Artist Point Confirmed to Become a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Character Dinner

[DaisyNY]

I'm in the minority...I am going to miss Artist Point, we usually go every trip...was going to skip it on our trip in 13 days but just made reservations. We are DVC members and love staying in the WL and this restaurant

 

[sleepydog25]

Why is your wife canceling her October reservation? As a form of protest?? My understanding is AP will remain with its current menu/atmosphere/no characters until Nov 10th, when it’ll close and then reopen sometime in the winter as a character meal. Most people who are current fans are anxious to get in one last meal, so I would think your wife would be excited that she already has a trip and ADR booked before the change...

We met at WL; had our first meal together at AP; got married at WL and had our wedding reception dinner at AP. Over the years, we've eaten there a dozen+ times, and while a couple fell short of our expectations, most of the experiences were topnotch. So, we have no love for them changing dinner from Signature to character. We last ate there together in July of 2017 (my last trip to Disney due to work and family obligations). So, rather than go one more time with her friends, she is opting to let our final experience together be the one she remembers. . .that and, yes, as a small protest. Besides, with the imminent closing of AP, quality of service and food may be suspect, as well. Perhaps the servers and chef there are thrilled to be switching to a character meal and putting out assembly line food. Perhaps not.

 

[sleepydog25]

I don't see or read in to anything like that.

It says ....

Storybook Dining at Artist Point will invite guests to venture into an Enchanted Forest-like setting inspired by Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” There, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal of fantastic fare with visits from Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy. Delightful music and activities will help bring the classic fairytale to life, and you’ll even have an opportunity for an encounter with The Queen.

Nothing about that implies an extra charge.

I will go with you haven't done character meals. Sometimes with a very popular character have that character apart from the dining room in their own space. You either meet that character before or after your meal, and often there is a photopass photographer there. We don't do much anymore but this has been the case with these for us ...

Be Our Guest with Beast
CRT with Cinderella
1900 Park Fare with Mad Hatter
Akershus with Belle
Tusker House with Donald

My guess is the Evil Queen will have her own spot like the above.

Well, we can debate the intent--when I see Disney saying "you have an opportunity," I most often associate that with tossing in more money. I will admit that the language used above doesn't automatically mean they will charge for said opportunity, and you and others have pointed out that fact with examples. However, I actually do go to character meals; I simply don't ever take the, ahem, opportunity to encounter anyone other than the characters roaming around the dining area. While I'm at it, it's because I do have experience with character dining that I don't want it to come to AP for dinner. Breakfast? Sure! Lunch? Hmm, okay. Dinner at the only quiet eatery on property and a Signature at that? No.

 

[Runnsally]

Based on the reaction from these boards, the current Wilderness Lodge General Manager will be simultaneously portraying both Dopey and the Evil Queen.

 

[HopperFan]

Based on the reaction from these boards, the current Wilderness Lodge General Manager will be simultaneously portraying both Dopey and the Evil Queen.

Or maybe he'll just stay in the back room ...

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Or maybe he'll just stay in the back room ...

she

 

[gharter]

From what I have read, I can't tell if this is a Character dinner only or are they having other meals as well?
As much as I will miss Artist Point, it has been less busy the last few times we ate there. This concept, I have no doubt will fill the place.
Financially, it makes sense.

 

[HopperFan]

she

Well that must mean ..... if looking for that character with a plump full vault ...

 

[ariane37]

The wording of the piece implies the Evil One will be a photo op only situation that requires even more money on top of the price for the meal. I have no desire to see any of the characters at AP, though I would fully endorse a breakfast character meal there. Being prix fixe means it will be dinner which tosses out the notion of high quality food and introduces the madding crowds. Bye, Territory Lounge. In a 180 from your position, ariane, my wife will be at Disney in mid-October with a group of her travel agent friends, and they have now cancelled their long-held AP reservation. My wife and I had our last meal there back in July of 2017, and that will likely be our last ever in that space.

That's too bad. I read your explanation as to why she's cancelling and I get it; unfortunately DH and I don't have as much history with AP so are really looking forward to having one final meal there before it becomes a character meal. Hopefully there isn't a decline in food quality at that point, but we're willing to take that chance!
On another note my agency is doing a FAM (not sure if that's what your wife's trip is in Oct or not) and most agents going want to do this meal, so I may be doing it whether I want to or not!

