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If you are looking for some tasty, stick to your ribs kind of food, Whispering Canyon Cafe just might be the restaurant for you. But Whispering Canyon is more than just a place to eat your meal. It is definitely a unique Disney dining experience.
Whispering Canyon Cafe Location
You can find Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. Really, where else could it be? Wilderness Lodge is the perfect place for it thematically.
Don’t be put off by the fact that it’s not located in a park. Wilderness Lodge is an easy hop, skip, and a jump from Magic Kingdom. And honestly, Wilderness Lodge is a must visit resort if you are doing any resort hopping. So on the day you plan to do resort hopping, schedule a meal at Whispering Canyon Cafe.
Whispering Canyon is located right in the main lobby of Wilderness Lodge. It is open to the lobby itself, which was a source of complaint at one time. Not for the restaurant experience, but for the “noise” the restaurant created in the lobby and the rooms above.
Whispering Canyon Cafe Theme and Atmosphere
It’s pretty clear as soon as you enter that Whispering Canyon Cafe is themed after the Old West. There’s a lot of beams, some stone, lanterns and more that evoke that time frame.
As I mentioned, one side of the restaurant is open to the gorgeous lobby at Wilderness Lodge. I like how they use what is probably the most stunning lobby in all of Disney World as part of the decor. It really helps to enhance the overall feel.
Whispering Canyon Cafe is known for its raucous atmosphere. This is what resulted in some complaints a couple of years back. Guests in rooms off the lobby complained of noise. At the time, Whispering Canyon Cafe scaled back the guest experience. However, devotees of Whispering Canyon protested this and the Whispering Canyon Cafe antics are back.
Whispering Canyon Cafe Antics
I will not put any spoilers in here for the standard antics and hijinks that happen at Whispering Canyon Cafe. It’s best if the experience is a surprise. However, know that the Cast Members at Whispering Canyon Cafe are known for sassing guests at every opportunity.
While there are some standard Whispering Canyon Cafe antics, there is a wide margin for improvisation on the part of the Cast Members. And this is where the real gold is.
All of this is good natured fun and pranks. However, if you are someone who is turned off by this type of atmosphere, this is not the restaurant for you.
If you want the ultimate Whispering Canyon Cafe experience, make sure you egg on your Cast Member. The more subdued you are, the more subdued the experience will be.
And whatever you do, make sure someone asks for ketchup…
Whispering Canyon Cafe Hours
Whispering Canyon Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Breakfast Hours: 7:30a-11:30a
- Lunch Hours: 11:45a-2:30p
- Dinner Hours: 5:00p-10:00p
Whispering Canyon Cafe Prices
Whispering Canyon Cafe falls into the moderate price range in the world of Disney restaurants. The actual price varies depending on whether you go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here’s the general price range for entrees at each meal.
- Breakfast: $11-$22
- Lunch: $14-$24
- Dinner: $19-$35
Dining Plan and Discount Information
Whispering Canyon Cafe is a table service restaurant and the Disney Dining plan is accepted here. All plans except the Quick Service plan can be used at Whispering Canyon. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Make sure you read all about the Disney Dining Plan.
There are a few discount opportunities at Whispering Canyon Cafe as well. If you are an Annual Passholder or a Disney Vacation Club member you can get a 10% discount. Tables in Wonderland card holders are eligible for a 20% discount (including alcohol).
Whispering Canyon Cafe Reservation Difficulty
Despite a bit of a cult following, it is not difficult to get a reservation for Whispering Canyon Cafe. I still recommend making your advance dining reservation as early as you can, just to be on the safe side. However, if you can be flexible with your date and time, a last minute reservation is possible.
Whispering Canyon Cafe Menu
As I mentioned above, Whispering Canyon Cafe is open for all 3 meals. With this comes a different menu at each meal. If you are debating between lunch and dinner, pay particular attention to the menu as there are significant differences.
As always, Disney can change the menu at any time. So make sure you check out the official Whispering Canyon Cafe menu before your trip for the most updated offerings.
