Rainforest Cafe....someone help me feel better

[Tink0102]

DS who will be turning 10 on our next trip wants to eat at RFC on his birthday. So I have arranged it on our itinerary to be in AK that day and will do my best to get a dinner reservation for there, but I am just not excited about it. I don't know why. We have never been to a Rainforest Cafe and we did TRex on our last trip and enjoyed it, (I imagine they are similar) but....I don't know. Of course we will go there because it is birthday and his pick, but I need you guys to tell me good things about it to help me get excited!

 

[fbp]

You'll be eating with your family in the midst of a densely themed rain forest full of robot animals and trees, which is in the midst of probably one of your favorite places on Earth. It's pretty much paradise.

 

[Tink0102]

Thanks! Yes, the company will be awesome wherever we are! I guess I just envisioned celebrating his birthday meal somewhere a little more "Disney" and ordering a special cake or cupcake for him. I wonder if you can get that at Rainforest.

 

[epcotisbest]

Rainforest Cafe can be fun and the food, while not excellent, is OK. There is just the two of us. We were not blessed with kids, but if we were and I had a DS to celebrate his birthday, and a mudpuddle in the driveway was his choice, I would be happy there trying to keep the muddy water out of whatever we were having.
OK, maybe that is being a bit silly, but do know RFC is fun, especially during the inside storm when the monkeys and elephants go crazy. Have a wonderful time. Someday he may want to celebrate his birthday at Shula's with the $90 Porterhouse.

 

[wdwmagic]

If you liked T-Rex you will like Rainforest. It is similar to TGI Friday, Chilis etc. but with interesting theming. If you are looking for more of an emphasis on good food, you will likely be dissapointed.

 

[awoogala]

We live in NJ, and have a few (smaller) Rainforests near our house (I've never been in the one in Disney- but we have done T-rex-twice!)
Whenever my kids get a chance to pick a special meal- they STILL choose the RFC, even though it's the same ones they have been to a million times. It never dissapoints them- and they still adore it.
So, it's a very happy kid-friendly type place. I assume the one in AK is bigger and better than the ones by us.
Food- ok, think any chain place.. applebee's, chili's...about on par with that. My Husband is usually happy with the blackened fish tacos, nachos are usually good, etc.
Oh, and as far as a special dessert- they have a volcano- comes with sparklers in the top and everything- quite amazing, even if it doesn't have a mickey on it!

 

[Tink0102]

Rainforest Cafe can be fun and the food, while not excellent, is OK. There is just the two of us. We were not blessed with kids, but if we were and I had a DS to celebrate his birthday, and a mudpuddle in the driveway was his choice, I would be happy there trying to keep the muddy water out of whatever we were having.
OK, maybe that is being a bit silly, but do know RFC is fun, especially during the inside storm when the monkeys and elephants go crazy. Have a wonderful time. Someday he may want to celebrate his birthday at Shula's with the $90 Porterhouse.

I guess I need to see it through the eyes of a 9 year old boy....when I do that it does have appeal. It reminds me of a few weeks ago when he made the A honor roll and we told him we would take him any where he wanted for dinner to celebrate. He chose Burger King of all places! I was disappointed at the time, but I swear that was a great burger and we laughed and had the best time together. You are right...eventually his "tastes" will cost us a lot more!

 

[aladdin2007]

I have found the Rainforest at AK to be far superior to the one at DTD. The last couple times at DTD we said we would never go back. Service, food, etc. Yet we really enjoy the one at AK and it seems cozier as well and not nearly as crazy.

 

[Tink0102]

The atmosphere at TRex was fun...the food was ok, but yeah we did enjoy it. Mainly because DS enjoyed it so much.
Do any of you know if the one in AK has the big erupting volcano like the one in DTD does?

 

[Tink0102]

I have found the Rainforest at AK to be far superior to the one at DTD. The last couple times at DTD we said we would never go back. Service, food, etc. Yet we really enjoy the one at AK and it seems cozier as well and not nearly as crazy.

That's good to know! Thanks!

 

[Tink0102]

We live in NJ, and have a few (smaller) Rainforests near our house (I've never been in the one in Disney- but we have done T-rex-twice!)
Whenever my kids get a chance to pick a special meal- they STILL choose the RFC, even though it's the same ones they have been to a million times. It never dissapoints them- and they still adore it.
So, it's a very happy kid-friendly type place. I assume the one in AK is bigger and better than the ones by us.
Food- ok, think any chain place.. applebee's, chili's...about on par with that. My Husband is usually happy with the blackened fish tacos, nachos are usually good, etc.
Oh, and as far as a special dessert- they have a volcano- comes with sparklers in the top and everything- quite amazing, even if it doesn't have a mickey on it!

Those tacos sound great and he will get a kick out of the volcano cake!

 

[aladdin2007]

The atmosphere at TRex was fun...the food was ok, but yeah we did enjoy it. Mainly because DS enjoyed it so much.
Do any of you know if the one in AK has the big erupting volcano like the one in DTD does?

The one at AK does not have the volcano.

 

[Tink0102]

The one at AK does not have the volcano.

Thanks! I didnt think it did. I think he really wants the volcano so I will have to let him know and let him decide. Also, if we go to the one in AK it will be after we are done in the park and close to the time the park is closing. Will there still be bus transportation back to our resort after park closing?

 

[real mad hatter]

Relax....You'll have a ball...Enjoy the theme and fun.......and the food......

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

Thanks! I didnt think it did. I think he really wants the volcano so I will have to let him know and let him decide. Also, if we go to the one in AK it will be after we are done in the park and close to the time the park is closing. Will there still be bus transportation back to our resort after park closing?

You might consider going to DTD to see the volcano erupt, but then eat at the one in AK. We were disappointed with the DTD one.

 

[Tink0102]

Relax....You'll have a ball...Enjoy the theme and fun.......and the food......

I totally read that with a Scottish accent in my head. You kinda sound like Gerald Butler...maybe that's because I just watched one of his movies.

 

[aladdin2007]

Thanks! I didnt think it did. I think he really wants the volcano so I will have to let him know and let him decide. Also, if we go to the one in AK it will be after we are done in the park and close to the time the park is closing. Will there still be bus transportation back to our resort after park closing?

Yes I dont think that will be a problem, as long as rainforest is open or for an hour or two after they have to provide transportation. I think however that particular rainforest does not stay open as late as the dtd one, but is open a little later past the closing of animal kingdom. anyone else know specifics on its hours?

 

[Gabe1]

You'll have a great time 'cause he is. We have eaten there for years, less these days. The food isn't bad at all and much better than many Disney Restaurants on property. Great fun for a special double digit Birthday.

 

[Tink0102]

O

Yes I dont think that will be a problem, as long as rainforest is open or for an hour or two after they have to provide transportation. I think however that particular rainforest does not stay open as late as the dtd one, but is open a little later past the closing of animal kingdom. anyone else know specifics on its hours?

ok, thanks! Our trip isn't until Oct 2014 so I have plenty of time to figure it out. But based on times listed for now it looks like AK closes at 5pm and dinner at RFC is from 5-5:50.

 

[acishere]

The AK RFC has one of the better burgers I have had when it comes to chain restaurants. If I don't have reservations for a place at AKL I will usually head to RFC and have a decent burger for dinner when I visit AK.