:( Rainforest is out for me, how is Tortilla Jo's?

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

For the 29th they're full. gr.

Sooo tortilla jo's? good? bad?

Sorry, eta..We're meeting friends and it will ONLY work the 29th. And there would be 13 of us (including kids and highchairs). That's why we wanted rainforest So I doubt they can talk walk ins with this many

 

[Sherry E]

I have heard mixed reviews about TJ's. I have eaten at Naples and that was quite yummy! If you like Italian, check it out. The smallest pizza they have is enough for two people!

There is no time available during your trip to get a PS for RFC? It is already booked this far in advance (you are going in late November, right?)? Wow! That is scary. Well, you can always just walk up to RFC - sometimes in early afternoon it is not so crowded.

Are your kids super excited about being able to go to DLR during the holiday season?

 

[jenpace]

We've eaten at the RFC many times but only once at Tortilla Joe's. I would say that it's worth the wait to just put your name on the "stand by" list for a table at the RFC, especially if you have young kids. There's really not much that would be interesting or entertaining for kids at TJ's. RFC has the incredible ambiance and hanging out in their store in the front of the restaurant while you wait for a table is entertaining in of itself.

Have a great trip!

 

[Sherry E]

We've eaten at the RFC many times but only once at Tortilla Joe's. I would say that it's worth the wait to just put your name on the "stand by" list for a table at the RFC, especially if you have young kids. There's really not much that would be interesting or entertaining for kids at TJ's. RFC has the incredible ambiance and hanging out in their store in the front of the restaurant while you wait for a table is entertaining in of itself.

Have a great trip!

And RFC gives you good-sized portions of food, too. Sometimes it CAN be TOO long of a wait (I have encountered that problem before - an hour was too long) but other times, like in early afternoon, you can sometimes walk right up and be seated immediately. Plus, they have that fun volcano dessert!

 

[heatherleigh]

Or you can eat in the bar area. We did. They allowed my son to sit w/ us and eat as well.

 

[Sherry E]

Or you can eat in the bar area. We did. They allowed my son to sit w/ us and eat as well.

We never get seated near the aquariums downstairs. We always get seated on an upper level. One time we must have climbed five flights of stairs to get to the very top. Are the seats near the aquariums hard to come by or what do we have to do to get those?

Or maybe the downstairs area is where the Magic Mushroom Lounge is?

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

OH OH I left out some important info. I'll update my first post

 

[Sleepless Knight]

At least as far as food quality goes, Tortilla Jo's is quite good. I thought the price was reasonable too.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Hey Emmers.

We like Tortilla Jo's. Their side dish of sweet potatoes is to die for! They give huge portions and we have never had a bad meal. We especially like the ceviche appetizer, when it's on the menu, and the queso is tasty, too. My husband likes the chicken sandwich, the chicken entrees and the pork entree. I like the fish tacos - I love most fish tacos.

They accomodated a very large party (15?) last year for lunch, when our runners cleaned up after the half marathon. The restaurant is two levels, so they also have dining upstairs.

 

[jenpace]

Sorry, eta..We're meeting friends and it will ONLY work the 29th. And there would be 13 of us (including kids and highchairs). That's why we wanted rainforest So I doubt they can talk walk ins with this many

Maybe call the RFC and see if they have any suggestions. Could one of the people in your group go early, like an hr or more before everyone else and get their name on the list to get the ball rolling? Their number is: (714) 772-0413

GL!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Ok so tortilla jo's is an okay alternative even if not the most fun? Thanks for the food suggestions!

Do you think RFC could accomodate 13 people without a reservation?

 

[jenpace]

Tortilla Joe's seemed a lot less geared towards kids. Being in DTD kids are (I'm sure) welcome there though. You'll all have a great time whichever place you end up having dinner at.

 

[daneenm]

Just a word of warning. We went to RFC in WDW last summer for the first time. DS (7) was scared to death of the animals. As luck would have it we were seated next to a big gorilla, so not only did he move to the far end of the table but every time the 'show' started he froze. It was not the fun experience we had hoped for him.

I just like to pass that along in case you have in your group that might have the same reaction.

 

[mikayla73]

I really liked Tortilla Joe's. The food was very good. The chicken sandwich I had was awesome. Dh said his was good too.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Ok so tortilla jo's is an okay alternative even if not the most fun? Thanks for the food suggestions!

Do you think RFC could accomodate 13 people without a reservation?

