Staying at Wilderness Lodge--Are Their Restaurants Worth Booking ADRs?

[shburks]

Just wondering if any of the restaurants are worth booking ADRs for at Wilderness Lodge. I have nearly all our ressies booked but feel like I should take advantage of staying at WL and eat there...but seems like they get mixed reviews.

Opinions??

We'll have DS(5) with us, fyi!

 

[mom2of2]

I don't think your little one will enjoy the food at Artist Point but would have a great time at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. It's up to you whether you want to take advantage of the onsite eating. Breakfast at the Canyon is really good, and you won't really need to make an ADR for then. As for dinner, it usually gets on a 60-90 minute wait most nights for walk ups, longer if there are large parties or campers.

For morning dining request Jeffro, MT or Bridget
For dinner dining request Kate Coyote, Hillbilly Jen or Raphael

 

[vicki_c]

Artist Point is wonderful and not "not kid friendly" but I think I would book that for an adult dinner and let your son go to the kids' club at the Lodge while you have dinner.

Whispering Canyon is very popular, and the food is pretty good. It's not one of my favorite WDW restaurants, but we've been there a few times. It's very fun - more of an experience and I bet your son would love it.

 

[badblackpug]

WCC is a lot of fun. The food at Artist Point is excellent. We ate there last year with 4 kids ranging from 21m to 12y. They were perfectly kid friendly.

 

[jakeybake]

We love Artist Point but I wouldn't dine there with a 5 year old. Pretty boring for kids, but very nice for a couple.

Contrary to what others have posted on here, I really didn't like Whispering Canyon at all. I thought the food was below average and the atmosphere, though kind of fun for kids, was unimpressive. My DW and I both agreed that it was a waste of a full service meal credit. We were also staying at the WL and felt like we should dine there at least once. For us once was more than enough.

Again, to each his own in regards to what folks may or may not like but we weren't fans at all, though we are East Coast, born and bred in the big city people so that may have had something to do with how we felt about it.

Jay

 

[MusiqChic99]

WL is close to the monorail resorts. I believe you can take a boat to them. If you dont have something at CR or Poly, try one fo their resturants.

We have eaten at Whispering Canyon a few times. All times were enjoyable but it's not at the top of the list.

 

[shburks]

Not sure if y'all helped me or not!!

We do have Chef Mickey's booked and The Wave at CR plus Crystal Palace and Biergarten. Not even sure I *need* another one booked as we like to do some counter service and skip meals/snack along the way, too!

I feel on the fence about WCC. I think Artist Point might be a little more $$ than I'd like to spend.

We're going mid-Sept. Think I'd need reservations for breakfast?

What's the counter service like at WL?

 

[jakeybake]

Not sure if y'all helped me or not!!

We do have Chef Mickey's booked and The Wave at CR plus Crystal Palace and Biergarten. Not even sure I *need* another one booked as we like to do some counter service and skip meals/snack along the way, too!

I feel on the fence about WCC. I think Artist Point might be a little more $$ than I'd like to spend.

We're going mid-Sept. Think I'd need reservations for breakfast?

What's the counter service like at WL?

Roaring Forks (the counter service area) was our least favorite part of the WL of all.

It is VERY small and we felt as if we were in a cave when we were in there. The ceilings are low, the rooms are small and the setup is poor. If there are more than 6 or 7 people in there trying to buy something then it gets tight and uncomfortable. Every morning the line for food stretched out of Roaring Forks and into the hallway. We REALLY disliked it there and stopped going. We would just grab a bite at whatever park we were going to or leaving before departing or going back to the resort.

Jay

 

[KatMark]

Have not done Artist Point (we don't do signature restaurants). Went to WCC two years ago and you could not pay us to go back -- bad service and even worse food.

 

[shburks]

Roaring Forks (the counter service area) was our least favorite part of the WL of all.

It is VERY small and we felt as if we were in a cave when we were in there. The ceilings are low, the rooms are small and the setup is poor. If there are more than 6 or 7 people in there trying to buy something then it gets tight and uncomfortable. Every morning the line for food stretched out of Roaring Forks and into the hallway. We REALLY disliked it there and stopped going. We would just grab a bite at whatever park we were going to or leaving before departing or going back to the resort.

Jay

Thanks, Jay. I appreciate your comments. I've heard similar things, I think. I booked two breakfasts out mostly for that reason!

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

We have been to WCC twice, both for lunch. The first time was in 2006. It was great! Food was great and the atmosphere was very fun and playful.

We just went this past June. The food was still great but the atmosphere--not so much. Our waiter was really boring. Talking to one of the hostesses we found out that the WL has a new manager and he made WCC tone down some of their fun. I did hear that the dinner meals are still very lively.

I think it would be worth it to go there at least once. It's very kid friendly. We're going back in March 2011 and plan on recommending to our twin nephews' family for their first visit.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

We have stayed at WL twice. Both times we decided to not eat the hotel. Nothing against the restaurants, we just didn't want to work in the schedule and there were other places we wanted to try first.

