Opinions on Rainforest Cafe?

gcbdad · 09-15-2003

We are going to AK for a day trip on Saturday and one of our party said we should go to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. I checked out the reviews and it looks like this might not be the best choice. Do any of you have any opinions on this restaurant?

GrumpyDad · 09-15-2003

We ate there last year, and while it is nothing special, they do have a killer veggy burger which my DD thought was great. We have a RFC near our house so we knew about what to expect and the one at WDW is about the same as the one here.

The atmosphere is cute, the food is standard American cuseine, the wait was longer then I like, but not horrid. All in all, I would not avoid the place, and we will most likely eat there again this year.

Enjoy,
-harry

preidel24 · 09-15-2003

Same here. We have a RFC near us. We did eat there at DTD. My DS's really had a hard time finding something they liked and I thought for what you received it was overpriced. The ambiance was nice but nothing that specticular. This however is coming from someone that doesn't care for Hard Rock Cake or Planet Hollywood either. Maybe it just me I just don't think they are that great.

I'm a Ohana's, Cape May Cafe, Chef Mickey kinda girl. I love the atmosphere and the food (except CM food was just okay - but the do BD the best).

We celebrating our DS's 9th birthday at Cape May cafe and my 40th at Ohana's (my favorite).

Good Luck with your decision and Happy Birthday!!!!

Paula

roncss · 09-15-2003

gcbdad: My experience with RFC seems to have been pretty typical. The PS concept hasn't fully found this facility yet. On a crowded day, the wait can be bad. The food was good, but a bit pricey and the atmosphere was great. I would probably try to go again, but only on a day the crowds were small.
I notice that you plan to be in AK for your b'day. You, dznygrl, and I share the same b'day. She asked me to be sure and extend birthday greetings to you, since she is at WDW and away from the internet. I will be in D.C. (the city, not the website) onbusiness, on that day, and also away from the internet, so slightly early; :) :) :) :) :)
HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY !!! and enjoy your daytrip to AK.:D :D
Ron

**llama** · 09-15-2003

I have to agree with everyone else. The food is nothing special, but it"s a great place to visit, just for the atmosphere. Why not plan to go just for dessert. However, if you're going to have a 2 hour wait, I'd skip it. I've got to say that the Rainforest Store sometimes really has GREAT bargains, and if you're an annual pass holder, or a member of the DVC , or any number of other things, (Disney Club member is one, I think) you get a 15% discount. I've gotten some really nice things there at much more reasonable prices than Disney. My daughters (ages 19 and 20) always find something they like.

mduarte13 · 09-15-2003

Well, I do not have one near me...the closest is about a 2 hour drive....personally, the food in the RF cafe was average...nothing to scream about, but certainly not BAD....I liked it...but the atmosphere is what really makes the restaurant....very neat. We will be going there in Dec, and have been before.

ArielBelle · 09-15-2003

We ate at the Rainforest Cafe in August in DTD and really loved it. We only waited about 15 minutes for our table. My DH and I got excellant burgers and the kids got Mac & cheese, personal pizza and dinosaur chicken with fries. Compared to the $100 plus we had been spending for not so great food (Cinderella Gala Feast) we thought it was a steal at $65. The highlight was dessert. We ordered a VOLCANO! it consists of four pieces of chocolatly, brownie cake , vanilla ice cream, carameland whipped cream piled high like a VOLCANO. When they bring it out every server yells VOLCANO! My DD thought they were saying "potato". Very cute.

The food is is similar to Applebees or TGI Friday's. Basic, yeah, but not terrible!! Try it. Watch out for the thunderstorms!;)

If you really want a good meal...go to O'Hana's. It is the best, original food we ever ate. Very tasty!!

mduarte13 · 09-15-2003

I will admit that my DD was a little panicked by the thunderstorms...we had to go and hide in the bathroom hallway :D

gcbdad · 09-15-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by roncss
gcbdad: My experience with RFC seems to have been pretty typical. The PS concept hasn't fully found this facility yet. On a crowded day, the wait can be bad. The food was good, but a bit pricey and the atmosphere was great. I would probably try to go again, but only on a day the crowds were small.
I notice that you plan to be in AK for your b'day. You, dznygrl, and I share the same b'day. She asked me to be sure and extend birthday greetings to you, since she is at WDW and away from the internet. I will be in D.C. (the city, not the website) onbusiness, on that day, and also away from the internet, so slightly early; :) :) :) :) :)
HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY !!! and enjoy your daytrip to AK.:D :D
Ron

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU TOO - roncss.......

It seems like there are a few of us Virgo's out there in DC land.

Thanks for the replies about RFC. I have never been and some of our friends recommended it so I just wanted to get some info before we went.