This was back in 2002, but we had a party of 17 without a reservation! LOL We just had to put our name in way before we wanted to eat. I think it's worth a try. If they turn you down you could always go over to Tortila Jo's.

 

[Sherry E]

This was back in 2002, but we had a party of 17 without a reservation! LOL We just had to put our name in way before we wanted to eat. I think it's worth a try. If they turn you down you could always go over to Tortila Jo's.

I agree with both Jens! I really think that RFC is worth at least one visit, however it can be worked out, and putting your name in an hour or two in advance if you have to. Remember, people always cancel and flake out on their plans, so keep calling the RFC reservations number periodically to see if anything has opened up. You MAY get seated next to a gorilla (in December, we were right next to him) or an elephant (I haven't seen what he does yet!). OR, as in the case of when we went last year in September, you may be seated all the way at the top of the restaurant, next to nothing of interest other than a very hot heat lamp! But the food is good, the atmosphere is too interesting and fun to miss and I really think the kids will love it. They would probably love the big Volcano dessert!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Oooh your poor DS with the gorilla!

My kids would hopefully eat it up..it might freak out my 2 year old for a few min, but my DS's happy reaction always changes her mood. (Thank goodness) Thank you for the tip!

Mmmm that tortilla jo's food looks good tho!!!!!!!!! Now i'm hungry. LOL

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

When we tried to make reservations at RFC they told us they no longer do that - I see many people mention it here that they DO, so maybe they just weren't that day? I don't know. RFC is not my fave, it is very noisy, as Sherry mentioned, the walk to the top seems like MANY levels and I don't recall if anyone else mentioned this, but in my opinion the food is not that good and the service was worse than the food. We waited over an hour for our table for 12 - 6 adults, 6 kids.

Our trip to TJ was MUCH better than RFC! No, there wasn't tableside entertainment for the kids, but they didn't need it. They talked and played together without all that extra stuff (could barely carry on a conversation at RFC). Our service was fabulous - not for our large party size, but just plain fabulous - our food was even better. I am not sure how many orders of guacamole we ended up ordering for the 10 of us (some family members not there that day) - it was awesome. Everyone at the table loved their food and nobody left hungry. The manager came by at one point to check on us and we made sure to tell him how great our experience was (which never seems to be the case for us!). I was very pleased with TJ and to be honest, I was skeptical. We had enjoyed the takeout window before but reviews on here made me leery of eating in the restaurant. Trust me - packed house and it was VERY GOOD in all aspects. I can't wait to go back on our next trip!

 

[Sherry E]

When we tried to make reservations at RFC they told us they no longer do that - I see many people mention it here that they DO, so maybe they just weren't that day? I don't know. RFC is not my fave, it is very noisy, as Sherry mentioned, the walk to the top seems like MANY levels and I don't recall if anyone else mentioned this, but in my opinion the food is not that good and the service was worse than the food. We waited over an hour for our table for 12 - 6 adults, 6 kids.

Our trip to TJ was MUCH better than RFC! No, there wasn't tableside entertainment for the kids, but they didn't need it. They talked and played together without all that extra stuff (could barely carry on a conversation at RFC). Our service was fabulous - not for our large party size, but just plain fabulous - our food was even better. I am not sure how many orders of guacamole we ended up ordering for the 10 of us (some family members not there that day) - it was awesome. Everyone at the table loved their food and nobody left hungry. The manager came by at one point to check on us and we made sure to tell him how great our experience was (which never seems to be the case for us!). I was very pleased with TJ and to be honest, I was skeptical. We had enjoyed the takeout window before but reviews on here made me leery of eating in the restaurant. Trust me - packed house and it was VERY GOOD in all aspects. I can't wait to go back on our next trip!

Well, I have to admit that chicken sandwich at TJ's looks great. I might have to try that in October! Yes, you are right - RFC is noisy. I wouldn't even worry about sitting next to the gorilla because that is just one of the many, many places to be seated, but it DID seem like lots of steps to get to the top level (and my friend's knees were bugging her so she was not happy with that), and we had to crowd next to waiters and waitresses in the stairway, and then we were stuck next to a very hot lamp! I thought my food was good. I didn't hear any complaints from my other friends about their stuff. But I have certainly read many other posts on this board from people who did not care for RFC (it was the first one eliminated in the DLR/DTD Restaurant Elimination game, after all!), so that seems to be the more popular opinion!!

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

Please don't go to Tortilla Joe's. I had food poisoning from there and will NEVER go back.

I had chicken flautas, the chips & salsa, and an iced tea.