T-REX restaurant at Downtown Disney

The T. Rex restaurant is a relatively new addition to Downtown Disney. It opened in October 2008 in Downtown Disney’s Marketplace close to the upscale Fulton’s Crab House and the ubiquitous McDonald’s. The prehistoric theme is evident from the moment guests approach the entrance, with sort of a Jurassic Park meets Rainforest Café feel to the entire place.

Visitors enjoy their meals in oversized theme rooms, which include a blue-hued Ice Age room and a primordial coral reef. The first main dining room features an animatronic T. Rex and wooly mammoth, which come to life every few minutes while the lights are dimmed and meteors streak across the domed ceiling. And if that seems a bit larger than life, just wait until the dinosaur-sized portions arrived. Whether it’s a salad or a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, the generous sized portion will ensure that no one leaves hungry.

Like the Rainforest Café, there is a gift shop attached to the T. Rex restaurant, which even sells naturally-occurring, crystal-filled geodes that can be cut open in the store (after it’s been purchased, of course). Other interactive activities include computer touch screens with educational games and a Build-a-Dino workshop (much like the Build-a-Bear Workshop available in Florida Mall and other malls across the country). The kids might also enjoy digging for “fossils” in a sheltered excavation site (just remove your shoes before entering).

If you plan on making reservations, call the T-REX restaurant directly at (407) 828-8739, since this restaurant does not use the Disney dining reservation system used by most of the other restaurants on Disney property.