Which rainforest cafe location?

[desl10]

I am Wanting to take our kids to rainforest cafe on the day we arrive for our trip. We don’t have park tickets that day and will have just had a 10hr car ride. Is rainforest animal kingdom or Disney springs location better?
I think it may be cool to see Disney springs area but we won’t be looking to shop or spend a ton of time since we have a long travel day. Is Disney springs location better even if we will just eat and maybe walk around a short time?
Edit: We are staying onsite at Pop. Our animal kingdom park day is the next morning.

 

[Magical2017]

Where will you be staying? The AK Rainforest does have a separate entrance that is pretty easy to get to. Do you think your kids will be disappointed if you drive to AK and don't go in? We never seem to have time to get to Disney Springs on our trips. We are either at parks or the resort. The last time I was there, it was called Downtown Disney--years ago.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Are you staying onsite? If so, I would probably do the AK one. DS can be sensory overload IMHO and if you don’t intend on doing anything else at DS, I wouldn’t go. The AK one will be a little more serene. If you are staying offsite, however, you’d need to pay to park at AK.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

I would go to Disney Springs. Even if you don't shop around, like you said, you could still just walk around a little bit and take it all in. We have a 10 hour drive as well. We ate dinner at Disney Springs last year on our arrival day. We walked a bit afterwards and watched the amphicars out on the lake before going back to the hotel.

 

[desl10]

Where will you be staying? The AK Rainforest does have a separate entrance that is pretty easy to get to. Do you think your kids will be disappointed if you drive to AK and don't go in? We never seem to have time to get to Disney Springs on our trips. We are either at parks or the resort. The last time I was there, it was called Downtown Disney--years ago.

We are staying at Pop century. Two of my kids are to young but they older kiddos will be the only ones who will be that aware and it won’t be an issue to go and Not go in the park.

 

[desl10]

Are you staying onsite? If so, I would probably do the AK one. DS can be sensory overload IMHO and if you don’t intend on doing anything else at DS, I wouldn’t go. The AK one will be a little more serene. If you are staying offsite, however, you’d need to pay to park at AK.

We are staying onsite at the Pop. This would be the only day we could do Disney springs because we have parks days all the remaining days. But I am okay with missing. Just didn’t know if one rainforest was better than the next.

 

[fla4fun]

With all the new dining options at DS I find it’s easier to get into that one than the one at AK. People are so busy patronizing the new restaurants, plus the location at the far end of DS help keep the crowds a little lower than they used to be. Keep in mind that there is no parking close to the DS location, so you will be walking through the Marketplace end of DS to get there (and farther if you take Disney transportation). Just didn’t want you to think it was a quick park and enter kind of thing. It might be less walking at AK, since both the parking lot and bus stops seem closer, but it’s still a bit of a hike and a rather drab one at that. Having eaten at both in the last few months there isn’t any advantage to one over the other as far as food or service. Both locations have been fine in that respect.

 

[kimmyg26]

As long as it won't bother your kids to be so close to AK and not go in, I suggest the one at AK. DS can be so crowded that I often find it overwhelming. I think its a beautiful area but for a quick in and out, go to the AK one. Use the resort bus to make it easier.

 

[Dis703]

If you are using the resort bus I'd go to the one at AK, but if planning to drive I'd go to the one at DS.

 

[gharter]

I would go to Disney springs. After that long of a trip, there is lots of room to walk around and fun things for the kids to do.
Both are good. We find parking at DS with the ramps easier than AK.
Since you are onsite, you on't have to worry about paying to park at AK, since you would already be charged at Pop.

 

[Rich M]

I would go to DS after a 10 hour drive also. Lots of places to walk around after a long drive. There is plenty to look at including without having to shop and the fresh air is nice.

 

[desl10]

With all the new dining options at DS I find it’s easier to get into that one than the one at AK. People are so busy patronizing the new restaurants, plus the location at the far end of DS help keep the crowds a little lower than they used to be. Keep in mind that there is no parking close to the DS location, so you will be walking through the Marketplace end of DS to get there (and farther if you take Disney transportation). Just didn’t want you to think it was a quick park and enter kind of thing. It might be less walking at AK, since both the parking lot and bus stops seem closer, but it’s still a bit of a hike and a rather drab one at that. Having eaten at both in the last few months there isn’t any advantage to one over the other as far as food or service. Both locations have been fine in that respect.

Great info! Thanks so much for the walking perspective and such!

 

[desl10]

If you are using the resort bus I'd go to the one at AK, but if planning to drive I'd go to the one at DS.

I guess we need to decide if we are planning for us to drive straight there or check in at the resort first. All great input from you all.

 

[Helvetica]

I enjoyed the Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom. I don't know anything about the one at Disney Springs, but since it's a chain it's probably the same thing. If you're driving straight there, I'd probably go to Disney Springs just because there is other stuff to do. If you want to be a little more relaxed after you get to the resort, I'd probably go to the one at Animal Kingdom.

If you're super tired, you could always go to the food court and enjoy the resort activities like the pool and a movie. Supposedly the food court at Art of Animation across the pond is better than the one at Pop.

 

[oceanmarina]

I am Wanting to take our kids to rainforest cafe on the day we arrive for our trip. We don’t have park tickets that day and will have just had a 10hr car ride. Is rainforest animal kingdom or Disney springs location better?
I think it may be cool to see Disney springs area but we won’t be looking to shop or spend a ton of time since we have a long travel day. Is Disney springs location better even if we will just eat and maybe walk around a short time?
Edit: We are staying onsite at Pop. Our animal kingdom park day is the next morning.

Hi from what I've read they are closing the Disney Springs location;

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/03/...-downtown-disney-to-make-way-for-a-new-hotel/

 

[earfulofmagic]

Hi from what I've read they are closing the Disney Springs location;

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/03/...-downtown-disney-to-make-way-for-a-new-hotel/

That's Downtown Disney in Anaheim, not Disney Springs.

 

[PardonOurPixieDust]

Hi from what I've read they are closing the Disney Springs location;

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/03/...-downtown-disney-to-make-way-for-a-new-hotel/

That’s talking about the Anaheim location (where it’s still called Downtown Disney). They’re basically shutting down that entire end of Downtown Disney, but I’m personally really excited about the new Disney hotel for the West Coast. It will have the monorail stop within the resort, so it’ll be like a more up-to-date Contemporary.

 

[oceanmarina]

That’s talking about the Anaheim location (where it’s still called Downtown Disney). They’re basically shutting down that entire end of Downtown Disney, but I’m personally really excited about the new Disney hotel for the West Coast. It will have the monorail stop within the resort, so it’ll be like a more up-to-date Contemporary.

Thanks for clarifying - I love that location and was not happy to hear it. I'm slow to change, I still usually call DS downtown Disney, which is why I didn't catch the location in the article!

 

[erinch]

When my kids were little, RFC was a must do. Stick to try simplest food items, is my advice. It could have changed in the couple years since being at either, but the AK one was far better organized, cleaner, somewhat less crowded, and a better experience.

If you join Landry’s select for 25 bucks, you will get priority seating, a birthday discount, and a $25 welcome reward, asking it free. Show the card or give your member number when you check in, and you will bypass the waiting line.

It could also be that after the drive, food court and pool might appeal more than you expect.

 

[desl10]

T

Hi from what I've read they are closing the Disney Springs location;

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/03/...-downtown-disney-to-make-way-for-a-new-hotel/

Thats the one in California.
Edit
Sorry for the repeat just seeing everyone already said that!!