Rainforest Cafe-worth the $?

[zcrsdad]

I'm considering having dinner @ rainforest cafe on our next trip. Looking at the menu, it seem a little pricey for the food. Is it worth the price?

[spinnerf]

I would say its not worth the money. The food is fine though, but.... there are so many Rainforest Cafes in many other cities, personally I would try for another Disney themed Restaurant that may be more unique. That being said, kids love the place and if you have never been to one before it might be worth going.

[faline]

If you've never been to one, it's worth the experience. I rarely go as I find it's rather pricey.

[Mickey'sGirl]

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.

[faline]

Also, keep in mind that some little children find it a bit frightening. Every 10-15 minutes, they simulate a thunder shower with lightning flashes and thunder booming - I've seen some little kids be quite upset by this.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I agree with the other posts. If you don't have one near you, and have kids, it is a neat place. My DD has always loved it.

But, we do find it really pricey, and we don't go often (about once a year, if that). The food is OK, nothing special, but it will be fine.

[forever a child]

The first time we went my DD was about 9 years old and I thought she would love it. Wrong! She hated the smell of the place from all of the plastic animatronics..and wanted to leave almost immediately. We have been back a few different times since then and we always enjoy it. Our last visit to RFC was in May of last year. We had reservation later that evening for an event that would serve some food and so we were hungry but didnt want to fill up. We ate an appetizer and some drinks and really enjoyed ourselves. We did not have reservations and just did a walk up. Our server was great.

If you have never tried it...you should at least once. DD has gotten over the smell of the place too.

[Dulcee]

I'd say its not worth the money. Food is pretty typical of what you could get at an applebee,s friday's etc. That being said several years ago we went with my niece who was dying to go so we made later reservations for just desserts and cordials which was pleasant and she got to enjoy the atmosphere.

[KennyandKim]

Wow! We have one two hours from us but have never eaten at Rainforest before. Yea it was pricey but we LOVED IT. One of the best meals of our trip. In fact our daughters have chosen this as their birthday dinner for our next trip. It costs us almost 200 for 4 and that was food, dessert, plus my DH had a drink, we got the light up cubes, and tip.

[LuvDaDuckMost]

The food is so-so. I guess it depends on what you are use to eating but, it is of the quality of Ruby Tuesday's if you ask me. You are paying for the atmosphere and the animatronics. And like others have stated above, depending on the age of the child, some love it and some are scared to death of it.

[PETE FROM NYC]

DW and I have eaten at both RFCs.
Yes, the food is a bit pricy, but so is the food anywhere else on property. We enjoy eating there when its just the two of us. We are far from rich, but we ain't paupers either. To help us afford eating at some of the better restaurants, we often pack a lunch with us so we can splurge a bit for supper.
When we travel with others, where we eat and how much to spend becomes a decision for the whole group.

[patandtwins]

I'd suggest going for lunch. It is on the pricey side for blah/so-so food (Applebees-ish). We did it once when the kids were early elementary school age and they loved it. We went to T-Rex 2 years ago( kids were 10,10 and 12) and they loved that 1 more. DH and I enjoyed the food at T-Rex more than Rainforest too, but they really are pretty much the same.

[brownie]

If you have one sort of near you, I'd skip it at Disney World. The food is okay, it's more the atmosphere you get. I liked T-Rex better than Rainforest (no real difference in the food.) They're both Landry's restaurants.

[DisneyFr33k]

We went there once, and that was it. Never been back since - on Disney property or off. You are paying for the atmosphere/show. The food is average, and I am being kind here.

There are far better dining experiences at Disney I would choose over this one.

[Mogie]

TRex is a good alternative...similar type of themed restaurant but with DINOSAURS!

Food in both places is just ok.

[DizneyRox]

We go to the local one often, but haven't been to the Disney ones in a while. We don't mind the food so much and the little one likes the monkeys.

There are better places on property to have a good meal, but Rainforest isn't the worst choice you could make either.

[Fastpasssteve]

I've always enjoyed the Rainforest Cafe.

Most kids really enjoy the atmosphere. In my experience as a teacher for 12+ years, kids are not frightened if they have a reasonable expectation of what is to come. By the same token, kids look to their parents to see how to react. If the parents have a negative or frightened reaction, the children will follow suit.

My food there has always been good. Not great, but that's not why one goes there, either.

[CU Tiger]

I agree that it is pricey for what you get. The food is OK, not great, but not bad. The atmosphere is good and worth going if you have never been or do not have access to one near you.

[magicofdisney]

Lunch prices are better than dinner prices. I usually get the burger. I think it takes a lot of effort to mess up a burger so I find that the safest choice many times. I also think their burgers are not quite as good as they used to be. They're fresh (not microwaved/reheated/processed foods). The sweet tea is good and we always enjoy the atmosphere.

[mom2mickeyfan]

We went to T-Rex last summer but only got desserts and plan to do the same this year. Our DS really wanted to go but we too thought it was a bit pricey. Having a dessert kept our cost down but allowed us to take our DS to enjoy the place. We were there the perfect amount of time.