T-Rex Cafe Review
T-Rex Cafe is a dinosaur-themed table service restaurant in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World that is aimed primarily at families with small children. It is literally set in a prehistoric world, with meteor showers and giant prehistoric creatures including dinosaurs and Woolly Mammoth. The cuisine is primarily standard American fare that will appeal to a broad cross-section of guests (menu). T-REX is a 1-credit restaurant on the Disney Dining Plan, but does not accept Tables in Wonderland. However, it does offer a 10% Annual Passholder discount.
To give some context to this review, I should probably introduce you to someone. Meet 8-year old…let’s call him “Lom.” A fan of dinosaurs since first learning about them via some seriously awesome fruit snacks (and trading cards that came with them) that he consumed like they were one of the 4 food groups (back then, there were only 4 food groups!), he experienced an event that forever shaped the future of the United States: Jurassic Park debuted in theaters. After watching–and re-watching…and re-watching…and–this masterpiece, he became obsessed with dinosaurs. Virtually all money he earned from chores was used to purchase Jurassic Park playsets; he made Jurassic parks out of LEGOs; he even created an “extra credit” mural in school that consisted of painting various dinosaurs and writing facts about them underneath (banish the thought that he was a teacher’s pet–one teacher made the incisive comparison of him to Calvin from Calvin & Hobbes, which was probably not praise). Suffice to say, dinosaurs weren’t just an interest, they were a way of life.
In case it’s not readily apparent, 8-year old “Lom” is me, circa 1993. Had this restaurant existed during my annual visits to Walt Disney World in the 1990s, I would have begged my parents to dine here. My mind would have been blown so hard I probably would have had to go to the ER. It would have been the highlight of my trip, and I would have evangelized to all of my friends back at school about “the most amazing restaurant ever,” imploring them to implore their parents to take a pilgrimage to this place that transcended its understated ‘restaurant’ label.
As an adult, I am still an avid dinosaur enthusiast. If I were ‘campaigning’ for a post with Imagineering, my platform would be “more dinosaurs” (and lasers). I can think of literally nothing at Walt Disney World that couldn’t be improved exponentially by the addition of copious amounts of dinosaurs. Frankly, I am distrustful of anyone who doesn’t think it’s a good idea to reallocate all of the money we spend on “science” towards finding ways to bring back the dinosaurs.
With that said, for all of my love of dinosaurs, I also dislike Rainforest Cafe. T-REX is by the same folks as Rainforest Cafe–Landry’s–which is also a restaurant group I strongly dislike (as anyone who has read my Yak & Yeti Review knows). I also have disliked Downtown Disney since Pleasure Island closed, although I find my position on this shifting as Disney Springs is taking shape and starting to look nice.
So basically, my intense passion for dinosaurs competed with three things I disliked, and the “dislikes” won out. UNTIL NOW…
During an afternoon on a recent trip to Disney Springs to check things out, I was by myself and in the mood for a burger and to see some dinosaurs. Actually, I’m not really sure if this is a “mood” per se, since I always want these two things. Regardless, I wouldn’t have to subject anyone else to the restaurant nor was there any wait to sit at the bar, so I thought I’d give it a shot.
Upon walking inside, I was instantly impressed. The relationship to Rainforest Cafe was quite clear. It’s a lot like that restaurant, except with the whole show and execution taken to the next level. Plus, it has dinosaurs, and everyone knows dinosaurs are way better than whatever dumb animals live in the rainforest.
There are numerous rooms, each of which have their own style and unique draws, and I’d hazard a guess that this lends to the repeatability of the restaurant, as each dining room offers a dramatically different experience.
Each room brings something different and engaging to the table, and I would have enjoyed dining in any of them.
I found the Ice Age room to be the most impressive, as to me it felt like a fully immersive room, like you were actually sitting in a prehistoric ice cavern. By contrast, there were other places that felt like they were decorated with dinosaurs, and the illusion could be broken by looking up. Not a major complaint, and something kids aren’t likely to notice, but worth pointing out, nonetheless.
To be sure, neither T-REX nor its cousin Rainforest Cafe are on par with the type of work Imagineering could do (if given the resources). Whereas the best Disney restaurants showcase a deft thematic touch that often means subtelty in design, T-REX is over-the-top, in-your-face fun.
Some of the dinosaurs and design are slightly on the cheesy side, but it absolutely does not matter, because above all else, the ambiance is a ton of fun. I’d liken it to a well done summer blockbuster film, which may lack the careful artistic sensibilities of an award-season movie, but that’s not its aim. Rather, like the blockbuster movie, T-REX just wants to blow stuff up and entertain.
