Need a TS res close to Wilderness Lodge

[honeybunches]

can you recommend a good one? it will be our last night & probably later in the evening (7:30pm). We are staying at WL but don't want to eat at the hotel, somewhere nearby would be nice.
thanks for any advice!

ETA we have the deluxe dining plan, 4 adults & 5 kids under age 6 (pray for us), plain food is fine.

The only reason I am not wanting to do the hotel restaurants is that the reviews say that Whis. Canyon is loud & the food doesn't seem to be our style, and Artist Point reviews say that service is bad.

 

[TDC Nala]

Try the Contemporary. There is a very short boat ride between WL and the Contemporary. Don't know what you're out for. Dining plan? No dining plan? Cheap, expensive? Fancy food, plain food? Characters? Contemporary has The Wave and California Grill and Chef Mickeys - that's a pretty good selection, which one would just depend on what you are looking for.

If you have more time, you can take the boat to the Contemporary and the monorail to any of the three resorts on the monorail line.

 

[kamikazecat]

I would recommend The Wave. We enjoyed both of our dinners there on our last trip.

 

[anjalee6]

We stay at WL and we often eat at nearby hotels. I agree, The Wave would be a good option. Also, we like Ohana's in the Polynesian and Kona Cafe also in the Poly.

 

[honeybunches]

Thanks for the responses! I updated my post (we have deluxe dining, so I think price is not an issue for most places right?) This is our first trip so I"m unfamiliar with the locations & procedures. Thank you

 

[TDC Nala]

I had lousy service at Artist Point, doesn't mean yours will be. If you go by reviews on this board you will find people who have had lousy service at every restaurant on Disney property.

One thing you should take away from the boards here is that dining opinions are subjective. Online, you can review sample menus from all the WDW restaurants and discover which ones serve the type of food your group might like. You can also find out where they are located. Don't go by whether someone you don't know posting on a message board said the place was loud or the service was bad.

With that many kids, have you considered Chef Mickey's? It is a buffet and Mickey Mouse and friends are there. I think it's for sure that you would want to make a reservation to eat there. If you are on a dining plan you really need to consider making reservations for your meals.

 

[honeybunches]

I had lousy service at Artist Point, doesn't mean yours will be. If you go by reviews on this board you will find people who have had lousy service at every restaurant on Disney property.

One thing you should take away from the boards here is that dining opinions are subjective. Online, you can review sample menus from all the WDW restaurants and discover which ones serve the type of food your group might like. You can also find out where they are located. Don't go by whether someone you don't know posting on a message board said the place was loud or the service was bad.

With that many kids, have you considered Chef Mickey's? It is a buffet and Mickey Mouse and friends are there. I think it's for sure that you would want to make a reservation to eat there. If you are on a dining plan you really need to consider making reservations for your meals.

thanks, I understand what you are saying. I do take what I read with a grain of salt but it helps me with planning to hear about others' experiences, both good & bad. We are doing chef mickey's another day, very excited about it. We do have reservations for 3 meals/day but I'm just tweaking one of our daily schedules....again. Mostly I just needed to know what was in the vicinity of the lodge so that we were close to the room after eating!

 

[RCharnay]

We were there in Jan and had great service at Artist's Point-it was a favorite night of dining at WDW. There was just the two of us so I suppose that might have created a different experience. But we definitely plan to return. I agree about the noise level at Whispering Canyon. We did not enjoy our two experiences there. However, if I had kids in my party, especially energetic ones, I might reconsider.

 

[crabbygal902]

For a low key option, how about Trail's End Buffet at Fort Wilderness? It's a short boat ride away.

I love The Wave at the Contemporary, and we had 4 children in our group, all who enjoyed it. It is not too stuffy for kids.

 

[plutospup]

FWIW, I would rethink Artist's Point. My experience is that service has been very good.
Will you have a car? If so, it's much easier and faster than WDW transportation to get other resort restaurants. Cape May Buffet, at the Beach Club might work well for a group of your size and age range.

 

[momof2minnies]

Another thumbs up for Trail's End.

Linda

 

[Hugpug]

I would say either Trail's End at FW right next store short boat ride away or take the boat to Contempary and hop on the Momerail to Poly and eat at Kona's. My all time faveroite. I also like Artist Point right at WL even though a little price but good food and service.

 

[izzy]

Another vote for Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. I can almost taste that bread and macadamia nut butter as I write this!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would recommend going to the Contemporary and trying Chef Mickey's.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If you think the kids can handle sitting for a long dinner, I'd definitely reconsider Artist Point. You won't find a better meal close to your resort. The meal can take up to 2 hrs., but it's usually closer to 1 hr & 1/2, when we dine at signature restaurants.


To answer your question..... Restaurants in close proximity to your resort are:

Fort Wilderness Campground - Take the boat from WL.

Restaurant:
Trails End - buffet (no characters) (1 DDP credit)


Contemporary Resort - Take the boat from WL.

Restaurants:
California Grill - signature restaurant similar to Artist Point (2 credits)
Chef Mickey's - I see you already have this one.
The Wave - Table Service where you order from menus. (1 credit)


Polynesian Resort - Take the boat to CR, then transfer to the monorail.

Restaurants:
Kona Cafe - Table Service where you order from menus. (1 credit)
Ohana - Table Service served family style. Set menu brought to your table. (1 credit)


Grand Floridian - Take the boat to CR, then transfer to the monorail.

Restaurants:
Citricos - signature restaurant (2 credits)
Narcoossee's - signature restaurant (2 credits)
Grand Floridian Cafe - Table Service where you order from menus. (1 credit)
1900 Park Fare - character buffet (1 credit)

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Don't forget the boat from the Wilderness Lodge to the Contemporary operates from 6:45 AM - 11:30 PM and it also goes to Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.