Why is your wife canceling her October reservation? As a form of protest?? My understanding is AP will remain with its current menu/atmosphere/no characters until Nov 10th, when it’ll close and then reopen sometime in the winter as a character meal. Most people who are current fans are anxious to get in one last meal, so I would think your wife would be excited that she already has a trip and ADR booked before the change...

Exactly why we're going one final visit while it's a signature.

I'm in the minority...I am going to miss Artist Point, we usually go every trip...was going to skip it on our trip in 13 days but just made reservations. We are DVC members and love staying in the WL and this restaurant

That's why I added it for our trip...... In 13 days

 

[GPC0321]

I think it fits ........... woods, woodsy, wilderness .............

Snow White
Pocohontas
Bambi
Robin Hood
Pooh ... but that is taken
Brother Bear

LOL @ a Bambi character meal.

Snow White is probably my favorite princess, and the Dwarfs are adorable, so this is exciting if true (haven't read through the thread yet to know).

 

[HopperFan]

LOL @ a Bambi character meal.

Snow White is probably my favorite princess, and the Dwarfs are adorable, so this is exciting if true (haven't read through the thread yet to know).

Yes, I chuckled when I typed it but ......... wouldn't you love it? if there was a way.

It is true, Disney formally announced it.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...buts-this-winter-at-disneys-wilderness-lodge/

 

[GPC0321]

Hate it. Won't go to it. WL and VWL used to be a topnotch resort. I'm tired of the changes that only serve to pack in more people and make Disney richer.

Well, Disney is in the business of entertaining children. And in that light, this move makes perfect sense. I'm sure they've crunched some numbers and found that they could make more money with this space by revamping it so that it appeals more to their target audience...children.

 

[GPC0321]

Yes, I chuckled when I typed it but ......... wouldn't you love it? if there was a way.

I totally would love it! I'd pay whatever they wanted if they could get a CM trussed up in a believable Bambi get-up and have him frolic around the dining room. Bring Flower and Thumper on in too. Heck yes!

 

[dachsie]

I don't see or read in to anything like that.

It says ....

Storybook Dining at Artist Point will invite guests to venture into an Enchanted Forest-like setting inspired by Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” There, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal of fantastic fare with visits from Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy. Delightful music and activities will help bring the classic fairytale to life, and you’ll even have an opportunity for an encounter with The Queen.

Nothing about that implies an extra charge.

I will go with you haven't done character meals. Sometimes with a very popular character have that character apart from the dining room in their own space. You either meet that character before or after your meal, and often there is a photopass photographer there. We don't do much anymore but this has been the case with these for us ...

Be Our Guest with Beast
CRT with Cinderella
1900 Park Fare with Mad Hatter
Akershus with Belle
Tusker House with Donald

My guess is the Evil Queen will have her own spot like the above.

The Mad Hatter doesn't walk around anymore at 1900PF? He was a riot!

 

[HopperFan]

The Mad Hatter doesn't walk around anymore at 1900PF? He was a riot!

I don't know if it's consistent but we went not too long ago .... and he was not walking around. We had to go out the exit and have our picture taken with him in a setup in hallway in front of castle mural. They had a photopass photographer. Quite a let down since he was such a big part of the entertainment. I think when I came on here to look some said that's how it had been. I will say breakfast was MUCH quieter, so maybe that was it I don't know. Not sure if dinner has moved anyone out to the hall.

 

[sleepydog25]

Well, Disney is in the business of entertaining children. And in that light, this move makes perfect sense. I'm sure they've crunched some numbers and found that they could make more money with this space by revamping it so that it appeals more to their target audience...children.

