Have you ever noticed the lack of restaurants in Animal Kingdom? Perhaps it’s just me, but there seems to be a lack of restaurants in the park that actually allow you to have a nice, comfortable meal whilst taking a rest. With the exception of Restaurantosaurus and Rainforest Cafe (which actually lies just outside the gates of Animal Kingdom), there’s little to choose from when you find yourself hungry. Granted. There are a few quick stops such as Flame Tree Barbeque and Pizzafari, but in comparison to Walt Disney World’s other parks, there’s simply little to choose from in the way of dining.
However, in 2007, a new restaurant will debut in the land of Asia in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Though an official name for the restuarant has not been named as of yet, the restaurant will, of course, feature Asian cuisine. This particular eatery will be managed by Landry’s Restaurants, the same restaurant management chain that manages The Rainforest Cafe, which can be found at both Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney. This restuarant will offer an adjoining retail shop and is rumored to be reminiscent of the Himalayan foothills which, of course, will compliment Disney’s newest E-Ticket ride, Expedition Everest, in the same area.
Landry will not only be adding a new restaurant to Animal Kingdom, but also to Disney’s Downtown Disney area. T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure will open in early 2008. The restaurant is based upon the theme of fire, water, and ice. Guests will be greeted by life-size dinosaur animatronics as they enter the restaurant and as they dine. Alongside the dinosaur inhabitants of the restaurant will be bubbling geysers, waterfalls, and a fossil dig site.
Those who have visited any of the Rainforest Cafe sites, whether in the Disney Resort area or one of their many other restaurant sites, will be familiar with the immersive qualities of the dining experience these types of restaurants have to offer. The T-Rex concept sounds familiar to the basic layout of the Rainforest Cafe which is broken down into animal families, Elephants and Gorillas, and while dining, guests are treated to a “show” in which the animatronic animals come to life as a tropical storm rages overhead.
I think both restaurants sound equally exciting, though I wonder if T-Rex might not have been better suited near the DINOSAUR attraction in Dinoland U.S.A. in the Animal Kingdom. For now, however, Animal Kingdom guests will have to continue patronizing The Rainforest Cafe just outside the entrance of the park and Restaurantosaurus, the only restaurant in Animal Kingdom to offer character dining.