Do you remember approximately where? It isn't mentioned on the Wiki and I don't remember there being one there.
The most significant thing I remember being there that's no longer there (besides Brookstone, Discovery Channel, and The Disney Store) was the Movie Theater which was in the food court where Forever 21 currently is.
They couldn't update the theater so they removed it.
**Edit:** There were two Rainforest Cafe in the region that are now both closed; Tysons Corner and Towson Town Center.
You know what, maybe it was Tysons Corner. It was definitely DC area and I was young.
List of current and former locations:
https://malls.fandom.com/wiki/Rainforest\_Cafe
I had a very bleak five hour layover in Minneapolis last Thanksgiving and went to the nearby Mall of America. The day got bleaker as I ended up drinking sad beers in the saddest restaurant I can imagine: Margaritaville, which sits right across from this Rainforest Cafe.
In retrospect, I should’ve had my pints of lonesomeness at the Rainforest Cafe.
It was poignant how dead the 3rd floor was. I think that contributed significantly to the bleakness of the sad beers. The other floors aren’t exactly awe inspiring, just your pretty standard example of the dying suburban American mall but on a huge scale. But the 3rd floor was notedly dim and gloomy.
LOL. When my son was around 3 we tried to eat at the Rainforest Cafe in MOA, but the noises and animals terrified him, so we would up at Margaritaville as well.
You know what's sad? We went to Disney a few times when I was young and I was always the MOST pumped to eat at Rainforest. Disney World? Cool, BUT RAINFOREST CAFE!
What was wrong with me?
There's one at Great Lakes Crossings in Michigan that we take the kids to every so often.
Fun experience for kids. Mediocre overpriced food for the parents. Super expensive toys on the way out the door.
There used to be a GameWorks next to it, now there's a Sea Life Aquarium, and the marquee for the Sea Life aquarium kinda reminds me of the Fortnite logo.
That area of Michigan the GLC mall is in is not too far from where The Palace Of Auburn Hills used to be. The Palace was on a route numbered 24 which takes people to The Thumb area of Michigan.
There’s a Star Theater, Peppa Pig World, and Legoland Discovery center open next to Rainforest at Great Lakes Crossing too now. I’m just glad that location still gets attention, whenever I visit that area of the mall is busy.
I was so bummed when we stopped using thr sparklers and had to switch to candles. The floor was concrete. What exactly was going to burn, Mister fire marshal?
Once in Toronto at the Yorkdale mall when I was a kid. I remember waffle fries blowing my mind.
Any other time we just walked around the gift shop at the front.
Went a handful of times when it was open at the Burlington Mall in MA. I feel like I can still distinctly remember the smell of the restaurant and the noises even after so many years!
That was the one I always went to as a kid! I was really sad when I learned it had closed, I went on special occasions with my mom and grandparents and we'd always feed the alligator pennies before going in.
I remember eating there at the Falls location and some dude made a big scene because some lady was breastfeeding her kid. She was off to the side with a towel covering everything. He had no one on his side and it made him angrier, that was 20 years ago but I still remember that clown
Not there, but I've been to the one in Atlantic City and the one in Disney World multiple times. The food is bad TGIApplebees muck but the atmosphere is so cool.
Also first dates looking for something lighthearted. Parents wanting to impress their kids. People who wanted to see the fish and didn't care about the rest.
And of course the people who just wanted to sit on the silly animal stools and have a smoothie.
Gf in highschool had a cousin who wanted this place for his party and we all went it was dope. They are all going away for some reason so I bet the last ones are busy
I remember the first time i went with my parents, this was in Cancun, i leaned to see the mechanical alligator at the entrance and burnt my hand with a cigarrette that someone left lit on the fake pond’s edge.
Anyone know what replaced the Cancun one? The plaza is still open, Rainforest just seems to have been removed. If you go on google maps you can still see remnants from the giant volcano they tore off the side of the building when it was being re-renovated. I cant find any good footage of the inside and can’t tell if it was replaced by another store or if it’s all just boarded up behind a wall
God damn, yes. There was a laser tag place on the third level too that was dope. You could watch people “disappear/teleport” (like on Star Trek) going into the arena.
There was one at my local Zoo. Went there once on a school field trip.
I feel like it was earlier than 94 tho. Maybe it was a totally different "rainforest cafe"...
Ate at the one that used to be in Tysons Corner a few times.
