For a stress-free Disney or Universal Studios vacation, let the FREE expert planners at Royal Carriage Vacations take care of every detail including dining reservations, applying discounts, and onboard cruise credit.
Are you looking for unique dining experiences near the Magic Kingdom to try during your visit to Walt Disney World? Look no further than Wilderness Lodge!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Wilderness Lodge opened in 1994 and is inspired by the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone in 1902. There are so many wonderful details at this charming Disney Resort. Timber pillars, giant tepee chandeliers, and numerous fireplaces add to the lobby’s rustic, yet luxurious, feel.
Not only is the theming amazing, but every detail is also symbolic. Check out the relics, artwork, and even rugs to find nods to the Lewis & Clark expedition.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is also home to two DVC resorts. Boulder Ridge DVC is housed in a separate building. Copper Creek DVC consists of half the main lodge.
Better yet, Wilderness Lodge has a variety of unique dining options accessible not only to Guests who are staying at the resort but also to those who are visiting the Magic Kingdom. If you want food with a side of fun, you can easily enjoy just that during your stay at Wilderness Lodge OR your visit to the Magic Kingdom.
Getting to Wilderness Lodge
If you are not staying at Wilderness Lodge, but you want to eat at one of the table-service locations, I (Katie) highly recommend you plan your meal so that it coincides with your visit to the Magic Kingdom. Getting to Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom is not only simple from the Magic Kingdom, but it is also downright charming. Just hop on one of the boats at the boat launch and enjoy the voyage.
You may also enjoy dining here on your arrival day, rest day, or departure day, particularly if you are traveling by car and don’t have a theme park planned. Guests with a reservation for one of the restaurants can utilize Guest parking. Simply let security know that you have a reservation. They will most likely ask for your MagicBand and ID to verify it.
Dining Options at Wilderness Lodge
Wilderness Lodge has a collection of dining options including a table-service restaurant, a delightful character meal, several quick-service locations, and bar/lounges. It does lack a signature dining experience. If you want great signature dining in close proximity to the Magic Kingdom, head to California Grill, Narcoossee’s, or Citricos instead.
What Wilderness Lodge DOES offer is uniquely FUN experiences that you cannot find anywhere else. Plus, one of their restaurants is among Disney’s BEST values when it comes to table-service meals. A visit to Wilderness Lodge means a chance to check out the gorgeous architecture, grounds, and decor. The resort is especially beautiful around the holidays!
StoryBook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White
First up is a delightful character dinner inspired by the Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! During your meal, you will meet Snow White, The Evil Queen, Dopey, and Grumpy! StoryBook dining is available at dinner time only from 4:00-9:00 PM. Advanced Dining Reservations are STRONGLY recommended.
Dinner is a 3-course prix fixe menu. It has relatively high price points: $65 per adult and $39 per child. The meal begins with three shared appetizers. These include Hunter’s Terrine, Wild Mushroom Bisque, and Wicked Shrimp Cocktail.
In terms of entrees, adults can feast on the Royal Prime Rib Roast, Brother’s Grimm Herbed Chicken, Magic Mirror’s Slow-braised Pork Shank, Beef Stroganoff, and Bashful’s Butter Poached Sustainable Fish, or the vegetarian option—A Stroll Through Nature—featuring asparagus, leeks, arugula, and gnocchi. Children can choose from a selection of kid-friendly items, including Royal Prime Rib Roast, Grilled Chicken, or Princess Pasta.
Finally, dessert is a trio of treats. Offerings include the “Poison” Apple, a dark chocolate-apple mousse, the Fairy Tale Gooseberry Tart, and Miner’s Treasures. Want to know more? You can read a full review of the meal here.
Whispering Canyon
If you are after a meal filled with good times and a few shenanigans, look no further than Whispering Canyon. This zany restaurant is located just off the main lobby of Wilderness Lodge. While Artist Point is one of Disney’s pricier options, Whispering Canyon is one of the BEST values in Walt Disney World. My family of four can eat at Whispering Canyon for nearly the cost of a counter-service meal.
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch (brunch), and dinner at this Old-West-themed eatery. One amazing thing is that you can select from a la carte options OR all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets at breakfast and lunch. It is refreshing to be able to visit a restaurant that caters to both appetites.
Breakfast and lunch offer both traditional American breakfast items such as eggs and Mickey Waffles as well as Barbecue skillets. Dinner offers barbecue, steak, or salmon in addition to salads and such.
While there are no characters here, the place is chock full of character. Your server will likely have some antics up their sleeves. Better yet, be prepared to engage in the shenanigans themselves. Some of the gags involve audience participation.
You can read a not-so-great review of Whispering Canyon right here, but you can also see a positive review here.
Roaring Fork
Roaring Fork is a run-of-the-mill quick-service restaurant in terms of Disney World offerings. It has standard adult and kids meals available during all meal periods.
It is certainly not a stand-out in terms of Disney resort dining. You can see our favorite Walt Disney World Resort hotel quick-service restaurants here. However, it’ll do, especially if you want a Mickey Waffle, a grab-and-go item, some BBQ, or a burger.
If you want something unique, breakfast has a few options. Many guests enjoy the Bear Claw and Blueberry Cinnamon rolls. For lunch and dinner, there are some unique BBQ options as well.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill
If Guests prefer a quick bite to eat for lunch and dinner, Geyser Point Bar & Grill has some delicious options. You can enjoy small bites and rustic fare throughout the day. I certainly prefer the offerings here to those at Roaring Fork. They are a touch pricier, but there is also a bit more variety.
The salads are surprisingly good, too. I tried the Grilled Portobello Salad and loved it. In fact, I’d consider Geyser Point Bar & Grill a bit of a hidden gem. No one ever mentions it, but it has good food and a charming location.
Territory Lounge
Curl up in this rustic, lodge-like bar filled with cozy warmth! You can order snacks, small plates, sweets, and cocktails at Territory Lounge.
Whether you want a drink or a bite to eat, this is a nice, well-themed place to enjoy yourself. And, unlike bustling Lounges on the Monorail loop like Trader Sam’s, few people know about it, so it tends to be a quieter scene. You can read a full review right here.
Overall
While Wilderness Lodge is not home to any of Walt Disney World’s most popular restaurants, it does offer a decent variety of options at reasonable price points. And, it is easy enough to get to the Monorail Loop if you are craving Signature Dining Experiences during your stay.
It is true this is not a foodie’s dream resort. Even so, if you want fun dining experiences or a unique character meal, you will find them here. You will also find plenty of BBQ and standard quick-service fare.
Have you ever dined at Wilderness Lodge? What are your favorite dishes? Let us know in the comments. Do you know someone planning to visit Walt Disney World? Be sure to share this with them so they know all about these dining options.
Share the love!
