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Whispering Canyon Café: Great Chow & Rootin Tootin Good Times
Ellie Benitez
Disney is definitely the happiest place on Earth, not only is it a place for kids. families and couples, but it’s also great if you’re looking to expand your palate and enjoy a taste of Disney. If you’re a foodie looking an unforgettable culinary adventure and want to go somewhere new & exciting I have the perfect place for you: Whispering Canyon Café.
Located in the heart of the Wilderness Lodge, Whispering Canyon Café is one of Disney’s best hidden treasures. Well it’s not hidden per se but unless you’re a resort explorer, you’d never know it was there. You’re adventure begins as soon as you arrive to the host station where the staff is all decked out in their old western attire and everyone is fun & friendly as can be.
Once you’re summoned to your table you know you’ve stepped into a country themed restaurant with all the gorgeous stained wood décor, antler chandeliers and cowboy accents…oh and let’s not forget we’re at the Wilderness Lodge so there’s also a view of all the gorgeous foliage just outside. While you’re busy taking it all in, your server arrives and that’s when the fun begins. The wait staff at WCC is truly one of a kind: they are loud, fun loving, mind your manners, kind of folks. Some of them are pranksters, others are sticklers, but one thing is for sure you are definitely in for one of the most unique dining experiences of your Disney vacation.
The menu at Whispering Canyon Café caters to just about every kind of appetite, whether you’re looking for a nice hearty meal, a quick burger or enjoy a crisp delicious salad or even a nice fish sandwich; there’s something on this menu for everyone, even those of you with allergies.
We dropped in for lunch hungry as can be after a few hours on the road and ready to kick off my husband’s birthday weekend. Ready eat, we didn’t even have to think twice about what we were going to get, so we placed our order and our server quickly brought us our drinks along with a basket of cornbread. If you’re a cornbread enthusiast like me, I can tell you this is some ofthe best you will ever have it’s melt in your mouth delish.
Oh right you want to know what we ordered…well, what else is a BBQ loving man to order on his birthday other than the Lazy Mans Buffet? This is an All You Care to Enjoy platter that includes some of the most delicious Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork, Ribs, Chicken, Sausage, homemade Mashed Potatoes, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob and a never ending supply of that delicious cornbread, oh and the best part of this buffet is you don’t even have to leave your seat, just flag down your server and let them know what you’d like a refill of and they will bring it on over -Now this is something we could all get used to and for just under $23.00 it’s a steal. 
The ribs are succulent fall off the bone, with a smoky flavor, soft texture and smothered in a sauce only Disney could concoct. The chicken is juicy, roasted to perfection, the pulled pork is slow cooked, smoky and mouthwatering as is the sausage. The sides are the perfect sidekicks to the main attraction: the corn on the cob is buttery bliss, the mashed potatoes are truly home style, made fresh every morning in house with the best ingredients and the baked beans are just heaven in a bowl.
I ordered the Bacon Cheese Angus Burger, doesn’t sound as enticing as the Lazy Man’s Buffet, but it is pretty amazing. This burger is cooked to mouthwatering perfection, topped with crunchy hickory smoked bacon, sharp white cheddar cheese and ketchup served with your choice of house made Idaho potato chips, french fries, sweet potato fries or cucumber salad. I am a sucker for chips so I just had to try the house chips and I must admit they were excellent.
So while we’re enjoying our lunch in our surroundings there are races going on for the kids, contests, mocking about using your cell phone at the table and oh yes, lots of hooting & hollering about Ketchup. This is one fun environment and I won’t ruin it for you, but it’s interactive and kids & adults are all encouraged to participate.
After making sure we had eaten everything on our plates, our server offered us dessert…without thinking twice my husband ordered the apple caramel pie and due to my allergies, I was offered the gluten free cheesecake. Of course, a visit to WCC isn’t complete without getting involved in all the fun activities, so while we waited on our sweets we delivered some ketchup and joined in on a sing along or two. Suddenly without us even noticing, a pretty big birthday cupcake appeared at our table with a candle and before we knew it our server had the entire restaurant singing Happy Birthday to my hubby which he said was celebrating his 10th birthday. Needless to say, my husband was very surprised and not only enjoyed his fluffy birthday Mickey cupcake, but also his Apple Caramel Pie was pretty delectable.
The gluten free caramel cheesecake is not only great, it’s presented in an adorably in a mason jar topped with whipped cream and a dulce de leche drizzle. I must say it was one of my favorite desserts I’ve had at any Disney restaurant, it was so good I had forgotten it was gluten free.
Next time you’re in town, be sure to stop by the Whispering Canyon Café for a rooting, tooting good time. Where there servers treat you like family and really care whether you’re really thirsty or if you just want a small glass of water either way be sure to let them know cause there’s lots of fun to be had at WCC: where the service is great and the food is phenomenal. I will offer you two pieces of advice if you’re planning to swing by, make a reservation & always ask for Ketchup!
Ellie Benitez
Hi my name is Ellie & I'm a Disney-holic! Born & Raised in Sunny South Florida where I reside with my husband still to this day. My Disney addiction started when I was young, I blame my parents as we were Seasonal Pass Holders for most of my childhood & well into my teen years. We'd take a drive up every two or three months just to disconnect, now as an adult I totally understand what my parents meant by that. My husband & I are proud Pass Holders and probably will be for a long time, we can't get enough of the House of Mouse! Whenever I'm not Park Hopping or Disney Dining, you can find me crunching numbers and dealing with all kinds of crazy finance people. ;) Hence the need to disconnect! If you see me out at the parks feel free to stop me & say Hi! C'ya Real Soon!
