Which would you choose: Rainforest Cafe in DTD or T Rex Cafe?

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I am trying to decide whether to make reservations for T Rex Cafe or Rainforest Cafe for our DTD day. We are interested in both restaurants but would rather go with the one that is not too pricey, has decent food, and is better for young children. My kids equally like dinosaurs and the type of animals represented at Rainforest Cafe. I read that the T Rex cafe can be a little intimidating for small children as well as loud; but I also have concerns about similar issues at the Rainforest Cafe as well. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[Wendy31]

I'm trying to decide the same thing! So I'm interested in the responses!

 

[lilandvisma]

Do you have a RC around you?? We have one about a couple of hours away so if given the decision I'd choose TREX.

 

[nmmom95]

We ate at both on the same trip and found them to be remarkably similar. I would just choose the theme you find more appealing.

 

[HunnyJar]

We love both restaurants but I have to tell you if your kids dislike loud noises T-Rex is NOT for you. The restaurant is VERY loud but the theming is fantastic and the food is very plentiful and tasty. We had a great time last year.

Rainforest Cafe is nowhere near as loud. The theming again is fun, but not as detailed (in my mind) as T-Rex. The food is good as well, but I think T-Rex actually better.

We're not sure which one our daughters will be okay with so we will be taking them into T-Rex first and having them look around the restaurant and doing a little shopping at the store inside the restaurant. They have a Build-a-Dino inside. If it looks like they will be okay with the meteor sounds and the dinosaur sounds, we will be eating there. If it seems too much for them, we'll be heading over to Rainforest Cafe.

 

[KristiLyn]

Hi
I'm not sure how young your children are, but I took ds last year and he was 6. We went to T-Rex. He really loved it. Have to warn you though, it is very loud! We sat in the ice cave, and he loved it! There were "meteor showers" and the colors were constantly changing. He thought it was really cool.
I've eaten at both. Rainforest is much less noise, but I prefer the food at T-rex

 

[sassyredhead]

I think the food and atmosphere is better at TRex. I really enjoyed the "salmon on the wood plank" entree.

Also, since only two TRexs have been built, it is more of a novelty. And, Build a Dino is fun!

 

[kamikazecat]

My 5yo son votes for T-Rex. We have gone the past two summers and while it is loud, it is fun. I enjoy the food much more there as well.

 

[hardhead]

Trex!!! It is awesome. Pluss we have a RC about a half hour from our house

 

[Tim Riordan]

We prefer the rainforest cafe

 

[waffles77]

If you have a RC around your house, then I would try TRex.

We took our kids there when they were 3 and 5 and both of them had a blast. We thought the food was pretty good and the atmosphere was fun.

Rain Forest Cafe is very similar in terms of food and the environment - but I think it is less 'interactive'

 

[canopynut66]

I am trying to decide whether to make reservations for T Rex Cafe or Rainforest Cafe for our DTD day. We are interested in both restaurants but would rather go with the one that is not too pricey, has decent food, and is better for young children. My kids equally like dinosaurs and the type of animals represented at Rainforest Cafe. I read that the T Rex cafe can be a little intimidating for small children as well as loud; but I also have concerns about similar issues at the Rainforest Cafe as well. Any suggestions? Thanks

Rain Forest by far but then we do not have one close to us they operated by same company but T Rex does not have as good of choices. IMO

 

[CaptainAlex]

T-Rex is a blast. The theme is great for kids and the execution in how it's presented is perfect. I went there last August for dinner with some friends after the Star Wars convention and it was a blast.

It seemed to be just as expensive as any other tourist eats.

I've been to various RFC around the country and T-Rex is just so much more fun!

 

[Winue]

IMO, both can be scary for little kids. We have been to both, and have a RC close to us, so have been there many more times. We much prefer the atmosphere of the Trex compared. the food is basically the same, as they are run by the same company. So if your kids like both, I would definately go for the trex!

 

[CathieArms]

We've been to the Rainforest Cafe multiple times in Mpls (but never in WDW). To be honest, we've never been even a little bit impressed. The food is so-so and the experience isn't all that exciting, and the price is a bit high. Every time we eat there, we wonder why we chose to do so because we always leave feeling like we've been "taken." That is to say, that we eat there because we keep expecting SOMETHING to stand out...the food or the experience. But, really, it's like a TGI Fridays with a jungle theme.