On the subject of blowing stuff up–which T-REX unfortunately does not do–there is a ferocious meteor shower in one of the dining rooms every so often (it felt like maybe 20 minutes?) that is really loud and features darkness mixed with bright flashes of light. It was loud and bright even from the bar, so I can only imagine how it would be from the room itself. If you or your children are scared of loud noises and flashing lights, you should ask to be seated elsewhere. The restaurant is loud as a whole (which is a common complaint about it), but honestly, what do you expect–a candlelight romantic dinner with a violinist in the corner? This restaurant has freakin’ dinosaurs. You don’t go to Raglan Road and expect the live band or dancers to keep the noise down.
As for the food, as hinted at above, I only had one entree, so in that sense, you might not view this as much of a review. I disagree, given that the atmosphere here is absolutely the draw, and the environment is really the make or break element of the experience. Quite simply, I was satisfied with the restaurant before my food even came.
I ordered the Bronto Burger and was bracing myself for the worst–perhaps a rubbery burger that had been left sitting under a heat lamp, and that was the best-case scenario in my mind. Not only did the burger exceed my expectations (not all that much of an accomplishment given how low they were), but I actually enjoyed the burger. A lot.
The burger was well-sized, perfectly cooked, and didn’t seem like a frozen patty. In fact, everything about it seemed fresh. Based on the taste, I’m guessing it wasn’t exactly lean ground beef, but that was fine with me, as it had great flavor and didn’t taste overly-fatty. It was one of the better burgers I’ve ever had at Walt Disney World–unexpectedly delicious. Even the waffle fries were pretty good.
After the burger, I was emboldened. Much like a small dog that can devour a steak larger than it in a matter of moments, I can put down a lot of food, so I debated backtracking and ordering the appetizer sampler. Here’s where I should probably throw in some words of caution about T-REX: while you can have an inexpensive meal here, there are a lot of gimmicky things on the menu that can easily make this a very expensive meal. Many things glow, light-up, include a novelty souvenir, or have ‘smoke’ or other effects. I witnessed a few people next to me order these things after seeing another nearby party receive something with a cool effect. Your wallet will thank you if you just watch the show from afar, so be careful.
I decided this was a lot of money for just me, and I wasn’t that hungry, so I settled for dessert instead, and ordered the Cosmic Key Lime Pie.
This was more in line with what I expected from a Landry’s restaurant, with the pie tasting like it had come from a box purchased at Wal-Mart, and the whipped cream on top still having some ice crystals on it. It’s billed as “freshly baked”, but I highly doubt that. This key lime pie left me suspicious of the rest of the menu, wondering if my burger was just a fluke.
Overall, your takeaway from this review should be that the atmosphere of this restaurant alone makes it a must do for parents with small children who like dinosaurs. Ostensibly, it’s crazy to recommend a restaurant without regard for the food, but given the amount of money so many families spend at Walt Disney World to make lasting memories for their kids, perhaps it’s not so crazy after all. The cost of the meal here is insignificant in the grand scheme of a trip, and this restaurant will likely leave an indelible impression on its target audience.
Now, as for the food, you very well could have a great meal here, but I think it’s probably a ‘caveat emptor’ type of place. After my delicious burger, I’m willing to believe that anything is possible, but I can’t really offer a review or recommendation in that regard due to my limited experience with the menu. That’s why the score below is confined to atmosphere. Total cop out, but whatever. I’d recommend being mindful of menu prices–while T-REX can be a cheap meal, it also has the potential to be one of the more expensive restaurants on property if you get caught up in ordering gimmicky extras. To that end, I’d probably go for a entree-only meal with the safer options (burgers, ribs, fried stuff) and steer clear of the more nuanced dishes (steaks, seafood, fancy salads), getting dessert elsewhere, but that’s just me. At worst, it’s a really fun restaurant that families will enjoy. At best, it’s that plus a good meal, making it potentially one of the (I can’t believe I’m about to type this) gems of Walt Disney World dining.
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Atmosphere Score: 10/10
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Your Thoughts…
If you have dined at T-REX Cafe, what has your experience been with the food? Any menu recommendations? Did you and/or your kids enjoy the ambiance? Any other tips about the restaurant? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Richard at T Rex was AMAZING! Professional & friendly!
Food was delicious & atmosphere was fun!
We popped in here Jan 2019 with our family -there was a very short wait and we were starving. I had very low expectations but it turned out to be one of my best meals at Disney! I’m vegetarian and had the black bean burger and it was delicious! My husband walked our kids around while we waited for food – for the size of the restaurant, the wait was short. It’s loud and dark and not a romantic, quiet place- but for a family with young children, you can dine and not worry that anyone can hear you!
We have been here once and both kids LOVED it. The food was good, but not great. However, I find that to be the case with a lot of Disney character meals too. We are planning to return on our trip in October.
Before my daughter came along there was really no appeal to this place for me. Food was average and the atmosphere was loud/generic/childish. Then we had our little one and she ADORES this place. I don’t think she cares what the serve, she just loves the dinosaurs and getting to experience all the cool lights and the theming. Also, the food here is MUCH better than at some of the Character buffet’s on property. Is this the best restaurant at Disney Springs? Hell no. Is it cooler than most of the themed/character restaurants at Disney World? I think so. It’s dinosaurs!! The move and there’s a ton of cool lights. This is why I come. The food gets the job done of feeding you so you aren’t hungry when you leave.
