Rainforest Cafe Experience

[boomhauer]

Not sure how many people are aware of this, but the Rainforest Cafe has this thing called the Safari Club. What it is is, a club you join, for $25, that gives you pripority seating when you arrive, in addition to 10% discount off of food and merchandise.

Anyways, I decided to join. If you've ever been to a RC (especially the one at DTD), you know how handy this would be. When I was at DTD in September, there was a 2 hour wait. I showed the hostess at the front my card, and as guarenteed, I was given the next available table.

I went to the RC in Burlington, MA on Saturday for my step-son's birthday. We got there at 11:45 and there was a line outside the door. There were PLENTY of open tables inside. I went to the hostess, showed her the card, and she said I would have to get in line and give my name. So, upset, I did this. The manager was taking names. I showed him my card and he says "I'm sorry - I'm fulll right now." He takes my name, and tells me to come back at 12:30.

Needless to say, I'm not happy. This thing cost me $25, and the pain purpose behind it was useless. How would you handle it?

 

[chrissyk]

Sorry, but the Safari Club card is worthless in Burlington. They NEVER took ours there and seated us as they should have. We got the same run-around that you did every time. BTW, once you get seated, that place has bad service. DH and I got forgotten there a couple of times, and once I went there with my mom and grandma and our hostess left and never came back. We waited nearly an hour for the check before my mother finally went and tracked someone down. My friend had a similar experience there too. I don't know what it is about that particular RFC.

 

[boomhauer]

And that's where I joined up to the stupid club - That's what annoys me so much.

 

[jajuan]

We joined and never got our card. Didn't have receipt so we were out 25.00. (We didn't realize it until we got home) I dread going to Rainforest. I have 4 children so I usually give in once or twice a year. I agree that the service is horrible and the food is worse. The kids meals are way overpriced as well.

 

[Otimon]

If it were me, I would get (from the manager) the tel. # of the corporate offices for Rainforest Cafe, call that number and ask for the name and address of the individual in charge of national operations (or similar). Then I would address a letter to that individual. If the card is not accepted at certain Cafe's that should have been made crystal clear when you purchased the card.

Best wishes and good luck.

 

[justhat]

Our card always worked great at our RFC in DC (well, really VA, but close enough). There could be a 3 hour wait, we'd show our card and get seated immediately. Then my husband lost his card (we think the waiter never gave it back to us actually, bu we're not totally sure) so we ordered a replacement. However before we even got a chance to use the replacement card, our RFC just spontaneously shut down. I cant' figure out why cause there was always a huge wait (despite the poor service and food quality), but it's gone. I'm kinda sad cause my daughter loved it there and we had ehr 1st birthday party there and now we can't ever go back. Plus we wouldn't have paid the $5 for the replacement card if we had known it was gonna close down. Oh well, I guess we'll just visit them when we're out of town.

 

[justhat]

We joined and never got our card. Didn't have receipt so we were out 25.00. (We didn't realize it until we got home) I dread going to Rainforest. I have 4 children so I usually give in once or twice a year. I agree that the service is horrible and the food is worse. The kids meals are way overpriced as well.

Do you still have the temp card you get when you pay/sign up? If so I'd call up and tell them the info on your temp card and that you never got your real card in the mail nor your giftcard.

 

[jajuan]

They never gave us a thing...just charged us for it. It is half our fault...we are bad at following through

 

[chrissyk]

And that's where I joined up to the stupid club - That's what annoys me so much.

Us too! It totally stinks! We have had no problems using the card at the DTD location, though.

 

[boomhauer]

I didn't have any problem with the service once we were inside. And I actually like the food there. The Volcano dessert was awesome. And most importantly, my step-son loves it there.

However, this was unacceptable in my opinion. The ENTIRE point of this card is to have to wait for seating. For the manager to tell me, "sorry we're full" - DUH - Exactly!

 

[boomhauer]

Us too! It totally stinks! We have had no problems using the card at the DTD location, though.

It's just poor management. The location at DTD is ALWAYS packed beyond belief, but it's well organized. The one in Burlington has maybe 20 people in line, and they couldn't handle it.

 

[chrissyk]

It's just poor management. The location at DTD is ALWAYS packed beyond belief, but it's well organized. The one in Burlington has maybe 20 people in line, and they couldn't handle it.

I totally agree. I think that I DID email them once to complain after we had an experience similar to yours, and nothing ever came of it. Oh, well...we just pretty much stopped going there after that. There are some other tasty places in that mall (Cheesecake Factory, Jimmy's, etc.)...they got our business after that.

 

[boomhauer]

I totally agree. I think that I DID email them once to complain after we had an experience similar to yours, and nothing ever came of it. Oh, well...we just pretty much stopped going there after that. There are some other tasty places in that mall (Cheesecake Factory, Jimmy's, etc.)...they got our business after that.

There's a phone number for Landry's Corporate on the back of the card, with an extension for the Safari Club. They're open 9-6 Centarl (which I believe is 10:00 Eastern). I left a voicemail - I'll give them a couple hours to call me, and if they don't, I'll call them.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

I've had the Safari Club Card for over 5 years now and it's been wonderful! Especially the free coupons they send out for bdays and etc., I love it and I'm so glad I joined!

 

[hercamore]

Wow, we've had the card for about 5 years now. Pd $15 back then, I htik.

Get coupons several times a year for anniv, birthdays.

We use the card several times a year at the Rainforst at Mall of America in MN.
Always get immediate seating. Only used it a couple times at Disney with no problems either.

I would write Landry Corp and complain.

herc.

 

[boomhauer]

I tried calling Landry's. I used the extension for Safari Club, and was put on hold for 10 minutes, then I got voicemail.

I have a funny feeling I'll never heard back from them.

 

[boomhauer]

Got hold of someone at Landry's. She said she'd call the Burlington Location and ask them why they did that. Gee, thanks.

I think I'll call them myself and see what they say.

 

[Chris2597]

We joined the Safari Club many years ago while planning a trip to Disney....It was so long ago....we only paid 10 for it....and as advertised we recieved immediate seating during a very busy dinner hour.
The atmosphere is the only draw for my at RC....the food is mediocre at best....The DTD location was about the best RC I have been to...We have gone to a few in different cities and have never been happy with the food or service.

 

[mantysk8coach]

Just curious why everyone thinks the food is so bad...I love Rainforest, and have never had a problem with the food.

Just wondering what it is about the food that people don't like?

I was considering joining Safari club, but I didn't know it was $25 (I thought $15). We don't go enough for it to be worth it.

 

[justhat]

Our card was $15 too actually, I hadn't even noticed the $25. We're not big fans of food there for no reason I can explain other than it simply isn't that tasty. We like the Awesome Appetizer Adventure, it's not too bad, but every entree is sorta lackluster I think. I've gotten some shrimp dishes and none of them were very good, the burgers are average, salads okay. The kids meals are decent I think-my daughter likes the Shrimpkens-and the desserts are okay. Well, we've only ever gotten the volcano and it's okay, nothing spectacular though. My daughter loves the atmosphere though which is why we go. We can actually have a relaxing meal cause she's so entertained by the animals.