Will Small Children Be Scared Of Rainforest Cafe?

[kandb]

Hi everyone,
We are taking our almost 3 year old twins to Disney in September. We have a ressie for Rainforest Cafe. Could this restaurant scare them? Any opinions? Thanks, Linda

 

[formernyer]

I saw somebody else post today that a child was scared there and I almost asked why. I can't imagine ANYTHING at a Rainforest Cafe that is isn't remotely scary.

 

[Merriwind]

We first took DD when she was about 3. The thunderstorm did startle her--and probably frightened her--a bit. After the first one, subsequent "storms" were better, but I think that first visit she looked a little worried, but not really scared. And she ate well! Enjoy!

 

[mjmcca]

My kids love the place they are now 5 and 4.

 

[LizAgna]

When we went in January our DD was 2 1/2 and it didn't bother her at all. We were sitting by the elephants and she loved it when they moved their ears!!

 

[BBGirl]

My DD(3) was scared at the Rainforest. The thunder just really did her in--every 5 minutes. She sat with me the whole and ate not a bite.

 

[lovecop]

Last year my DD6 was terrified of the animals and storms. This year she is begging to go.

 

[stacie_d]

Possibly...

Our DS requested to go there for his 6th birthday. We took him to the one in San Francisco, and he was scared to death, even though he had been to the one in Disney several times. He was scared as soon as we stepped in the door. He finally agreed to go ahed and eat there, but we had to be seated away from all of the animals, near a fish tank. Then he was ok.

 

[MelessaG]

My son was terrified at age 4. Both the storms and the proximity of the animals really bothered him. It made me sad because we took them there on a visit to Dallas as a special treat.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

My older two kids have always loved the Rainforest Cafe, from a very early age. My second youngest, however, is absolutely terrified. We've been dining out with our children for the past 8 years, and it was at TRC, recently, that we had our absolute worse dining experience. Ds is 2, and he cried hysterically from the minute we walked into the restaurant until we walked out. There was nothing we could do to calm him down. We weren't even right next to any of the animals. He just cried and cried. I was glad the restaurant was pretty loud, so I don't think he truly bothered anyone. We did take turns taking him out at times.

So, it really depends on the child. My older two have always adored the place, as do all the other kids we know, who have been there.

Your kids will be old enough to talk through all of this first. Tell them about the restaurant. Explain that none of the animals are real, and that there is a pretend thunderstorm, that only lasts a minute.

You could also observe their reactions when you first walk in. If they seem upset by any of the animals, you could ask to be seated away from the action. Both of the Rainforest Cafes by us have a nice rainbow/fountain section, that seems to be a little off to the side from the active animals. I just noticed this the last time we were there (when we left ds with his grandparents so the rest of the kids could go enjoy). So, I think we'll try that seating when we get brave enough to take ds with us, again.

 

[gigi1313]

after waiting for two hours for a table (while shopping and doing other things) the minute we walked inside ds flipped... he was scared to death... we left and ate at mcd's!

 

[Bunchkin]

We just ate there for the first time last month with my DS-3 and DD-8.
Both of them loved it there!!! And DS is scared of thunderstorms but wasn't fazed a bit in the restaurant!! I was just waiting for him to say something, but nothing. He said it sounded cool!!! Imagine that!!!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

It certainly is loud, which might frighten anyone (kinda disturbs my digestion, too).

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I've taken my 3 yo nephew to the one in NJ and he loves it!
If you think your kids might be startled, just explain to them that they make pretend thunder and rain at this restaurant as part of a fun show. They'll probably love watching the fish at the one in WDW!

 

[PKWallaby]

Our now 6 yr old daughter has visited Rainforest Cafe outside AK three times with us in the past 4 years...each year she gets worse. She loves to walk around the gift shop and look into the restaurant, but as soon as the thunder starts...forget it. And yet, she continues to want to go there!!

Our solution: we sit at the bar. She loves the animal shaped bar stools, we can still order off the menu and she is far enough away from the "sounds of the rainforest" that we all can eat our meals without having her jumping into our laps. Just an idea...

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Our kids are terrified of Rainforest as well. As soon as we walk in, thier head is buried in our shoulders and they won't look around until we leave. I think it is the thunder that initially sets them off but they may also not like the large animals that make noises close to you either.

 

[Pixiedust34]

All kids are different. We have a local RFC and my dd was afraid of it until she was about 5 years old. Now at age 7, it's her favorite restaurant! She would eat there 7 days a week if possible.

 

[crisi]

In addition to the thunder, its a little on the dark side. We go to a local one and pretty much anytime we go there is one family that doesn't make it through diner with a toddler.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We have only been to the RFC here in Dallas, but I think it is dark and incredibly loud. Having said that, even when I have taken young kids there I haven't ever had one that was frightened.

We think it is a huge tourist trap - the food at our location is average at best and terribly overpriced. The atmosphere is fun, but after our last visit DH and I decided we don't need to go back. DS9 can take it or leave it.

 

[kstinw19]

My kids (ds3 and dd4 at the time) were scared too. My ds jumped into my lap at the first sound of thunder and never picked his head up the whole time!

They don't like volume of things. The elephants are loud, the gorillas are loud, and the thunder is loud. DS covered his ears the whole time. DD ate but covered her ears every time we told her the thunder was coming. Not an enjoyable meal.