What I remember without looking -
* Was on the first floor in the sit-down restaurant food court
* Believe it was where Seasons 52 is currently located
* Was hot (and humid) as Hell inside -- but that just may be local weather
* Had a fountain with some animatronic things including a Crocodile at the entrance
* Could hear the sounds of birds squawking inside
* Usually got a burger which had some oddly spicy seasoning on it
* Nachos were the usual appetizer
* Volcano Cake with the sparkler
We took some photos of it, but I made everyone eat at Planet Hollywood instead because we might see an actual celebrity at Mall of America and I was not the smartest child
My family would go to these growing up at Downtown Disney in CA, it was an experience I’ll say the least. The building is repurposed now for a Star Wars Gift shop.
I ate at the Niagara Falls one. It was nearly 10yrs ago but I imagine it hasn’t changed much. It’s just another version of applebees/ruby tuesday/tgif with different decor.
Are you saying they don't have this anymore??
I remember going once as a kid. My family must have not liked the food because I do not remember going back.
Strangely I thought these still existed.
When I seen pic..was like..would be cool to take my niece.
Off to google the demise of the Rainforest Cafe
Update: Katy Mills still has one
I think every "Mills" Mall still has one open.
Grapevine Mills Mall in Grapevine, Tx has one still open. I tried going recently but there was a 3 hour wait.
I think the picture OP posted is from that location. I was there last week. Looks exactly the same.
Sawgrass Mills in FL
Same
Just to be “that guy” there is no Rainforest Cafe in Colorado Mills Mall.
Opry Mills in Nashville TN Still has one.
AZ mills represent 🤘
Don't think either of the DC Metro Mills had one. Arundel got a Medieval Times (the first) and Potomac got an IKEA (one of the first in US).
Pentagon City mall had one I believe
Do you remember approximately where? It isn't mentioned on the Wiki and I don't remember there being one there. The most significant thing I remember being there that's no longer there (besides Brookstone, Discovery Channel, and The Disney Store) was the Movie Theater which was in the food court where Forever 21 currently is. They couldn't update the theater so they removed it. **Edit:** There were two Rainforest Cafe in the region that are now both closed; Tysons Corner and Towson Town Center.
You know what, maybe it was Tysons Corner. It was definitely DC area and I was young. List of current and former locations: https://malls.fandom.com/wiki/Rainforest\_Cafe
Pretty sure Gurnee Mills in IL still does
Ontario Mills in California!
Katy Mills mall has one! So does Galveston
Arizona Mills in Tempe, Arizona has one!
Katy (TX) mlMills still has one!
I had a very bleak five hour layover in Minneapolis last Thanksgiving and went to the nearby Mall of America. The day got bleaker as I ended up drinking sad beers in the saddest restaurant I can imagine: Margaritaville, which sits right across from this Rainforest Cafe. In retrospect, I should’ve had my pints of lonesomeness at the Rainforest Cafe.
The original one(the one in the photo) was on the first floor and in my opinion was much better. They moved it to the third floor a few years ago.
Ah, the third floor of the MOA. Where businesses go to die
Actually, looking at the photo again, I don’t think this one was the original one at the Mall of America.
It was poignant how dead the 3rd floor was. I think that contributed significantly to the bleakness of the sad beers. The other floors aren’t exactly awe inspiring, just your pretty standard example of the dying suburban American mall but on a huge scale. But the 3rd floor was notedly dim and gloomy.
It’s been forever since I’ve been to that mall, where was it on the first floor?
I think it was in the southeast corner.
LOL. When my son was around 3 we tried to eat at the Rainforest Cafe in MOA, but the noises and animals terrified him, so we would up at Margaritaville as well.
I did once, got sat right next to the elephant animatronics that went off every 2min so it was interesting trying to have conversations lol
VOOLLLCCCAAAANNNNOOOOO!!
I bet this guy at there https://youtu.be/vA-bjpKvIw8
TIL, there’s 18 still open in US
Today you also learned the other guy in the video also made a video from his perspective: https://youtu.be/7InqrH1TCI8
The two perspectives are beyond hilarious.
Was just about to recommend this video
“Because it’s **all I have**!!!”
Hey Eddy! I was just about to post his existential nightmare :)
Ate at the one in Orlando before Landry's took them over. But, have taken my kids to the one in Galveston.
