Florida Guide > Dining
Whispering Canyon Restaurant – Wilderness Lodge
If you are looking for somewhere very different to eat – even whacky try The Whispering Canyon Restaurant at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. I don’t think I have ever eaten in a restaurant like it! It is not for those who want a quiet, intimate venue. Fun and loud it is! Quiet and calm it ain’t! !
Like all Disney restaurants it is advisable to book in advance. The restaurant is on the first floor (ground floor to Europeans! ) and situated just off the main foyer themed around the west in the pioneering days. Our waitress was very entertaining from the beginning. We ordered refillable milkshakes whilst the men had beers – and here our waitress had a unique way of serving them – get the bottles into two glasses upside down and gradually release the beer by lifting the bottle up – which one will fill first and win! We chose the ‘All you can eat’ BBQ – ribs, chicken, pulled pork, shrimps, mash, corn on the cob, coleslaw, corn bread …… and as many refills as you can manage. This is placed on a lazy susan, on the centre of the table, making it easy for all to share.
As the meal is brought out to be served the waiters and waitresses the serving tray stands are ‘clip, clopped’ to your table to replicate the sound of horses coming to you…. I did mention this isn’t a quiet restaurant. As you’re asked if everything’s okay a younger member of our group asked for tomato ketchup – embarrassing request! In a very loud voice our waitress yells ‘KETCHUP’ – this is stretched to last 30 seconds. Suddenly 30 or more bottles of tomato ketchup arrive! ! ! They are yours until someone else asks for ketchup – and then it’s your job to take them all (yes all 30) to that table. If you’re lucky you might get some children from other tables to help in this task!
A member of our party asked for some refills – and promptly had a hat made for him – red Indian style made from serviettes and drinking straws. Later on two girls on our table asked for a refill and had hats made in the Indian squaw style and another like a bonnet – this was cleverly made using a coffee filter and serviette.
One boy had his eighth birthday so all the men were asked to go over to his table and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him… another girl was celebrating her 19th birthday and everyone was asked to sing. Later a ‘mature’ lady celebrating her birthday was given a hobby horse (the toy with a head on a pole with wheels) and asked to go around the outside of the restaurant and sing happy birthday to herself – not the place for the shy. However at the end she got a huge clap and laughed so much!
Every so often the waiting staff would call for horse ride and hand out around 40 hobby horses for children to canter around the restaurant. At the end of their ‘ride’ they got a certificate to say they had joined in.
Towards the end of our meal I asked for a soda drink refill – and was promptly delivered two pints in a huge glass.
This is a FUN restaurant – it will never be quiet or serene but very entertaining with you joining in. The food is enjoyable – not a la carte but fine for the family. Your waitress or waiter contributes greatly to your entertainment and we would certainly go again.
If you want to go to this restaurant don’t tell your group what they’ll experience – let them be surprised and enjoy this unique dining experience. Half your fun will be watching their faces! Kids will have a great time!
Tables can be booked by calling 407-WDW-DINE and reservations can be made up to 180 days prior to dining. Speciality celebration cakes can be ordered in advance for special occasions for an additional charge and the restaurant can cater for special dientary needs – just let them know when booking.
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