T-rex or Rainforest Cafe?

[olive]

For a meal with kids (13 and 8)? We have actually eaten at T-rex, but it was enough years ago that I just don't remember anything about it other than I think there were light up ice cubes in the drinks maybe. Is the food basically the same quality since they are owned by the same restaurant group? We are vegetarians - does one have markedly better options for vegetarians? I have looked at the menus, but maybe execution is better at one over the other? Or is the decor/setting way cooler at one over the other? We will be at AK at least one day of our trip, and we have some non park time so swinging by DS to go to T-rex would be fine, too. Oh, and it looks like they are both kind of expensive for what they are - $20 or more for a burger, $20 for a cobb salad. Are the portions enormous? If so, are you allowed to share? I don't like to waste a ton of food.

Thanks for thoughts!

 

[FCDub]

I would say it just depends on which theme you like better. T-Rex is newer.

You are allowed to share, sure.

 

[Marissa227]

We did Rainforest Cafe on our last trip and were not very impressed. The food wasn’t great and the decor looked faded and old. We haven’t done T-REX. Have you checked out Yak and Yeti? That might be better option, it’s also part of Landry’s but the food seems to get much better reviews

 

[olive]

We did Rainforest Cafe on our last trip and were not very impressed. The food wasn’t great and the decor looked faded and old. We haven’t done T-REX. Have you checked out Yak and Yeti? That might be better option, it’s also part of Landry’s but the food seems to get much better reviews

I am definitely thinking of Yak & Yeti! That one seems to get consistently better reviews, so I was planning on trying to snag a reservation for lunch or dinner on our AK day. Maybe we will go with T-Rex at DS over Rainforest Cafe at either DS or AK for another option? We will probably have a Landry's gift card to use up so I wanted to find decent options to use it on.

 

[Marthasor]

I am definitely thinking of Yak & Yeti! That one seems to get consistently better reviews, so I was planning on trying to snag a reservation for lunch or dinner on our AK day. Maybe we will go with T-Rex at DS over Rainforest Cafe at either DS or AK for another option? We will probably have a Landry's gift card to use up so I wanted to find decent options to use it on.

Do you have a Landry's Select Club card as well? If not, I would highly suggest getting one as it will get you priority seating at Yak and Yeti, Rainforest Cafe and TRex and you won't need a reservation. We prefer Y&Y over RC and TRex, however, if I had to choose RC or TRex, I would go RC. I've always felt TRex was extremely loud and just prefer the theming at RC. I think the food at RC and TRex are pretty much on par with each other - so perhaps just pick the theme and menu you prefer. You can use your Landry's gift card at Y&Y as well.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

Y&Y, RC then TRex in my order of preference. I actually would not bother eating at RC or TRex if it weren't for my DD wanting to eat there. Portions are easily shareable at Rainforest.

 

[MudQueen22]

We tend to go with T-Rex when we go to WDW only because we have Rainforest Cafe locations near Houston, and we visit Houston often enough to go there about once or twice per year. There is no T-Rex close to where we live. We enjoy the atmosphere at both.
The food is similar to Chili's or Applebee's; it's not the best you've ever eaten, nor is it bad. You're paying for the atmosphere.
We enjoy it. It's a special treat. We usually get the chocolate extinction dessert, and that's a lot of fun. Because we get the dessert, I usually just order an appetizer or kid meal for my meal. YMMV as to how much you can or want to eat.

Edit: I also recommend getting the Landry's Select card if you have Landry's restaurants in your area that you enjoy. You get 25 points for every $250 you spend (before tax and tip), and you can cash those points in for $25 off your bill once you reach the points. You also get $25 credit per year in your birth month.

 

[Stitchiesmom]

Do you have a Landry's Select Club card as well? If not, I would highly suggest getting one as it will get you priority seating at Yak and Yeti, Rainforest Cafe and TRex and you won't need a reservation. We prefer Y&Y over RC and TRex, however, if I had to choose RC or TRex, I would go RC. I've always felt TRex was extremely loud and just prefer the theming at RC. I think the food at RC and TRex are pretty much on par with each other - so perhaps just pick the theme and menu you prefer. You can use your Landry's gift card at Y&Y as well.

We arrive at 3:30 by plane and I made a reservation for 6:30 at TRex to play it safe through Trex, not Disney. If we can get there closer to 5, I can show my Landry’s club card and get in without a 5:00 reservation?

 

[Marthasor]

We arrive at 3:30 by plane and I made a reservation for 6:30 at TRex to play it safe through Trex, not Disney. If we can get there closer to 5, I can show my Landry’s club card and get in without a 5:00 reservation?

Yes, with the Landry's Select Club card you get priority seating at RC, Y&Y and TRex for parties of 6 or less with no ADR needed. I never make reservations for any of these restaurants. I just show my card whenever we show up.

 

[Stitchiesmom]

Yes, with the Landry's Select Club card you get priority seating at RC, Y&Y and TRex for parties of 6 or less with no ADR needed. I never make reservations for any of these restaurants. I just show my card whenever we show up.

You seriously just made my day!! The sooner we can eat and get to our condo, the better. Thank you!

 

[drwadadli]

For a meal with kids (13 and 8)? We have actually eaten at T-rex, but it was enough years ago that I just don't remember anything about it other than I think there were light up ice cubes in the drinks maybe. Is the food basically the same quality since they are owned by the same restaurant group? We are vegetarians - does one have markedly better options for vegetarians? I have looked at the menus, but maybe execution is better at one over the other? Or is the decor/setting way cooler at one over the other? We will be at AK at least one day of our trip, and we have some non park time so swinging by DS to go to T-rex would be fine, too. Oh, and it looks like they are both kind of expensive for what they are - $20 or more for a burger, $20 for a cobb salad. Are the portions enormous? If so, are you allowed to share? I don't like to waste a ton of food.

Thanks for thoughts!

I would skip both T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe and recommend heading to Raglan Roads instead. They have some really good vegetarian options.

 

[SeanWM48]

T-Rex is a wild atmosphere and i always enjoy it for that. I don't usually eat there just grab a drink or if i'm having something it's a smaller plate/app. I just get a kick out of the dinosaurs and the huge fish tank behind the bar.

I'm sure the kids will love it. What kid doesn't love dinosaurs. I'm well beyond my kid years and look at me raving about the place.

 

[bakerworld]

Really they're the same restaurant - depends on what your kids like the most: dinosaurs or apes.

 

[SwanVT2]

I am always the outlier in regards to the food quality: I think the food at both T Rex and Rainforest is pretty good. I think it is a step up from Applebees. I love the big salads, and yes, you can share. My DD LOVES T-Rex. It is super fun with the animatronics, plus you have the fish tanks. The gift store is fun, too!
Enjoy!

 

[Traver Freeman]

Neither?

I used to love Rainforest growing up, so much so that I wanted to take my family there when we went on vacation. I was so disappointed in the food. There is much better food on Disney property.

Speaking of restaurants with fun atmosphere that drop the ball on food, every time we've visited Coral Reef at EPCOT I've been excited to eat while watching the fish. Then the food comes and we remember why we don't like it. The food is just okay compared to many other places at WDW.

My 6 and 3 year olds have never been disappointed in a dining place simply because it wasn't "fun" looking and we all have a great time!

 

[RanDIZ]

I would opt for Yak n Yeti. Even the QS would be an option.