Hated it! We went to Disney for the first time, and did so much research. Only two mistakes. Pizzafari and T-Rex. Crowded, terrible food, and terrible service. My husband paid $20 for a drink with a take-home cup he didn’t want. I would highly recommend avoiding this place (and all of Disney Springs for that matter).
I absolutely recommend T-Rex. The first time I went was Christmas of 2009. We went as part of a group of 8, where 5 of us would go places together and the other 3 went separate. This was a family trip, in which I was a college student who was taken on the trip paid by my dad and stepmom as a gift. First thought was it was pricey but this being my first time at Disney, I quickly realized it was the same youd expect in most places in Disney. Food was great, very large portions making the price worth it. AMAZING environment and the shows every 20 min were the best! The booths are made into like a cave which we loved, I agree to an above comment that they have alot of gimmicky items but it’s all part of the experience. That year me and my siblings each got this giant slushy served in a trex bone that was easily like 3 feet tall. Of course you can keep the cup so it’s a souvenir also! Then we all got the giant chocolate cake dessert with the dry ice in the middle to share. It was amazing!! Then about 2 1/2 years ago, I made another trip down which included myself, my fiance and my 3 1/2 daughter who loves dinosaurs so this was our first stop, being on the evening we arrived! She absolutely loved everything about it and the only complaint I have is that we ended up at a table in the middle and didnt get one of the cool booths but we also did not request it so that is on us. This second trip we were on the dining plan which made it awesome because price was no issue. I 100% reccomend everyone trys this place out!
Just had my first and last meal at T-rex in Disney Springs. The atmosphere is nice but the service and food are all well below average. There were 6 of us 2 children and 4 adults although as with many restaurants a 10 year old is considered an adult. We asked for the chef and although they say they are an allergy friendly restaurant the chef acted as though it was a major inconvenience. He made no real effort to accommodate and broke a very big rule by allowing the waiter to bring the meal to our table. In so doing the food runs enormous risk of being crosscontaminated from other foods wait staff has handled. 2 steak meals cooked wrong, one meal served cold and the other just rubber chicken. They need better management and more attention to detail. I suppose their thought process must be not to rely on repeat business.
We went to the T-REX in May 2017, we made reservations like two days in advance for a party of 18. We were 5 min. late for our scheduled reservation, but they were so nice and accommodating. The manager sat us down personally and introduced us to the two waiters that would be taking care of our large party. Now, of our party of 18, 8 were children ages 2-8, the waiters took their drink orders and food orders first, then let the adults have a chance to look at the menu. We ordered our food and then took the kids around the restaurant. Like 10 min later, the kids’ food was already at the table for them. Then shortly after, all the adult meals came. Our experience couldn’t have been more perfect. The kids were happy, which meant the parents were happy. They loved the atmosphere and the service was probably the best service I’ve ever experienced at a restaurant. The food was delicious and overall the T-REX is a place I’d definitely go again and again.
T Rex Disney springs
There few weeks ago, I’ll from the salmon, contacted guest services, spoke to the GM, Geoff on the phone, assured me he would investigate, knew I was returning back to London in a few days..haven’t heard from him since!! Long wait times, take a wooly jumper, sat us right underneath aircon, not enough cutlery, too dark, can’t see if anything us clean. Food arrived at different times, cold!!! Kids lasagne is crap, had to get my 7 year old something else. Yeah nothing special really, hate how they serve kids food on that tray (jail) very slow service, had to keep getting up to find servers?? Don’t go there, take kids around to look at the gift shop, let them dig for bones round the back (not worth going in)
My wife and I ate dinner there December 2016. We wanted to see dinosaurs and theming. Having a Rainforest Cafe nearby our home in Michigan, we were not expecting great food. T-Rex exceeded our expectations and we really enjoyed the meal. The bruschetta appetizer was good and so was the lasagna. The two of us had the giant chocolate desert meant for 4. It was delicious and huge, we left a lot behind due to the size of the portion. The atmosphere is fun. I had a small stegosaurus type dinosaur behind me that moaned as I ate. We got a chuckle from it. The service was fast and friendly and we were sat after a reasonable wait after arriving late for our reservation. Overall we were happy with the meal and experience and would go back.
The worst experience. After making a reservation 4 months in advance, we were treated poorly. We showed up on time at 12:10 PM, and we had to wait 25 minutes to be seated. We were shown into the bar by the door. When we asked about this, we were told this was the family dining area. BS! We came all the way from California to celebrate my son’s 8th birthday, similar to how we did my older son’s 3 years ago. We do not want to come here again! I feel we were treated poorly by not being offered a better seating area, as we had planned this months in advance.