Is T-REX scary?

[Dis703]

I booked a lunch for next week at T-REX and I'm just wondering if anyone has had a bad experience with their kid getting scared of the dinosaurs? I've never been but have seen pictures. I'm assuming the restaurant is similar to RFC with sound effects and animation? I'm going with one of my 4 1/2 year old boys and typically he's pretty fearless but when I first showed him a picture of the restaurant he said no he didn't want to go because the dinosaurs were going to eat him. Definitely was not expecting that response. I explained the dinosaurs weren't real that they were statues and he immediately turned around and said, "Okay, then let's go."

Just wondering if other kids found it too scary once they were there.

I don't have any character meals planned so this is really the only "kid's" restaurant we are going to.

TIA!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It's LOUD. It is very LOUD.
So it may overwhelm him and I think you'd best be prepared to end up leaving and eating elsewhere. Maybe he'll be fine.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

they are loud and do move at times, heads and body movements not walking. not the storm like Rainforest but same type of thing every so often

 

[Wyattbl]

My DS 4.5 and DD 2.5 LOVED T-Rex! It is very loud, however, they did not find it scary. At first DS 4.5 thought the T-Rex at the entrance was real, but once we told him it was pretend he enjoyed the rest of the "experience" very much!

 

[JimmyV]

If his reaction upon seeing a silent photo was that he thought he would be scared, there is a chance that actually being there may cause him some panic. It is very loud and intimidating at times. Only you know whether you can talk him through it. Here's a video to help you see (and hear) what itis like.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It is really loud! We sat next to a triceratops and triceratops baby on our first visit and my DS (who has an anxiety disorder), was freaked out at first, but when he realized they were animatronics and weren't going anywhere, he was fine. If you don't think you DS will enjoy it, I personally would skip it. The only reason to go is the dinosaurs, it's definitely not the food!

 

[Ensusieasm]

If his reaction upon seeing a silent photo was that he thought he would be scared, there is a chance that actually being there may cause him some panic. It is very loud and intimidating at times. Only you know whether you can talk him through it. Here's a video to help you see (and hear) what itis like.

Great video! If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million. I think you've helped a lot of parents decide. I love the place, but never experienced it with children.

 

[kellyh57]

I've never been to the one in Disney Springs, but have been to the one near us frequently. My son was scared to death of it until he was about 4. We went to Disney at 4 and told him all the characters were actually people in costumes. He was fine with them then. (He would freak out when he saw any costumed character until then.) The next visit to T-Rex, he finally figured out that the dinosaurs and storms were not real and was ok. Our waiter told us when they would do the volcano since we were near it and we were able to prepare better for it and he wasn't scared. Have him watch a few videos. It helped my son to see that they did the same thing over and over so he knew what to expect.

 

[Ensusieasm]

It is really loud! We sat next to a triceratops and triceratops baby on our first visit and my DS (who has an anxiety disorder), was freaked out at first, but when he realized they were animatronics and weren't going anywhere, he was fine. If you don't think you DS will enjoy it, I personally would skip it. The only reason to go is the dinosaurs, it's definitely not the food!

Yup, the food at House of blues or even Earl of Sandwich counter service is better.

 

[HopperFan]

You know your son best but:
- As others said, it is VERY LOUD, and even conversations can be hard.
- When the meteor storm happens it gets louder.
- The Dinos are big and they move and they make noise.
- The restaurant is cavernous so the sound carries all over.
- Beyond creative and cool to walk around and take pictures.
- Hate the ice room, those lights make everything one color, nauseates me.
- Food average and service below average. You go for the atmosphere.
- Everyone should try it once but if you have someone who may have issues with surroundings may not be right for you.
- Show him the videos and prepare him for it being loud and see what he thinks.

 

[disnut8]

Isn't there a dinosaur who doesn't move or anything outside the restaurant? A true fake dinosaur? Why not have your son look at that dinosaur and realize that the ones inside are just like that one but, like Mickey Mouse, only come alive for a short time to entertain him. He's 4/12 years old and I'm hoping he realizes that dinosaurs don't walk around on the streets of his hometown every day so they are not real in his lifetime. However you want to put it. I always told my son that these were "movie dinosaurs" and they couldn't hurt him anymore than the ones on the screen could. But, that was me.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

The only "scary" part for me was that the lettuce in my entrée salad was not so fresh.

As for whether a kid would be scared of the dinosaurs, I think that would vary from one kid to the next.

Overall I think this restaurant has a fun atmosphere but to enjoy good food I'd pick a different one.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Every child is different. My girls were 4 and 6 the last time they ate there and the younger one was scared, but I know my kids tend to be a bit more sensitive than others.

 

[Dis703]

Thanks! I'm going to have him watch the video I think that may be a huge help. He can be hit or miss sometime with reactions. For the most part he's a really fearless kid. As in dangerously fearless, but once in a while he gets really scared of something. I just never quite know what it will be. As long as I know what to expect though I can prep him. Typically, I'd try to make things silly like warn him the dinosaurs will start growling if their cheeseburgers don't get to them fast enough.

He does have sensory processing issues, but usually he seeks excessive sensory input. So all the extra noise, colors, movement, etc. might be a good thing. I won't really know until I try though.

I'm not expecting much from the food. Our last meal at RFC was very disappointing so I imagine it's not much better. It's really more for him to do something new that he might find fun and be able to come home and tell everyone about.

Thanks for all the info!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

You're right -- the food quality is about the same as RFC. I knew that before I went, but I had to try it once because the décor is so fun.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If he is on the fence, but you still want somewhere to eat in DS, I would consider Raglan Road - it's a lot of fun!

 

[Dis703]

If he is on the fence, but you still want somewhere to eat in DS, I would consider Raglan Road - it's a lot of fun!

This was my first choice, but from my prior experience eating lunch here in the fall, there was no music or dancing during lunch. We had a great time there for dinner last year though and the food was great both times.

 

[DWillowBay]

If "scary" means "loud", then yes...a little bit. It's fun loud, but it can be loud!

 

[Disney Dreamer 24]

Can get very LOUD!