Rainforest Cafe- This chain of restaurants has been associated with the term eatertainment as discussed on page 9. Through their use of creative architecture, signage, lighting, sound, and animatronics the developers of the Rainforest Cafe have created a concept that transports diners into a fanciful world.
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As one approaches the Rainforest Cafe the components of the "theme" are revealed. The elephant and gorilla sculptures surrounding the fanciful sign bespeak a different kind of experience to come. |
| When you get closer to the entrance the real show begins. Passersby view with oversized toadstools and the 'active volcano" that periodically erupts to everyone's pleasure. Again, the fanciful nature of the facade and signage help to prepare diners for the dining and drinking experience yet to come. |  |
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The barstools to the left are fashions as though they rest on the legs of a tiger, a zebra and a water fowl. The lighted facade of the underbar is fronted with a "mini" aquarium filled with rising bubbles. The aquarium theme carries on in the entryway to one of the dining spaces seen in the picture to the right. The aquarium forms an arched entryway that entertains and informs diners as they await their table. |  |
During the dining experience, animated "thunderstorms" rumble through the dining spaces accompanied by the various sounds of a jungle.
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Rock Lobster- In the darkened hallways of the Mandalay Bay Casino, the neon signage above the door or Rock Lobster plays an important role in enticing diners into the restaurant. |
The seating areas shown below and described on pages 194-196 should be viewed as a contrast to the seating areas of China Grill.
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| Booth Seating area on wall by kitchen | View across bar from entryway | View from opposite end of bar facing garden of toilets. |
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The unisex toilets light up when occupied. Note their location between China Grill and Rock Lobster on the floor plan on page 196. |
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More to come......