We are avid fans of the Rainforest café at Downtown Disney, and often eat there on any trip to Orlando. But, just outside the entrance to the Animal Kingdom theme park there is another the Rainforest Café. It is remarkably how well both of these restaurants re-create a tropical rainforest, through a combination of live and animated wildlife and special effects.
Walking into the Rainforest Café at Animal Kingdom , you're greeted by lush vegetation, live tropical birds, simulated thunder and lightning, rain showers, majestic rock formations, talking trees, whimsical crocodiles, playful primates, fluttering butterflies, and the sounds and smells of a tropical rainforest. Everything is set against an amazing backdrop of enormous saltwater fish tanks, cascading waterfalls, and larger-than-life banyan trees. So, pretty much the same as any other from what we could see. The thing that stood out for us at this Rainforest restaurant, was that we were seated almost immediately, perhaps because it was lunchtime, rather than an evening at Downtown?
The restaurant, featuring an assortment of casual dining menu items including pastas, salads, sandwiches and desserts, can be reached from both outside and inside the park, too by the way. We planned to go for the lighter bite as it was lunchtime, but decided to have this meal as our main one of the day, and chowed down on our usual choices.
Brief, dramatic thunderstorms occurring throughout our meal inside the café, gushing waterfalls, twisting tree trunks, & colourful fish just add to the ambience.
The atmosphere of this restaurant is pretty cool! And though I know I should be old enough to be MORE concerned about the food, I have to admit though I do go for the food, I LOVE the clever creations in this restaurant. Even down to the animal inspired stools at the bar!!
We have been seated, more than once, by a group of gorillas that go a little crazy every 15 minutes or so. Very fun, if a bit noisy! If you have kids they will love it! However, if they are not patient, you may have a problem on your hands, because the service can be a little on the slow side at times. The menu is very large, however, so there should be something for everyone, this is why we like it for sure! I usually go for the chicken stir fry just for the fact that I love it here, and it is a variation for me when on holiday on Orlando.
I had heard some bad reviews about the Rainforest Café in the Animal Kingdom, but as I liked the one at Downtown Disney, I decided to try lunch there. I'm very glad I did! We loved it just as much and found it to be an excellent location to get your Rainforest visit in too!
I tried a smoothie too , called the Cockatoo Cocktail (kiwi, banana, strawberry, and ocean spray) , very nice!!
So, if you are already a Rainforest Café fan, or want to try it out, then give the Rainforest café at Animal Kingdom a try, well worth it!