Best dining at Wilderness Lodge

[TJ Bryant]

My wife, daughter, and I will be staying at Wilderness Lodge tonight. We will get in kind of late so thinking it would be nice to just eat at or near the resort. Any opinions on the best dining experience at Wilderness Lodge? Looking for something fancy if possible and quality of food trumps other experiences like characters or what have you for us anyway. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[canadian_belle]

You can see if Cali Grill has last minute availability as it is just a boat ride over to Contemporary from WL.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Take a short boat ride to the Contemporary and eat at The Wave!

Id say food is one of WL weakest areas. Roaring fork is ok like most deluxe QS are. Artist Point is now a high end character meal. And Whispering Canyon cafe is good if you are in the mood for heavy, really heavy, food. People say Geyser Point is much better than it use to be but I haven't been able to verify that. If you dont want to leave WL property Id go for Geyser Point, if you dont mind a boat ride, The Wave.

All are easily beat by Contempo Cafe/The Wave/California Grill.

 

[Pyotr]

Artist Point is your best bet if you want to stay in the Lodge. I like Geyser Point but it’s more of a burger/bar type place. Whispering Canyon is an “all you care to enjoy” BBQ restaurant with antics. It’s easy to get a table there, but it’s definitely not fine dining.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As others have said, unfortunately, with AP becoming a prix fixe character meal, there is no longer any fine dining at WL. As others have said, your closest signature is Cali Grill at CR, however, it may be difficult to get a reservation there last minute. Definitely see if The Wave at CR has availability. Again, just a boat ride away and it's one of the best casual TS at WDW, IMHO. You could hop in a cab/uber/lyft/Minnie Van and head over to GF - Citrico's typically has reservations available (I would double check on the MDE app before heading over) and it's very good. If you would rather stay at WL and AP and Whispering Canyon aren't to your liking, check out Geyser Point (mostly sandwiches and salads, but lovely, outdoor atmosphere) or Territory Lounge (limited menu, but it's typically quiet inside) .

Artist Point is your best bet if you want to stay in the Lodge. I like Geyser Point but it’s more of a burger/bar type place. Whispering Canyon is an “all you care to enjoy” BBQ restaurant with antics. It’s easy to get a table there, but it’s definitely not fine dining.

Just to clarify, Whispering Canyon does have AYCTE skillets on the menu, but most of the menu consists of a la carte options. It is not exclusively an AYCTE restaurant.

 

[Pyotr]

As others have said, unfortunately, with AP becoming a prix fixe character meal, there is no longer any fine dining at WL. As others have said, your closest signature is Cali Grill at CR, however, it may be difficult to get a reservation there last minute. Definitely see if The Wave at CR has availability. Again, just a boat ride away and it's one of the best casual TS at WDW, IMHO. You could hop in a cab/uber/lyft/Minnie Van and head over to GF - Citrico's typically has reservations available (I would double check on the MDE app before heading over) and it's very good. If you would rather stay at WL and AP and Whispering Canyon aren't to your liking, check out Geyser Point (mostly sandwiches and salads, but lovely, outdoor atmosphere) or Territory Lounge (limited menu, but it's typically quiet inside) .



Just to clarify, Whispering Canyon does have AYCTE skillets on the menu, but most of the menu consists of a la carte options. It is not exclusively an AYCTE restaurant.

Aside from the 4 skillets, for dinner, there are three choices. A steak, salmon, and quinoa cakes. I wouldn’t say that’s most the menu......

 

[Vickie1016]

CG or the Wave (boat ride over to the CR). We ate at the Wave last summer (scored a last minute day of reservation) food was excellent!

 

[TJ Bryant]

Thanks everyone! You’ve all been extremely helpful and given me lots of good options!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Sounds like you would have liked the old version of Artist Point! I sure did!

With that gone, I'd go for The Wave, as others have suggested.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Aside from the 4 skillets, for dinner, there are three choices. A steak, salmon, and quinoa cakes. I wouldn’t say that’s most the menu......

All of the appetizers and desserts are also a la carte along with the entrees you mention plus many more a la carte kids items. That’s most of the menu. Just want to clarify for anyone reading this thread that Whispering Canyon is not exclusively AYCTE or prix fixe the way, say, ‘Ohana or LTT dinners are. Guests have various options at WCC.

 

[Spridell]

Since you are staying at WL, def at some point try Geyser Point. It is EXCELLENT!!!! Yes its like a burger food but its amazing burger food and the atmosphere can not be beat.

Whispering Canyon food is also VERY good but like others have said very very heavy.

 

[Beachmom0317]

You could also check out Grand Floridian! They have Grand Floridian Cafe, Citricos, Narcoossee’s. It’s not far from WL, maybe Uber over there! If not you’d have to take ferry to either MK or contemporary and then monorail to GF.

 

[Dean Marino]

Deleted

 

[Disneypapa]

I like and would recommend Whispering Canyon

 

[Toolulu22]

Thanks everyone! You’ve all been extremely helpful and given me lots of good options!

So, where did you end up eating?

 

[Wakey]

The Wave is getting good feedback, seems to be since the manager of Yachtsman’s Steakhouse moved there I think.
I would avoid Narcoossees like the plague, vastly overpriced for service and food quality on offer.

 

[TJ Bryant]

So we ended up getting in so late that all table service restaurants were closed. So we rode the boat to contemporary and ate at Top of the world Lounge. The food was ok but the view was amazing.

 

[sleepydog25]

I realize you've already arrived, but I just had to pop in and say there is no "best dining" at the Lodge anymore. RF is a below average QS; WCC may be fine for breakfast but it's largely an all-you-care-to-eat spot with average food; Artist Point used to be great but is now an expensive character meal; and Geyser Point has a couple of solid dishes but is an odd TS/QS hybrid that sits in a bar, albeit a lovely one that sits on the lake. As others mentioned above, the best option is to go elsewhere for good meals if you're staying at WL.