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Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom Dining Review

Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom Dining Review

Before we dive deep into our review of the Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom, YES, this is the same Rainforest Cafe that you may have close to your home. The chain is pretty similar from spot to spot and there isn't all that much unique about their Animal Kingdom location.

If you aren't familiar the Rainforest Cafe is like walking into a jungle complete with exotic animals and large tropical fish tanks. Every so often a thunderstorm will roll in and the animals will go crazy. So let's jump into our Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom Dining Review.

Note: There is also another Rainforest Cafe at Walt Disney World located at Disney Springs.

Rainforest Cafe Quick Breakdown

  • Service: Sit Down
  • Type of Food: Burgers, Ribs, Brownie Sundaes
  • Price: $$$
  • Location: Animal Kingdom, Park Entrance
  • Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 Credit
  • Discounts: Annual Passholder
  • Good For: Unique experience, Kids
  • Menu: Official Disney Menu

A Tour Around Rainforest Cafe

A look at the inside of Rainforest Cafe restaurant at the Animal Kingdom.

This restaurant has an entrance from both inside the Animal Kingdom and from the front of theme park before you even go through the ticket gate. You don't need a theme park ticket to eat here but you will have to pay for parking if you don't already have that included as part of your ticket or resort stay.

Of course, this secret entrance into Rainforest Cafe is a great way to cut the long lines at the front of the parks. Very few people know about this hidden entrance from Rainforest Cafe into Animal Kingdom.

Rainforest Cafe check in

This is the area you check in for your meal if you have a reservation or they do almost always accept walkups. However, if it's a peak time of day the wait times most likely will be longer than you want to wait.

Here is the bar inside of the Rainforest Cafe. The bar is nestled under the safety of one giant mushroom. Plus, do you notice the feet on the bar stools? The barstools are all different animal butts. There is endless detail to uncover inside the Rainforest Cafe.

Inside the gift shop be sure you look up above all the merchandise displays. This is where I was able to spot this adorable cheetah.

Dishes from Rainforest Cafe

Here is a look at the dishes we tried from our lunch at the Rainforest Cafe in the Animal Kingdom.

Cookies and Cream Milkshake

Just your classic cookies and cream milkshake. The light-up souvenir cup is an additional add-on. It's just a generic plastic cup next time I would skip this it just collected dust in our kitchen cabinet.

Blue Mountain Chicken Sandwich

This delightful sandwich is comprised of grilled lemon chicken, bacon, Swiss Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and is topped with a boom boom sauce. This combo was a hit for me I wasn't too heavy of a meal for a hot day spent inside the park and was a slightly healthier option compared to something that was all fried.

Jungle Turkey Wrap

I order a Jungle Turkey Wrap. This is Shaved turkey breast, tomatoes, bacon, lettuce, Caesar dressing, tortilla, and a choice of a side.

Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken

Chicken Ceasar Salad

My husband wasn't as hungry on this trip so he just ordered the small Caesar salad and had it topped with chicken. Much to our surprise, there was nothing small about it. The dish was giant. I hate to think what the normal portion looks like!


Rainforest Cafe Review Recommendation

I have never been all too impressed with the food served up at Rainforest Cafe and while our last meal was much improved it's probably not going to be a place we frequently return to.

The food options here are pretty much the menu options at the quick service spots inside Animal Kingdom but sadly Rainforest is almost double the price as the quick service options. You can get fantastic ribs at Flame Tree Barbeque or one of my favorite burgers at Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe.

The appeal to eating at the Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom is the atmosphere and that it is perfect for kids. That is of course, if they are okay with loud noises and a low-lit environment. I do remember this spot being a novelty when I was a child. Of course, back then I didn't have a care in the world about food prices 😂.

Well, that wraps our Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom Dining Review. If you have eaten here before let us know your thoughts in the comments below.