Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a peaceful retreat from the crowds and excitement that are found at the Walt Disney World Parks. The beautiful atmosphere of this resort surrounded by trees and Bay Lake transports you to a quiet space to relax and enjoy nature activities like campfire singalongs.
Wilderness Lodge also boasts of many desirable dining options, serving as the home to the popular Storybook Dining at Artist’s Point character meal. While you may find various opportunities for delicious homestyle meals at this resort, your experience at Whispering Canyon Café may sharply contrast the serene setting both indoors and out in the best comedic ways.
Whispering Canyon Café serves American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but be prepared. While you will undoubtedly receive delicious food in the notable all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets, dining at this table service restaurant also comes with a lot of sarcasm, fun, and games from Cast Members who are highly trained to give (and take) attitude! Don’t worry, it’s all in good fun, and you will be served what you ask for, just with an unsolicited side of sass.
We recently had the opportunity to dine at Whispering Canyon Café for dinner and were not disappointed in the food, service, and shenanigans that took place during our meal. Located on the left adjacent to the main entrance to Wilderness Lodge Resort, parties with a reservation can check in at the hostess stand or those without can inquire about table availability. Since it was the beginning of dinner hours, we were immediately greeted by the Cast Member who led us to our table situated in the back of the restaurant. Whispering Canyon Café is open to the gorgeous lobby of Wilderness Lodge Resort and provided a wonderful opportunity for people watching and relaxation in between the playful jokes and banter going on at our table and the surrounding area.
With an Old West aesthetic, Whispering Canyon Café boasts of warm wooden tones and cowboy décor. The chair cushions are covered in a bright teal material and the tables and chairs are adorned with painted scenes of cowboys and horses. Besides the atypical attitude, Whispering Canyon Café is also known for their unlimited milkshakes as a beverage option. While I knew this creamy drink would fill me up, I felt obligated to order so to experience to the fullest the unique restaurant offerings. I chose strawberry, but guests may also select vanilla or chocolate. It comes served with whipped cream and a cherry, but you can request it without.
The meal started with freshly baked cornbread, whipped butter, and house made coleslaw as part of our all-you-care to enjoy skillet entrée. The cornbread and coleslaw were so delicious that unlimited quantities of these starters alone could easily fill us up! The cornbread was moist and flavorful and the coleslaw was lightly dressed and crunchy.
Next, the all-you-care-to-enjoy Land and Sea skillet arrived. Filled to the brim with house-smoked salmon, citrus-herb chicken, spicy vegan sausage, charred portobello mushrooms, barbecued cauliflower, roasted potatoes, sautéed green beans, and oven-roasted carrots, we had more than our fair share of helpings. The skillet was shared by two adults, and was prepared proportionately, but we didn’t request many refills beyond the extra-moist chicken and portebello mushrooms, our favorite items from this entrée.
The kids’ meals also arrived with sufficient portions. While the cheeseburger is listed on the kids’ menu, it was a full-sized burger accompanied by two sides. The chicken strips combined with 2 sides also arrived as a generous potion for small bellies. Available sides for kids entrees include a fruit cup, apple slices, honey wheat toast, green beans, corn on the cob, and a chocolate chip cookie. French fries are also available as a side despite not being listed on the menu.
With two sensitive children, we were a little concerned whether the teasing Cast Members would bother them, but after they were asked to yell at the top of their lungs “I need ketchup!” to accompany their French fries they were brought to huge smiles as countless bottles of ketchup were delivered from another table. And when another announcement of “I need ketchup” was heard, our Cast Member quickly arrived instructing the girls to bring all of the bottles to a different table across the restaurant. Without spoiling any more of the fun, I will advise to limit the use of your cell phone during the meal and beware of other Cast Members conspiring against your table!
For the delicious meal, endless fun, and spectacular scenery of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, we would most definitely return for dinner at Whispering Canyon Café. There is so much on the menu from which to choose, that it is sure to please everyone in your party. Have you ever dined at Whispering Canyon Café for dinner? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
Written by
Shelley Wehler
Contributing Writer
Shelley is a stay-at-home mother of two girls living outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her love of all things Disney has grown even more as she sees the magic come alive through the lens of her young daughters. She spends her free time keeping up with the latest in Disney news and daydreaming of her next trip to the parks!
