Whispering Canyon Cafe-bad experience!!!!

[matousm]

We had lunch there last Wednesday (8/15) for DH bday on our last day there and I requested a cake, singing the usual and thought it would be great to celebrate it and waited for 50 minutes for a table at 1:30pm.

We had a horrible server. he did not act funny, yell at us or anything like I saw the other servers doing with their tables. He asked who the bday person was and I pointed to my husband and then never mentioned it again! The host asked me this also and for his name before we were seated.
We had lunch and then he brought the check out- no cake or nothing[/COLOR]. I will never go back there again. I made sure his tip reflected the serivce too since we were not on the DDP!

I hope this server treats other guests better.

I was terribly upset over thsi bday lunch.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Did you pay for a cake? If you did, and didn't get it, you have every right to be upset.
If you didn't, and simply expected to be given something because it was your husband's birthday, well, it's too bad you didn't get it, but that's not guaranteed.
As for the service - was the waiter prompt? Did he bring you beverages (and refill any applicable glasses)? Did he take your order correctly? And deliver your food as soon as possible after the kitchen finished with it? Did he check on you at least once, not long after you started eating, to see if everything was okay? Then, while it's again too bad you didn't get an 'entertaining' server, you DID get a good one. When you say you "made sure his tip reflected his service", you must mean you tipped at LEAST the standard 15%, if not more to reflect the good service?

 

[disDVCGuy]

In reading the boards here, it seems like a lot of folks have been having issues going to WCC. The last time I was there was in 2004 and things were still the same as they ever were...

Sad to see, this had always been a fun experience.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Y'know, disDVCGuy, I can certainly understand being disappointed when a server at a location known for being entertaining, well, isn't. But a couple of points - first, yeah, DISers have posted disappointing experiences, where their server just served and didn't "act up". Seen the same about 50s Prime Time. That's probably just because people are more likely to relate a disappointing experience - I mean, how many hundreds of diners must there be at WCC each day, who do get the treatment? They expect it, so they don't post about it.
Second, it doesn't seem reasonable to me to equate "not entertaining" with "bad service", as the original poster appears to have done in both her report and her tip.

 

[YayDisney!]

I can understand your disappointment. We have been to WCC twice now, but will not return. Our first server was attentive, but extremely light on the "entertaining". We greatly enjoyed watching other servers 'ham it up' with other patrons. Other servers played games with DD on that visit (which she LOVED), but not our own waitress. Because DD wanted to go back for the shenanigans in hopes that we'd receive more individual attention, we gave WCC another try last year. Unfortunately, both the service and fun factor seriously lacked. We sat against the wall and were completely ignored. We never received refills on drinks, nor did we receive a bill in a timely manner. All in all, we were there for over 2 1/2 hours.

It's one thing to have great service and acknowledge that, but this particular restaurant promotes the 'fun' atmosphere, so it's very disappointing when they do not deliver. And they do promote it - when making ADRs, the CM's have often suggested this restaurant to me for the atmosphere and being 'family fun for all'. That's why most people go there...the food is unremarkable, but the waitstaff make it memorable...or not.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We sat against the wall and were completely ignored. We never received refills on drinks, nor did we receive a bill in a timely manner. All in all, we were there for over 2 1/2 hours.

Now, that IS bad service, and deserving of a negative attitude/opinion/impression/whatever. It's too bad that happened to you; it was decent of you to give the restaurant another try.

 

[SnowWtch]

I have my first ADR for Dec and am hoping for light entertainment. I'm just going to check out the food and the restaurant. Since we're staying at WL, I thought it might be nice to try it for our anniversary.

 

[matousm]

Did you pay for a cake? If you did, and didn't get it, you have every right to be upset.
If you didn't, and simply expected to be given something because it was your husband's birthday, well, it's too bad you didn't get it, but that's not guaranteed.
As for the service - was the waiter prompt? Did he bring you beverages (and refill any applicable glasses)? Did he take your order correctly? And deliver your food as soon as possible after the kitchen finished with it? Did he check on you at least once, not long after you started eating, to see if everything was okay? Then, while it's again too bad you didn't get an 'entertaining' server, you DID get a good one. When you say you "made sure his tip reflected his service", you must mean you tipped at LEAST the standard 15%, if not more to reflect the good service?

I did not have a great experience. I was more than willing to pay for a cake and fully expected too. I had to ask another waiter for refills for out skillet dinner and drink refills. Also, he never even asked us how everything was or if we wanted dessert. Also on the ticket it clearly stated that it was DH birthday.
NO- I did not tip the standard 15%!

 

[DelitefulDory]

I did not have a great experience. I was more than willing to pay for a cake and fully expected too. I had to ask another waiter for refills for out skillet dinner and drink refills. Also, he never even asked us how everything was or if we wanted dessert. Also on the ticket it clearly stated that it was DH birthday.
NO- I did not tip the standard 15%!

The bad service is wrong. I don't blame you for being put off by that. But, as far as the cake goes, if you want a guaranteed birthday cake, you really need to buy it and furnish it yourself. Yes, sometimes Disney comes through with a free cake, but more often than not they don't. Just try to keep in mind there are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of people at Disney celebrating their birthday. If it makes you feel any better I've gone every single year for 20 years now for my birthday and have never once gotten a free cake.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Fair enough. That IS poor service! Um, but is there any chance you tipped the waiter who did help you? Just curious, it's NOT something most people would think of. I wouldn't either, usually, but we had a horrible waiter at a local restaurant last week. Actually, we didn't have him. We had the manager and two other servers. Our waiter finally showed up... with the check!