Breakfast Menu
All You Care to Enjoy Signature Skillets
- The Heritage: House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuits and Sausage Gravy with Mickey Waffles, Scrambled Eggs, Country Potatoes, Hickory-smoked Bacon, Pork Sausage Links
- The Lighter Side: Bircher Muesli (Swiss Oatmeal), Fresh Fruit, and Yogurt with Egg White-Spinach Frittata, Turkey Bacon, Turkey Sausage, Country Potatoes, Mickey Waffles
- The Carnivore: House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuits and Sausage Gravy with Scrambled Eggs, House-smoked Ham, Oak-smoked Beef Brisket, Hickory-smoked Bacon, Pork Sausage Links
Other Entrees
- Ham and Cheese Omelet: House-smoked Ham and Cheddar served with Country Potatoes and choice of House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuit or Toast
- Pepper Jack “Cheese” Frittata: Peppers, Onions, Spicy Plant-based Sausage
- House Smoked Salmon Frittata: House-smoked Salmon, Onion, Parmesan, and Chives served with Country Potatoes and choice of House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuit or Toast
- Traditional Eggs Benedict: Two-poached Eggs atop House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuits with House-smoked Ham, Hollandaise Sauce, Country Potatoes
- Vegetable Eggs Benedict: Two-poached Eggs atop House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuits with Tomato, Smashed Avocado, Cilantro-Lime Hollandaise Sauce, Fresh Fruit
- Two Eggs any Style: Country Potatoes, a House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuit, and choice of Hickory-smoked Bacon, Pork Sausage Link, or Fruit
- Flapjacks: Bourbon-Maple Syrup with choice of Hickory-smoked Bacon, Pork Sausage Link, or Fruit
- Belgian Waffle: Fresh Berries with choice of Hickory-smoked Bacon or Pork Sausage Link
- Steel Cut Oatmeal: Fresh Fruit and Spiced Apple Muffin
- Seasonal Fresh Fruit Plate: Honey-Ginger Greek Yogurt and Granola
Whispering Canyon Cafe Lunch Menu
Trail Blazing Starters
- House made Cornbread
- Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Braised Jackfruit Dip: Plant-based Pepper Jack Cheese, Jalapeño, Tortilla Chips
- Smoked Beef and Vegetable Soup
- Burnt End Nachos: Topped with Beef Brisket, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Cheese Sauce, and Fresh Salsa
Signature Skillet
- All You Care to Enjoy Signature Skillet: Maple-Chipotle Barbecued Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Citrus-Herb Chicken, Smashed Potatoes, Buttered Corn, Charred Carrots, Roasted Peppers, Sautéed Green Beans. Plant-based Option Available Upon Request
Other Entrees
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich: on Focaccia, Roasted Red Pepper Aïoli, Fresh Greens, and Potato Wedges
- Slow Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich: House-made Bun, Caramelized Onion, Vinegar-Barbecue Sauce, and Coleslaw served with choice of French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, or Fresh Fruit
- Applewood Smoked Turkey Sandwich: Toasted Multigrain Bread, Arugula, Tomato, and Cranberry Mayonnaise served with choice of French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, or Fresh Fruit
- Seared Impossible Burger: Plant-based Brioche Bun, Spicy Aïoli-Pepper Jack ‘Cheese’, Bibb Lettuce, Tomato, Caramelized Onions, and Sweet Potato Fries
- House Smoked Salmon Salad: Kale, Spinach, Watercress, Fennel, Oranges, Citrus Vinaigrette
- Chopped Salad: Mixed Greens, Hickory-smoked Bacon, “Cowboy Caviar”, House-smoked Turkey, Cheddar, Cornbread Croutons, and Spicy Ranch Dressing
- Chopped Bison Burger: House-made Bun, Chipotle Aïoli, Candied Hickory-smoked Bacon, White Cheddar, Fried Pickle, and Sweet Potato Fries
Whispering Canyon Cafe Dinner Menu
Trailblazing Starters
- Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Braised Jackfruit Dip: Plant-based Pepper Jack Cheese, Jalapeño, Tortilla Chips
- Smoked Beef and Vegetable Soup
- Burnt End Nachos: Topped with Beef Brisket, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Cheese Sauce, and Fresh Salsa
- Whispering Canyon House Salad: Dried Cranberries, Seed Brittle, Goat Cheese, and Cranberry-Poppyseed Vinaigrette
All You Care to Enjoy Signature Skillets
- The Traditional: Oak-smoked Mustard-Barbecued Beef Brisket, Maple-Chipotle Pork Ribs, Slow-smoked Pulled Pork, Citrus-Herb Chicken, Western-style Sausage, Smashed Potatoes, Buttered Corn, Sautéed Green Beans
- The Land and Sea: House-smoked Salmon, Citrus-Herb Chicken, Spicy Vegan Sausage, Charred Portobella, Barbecued Cauliflower, Roasted Potatoes, Sautéed Green Beans, Oven-roasted Carrots
- The Pig: Braised Pork Belly, Maple-Chipotle Barbecued Pork Ribs, Slow-smoked Pulled Pork, Mustard-Barbecued ‘Piggy Wings’, Western-style Sausage, Smashed Potatoes, Buttered Corn, Sautéed Green Beans
- Plant Based: Maple-Chipotle Barbecued Jackfruit, Spicy ‘Sausage’, Mustard-glazed Beefless Tips, Herb-brushed Trick’n Chick’n, Roasted Potatoes, Oven-roasted Carrots, Sautéed Green Beans, Charred Peppers
Main Claim Entrees
- Char-Crusted New York Strip: Honey-roasted Carrots, Crispy-fried Red Potatoes, and Whiskey-Onion Butter
- Cedar Plank Salmon: House-smoked Salmon, Ancient Grains, Roquette, Fennel, Parmesan, Lemon Crème Fraîche
- Pan-Fired Red Quinoa Cakes: Pickled Corn, Oven-roasted Peppers, and Avocado Spread
Dessert Menu for Lunch and Dinner
- Whispering Canyon Pioneer Chocolate Cake
- Granny Smith Apple Pie
- Seasonal Fruit Cobbler
- Rice Milk Panna Cotta (a no sugar added dessert)
Whispering Canyon Cafe Kids’ Menu
The Kids’ menu at Whispering Canyon Cafe is the same at both lunch and dinner. Obviously, breakfast is not the same. That would be weird.
Kids’ Breakfast Menu
- All You Care to Enjoy Breakfast Skillet
Kids’ Create Your Own Entree (choose 1)
- Spinach and Tomato Omelet
- Steel Cut Oatmeal
- One Egg
- Mickey Waffles
Kids’ Create Your Own Selections (choose 2)
- Fresh Fruit Cup
- Yogurt Parfait
- Sausage Link
- Honey Wheat Toast
- Bacon
- Country Potatoes
Kids’ Lunch & Dinner Menu
- All You Care to Enjoy Skillet
Kids’ Create Your own Entree (choose 1)
- Grilled Fish of the Day
- Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Cheeseburger
- Chicken Nuggets
Kid’s Create Your Own Selections (choose 2)
- Green beans
- Corn
- Mashed Potatoes
- Fruit Salad
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Broccoli
- Rice Pilaf
- Farro
- Apple Slices
Whispering Canyon Cafe Gluten Free Menu
Whispering Canyon Cafe actually has a great menu for eating gluten free. The skillets themselves are largely gluten free without any sort of modification. Then there are quite a few other entree options to choose from.
Whispering Canyon also serves a gluten free cornbread so you don’t feel left out! Below you’ll find a picture of the gluten free lunch menu.
One thing to take a special note of: there are 3 gluten free desserts to choose from! This is a big deal in my world.
Whispering Canyon Cafe Review
We’ve eaten at Whispering Canyon Cafe for both lunch and dinner. Our most recent experience was during lunch, with our previous meal (dinner) about 3 years earlier.
I will say that our first experience a few years ago wasn’t the greatest. The food was great, and the atmosphere was awesome. But the service was ridiculously slow. We were a table of 8 people and were there for over 2 hours. This was at a time when you got dessert with your dining plan. My friend and I both had to forgo the dessert because it took so long to come out and we had to start packing up to leave the next day. I’m not a fan of being denied my dessert!
