Significant Changes to Whispering Canyon Cafe

[DarthVader]

Another thought I had about this.

I can see people above the restaurant not being too happy, with regard to the boisterous noise. I mean, people are paying close to 500 dollars a night (if not more) and when you want to rest, you don't want to be hearing that sort of thing, especially if impacts little one's from sleeping. I don't know how noticable it may be in the rooms directly over it, but I wouldn't be happy after spending so much money on the resort.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Another thought I had about this.

I can see people above the restaurant not being too happy, with regard to the boisterous noise. I mean, people are paying close to 500 dollars a night (if not more) and when you want to rest, you don't want to be hearing that sort of thing, especially if impacts little one's from sleeping. I don't know how noticable it may be in the rooms directly over it, but I wouldn't be happy after spending so much money on the resort.

And it took them 24 years to discover this?

 

[Plowboy]

So they will be re-imagined into something more frou-frou to match the standards of the Copper Creek Villas clientele?

Probably make them "Character Experiences" so they can double the prices...

 

[larryz]

Well, once they're finished with WCC, maybe they can go fix that Whoop-de-do dinner... it's 'way too noisy and rambunctious! /sarc

I'm in the minority, but I really didn't enjoy those "hijinks". I know its popular, and that's fine. Its just not my cup of tea.

There's always the quiet section...

 

[crxbrett]

Another thought I had about this.

I can see people above the restaurant not being too happy, with regard to the boisterous noise. I mean, people are paying close to 500 dollars a night (if not more) and when you want to rest, you don't want to be hearing that sort of thing, especially if impacts little one's from sleeping. I don't know how noticable it may be in the rooms directly over it, but I wouldn't be happy after spending so much money on the resort.

Yeah, I can see that being an issue for some. Not sure how loud it really is inside a room since I never have stayed there. But that's why I suggested maybe Disney let the guests know who are getting those rooms that they may hear some hootin' and hollarin' from the restaurant and if they didn't want to hear the noises, could be moved across into another wing of the resort.

One thing I am wondering, were the complaints coming from people in the rooms directly above the restaurant only? Or from people staying in the rooms overlooking the lobby in general?

Unrelated to people yelling and shouting or having fun and singing in the Whispering Canyon Cafe - I grew up 1 mile from an airport so I like background noise most of the time lol When I have stayed in rooms at the Poly that were facing the pool, I always cracked the slider open so I could hear the sounds from the pool. It's calming to me. Odd, I know. Granted, the pool areas don't become lively until maybe 10 or 11am.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Another thought I had about this.

I can see people above the restaurant not being too happy, with regard to the boisterous noise. I mean, people are paying close to 500 dollars a night (if not more) and when you want to rest, you don't want to be hearing that sort of thing, especially if impacts little one's from sleeping. I don't know how noticable it may be in the rooms directly over it, but I wouldn't be happy after spending so much money on the resort.

The same could be said of Contemporary Tower rooms and the noise coming from Chef Mickey's and the Grand Canyon Concourse, but that hasn't affected dining there.

 

[GlassHalfFull]

Yeah, I can see that being an issue for some. Not sure how loud it really is inside a room since I never have stayed there. But that's why I suggested maybe Disney let the guests know who are getting those rooms that they may hear some hootin' and hollarin' from the restaurant and if they didn't want to hear the noises, could be moved across into another wing of the resort.

One thing I am wondering, were the complaints coming from people in the rooms directly above the restaurant only? Or from people staying in the rooms overlooking the lobby in general?

Unrelated to people yelling and shouting or having fun and singing in the Whispering Canyon Cafe - I grew up 1 mile from an airport so I like background noise most of the time lol When I have stayed in rooms at the Poly that were facing the pool, I always cracked the slider open so I could hear the sounds from the pool. It's calming to me. Odd, I know. Granted, the pool areas don't become lively until maybe 10 or 11am.

I am also in the category who refuse to believe the noise over 24 years of service has finally caused a change in this restaurants experience. Even if it is "the noise" plenty of people would stay in rooms with a "loud" restaurant below it for a discounted rate, or full rate if they wanted to stay in a deluxe anyways and am up by 6 am without an alarm every day and don't go to bed until this restaurant closes like I do..

Let's say this change conservatively costs them 50 diners a day.. that $2000 per day could easily cover subsidizing those "cheaper" rooms IF that really is the case..

I have a feeling people are changing things to change them. Maybe the head count is lower over the years, but is that because of the restaurant per say, or is it because they have other offerings like Glacier Point and the restaurant food/experience offerings haven't changed much at Whispering Canyon? If I made a suggestion, I'd add a few characters to the whole party atmosphere and that place will be full again.. O'Hana character meals do a kids parade with music pumped in and that place is full to the brim on an "off season" Thursday.. I have said for years that place would slowly lose people who wanted the character aspect of Disney without a character dining offering ever since the Artist Point Character Breakfast went out the door, and I fear this is what has hurt the "head count".. This restaurant fits the character meal better than Artist Point ever did/will if the rumors of bringing that back are true as well..

