Whispering Canyon experience

[ncmtnmom]

Just got back from Disney yesterday. I was not at all happy with our experience at Whispering Canyon Cafe!! Does anyone know of an address for me to file a complaint?

We made our reservations way back in February. When we got there they seated us in that little outside area!! I asked if we could move to the big room and was told no. There were no tables and wouldn't be for quite a while. I explained that we wanted to be part of the fun, that's why we booked this meal. It was my DS's 6th Birthday and we were hoping he would have fun. Still I got a no!! We sat out there the whole time in isolation basically. We could hear some of the antics going on but couldn't see anything. My boys kept walking to the doorway to see what was going on. A waitress did come out and ask if the kids out there wanted to join the pony race. My boys were so excited but by the time they got there the race was over!! I was so mad!!! My birthday boy could hear them singing happy birthday to other kids and even kept pointing his badge out to our waitress. All she said was " I know it's your birthday honey, I said Happy Birthday to you". It broke my heart!!

I won't be going back there again. I really believe that the little outside space should be eliminated or that it should be saved for people that don't want to be involved in all the antics inside. I've seen threads on this board where people really just wanted to eat and be left alone so I'm sure there would be requests for the outside spaces. I really was mad because my kids were left out!!

BTW, I really didn't think the food was all that great either. The ribs were better at Flame tree in AK. The food wasn't bad at WCC, just nothing to brag about IMO.

 

[jennsuko]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Did you speak with a manager while you were there?

 

[madzach]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I have a reservation in September that I'm trying to replace with another restaurant because I've read so many bad reviews. I'm sure you could call the dining reservation line to find out who to complain to.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

That's such a shame you had a bad experience there . I would have talked to the manager there. I have been there 2 x's and honsltly it was great! My Dh was called up with all the DH dads. It was fun. I feel bad for your son on his Bday. It's not fair. And yes a table like you had shouldn't even be in that resturant.
Here is the Disney email to tell good & bad. I have used it and they have called me on the phone. wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com
Good Luck!

 

[carrie s]

We had a really bad experiance there too.We were stuck in a corner behind a wall where we couldnt see anything.My kids wanted to do the pony race but by the time they got there all the ponies were gone.Plus we really didnt care for the food.It was a huge disapointment.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

That's too bad, we had a similar experience at CM's, they wanted to seat us up the stairs, toward the way way back of the restaurant. I never even knew there was a room there. Its totally enclosed with about 6 tables in there.

As the hostess was walking us back and further back, DH was watching my face....he knew what was going to happen

I simply refused the table. I said that this is not acceptable. The hostess walked us back to the waiting area and we were seated about 5 minutes later.

 

[thegrimdwarf]

Wow, I'm so sad for your son! I'm sorry it was such a bad experience. We've got a lunch ADR there in October, and I have to admit, the polarized reviews on this board has me worried. But it's a group, and everyone wants to go, so I've just given fair warning to the adults.

 

[KPLC]

Just wondering if one was to get a table they did not like and opted to leave rather than take that table - would you be charged for anything ? ( not the restaurants with the cc guarantees)

 

[DISNEY1975]

That is horrible! I hope you remember the name of that waitress.

I would call and complain. Not sure how they can fix it now that your home, but at the minimum, you may help families in similar situations if you successfully get that area eliminated for families.

Thanks for the head up!

 

[daisyduck123]

I'm so sorry that happened. They tried to seat us there once & I refused the table. I've done that at Chef Mickey's too, when they tried to seat us in that little upstairs area in the back.

Both times, we were seated in the main area right away.

 

[DisCopper]

That's a terrible experience!

We had a the opposite bad experience: 3 dead tired adults who wanted a good breakfast. We got put smack in the middle of the "antics" while they put kids outside. We would have killed for an outside table.

You'd think Disney would be pay more attention to where they put people.

 

[aubriee]

That's too bad, we had a similar experience at CM's, they wanted to seat us up the stairs, toward the way way back of the restaurant. I never even knew there was a room there. Its totally enclosed with about 6 tables in there.

