Whispering Canyon Change

[wannabeBelle]

Disney also holds tables for resort guests.

Just my own observation. I was at The Yachtsman Steakhouse checking in for my reservation a few years ago and a guest at the Yacht Club was getting really irritated as she couldnt get a table for dinner that night. She informed the hostess that they were staying at the resort, but the hostess was still unable to get her in for that night, advised her that people were making reservations up to 6 months in advance and sent her to the Lobby Concierge desk to assist her in finding a place to dine for that evening. I am not sure if a new policy has been put into effect to hold some tables for resort guests but it certainly wasn't that night. Marie

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Just my own observation. I was at The Yachtsman Steakhouse checking in for my reservation a few years ago and a guest at the Yacht Club was getting really irritated as she couldnt get a table for dinner that night. She informed the hostess that they were staying at the resort, but the hostess was still unable to get her in for that night, advised her that people were making reservations up to 6 months in advance and sent her to the Lobby Concierge desk to assist her in finding a place to dine for that evening. I am not sure if a new policy has been put into effect to hold some tables for resort guests but it certainly wasn't that night. Marie

I'm not sure how the policy works exactly, but I had the opposite thing happen to me at Kona. We were hoping for a walk-up reservation and they told us they didn't have any availability unless we had a reservation or were staying at the resort. Maybe it's left to the discretion of the particular resorts' GMs?

 

[spresso81]

Could they have a quiet room for people that do not want to participate?

Despite 20 trips to Disney I have never stayed at the WL. So is that even feasible?

I actually have heard so many good and fun things about WC I almost came to just eat there on a couple of past trips. It is sad we live in a society today where we have to always worry about one person complaining or getting a headache from a waiter yelling Ketchup. Disney is supposed to be a fun place and loosing these antics is a win for people who eventually will ruin Disney World for all of us in ever increasing ways

 

[Indy_UK]

Absolutely crazy if the antics have been dropped. It’s Disney for gods sake, your meant to have fun. If you don’t like it, eat elsewhere....

 

[Master Yoda]

Just my own observation. I was at The Yachtsman Steakhouse checking in for my reservation a few years ago and a guest at the Yacht Club was getting really irritated as she couldnt get a table for dinner that night. She informed the hostess that they were staying at the resort, but the hostess was still unable to get her in for that night, advised her that people were making reservations up to 6 months in advance and sent her to the Lobby Concierge desk to assist her in finding a place to dine for that evening. I am not sure if a new policy has been put into effect to hold some tables for resort guests but it certainly wasn't that night. Marie

I'm not sure how the policy works exactly, but I had the opposite thing happen to me at Kona. We were hoping for a walk-up reservation and they told us they didn't have any availability unless we had a reservation or were staying at the resort. Maybe it's left to the discretion of the particular resorts' GMs?

I knew how this worked pre magic bands, but it is my understanding that the old method was scrapped with the new system.

 

[Scuttle]

So what are solutions that would keep WCC intact?

1. Add another restaraunt
2. Shuttle people for free over to Trails End
3. Let guests know the Contemporary is one boat stop away with multiple table service restaraunts.

 

[donsullivan]

Absolutely crazy if the antics have been dropped. It’s Disney for gods sake, your meant to have fun. If you don’t like it, eat elsewhere....

This is kind of a flippant and selfish response. What about all the folks staying at the resort that are going there for breakfast, not so much for any 'antics' but because they have a decent breakfast for a family staying at the resort?

So many things that long-time fans of Disney Parks fans 'love' tend to get a little out of control over time and they overrun the ability of others to experience a place (think reciting the lines of the Ghost Host in the stretch room of HM out loud). As we have heard already, the complaints were less about the activities and more about the volume and while certainly encouraged by CM's, the guests are a part of that problem. The last time I was there, multiple tables near us got so loud everyone at our whole table had to just stop talking and wait silently until they were done. We could not carry on a conversation due to the volume. That should not happen anywhere and it's that volume that people are complaining about. Sometimes the avid Disney fan goes a little too far without regard for those around them.

Trust me, I'm a victim of the mason jar of Diet Coke every time I'm there and I'm okay with that. But when a restaurant is so loud you can no longer carry on a conversation that is not a positive thing.

 

[Indy_UK]

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh but there are tons of different resorts at Disney to suit different budgets, styles etc and I'm just fed up that when somewhere may have a 'cool niche' for whatever reason, it seems like people complain and good things have to go away.

I love Port Orleans Riverside but I won't stay there because I hate Boatwrights. There are plenty of other options for me.