I think this is a case where someone wanted a change, and rather than build on what people like about a place, they initiated change just to get change.

 

[Kristopher Rannells]

My thoughts exactly Stephen. It just does not seem conceivable that complaints just surfaced or have recently increased dramatically from folks staying in the rooms above WC. I actually seemed to notice what seemed like more noise in the CR tower coming from Chef Mickey's

 

[Bob02766]

Finally! I stayed in the Wilderness Lodge and this restaurant produced high noise levels from afternoon to late at night. I would have been ok but the way it is designed open to the lobby and all the rooms was poorly designed. In part of the refresh they should build walls on it. I know I called Disney to complain about this place. Plus I gave the front desk an earful. Good bye I will not miss you.

 

[EarsGear]

We went back in 2016 and although it was fun for the kids, the food was just OK'ish. It was more entertaining watching the old couple on the table next to us look absolutely disgusted by the shenanigans ruining their 'quiet' evening meal, as they were obviously not keen on some audience participation and hadn't done their research!

To be honest we all enjoyed Geyser Point more, which is just a few minutes walk away plus they pipe in the 'Happily Ever After' music every night where you can watch the fireworks from the shore of Bay Lake. Plus they have the outdoor movie every night.

I'd recommend saving your money or table service dining credit and enjoy one of the best quick service locations on Disney property [but please, don't tell everybody!].

 

[JohnD]

TouringPlans posted that the "rootin' tootin'" will continue but be toned down. So maybe not as "significant" as the thread title would indicate.

 

[Gitson Shiggles]

 

[JohnD]

I just "bit the bullet" so to speak and made a breakfast ADR for 6/1 at 10:30am. I'm checking out of Universal that morning anyway and driving to WDW. I'm spending the afternoon in MK so I'll just drive straight there and try it out for the first time.

 

[GlassHalfFull]

copied from other thread..

for the record.. if I say I am going to email someone.. then I do.. and I received a email response today about this change..

"Thank you for taking the time to respond to the news of changes at Whispering Canyon. Whispering Canyon Cafe is still a rootin' tootin' good time for the whole family, with plenty of antics. You may notice that we've asked our Cast Members to turn down the volume a bit in order to promote participation among all guests. There is still lots of silliness for you to enjoy.

Your feedback is very important to us, and we truly appreciate that you took the time to let us know your thoughts. It is through feedback, like yours, that we learn what we must do to ensure the Disney magic is preserved for everyone.

Once again, thank you for your honest feedback."

Not sure about the sentence that says they turned down the volume so more participation is enjoyed.. maybe it was too loud for people with sensory issues?

But I did want to let you guys know they are responding to emails about the changes.. my email to them simply stated I hope they don't attempt to make it another WDW table service without an experience..

 

[HwdStudio]

I may actually enjoy a meal there now. No way I was wasting my relaxing meal time with all of the noise I always hear coming out of there.

 

[larryz]

Finally! I stayed in the Wilderness Lodge and this restaurant produced high noise levels from afternoon to late at night. I would have been ok but the way it is designed open to the lobby and all the rooms was poorly designed. In part of the refresh they should build walls on it. I know I called Disney to complain about this place. Plus I gave the front desk an earful. Good bye I will not miss you.

 

[correcaminos]

So they will be re-imagined into something more frou-frou to match the standards of the Copper Creek Villas clientele?

What makes toy think CCV clientele are all frou frou?

 

[Songbird76]

copied from other thread..

for the record.. if I say I am going to email someone.. then I do.. and I received a email response today about this change..

"Thank you for taking the time to respond to the news of changes at Whispering Canyon. Whispering Canyon Cafe is still a rootin' tootin' good time for the whole family, with plenty of antics. You may notice that we've asked our Cast Members to turn down the volume a bit in order to promote participation among all guests. There is still lots of silliness for you to enjoy.

Your feedback is very important to us, and we truly appreciate that you took the time to let us know your thoughts. It is through feedback, like yours, that we learn what we must do to ensure the Disney magic is preserved for everyone.

Once again, thank you for your honest feedback."

Not sure about the sentence that says they turned down the volume so more participation is enjoyed.. maybe it was too loud for people with sensory issues?

But I did want to let you guys know they are responding to emails about the changes.. my email to them simply stated I hope they don't attempt to make it another WDW table service without an experience..

Can you please share the email address you sent your feedback to? I'd like to do that as well. Thank you.

 

[GlassHalfFull]

Can you please share the email address you sent your feedback to? I'd like to do that as well. Thank you.

WDW.GM.WildernessLodge@disney.com

 

[HwdStudio]

I can confirm that this morning there was not any cast interaction other than normal wait service. If one didn’t know what used to go on here you would thing it’s just a regular restaurant.

ETA: Spent a few hours in the lobby and not a single sound except the the sound of dishes from Whispering Canyon.