With that in mind, I'd try T-Rex. I've never been to T-Rex, but it just can't be any worse than Rainforest Cafe.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

thank you for all the suggestions. It seems like a lot of people favor the food and atmosphere at T Rex but agree that it is very loud. Both my DS2 and DS9 are very sensitive to loud sounds and my DS2 is in the phase where he is timid of a lot of things and gets scared easily and cries. So I am not sure what to do. I don't want to eat at Rainforest Cafe and feel disappointed either. It would probably be best if we just save T Rex for our next WDW trip in a couple years and maybe just skip Rainforest Cafe. Unfortunately there aren't any Rainforest Cafes near us.

 

[HunnyJar]

thank you for all the suggestions. It seems like a lot of people favor the food and atmosphere at T Rex but agree that it is very loud. Both my DS2 and DS9 are very sensitive to loud sounds and my DS2 is in the phase where he is timid of a lot of things and gets scared easily and cries. So I am not sure what to do. I don't want to eat at Rainforest Cafe and feel disappointed either. It would probably be best if we just save T Rex for our next WDW trip in a couple years and maybe just skip Rainforest Cafe. Unfortunately there aren't any Rainforest Cafes near us.

While my family really enjoys both restaurants, I do understand where you are coming from. But I feel sort of bad that you seem discouraged about trying them out. If you want to go to Rainforest Cafe but you are unsure of actually having a full meal there why not try some appetizers or desserts. That way you can actually have the experience and see if you care for thee food without having to full commit to an actual meal.

Here's a link to their menu:
http://www.rainforestcafe.com/pdf/menus/menu.pdf

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

While my family really enjoys both restaurants, I do understand where you are coming from. But I feel sort of bad that you seem discouraged about trying them out. If you want to go to Rainforest Cafe but you are unsure of actually having a full meal there why not try some appetizers or desserts. That way you can actually have the experience and see if you care for thee food without having to full commit to an actual meal.

Here's a link to their menu:
http://www.rainforestcafe.com/pdf/menus/menu.pdf

good idea, thank you

 

[CathieArms]

thank you for all the suggestions. It seems like a lot of people favor the food and atmosphere at T Rex but agree that it is very loud. Both my DS2 and DS9 are very sensitive to loud sounds and my DS2 is in the phase where he is timid of a lot of things and gets scared easily and cries. So I am not sure what to do. I don't want to eat at Rainforest Cafe and feel disappointed either. It would probably be best if we just save T Rex for our next WDW trip in a couple years and maybe just skip Rainforest Cafe. Unfortunately there aren't any Rainforest Cafes near us.

I think I should probably clarify my earlier statement about Rainforest Cafe...

It's not "bad." The food is decent and the atmosphere is okay; it's just not as big of a deal as I was led to believe prior to eating there. I'd say the food was on par with a TGI Fridays. The atmosphere was very junglish. Ever 15 or 20 minutes, the lights flash like lightening and there's a minor boom or two like thunder, and the elephants and monkey's make jungle sounds. That *might* be a little startling to a sound-sensitive child, but it might be less threatening than T-Rex...though I don't know because I've never been to T-Rex.

Your little kids might like it. It seems that my daughter really liked it when she was younger.

 

[smiths02]

This was 2 years ago, but we sat next to the bar part at T-Rex and it really wasn't that loud at all in that part...I have been to 4 different Rainforest Cafes (Disneyland, Animal Kingdom, South Coast Plaze, and DTD at WDW) and found them to be louder at times (depending on the seat). I guess they couldn't guarantee you seating, but you could always ask to be seated next to the bar or the part with less animatronic stuff. But I might not use my money for it if I thought my kids would be scared either.

My son went to T-Rex as a just turned 3 year old. A boy who STILL 2 years later talks about how scary Haunted Mansion and Pirates rides are...he was not scared at T-rex

I think the food at T-rex was good. My MILs soup (a tomato basil) was really good. My chicken sandwich was good and big (I had half for breakfast the next day). We also shared the giant chocolate cake thing for dessert-it was really good!