Rainforest Cafe

[Dwarful]

We took the kids to Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom for dinner. well once I read the menus we decided to just do drinks and an appetizer tray because of the prices...The kids meal for example..the mini hamburger is $5.99 if your child wants fries with that its another $.99 , if your child wants a drink with that kids meal its another $1.99 so the kids meal ends up being $9.99 plus tax! I was really mad, felt like the small print was a bit dishonest...I expect a hamburger kids meal to come with more than just a hamburger! Anyway, we had the five kids includine a 2yr old who had nothing of cost, our 7 drinks...no alcohol or specialty drinks, and two appetizer trays that were $14.99 each came to a grand total of $60.72 We had 8 people so they added a 18% tip to each item one at a time and then added the tax to all of that! I complained about that...I wasnt complaining about the automatic tip, I was complaining about paying taxes on the tip and the tips being on each item instead of the total pretax bill. The manager wouldnt budge. We wont be back, but I was wondering if this is how it is at all of the RFC. We didnt remember the kids meal being alacarte prices before. Thanks!

 

[cuteypatooty78]

I've been to a RFC here in Texas before and thought the prices were a bit high especially for food that was mediocre...I guess the one in Florida is the same way...inflated prices and crappy food. I don't know if we'll ever go back there or not?

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I will add your experiences to the long list of others who have nothing good to say about Rainforest Cafe.

We have one locally, which I have had no desire to visit. After reading this, I have even less.

 

[dznynut]

We always eat breakfast at the RFK

Each time we visit WDW we use our flex feature and eat breakfast at the RFK AK. Yes.... I agree that it is VERY expensive and we probably would never eat there if not for the flex feature. But... we have always enjoyed the food.:animwink:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I have to go against you here...

I think the Rainforest is a great place to eat. We have one not to ar from our house and we go there at least once every two months, and we never miss the one in Downtown Disney.

I can see though with five kids it might be tough to eat there...or anywhere else in WDW.

 

[fngoofy]

The RFC was sold a year and a half ago to a restaraunt group that amoung other things owns Long John Silvers, and Joe's Crap Shack.

The RFC was never owned by Disney, they were just at DTD.

Ever since the sale to this new group things have gone down hill quickly. We have one here in KC and I will not go to it now that the menu and prices have changed.

 

[BigNorm]

You have to remember, Rainforest Cafe is basically Disney's venture into the Hard Rock Cafe/Planet Hollywood market. Both expensive as hell, neither very good.

 

[bearboysnc]

I was really surprised that Rain Forest was at any Disney property.

Neither the food, nor the animatronics are up to Disney standards. I have seen a steep increase in prices and a sharp DECLINE in quality since my first visit to one in Vegas. It is a novelty not worth repeating.

After my visit June 1-3, I was dissapointed with ALL the over priced food on property.
Pecos Bill's in MK,
Mitzu...something in Japan, WS
9 Dragons in China, WS
Bongos, DTD

After 4 MISERABLE, OVERPRICED dinners we turned to the restaurant we could count on... McDonald's near the AllStars. Cheap, Fast, and I knew what to expect. I even splurged and added bacon.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I have eaten at RFC on several ocassions and found the food and service to be of acceptable quality. The price always seemed to be standard Disney price hike, but nothing exceptional.
The kids and my good lady always want to visit once per trip.
As for the tipping this is always difficult for Us Brits especially for tight wad Jocks like me, but the thing with parties of 6 or over really hacks me off, I feel that a tip should be freely given and graciously received.

 

[dznynut]

When dining at WDW...

I agree with ALL comments about the price of the RFK. But I have never seen ANYWHERE that is cheap to eat when in the bounds of WDW. We vacation at WDW because we all have a very good time, certainly not because you can go on the CHEAP.

Sure, you can drive outside the bounds of WDW and find someplace reasonable, but I can do that at home.

The thought never entered my mind that the RFK was owned by Disney. We have one here as well at a local mall in Texas "Grapevile Mills" and I've never visited. But each time I walk by the one here at home I think about the fun we had on our last trip.

Maybe next time you go use your Flex Feature for the RFK "if your staying on property" then the food may be more enjoyable.

By the way... our breakfast usually costs around $100.00, all the food you could ever want to eat, and well worth spending your FF on.

Any other time of the year.... forget it, it's a McDonalds sausage McMuffin w/egg for me.