Probably get rid of 50s Prime Time next because people don't like being told to eat their green beans

 

[ABQ]

.....The last time I was there, multiple tables near us got so loud everyone at our whole table had to just stop talking and wait silently until they were done. We could not carry on a conversation due to the volume. That should happen anywhere and it's that volume that people are complaining about. Sometimes the avid Disney fan goes a little too far without regard for those around them.
......

Ironically, that's the complaint I've had the last 2 times I've ventured into the California Grill of all places. I'd bet it's louder than Whispering Canyon on a more consistent basis, as at least the antics were not constant. And for the price you pay for a meal in the CG vs WCC, it's very bad to be unable to speak to your table guests.

 

[larryz]

Could they have a quiet room for people that do not want to participate?

They have a quiet area; it's back behind the fireplace.

 

[donsullivan]

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh but there are tons of different resorts at Disney to suit different budgets, styles etc and I'm just fed up that when somewhere may have a 'cool niche' for whatever reason, it seems like people complain and good things have to go away.

I love Port Orleans Riverside but I won't stay there because I hate Boatwrights. There are plenty of other options for me.

Probably get rid of 50s Prime Time next because people don't like being told to eat their green beans

I don't disagree with that basic sentiment at all. It's the same base condition that has blanded all the restaurant menus to within an inch of their lives. Folks choose the restaurant for the environment (think Be Our Guest) and then complain about the menu and over time everything becomes burgers and chicken nuggets. Whispering Canyon still has a great breakfast with the skillets, especially for a hungry growing family which makes it popular.

However, when you're in a resort (especially for breakfast) where you have limited choices for a family breakfast there does need to be at least some reasonable accommodation for 'all' to enjoy. Again though, we've seen it reported that the 'antics' aren't exactly going to stop but there will be efforts to bring the volume down a little which seems a reasonable adjustment. I certainly would not want to be having a sleep-in-day in one of those rooms off the lobby in the morning, just like I don't like a Contemporary tower room south of the elevators due to the noise from Chef Mickey.

Ironically, that's the complaint I've had the last 2 times I've ventured into the California Grill of all places. I'd bet it's louder than Whispering Canyon on a more consistent basis, as at least the antics were not constant. And for the price you pay for a meal in the CG vs WCC, it's very bad to be unable to speak to your table guests.

I haven't been to CG since the most recent renovations but from the photos I've seen, it does seem that the architecture of the space with lots of hard surfaces combined with the additional seats they've added could make for a very loud location. Of course, now you've reminded me how long it's been since I've been there and I'll have to go looking for an ADR

 

[jaklgreen]

I hate to bring up DVC but your options get more limited if you're looking to plop down $30k on DVC direct.

Maybe someone earlier was correct and DVC is the bogeyman here?

Added after I read @CaptainAmerica's post about lack of research: I might only have a small bit of sympathy for people who didn't think to check whether their hotel only had a rowdy TS restaurant. I mean, it is true that there are other QS dining options if you're painfully shy.

But if you just plopped down $30k and are going to be there every year, I might expect Disney to build a new TS restaurant or do something in the interim. And even if you aren't painfully shy, I could imagine getting tired of the loud schtick if I was going to eat there a couple times a visit for the next 30 years.

It's a shame, I agree, though. But I'm still hoping there will still be antics, just at a slightly lower volume and not a big reduction in antics.

I am sorry but this MIGHT be an issue any other place besides WDW. With all of the free transportation options and proximity to other hotels with dozens of restaurants, not having some people's version of their "Ideal, quite, sit down, family restaurant at this one hotel is really a dumb thing to complain about. One of the nice amenities of going to WDW is the variety of options on property. WCC should stay as it is. There are plenty of other options within a 15 min boat/bus ride away. You can't have EVERYTHING you want at one resort. I don't care how much money you spend. I think some of the people on this board need to get together and open the perfect theme park and resort they all are talking about. You will be rich in no time.

 

[jaklgreen]

I know that and you know that. But we also have combined 10,000 posts on a Disney fan message board. We're not representative of the majority of WDW guests.

There's a new thread in this forum every day about someone taking their family to Disney for the first time. They're two weeks out and they're asking questions like "what rides are good?" or "we like to sleep until noon on vacation, is that okay?" or "what time is the bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Harry Potter World?" And for every person who registers on this site to ask basic questions, how many more are there out there who would never even think that a site like this exists, never mind that it's a borderline necessary resource to make the most of dining reservations, FastPass+, crowd management, itinerary planning, etc.?

