Updated: August 12, 2026
Get ready for a Wild Time at the Rainforest Cafe in Disney’s Animal Kingdom OR in Disney Springs!
Rainforest Cafe in Disney Springs
With a large menu of dishes everyone can enjoy, this jungle-centric restaurant is sure to please. The huge selection includes an array of sandwiches, burgers, seafood, salads, and more, with many items featuring a tropical twist. Shareable appetizers and desserts (including the signature “Sparking Volcano”) are available to complete your meal.
The main criticisms that these restaurants receive include the “how-is-it-really-Disney-when-we-have-one-in-the-mall-back-home” issue, and the occasional long waits for a table (particularly at the Disney Springs location). However, reservations can be booked online for each location. And, seriously, the kiddos love it.
No matter which location you choose, you’ll be surrounded by “animated” animals in a lush rainforest setting, complete with the sound of rain and thunder claps… all under a starlight sky, regardless of the time of day.
At Disney Springs, guests can also enjoy the connected Lava Lounge without a reservation.
Animal Kingdom: Book Online
Disney Springs: Book Online
The Meal at Rainforest Cafe
The menu is just as adventurous as the surroundings. There’s something for everyone, from hearty burgers and sandwiches to fresh seafood and crisp salads, often with a tropical twist. Shareable appetizers and desserts, including the iconic “Sparking Volcano,” make it easy to turn your meal into a full-on feast.
If you’re looking for something a little extra, there are a few healthier sides to choose from as well as sides and small plates for those looking for slimmer portions. There’s even a wide array of options for kids. There’s no denying that this is a good spot to have on your radar if you’re traveling with a picky eater or two who crave a safe, familiar meal.
Brazilian Freeze
The menu here is fairly extensive, boasting multiple categories of main entrees and sides so you can truly find something for everyone to enjoy while dining here.
Service: Table Service
Type of Food: American
Location: Animal Kingdom theme park, entrance plaza; Disney Springs, Marketplace
Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 Table Service meal credit
Rainforest Cafe Menu
Menu:
Official Disney Breakfast Menu (Breakfast is only served at Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Official Disney Lunch/Dinner Menu
Allears.net:
Rainforest Cafe Breakfast Menu (Breakfast is only served at Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Rainforest Cafe Lunch/Dinner Menu
Rainforest Cafe Kid’s Menu
The Atmosphere at Rainforest Cafe
Have you ever wanted to dine under a starlit rainforest sky while surrounded by elephants, tigers, and birds? At Rainforest Cafe, you can because the jungle’s wild side comes to you!
Rainforest Cafe
Get ready to have a wild time inside a vibrant jungle atmosphere at Rainforest Cafe. This restaurant is lively and immersive, with lush greenery, “animated” animals, and the sounds of rain and thunder rolling through the restaurant intermittently — all under a twinkling starlit sky, no matter what time of day you visit.
Rainforest Cafe
They really go hard on the rainforest vibes in here, with vines hanging from the ceiling and animatronic jungle animals all over the place. Between the immersive decor and the playful animals, it’s a dining experience that’s as much about fun as it is about food.
Reviews
November 2025: REVIEW: Robot Gorillas and Waffle House Vibes — We Tried Breakfast at One of the Most Controversial Disney World Restaurants
October 2025: I Never Thought I’d Recommend This Controversial Disney World Restaurant, But Here We Are
December 2023: REVIEW: Go to This Disney World Restaurant for the Vibes, Not the Food
December 2020: DISNEY FOOD BLOG REVIEW: A Robot Gorilla Was More Interesting Than the Food at Rainforest Cafe in Disney World
September 2020: Review! Is Rainforest Cafe in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom a ROAR or a SNORE?
August 2015: Review: Lava Lounge at the Disney Springs Marketplace
September 2013: Disney Food Blog Review: Breakfast at Rainforest Cafe in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
September 2012: Disney Food Blog Review: Rainforest Cafe a la Disney
Nosh or Not
Visit Rainforest Cafe if…
You need an easy, last-minute reservation. While other Disney hot spots are booked solid weeks in advance, Rainforest Café is often a same-day success. You might even be able to walk in, which can feel like a rarity in the world of Disney World dining. If you find yourself wanting to grab a bite without the wait times, head here!
You need something familiar. Let’s be honest, sometimes you don’t want a meal “with a twist.” Rainforest Café offers straightforward, filling, and comforting food that most people in your party will enjoy, without the risk of overly fancy ingredients or flavors. This is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for everyone, including even the pickiest of eaters and kids!
You’re traveling with kids or big groups. The over-the-top theme is actually a win for many. Kids are entertained by the animals and effects while adults sip cocktails in peace. It’s a strong choice for multigenerational families or larger groups with different tastes.
Skip Rainforest Cafe if…
You’re already overstimulated from the parks. The ambiance is loud, the animatronic animals can be startling if you’re not ready for them, and the gift shop exit is very much a thing. If you’re hoping for a quiet, relaxing meal…this probably isn’t what you want.
You only want to spend this much money if the food is mind-blowing. While the menus here are solid, don’t expect culinary fireworks. It’s tasty, reliable, and satisfying, but not going to compete with the best food experiences at Disney World — not even close.
You despise inconsistency. Among Disney fans, the Rainforest Café is often dismissed as a generic chain, and for lunch or dinner, that criticism is fair. We’ve had good food here, but we have also left feeling disappointed.
The spread
Important Information
- Join the Safari Club for added discounts on food.
- Rainforest Cafe Animal Kingdom can be entered from outside the park, so you don’t need park tickets to dine there. You will, however, need to park at Disney’s Animal Kingdom if you drive yourself, so a parking fee is an expense to consider if you are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or you are not an Annual Passholder.
- Only the Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom serves breakfast. The restaurant in Disney Springs does not.
- Annual Passholders should inquire about a discount at the Animal Kingdom location.
- You may find last-minute availability for the Rainforest Cafe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom via the Mobile Dine Walk-up Waitlist.
- The Rainforest Cafe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom location offers Mobile Dine Check-In.
See all of the dining options in Animal Kingdom HERE!
Famous Dishes: Caribbean Coconut Fried Shrimp, Shrimp Scampi Flatbread, Mojo Bones (spare ribs), Rasta Pasta, Sparkling Volcano — a chocolate brownie tower topped with ice cream, whipped cream, caramel and chocolate sauces.
Shrimp Scampi Flatbread
Disney Food Blog Posts Mentioning Rainforest Cafe
You Might Also Like: Sci-Fi Dine-In, T-Rex, Lava Lounge
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