By Sasha Bryan, Travel Advisor
Disney Springs
It only makes sense to have a large outdoor area in Walt Disney World, dedicated to shopping, dining, activities and entertainment. Disney Springs is where people go to get a taste of Disney, without going into any of the theme parks. Formerly known as Downtown Disney, here is where visitors will find all the authentic Disney merchandise, fun outdoor activities themed around Disney characters and movies, tantalizing dining options to suit everyone in the family and loads of entertainment. Disney Springs is located approximately 10-12 minutes away from Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, but there are many other closer hotels like Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Resort, Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Marriott Orlando World Center Resort, just to name a few. It is recommended that if guests drive to Disney Springs, they should utilize the available garage self-parking lots which are complimentary, then take the crosswalk bridge over to the main area. However, those staying at Disney properties can take advantage of their scheduled Disney buses and water taxis which takes you straight there.
Disney Springs has a great deal of entertainment, shopping and dining to suit the needs of everyone; from small children, right up to the elderly. Upon entering, visitors may tend to have a sense of eagerness as they may wonder where they should go to or see first, but it is advisable to commence with a casual stroll, so they get to see everything. In terms of shopping at Disney Springs, even though it can be considered expensive , collectibles and merchandise, especially at the World of Disney Store, which cannot be found elsewhere. Brands such as Coach, Haviannas, Kate Spade New York, Zara, Lacoste, Levi’s, Pandora, Sephora and MAC Cosmetics all have stores in Disney Springs, which adds to the shopping variety. For those looking for something more exciting, there are plenty of activities and entertainment available, suited for children and adults, like staged shows at various points on site, live concerts, carousels and a big AMC Movies Theatre. There were two activities which caught my eye at Disney Springs. Firstly, there is Aerophile, the world’s largest tethered helium balloon, that ascends above Disney Springs and provides an aerial view of the area. Secondly, there is Vintage Amphicar & Italian Water Taxis Tours, where visitors can take a leisurely tour of Lake Buena Vista in a vintage car, that can be used in water.
Dining at Disney Springs is an overwhelming experience as there is so much to choose from. From large restaurants to small food stalls and cafes, visitors can be sure to find just about every cuisine from across the world, at Disney Springs. One of the very famous American restaurants chains, Rainforest Café, has a location there and its sister restaurant, T-Rex, is also a few feet away. Both restaurants offer a unique dining experience, which sets them apart from the other restaurants at Disney Springs. For those with a sweet tooth, there are many ice-cream parlors, patisseries and bakeries to choose from.
Amorette’s Patisserie is a great option for sweets and treats after dinner. A variety of pastries are inspired and Disney themed, and decorated to perfection in the view of customers. Each pastry is well worth the price and the taste is delicious, especially the Mickie Mouse mousse cake which is a definite must try.
Rainforest Café, Disney Springs
Décor & Atmosphere
Rainforest Café is truly a dining experience like no other. It is one of the most popular dining options at Disney Springs as a result of its popularity at other locations in the United States and around the world, as well as its exciting atmosphere. The whole theme of Rainforest Café is to depict dining in a decorative jungle with live animals. It is also designed to educate and encourage visitors of the preservation and protection of our tropical forests.
The exterior of the restaurant is shaped like a cave, beneath a volcano. The ceilings and walls inside of the restaurant are layered with shrubs, vines, plants and flowers, the pillars resemble tree trunks and mushroom stems, and the walls are built of a claystone-like material, to give that outdoor effect. Peeking through the bushes and plants, Rainforest Café has a number of animatronics throughout the restaurant. Approximately every 15 minutes there is a thunderstorm: the restaurant gets dark and all the animals come alive, moving and making noises at various points. During this time, the atmosphere changes as the loud sounds of rain drops, whistling wind, muffled rumbling of thunder and the flash of lights occur for a short period of time, until it goes back to the normal dining atmosphere. The changes in the restaurant’s climate is an amusing spectacle that makes dining fun and enjoyable for all ages.
Food and Service
In addition to its fun filled atmosphere, the food at Rainforest Café is just as fantastic. Serving both lunch and dinner, this restaurant offers a wide array of delicious, mouthwatering dishes to fulfil any craving. The main menu represents a mixture of American and Mexican styled dishes: tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burgers, steaks, ribs, seafood, soups and salads for example. They also offer a substantial variety of refreshing drinks, like their signature tropical themed cocktails, beers, blended smoothies, milkshakes, sodas, juices and wines. It is recommended that visitors try one of their signature cocktails or smoothies, as they get to keep the Rainforest branded glass as a take away souvenir. For the little ones, the appetizing kid’s menu serves a range of kid’s favorites like hotdogs, French fries, pizza, mini burger bites, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and chicken dishes. After the main meal, guests have the choice of various dessert options celebrating a special occasion, a Rainforest Café sparkling volcano chocolate dessert is served along with cheerful singing from the staff. For those on the Disney Dining Plan, Rainforest Cafe accepts the arrangement at their Disney Springs and Animal Kingdom locations, even though the restaurant is not operated or owned by Walt Disney World.
On average, Rainforest Café at Disney Springs can seat over 1,400 visitors in a day, so the restaurant can get very busy from time to time, however, this does not stop the staff from providing excellent service to all its guests. The cheerful and welcoming personalities of its staff adds to the overall restaurant atmosphere. The waiters and waitresses are constantly upselling, to ensure guests receive the full authentic jungle experience, and are always there to assist. Just like any overly busy restaurant, guests may expect some delays in getting seated or the serving of food but to our surprise on that day, we were seated straight away and the food was served in a timely fashion. It is advisable that to book a reservation in advance to avoid long waits to be seated, since this restaurant can become extremely busy. Lastly, the restaurant has an on-site shopping area where guests can purchase branded Rainforest Café merchandise and souvenirs after their meal. They also have a separate lounge and bar area overlooking the lake, called the Lava Lounge, suited for mature guests to relax and unwind in a casual setting.
