How Fully Booked is "Fully Booked" at Whispering Canyon

[GusGush]

I've got one gaping hole in my reservation plans for our upcoming trip. On the second night, our park touring and dining usage shakes down to REALLY needing to eat dinner at our resort (Wilderness Lodge). Disney Dining Reservation says there are no openings at Whispering Canyons for a party of our size (six) anywhere remotely near the dinner hour.

Any chance they hold back seats for resort-guest walk-ups in their own hotel?

If I show up at Whispering Canyon on that evening and ask for a table, is it going to be just as impossible to get one as when I call Disney Dining now, and they tell me they've got nothing?

Thanks!

 

[jamstew]

I've had mixed results getting into WCC without an ADR. The one time I got in for dinner, it was around 9pm. When I was there last month, they weren't taking walkups at all (it was probably 7:30, and they were running about 30 minutes behind), but that was during free dining. I'd check again when you get there and a couple of times the day you want to eat. You never know.

 

[Aimeedyan]

No restaurant holds tables just for resort guests, sadly. Getting in as a walk in is really anyones guess.

Since you're staying at the resort, take the time to check in at the hostess stand shortly after checking into the hotel and ask if there are any spots for the next night. Tell them you're staying at the hotel but Disney Dining said they were booked. They may be able to squeeze you in for the next night or give you info on whether a walk in is even possible so you're not wasting your time.

 

[daisyduck123]

When we were there this past summer, while I was waiting to check-in for dinner (about 6pm) the husband & wife (party of two) in front of me tried to get seated w/o an ADR & they were turned away. Maybe you will have better luck.

 

[aubriee]

We have only eaten dinner there three times, but all three times they were turning away walkups.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

They only chance of getting in a resturant would be to be the first in line when they open the resturant. And that would be your best chance and that's not even a guarantee . Good Luck.

 

[webray]

They only chance of getting in a resturant would be to be the first in line when they open the resturant. And that would be your best chance and that's not even a guarantee . Good Luck.

I agree, be first in line when they open (someone usually out approx 15-30 minutes before opening time). See what they say. Good Luck.

We have had this problem at different restaurants in resorts we were staying at or wanted to eat at. Some said, no problem, come right in, others made us wait a short time, others said no way no how.

Why not have dinner at Artist Point...you will love it!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I agree, be first in line when they open (someone usually out approx 15-30 minutes before opening time). See what they say. Good Luck.

We have had this problem at different restaurants in resorts we were staying at or wanted to eat at. Some said, no problem, come right in, others made us wait a short time, others said no way no how.

Why not have dinner at Artist Point...you will love it!

I have done this. ex if Chef Mic's opens at 5 and the boys really wanted to go I was in line by 4:15. Which I happen to be the first and only one in line. lol DH took the boys to the game room. But that's how I got in.

 

[crisi]

We've been turned away when we've tried - we were staying at the resort, and this was years ago, before the dining plan made ADRs hard, and in early Feburary when the parks weren't even too busy, and were there before opening. May you have better luck.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

No restaurant holds tables just for resort guests, sadly.

1) Basically true.
2) However, WCC only books 80% of the table capacity.
3) This allows for walk-ups from anywhere.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

If you can afford it, Artist Point really has much better food. Of course, you aren't getting the crazy antics, but it is a peaceful, calm meal. My own kids have been there, and we saw other kids.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

If they are booked up they will turn you away. We showed up late for our ADR last month, we were able to wait (for almost an hour and a half!!!) but I saw them turn away folks without an ADR. What month are you going? See if there is a ADR trade thread for that month, I was able to score some ADRs from some kind fellow DISers that way. And it dosent hurt to call call call everyday untill your trip.

 

[Tumbleweed]

I would call about 5 days out and again the day or two
before you'd like to eat there. Remember, people who
cancel their trips must do so before 5 days out so that
they don't get charged. I think you might have more
luck during the week before your dining night.

 

[luvpooh]

maybe try for an ADR at the Wave or Trail's End, both of which are very near (and accessible via boat) the WL

 

[GusGush]

All of these are such good ideas! Thank you so much! But what is Trail's End. I don't know this one. We are at The Wave another night. Also, how could I find an Advanced-Dining-Reservation thread for November?

 

[LiteBrite]

All of these are such good ideas! Thank you so much! But what is Trail's End. I don't know this one. We are at The Wave another night. Also, how could I find an Advanced-Dining-Reservation thread for November?

Trail's End is a buffet at the Fort Wilderness Campground, which is just a short boat ride away from you at the Wilderness Lodge. It's pretty simple, homestyle food (fried chicken, ribs, salads, etc.), but a lot of people like it, and it's usually pretty easy to get an ADR for.

Here's a link to their menu on the DIS -
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=37
(Ignore the take-out menu, it's the buffet you want to look at).

 

[ajsmommy1129]

We have had luck getting into WCC by calling from the resort RIGHT before they open. We had an ADR at Garden Grill the night of MNSSHP, and didn't want to go all the way to Epcot and then back to MK in costume.So I called from the room, and low and behold! Got in, even though I had been told when I made my ADRS 6 months prior that WCC was all booked. Good luck, and BTW, Trails End is a great option for dinner w/kids, great comfort food, really relaxed atmosphere.