Trail's End or Whispering Canyon

M

Mhofeners

New Member
Original Poster
Tell me this: If you were wanting to make it all about the kids and build a little entertainment in there, which would you choose? I want something laid back - and by laid back, I mean my 3 loud boys wont be a huge annoyance to everyone lol! Perhaps I should have clarified ;) I feel like at the TS at The Contemporary (where we are staying) or GF, which I considered bc I want to see it, they would just stress me out. We typically avoid restaurants at all costs lol!

This is our first night on site EVER but we don't really want to tie ourselves down with a ressie or anything bc we likely won't even make it to our room til 4ish (and that is assuming flight is mostly on time). I just want to be able to play and entertain the kids a bit and see the EWP. Maybe fit in a campfire/movie or the arcade - whatever seems to interest them.

My initial thought was HDDR but I don't want to box us into a ressie AND I don't want them to have to sit thru 2 hrs after 2 hrs in the car, 2+ hrs on the plane then ME to Contemporary... I like the idea of Trails End bc it looks super laid back (not too worried about buffet, breaks things up a bit and the oldest can do his own plate) - I was also thinking that the playground here might be good and that (depending on time) we could maybe even fit in a wagon ride, that there would be a lot to see here for them and that the campfire here might be a neater experience than the one at the Contemporary. WCC sounds like it might actually be the more entertaining of the 2 for the kiddos, so I like the idea of that too! And the included beverages for adults ;) And the convenience of not having to worry about the buffet. Plus, there is still the boat ride over - which I think they will enjoy. Is there more for the kids to see & do here? What about the campfire here/EWP viewing? Or do you think we'd be better off returning to Contemp. and doing campfire/movie &/or watching EWP there?

Last concern - and its not a huge one bc I can usually find something to eat anywhere - but I prefer (no allergy) a gluten free/sugar free/low carb diet. Looks like I can get meat and veggies and salad at either, but if anyone can offer any insight here as well, that would be great!

Knowing all this, further thoughts or suggestions??? This is my LAST (I think) decision to make before we go!!! 6 DAYS! YAY! Oh and I am trying to use a TS so I can save our QS for convenience on the other days (otherwise I would just do Contempo Cafe)!

Also open to other suggestions of places to go - especially if there is neat stuff for the kids to see/do - I just don't really want to be tied down to a ressie and I want it to be VERY kid friendly so DH (& me) doesn't stress out about kiddo table manners/behavior ;)

Thanks again so SO much!!!
 
HolleBolleGijs

HolleBolleGijs

Well-Known Member
I don't know anything about Trail's End, but my family LOVES Whispering Canyon! This is actually the first year I can remember that we won't be eating there. It seems like it would be perfect for your family!

I have no input about the dietary concerns, sorry!
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
You likely won't be able to just walk up to Whispering Canyon, it is very popular and an ADR is a must. You will have a greater chance of success walking up to Trail's End without a reservation.

The only beverages "included" with the
dining plan at ANY restaurant are soft drinks, no "adult" beverages.
 
Chef Kronk

Chef Kronk

Well-Known Member
My family and I went to both Whispering Canyon and Trail's End on our last trip, our first time for both. We all agreed Whispering Canyon was better by a landslide. We just didn't get the hype for Trail's End, plus its a pain to get over there if you aren't coming from the MK.
 
iluvMainStMagic

iluvMainStMagic

Active Member
We are in the camp with those who really enjoy Trail's End, we've eaten at Whispering Canyon several times also and liked it, too, but maybe TE a little better. However, with kids, especially ones who have been cooped up while traveling, I would recommend WC. Not just because it is a little less "quiet", but also because they have some fun activities for kids, which would allow them to expend a little energy.

You can talk with the chef at any TS restaurant about dietary needs so either one is good for that.

