Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom

[Ware Bears]

On the day we are visiting Animal Kingdom, we are planning to do Kilimanjaro Safaris first, followed by Pangani Forest Exploration Trail to try to see the animals early (as recommended in the Brits Guide).

We would like to eat lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Would it be advisable to do a P.S. for this, if so, what time do you suggest as I do not know how long the Safari and Trail will take?

Many thanks,
Elaine

 

[jwhiting]

My advice for you is to do it this way:-

Make sure you get to AK early before the park actually opens. Once in head straight for Kilimanjaro Safari and pick up a Fastpass, from experience this will be within half an hour of getting there. Ride the Safari without the Fastpass (Wait time usually around 15mins at this point), and once finished and having waited 10mins or so your fastpass time should be ready so you can ride again!!! Its a simple way of riding one of the major WDW attractions twice without any real queueing.

Then after your 2nd ride head over to the exploration trail.

I think you'll be well done in time for lunch.

I would book PS for 12.30ish.

Enjoy

JW.

 

[UKDEB]

What time of year are you visiting and what time do you plan to arrive at AK?

We invariably eat at RFC when visiting AK and it's never been necessary to make a PS reservation, but we tend to visit during quieter times. I would suggest making your reservation as you enter the park, although you've got nothing to lose by doing it in advance if you'd rather be certain. You can enter RFC without going through the main park turnstiles, make your PS at the "elephant" just inside the entrance, and then exit through the rear of the gift shop. There is a further manned turnstile out back - a quick way of getting into the park if the lines are long!

If you plan to arrive before/at park opening, you should be able to walk straight on to Kilimanjaro Safaris if you head straight there. The ride probably takes longer than you realise - 25 minutes, maybe including loading and unloading. The Pangani Forest is trickier - you walk through at your own pace, but you'll probably want to allow around 30 minutes. You definitely need to do this early on - the busier KS gets, the busier this gets.

 

[Disney owl]

as uk deb says book in as you get there before you enter the park & then walk through the shop & garden & enter Animal Kingdom that way.

We ate there in August & I thought it was expensive for what we ate. Over $100 for burgers & soft drinks for 6 of us. My kids were too old (youngest 11) to get anything out of the theming. It may be different if yours are younger. Saying that it was DH who was desparate to go. Though they did like the shop!

 

[Ware Bears]

Thanks for all your advice, especially about using Fastpass to do the Kilimanjaro safari twice!!!

As we're hitting the park near Easter, I thought I had better play safe and just phoned and got a P.S. for 1pm.

Thanks again,
Elaine

 

[SidB]

Originally posted by Disney owl
We ate there in August & I thought it was expensive for what we ate. Over $100 for burgers & soft drinks for 6 of us. My kids were too old (youngest 11) to get anything out of the theming.

I completely agree with this. It's very expensive for what you get, ie poor service, mediocre food (for Disney), and excessive air conditioning. It got so cold that my youngest daughter, who hasn't got an ounce of fat on her, refused to eat. Eventually we had to go into the shop to buy her a fleece. Maybe that's the plan.

Sorry to be negative, but opinions seem to be very mixed. Just do a search to see what I mean. The theming isn't that special either.

 

[Sue & Co.]

I guess it depends when you go, how good your server is and what you order. We have been twice now, most recently in November 2003 and both times we were impressed. Our food was good, hot, and portions large, service was excellent and at $70 for five good value. I guess like most places two different families on two different days may have totally different experiences!!
As we went at quieter times we didn't make PS's and were seated within five minutes both times.

Sue

 

[signtalker]

We didnt think the rainforest cafe was expensive!
Sure its more than a meal outside of the parks, but being on holiday is all about not worrying about what you pay, set a budget for each day!.

Our DS is 11 and he loved it, its good for youngsters and adults alike.
The aircon is abit cool, but no colder than any of the other places , put on a jumper, is the easy answer LOL!.

Food is good,nothing too fancy, but then it doesnt try to be.
Excellent theming, we'd definatelty go again

Jules

 

[WDWfan uk]

Elaine if you are going in the Easter holidays then it would definitely be advisable to make a PS.

I'd also recommend getting to the park before opening and heading straight for the Safari but I'd suggest getting a Fastpass later in the day, perhaps after lunch so you get to ride the safari later in the afternoon. With a different time of day, you get to see the animals in different locations, and maybe some which weren't there earlier. I also like to leave a gap before a second ride so the impact isn't lessened the second time round!

Take your time through the Trail after the safari - you'll still have plenty of time to get to your PS!

I like to choose my time carefully for the Maharajah Jungle Trek too - this can get rather conjested during the day and if it is too busy it can mar your enjoyment. Early evening it is usually less busy.