This morning we had a fabulous time at the Rainforest Cafe in Yorkdale Mall for their annual Christmas breakfast buffet.  The event runs from 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM.  The buffet itself is rather primitive (compared to those buffets I’m used to in Hong Kong), serving scrambled eggs, french toast, bacon, sausages, cereal, muffins and drinks.  The cost is $9.99 CAD per adult and free for children under 3.  However, it’s everything else put together that made it so special.

Rainforest cafe itself has amazing decor.  The entire place is decked like a rainforest with its own spurting fountain and a corner for the elephants and gorillas.  There are butterflies and parrots and great salt water fish tanks with an assortment of corals and colourful fish.  During each half hour, there is a great thunderstorm where the lights go on and off and there is loud thunder (which most kids are scared of).  The elephants and gorillas will do their calls of the wild every 10 minutes, so there is on-going entertainment for the kids.

In addition, Chai Chai the Frog made his usual rounds.  Victoria was enamored with him and Vanessa was relatively happy to see a walking frog.  Of course, parents couldn’t resist this moment to take pictures.  See how “green” the frog is?  The guy in the costume must be boiling.  LOL.

Santa also popped in!  Well, he was caught first swimming around in the fish tank (!?) and then came in to say hello after he dried off. All the kids got a chance to take a picture with him and he was handing out goodies to everyone.  Every kid was given a balloon of their choice.  They also held a raffle draw where they were giving out a variety of stuffed animals and lucky us, both girls got their picks of little furries!  WOOHOO! 

So in all, I think we got our money’s worth both in entertainment and stuffed animals.  Although I didn’t eat much (way too fried or salty for my tastes), the kids had a splendid time.  I would recommend this early treat if you want some good entertainment and quality time with the family.  I know my parents had a great time that they barely ate as well.  Mainly because they were taking the kids around to check out the animals, the store or lining up to see Santa.  Vanessa kept telling me how happy she was when in the car and Victoria wouldn’t stop playing with her balloon.  What a great way to start the Christmas holidays!