Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Tampa, FL

While my family spent some time in Orlando during the week after Christmas, we went to dinner at the new T-Rex restaurant in Downtown Disney. This enormous dinosaur themed restaurant is new to the area and we were excited to check it out. With dinosaurs, meteor showers and an excavation pit, it was certainly an adventure for the whole family!

Knowing that the parks were at capacity during the holiday week and that this restaurant has become the newest attraction at Downtown Disney, our family decided to get there early for dinner. We arrived around 5:30 and the line was already out the door. As we walked up to what looks like a giant mountain surrounded by fountains and foliage, enormous life sized dinosaur skeletons circled the entrance. Owned by the same folks who run the rainforest cafe, it was clear that patrons were expected to have an "adventure style" dining experience.

While the Dads got the table beeper and waited in line, the moms took the children into the restaurant, through the T - Rex Store, past the "Build a Dino" workshop (owned by the Build a Bear Workshop) and into the "Discovery Dig". The Dig is an enclosed area where children can grab a brush and excavate hidden dinosaur bones. My five and two year old sons were thrilled to jump in and play. I appreciated the fact that the sand was not really sand, but a courser, sand like material that was easily brushed off. Children could also pan for stones in the "Discovery Creek". Once our table was ready, there was a large, easy to reach sink so hands could be washed before we ate.

As we walked back into the restaurant, we were greeted by an enormous, life sized dinosaur which moved, roared and amazed us all. We were seated next to a beautiful salt water fish tank which immediately grabbed the children's attention. The five year old couldn't keep his eyes off the giant octopus with moving tentacles looming over the bar next to us. We could also see a Mammoth and her babies, an awesome ice cavern with further seating and various other dinosaurs hidden in the bushes throughout the floor.

Similar to the rainstorm in the Rainforest Cafe, a meteor shower occurs in the T Rex restaurant every 15 minutes or so. The skies darken, the blue ice cavern turns red, booming is heard throughout and a very cool meteor shower is displayed on the ceiling above the guests.

Even with the crowds, we were seated relatively quickly and attended to very well by a friendly server from Morocco. The prices were reasonable, considering we were on Disney property. The children got their food right away and our food was unexpectedly delicious - better than the Rainforest Cafe in my opinion. I had the Paleozoic Chicken Sandwich and it did not disappoint. While my children's chicken nuggets were the same as what I buy at Wal-Mart, they ate them all, they were enthralled by the environment and we had a wonderful dinner all around.

Finally, I would suggest that this restaurant is not for nervous younger patrons. Another 2 year old with us tried to be brave until the meteor shower began and then he became afraid. Make sure your child is the "adventure going" type. If so, I would highly recommend eating at the T-Rex restaurant during your next visit to Orlando!