Breakfast at Rainforest Cafe worth it?

[kaybee1476]

We currently have an 8:30am ADR for Rainforest Cafe at AK, which is apparently when they open. With the park opening at 9am, will we be wasting too much time and letting the crowds build up too much while we eat, or should we be ok? Any chance they'll open up before 8:30 so we can get in earlier? I'd love to try the Tonga Toast there. I LOVE it at Kona but realize it's not the same. We're not on a dining plan so it's not like we need to book a TS breakfast, but I just thought it looked good.

Thanks,
Kara

 

[_auroraborealis_]

AK stays quiet early for a while, but I think it's a waste of time. RFC won't open earlier. They're outside the gates and operated by a third-party.

 

[nimbuscat]

I think it's a fine plan--we'll be doing the same in August. 8:30 breakfast, then make our way over to Dinoland. Our FPs will be saved for late morning/early afternoon during peak crowd times.

 

[married2mm]

We've just returned from a trip which included an 830am ADR at rainforest cafe.
Service, food and ambience were all super.
In fact; it was dh's fave meal!

Go for it and enjoy.

Sadly- we didn't go to ak afterwards as dmil was feeling poorly-but that was the original plan.

 

[TexasPrincess1]

Hi,
We also have an 8:30am ADR for Rainforest. My strategy is to arrive by 8:25am so we can be seated as quickly as possible. I plan to sit down knowing what I want to order. I have heard it is a good idea to ask for the check when the food arrives. Also, did you know Rainforest Cafe has a back entrance into Animal Kingdom Park? I am hoping that entrance will save us some time since it isn't very well known. I like the idea of a breakfast here since it isn't too early compared to other early morning ADRs and it forces me to get to the park when it opens. In other words, I get sleep and I will get to go on more rides since it is near rope drop.

 

[kaybee1476]

We've just returned from a trip which included an 830am ADR at rainforest cafe.
Service, food and ambience were all super.
In fact; it was dh's fave meal!

Go for it and enjoy.

Sadly- we didn't go to ak afterwards as dmil was feeling poorly-but that was the original plan.

Do you happen to know what time you finished your breakfast? Or maybe you didn't rush since your DMIL wasn't feeling well. I'm just wondering if we can expect to be out by 9:15 if we order quickly and ask for our check with our food. I'm very sorry you weren't able to stay and enjoy the park.

 

[kaybee1476]

Hi,
We also have an 8:30am ADR for Rainforest. My strategy is to arrive by 8:25am so we can be seated as quickly as possible. I plan to sit down knowing what I want to order. I have heard it is a good idea to ask for the check when the food arrives. Also, did you know Rainforest Cafe has a back entrance into Animal Kingdom Park? I am hoping that entrance will save us some time since it isn't very well known. I like the idea of a breakfast here since it isn't too early compared to other early morning ADRs and it forces me to get to the park when it opens. In other words, I get sleep and I will get to go on more rides since it is near rope drop.

That will be my strategy (if we keep the ADR) as well. However, since we always arrive for RD, I'm worried we'll be giving up those few minutes of being at the front of the pack.

 

[Ava]

I always figure 60 minutes for a TS meal, so I do think you'll be giving up prime touring time with an 8:30 ADR. But if you get FPs starting at 10-11, you could still do well. Definitely FP the safari though, since a lot of people head there at RD and the line will probably be fairly long by the time you finish breakfast.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

I'd say waste of time. We never want to waste that slower time first thing when the park opens. I'd eat before you come to AK unless you can snag an 8am ADR at Tusker House. Unless you're on a longer vacation with lots of time.

 

[LovesTimone]

We have had breakfast here... a few times... its always on our list. Food and Service are great and the theming and atmosphere are really a great way to get your day started. We will be there one morning for breakfast for Memorial Day weekend. ... We also have had lunch here, which is a really nice break from the park, without leaving the park.

 

[married2mm]

Do you happen to know what time you finished your breakfast? Or maybe you didn't rush since your DMIL wasn't feeling well. I'm just wondering if we can expect to be out by 9:15 if we order quickly and ask for our check with our food. I'm very sorry you weren't able to stay and enjoy the park.

We ordered an extra round of drinks-sorry I don't recall exactly what time we were done; however we were indeed taking our time.

As soon as our server came to the table we ordered-as I'd planned in advance what we were eating-this definitely speeded the process up; therefore I suggest you do the same.
And our cheque came without us even asking!!!

I would imagine you could be done by 915am ish.

 

[Thing 1]

We really enjoy the RFC there and have had good food and great service. Would I do an 8:30 ADR? no..... because It would drive me insane when the gates open and Im not going in, and lines are forming while I am eating. It works well for some people though. If you do it, I would arrive about 15 minutes early, know what you want to eat, and let your CM know you want to dine quickly and ask for the check as your food arrives. Have the kids look around while you wait for the food, and pay as soon as the check arrives. I would still count on it being close to an hour. What I would do is try to get the LAST time for breakfast. Tour for a few hours and break for breakfast and enjoy a slower paced meal. We have also done the first time for lunch.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

We currently have an 8:30am ADR for Rainforest Cafe at AK, which is apparently when they open. With the park opening at 9am, will we be wasting too much time and letting the crowds build up too much while we eat, or should we be ok? Any chance they'll open up before 8:30 so we can get in earlier? I'd love to try the Tonga Toast there. I LOVE it at Kona but realize it's not the same. We're not on a dining plan so it's not like we need to book a TS breakfast, but I just thought it looked good.

Thanks,
Kara

I personally enjoy the breakfast! We did that last time we were there. We went in the back and met DeVine! I'm actually thinking of switching to breakfast instead of dinner the day we visit AK. I'd say look at the menus online and order when you sit down and ask for check when food arrives and you are set!

 

[kaybee1476]

I would still count on it being close to an hour. What I would do is try to get the LAST time for breakfast. Tour for a few hours and break for breakfast and enjoy a slower paced meal. We have also done the first time for lunch.

They only serve breakfast til 10am, which would only give us an hour in the park beforehand. I don't think that would be worth it. The reason I wanted breakfast instead of lunch is to try their tonga toast since I love the Kona cafe version of it. We will probably scrap the 8:30 ADR since we will only have 1 day at AK, and I think it probably would drive me nuts to know the park was filling up while my kids were sitting there not eating their food that we paid OOP for... because my kids don't seem to believe in eating. We need to eat as many meals in our condo as we can to save money anyway, and we already have a couple of character breakfast ADRs. Thanks for the input!