Hi there Christina! What a great idea to plan for a fun dining experience on the first night of your Disney vacation!
You are correct that there are two Rainforest Cafe locations in Walt Disney World. One can be found at
Downtown Disney and the other is
inside Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park and would require a park ticket for entrance to the restaurant.
I would recommend the
T-Rex dining experience in Downtown Disney as a
close wild animal alternative or one of the many
Disney character meals offered on property. You can also check back often for any new openings at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney as sometimes people's plans will change and tables can become available even on the same day that you were planning for your meal.
No matter which option you choose, be sure to book your reservation either
online or by calling
407-WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463 up to 180 days in advance.
Thanks
for taking the time to visit us at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel and
feel free to send more questions our way in the days leading up to your
trip! May your Disney vacation be
practically perfect in every way!