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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

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Original poster

rainforest cafe

13 replies

mummydoc · 07/08/2009 16:12

we are spending next week in london , is the rainforest cafe worht it ? what makes it special ? i am having the first half of hte week in london with dd1 who is gogin to a theatre school course then dh is taking over and i have to come home to work, then me and dd2 going up on sat early morning and we are staying until sunday eve.

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Original poster

mummydoc · 07/08/2009 16:13

should add any suggestions for "my time" and family time appreciated , we are stating by hyde park so very central

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deleting · 07/08/2009 16:18

my ds1 loves it. food isn't brilliant and it's very expensive, but we go as a treat when he's done well at school. he loves animals and it is very atmospheric. always amazes me how many couples go without kids. hard to get through the shop on way in and out without the mithering though.

Original poster

mummydoc · 07/08/2009 16:21

real animals or disnesque amitronics

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deleting · 07/08/2009 16:30

no real animals (except a huge fish tank), it's all models and animatronic monkeys and an elephant which comes alive every now and then. They also have a 'rainstorm' when it thunders and you hear the sound of rain. You have to go downstairs to the cafe as well which is lined with mini waterfalls and plants etc. so it's all very exciting.

PortAndLemon · 07/08/2009 16:49

It's overpriced but quite fun. You can't (IIRC) properly "book" in advance -- you have to turn up and say how many you want a table for, then they give you a time to come back (typically about 40-45 minutes) then you go back and head downstairs where you have to wait a bit more for your actual table. Children we've been with (our own or other people's when we were entertaining them in pre-DC days) have always enjoyed it.

PestoMonster · 07/08/2009 16:51

Expensive & food not great.

crumpet · 07/08/2009 17:09

If you go then when you are saying how many you are etc, I suggest that you make it clear you don't want a booth but want to be in the main area - the booths are v hot and you can't see any of the "action"

kslatts · 08/08/2009 08:50

How old are your dd's? it is quite exciting for kids, but like others have said the food isn't great and it is quite expensive.

We went to London yesterday and had a great time at the aqurium, it's really close to the London eye if you fancy that.

We went to the Medieval Banquet a couple of years ago and that was a really fun evening, again it is quite expensive, but the entertainment is good and it is a whole evening out. It is close to the Tower of London, you can get on a boat at Westminster and get off at the Tower of London. We left just as the disco started as that is more aimed at adults, but the rest of the evening if definately for both adults and children. The ebsite is www.medievalbanquet.com

I have heard that Bill Wyman's restaurant Sticky Fingers is great, we are going to try it soon, they have a kids menu and the prices seem reasonable, probably slightly cheaper than The Rainforest Cafe, the website is www.stickyfingers.co.uk

If you fancy a show, head to Leicester Square the day of the show and you can usually pick up tickets for up to half price, you obviously have to be a bit flexible about what you want to see though.

Enjoy your stay in London, there is so much to see and do I'm sure you will have a great time.

beemail · 08/08/2009 13:55

Very disappointing in our experience. Food really wasn't good and was not cheap, quite claustrophobic not a great place for a summer meal I don't think. Maybe try some of the alternatives suggested?

bruffin · 08/08/2009 14:10

Another warning, I had my handbag stolen inthere a few years back. They were very helpful though. Also DD was quite scared of the gorillas which are right where you queue up to go in.

saggyhairyarse · 08/08/2009 22:19

It was expensive but my DD loved it and we would go again if in London.

Friendlypizzaeater · 08/08/2009 22:25

Went 2 weeks ago, very expensive, food not great and soooooo noisey - thought my 6 yr was going to freak during the thunderstorms.

Didn't stay too long as he was petrified and spent the entire meal waiting for the noise again.

Went to Planet Hollywood next day, not as much atmosphere but food tons better and somneone was paying for their meal with Tesco tokens.

Original poster

mummydoc · 14/08/2009 08:35

thanks , just back from my 1/2 of the week - had a great time, saw loads of exhibitions etc, bloody great blisters on my feet, glad i looked at your comments as dd2 aged 4 really does not do loud noises or crowded places so will give it rainforest cafe a miss, think after dd1's show on saturday we will head over to hyde park and have aplay and a picnic - the kids will enjoy htis and then on sunday we have ! to go to hamleys !!!!!

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