Rainforest Cafe

[tshenigo]

I would like to know what people think about the Rainforest Cafe. We are going to WDW in October and my daughter (who is 10), really wants to go there. From the books I have read, it is very over rated and the parents think it's "ok", but not great. The one we would probably go to is the one at Animal Kingdom, not Downtown Disney. I heard that they don't take priority seating and the wait is very long.

Thanks
Terri

 

[mandib]

I love it!!!! There's one about an hour a way from me and we got there on my b-day! I love their fries don't ask why! It's great when the thunderstorm comes!!! The fish are very cool too! They are like the only real animals!

 

[Smee]

Word of advice on the RF at AK, if you plan on a meal after AK closes and plan on using the bus service, beware. AK buses will not be running from your resort, you may have to drive. DD is obviously no problem.

This can also mean it is easier to get a table on short notice at AK.

 

[The Mom]

Originally posted by Smee
Word of advice on the RF at AK, if you plan on a meal after AK closes and plan on using the bus service, beware. AK buses will not be running from your resort, you may have to drive. DD is obviously no problem.

This can also mean it is easier to get a table on short notice at AK.

Thanks for the warning!! We usually go there every trip...I would hate to get stuck and have to call a cab!

 

[Chris]

We always enjoy the RF Cafe. It is not quite the novelty it once was since there is one located about 3 miles from my sister-in-laws house in Dallas. I would recommend the one at AK since the wait times at Downtown Disney can be excessive at times.

 

[mickeyfan]

We ate at Rainforest Cafe at AK in August!! I made priority seating arrangements that morning from our hotel room. I love it!! The pasta dishes are very good and plentiful. My husband and I usually share a meal. I would double check on the bus situation if you are dining after the park closes. We dined at the Castle in MK for my daughter's birthday in August (reservations were at 6:55 with park closing at 7:00) We were actually the last ones to leave the restaurant, so we were able to stroll down mainstreet without anyone else (except security) there. It was awesome!! They also had a bus waiting for us that took us directly to our bus stop, no waiting!! It was great for my daughter, she felt so special!!:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[Sheri]

Originally posted by Disneynut
I don't want to talk you out of eating at Rainforest Cafe, I think everyone should eat there at least once. However, most cities/malls have or will be getting a Rainforest Cafe at some point. There are so many other great restaurants at WDW that I would not want you to waste a meal.

yeah theres ones in Westfarms mall in...some town here (?) and I like the Disney ones better. They're bigger which I find better, and probably alot more elaborate then the ones they would put in malls.

 

[DisneyPhD]

It is true that many other citys have or are getting a RC. We ate their a number of times on past trips and it was an fun experince. Whenever we go to the one at the local mall near us we feel a little bit closer to Disney. We get all the way inside it and try to pretend that just outside the doors is Down Town Disney or AK. It is a nice little get away, with out the air fare. Everyone should go once. (you don't need to do many times more then that. ) We like the Rasta pasta.

 

[monorail256]

My opinion on the resteraunt itself is that its not really that great. I would much rather prefer to go to somewhere in epcot countrys. If you do go there to eat, the burgers are very big and are pretty good. On the other hand.,....
The Store:
a great place for kids! the tree talks to kids and its really cool. I wouldn't want you not to go just because some poeple dont want you to. Different people have different tastes on foods. Have fun whenever you go! :sohappy:

 

[Lofatrules]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
It is true that many other citys have or are getting a RC. We ate their a number of times on past trips and it was an fun experince. Whenever we go to the one at the local mall near us we feel a little bit closer to Disney. We get all the way inside it and try to pretend that just outside the doors is Down Town Disney or AK. It is a nice little get away, with out the air fare. Everyone should go once. (you don't need to do many times more then that. ) We like the Rasta pasta.

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Yes there are a lot of other Rainforests in the country but I wouldn't expect there to be an explosion. Like all other chain restaurants they experienced a real lull a few years ago and are trying to stick to expansion in large event type shopping centers which are few and far between and large markets.

I like RF in Disney but if you are looking for a relaxed meal that you don't have to wait four hours for go to AK because it is much less crowded. Just a side note about the DD RF. It is the single busiest freestanding restaurant in the world. They average over 2000 covers per day and a 48 min table turn time. Anyone in the F and B business will recognize how impressive that is but not as impressive as the dollar amount. In 2000 they did 27 million dollars just in Food and Bev sales