AWS RDS Connection Best Practice

I am looking to utilize AWS OpsWorks to deploy a PHP application utilizing a MySQL back-end. I have the PHP layer configured and built with some test PHP app deployed. I'm pondering between a normal MySQL back-end, or utilizing the AWS RDS MySQL back-end.

My question would be regarding the connectivity from the PHP front end servers to the back-end MySQL instance. What is the experience from users already doing this? Any gotchas to worry about? We currently develop locally using the typical db.php file containing the information to connect to the DB. Usually on the same server.

Anyone else doing something similar? Suggestions?