:lol:

 

[Erika]

Originally posted by BigNorm
You have to remember, Rainforest Cafe is basically Disney's venture into the Hard Rock Cafe/Planet Hollywood market. Both expensive as hell, neither very good.

Except that it's not a Disney venture. We have RFCs here in IL and as far as I know they have nothing to do with Disney whatsoever.

My husband hasn't wanted to go back since they 86ed his Gorrilla Grilled Cheese. Now that they got rid of his waffle fries, too, it's going to be next to impossible dragging him there! :lol:

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by Erika


Except that it's not a Disney venture. We have RFCs here in IL and as far as I know they have nothing to do with Disney whatsoever.

My husband hasn't wanted to go back since they 86ed his Gorrilla Grilled Cheese. Now that they got rid of his waffle fries, too, it's going to be next to impossible dragging him there! :lol:

Yeah..Disney has nothing to do with RFC.

I was just at the one in woodfield a few weeks ago....(but I walk by the one here in downtown chicago all the time....go figure:hammer: )
I was not very impressed...nice atmosphere and all...but the food was not really worth the price...for the same money (or less) you can go to Bennigans...have more fun... and get bigger and better meal.

 

[cm1988]

Fries with that?

Originally posted by bearboysnc
...turned to the restaurant we could count on... McDonald's...

If you're looking for some lower-cost options some evenings (or lunches), there's several options in Lake Buena Vista.

• Olive Garden (Italian)
• Chevy's (Mexican)
• Uno's (Deep dish pizza)
• Orlando Ale House (Restaurant/sports bar with seafood and steaks)

All are table service, with plates, silverware, and a check that will average in the 12-15$ per adult range including non-alcoholic beverage, tax and tip. That can be knocked down a buck or two if someone prefers water with a squeeze of lemon to water with caramel coloring and lots of corn syrup! For that matter, some of the drafts at the Ale House are cheaper than the colas.

At the parks and resorts --- particularly at the quick-service restaurants --- many entrees are ample size to share. It's otherwise very easy to buy twice what you need (particularly the huge salads, accompanied by a birdbath size iced-tea), then pitch half of it away. That does get expensive!

 

[Seano846]

Originally posted by fngoofy
and Joe's Crap Shack

Sounds like the food is REAL ty there:lol:

 

[hadleybarth]

We tried the RFC twice in Colorado (figuring although the sky high proces wouldn't change--maybe we just hit a bad night as far as food and service quality was concerned). We were distinctly unimpressed both times and were very surprised that Disney would allow such a low quality restruant to be placed not only at DTD but even at AK.

Yes, dining at Disney World is very pricy, but the sit down resturants usually give you a lot of food for your money. And, at almost all of the restruants the food, service and atmosphere are all excellent. If AK's RFC is anything like the other ones, all of the Disney perks would be missing from a meal with Disney prices.

 

[all_good_chic]

I love the RFC and i would care how much the food was as long as i was there. The service is good the atmosphere is good and where i live the menue has a variety of different meals. For the people in my family it is very hard to find something for everyone (vegetarian, picky eater, ect) and it also reminds me of disney!

 

[Dawn S]

I've been to the RFC in DTD & my entire party loved it. We were 10 VERY diverse people & everyone found a drink & meal to suit their tastes. The mixed drinks were original & very good. The food was great, as was the service. The atmosphere was unbeatable. My kids had a blast there & found the whole place to be a lot of fun. I would recommend it anytime! :sohappy:

 

[danamarie27]

I was going to book dinner there for me and my daughter in October and now I'm not so sure. I don't mnd spending the money if it's worth it. I'd rather do a charcter meal anyway.

 

[tybroid59]

Seems like its a matter of taste and expectation......


I wouldnt let a few peoples views put me off...anyway there are just as many poeple who liked it .

Rember these are just personal views i dont think Egon Ronay has eaten there


I thnk we have RFC in london somewhere


141 days to go :wave:

 

[Scooter]

I feel dining at Rainforest Cafe is a "Must do once" experiance.

The prices are high and the menu is limited but I'm sure the cost of maintaining the atmosphere isn't cheap hence the high prices.

I myself, am a Rainforest Cafe' CHEATER.

We have a RFC at a nearby Mall (Woodfield Mall)

Since I have already eaten there once to experience the ambiance, now I just go straight to the SOUVENIR SHOP and hang out for awhile. It smells just like DISNEY in there!!

I get the benefit of Disney SMELLS without paying a dime!

Then after I have had my fill, I head over to a cheaper restaurant with a better selection, and GET my BELLY filled.