T-Rex

[stitchsMom]

Is it hard to get walk-in seating? My MIL wants to take her 5yr old there when we are all in Disney at the end of May. She was told that there was no reservation space available, but that T-Rex does save a large number of walk-in seating that can't be reserved in advance. They are hoping to get in around 7pm - does anyone have any experience with this restaurant??

 

[Master Yoda]

Is it hard to get walk-in seating? My MIL wants to take her 5yr old there when we are all in Disney at the end of May. She was told that there was no reservation space available, but that T-Rex does save a large number of walk-in seating that can't be reserved in advance. They are hoping to get in around 7pm - does anyone have any experience with this restaurant??

At 7 pm count on about an hour or more wait especially if it is on a Friday or Saturday night. If you want to do walk up I would suggest trying to get there before 5.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Is it hard to get walk-in seating? My MIL wants to take her 5yr old there when we are all in Disney at the end of May. She was told that there was no reservation space available, but that T-Rex does save a large number of walk-in seating that can't be reserved in advance. They are hoping to get in around 7pm - does anyone have any experience with this restaurant??

I never waited less than 45 mins at dinner time during busy season or during weekends. Did you MIL call the restaurant directly? I had luck calling them directly to get priority seating. When I called WDW directly, they couldn't help me with T-Rex.

The good thing about it is that even if you have to wait, there's so much to do at DTD. You can put your name in and then walk around. Time will fly.

 

[corey154]

My experience is the same as Master Yoda...if you get there earlier, there won't be much of a wait, anytime after 6pm it can be an hour wait easily.

 

[stitchsMom]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! My MIL decided to call directly and see if that works first, and plan B is to rearrange their schedule for that day to try and get an earlier seating! Thanks so much!! :wave:

 

[NewfieFan]

I'm going to try for walk-up in March too! I tried booking it online but it showed no avilability for the whole week. I didn't know T-Rex was so popular!

 

[disneynut4u]

We walked up last May and got right in. There weren't very many people inside at the time. We liked it so much that I went on and made reservations for our upcoming trip again this May. Have fun! (oh, and order the Chocolate Extinction!!!)

 

[worldfanatic]

I love T-Rex!
And while it's not a Disney owned restaurant, it's got a very Disney like atmosphere. Food's pretty good too...........HUGE portions!

 

[disneysroyal411]

I hate it there! It was my worst dining experience at Disney! (This is not counting when I had stomach problems and through up almost all my meals, no I'm not bulimic I just had an infection) The only positive was that the meal was okay. First it did not live up to Disney standard food, just normal food like at Rainforest Cafe. Second, every single sound in that building echoed! I couldn't, talk to my family, or eat because it was so. I am very self conscious and loud noises make me feel watched by others, so I couldn't eat well. Thirdly, the meteor shower went off to close to the last and it just made it louder cuz the dinosaur's would go off louder and there were thunderstorm's and O the whole experience was to overwhelming and I'm not going back.

 

[xtina72]

We went Christmas week (2008) and did not wait AT ALL to be seated, then we went the week after Thanksgiving (2009) and again, no wait at all.....to be honest, it was so empty it kinda worried me. lol

DO NOT order the pizza, it was terrible, it was so mushy in the middle I couldn't eat it, I could only eat all around the sides....but everyone else in my party (6 people) liked their food.....which we were surprised about because we know its the same food as Rain Forest and Rain forest has gone down the tubes over the years.

We really only dined there because my oldest son is a HUUUUUUUUUGE Dino fan and he is just thrilled when we go there.

ALSO! Ask not to eat in the ice cave, you cant see your food, the lighting is bizarre. I would honestly NOT eat there ever if it wasnt for my kids.....they just love the atmosphere.

 

[Phonedave]

I hate it there! It was my worst dining experience at Disney! (This is not counting when I had stomach problems and through up almost all my meals, no I'm not bulimic I just had an infection) The only positive was that the meal was okay. First it did not live up to Disney standard food, just normal food like at Rainforest Cafe. Second, every single sound in that building echoed! I couldn't, talk to my family, or eat because it was so. I am very self conscious and loud noises make me feel watched by others, so I couldn't eat well. Thirdly, the meteor shower went off to close to the last and it just made it louder cuz the dinosaur's would go off louder and there were thunderstorm's and O the whole experience was to overwhelming and I'm not going back.

Now I can be one of the most critical diners you ever met. Not picky, critical.

but ....

1) It's not a Disney restaurant. It is a Landry's which is the same chain that owns Rainforest Cafe.

2) Disney's restaurants are not that all fired great. Some are, some are not. I would not use them as a measuring stick for quality.

3) T-Rex is supposed be a meteor shower during prehistoric times in a jungle/rainforest setting. Why would you think it would be the least bit quiet?


