Rainforest Cafe Question

[got2beme]

We are heading to WDW in early November and have heard that the Rainforest Cafe is a "Must".

I know there is one at Animal Kingdom - I'm wondering if the restaurant closes the same time as the park. It's just that I would hate to miss touring the park to go eat. Can someone clarify this for me?

Also, do you NEED reservations?

Thanks

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Yes there are 2 RFC in WDW, 1 at AK and 1 at DTD; neither take ressies, you have to walk up and either be lucky and enter or wait a while (lol) or if you're a Safari Club Member, bring your card! Also, RFC at AK is outside the theme park, so it closes (I was there a week ago) at least 1/2 to 1 hr after AK closes, but check with guest services at AK to be sure, RFC changes times frequently.

 

[SnowWhite]

Yes you can make ressies for both RFC's. For the one at AK you can call Disney Dining but for the one at DTD you have to call the restaurant directly. I can't remember the number but it was Disney Dining that gave it to us! Good Luck

 

[Lella]

We made ressies for DTD. The number is 407 827 8500.

 

[Princess_Minnie]

You can definitely call and make ressie's at both Rainforest Cafe's. Call 1-407-WDW-DINE for the one @ AK and if you'd like to go to the one @ DTD they will give you the direct number to call to make ressie's. We have ressie's for both when we go next week so I know they definitely will take your ressie Hope you enjoy your vacation as much as I will enjoy mine!!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

The AK RFC stays open later than the park so you don't have to miss out on touring time, but keep in mind that the busses only run for an hour after the park closes. To avoid this, this is what we did.

We spent the day in AK, and then watched the parade at 4:00. The park closed at 5:00 and the parade was over by 4:20 so we made our PS/ADR for 4:30. That way we were only missing about half an hour of park time, and we were done eating by 5:30-5:45 and were there in time to catch the bus before the last one came around 6:00. This was last September BTW. AK closing time varies by time of year. HTH


ETA: As for NEEDing reservations, I would say yes if you're relying on Disney transportation. I would hate for you to get there and have to wait for an hour and then lose your chance to take the bus. When we got there at 4:30 it wasn't very busy, but by 5:00 or 5:15 once the park had closed it was PACKED!!

 

[coogster05]

My girlfriend and I were at DTD on sunday Oct 2. and had to wait 1 hr. at 9:30pm. I had never been there,but she said I would like it. She was right!!! Great food, great service, and the decor was a must see!!!!! I will be back!

 

[wfloyd]

If you become a member of their Rainforest Club, then you can walk up and get seated much quicker. They usually see the card and direct us inside to stand in line to get seated. We think that is a very nice perk.

 

[powellrj]

We have never been huge fans of RFC. I wouldn't lose sleep if you miss it this trip. You will hear people that love it, people that hate it, people that think its ok. As for a "must see", I think thats a little over stating it! If you have time, great, but I wouldn't miss theme park time to go there.

 

[stinkerbelle]

We have never been huge fans of RFC. I wouldn't lose sleep if you miss it this trip. You will hear people that love it, people that hate it, people that think its ok. As for a "must see", I think thats a little over stating it! If you have time, great, but I wouldn't miss theme park time to go there.

I have to agree. It's a chain restaurant...I would rather spend my money on something that is 100% Disney...only to be found at Disney.

There is one in my local mall..food is overpriced and "meh" IMO.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have to agree. It's a chain restaurant...I would rather spend my money on something that is 100% Disney...only to be found at Disney.

There is one in my local mall..food is overpriced and "meh" IMO.

Its only a chain if you live by one! We don't have one here and would never miss RFC. To us, it is 100% pure Disney since that is the only time we get to eat there.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

How early do you need to make ressies for the DTD one? I will be there on Dec 9th and would like to go there. Also how do you become a member of the Rainforest Club?

Thanks!

 

[MayMom]

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the RFC!!!!!! If you have chidren then yes, it is a must see. I mean - it STORMS inside the restaurant!! It is just a cool, neat place. KIds and kids at heart will love it!

 

[SRUAlmn]

How early do you need to make ressies for the DTD one? I will be there on Dec 9th and would like to go there. Also how do you become a member of the Rainforest Club?