 

[YayDisney!]

Now, that IS bad service, and deserving of a negative attitude/opinion/impression/whatever. It's too bad that happened to you; it was decent of you to give the restaurant another try.

Thank you! We try very hard to be a forgiving family - but not every experience will be desirable. We just stop and remember that we are in WDW and then go to the places that consistently make us happy. That's what is so great about Disney - there are SO many places to go...you can have a different experience every single year!

 

[TinkerbellTris]

I am surprised you left a tip. We are never expecting anything, we go into restraunts with an open mind. We have never encountered bad service anywhere at WDW. But we have many times at Disneyland, and we will pay the bill and we have no problem at all not leaving any tip. If they do not treat us decent I refuse to leave a tip. We were treated horribly at Cafe Orleans in DL back in March. They seated us, and said they were not serving some of the things listed on the menu. (Thats fine) we ordered all salads and waited 45 minutes or longer for them. Then I had to get up and hunt down another waiter for drink refills cause I couldn't find my waiter. Then that was it, he never even offered us a dessert menu. The bill came and I paid exactly what was owed and on the tip line I wrote a big fat 0. That's how we were treated so that's what he got.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

We went to WCC last year and I have to admit we were disappointed. The food was OK, the service was OK, but we had specifically gone there for the experience and the antics and it was really difficult for my kids to have to watch kids at other tables get all kinds of special attention while our server was a complete dud. It seems to me that if they're going to promote the restaurant as being full of laughs, etc (which they definitely did do for us) then servers there should understand their role and play along. If it's not a requirement of the servers then, IMO, Disney shouldn't be promoting it as such. I don't throw this into the same category as expecting towel animals or expecting free upgrades just because some others on these boards have had them, but again it's just my opinion. I'm sure others will (respectfully disagree.

 

[honeymo78]

Real and valid issues with service aside -
An FYI - because something is noted on your ADR: birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, etc there is no guarantee that your server or anyone else will provide you with special service. I've been for my honeymoon, birthday and DH's birthday with notations on the ADR. Sometimes we got confetti on the table, a cupcake, or special dessert, but most of the time we didn't. Visits to the same restaurant also didn't guarantee that extra. Now we did wear the bride and groom mickey ears for our honeymoon and I make DH wear a birthday button on his birthday so we at least get the Happy Birthday/Congrats because that is harder to miss. If you want a cake or special dessert for that special occassion, don't depend on disney to provide it - order it yourself (now if the server still doesn't bring it out then, that's a problem).

 

[Candid]

Fair enough. That IS poor service! Um, but is there any chance you tipped the waiter who did help you? Just curious, it's NOT something most people would think of. I wouldn't either, usually, but we had a horrible waiter at a local restaurant last week. Actually, we didn't have him. We had the manager and two other servers. Our waiter finally showed up... with the check!

Ya know...that's a good idea!! I'd have never thought of it but I'll definitely keep it in mind during our trip.

 

[Micca]

Perhaps they have toned down the antics. I recall seeing people post here who wanted to eat at WCC but didn't want to be embarassed by the servers.
As for waiting for 2.5 hours with no drink refills, I would go get them myself before I'd sit there for that long.

 

[eeyoregon]

NO- I did not tip the standard 15%!

Good for you!! Not sure I would have left more than $1.

I understand your disappointment. Sometimes the DIS boards can be a bad thing as far as building up the expectations, excitement and anticipation based on what others have experienced.

We had a similar situation but it lasted for 7 nights!! On the Disney Magic we were all prepared to experience the WOW factor of our serving team each night and boy did we get the duds of the ship. We complained to our head waiter but not much improvement...they were just dull servers that didn't really seem to enjoy their jobs. We made the most of it but it was tough to sit there and see the other great servers all around you.

 

[kirbsam]

i respectfully disagree with those who think that because the waiter gave prompt service that they deserve the 15%. at some restaurants, 50's, and wcc, some role playing is expected, and is part of the experience. just like going to character breakfasts, interaction with the characters is expected. the food at most of these places is not that great. people go there, expecting to be entertained by the wait staff and if they are not, the tip should reflect it. the wait staff knows what is expected of them, and if they dont get into character the lack of tip should be an eye opener. sorry if this is harsh, but the bar has been raised at these restaurants, and it is just not disers that know this.

 

[DisneyJenn18]

I am going to WCC for our first night in WDW in Jan. Reading this review has me worried!

Can anyone name some of the best servers there?

 

[Pixie_Dust]

We had a similar situation but it lasted for 7 nights!! On the Disney Magic we were all prepared to experience the WOW factor of our serving team each night and boy did we get the duds of the ship. We complained to our head waiter but not much improvement...they were just dull servers that didn't really seem to enjoy their jobs. We made the most of it but it was tough to sit there and see the other great servers all around you.

We experienced the same thing, and also with the cabin steward, on a 3-day cruise (our only cruise ever). It is really a disappointment when you hear other people singing praises and then don't experience the Disney magic. That happened last time at WDW when a couple said they got special treatment for their anniversary, but at the Epcot French restaurant they did less than nothing (bad food and terrible service) for my in-laws 65th(!) anniversary (they now make the excuse that WDW does not run the restaurants anymore, but I don't think they should farm out those things when people are expecting Disney standards!) At Whispering Canyon we went once, did not experience interaction, and have not gone back. Same with the Prime Time Cafe. I wonder if they think an adult couple is not interested, or that they can get away with it?