-dave

 

[disneysroyal411]

Yes I know that it seems I am overreacting here but I love Disney and we always go to the, I guess, top notch restaurants like California Grill, soooo that's where my food quality problem was. Umm, I get stressed at Disney so loud sounds and me just don't equal out. The dinner was also not my choice, it was my sister's. I just wanted to go to Earl of Sandwich.

 

[lbrad]

Yes I know that it seems I am overreacting here but I love Disney and we always go to the, I guess, top notch restaurants like California Grill, soooo that's where my food quality problem was. Umm, I get stressed at Disney so loud sounds and me just don't equal out. The dinner was also not my choice, it was my sister's. I just wanted to go to Earl of Sandwich.

Should have gone to Earl of Sandwich :slurp: Now you know for next time...thats where i'll be

 

[marcriss]

We actually liked it here. Two years in a row and the food was still good. We won't do anything except smoothies at Rainforest because of the quality.

Early is better. We went for lunch and they weren't prepared for the volume of people. The place was empty but we had to wait for them to get more wait staff. We only waited about 15-20 min. My parents went at 9pm 2 weeks ago and waited 90 minutes.

I agree about the ice cave. It's a little claustrophobic with the changing colors...we waited to get a seat outside the cave.

Portions are huge (even for kids meals, I recommend splitting) and the staff are great. They offer an AP discount but not TiW.

 

[ErickainPA]

We didn't have dinner there back in December, 2008, but we did walk-in and were able to sit at the bar, we only wanted a drink and appetizer anyway. The food was pretty good and the drink was good as well. My husband and I could talk while we were there and still enjoy the show without it being too loud for us. If I make it back with my best friend this September think we will make a trip over to DTD for a drink.

 

[Figments Friend]

I enjoyed T-Rex Cafe quite a bit and will definately be re-visiting when next i am in town.

I had my first meal there about 2 weeks ago and it was excellent and very yummy. I had the Mammoth Raviolli ( with Portobello Shrooms', Cheese, and fresh Spinach) with a small salad. WOW...it was far better then i was expecting. The sauce it came in was absolutely delicious. One of the best meals i had that week, by far. I highly recommend it..but be very hungry ...as the serving is large enough to share between two people.

I was with a friend, so we spilt their tradmark dessert 'The Chocolate Extinction'. It arrives smoldering like a volcano ( via dry ice in a cup) and mmmmm were those chocolate cake pieces GOOD! Very VERY filling...so again, be prepared appetite-wise. This dessert can easily feed 4 people...it is that heavy and filling!

As far as the in house 'show' goes....it was impressive. I am a Animatronic nut anyway, and the dinos were all operating well and looked great. The scenery and attention to detail was stunning. I had walked through twice before during previous visits to Orlando soon after T-Rex opened so i already had a primer as to what to expect in that department. Eating their, and getting a chance to really sit and take it all in for a extended period of time make it all more enjoyable however. I particuarly enjoyed the Ice Cave, Coral Reef Bar, and the Wooly Mammoths. The bits of 'snow' on the baby Mammoths were a nice touch.

The 'meteor shower' was pretty neat..but i will admit it is pretty noisy and some people may become annoyed by it if one stays more then a hour there. Seriously, it is chaos as it should be considering this is what (theroretically) killed off the prehistoric lizards in the first place! Towards the end of our extended visit, i was okay with going outside for some 'quiet time'. During slower periods these effects are adjustable in the time spans they can happen, so if you dine during a 'off time' you will probably not see the 'shower' happen as often.

I think T-Rex is well worth a visit. I found the food to be excellent and did not find it too expensive considering the entertainment/enviroment you are paying for as well as the food. After eating, be SURE to take some time and WALK AROUND to view the different rooms! The Staff do not mind and usually encourage it and you will love seeing all the beasts in their 'home' enviroments. Linger a little..its ok..and take all the photos you want, just NO videotaping. Be sure to check out the Shop and the tiny 'Build-a-Dino' ( by Build-a-Bear Workshop) inside before you exit. It makes a nice departure stop. Their is also a 'dig site' for the kiddies to take part in ( for a fee) outside.

T-Rex is cool....definately stop in! You CAN make 'Priority Seating' arrangments via the WDW Website as well as calling the 'DINE line' to book a spot. I know when T-Rex first opened, they were not taking reservations and Disney was not including it on it's list of resturants. Now that has changed, and one can book a spot online or by phone. Just wanted to mention this in case some folks were not aware of this.

Happy Exploring!

:wave:

 

[stlbobby]

At both T-Rex and RF you can get seated much faster if you are willing to eat at the bar or the tables near the bar. They are always first come first served. Ironically these are also some of the quietest seats in the place.

This may not work for the OP with a 5-year-old, but in general it is a good plan.