DougiesMommy · 09-15-2003

I'm a fan of RFC. It is on our must stop at list while at AK. We go during value season but have never had any trouble at all just walking up and being seated. We do tend to eat at off hours though so maybe that is the key. The food is basic but I just love the atmosphere. Plus it is really the only sit down resturant in AK ~ I think.

disneydana · 09-15-2003

We have eaten there (AK) twice. We really like it but the wait is terrible. Last time we had PS and waited over an hour to be seated. We also waited a VERY long time for our food to get to the table--but we were a party of 10. If time is tight, I'd skip it (I'd rather spend time in the park). If you have the time or do it at the end of the day, then I would suggest giving it a try. The atmosphere is pretty neat.

**DisneyTeacher** · 09-15-2003

I have been to the RFC twice (the DD one and the Mall of America) and enjoyed it both times. We waited over 2 hours for our table at the DD one but that was before they took PSs. I thought the food was about the same as Applebee's. I would go there again if that helps.

DisneyAnne · 09-15-2003

Okay... I will throw my 2 cents in although it appears most are in agreement here. I love the environment of RFC, but the food is nothing special. My then 4-year-old was terrified of the thunderstorms. If someone in my group was set on going there, I would definitely do it.

Happy Birthday to both of you...there are QUITE A FEW of us Virgos here... ;)

mickaholic4077 · 09-15-2003

I guess I am going to be in the minority here,because I think the Rainforest Cafe is an over-priced tourist trap. The one time I went with my friends(at AK location),we waited more than a half hour in spite of PS's,and the food was awful. If you must go,just ask them if you can walk through the restaurant to get the atmosphere,which was okay.

wdwbound · 09-16-2003

I loved it, even my DH enjoy it. The meal that we had was great. (Hamburger with the trimmings,Fries he had Chicken and fires.)

We waited about 10 min.Our PS was at 11:00. When we came out the crowd was incredible.:p

09-15-2003	#1 (permalink)
gcbdad Big Cheese Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Brandon, Florida Posts: 936	Opinions on Rainforest Cafe? We are going to AK for a day trip on Saturday and one of our party said we should go to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. I checked out the reviews and it looks like this might not be the best choice. Do any of you have any opinions on this restaurant?

09-15-2003	#2 (permalink)
GrumpyDad Mouse Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 1,182	We ate there last year, and while it is nothing special, they do have a killer veggy burger which my DD thought was great. We have a RFC near our house so we knew about what to expect and the one at WDW is about the same as the one here. The atmosphere is cute, the food is standard American cuseine, the wait was longer then I like, but not horrid. All in all, I would not avoid the place, and we will most likely eat there again this year. Enjoy, -harry __________________ . Jan 2008 Yacht Club ~* Jan 2007 Caribbean Beach Dec/Jan 2005/2006 Disney Poly / Disney Wonder New Years Trip Nov 2003 - Caribbean Beach ~* Nov 2002 – Coronado Springs ~ Feb 2001 – Boardwalk Feb 2000 – Swan ~~~~~ Feb 1999 – Yacht Club ~~~ Jan 1998 – Boardwalk Feb 1997 – Yacht Club ~~~ Jan 1996 – Beach Club ~~~ May 1995 - Swan Feb 1995 – Dixie Landings ~*~ May 1994 – Dolphin

09-15-2003	#3 (permalink)
preidel24 Big Cheese Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 902	Same here. We have a RFC near us. We did eat there at DTD. My DS's really had a hard time finding something they liked and I thought for what you received it was overpriced. The ambiance was nice but nothing that specticular. This however is coming from someone that doesn't care for Hard Rock Cake or Planet Hollywood either. Maybe it just me I just don't think they are that great. I'm a Ohana's, Cape May Cafe, Chef Mickey kinda girl. I love the atmosphere and the food (except CM food was just okay - but the do BD the best). We celebrating our DS's 9th birthday at Cape May cafe and my 40th at Ohana's (my favorite). Good Luck with your decision and Happy Birthday!!!! Paula __________________ ^i^ * Postcard Pixie * ^i^ ~ Sharing the Disney magic ~ Discover the Magic - and you'll be hooked for life!!!

09-15-2003	#4 (permalink)
roncss Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 329	gcbdad: My experience with RFC seems to have been pretty typical. The PS concept hasn't fully found this facility yet. On a crowded day, the wait can be bad. The food was good, but a bit pricey and the atmosphere was great. I would probably try to go again, but only on a day the crowds were small. I notice that you plan to be in AK for your b'day. You, dznygrl, and I share the same b'day. She asked me to be sure and extend birthday greetings to you, since she is at WDW and away from the internet. I will be in D.C. (the city, not the website) onbusiness, on that day, and also away from the internet, so slightly early; :) :) :) :) :) HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY !!! and enjoy your daytrip to AK.:D :D Ron __________________ Off-Site WDW-1981 -- Treehouse Villas-1987 -- Marriott WDW-1992 -- Wilderness Lodge- April 1995 -- Off-Site WDW & CSR-May 1998 -- Wilderness Lodge-Jan 2002 -- Polynesian-Dec 2002 -- Caribbean Beach-Dec 2003

