T-Rex & Rainforest Cafes – Paying for Just the Food?

I’ve read and watched lots of people give reviews of Walt Disney World restaurants. Some are good while others are negative. And that’s fine – I don’t expect everyone to like every restaurant, that’s not normal. However there are always two restaurant ‘reviews’ that stick out to me: Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom & Downtown Disney, and T-REX Cafe at Downtown Disney.

Why do these reviews stick out? Simply because in every review, these restaurants get rated somewhat poorly because of two reasons: the price is too expensive, and the food quality isn’t that good. Sure this is totally true (even though T-Rex’s quesadillas are really good) – but I don’t think the food is all you’re paying for at these two dining spots.

I think you’re also paying for the theming experience. Think about it. Would you pay the same amount for a park ticket to Magic Kingdom as it is now even if no rides were themed and all attractions were simply put in a row and inside cement buildings? I wouldn’t.

If these two restaurants had no theming to them, the experience would be dull. No matter how good the food, if there’s no decorations, you’re bored. The food may not be exceptional at these two places, but I think the extraordinary theming work done here completely makes up for it.

Sure other dining places around the World are themed, but these two top everything as far as theming goes. Nothing compares (maybe other than San Angel Inn).

What do you think? I want to know if you think the price at these two places includes theming or not. Also, is the food really that bad? How’s the theming in your opinion? Let me know in the comments!

Photos by Joe Penniston & hyku.

5 Reasons Visiting Alone Really Isn’t So Bad

I’ve never taken a solo trip to Walt Disney World before – but while in the parks, my party has split up a few times to do their own thing. While it may seem like traveling to WDW alone is boring, awkward, and lonely, there are more pros to it than cons. Here’s why experiencing the magic solo really isn’t so bad.

[1] Be an early bird or a night owl. Or both. When you travel with family or friends, there is a great chance that some people are early birds and some are night owls. This means that there’s obviously going to be conflict when deciding what time to get to the parks and what time to leave. When you’re by yourself, you have all power. Do what you want. Get up early and stay up late all on the same day. It’s whatever you feel like.

[2] Let your vacationing style rule. I talked earlier about our different vacation styles – some people (like me) are only interested in getting every ride done, while others tend to take it easy, have a snack, then do a ride or two. When traveling with other people you’ll once again have a conflict. Some want to have a snack, while others want to keep riding rides. If you’re visiting solo, it’s up to you! Take a look in a gift shop if you want – then ride some rides, then eat a snack.

[3] Eat what and when you want to. Eating alone is probably the most boring and awkward thing to do during your solo visit. But don’t focus on that. Instead, keep in mind that you get to choose when and where to eat. You’re in control of your stomach for the entire trip – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat at fancy restaurants, counter-service places or even McDonald’s. It’s all your decision.

[4] Buy as many or as little souvenirs as you want. Usually when you travel with others (no matter how many times you’ve been), someone in your party wants to get something. Well now that you’re all alone, you don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to – or you can buy anything you do want to. It’s really a happy situation! Also, if you don’t even want to look in a gift shop, that’s totally cool too. No one will mind.

[5] You can do something ‘Goofy’. For me, it’s riding the Haunted Mansion many times in a row during the Extra Magic Hours – which means I’m the only one riding – so I take some…confession time…flash pictures simply to see what the attraction looks like with the ‘lights on’. Everyone has their little quirks and silly things they like to do. And when you travel by yourself, you’re completely free to do them.

Obviously, the main point through this entire article is that you have complete freedom to do whatever you want to do (as long as it’s legal, of course). There is no one there to criticize you – it’s absolutely up to you. And it doesn’t matter if anyone thinks it’s stupid, silly, a waste of time, or anything else – because no one will be there to care!

Have you visited WDW alone? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I might do this sometime in the future, so if anyone has thoughts on this, I’d love to listen. Did you like it? Will you do it again? Let me know in the comments.

Photo: Joe Penniston

Cat Cora Opening Restaurant at Walt Disney World

Celebrity chef Cat Cora is opening a new restaurant in the Walt Disney World Resort. This new Mediterranean-style family dining experience will be located at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. The restaurant, to be owned and operated by Disney, is scheduled to open by fall 2009 in the space currently occupied by Spoodles. Cora said that the new restaurant will feature “time-honored recipes passed down from my ancestors, as well as my favorite Greek and Mediterranean dishes that my family loves.”  This new dining spot will be called “Kouzzina by Cat Cora”, kouzinna being the Greek word for “kitchen”.

For more information from the official press release, please click here. Share your thoughts – what do you think of this new restaurant opening soon?

Link Away: Where in WDW?

Welcome to another edition of Link Away, where I link to another cool Disney related site. In this edition, we link away to Where in WDW – an awesome site by Joel (napnet), the creator of WDW History Wiki.

Where in WDW is a site with tons of photos taken at Walt Disney World – however they aren’t normal photos, they are odd photos of things you wouldn’t even notice – and you have to guess where they were taken. You can create an account (which enables you to be added into the top scores and add your own photos), or you can vote as a guest.

The photos are categorized by levels – easy, medium, hard, very hard, and “only Walt knows”. It’s a great site that helps you get over the fact you’re not in WDW. I know Joel worked pretty hard on this site – and it shows! So go on to Where in WDW, and see how good you know Walt Disney World!