Just because someone chooses to not do the research, does not mean they do not know it exists but are too lazy to do the work. I mean EVERYONE has heard of the internet by now. Even my 91 year old grandma knows about it. Does not understand it(she thinks all of that information is in my phone lol) but she knows I can look anything up. I have zero sympathy for anyone who does not do research on where they are taking their families to and spending thousands of dollars . I am planning a trip to Hawaii, have never been but I have spent a year researching and watching YouTube videos and figuring out where we are going and what we are going to do and where to eat, etc. If someone chooses to go into things blind and not take the 5 minutes to look into a restaurant they are making reservations for, then they have no cause to complain about the antics.

 

[DougK]

FWIW I copied this from the WDW website today May 18. They are still pushing the antics at WCC as a reason to book a meal there:


For a rowdy, rootin’ tootin’ good time, round up the whole family for hearty western fare and antics aplenty.

We Like to Horse Around
Gallop on over to this Old Western eatery for games and good eatin’ served with attitude.
Tether your trusty steed and mosey into this log-cabin lodge with rough-hewn charm and colorfully named Cast Members who have a reputation for sassing customers. Take your seat in a cowboy or Indian chair and get into some finger-lickin’ vittles. There’s plenty to go around! Just be careful what you wish for, especially if it’s ketchup.
Junior gunslingers will find all kinds of shenanigans to get into: Lincoln logs, coloring, spirited sing-alongs and even hobby horse races. And the wise-cracking wait staff will make sure that grownup cowpokes get in on the fun too!

 

[jaklgreen]

However, when you're in a resort (especially for breakfast) where you have limited choices for a family breakfast

Wilderness lodge is not limited in their breakfast options. You can go to Roaring Fork or Geyser point to get breakfast items. Plus ALL OF THE OTHER RESTAURANTS on Disney property, remember the free transportation. I have never once picked the resort at WDW based on the food options. And I LOVE food. I just go to where ever sounds good to me that day.

 

[jaklgreen]

FWIW I copied this from the WDW website today May 18. They are still pushing the antics at WCC as a reason to book a meal there:


For a rowdy, rootin’ tootin’ good time, round up the whole family for hearty western fare and antics aplenty.

We Like to Horse Around
Gallop on over to this Old Western eatery for games and good eatin’ served with attitude.
Tether your trusty steed and mosey into this log-cabin lodge with rough-hewn charm and colorfully named Cast Members who have a reputation for sassing customers. Take your seat in a cowboy or Indian chair and get into some finger-lickin’ vittles. There’s plenty to go around! Just be careful what you wish for, especially if it’s ketchup.
Junior gunslingers will find all kinds of shenanigans to get into: Lincoln logs, coloring, spirited sing-alongs and even hobby horse races. And the wise-cracking wait staff will make sure that grownup cowpokes get in on the fun too!

OMG look at the hours of research that took you to find that out!!!

 

[aladdin2007]

I'm not sure how the policy works exactly, but I had the opposite thing happen to me at Kona. We were hoping for a walk-up reservation and they told us they didn't have any availability unless we had a reservation or were staying at the resort. Maybe it's left to the discretion of the particular resorts' GMs?

Have had this happen as well though it was awhile back, whats odd is there always seems to be empty tables. Yet flat out turned away.

 

[21stamps]

Funny thing though is occupancy fell to a rumored 50%...

Then the “change” happened and they called to the bullpen.

Teepees and “waterside” wine bars

When? I couldn’t get a reservation for my dates in 2017, and I got the last room for my dates in 2016.. a bunk bed room that I didn’t need, but took it because I wanted to stay there.

 

[21stamps]

So what are solutions that would keep WCC intact?

1. Add another restaraunt
2. Shuttle people for free over to Trails End
3. Let guests know the Contemporary is one boat stop away with multiple table service restaraunts.

2 & 3 already exist.

 

[21stamps]

Do any of Disney's other deluxe resorts (or any resort) have a restaurant with such a boisterous participatory atmosphere?

I'm not saying that they don't, I honestly want to know if there are other examples that we can draw from.

I can only think of Ohana but it's a bit different. There must be others.

Any character meal is obnoxious imo. I think WCC is tame in comparison.

Maybe I just got lucky during our meal at WCC, but there was a lot less crying kids and stroller than at any restaurants with characters meals. So it felt a lot more peaceful.

We do character meals, I just think they’re loud. It’s why we rotate with eating at the resort lounge.