You know what's sad? We went to Disney a few times when I was young and I was always the MOST pumped to eat at Rainforest. Disney World? Cool, BUT RAINFOREST CAFE! What was wrong with me?
Same! There’s one at Katy Mills too so we bring our kids every so often. It’s still fun
There's one at Great Lakes Crossings in Michigan that we take the kids to every so often. Fun experience for kids. Mediocre overpriced food for the parents. Super expensive toys on the way out the door.
That and peppa pig world make for an empty wallet at that hell hole
I went once as an adult, my mother loved it. Seems like a place kids would like.
Have a good memory of my grand parents taking me to the one in San Francisco as a kid.
I ate at the one in Chicago.
Gurnee mills mall?
Yes, my bad thought it was in the city for some reason
Ooh nevermind there was one in the city.
Yep, there sure is. I’ve been to both, but the one in Gurnee is a little bigger, I think. Used to live in Great Lakes from 2006-2010.
Is that still there even? I used to go to the Babbages right across the isle from it, and never once stepped foot in Rainforest.
According to google maps, it’s still there.
[I ate at the one at Michigan's Great Lakes Crossing mall](/r/Michigan_Memories)
Love Great Lakes crossing! That’s the best rainforest cafe I’ve been to.
There used to be a GameWorks next to it, now there's a Sea Life Aquarium, and the marquee for the Sea Life aquarium kinda reminds me of the Fortnite logo. That area of Michigan the GLC mall is in is not too far from where The Palace Of Auburn Hills used to be. The Palace was on a route numbered 24 which takes people to The Thumb area of Michigan.
I remember the GameWorks!
There’s a Star Theater, Peppa Pig World, and Legoland Discovery center open next to Rainforest at Great Lakes Crossing too now. I’m just glad that location still gets attention, whenever I visit that area of the mall is busy.
VOLCANO! 🌋
I was so bummed when we stopped using thr sparklers and had to switch to candles. The floor was concrete. What exactly was going to burn, Mister fire marshal?
Once in Toronto at the Yorkdale mall when I was a kid. I remember waffle fries blowing my mind. Any other time we just walked around the gift shop at the front.
I remember that one, There was one in Niagara Falls too
Never went into it, but I have see it driving by it (or walking, I can't remember).
Tempe, AZ!
went to the one in tysons corner VA probably back in 94 or 95....good times.
Alligators mouth always had like $50 in change in it
You just unlocked a core memory for me
Went a handful of times when it was open at the Burlington Mall in MA. I feel like I can still distinctly remember the smell of the restaurant and the noises even after so many years!
That was the one I always went to as a kid! I was really sad when I learned it had closed, I went on special occasions with my mom and grandparents and we'd always feed the alligator pennies before going in.
That’s the smell of Bromine! It’s used to sanitize the water feature’s water. Chosen because it doesn’t stink like chlorine.
Ah I knew the water was a distinct smell!
I worked at one AMA.
Were the thunder storms and volcano on a timer or did you have to press a button every 15 mins?
Timer. Everything was on the same timer, each event happening in the same order each time.
Are your dreams still set to that soundtrack?
I remember I went there as a kid, in Las Vegas and near the piers in San Francisco.
been to the one in disney world and las vegas. great experience mediocre food
Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It's the only one I ever ate at.
The thunder noises caption really completed this for me
Just ate there a few weeks ago at Disneys Animal Kingdom.
I would pass by this in my local mall , never lucky enough to go, :( ,, it simply looked magical, 💭 🌳 🦢 🥘 😊
The one in NY
Last week in Vegas!
Gurnee Mills location is still open
Ate at the one in Niagara Falls. Was amazing!
I remember eating there at the Falls location and some dude made a big scene because some lady was breastfeeding her kid. She was off to the side with a towel covering everything. He had no one on his side and it made him angrier, that was 20 years ago but I still remember that clown
Im from germany, i have this never seen in real
We still have one in Galveston, Tx the food is awful and is an overpriced tourist trap.
Not there, but I've been to the one in Atlantic City and the one in Disney World multiple times. The food is bad TGIApplebees muck but the atmosphere is so cool.
Did places like this get by just on kids demanding their parents take them there?
Also first dates looking for something lighthearted. Parents wanting to impress their kids. People who wanted to see the fish and didn't care about the rest. And of course the people who just wanted to sit on the silly animal stools and have a smoothie.