As the hostess was walking us back and further back, DH was watching my face....he knew what was going to happen

I simply refused the table. I said that this is not acceptable. The hostess walked us back to the waiting area and we were seated about 5 minutes later.

I'm glad it worked for you. We were taken to that same little back room at CM back in Sept '06 and told the hostess we'd really wanted to be in the main area. She basically said, 'too bad, Chef Mickey's is so popular you don't get to choose your table' and walked off. It was my mom's first time there and we really wanted her to have a good time. This is back when Chip and Dale were there. Chip never even made it back there. We've not been back since, but are giving them anther try in Sept. I'll be making a point of asking for a table in the main area as soon as we check in.

 

[christa112]

That is aweful. I would totally complain!!!

 

[Stitchfans]

Wow. I didn't realize they had these "secret" areas. Yes, thank you for the heads up. I would be so furious if they tried to do that to us.

 

[Disney845]

I am sorry that you had a disapointing time at the restaurant. I have the Whispering Canyon booked for breakfast on 9/21 for SO's 34th birthday. We have never eaten there before, but it sounded like fun and he is such a clown, I thought he would get a kick out of the antics. I know going in however, that there are no guarantees that anything "special" will happen.

I don't know that I think you really have a case for lodging a formal complaint however. It isn't as thought the restaurant is billed as a dinner-show (like Luau/HDDR, etc). You got exactly what you paid for (a table at the restaurant with food), it just might not have been the experience you were hoping for.

As far as Chef Mickey's and the upstairs area goes...the one and only time we ate at CM for dinner we were seated up there. I saw nothing wrong with it. We were close to the buffet area and all of the characters came by for photos (Pluto was extremely good). When they did the napkin song Minnie was up there with us leading the song. My complaints about CM were the food (not as good as some of the other buffets) and the other diners (obviously not WDW fault) there was a large group seated upstairs with us and the adults were all intoxicated (and still heavily drinking) and not really paying attention to their kids who were running about.

 

[My 2 princesses]

I feel terrible for your son If it happened to my DD's, not sure what myself or DH would have done. Poor little guy. Hope they make it up to him somehow.

 

[mirmartinez]

Wc, was all around horrible for us, I think I rather not eat at all then go back there, saltines and water on a bench would be more pleasant

 

[emh1129]

That would have made me upset, too. Please be sure to write to them!

 

[LAS321]

We had the same experience with the table 2 summers ago. They tried to sit me and my DD in the back area out of the main dining room. I told her we weren't sitting there and she said (and not very nicely) then you'll have to wait for another table...I said "no problem"..and we waited and were seated in the main dining room...the food was not good at all and the waiter we had was not into the antics at all...the service was as bad as the food and we were really sorry we had wasted a dinner there. There are much better to places to eat in WDW and we haven't been back.
I feel so bad for your DS....I would definitely complain...there must be an email address for the corporate offices...

 

[disneyin2008]

Just wondering if one was to get a table they did not like and opted to leave rather than take that table - would you be charged for anything ? ( not the restaurants with the cc guarantees)

WCC doesn't require a credit card hold, so that wouldn't be a problem. The problem would be now where do you feed a hungry birthday child!

While I understand their putting people into less desireable tables, it's all the luck of the draw of when you arrive.....I guess I would have hoped that they'd make more of an effort for a birthday child.

I think OP would have been better served by asking to speak to mangement at the time.....now after the meal and trip are done there isn't much that they can do to make up for the error. A refund isn't going to make your birthday child feel better. At least at the time the manager could have either found another table, or maybe worked to be sure that the antics reached your table....or maybe have called and found you another restaurant to eat in where they could do the birthday properly. I know birthdays happen constantly at WDW, but that doesn't make it less special for the child.

It won't fix all the hurt, but hopefully the child realizes how very lucky they were to be at WDW for their birthday! My kids, mine, and DH's birthdays are in the summer and I just won't do summers in Florida, so we'll never be there for a birthday.