Rainforest Cafe-worth the $?

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Well, we've gone every trip to the AK RFC...it is more about tradition because it was the first TS restaurant we ever ate at in DW and we don't have any close to us....

It is kind of pricey and while the food is decent, it certainly isn't the best restaurant in the World. However,the sandwiches are pretty good so if you stick to those it shouldn't be too expensive.

[Mousemates]

if a person has never been to the rainforest they should go once and experience it (the same as with T-Rex), but to us the cost/food do not warrant a return trip unless we are traveling with someone who has not ever been.

[flipadeeflop]

It is definitely a bit pricey for the food, but I feel as though you are paying more for the unique atmosphere. My boyfriend and I spent about $30 there for a light lunch and we enjoyed the food it was very tastey, but it was nothing special. I got an appetizer for my meal and he got a portabello mushroom burger with fries. What we liked most was the fact that we didn't expect it to be so loud. It was SO funny. There is a "storm/animals going crazy" every 15 minutes or so and every time it happened we had to stop talking because we sat near an elephant that joined in on all the commotion and it was too loud to hear each other (and the waiter). It was hilarious and I will always remember the experience.

[MinnieMommie]

We always took our kids to Rainforest and now that they are older they take themselves (even though we have one at home where they also like to dine). Right now they seem to prefer T-Rex at DD which is owned by the same company.

Is it worth the dollars? The food is fine and plentiful (and I would say much better than an Applebees or Fridays). The experience is also unique. If you don't have one at home I would give it a try. There's one at DD and outside of AK park.

I have to agree with DizneyRox. It's neither the best nor worse place to dine while vacationing at WDW. Unless you think your children will be frightened by the simulated thunder storm it could be a fun place to try.

[TinkerbellT421]

I agree with a lot of what PP have said.

1) If you have never been to one, on disney property or off, its worth the experience.

2) Applebee's comparison is a good one, because thats basically the type of food you get, nothing to write home about

3) Pricey for what you get definitely.

4) Your paying mostly for the experience of the atmosphere.

IMO I definitely wouldn't do dinner, I would do lunch, which has cheaper prices and you can order almost anything that is also on the dinner menu, we have done both and it was no different except for price. But if you have access to a Rainforest cafe outside of Disney I would personally prefer that route. Theres better places you can eat for the money at disney, again, IMO.

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Rain Forest Café & T-Rex Cafés:
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: D
. . . eatery atmosphere: A
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff helpfulness: A
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: The portions are pretty much commiserate with the price.
However, one is paying a premium for the atmosphere of Rain Forest
or T-Rex. The environment and animatronic are clever and amuse most
kids, as well as many adults. The Chocolate Volcano dessert at Rainforest
and Chocolate Extinction dessert at T-Rex are adventures.

[MarkC]

Agree for the most part with Rusty above but I'll raise the food quality to a B and the seating to a C in my opinion. You pretty much know its going to be busy with lots of families with little kids in there. But still worth checking out at least once. I've even gone to the one in the Mall of America on my own as an adult (while on a business trip) to keep my membership going.

[LudwigVonDrake]

If you've never eaten there go. If you have, try the T-Rex. Same type food just different theming

[Magic Smiles]

The Rainforest Cafe's have great atmosphere (We've been to them in Toronto and in San Francisco). If it's something you want to experience, and you don't have access to elsewhere, then I'd say sure ... go for it. Otherwise, I would not recommend it at all. In my opinion the food is horrible, and absolutely overpriced (microwaved/reheated processed foods). I would never choose to eat at a Rainforest Cafe for the food.

We have eaten at the Rainforest Cafe in Toronto, WDW and in Disneyland. I have to say that the food in Toronto was 'horrible', and we tried it twice. However the food in Disneyland was probably one of the BEST meals we have ever had in a restaurant. DTD in WDW is always good, not exceptional. On our upcoming trip we are going to try the Rainforest Cafe at AK. I think that the atmosphere is a huge factor in making it an enjoyable meal.

[magicgal]

I don't think it is..I much prefer T-Rex. They are both owned by the same company, but I think the atmosphere is better in T-Rex, and I like the food a lot better there as well. I also think their menu selection is larger. The thing I dislike most about RFC, is that the food is just so so, especially for what you are paying for it.

[PittFan]

We went for breakfast on our last trip. For 4 adults and 2 children ( 10 & 13) our bill was over $100 ... FOR BREAKFAST !!!! Needless to say that was our last time there.

[Tigerinvestigator]

My family and I love Rainforest! We have eaten at both at WDW as well as TREX. We like the food but it is the atmosphere that make them unique. We have also been to one in Grapevine mills in TX and Opry Mills in Nashville. The kids love them because it reminds them of WDW. If you have never been they are definately worth the price at least once.

[Jared]

Is anything truly "worth the money" at Disney? I'm not really sure if that's necessarily the best way to judge if you should dine there or not. Sure, Rainforest Cafe is ridiculously expensive for the quality of food and service you will receive.

But if they've never been, your kids will probably love the experience. The meal could become a wonderful memory from your vacation. That alone makes it worth it.

[johnO]

We ate at the one outside AK. It was fun, food was fine, not great.

[tnpoohbear]

We have eaten there several times, the first was just because it looked so cool and it was. The food was good, the second time we ate there I had a gift card so that is why we used it. Personally I would not go back to this restaurant, the atmosphere is nice and interesting but the food was just OK to me and it is a little pricey. I feel the same at the T Rex Cafe, it was nice one time but I would not do it again.