My 3 yo HATED Rainforest Cafe

[traveljunkie2]

I had heard so many great things about this place, that we decided to have dinner there while in Vegas. My 3 yo was completely terrorized by the experience. We were seated right next to some elephants, and they were so loud. We had to take him out of the restaurant, he was so scared. He wouldn't touch his food. Thankfully I had ordered one kids meal ($9.99) for both of my kids to share (They will give you an extra side for $0.50). The food was nothing special at all, especially for the price. We had a $10 off coupon and our tab came out to $58 with tax and tip for two adult meals (turkey wrap and pasta), one kid's meal, one soup, one side salad and two drinks. A total rip off, IMO.

I just wanted to warn other parents with small children that this place is LOUD, and every ten minutes they flash the lights and roar thunder like there is a thunderstorm. The animals move around and it's pretty dark. We thought it would be fun, but I have never seen my little guy so scared. Our 6 year old was fine, but we won't be going back for a few years.

 

[natenapril]

I had heard so many great things about this place, that we decided to have dinner there while in Vegas. My 3 yo was completely terrorized by the experience. We were seated right next to some elephants, and they were so loud. We had to take him out of the restaurant, he was so scared. He wouldn't touch his food. Thankfully I had ordered one kids meal ($9.99) for both of my kids to share (They will give you an extra side for $0.50). The food was nothing special at all, especially for the price. We had a $10 off coupon and our tab came out to $58 with tax and tip for two adult meals (turkey wrap and pasta), one kid's meal, one soup, one side salad and two drinks. A total rip off, IMO.

I just wanted to warn other parents with small children that this place is LOUD, and every ten minutes they flash the lights and roar thunder like there is a thunderstorm. The animals move around and it's pretty dark. We thought it would be fun, but I have never seen my little guy so scared. Our 6 year old was fine, but we won't be going back for a few years.

My son was a little scared of RFC at 3 too. But he was fine after about 10 minutes. We ate our meal and left. No biggie. I think it just took a little bit for him to realize they weren't real like we told him and it was just pretend storms.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I can't stand that place and the T-Rex place in DTD. I thought T-REx would be cute but it is so loud in there I as an adult could not enjoy my meal at all. My kids even had enough of the noise after about 5 seconds. Nice to look at but so obnoxiously loud that even if it was fine dining I would never go there again.

 

[joyjoy]

Not a big fan myself. Overpriced food and cheesey fake animals? No thanks. I really don't get people that go to the RFC at DisneyWorld, where there are some actual unique overpriced theme restaurants!

 

[LindaR]

Well you don't have to be 3 to hate that place! DD20 and I have been once. It was SO loud and service was SO slow. We could not have any sort of conversation. No thanks. Not impressed.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Yep, when DS9 was 2 we were in by the gorillas. He ended up spending the entire meal in my lap with his face buried in my shoulder crying, "Mommy, no no wanna see the monkeys, Mommy!" We ate as fast as we could to get out of there, and it took about 3 years before we could set foot in there again.

It is very loud and expensive, but now we just go in to share a Volcano, then we are outta there.

 

[cybrkitn]

Our DS7 was scared when we took him there when he was younger. He didn't mind the animals going off, but he was of the "lightening" and "thunder". The last time we went was at AK when he was 4 and we haven't been back since. One reason is that DS doesn't like the food, where DH and I do and the other is that there are no RFC's in NY. The closest ones to us are in NJ and CT.

 

[nskjerven]

Not a fan of the place either, but I love the Chinese Chicken Salad

 

[diznygirl]

RFC is not for everyone. Of course some children are going to be spooked by the loud noises.

My kids are not those kids, and really like the mac n cheese and the dino nuggets. We really enjoy going.

 

[princess momma]

My kids love it. Even when they were young they loved it.

I'm not a big fan myself, but once in a great while it's ok.

 

[Missytara]

I love sitting at the bar at the one at DTD in the afternoon; it isn't nearly as crowded and you kinda ignore the noises. I usually watch a football game or two.

I love, love, love their bamba wrap and the chicken fried chicken - especially the salad that comes with it. I finally found a copycat recipe for it and made it at home; it is to die for......

Can't wait to try T-Rex.

 

[Mickey527]

My grandson hated Rainforest and he hated T-Rex even more. But we were with another group who had older children and they wanted to eat there.
We got a table right next to the bar, near the entrance and the only thing over our heads was the octopus. We enjoyed our dinner and then walked around with the older kids to see the other rooms.
There are tables in the restaraunt without the scare and less noise, just ask for one. You might have to wait a bit but it is part of the fun.
I love the Volcano Cobb salad and get that every time.

 

[teacups]

Oh no. I'm sorry.
We have loved it and we have hated it. Depends on the service and seating.

 

[olena]

We took my 1 year old niece and she watched and smiled at some things, but when the storm happened....WAAAAAHHHHHH! We now call it Baby Trauma Cafe!

 

[Magic Mom]

RFC is disgusting and the service has always sucked.

 

[waltskids]

Our DS who will be 3 in November loves RFC and doesn't mind the noises or the animals. We go to the one in Atlantic City often and he has a good time. He also loved T-Rex when we went there this past August while in Disney. Our son isn't spooked by much of anything, but I can understand how some little kids may be scared there.

 

[pianoronni37]

DH and I went to RFC, not in WDW but in Niagara Falls. We walked in, sat down, looked at the menu and realized a) we didn't want to pay the outrageous prices and b) we couldn't really hear one another over all the noise, and we didn't want to deal with that.

So, we walked out and headed over to a delicious seafood restaurant - for approximately the same price!!

I would never waste dining time at WDW at a RFC - it's a chain restaurant that just doesn't do it for me.

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh poor little guy! I'm sorry he was traumatized, I wonder why they seem to seat families with small children right next to the animatronics.......we are never that close, in fact we usually request a table near the aquariums. We love RFC tho, DBF and I share the Maya Combo and it's more then enough for us, we are usually struggling to finish it. We are also Safari Club members so we get a free appetizer, that helps fill us up.

 

[dzneelvr]

I'm not surprised....my 7y/o niece was scared when she went along to one in Chicago years ago. I wouldn't suggest TREX until much older either. I'm thinking our DD was 8 and DS 10 when we went for the first time. We still enjoy it--now progressed to TRex, but it's a very fun experience for the right ages.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I love the Rainforest Cafe. Yeah it's cheesy but isn't that kind of the point?! I can't wait to try the T-Rex Cafe.