Table service
Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom
The short answer
The jungle-themed chain restaurant at the Animal Kingdom main entrance — outside the gate, so no park ticket is needed, per Disney's planDisney panel. The only Rainforest Cafe here serving breakfast, from 8:30 AM. Twenty-three dinner mains average $31.51 on Disney's own menu in September 2026. Takes the Disney dining plan.
- Where
- At the main entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom, outside the gate. Disney's planDisney panel says no park ticket is needed to eat here. Driving costs the Animal Kingdom parking fee.
- Cuisine
- American, in a rainforest
- Reservation
- Book a few days ahead
- Booking opens
- 60 days ahead, 6:00am Eastern — and if you are staying at a Disney resort, day 60 books your whole stay, up to ten days. Off site, it is 60 days for each date separately, so the same table is gone before your window opens. Work out your date.
- Typical meal
- about $51 a head before tax · average entrée $29.25, dessert $16.49, drink $4.99 on Disney’s menu, read Sep 21, 2026
- Dress code
- Casual
- Noise
- loud
- Non-resort guests
- Yes — it is outside the park gate, so no park ticket is needed
- Dining plan
- Table-service plan, 2026 and 2027 · Disney’s own listing, Sep 22, 2026 · what a credit buys here
$18.75cheapest$29.47median$47.50dearest
Mean main course from Disney’s own menu. Drinks, sides and tip are on top. Read Sep 21, 2026.
Is it worth the money?
For families with young children, yes — for the room, not the food.
The room is the reason to go. Disney describes animatronic animals, thunderclaps and sudden rainstorms, waterfalls, aquariums and a starry night sky, with a shop on the way out.
Reviewers are blunt about the food. Disney Food Blog, reviewing the Animal Kingdom location in December 2023, headlined it "Go to This Disney World Restaurant for the Vibes, Not the Food". It found the Creole mac and cheese all spice and no creaminess, and the pulled pork plain. It recommended Tusker House, Tiffins or Yak & Yeti for better food nearby. It paid $22.99 for the Creole mac and cheese; Disney's menu lists it at $31.99 now.
You don't need a park ticket. Disney's planDisney panel answered in April 2022 that the restaurant is outside the Animal Kingdom entrance, so no park ticket or park reservation is needed. Disney Food Blog noted it also has a private entrance from inside the park. Rainforest Cafe's own site says it stays open until 30 minutes after the park closes.
Same dinner as Disney Springs. The dinner menu matched the Disney Springs Rainforest Cafe line for line on 12 September 2026.
On the dining plan: Disney's own listing tags this Rainforest Cafe for both the 2026 and 2027 table-service plans, and Disney Food Blog's 2027 list agrees.
Who it’s right for
Families with young children who will love the animals and storms. Picky eaters — the menu is familiar American food. Dining plan users, in 2026 and 2027.
Who it’s wrong for
Adults without children. Anyone choosing on food quality. Small children frightened by thunder and loud animatronics.
What is actually good
Read from Disney's own dinner menu for this Rainforest Cafe on 12 September 2026. It serves breakfast from 8:30 to 10:25 AM, lunch from 10:30 AM, and dinner from 5:00 to 7:30 PM.
Twenty-three mains, $21.99 to $51.29, averaging $31.51.
- Beef, pork and chicken (nine), averaging $36.68: crispy bruschetta chicken at $27.99, Bimini chicken $28.79, pot roast $30.99, the Mojo Bones half rack of ribs $31.79, and a bourbon meatloaf $32.99. A steak and shrimp plate is $38.99, a ribs, steak and shrimp trio $40.99, a primal steak $46.29, and a Treetop filet $51.29. - Seafood (seven), averaging $29.85: blackened fish tacos at $23.79 up to a $35.99 Taste of the Islands. - Pastas and bowls (seven), averaging $26.52: an ancient grain bowl at $21.99, Anaconda pasta $22.99, and Creole mac and cheese at $31.99.
Five of the 23 mains cost more than $34.99.
Seven burgers and sandwiches, $20.49 to $24.79, averaging $22.58, served with kettle chips. Appetizers run $14.49 to $23.79, with an appetizer adventure sampler at $27.79; salads $10.49 to $29.79.
Desserts: cheesecake and key lime pie at $13.99, and the Sparkling Volcano brownie for four at $21.49. Kids' entrées start at $11.99.
Breakfast is the difference. Ten breakfast classics average $18.64, from $15.49 pancakes and waffles to $27.99 steak and eggs. Tonga Toast and an omelette are $17.99.
Disney bands it $$, "$15 to $34.99 per adult". The mains average of $31.51 sits inside it.
Portions
Large, American-chain portions — the Sparkling Volcano is sized for four, and the samplers for a table.
Allergies and dietary needs
An ancient grain bowl, pastas and salads. Disney's listing prints no allergy-friendly versions, so ask the restaurant directly.
Common questions
- How much is Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom?
- Twenty-three mains ran $21.99 to $51.29 on Disney's own menu in September 2026, averaging $31.51. Burgers and sandwiches average $22.58.
- Does Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom take the Disney Dining Plan?
- Yes, as a table-service credit. Disney's own listing tags it for both the 2026 and 2027 plans.
- Do you need a park ticket for Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom?
- No. Disney's planDisney panel says it is outside the park entrance and needs no park ticket or park reservation. You still pay to park if you drive.
- Does Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom serve breakfast?
- Yes, 8:30 to 10:25 AM per Disney. Ten breakfast classics average $18.64. The Disney Springs location does not serve breakfast.
Sources
- Walt Disney World official — Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom dinner menu, read in a browser on 12 September 2026. Nine beef, pork and chicken plates $27.99–$51.29; seven seafood $23.79–$35.99; seven pastas and bowls $21.99–$31.99; seven burgers and sandwiches $20.49–$24.79; desserts $13.99–$21.49; kids' from $11.99. Identical, all 108 priced lines, to the other Rainforest Cafe's dinner menu on the same day. — Disney official · checked
- Walt Disney World official — Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom restaurant page: animatronic animals, thunderstorms, waterfalls and aquariums; banded "$$ ($15 to $34.99 per adult)"; "View Dining Plans and Discounts". — Disney official · checked
- Walt Disney World official — dining finder listing, read 12 September 2026: both Rainforest Cafes tagged reservations-accepted and walk-up waitlist, and for the 2026 and 2027 table-service plans. — Disney official · checked
- Disney Food Blog, 22 December 2023 — review of the Animal Kingdom Rainforest Cafe: "for the vibes, not the food"; Creole mac and cheese $22.99, pulled pork burger $21.99; the flatbread the best dish; recommends Tusker House, Tiffins and Yak & Yeti instead. — reported by · checked
- Disney Food Blog — 2027 Disney Dining Plan restaurants, updated 10 September 2026: both Rainforest Cafes confirmed at one table-service credit. — reported by · checked
- planDisney — Disney's own panelist programme, answered 15 April 2022: the restaurant is outside the entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom, so no park ticket or theme park reservation is needed. — reported by · checked
- Walt Disney World official — Rainforest Cafe Animal Kingdom breakfast menu, read 12 September 2026: ten classics $15.49–$27.99. — Disney official · checked
- Rainforest Cafe — Animal Kingdom location page, read 12 September 2026: "Open until 30 minutes after park closing"; hours vary with park operations. — official source · checked