The bolded part. That's all Disney is about anymore. I would slightly disagree with you and say Disney's business is not just for children, and they've proven it by adding alcohol all over the parks and resorts, by building new venues that cater primarily to adults, by increasing their running events, and by extending and expanding festivals such as Food & Wine. As I stated in an earlier post, much of my ire is directed at the fact that they've chosen to take the single adult-oriented place to dine at WL and make it a crowded venue, and this particular space--AP--is the one where we first dined as a couple, where we had our wedding reception dinner after getting married at the Lodge. I've no doubt they decided to add character dining to put more butts in more seats. However, they did a 180 without trying other options. AP was never marketed well. AP had a reputation for inconsistency (though we had largely wonderful meals over the last decade plus) without staking out territory as destination dining. They haven't tried a refurbishment to bring a bit more modern flair to the restaurant. Rather than dumb down the menu, make it a must-dine destination. No. It's cheaper to simplify the food, streamline prep, and pre-make certain dishes. I don't oppose character dining--my wife usually insists on doing one each trip. I do oppose stripping WL (and by extension TWO DVC resorts) of a Signature, adult-leaning dining option. Now, you can do WCC. . .or RF. . .or GP. . .none of which I wish to take my wife to for a romantic dinner. I firmly believe that a deluxe resort ought to have a Signature dining option on property, or at least very nearby as is the case at Poly. Anything else is mere pandering to the bottom line of making more money. Heaven knows poor Disney is hurting for money, though. . .

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Regarding the questions on 1900 Park Fare, they seem to rotate which character poses for pictures at the entry, as opposed to going from table to table.

 

[TeresaWen]

I am so sad to see a fine dining restaurant turned into bland food with high prices. Disney can get away with serving mediocre meals by throwing in a character. Make it one that is harder to come by and they could serve warm mud & people will line up 6 months in advance and throw hundreds of dollars at Disney. Sad. So sad. No need to care about serving high quality food.

I went to CRT in March. Once & done and I learned my lesson. My salmon was eatable but tasted like the frozen ones I get at Costco. But hey. I got visited by princesses. Guessing this will be much of the same.

 

[Nancyg56]

The bolded part. That's all Disney is about anymore. I would slightly disagree with you and say Disney's business is not just for children, and they've proven it by adding alcohol all over the parks and resorts, by building new venues that cater primarily to adults, by increasing their running events, and by extending and expanding festivals such as Food & Wine. As I stated in an earlier post, much of my ire is directed at the fact that they've chosen to take the single adult-oriented place to dine at WL and make it a crowded venue, and this particular space--AP--is the one where we first dined as a couple, where we had our wedding reception dinner after getting married at the Lodge. I've no doubt they decided to add character dining to put more butts in more seats. However, they did a 180 without trying other options. AP was never marketed well. AP had a reputation for inconsistency (though we had largely wonderful meals over the last decade plus) without staking out territory as destination dining. They haven't tried a refurbishment to bring a bit more modern flair to the restaurant. Rather than dumb down the menu, make it a must-dine destination. No. It's cheaper to simplify the food, streamline prep, and pre-make certain dishes. I don't oppose character dining--my wife usually insists on doing one each trip. I do oppose stripping WL (and by extension TWO DVC resorts) of a Signature, adult-leaning dining option. Now, you can do WCC. . .or RF. . .or GP. . .none of which I wish to take my wife to for a romantic dinner. I firmly believe that a deluxe resort ought to have a Signature dining option on property, or at least very nearby as is the case at Poly. Anything else is mere pandering to the bottom line of making more money. Heaven knows poor Disney is hurting for money, though. . .

I agree that Disney saw the popularity of BOG and decided to jump into that model rather than take a hard look at why this restaurant was struggling, and then make some changes to ramp up guest interest. A resort restaurant that is not generating revenue from its own guests has a major problem because you cannot blame a remote location for that issue. If the resort guests found their way to California Grill, Narcoossee, or Flyin Fish the problem looms larger, because they chose to travel rather than take advantage of home resort convenience. Why was that?

Both of the WL restaurants have experienced a downturn, yet whenever I see posts here from folks who want to know which resorts are worth a visit, WL is always among those suggested. If people can find time to resort hop over to WL for any reason, why have they not chosen to stay and dine there? Something was wrong. Frankly, adding a character meal may be the answer, but if the dynamic of whatever was "off" is not corrected, or if the cost is too steep to justify the "reward" there will be an issue becuas ethe location is not inside a Castle parked smack dab in the middle of the Magic Kingdom.

 

[monica9]

Putting these particular characters in Wilderness Lodge makes zero thematic sense. What a joke.

They lived in a cabin in the wilderness didn’t they?