Overwhelmed-which restaurants have best/most unique ambiance for kids?

[Sunflowers13]

We always do Sci Fi so my kids have been every age from newborn to 9 at Sci Fi and none have ever been afraid (and one of them is terrified of characters). We like Sci Fi because something about the dark calms my kids down so we can all have a nice, relaxed meal. In 9 years none of my kids has ever misbehaved in Sci Fi - I cannot say that about any other restaurant!

Ok that’s definitely reassuring to know, thanks. It makes sense that the dim lights would be calming after all the sensory overload everywhere else!

 

[Sunflowers13]

Genuinely appreciating everyone’s thoughtful replies to this! I’m sure you’re also helping a lot of others who are looking for those uniquely Disney experiences. And so neat to hear what some families’ grown children remember most fondly about their early/first Disney visits. This is exactly what we’re aiming for—it being extra special and memorable. I haven’t been to Disney since I was in grade school in the 90’s (my parents also saw it as a “one & done” deal, clearly, lol). But my favorite/standout memory from that trip was the luau at Polynesian. So awesome and fun, and not like anything we’d ever experienced. I was SO disappointed to hear they don’t have those anymore! But we’re getting really excited to make some new memories with our kids.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I wouldn't recommend Rain Forest or T-Rex, based on what you are asking for, as these places exist outside of Disney. I thought there was a Rain Forest in Chicago? I could be wrong.

Part of the fun, for us anyway, was sitting down with the kids to look at things and them helping to decide where we would go. We are a sit down meal family and do at least one per day, even on that first trip when we didn't know if we'd be back. For us it's part of the overall experience. Actually it's an important part of it. Also, my kids really enjoyed time at the pool on that first trip. That's where they had some of the most fun. Like someone else said, sometimes the best memories come from unexpected sources. We made a lot of memories on that first trip, and the trips since then, but two of the best ones are doing the chicken dance and throwing my kids around the pool after a long day.
Whatever you decide to do, your family will remember this trip for the rest of their lives. It won't be "perfect" and it doesn't have to be. I guess that's the point. Have a great trip.

Great points!
Yes, Rainforest is a chain. They used to have more locations, but now not so many. It is owned by Landry's Restaurant Group, the same company that owns: Landry's Seafood, Saltgrass, Morton's Steak, T-Rex, and a few others. Another restaurant they own is the table service Yak and Yeti in Animal Kingdom. Oh, also Bubba Gump Shrimp at Universal's Citywalk, if you plan to go there.

OP, if you have a membership to the Landry's Select Club, it will work at all of the above. If you decide to visit one of the above at WDW, and are sure about it, then you can perhaps save a few $ by buying discounted gift cards. Some of the wholesale clubs sell Landry's gift cards at a 5-20% discount. (Another way to get 5% off gift cards, I think, is via a Target credit card.) Just know gift cards are non-refundable. In addition to the 3 Landry's on WDW property, if you will have a car, and are at all interested in eating off WDW property, There are a number of Landry's options very close to WDW.

Of the places listed above, my favorite is the Yak and Yeti. (TO CLARIFY: there is both a Yak and Yeti quick serve AND a Yak and Yeti Table Service. The Yak and Yeti quick serve has great fried rice, but it is NOT run by Landry's. Only the TS place is run by Landry's.) IMO, Rainforest has cute atmosphere, but the food is better at Y&Y.

Even still, mostly when we go to Animal Kingdom Park, after getting fried rice, we often eat at Satu'li Canteen. It is pretty unique, a quick serve, and the food tastes great. Best of all you are not tied to dining at a specific time. That makes touring much easier, especially on your first visit.

If you visit Disney Springs, both both Rainforest and T-Rex have gift shops, so you can walk through to see what they are like if you don't dine at one or the other.

 

[StevieB81]

Ok so we want to do Sci-Fi but this is exactly what I’m nervous about..that the movie clips might freak out my kids! They’re 5 & 7. Anyone have experience going with kids these ages? How did it go over??

My kids were the exact same age and they loved it on our first trip, so much so that we have never not gone on subsequent trips. They're, what we would consider now, corny previews from 50s "horror" movies and a cartoon or two. My kids sat there, ate their food, and watched the show. Noone got out of their seat or anything disruptive. I've never been there and witnessed any children having any kind of issues. Not that that really means too much, but I've been there 10 times and this is the only place I've been to more than once at WDW where there wasn't some kind of something going on at some point.

 

[unrequited23]

Ok so we want to do Sci-Fi but this is exactly what I’m nervous about..that the movie clips might freak out my kids! They’re 5 & 7. Anyone have experience going with kids these ages? How did it go over??

The movie loop is on youtube if you do some hunting. We went when our kids were the same ages and while I was researching, someone mentioned if your kids are scared by the scene with the wolves in Beauty & the Beast Sci-Fi would be too much for them. I found that to be amazingly accurate. My 7 yr old loved it and the 5 yr old was meh.