This was the second restaurant during that trip that we felt service was extra slow because we were a party of 8. For parties that large on the dining plan, an 18% tip is automatically added. The only thing we could come up with was that maybe since the tip was a guarantee they didn’t feel the need to please as much? I don’t know.
This particular experience hasn’t been repeated since at either Whispering Canyon or anywhere else.
Thoughts on the Antics
I don’t know if we just hit lunch on a slow day or what, but the restaurant was pretty empty. This had a pretty negative impact on the overall antics we encountered throughout the meal. Without a lot of full tables to feed off of, the hijinks were relatively subdued.
Our waitress also seemed to be a little slow in warming up. She kept making comments about not having enough coffee. And that literally seemed to be the problem. As soon as her coffee kicked in, she was off and running.
My favorite moment was obviously unscripted, and it was great. After our waitress cleaned up the table next to us, she grabbed a passing waiter and asked him if he wanted a ride on the high chair. So he hopped on up and she pushed him across the restaurant, wailing Row, Row, Row Your Boat at the top of her lungs. The other waiter was game and rowed his way across the floor. It was hysterical and the kids loved it.
Other than that, the experience was pretty subdued. To be fair, my kids are shy and don’t egg people on. And we realized once our food arrived that we didn’t have any food that needed ketchup! This was very disappointing but our own fault.
If you want to experience the hijinks at their best, I suggest a dinner reservation. The more people in the restaurant, the better the antics.
Whispering Canyon Cafe Food Review
Doug and I split the All You Care to Enjoy Traditional Skillet. Since it was already made gluten free, there was nothing that needed to be changed. The only difference is I was provided with my own plate of gluten free cornbread while he (and the kids) had regular cornbread.
Seriously, if you are going to Whispering Canyon, don’t even pay attention to any of the other entrees. I’m sure they’re delicious, but they aren’t skillets. The skillets are part of what makes Whispering Canyon Cafe famous, other than the antics.
The kids, never adventurous, ordered their standard meals: hamburgers and macaroni & cheese. I’m sure they were fine, and the kids didn’t complain. By the way, my kids insist on taking the pictures of their meals. It’s their contribution to the blog.
All You Care to Enjoy Skillet – The Traditional
Our skillet came piled high with enough food for the two of us. And the beauty is, if you want more of a specific part of the skillet, just ask and they’ll bring more out for you. The size of the skillet depends on how many people are sharing it.
In terms of the quality of the food, it’s delicious. Between the two of us, we did a darn good job of polishing off the skillet. The food is very hearty, stick to your ribs, kind of food. We loved every last bit.
And now, it’s time for a shoutout to the mashed potatoes. Quite simply, these are the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had in my life. I inhaled them, and then I asked for more. I probably ate more mashed potatoes in that meal than I’ve ever had in one sitting in my whole life. They were just that good.
I found all of the meat to be tender and flavorful as well. The pulled pork was probably my favorite, but then again, pulled pork is usually my favorite so I’m a little biased. Really, I like all of the meat. The chicken was nice and juicy too, which is great since chicken can so often be dry and bland.
Kids’ Meal Review
Clearly, there’s not a whole lot to say about the rather basic offerings my children chose. I don’t think it’s possible to mess those up too much.
My children’s tastes in food aside, I’m a huge fan of the plethora of options available for kids at Whispering Canyon. This is not your standard kids’ meal! All of those options should guarantee that every kid is able to find something they like. Even if it’s only a hamburger and macaroni and cheese…
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a unique dining experience with good food and a good time, Whispering Canyon is definitely worth your consideration. As I mentioned above, Wilderness Lodge is the perfect spot for a little resort hopping. This makes Whispering Canyon Cafe the perfect spot to grab a meal.
It really isn’t for everyone. Similar to 50’s Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios, if you don’t want to be put on the spot, or find the antics to be rude, you aren’t going to like Whispering Canyon.
But if you do like that, there’s no other experience at Disney World quite like this one.
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Your Thoughts
Are you up for some raucous fun or do you a prefer a quieter meal? Are you a fan of the skillets at Whispering Canyon Cafe? Let me know in the comments below.
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