Beyond the Ordinary

One of my favorite things to do when exploring is to find extraordinary spots at a destination. Last spring, my son and I discovered a couple of fun restaurants in Disney's Hollywood Studios Park.

The first one is called the Sci-Fi Dine -In Theater Restaurant. When you walk in, you’re not entering a regular restaurant. The Imagineers designed it to simulate a 1950s drive-in movie theater, complete with convertible car booths, dim “night-time” lighting. While you eat, the large movie screen plays a loop of vintage sci-fi and monster-movie trailers from the 1950s and 1960s. Some of these movies include Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster, Plan 9 from Outer Space and my favorite, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. I honestly laughed out loud while watching these shows. Servers play the “carhop” role. Our waitress played into this role full on which made the experience even more fun.

The booths are stylized to look like 1940s/50s convertibles, complete with whitewall tires and chrome trim. The dining room ceiling is dark with twinkling “stars,” which makes you feel like you’re outdoors at dusk in the drive-in. If you enjoy a themed dining experience that goes beyond just the food, then this is the spot for you! They serve American comfort food like burgers, sandwiches, ribs, salads, steaks. Some of these dishes have fun names like: Beamed-Up Burger, or the Flying Saucer Impossible Burger. One of the fun dessert names is the Cerulean Moon and they serve Meteor Milkshakes. It was a nice break from the heat, sun and rides in the air conditioning.

With all this fun atmosphere, I would highly recommend that you make reservations ahead if you can—it is a popular spot for a reason!

The 50's Prime Time Café is another unique restaurant that we ate at in the Disney Hollywood Studios Park. It is designed to look like your Mom’s mid-century kitchen. It has formica tables, tons of chrome accents, pastel colors, and vintage knick-knacks like black-and-white TVs playing old sitcoms and commercials from 1950s shows like I Love Lucy and Father Knows Best. Everything from the cozy kitchen nooks, wood-paneled walls and patterned wallpaper throws you back to the 1950's. The waiters and waitresses are in character as your “cousins” or “aunt” and “uncle,” and they strongly encourage everyone to mind their manners such as keeping your elbows off the table and no cell phones at dinner! This is a huge part of the fun when they scold you for not eating your veggies, hand-feed you your greens, or sometimes they even give you a gold star for cleaning your plate.

The menu includes classic American comfort food, just like your Mom used to make. Delicacies like: Mom's Old Fashioned Pot Roast, Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken, Grandma's Traditional Meatloaf, Chicken Pot Pie with S'mores or a Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake for dessert. 

The 50’s Prime Time Café is part meal, part show with a lighthearted, nostalgic dining experience that’s as much about the atmosphere and humor as it is about the food. It’s perfect for families, or anyone who loves to remember vintage Americana. Like the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, this restaurant is also very popular and it is recommended to make reservations early to eat here.

Let's connect and I will help you plan an unforgettable adventure for you and your family to make memories that last a lifetime!

Every adventure tells a story - thanks for being part of mine.

Always exploring,