Rainforest Cafe: which one?

LucyK

LucyK

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'm starting to narrow down my options for our trip next year and Rainforest Cafe is a restaurant I'd like to try. But which one is best and will offer the best experience? It'll be me and my 70-year-old mom, she's super active and has no problem with noise.

What are your opinions? DTD around 7PM or Animal Kingdom after park closing?
 
PolynesianPrincess

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
We've eaten at both and the one at Downtown Disney is always MOBBED!! Even with ADRs there is always a wait. We found the one at Animal Kingdom to be less crowded and we ate at around 1pm. I think both offer a fun experience. They were both pretty much the same. The Planet Earth Pasta is really good and we always split the Chimi Cha Chas. :)
 
MorganKelly

MorganKelly

Active Member
I believe the menus are the same. Both have stores to pass the time until your table is ready. IMHO, the DTD location is far busier just from more walk-by traffic. We've been to both. The DTD location is probably a bit livelier; they often have the live bird show taking place out front and that is fun to watch.

I'd say AK for lunch, but DTD for dinner.
 
LucyK

LucyK

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
My only problem with lunch at the location at AK is the track to and from the restaurant. Booking it to after closing time saves time and will not take away precious park time (AK is my favorite park and I can spend the whole day there doing the tracks and the Safari over and over again!).

I didn't know about the bird show, does it happen daily?
 
MOXOMUMD

MOXOMUMD

Well-Known Member
We loved going to RFC at least once every trip due to the free child's meal charts. They are the same with the exception DTD is more busy throughout the day. RFC at AK closing seems to be one of their busiest times. Of course when did we make our upcoming reservations? AK right at park closing, :). That way we won't have to wait with the masses for a bus back to our resort. (There still is transportation even though the park is closed.)
 
LucyK

LucyK

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
MOXOMUMD said:
We loved going to RFC at least once every trip due to the free child's meal charts. They are the same with the exception DTD is more busy throughout the day. RFC at AK closing seems to be one of their busiest times. Of course when did we make our upcoming reservations? AK right at park closing, :). That way we won't have to wait with the masses for a bus back to our resort. (There still is transportation even though the park is closed.)
Click to expand...

This is exactly my plan! I don't mind waiting a bit for a table or a crowded restaurant and the thought of skipping the mass exodus of AK closing and having a bus almost all to myself after a full day of walking is quite lovely.

Plus the food! I was reading the menu and the Taste of the Islands entree sounds delicious! I love seafood. Plus the Rainforest Ricky. Double yummy!
 
MOXOMUMD

MOXOMUMD

Well-Known Member
Yes to the bird exhibit at DTD weather permitting. I compare it to this (which you'll understand by being an AK fan) the Flights of Wonder preshow. They bring out a few pretty birds for you to look at with a little spiel to go with it. I honestly don't know it they do this at AK. If I want to look at birds before dining I wander through the Oasis on the way to the restaurant, lol.
 
MOXOMUMD

MOXOMUMD

Well-Known Member
And the Sparkling Volcano dessert, which is a glorified brownie sundae, is big enough for two to share. It comes with a lit sparkler on the top and the wait staff all yell "volcano" when they bring one out of the kitchen. My daughter and I both like to echo "volcano", not as loudly, after them. On a really busy night that can be quite often.:)
 
LucyK

LucyK

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thank you all, I made my decision! It's AK after park closing, now I just need the hours for November 2014! I know I still have a long way to book my ADRs but it feels good to do research on my picks ;)
 
LucyK

LucyK

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
There will be birds aplenty to look at while we make our way back to the front of the park that's for sure! And the anteater, he's always there to make me smile before I leave the park LOL
 
MOXOMUMD

MOXOMUMD

Well-Known Member
bsmartin2000 said:
sorry but what are the free child meal charts?
Click to expand...
They were printouts on their website with a monthly chart, like a calendar. There were I think four (?) different themed ones. The one my daughter always turned in was the "reading everyday" chart. You filled in the title of a book on each day and after a monthful you could turn it in for a free kid's meal. The other charts I can remember were cleaning your room, brushing your teeth or a physical fitness calendar. When the RFC was bought by Landry's they started weening people off using these by taking them off their website. I had printed a half-dozen off at one time just so I had some before this happened. So far I have been lucky to not be denied the kid's meal but it'll probably happen eventually.
 
luv

luv

Well-Known Member
I've never eaten at the DTD one, I don't think. I do have to recommend the cranberry waffle breakfast thing at RFC...because I love it and want everyone ordering it, so it never leaves the menu.

I'm going to RFC and having one as soon as I'm home.
 
armyfamilyof5

armyfamilyof5

Well-Known Member
We've eaten at both and the food is the same, the DTD location is much busier and we waited way past our ADR to get our table. If you are depending on Disney transportation and feel confident you will be able to get back to your destination after dinner I would definately go with AK. If you want to go look around and do some shopping after dinner as well as get a dessert I would go with DTD and get a dessert at Ghiradelli's (sp?) or Yorkshire Fish and Chips. There's just nothing to do after dinner at AK and tons to do at DTD, you can watch street performers and people watch for hours there!
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
I would recommend the location outside of the front entrance to Animal Kingdom for several reasons.
The food and service seems better, and it is a great spot to hit a hour or so after Park Close.

I have dined at both and the DTD location did not seem quite as attractive. A bit too crazy for me...very busy.
The AK location is much quieter and the later you wait to dine there after Park Close the emptier the place will be.
Many people leave to go over to another Park, so the crowd is thinned out considerably when compared to the location at DTD.
 

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