02/16

Grandma Terry, Aunt Erica, and I went to Walt Disney World for two nights and two days of fun, meeting up with my cousin Heather, her husband Jason, and their son Colin. We left today after work, with dinner plans tonight at the Whispering Canyon Cafe in Disney's Wilderness Lodge. After dinner we would head to our room for the next two nights at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort before spending Tuesday and Wednesday in the parks. We are all looking forward to it!

The first stop of our trip was at the rest area in Polk County, where I snapped a selfie in the fresh air with the palm trees and blue sky over me.

Polk County Rest Area
		Rodney taking a selfie with the palm trees in the background.

We arrived at the Wilderness Lodge about 15 minutes prior to our dinner reservation at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, where would would dine for the first time tonight. We wandered around the lobby and the resort store for a bit, but before we knew it our table was ready.

Although we were tempted by a couple of the other meals, we all ended up getting 'The Traditional', which included oak-smoked beef brisket, pork ribs, slow-smoked pulled pork, citrus-herb chicken, western-style sausage, smashed potatoes, baked beans, buttered corn on the cob, and sautéed green beans. Corn bread was also included with the meal. I wasn't impressed with the brisket, but I did enjoy the pulled pork, sausage, and potatoes quite a bit. Because we all ordered the same meal, we got one large skillet filled with all of the food, and we didn't end up needed to request any extra, though we could have had we been able to eat more!

My favorite part of the evening was when someone requested ketchup for their meal. The waiter (or waitress, if they still use that term) would loudly yell "Ketchup!", and I fully expected all of the other waiters to come running out with ketchup. Nope! The previous table had to bring the ketchup to the new table, and each time it happened there was probably 20 bottles that were delivered from one table to the next. Thankfully we didn't need ketchup!

All in all I would eat here again, but I think I'd try the 'Burnt Ends' Nachos during my next visit (they are topped with beef brisket, barbecue pulled pork, cheese sauce, maple chipotle barbecue, and fresh salsa). I enjoyed my meal, and I definitely had enough to eat. Plus, I would love to be able to spend a night at the Wilderness Lodge resort some time!

Disney's Wilderness Lodge
		A look at the Wilderness Lodge from the parking lot.
		A closer look at the front of the Wilderness Lodge.
		The front doors into the lobby.
		A look at the lobby (definitely a cool feature!)...

		...and a closer look at one of the light fixtures.
		One more look at the lobby.
		Aunt Erica and Grandma Terry at our table in the Whispering Canyon Cafe.
		Our skillet of food - 'The Traditional' includes oak-smoked beef brisket, pork ribs, slow-smoked pulled pork, citrus-herb chicken, western-style sausage, smashed potatoes, baked beans, buttered corn on the cob, and sautéed green beans.
		Grandma Terry watching as the kids ride their wooden "horses" around the restaurant...

Polk County Rest Area

Rodney taking a selfie with the palm trees in the background.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

A look at the Wilderness Lodge from the parking lot.

A closer look at the front of the Wilderness Lodge.

The front doors into the lobby.

A look at the lobby (definitely a cool feature!)...

...and a closer look at one of the light fixtures.

One more look at the lobby.

Aunt Erica and Grandma Terry at our table in the Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Our skillet of food - 'The Traditional' includes oak-smoked beef brisket, pork ribs, slow-smoked pulled pork, citrus-herb chicken, western-style sausage, smashed potatoes, baked beans, buttered corn on the cob, and sautéed green beans.

Grandma Terry watching as the kids ride their wooden "horses" around the restaurant...