Is Rainforest Cafe THAT bad?

[erinch]

If you thought it was okay before, not that much has changed. We have eaten a number of times, and would personally enjoy some of the expanded quick service options in AK. But it is what it is. If it were us, and RFC was all we could land, we would try walking up at TH or YY when they opened, and then would cancel with RFC. But if you were happy before , it would be fine.

 

[Elle23]

Are you talking about the table service or quick service?

Because when we went to Yak & Yeti table service the portions were large! We got the Chicken Tikka Masala and dh got the Salmon and we could barely finish them.

No the quick service which is nothing like the table service looks like some of the meals are small.

Table service.

My kids each got the honey chicken, and both portions were ridiculous. Maybe other meals aren't like that?

I got a side of chicken fried rice, and it was a decent amount.

 

[kittyab]

We have eaten there a few times but on our last visit we decided never again. Food was subpar and our drinks were watered down.

 

[willowsnn3]

I don't understand the bad rap Rainforest gets.
We have ate at the one at Animal Kingdom at least once a year for several years now. It is a must do on our AK day. We have gone as a party of 3 and as a party of 8, 9 last year. Youngest 10 years old and well, I guess as the grandma, I'm the oldest, lol but even our teenagers request Rainforest every year.
The Primal Steak is great and the cheesecake is very, very good. It is noisy but we all love our dinners there. I did not care for Tusker House breakfast and Flame Tree was a one & done. Have always wanted to try Yak & Yeti but not enough to drop Rainforest.
Most bad reviews I have read are because it is a "chain" restaurant. The one at AK is a little over 400 miles from my home and is the closest one to me so I don't consider it a "chain".

 

[marjorieeeee]

I did not like the food at rainforest cafe either of the times I tried it. Not worth the price.

Animal kingdom has a couple really yummy counter service options, so no reservation needed. Flame tree BBQ or the counter service adjacent to yak and yeti. Some of the same options as inside yak and yeti!

 

[scrapquitler]

I won't go to it even at my local mall.

 

[flowergirl45]

We love their salads. Very refreshing on a hot day.

 

[North of Mouse]

Sorry, I DID mean is it that bad food wise? I can see how it was confusing. I can get an adr here, but it has such bad reviews....

'Bad' or 'good' is so subjective here, but IMO it's bad. The first time we went several years ago, it was 'very' good, but we've tried it a few times since, and weren't happy with our meals at all. Have no intention of going again.

Some people may like it because of the setting/atmosphere, but that's not something to keep us going back, plus they've taken off some menu items, and the prices have kept going up.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I'm in the camp that doesn't enjoy it. But, I'm admittedly a pretty big food geek. So, my bar can be set high.

With that, it's worth it to have a meal together - which is worth a lot. What I might suggest is that you book with RFC and eat lighter. Then, use the time and money saved to get drinks before or after at Nomad Lounge. I think Nomad/Tiffins is wonderful. The food and drinks are good (but pricey). But, it really feels like a piece of Animal Kingdom Lodge in the park. The patio on the back would likely seat your group, so you could do the meal together and then mingle amongst a few groups at Nomad after.

Just a thought if you wanted to add "quality" to the overall meal experience.

 

[RyMickey]

Any consideration to Tiffins? Yes, it's expensive, but I think it's the best restaurant on Disney property -- definitely the best one in a park, at least. To us, it's well worth the money for the experience of the unique plating and taste of the food. We've eaten here on our past two trips and have yet to be disappointed. I'm slightly worried the Rivers of Light meal bookings, they'll change their quality, quantity, or price, but for now, I think it's a real treat that's overlooked by many.

Yes, it's a bit of a splurge, but it's worth it.

 

[FelisLachesis]

Personally, it was my least inspired meal my last trip there. The menu screams "We're not Applebee's! (Kinda)" I'm not saying the food was bad, but the variety and quality of food just scream that it's at that Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday, TGI Friday's level of cuisine.

Maybe it's also the fact that it's not a Disney owned establishment. There's a FRC less than an hour and a half from me. Even so, there's a bunch of chain restaurants 10 minutes away from me