I don't know about walking-up at WC, we have never tried it, we always made an ADR. A general rule that I would suggest - the more people you need to seat (like more than 2-4), the more likely you are to need an ADR, because there are usually fewer tables large enough to seat a larger group. If you can divide up and sit at more than one table, you might get in more easily - but then you would need to have 2 smaller tables available. Sorry if that doesn't really help. I hope you are able to get in at one of them, have a great meal, and enjoy your first night!
 
M

Mhofeners

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks all! I think we will go with WC and there is availability so maybe I will just make the ADR.

Any thoughts on staying there for EWP. Or could we take a boat over to FW and do Chip n Dale and watch there? Or do you think we should just head back to the Contemporary for their night time stuff?
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
CaptainAmerica said:
Not at lunch time, it's not.
Click to expand...
The OP was not considering lunch but was looking for a place for dinner. And since she is leaving in 6 days, and July is a very busy time at WDW restaurants, I did not want her to make an effort to get her family to WC only to be turned away...if they were staying at WL they could take the risk of walking up without much inconvenience, but they are staying at Contemporary.
 
ekutchey

ekutchey

Active Member
WC is great! Not to mention if you have not experienced the lobby at WL it is fantastic. You can also ask the front desk for a find Mickey's scavenger hunt. WL has a ton, not all featured on the hunt but still great! Also if you go to WL don't forget to ask for ketchup ;)! Your kids will love it!! It is true that lunch is less busy but sometimes not as entertaining as breakfast or dinner service.
 
Bparso87

Bparso87

Well-Known Member
ekutchey said:
WC is great! Not to mention if you have not experienced the lobby at WL it is fantastic. You can also ask the front desk for a find Mickey's scavenger hunt. WL has a ton, not all featured on the hunt but still great! Also if you go to WL don't forget to ask for ketchup ;)! Your kids will love it!! It is true that lunch is less busy but sometimes not as entertaining as breakfast or dinner service.
Click to expand...
The first year there we got ketchup and my daughter was waiting for someone to ask when the finally did she was in the bathroom :(
 
Gaston's gal

Gaston's gal

Well-Known Member
We go to Whispering Canyon Cafe every time we are at WDW. We love the "all you can drink" milkshakes and, of course, the BBQ. It is a great place for kids. Make sure they ask for some ketchup!
 
L

lorreejean

Member
I've had walk ups to Whispering Canyon several times, but have also had times when I couldn't get a reservation that I wanted. It depends, in part, on time of day and size of party. I have never had a problem with getting in at Trails End. Occasionally have to wait a little bit, but always got in.
Other thoughts: the playground at Trails End is great for kids and as you said, the wagon ride afterwards would be great.
Getting to either is easy from the Contemporary, there is a boat that circles between the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.
You could plan on trying for Whispering Canyon, and moving on to Fort Wilderness if you can't get in.,
You could also plan on eating at Whispering Canyon, then going over to Fort Wilderness for the campfire program. The one there is the only one I know of with characters. Chip and Dale are there at some time every night.
 
boilerpicc

boilerpicc

Well-Known Member
The EWP will hit the Wilderness Lodge first, Fort Wilderness second, and Contemporary third. In my opinion, it is not worth taking the boat over to Fort Wilderness just to watch it. All of the hotels have campfires, smores, and movies at night. I would probably go to WL, eat, do the scavenger hunt, and then see how you are looking on time. If it's after 9 by then, I would stay at the WL. Otherwise, I would probably go back to the Contemporary.
 
rt06

rt06

Well-Known Member
WCC is my favorite all you can eat on property. Your kids will be able to be as loud as they want. TE was disappointing, as most Disney buffets are.
 
fireworksandfairytales

fireworksandfairytales

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I've never been to Whispering Canyon, but my boyfriend and I are BIG fans of Trail's End. We haven't been for dinner, so I'm not sure if the buffet is good or not, but at lunch I had a delicious salad with chicken and he had the fried chicken and waffles (I should've got the fried chicken and waffles because it was REALLY good).
 

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