Rainforest Cafe? - The DIS Discussion Forums

DisneyG8TR · 11-23-2009, 09:23 AM

We have not been to WDW in about 6 years - MIL thought that it would be nice to get us a gift card so that we can eat at Rainforest one night (we ate there and liked it our last visit). After reading reviews, I am not so sure that we want to go.

Is one better than the other - AK vs DTD? Is the food really that bad? Should we take the gift card and eat somewhere else? It will be myself, DH, DD11, and DD9 (the girls are kind-of picky eaters).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hootch · 11-23-2009, 10:33 AM

is okay to me. We have eaten there a couple of times. This past trip we tried T0Rex but prefered RFC. I'd personally choose House of Blues in DTD but my kids, who are also very picky eaters, like RFC. It's also very convenient since we stay at POFQ. The boat drops us right by the restaurant in DTD.

Sorry, but I can't help you with the differences between the two Disney locations other than the DAK location serves breakfast, is supposed to be less crowded and ADRs can be taken by Disney Dining. If you decide on the DTD location (or have trouble getting the time you want at the DAK location) call the restaurant directly. We have avoided major waits at the DTD location by doing this.

eliza61 · 11-23-2009, 11:54 AM

I didn't find the food bad. It's pretty average. It's like a TGI fridays with a few more selections. I find the one in DTD a lot noiser so we prefer the one in AK. We generally go for a late lunch. lots on the menu so your pickey eaters should be able to choose some thing.

Missytara · 11-23-2009, 12:13 PM

Their chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes is really good; it comes with an awesome salad with rice wine vinegar. The bamba wrap is also one of my favorites; it is bar-be-que beef - yummo. Problem is I always end up wearing it!

Dizny Dad · 11-23-2009, 12:19 PM

Go to either location - both are family restaurants, which means loud and plenty of distracting events going on. You are at the right age to live through it, and the kids will love you for it.

Don't re-visit after the kids have grown; it can be a killer!

bluslag · 11-23-2009, 08:40 PM

We always eat at RFC the first night we arrive at WDW. We have done this now for about 8 years. We have never been disappointed. My son and I always get the pastalaya. It is spicy and we love the shrimp, peppers, and whatever else is in there. My husband always get the mojo bones and I always steal a few bones. We will be back there in 2010.

VAfamily1998 · 11-23-2009, 08:54 PM

We were just in Disney last week and ate at RFC in AK. We were able to walk right in (party of 6) with no reservations just before noon on Wednsday.
We've been to other RFCs in the past (including the one in DTD) and we thought the thunderstorm in this one seemed a lot "tamer" than what we remembered. Also, the food wasn't as good as we remembered

We also at at TRex in DTD on Monday night (again, just walked in with no reservations, but this was around 9 pm) and we were THRILLED with the taste/quality of the food and also the service. We expected the meteor showers to be a bit more intense...but still it was a nice experience...our kids loved it!

TinkerbellinLouisian · 11-23-2009, 09:42 PM

We went to RFC at AK in '06 ....me, DH, and then...DS 14, DD13, DD12....and ALL were picky eaters back then....

SO some ended up with expensive entree's they didn't eat..and some ended up with RFC kids menu pizza....which did not eat either...because it "wasn't like Papa Johns"...

SO we're talking about neat dining places at WDW yesterday and DD12 ....who is now DD16....talks about how great RFC was...

I agree with DIZNEYDAD>above...

So this being said...I think it is the EXPERIENCE that they remember. We did let them get the chocolate volcano dessert (with sparkler lit on top)...I guess we were just worried that none of them really ate... (BAD PARENTS! BAD PARENTS!

).... and they were delighted with sharing that...

and the gift shop....and the sights, sounds and experience.

Hope that helps!

Mary

DisneyG8TR · 11-24-2009, 09:08 AM

Thanks! I think that we will just go for it on our first night in town and hope for the best. (And get the Volcano!)

Tara922c · 11-24-2009, 09:37 AM

I thought the food was way over priced. Taste like frozen food with a high dollar price tag. However, my DD2 loved both the rainforest cafe, and T-Rex. She had just turned 2, and was laughing the whole time we ate. It is a cool atmosphere (a little loud), but we thought their food was awful. We ate at Rainforest in AK because it was pouring, we wanted to escape the rain, and there was no wait. We shared chips and queso, two sodas, and a kids meal and I think it was almost 30 with tip. I do not eat seafood, so their seafood might be good, but there chips and queso were not worth the money. I would eat there agian for DD, but I would never choose to eat there otherwise.

CR Resort Fan 4 Life · 11-24-2009, 05:23 PM

Whenever my family and I went to their location at Downtown Disney Marketplace I would always order the Planet Earth Pasta and it was very good.

Hoosier Mom · 11-24-2009, 09:12 PM

We enjoyed breakfast at the AK one. I think we had 8:30 am ADR's. We checked in and they had us browse in the store for a few minutes. I think they still seated us early. I think we had the breakfast of bandits. If I remember right, it was some eggs, bacon, little muffins, and fruit. It was very good.

