When you’re planning your Disney’s Hollywood Studios day, you’ll want to jump to hyperspeed on the Millenium Falcon, score big on Toy Story Mania!, and escape to the cartoon world on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

After all of that fun, you’ve probably worked up an appetite. So, before you even arrive Disney World, you’ll want to make an Advance Dining Reservation for a Table Service restaurant.

Here comes the difficult choice of which restaurant to choose! Let’s dive into the story, style, and (of course) the FOOD of two of Hollywood Studio’s most popular restaurants to help you decide which one is best for YOU.

We’re comparing two of the most fun restaurants in Hollywood Studios: the shiny, new Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and the classic Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. Is newer better? Or will the nostalgic classic get your vote? Looking at five different categories, it’s time to put these locations to the test in the restaurant showdown gauntlet. We will examine:

• Theme
• Food
• Dining Style
• Location
• Audience

Let’s dig in!

Roundup Rodeo BBQ vs. 50’s PrimeTime Cafe in Disney World

Theme

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

As you walk up to the restaurant, you’re welcomed by decorative, classic Toy Story characters. How charming! The restaurant was handmade by Andy, so it definitely has that “arts and crafts project” charm!

Inside, you’ll find a rodeo arena created by Andy himself! Andy used his imagination and lots of resources available to a kid, like blocks, lights, cardboard cut-outs, and more full of Toy Story-inspired details. Every surface has been touched — the floors, the ceilings, and even the table and chairs you sit on are made from toys or pieces of board games.

If you look around, you’ll spot some of Andy’s crayon drawings on the walls and ceilings, as well.

Guests will easily spot representations of Disney•Pixar characters as toys and game pieces set the playful scene in what is sure to be a lively and memorable dining experience (though it is not a Toy Story character meal).

Through the meal, you’ll hear announcements from the toys and little interactive experiences. You’ll even hear if Andy is coming, where all of the toys (yep, that’s you, too!) have to freeze until he moves on past the toy chest.

It’s another super immersive experience that really transports guests into the digitally animated world of Toy Story.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

The waiting area in the front of the restaurant is rather unassuming (it’s made to look like you’re in a soundstage. Peek at the walls near the podium and you’ll find MGM-Studios still spraypainted on the plywood walls!), but once your host brings you into the main restaurant area, you’ll be transported to a totally different time and place.

The main dining area is decked out to look just like you’ve stepped into a drive-in movie theatre. Although there are some picnic tables in the back, most of the seats and tables are contained within individual little cars! Especially if you’ve got little kids, it can be a great treat for them to take the front seats and have the parents sit in the back. It can make the little ones feel like they’re driving the car and on their own — plus, it can give the parents a little bit of break with some time (relatively) on their own.

Underneath a nighttime sky, surrounded by old-timey signs and sounds, you’ll get to watch everything from cartoon shorts to Drive-In movie theatre ads for popcorn and snacks, along with retro movie clips and trailers. Be sure to look for clips of Walt Disney too!

Results

Both restaurants offer unique, entertaining, and immersive environments. Though Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater may cater a little more toward the older crowd (who might have nostalgic memories of going to a local drive-in or watching the retro clips), it’s a fun experience for everyone.

And Roundup Rodeo will be a blast for the younger crew. Though Toy Story has been around since 1995 (it’s almost 30 years old now!), if you have a Toy Story fan in your group, this might be the best place to book a reservation.

Food

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Woody is hosting a backyard barbecue, and you’re invited. And in true barbecue fashion, you’ll get options of a variety of grilled and smoked, meats as well as some fresh or cheesy side dishes.

You don’t want to pass on The Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits with Sweet Pepper Jelly. They are large, soft, stuffed with cheese, and pair wonderfully with that zesty sweet pepper jelly.

The house-smoked items include Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs, Buttercup’s Beef Brisket, There’s A Sausage In My Boot – Fire Grilled Pork Sausage, and BBQ Chicken with Style! From these options, the standouts for us were the brisket and the fall-off-the-bone tender ribs. And the trio of Sweet, Spicy, and Classic sauces lets you tailor your own special barbecue flavors.

Is this barbecue winning any blue ribbons? Well, maybe not, but it’s solid.

We Ate a LOT of Food at Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Disney World & Here Are Our Honest Thoughts

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Sci-Fi’s new menu additions do go beyond the standard fare, but at its core, the big sells here remain burgers, onion rings, shakes, and classic eats — and there’s nothing wrong with that! If you’re looking for some of these classic items with a bit of a twist (like how you can get a burger with pork, or desserts with some fun flavors and cute methods of presentation, then this could be a good pick).