Thanks!

It's called the Safari Club, and from what I have seen you have to sign up at a RFC location. We had one locally when we lived in Maryland, so we did it there. It takes affect right away, so if you are going to make your ADR for say the 3rd night of your stay, go over on your 1st night and sign up. The only drawback to this is that once you sign up you get a coupon, but they mail it to you. You wouldn't get that until after you got home from your trip. You also get gift certificates mailed to you on your birthday. Anyone know if these are transferable? I just got mine since my bday is Sunday, and we moved to SC so I have nowhere to use it and it expires in November. I can mail it to someone if they are transferable. Let me know

 

[Esmerelda]

We live outside of Dayton, Oh and we do not have a RFC anywhere even in the state last I checked. We always love to eat there. My boys still talk about the waiter last year in October that never wrote one thing down when he took our food order and not one item was incorrect! We totally enjoy our visits there. Have fun!

Esmerelda

 

[InnerStrength]

I don't know if I would classify it as a "must see", however it was a entertaining place to eat and shop at during our last visit to MK. We went to the one at the AK, and were able to make ADR's for 4:10 as the AK generally closes early. The food was okay, but the most entertaining aspect was the look on my sons face (he was 3) when we were seated in the gorilla room and all during the meal, my son was convinced that the gorillas were staring at him. The first time he saw them "move", he almost fell out of the booth while trying the get onto my lap! He is usually a well-behaved kid, but at this meal, he was so well-behaved it wasn't funny! The decor is awsome. I know it is a chain and not really a Disney restaurant, however the nearest one to where I live is over an hour's drive so we never go while at home. It was a cool place to visit while at Disney, and if time allows, we will eat there again during our upcoming trip.

Enjoy!
Lori

 

[aubriee]

The AK RFC stays open later than the park so you don't have to miss out on touring time, but keep in mind that the busses only run for an hour after the park closes.

Don't worry about being left stranded. You won't be. Disney has 'Special' buses that come by the AK RFC periodically to pick up guests. When I was there in May I had a 5:15 pm ADR. Of course by the time I had finished eating, the park was closed. I had planned to call a taxi anyway, but there was a CM outside who told me if I wanted to wait just a minute the 'Special' bus should be by any moment. He was right. He no sooner finished telling me about it, than the bus pulled up. He said Disney would never leave anyone stranded. The only thing though is that it stopped at several resorts before it got to mine, so the bus ride was longer than it usually would be.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Don't worry about being left stranded. You won't be. Disney has 'Special' buses that come by the AK RFC periodically to pick up guests. When I was there in May I had a 5:15 pm ADR. Of course by the time I had finished eating, the park was closed. I had planned to call a taxi anyway, but there was a CM outside who told me if I wanted to wait just a minute the 'Special' bus should be by any moment. He was right. He no sooner finished telling me about it, than the bus pulled up. He said Disney would never leave anyone stranded. The only thing though is that it stopped at several resorts before it got to mine, so the bus ride was longer than it usually would be.

Well that would've been nice for the bus driver to tell us. We originally had a 5:15 PS due to the park closing at 5:00 and when we got there we told the bus driver and he said that the last bus came at 6:00 and that he would recommend changing our PS just in case. So that's why we pushed it back to 4:30. Oh well! We were pretty much done with Animal Kingdom anyway. The timing actually worked out well. Thanks, though. That's great to know for future reference!

 

[diswedwish]

We love RFC too We always make it a point to go. This past year we joined the Safari Club - it's also good at Joe's Crab Shack. There isn't a RFC nearby, but there is a Joe's, so I mostly end up using our coupons there. I don't know if the coupons are transferable since I think they take your card at the same time? Worth a shot though, if you won't be able to use it.

I found out about the special buses on the Dis, so last trip we made our PS at 5:30, and had plenty of time to enjoy the trails leaving AK before dinner. When we left the restaurant, there was a CM near the buses who asked where we were headed and directed us to a nearby bus. We were actually the only 2 on the bus But we asked to go to AKL, so that could be why...

Have a great time!