09-15-2003	#5 (permalink)
llama Practically Perfect Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Slurpee Capital of the World Posts: 7,379	rainforest cafe I have to agree with everyone else. The food is nothing special, but it"s a great place to visit, just for the atmosphere. Why not plan to go just for dessert. However, if you're going to have a 2 hour wait, I'd skip it. I've got to say that the Rainforest Store sometimes really has GREAT bargains, and if you're an annual pass holder, or a member of the DVC , or any number of other things, (Disney Club member is one, I think) you get a 15% discount. I've gotten some really nice things there at much more reasonable prices than Disney. My daughters (ages 19 and 20) always find something they like. __________________ Your Moderately Moderate Moderator A PROUD MEMBER OF THE BAD KITTY CLUB "Meowany Are Called, Mew Are Chosen" It's Murdoch with an "H" eleven-twenty-ten My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Christmas in Florida 33 days 19 hours 56 minutes

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > WDW Restaurants
Opinions on Rainforest Cafe?

09-15-2003	#6 (permalink)
mduarte13 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 125	Well, I do not have one near me...the closest is about a 2 hour drive....personally, the food in the RF cafe was average...nothing to scream about, but certainly not BAD....I liked it...but the atmosphere is what really makes the restaurant....very neat. We will be going there in Dec, and have been before. __________________

09-15-2003	#7 (permalink)
ArielBelle Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Saratoga Springs Posts: 802	We ate at the Rainforest Cafe in August in DTD and really loved it. We only waited about 15 minutes for our table. My DH and I got excellant burgers and the kids got Mac & cheese, personal pizza and dinosaur chicken with fries. Compared to the $100 plus we had been spending for not so great food (Cinderella Gala Feast) we thought it was a steal at $65. The highlight was dessert. We ordered a VOLCANO! it consists of four pieces of chocolatly, brownie cake , vanilla ice cream, carameland whipped cream piled high like a VOLCANO. When they bring it out every server yells VOLCANO! My DD thought they were saying "potato". Very cute. The food is is similar to Applebees or TGI Friday's. Basic, yeah, but not terrible!! Try it. Watch out for the thunderstorms!;) If you really want a good meal...go to O'Hana's. It is the best, original food we ever ate. Very tasty!! __________________ WDW 1984 WDW1991 May-June 2001 Disneyland Hotel August 2003 Wilderness Lodge May 2007 Riverside

09-15-2003	#8 (permalink)
mduarte13 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 125	I will admit that my DD was a little panicked by the thunderstorms...we had to go and hide in the bathroom hallway :D __________________

09-15-2003	#10 (permalink)
DougiesMommy Big Cheese Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 567	I'm a fan of RFC. It is on our must stop at list while at AK. We go during value season but have never had any trouble at all just walking up and being seated. We do tend to eat at off hours though so maybe that is the key. The food is basic but I just love the atmosphere. Plus it is really the only sit down resturant in AK ~ I think. __________________ Cher

09-15-2003	#11 (permalink)
disneydana Big Cheese Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: atlanta Posts: 645	We have eaten there (AK) twice. We really like it but the wait is terrible. Last time we had PS and waited over an hour to be seated. We also waited a VERY long time for our food to get to the table--but we were a party of 10. If time is tight, I'd skip it (I'd rather spend time in the park). If you have the time or do it at the end of the day, then I would suggest giving it a try. The atmosphere is pretty neat. __________________ GO HOKIES!!

09-15-2003	#12 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,305	I have been to the RFC twice (the DD one and the Mall of America) and enjoyed it both times. We waited over 2 hours for our table at the DD one but that was before they took PSs. I thought the food was about the same as Applebee's. I would go there again if that helps. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 242 days 13 hours 56 minutes

09-15-2003	#13 (permalink)
DisneyAnne Palmetto Pixie Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,148	Okay... I will throw my 2 cents in although it appears most are in agreement here. I love the environment of RFC, but the food is nothing special. My then 4-year-old was terrified of the thunderstorms. If someone in my group was set on going there, I would definitely do it. Happy Birthday to both of you...there are QUITE A FEW of us Virgos here... ;) __________________

09-15-2003	#14 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	I guess I am going to be in the minority here,because I think the Rainforest Cafe is an over-priced tourist trap. The one time I went with my friends(at AK location),we waited more than a half hour in spite of PS's,and the food was awful. If you must go,just ask them if you can walk through the restaurant to get the atmosphere,which was okay.

09-16-2003	#15 (permalink)
wdwbound Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 22	I loved it, even my DH enjoy it. The meal that we had was great. (Hamburger with the trimmings,Fries he had Chicken and fires.) We waited about 10 min.Our PS was at 11:00. When we came out the crowd was incredible.:p

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