The Out-of-this-World treat is a refreshing and tasty way to end a meal!

The menu here is fun without being inaccessible or super ridiculously adventurous.

Disney Food Blog Review: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Got a Menu OVERHAUL in Disney World and We’re Trying it Out!

Results

You won’t go hungry no matter where you eat. Both of these restaurants deliver delicious flavors for even the pickiest of palates. Sci-Fi Dine-In puts a fun spin on burgers, shakes, and other classic eats. Roundup Rodeo BBQ is exactly what you’re looking for in a backyard-style barbecue — plenty of smoked meats, zesty sides, and of course, those biscuits.

Which one is for you? That choice might be obvious based on your preferred menu items or the overall cost.

Dining Style

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Roundup Rodeo BBQ is served family-style. So, you’ll have the option to eat a little of everything. There is a vegan platter option available for those who don’t walk the carnivore route. When you start your meal, you’ll get to select four side dishes, but once you finish those, you can ask your server for more of any of those options or request to try a new side dish.

This all-you-care-to-enjoy option starts at $45 per person, which might be more than you planned to pay.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

We’ll just cut to the chase: Everything you get here is a la carte. You have options from Appetizers, Entrees, and Desserts, and can purchase additional sides and cocktails. There are a few plant-based options.

Entrees will run between $19 and $27, so you can find a cheaper meal, sure. But it’s not at the top of the Disney dining price threshold, either.

Results

Roundup Rodeo tilts the price point on the steeper side of the spectrum. But if you’re planning to have more than just an entree at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, you might be in the same budgetary ballpark. Sci-Fi Dine-In dishes will satisfy, but over at Roundup Rodeo, getting all-you-care-to-eat ribs might tip the scale on that value return.

Location

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Roundup Rodeo BBQ is right at the front of Toy Story Land.

As the only table service restaurant in Toy Story Land, it’s a great spot to get out of the sun but stay in the immersive Toy Story theme.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Located at the end of Commissary Lane, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is centrally located within the park. You’ll find a welcoming respite mid-day when you can take a break from the Florida sun.

It’s next to the counter-service restaurant, ABC Commissary.

Audience

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Who’s gonna like Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and who might wanna skip it? This spot is gonna be BIG for the Toy Story fans in your group. Any big eaters in your group will really enjoy the practically endless bounty at their fingertips. And Pixar*Disney nerds will love searching through all of the details of the theming.

Who might not enjoy this place? Someone looking for a Character Meal, because even though this meal has character — it does not have CHARACTERS. It is also a loud venue, so anyone with audio sensitivity might want to steer clear or at least come prepared with some headphones or other devices to help tone down the volume. And if you’re looking for an intimate, romantic spot, well, this won’t suffice.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater appeals to anyone looking to be entertained while they dine — the atmosphere and the GIANT screen will take care of that no problem! And if you fancy burgers, shakes, and other classic eats, this is a great choice!

Who might not enjoy this place? Those fearful of the dark or sci-fi monster movie clips. Anyone wanting to carry on a conversation with their entire group — you can really only chat conveniently with the person seated next to you. And foodies looking for unique dishes might also want to skip Sci-Fi.

Results

Both spots have great themes and offer unique fun. Sci-Fi Dine-In is a quieter location; Roundup Rodeo is rowdy. These restaurants provide good food and an approachable price point.

Final Thoughts

Looking for an immersive and fun dining experience? Both Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and Roundup Rodeo BBQ fit the bill! Roundup Rodeo BBQ is the newest, shiniest restaurant so that means that advanced dining reservations will be super popular, in high demand, and difficult to secure. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater has been around and is a fan-favorite among the Disney Park regulars.

You’ll have a great time at either restaurant. Roundup Rodeo BBQ has the fun theme, an all-you-care-to-enjoy menu, and it is new, so all of those notches get ticked in the “pro” category. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is also fun, classic, and you get to choose exactly what you want, even if it’s just the wings and a cocktail, so that menu flexibility and time-travel vibes are “pros” for Sci-Fi.

Looking for more restaurant choices in Disney’s Hollywood Studios? You can also check out our video below where we RANK every single restaurant in the park!

We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These Are the BEST.

Have you eaten at either of these restaurants? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!