Chelley00 · 11-25-2009, 10:48 AM

I just did a review in my dining report listed below. DD loved it, I wasn't impressed. We had much better food at TRex

FireDancer · 11-25-2009, 02:37 PM

I have eaten there twice and while I wouldn't say it was a spectacular meal it was good and I enjoyed it. I think the one at DTD would be my choice but there isn't much difference from what I can tell. It all depends on what expectations you have going in. If you know that the atmosphere and theme will be a big part of the meal and the restaurant isn't all about the food I think you will enjoy it. If you go into it thinking you are about to have the same meal you would at a 3 diamond bistro in Paris you will be greatly disappointed.

Of the 3 big national theme franchises (Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, and Rainforest) I think the Rainforest has the best food.

phunchak · 11-25-2009, 03:41 PM

The meals there are as good as anywhere else and for us it's always been alot cheaper than eating at a "Disney" Restaurant.

11-23-2009, 09:23 AM	#1
DisneyG8TR Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Camp Lejeune, NC Posts: 40	Rainforest Cafe? We have not been to WDW in about 6 years - MIL thought that it would be nice to get us a gift card so that we can eat at Rainforest one night (we ate there and liked it our last visit). After reading reviews, I am not so sure that we want to go. Is one better than the other - AK vs DTD? Is the food really that bad? Should we take the gift card and eat somewhere else? It will be myself, DH, DD11, and DD9 (the girls are kind-of picky eaters). Any advice would be greatly appreciated! __________________ Me DH DD11 DD9 The generosity of the DIS members never ceases to amaze me!!!

11-23-2009, 10:33 AM	#2
Hootch DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,171	Rain Forest is okay to me. We have eaten there a couple of times. This past trip we tried T0Rex but prefered RFC. I'd personally choose House of Blues in DTD but my kids, who are also very picky eaters, like RFC. It's also very convenient since we stay at POFQ. The boat drops us right by the restaurant in DTD. Sorry, but I can't help you with the differences between the two Disney locations other than the DAK location serves breakfast, is supposed to be less crowded and ADRs can be taken by Disney Dining. If you decide on the DTD location (or have trouble getting the time you want at the DAK location) call the restaurant directly. We have avoided major waits at the DTD location by doing this.

11-23-2009, 11:54 AM	#3
eliza61 We're Americans, we're survivors Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 8,008	I didn't find the food bad. It's pretty average. It's like a TGI fridays with a few more selections. I find the one in DTD a lot noiser so we prefer the one in AK. We generally go for a late lunch. lots on the menu so your pickey eaters should be able to choose some thing. __________________ "If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with"~ Michael Jackson

11-23-2009, 12:13 PM	#4
Missytara I'm all ears! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 2,460	Their chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes is really good; it comes with an awesome salad with rice wine vinegar. The bamba wrap is also one of my favorites; it is bar-be-que beef - yummo. Problem is I always end up wearing it! __________________ Oct 10, 1971 with dad before dedication Mar 1992 with DBF and DBF's daughter; stayed offsite Dec 2000 on land/sea pkg; CBR Dec 2002 on land/sea pkg; Dolphin Dec 2004 on land/sea pkg with DM; POR Dec 2006 with three friends; POR Dec 2007 solo; POR Dec 2009 with two friends from my local watering hole; SSR Dec 2010 - booked at POR Dec 2011 - planning stages; land/sea pkg with friends

11-23-2009, 12:19 PM	#5
Dizny Dad Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 413	Go to either location - both are family restaurants, which means loud and plenty of distracting events going on. You are at the right age to live through it, and the kids will love you for it. Don't re-visit after the kids have grown; it can be a killer! __________________ [YC 1990][DI 1998][SSR 2006][DVC 10/06][SSR 3/07][VWL & SSR 12/07][SSR 5/08][SSR 10/08][VWL 5/09][VWL & SSR 12/09][AKV & SSR 5/10][VWL & THV 12/10][..& Still Planning]

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11-23-2009, 08:40 PM	#6
bluslag Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 263	We always eat at RFC the first night we arrive at WDW. We have done this now for about 8 years. We have never been disappointed. My son and I always get the pastalaya. It is spicy and we love the shrimp, peppers, and whatever else is in there. My husband always get the mojo bones and I always steal a few bones. We will be back there in 2010. __________________

11-23-2009, 08:54 PM	#7
VAfamily1998 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 64	We were just in Disney last week and ate at RFC in AK. We were able to walk right in (party of 6) with no reservations just before noon on Wednsday. We've been to other RFCs in the past (including the one in DTD) and we thought the thunderstorm in this one seemed a lot "tamer" than what we remembered. Also, the food wasn't as good as we remembered We also at at TRex in DTD on Monday night (again, just walked in with no reservations, but this was around 9 pm) and we were THRILLED with the taste/quality of the food and also the service. We expected the meteor showers to be a bit more intense...but still it was a nice experience...our kids loved it!