We are going again the first two weeks of August. This time I have a total resort day planned. We will do an early lunch at WCC that day.

Roaring Forks is tiny and can get crowded quick. They open at 6 am. If you get there right then, it isn't too bad. It's get pretty bad after 7:30.

 

[YCFAN]

I have only stayed at WL once. I usually stay at YC or AKL. I do, however, eat at Artist Point on every trip. The portobello mushroom soup is something I actually think about when I'm at home and can't wait to go back each time to get another bowl!

 

[ktlm]

We've stayed at WL three times and we have yet to eat TS there. There are just too many other TS options at WDW. Plus, we are usually out and about in the parks at lunch and dinner time so we like to schedule TS in the parks to avoid the travel time. If we do leave the parks and go to one of the resorts for a meal, it is generally only because it is a character meal.

We actually like Roarin Forks. Typically, DH runs down and brings breakfast back to the room for everyone in the mornings. WL has chocolate croissants which is pretty much all it takes to make me happy. DD got their pancakes about every morning and I didn't hear any complaints there. We don't like to take the time for TS meals before hitting the parks in the morning. DD is not a morning person, so making a park at RD is about the best she can do. She isn't a fan of the pre-park opening sit down breakfast, even if characters are involved. I think Roarin Forks makes a good burger too.

One tip if your DS is a chicken nugget fan- At Roaring Forks get the adult chicken strips and not the kids chicken nuggets. Unless they have changed, the kids' are nasty. DD, who has never met a chicken nugget she didn't like, completely turned up her nose at them and refused to eat them. (Actually it seems to be a problem with the nuggets at a lot of WDW CS). I wouldn't have realized the adult's were different until I watched a Mom in front of me ordering them for her kids and specifically making sure the CM knew that she wanted the "Adult" ones because her kids would absolutely not eat the kids nuggets as they didn't like them.

 

[Nermel9]

I stayed at WL last November and I loved Roaring Forks and WCC! We didn't try Artist Point, but we were at Roaring Forks almost every day and we had dinner at WCC one night and it was very good! If you are going with kids, they will enjoy it, it's a very fun atmosphere! It was pretty packed when we were there, but we had fantastic service. I've read lots of bad things about WCC but I personally enjoyed it and I'd go back in a second!

 

[Drewsmommybear]

We were just at WL in June and ate at both WCC and Artist Point with our 5 year old son. I'd say if you're going to do WCC, do breakfast and be ready for a lot of yelling, shouting and craziness. Our food was decent but the smoothies were tremendous and really big as far as smoothies go. Our son cracked up the whole time we were there. The ketchup thing is great and we also watched a CM push an unruly customer's chair across the restaurant so that he could do time in the corner. If you're going to WCC, you have to be ready to play along.

Even though you may not be thinking about doing Artist Point, I will say that they were VERY kid friendly to DS who had just endured a whole day of Disney craziness and was chomping at the bit for more. There's a dessert that is a paintable white chocolate puzzle and that was the highlight of most of his trip. My son is a very versitile and healthy eater so he was more than thrilled to get a salad and steak with carrots.

We didn't spend much time at Roaring Forks other than to fill up our mugs. Frankly, it is a very small space and the lines tend to be long and winding. We did have breakfast there the day we left and it was decent--just a crazy place.

 

[mkarizona]

I didn't care for the food at WCC. We had the skillet and the meat was tough. However, I think a 5 year old would enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[goofy4prez]

I love everthing about the WL; it is my favorite resort and in a few weeks I'll be there again. The Artist Point is a very good signature restaurant and I've seen young kids there. I still would not recommend it with a 5 year old. On the other hand, a 5 year old will absolutely enjoy the WCC. I personally enjoy the food, love the fun there, and have an adr for our visit.

 

[sleepydog25]

Roaring Fork - They're small, but overall their food is quite tasty for a CS. I do avoid them during the height of meal times, tending to go either earlier or later. They have some very good sandwiches. Though, admittedly, somewhat cave-like, it was remodeled not too long ago and continues the theme of the Lodge.

WCC - Not a fan. Been twice and the food & service both times were lacking. Food isn't awful, but it's not what I'd call good, either, just bland, greasy, and unmemorable. Each visit, had a boring and uninterested server, and neither kept our glasses filled, brought out food in a timely manner, or managed to get us our check without us waiting at least 20 minutes. I will say that it was still a fun atmosphere to watch the first time we went, though our own server was quite glum.

AP - A top signature restaurant. Took DD5 there and she was treated royally by our server; further, DD5 enjoyed her meal, especially the white chocolate, paintable puzzle. If your child doesn't mind sitting for long meals--being a signature, they don't tend to rush service--he should be fine. However, it is pricey. Nonetheless, it's a must-eat place for me each trip.

 

[tami82]

I would book at least one dinner at WL regardless of the mixed reviews since you are staying there anyway. We didnt get to go last year but will also be staying at WL and for sure i got a reservation. I will make my own opinion about WC.