Rainforest Cafe AK or DD?

[HvnzCaress]

I've looked at this restraunts menu and description as well as read the various mixed reviews on these boards. I believe this is a restraunt my family really would enjoy and is something we do not have where we live here in upstate NY.

I am planning to spend one day at DD/DQ and one day at AK. Which itinerary do you think this restraunt would fit into better?

I've heard by some that the one in DD is better than the one in AK though I can't remember what it was that made the difference - the animation of the animals inside or the service. Is the animation inside the restraunt the same at both locations? Any comments on this would be appreciated.

 

[Ohanamom]

IMO, our family prefers the one at AK. For some reason this one always seems to be less busy then the other at DD. We really did not notice a difference in the animation.
One thing I do like about the one at DD though is they have outside seating around the side (overlooking the water). We have always managed to walk right up, around 5pm or so, and be go right to a table on the ouside..no PS or waiting. Guess it is pretty much up to what location you would like to eat at. Hope this helps.

 

[kdibattista]

They really are both the same and are great.... try it at which ever location you are going to first and then if you like it, go again at the other location. DH and I always go at least twice during each vacation!!!

 

[MomE@Home]

We went to the DD RFC in April of 2002. We had never been to one so we thought we would give it a try (even though the Unoffical Guide to Disney gave it a low rating). We all loved it ! Everyone in our family (DH, DS(13), DS(5), DD(18 mo.) & myself ) thought the theme was great and the food yummy ! We went in between the lunch and dinner crowds and had no wait at all (during Spring Break). We didn't go to the one at AK so I couldn't tell you if one is better than the other. I do know that the AK RFC serves breakfast while the DD location does not.

P.S.-Where in NY are you from if you don't mind saying ?

 

[HvnzCaress]

MomE, I'm from the Albany, NY area.

We have some restraunts around here including some that probably have very similar food as that which is offered at the Rainforest Cafe but I think my son and daughter (the future vet) would both really enjoy the themeing of the restraunt. They both really love animals. This is also the kind of food that we really enjoy without it being too exotic.

This will be our first trip to Disney and I'm afraid we are on somewhat of a limited budget food wise. I'm trying to be very careful about the kinds of restraunts I'm selecting since we won't always be eating out. We will be camping at Ft. Wilderness and we're trying to avoid places that offer much of what we will be able to prepare back at our campsite (i.e. sandwiches, burgers etc.) The problem is everything at Disney sounds sooo good.

I had originally posted an itinerary which included going to DQ at opening taking a break from there and going to the RFC for a late lunch/early dinner. It was pointed out that the two places are at opposite ends of the DD area and that there were several great restraunts right by DQ. I started thinking maybe Wolfgang Pucks Cafe but now I'm thinking the walk will take us by the shops and might still be preferable. Then again I could maybe swing RFC at AK and Wolfgang Puck's in DD but thats hurting the budget a bit.

I swear I get more confused everyday!

 

[DEH3rd]

The worst meal that i have ever paid for...EVER...was at the rainforest in AK in 2000. Horrible service & even worse food. Last year we went back, & the kids convinced me to try the one in DD. Actually very enjoyable...go figure.

 

[Kitten516]

Rf at AK has been the better service, and food of the 2. Plus AK does not have a sit down resturant, and when we go to a park we normally do a sit down so that we can take an AC break. Although Ak does offer a voucher system for some of the counter service resturants that works pretty well. If you are looking for a sit down at AK my suggestion is to go to rainforest there. Although, again in my opinion RF food does not come close to the quality of all the disney resturants.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's been over 5 yrs since we did RFC-DTD, but it was horrible. We vowed never again.

 

[dmonroe]

We've eaten at both, and had good experiences at both. I think the food is good but overpriced. The service has always been good. But, the main reason we keep going back is the theming! It's a great place to take kids.

 

[mickeysaver]

I have eaten at both. March, 2001 did the one at DTD twice and fell in love with the place. Last September we ate breakfast at the RFC at AK and the food was awesome. We also have recently gone to the one in Nashville and again, the food was great. I love the place. We have always had great servers and good food. The price is not that bad. IMHO Mickey

PS. We will eat at least one meal at RFC in December too.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I have been to both. Whatever you do, make a priority seating reservation.

The Rainforest at Animal Kingdom we had priority seating for an 11:45am lunch. We were seated immediately.

I went to the one at Downtown Disney without priority seating at 6pm and waited nearly 2-hours. My wife did not mind because it became a two-hour bar visit with a friend. I didn't mind until I saw the bar tab!

Anyway, the food & service were great at both!

 

[mickeysaver]

The RFC at DTD requires a 7 day PS. That can be tricky if you are on an extended vacation. My suggestion for anyone with an desire to go to RFC is to join the Safari Club. You pay $15 to join, you get 10% off you meals and merchandise from their stores, you get next in line seating, and a $10 gift card is mailed to you for use the next time you visit RFC. We bought this last weekend in Nashville at the RFC there. They applied the 10% off immediately to the meal and we were able to use the 10% off on the merchandise we purchased too. My honey got the cutest tie dyed shirt that says "Peace, Love, and Frogs" and some other stuff they had on clearance including another shirt for only $4.99! We are thrilled to have bought into it. We will be able to use the card instead of worrying about making a PS for those visits. Mickey

To join call 1-800-552-6379 and you can visit their website at www.rainforestcafe.com

 

[merrywether]

mickeysaver,

Did you have to stand in the line to put your name in with your safari club card, or did you go right to the dining room and show the card? Just curious - I just got my card in the mail and we'll be trying it out at the end of this month!

Thanks,
Kim

 

[KittenLittle]

I also want to go on a crowded Saturday night with the Safari Card. I have been told I would NOT need to make a reservation,but I would still like to know for sure about just walking up right past the line and showing the card.....

 

[kdibattista]

I can vouch for the Safari Club. We have been members for about 4 years and it was worth way more then the $15 we paid!!!! We have never, ever waited more then 10 minutes for a table, even when the wait is over 2 hours!!! You do wait in line to give your name but we never waited more then a few minutes to do that and then you escorted right to a "members line". I think the Safari Club is one of the best kept secrets out there!!! We go at least twice (sometimes more) during our vacations. The food and service has always been excellent.

 

[mickeysaver]

I have not yet had a chance to test out the card at RFC. But, I will be making good use of it in December. As others have stated and the way the club says it works is once you put you name in and flash the card, the next available seating for a party up your size (up to 6 people) is yours. I love it! Mickey