11-23-2009, 09:42 PM	#8
TinkerbellinLouisian Looking forward to my 18th DW visit Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,107	Rfc We went to RFC at AK in '06 ....me, DH, and then...DS 14, DD13, DD12....and ALL were picky eaters back then.... SO some ended up with expensive entree's they didn't eat..and some ended up with RFC kids menu pizza....which did not eat either...because it "wasn't like Papa Johns"... SO we're talking about neat dining places at WDW yesterday and DD12 ....who is now DD16....talks about how great RFC was... I agree with DIZNEYDAD>above... So this being said...I think it is the EXPERIENCE that they remember. We did let them get the chocolate volcano dessert (with sparkler lit on top)...I guess we were just worried that none of them really ate... (BAD PARENTS! BAD PARENTS!).... and they were delighted with sharing that... and the gift shop....and the sights, sounds and experience. Hope that helps! Mary __________________ 1970 - (I was 5...it was just a movie being shown back then...still being built)...1974 - WDW - ?...1976 - DL - On the way to moving from CA to FL...1977 - WDW Lake Buena Vista...1981 - WDW High School Dance Competition...1982 - H.S. Dance Competition.....1983 - H.S. Dance Competition...1985 - Offsite...1991 - Offsite (HJ)..1993 - AS Movies...1994 - Offsite ...1995 - AS Music .....1997 - Offsite...1998 - Offsite...2000 - Offsite...2002 - Polynesian (Got Married!)...2004 - Beach Club...2006 - Beach Club...2008 - Beach Club

11-24-2009, 09:08 AM	#9
DisneyG8TR Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Camp Lejeune, NC Posts: 40	Thanks! I think that we will just go for it on our first night in town and hope for the best. (And get the Volcano!) __________________ Me DH DD11 DD9 The generosity of the DIS members never ceases to amaze me!!!

11-24-2009, 09:37 AM	#10
Tara922c Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cypress, Texas--- a suburb of Houston Posts: 489	I thought the food was way over priced. Taste like frozen food with a high dollar price tag. However, my DD2 loved both the rainforest cafe, and T-Rex. She had just turned 2, and was laughing the whole time we ate. It is a cool atmosphere (a little loud), but we thought their food was awful. We ate at Rainforest in AK because it was pouring, we wanted to escape the rain, and there was no wait. We shared chips and queso, two sodas, and a kids meal and I think it was almost 30 with tip. I do not eat seafood, so their seafood might be good, but there chips and queso were not worth the money. I would eat there agian for DD, but I would never choose to eat there otherwise.

11-24-2009, 05:23 PM	#11
CR Resort Fan 4 Life DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 24,917	Whenever my family and I went to their location at Downtown Disney Marketplace I would always order the Planet Earth Pasta and it was very good. __________________ Next Vacation To Walt Disney World 08/10/2010 - 08/20/2010: Disney's Contemporary Resort - Bay Lake View - Atrium Club.

11-24-2009, 09:12 PM	#12
Hoosier Mom DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Plainfield, Indiana Posts: 729	We enjoyed breakfast at the AK one. I think we had 8:30 am ADR's. We checked in and they had us browse in the store for a few minutes. I think they still seated us early. I think we had the breakfast of bandits. If I remember right, it was some eggs, bacon, little muffins, and fruit. It was very good. __________________ Our 2006 trip report: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1233888

11-25-2009, 10:48 AM	#13
Chelley00 DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,793	I just did a review in my dining report listed below. DD loved it, I wasn't impressed. We had much better food at TRex __________________ Me, DH, DS16 DS14 DD8 DS5 No Boys Allowed: The birthday girl and mom take on the world! http://www.disboards.com/showthread....8#post34445498 The birthday girl and mom take on the dining plan http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2337229 Our "Worst Vacation Ever" trip report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2009224

11-25-2009, 02:37 PM	#14
FireDancer "Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." - Lance Armstrong Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Suburban Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,653	I have eaten there twice and while I wouldn't say it was a spectacular meal it was good and I enjoyed it. I think the one at DTD would be my choice but there isn't much difference from what I can tell. It all depends on what expectations you have going in. If you know that the atmosphere and theme will be a big part of the meal and the restaurant isn't all about the food I think you will enjoy it. If you go into it thinking you are about to have the same meal you would at a 3 diamond bistro in Paris you will be greatly disappointed. Of the 3 big national theme franchises (Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, and Rainforest) I think the Rainforest has the best food. __________________ - Frank DIS Races: 2006 WDW Half Marathon - 1:42:37 2006 Disneyland Half Marathon - 1:32:04 2008 WDW Half Marathon - 1:34:07 Aiming for the WDW full in 2011

11-25-2009, 03:41 PM	#15
phunchak Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 37	The meals there are as good as anywhere else and for us it's always been alot cheaper than eating at a "Disney" Restaurant.

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