pretty major menu overhaul. So let’s find out how it is…

Boneless Chicken Wings ($10.00)

Your choice of Spicy Buffalo, Chipotle Barbecue, or Sweet Chili Sauce served with Celery Sticks and Blue Cheese Dressing

The Sweet Chili Sauce moved over from the Oasis Canteen, where these were available for a short period last year. Both sauces are great, but I recommend the buffalo if you want these to be spicier, and the sweet chili if you like a more flavorful taste. Funny enough, the buffalo sauce version was a staple at Backlot Express a few years ago as well, so both of these were available at counter service locations previously. Yes, these are basically just the chicken breast nuggets with sauce, but does that mean that we can’t enjoy them? I end up ordering these every time I come.

Classic Southern Burger ($19.00)

Our Signature Blend of Beef on a Brioche Roll, topped with a Fried Green Tomato, House-made Pimento Cheese, Bacon, and Lettuce

If you like fried-green tomatoes and pimento cheese, this is worth a try. The brioche bun on all of the Sci-Fi burgers enhance them nicely, while the beef patties are good enough to be at least more enjoyable than any Disney counter service location.

As always, the burgers come with the delicious steak fries, which you will also find for dinner now at the ABC Commissary next door.

Chili-Lime-Salmon Fajita Salad ($16.50)

Mixed Greens tossed with Roasted Corn, Peppers, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette topped with crispy Tortilla Chips and House-made Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

This salad is filling, fresh, and has quite a lot going on in it. If the dressing wasn’t so bland, this would be something we would order again. The salmon is surprisingly good and again, the portion size is more than fair.

Drive-In BBQ Burger ($19.00)

Our Signature Blend of Beef, BBQ Spice, Brioche Bun, House-made BBQ Sauce, Bacon, and Cheddar served with Crispy-fried Jalapeño and Onion Straws

I really enjoyed the Drive-In BBQ Burger, likely my favorite of any burger I’ve had here in my life. As you all know, I enjoy a lot of spice, and I thought the crispy fried jalapeños delivered while the other toppings were nice and flavorful. While I might try to switch the cheddar cheese for Swiss next time (more of a personal preference than a suggestion), I was still more than happy with this entree.

Out-of-This-World Turtle Cheesecake ($7.50)

with Heath Bar, Pecans, Chocolate Chips, Caramel Sauce, and topped with Whipped Cream

It may not be the largest dessert, but it makes up for it in taste. This is basically a small cheesecake piece wrapped in Heath Bar, pecans, chocolate chips, and caramel sauce; and yes, it is as good as this description sounds. I love anything with Heath Bar, and if you do too, then I implore you to order this.

Milk Shakes ($6.00)

Sci-Fi Specialty Shake, Oreo Cookie, Chocolate, or Vanilla

My favorite dessert at Sci-Fi is still the simplest, and it’s the milkshakes. Pictured above is the current specialty shake, which is marshmallow and caramel over vanilla, and it is absolutely fantastic. The specialty shakes never disappoint, but you can’t go wrong with the Oreo Cookie version either. Sure, you can settle for chocolate and vanilla too if you wish. For $6.00, these are a great value as they are more than large enough to share between two guests after a full meal here.

OVERALL

In review, I think the menu changes here are quite positive. While the Build-Your-Own Burger option is gone, you can likely customize something to your liking between all of the burgers currently on the menu. I would like to return with someone who eats vegetarian options to see how the falafel burger holds up, but otherwise, Sci-Fi-Fi Dine-In is still an enjoyable, and often underrated table service restaurant you should try out if you have never been to it.

Tom Corless