Opinions on Rainforest Cafe

[jeni16]

What's your opinion on Rainforest Cafe, either location? I have a choice of getting a $25.00 Gift Certificate to there but, if the food isn't great, I'll pick somehwhere else.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Hootch]

just eh. We usually go because the atmosphere entertains our young children.

 

[lrab1126]

i agree...so so...nothing special and pricey..you definitley are paying for the atmosphere and not the food.

 

[GinaBean]

The food was mediocre at the very best. We ate at the DTD location. It was extremely overpriced and overrated. We didn't even enjoy the volcano cake. For what we paid for four people (w/my husband & I sharing an entree we paid $100+), we would have MUCH rather gone to Chef Mickey's.

 

[ARC]

The environment is great! However, I feel there are very few choices on the menu & the food is not very good at all.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

DH & I ate at the RFC at AK about 3 weeks ago and the food was great. The waiter had suggested a shrimp dish as DH loves shrimp not matter how it's prepared. It was fantastic. I got chicken and had absolutely no complaints with it. Everything was quick, done great and we couldn't have had a better waiter. Our only downside was that we wanted to try dessert and had no room left. We both enjoy the RFC at AK better than the one at DTD. Don't know what the difference is, but it just seems better. JMHO................

 

[Robert P]

RFC gets beat up alot here on the boards. I just don't get it.

We like it. The menu has alot of options to choose from, and the quality is above average for WDW restaurants. The prices are not out of line with the usual WDW prices. The food quality is on par with Applebee's, Chile's, TGIF, etc....

AK location is much less of a zoo (pun intended) than the chaos that can be all around the DTD location.

 

[jennifer03878]

We LOVE the DTD RFC!!!! We try to make this our first night dining every year we go. I don't know why it gets such a bad rap from people. The Pot Roast is the best I have ever had!!! So very tender. My DH has gotten 2 different meals and he has loved them both. My DS10 has always gotten the chicken tenders and he loves them. And the Volcano, well what can you say about that except YUMMMM... It is very very filling, but so worth it. To me having the first meal there screams Disney.

 

[simonkodousek]

I don't like Rainforest Cafe at all... even though we had a reservation we still had to wait for 1/2 hour while the host was chatting on the phone, and the restaurant was 1/2 EMPTY! Our server was unattentive, and kept telling us to get the most expensive items on the menu. My food was awful... the ribs were so fatty that I didn't even eat them, and I'm usually pretty good with ribs. Since I was sharing with another family member, the meal also included a small steak and coconut shrimp. The steak was tough, dry, and tasteless. The only decent item that I ate was the coconut shrimp. They were really good! I would probably go back to RC for the atmosphere, but I'll order something different next time.

 

[dioxide45]

We have been to both AK and DTD. Though only to DTD once several years ago. We usually go to the AK location every trip. As someone mentioned the AK location seems to be less chaotic.

The food can be expensive, but no more so than other table service WDW restaurants. The food is comparable also if not better than other WDW restaurants. You can limit the cost if you avoid the menu items that are pictured in the "specials". I have found menu items with shrimp or steak to be pricey. We usually stick to sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and salads and can uaually walk out for under $35 for two. This is no more than eating out at home.

 

[sdzman]

We went in December 2007 and I hated it.

Overpriced average food along with slow service.

Even the animatronics are way sub-par compared to WDW.

 

[jeni16]

Thanks everyone for all of your opinions! I think we'll try the one at the Animal Kingdom if we can get a reservation. After all, I can get a free $25.00 gift certificate so it won't end up costing too much for the two of us to eat.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I would recommend breakfast at the AK RFC. That way you can be there right at the opening of the park. The breakfasts are quite good. The breakfast pizza is large enough to share.

It's nice to have a cup of coffee in the morning that actually is served in a ceramic mug.

 

[Linus Van Pelt]

We pretty much hated it (though it was a hair better--"better" being used very loosely, you understand--than Planet Hollywood). One time was more than enough for the two of us.

FWIW, we dined at the AK location.

 

[Linus Van Pelt]

The food quality is on par with Applebee's, Chile's, TGIF, etc....

Good, accurate point. For many people, that statement would be considered a strong selling point. For us, it would be a warning.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have eaten there a few times and it has been good. Reminds me of a Fridays, Chilis, Applebees kinda meal

 

[dioxide45]

Good, accurate point. For many people, that statement would be considered a strong selling point. For us, it would be a warning.

I would actually consider most food at WDW table service restaurants to be on par with the chains mentioned (Chilli's, Applebees, TGIF) not just RFC. Quality of food is not WDW selling point, atmosphere is, just like RFC.

 

[Linus Van Pelt]

I would actually consider most food at WDW table service restaurants to be on par with the chains mentioned (Chilli's, Applebees, TGIF) not just RFC. Quality of food is not WDW selling point, atmosphere is, just like RFC.

At some, yes (50s Prime Time and Sci-Fi leap to mind; there are others). Others (Jiko, Boma, CG, Citrico's, etc.), not so much.

 

[BabyPiglet]

We love it there! Their ribs are amazing, and the atmosphere is great in the middle of a hot AK day. There's also a lot of different choices on the menu. It's a must for our trips.

ETA: I see there's differing statements. I always say go and try it for yourself, then you'll know.

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

We used to enjoy going for the atmosphere for the kids, but the last time we went it was terrible.......terrible service......not so great food and a looooong wait for it.....we were very disappointed and won't be running back any time soon