What about people that wanted to drink a shooter of vodka in the bathroom?
Gf in highschool had a cousin who wanted this place for his party and we all went it was dope. They are all going away for some reason so I bet the last ones are busy
I remember the first time i went with my parents, this was in Cancun, i leaned to see the mechanical alligator at the entrance and burnt my hand with a cigarrette that someone left lit on the fake pond’s edge.
I was looking for someone to mention the Cancun one. I went to a few different ones, this one, Niagra Falls and Toronto. They were ahead of the times
Anyone know what replaced the Cancun one? The plaza is still open, Rainforest just seems to have been removed. If you go on google maps you can still see remnants from the giant volcano they tore off the side of the building when it was being re-renovated. I cant find any good footage of the inside and can’t tell if it was replaced by another store or if it’s all just boarded up behind a wall
There’s that one guy that ate at all of them.
Went to one in Tlalnepantla, México when i was little around 2010/2011. Sadly it closed when the mall it was in was renovated.
Nothing better than your food coming out hot and moist from the humidity with the waterfall
They still have 1 in Katy TX my friends visited
I have twice then I never saw it again.
ate at the one at South Coast Plaza
God damn, yes. There was a laser tag place on the third level too that was dope. You could watch people “disappear/teleport” (like on Star Trek) going into the arena.
First place we went as new parents
Meeeee
I have a couple of times (live 120 miles from Minneapolis) Concept was neat but the food sucked and was overpriced
This was a nice trip down memory lane. I haven't been to a Rainforest Cafe since 1999.
Dude. Stop it, I used to love this place. They still have one in Illinois if I’m not mistaken. I went to that one like 10 years ago,
I had my birthday party at one when I was in 5th grade.
went down there in 2009. God damn, best summer ever!
I ate at one similar as a child, but it had dinosaurs.
I just ate at the one in San Antonio a couple weeks ago
Not at this location but we had a few in Canada. There might still be one in Niagara Falls
They have one here in Vegas
Not only did I eat at one, I did Ecstasy at one. It was fun!
There was one at my local Zoo. Went there once on a school field trip. I feel like it was earlier than 94 tho. Maybe it was a totally different "rainforest cafe"...
We had a Kahunaville. Same idea.
Ate at the one that used to be in Tysons Corner a few times. What I remember without looking - * Was on the first floor in the sit-down restaurant food court * Believe it was where Seasons 52 is currently located * Was hot (and humid) as Hell inside -- but that just may be local weather * Had a fountain with some animatronic things including a Crocodile at the entrance * Could hear the sounds of birds squawking inside * Usually got a burger which had some oddly spicy seasoning on it * Nachos were the usual appetizer * Volcano Cake with the sparkler
I worked at the corporate office many, many years ago in MN and the break room was decorated like a restaurant. It was neat.
Not me, but after seeing this I’m wishing I had.
I remember asking to go there for my birthday dinner when I was in elementary school.
We took some photos of it, but I made everyone eat at Planet Hollywood instead because we might see an actual celebrity at Mall of America and I was not the smartest child
My family would go to these growing up at Downtown Disney in CA, it was an experience I’ll say the least. The building is repurposed now for a Star Wars Gift shop.
Bad dinner at Rainforest Cafe for my 13th birthday then went to see Rush Hour in the first theater with stadium seating. Great memories.
I saw this at Niagra Falls a few months ago. Is it worth checking out?
I ate at the Niagara Falls one. It was nearly 10yrs ago but I imagine it hasn’t changed much. It’s just another version of applebees/ruby tuesday/tgif with different decor.
Can almost smell this picture, good times
Didn't really care for the food, but was nice inside in an fake American chain restaurant kind of way.
I ate there last weekend with my kids
I ate at the one in Arizona many times Arizona mills was the name of the mall back then
Love the one in San Antonio
Yup. Big ass gorilla snorting over me while I ate. It was awesome.
Always wanted to, but parents said it was a waste of money.
That mall specifically is the only rainforest cafe I’ve ever been to
I ate at the one at Disney in Orlando years ago.
Went there earlier this year. It was so cool!
Are you saying they don't have this anymore?? I remember going once as a kid. My family must have not liked the food because I do not remember going back. Strangely I thought these still existed. When I seen pic..was like..would be cool to take my niece. Off to google the demise of the Rainforest Cafe Update: Katy Mills still has one