Latest Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Rumors

[underdesea]

I'm amazed that some can call for the firing of someone without knowing what her marching orders were or what changes she directly implemented. Some pretty harsh feelings based on speculation.

And apparently from someone following a religious doctrine.

 

[ECMD2018]

THIS is a good idea. Now, both Restaurant spaces would need pretty much a total overhaul. But a true SIG in the current WC space would drastically reduce the noise level, and "move" that noise level into the 3rd floor(?) area of what is now Rental Space.

A hypothetical: If I were going to do this, I would tackle one area at a time. FIRST establish breakfast & lunch at what is now AP. WHY? Because SERIOUS architectural work would need to be performed on the existing WC "space" to cut off lobby noise getting IN, and make that "space" into something new. Betting a good 2 year time frame? Meanwhile - guests need to EAT.

Just me - I totally discount GP as being worth anything more than a pool bar, at this point. What a waste .

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong.

Interesting. I’m at Copper Creek now. First time. I really like GP. Kids do too. A nice place to truly separate from the typical Disney experience and just look at the lake.

What is really clearly missing.... a place for decent coffee during the day. RF is like a Sheetz truck stop for coffee. Sure it’s coffee. Has caffeine, but for a luxury resort... falls very short.

But as you said.. all opinion and preference.

 

[Nancyg56]

Hey, based on all that I have seen from her, she is in the same company as someone execs at Disneyland and while it sounds harsh, based on all we have seen of her track record, I don't know that anything else would be good. This is a case where I would love to be proven wrong, but she clearly messed things up at the contemporary and pretty much everywhere she has gone, so what can be done? That is why I flat out say fire her, now if for some reason she was given marching orders, fire the person ultimately responsible for said orders, but she takes full credit as the chief person responsible for reunion station, which is a nightmare that never should have happened and that alone is worth her being asked to leave. Yes, it sounds harsh and messed up, but what can you do with someone who refuses to even acknowledge past mistakes, let alone learn from them,

She did not make these decisions in a vacuum, so how is she solely responsible? I have no idea how to correct the dining issues at WL, however I do know that more than one person had a hand in creating them. None of us know what direction she was given at the onset of the design of the QS restaurants and lounges that are in WL, in the main lodge and the DVC side, however we do know that AP and WCC were there long before she was. I stopped going before she came on because I did not care for WCC at all. The guest complaints from the lobby and rooms are not her fault either. She cannot win with that one unless theyrevamo that restaurant completely. In terms of AP, she needs to find how to create a draw from more then just guests in AP because the reality is that getting there is more inconvenient than getting to other resort restaurants, kind of like hiking to SSR for dinner. Do you really want that steak that badly, or is dining in Epcot just easier? This is not an easy fix, and I do not envy whoever is entrusted with that job.

 

[Capang]

WCC was packed last night at 7. Every table from what I could see. And it was its usual loud self and people had fun. I agree with above, people stopped going to AP long before she arrived there. Calling for someone to be fired is pretty harsh when that person has little to do with the unpopularity of a restaurant. Some people just cant handle change.

 

[goofyintoronto]

($100-120) We usually have a Tables in Wonderland discount, so 20% discount reflected in my estimate, and we're not ordering a lot of alcohol, maybe 1-2 glasses of wine.

I am in agreement with your points. I would like to elaborate.

Disney has created their own ecosystem revolving around Disney Food and it is a closed system, all food at Disney is pretty much Disney food, even vendors who are paying for the right to be in Disney Springs are now under this umbrella of "Disney food". There is some hyped magic about 2 TS aka Signature Restaurants, very high expectations. When it comes to Disney, me included, it's like I have stars in my eyes or something (even with QS, some of the QS is just awful). For the same money spent at Artist Point, you can have a pretty phenomenal at Ruth's Chris for example (probably with larger portion size as well). I've had excellent food at Artist Point, and I've also had "meh" food, sometimes I don't love what I order because they put something not so great on the plate.

Let me give an example, the Grapefruit Cake at HBD. It's good, probably not as good as the hype around makes it out to be though, and I absolutely love grapefruit. Disney isn't responsible for all the hype, it is the people who go and then report back about this or that, and then people want to try the same stuff. I think Disney does take some measure of pride in their signature offerings, and their chefs want to provide a high level experience to their guests.

I'm sure it would be accurate to say the food would change if it was changed to a 1 TS (non-signature). I've had some very nice 1 TS meals at Disney.

One thing is certain, everything changes. I've come to accept that. So, we'll see how these changes unfold.

My $90 bill didn't include alcohol actually. I had app, main, and dessert. Plus an expensive coffee. Anyway, I hear what you're saying. And yes youre right, for the amount we pay at Artist Point, you can have an awesome meal at Ruths Chris. But its not disney. And its kinda funny though, I would never drop that kind of money at Ruths Chris at home. But at disney, no problem! I wonder why that is? Is it because in my mind im on vacation and i figure its ok?? Hmmmm.

Oh i agree about the 1TS restaurants. There are some amazing ones out there. My fave is The Wave.

 

[Nvrgrowup]

We have been dvc at at the Wilderness Lodge Villas for 17 years, still can't say Boulder Ridge. Over the years we have chosen to travel for our meals to other restaurants, personal preference never cared for the menu at WCC antics were fine and as far as AP we have eaten there a few times in the past but over the last few years have chosen other sigs . When we did eat at AP never saw the place full or busy. To blame one person for WL issues on dining is really unfair.One person does not make decisions like this and we have no idea what she has been instructed to do or how much independence there is in choices. For me I have felt that the choices for food could have been better except we always loved Roaring Fork before the do over.It will be interesting to see what they decide to do with AP . If they are going with a character meal my hope is that it's for breakfast and lunch only and do something different for dinner. Should be interesting to see what happens and if it's enough to draw people to travel to get there.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Disney has created their own ecosystem revolving around Disney Food and it is a closed system, all food at Disney is pretty much Disney food, even vendors who are paying for the right to be in Disney Springs are now under this umbrella of "Disney food". There is some hyped magic about 2 TS aka Signature Restaurants, very high expectations. When it comes to Disney, me included, it's like I have stars in my eyes or something (even with QS, some of the QS is just awful). For the same money spent at Artist Point, you can have a pretty phenomenal at Ruth's Chris for example (probably with larger portion size as well). I've had excellent food at Artist Point, and I've also had "meh" food, sometimes I don't love what I order because they put something not so great on the plate.

Let me give an example, the Grapefruit Cake at HBD. It's good, probably not as good as the hype around makes it out to be though, and I absolutely love grapefruit. Disney isn't responsible for all the hype, it is the people who go and then report back about this or that, and then people want to try the same stuff. I think Disney does take some measure of pride in their signature offerings, and their chefs want to provide a high level experience to their guests.

Some folks get entire barrels of pixie dust dumped on them when they enter the gates of Disney. That's the only reason I can come up with.

 

[GillianP1301]

I agree. What's frustrating to so many Artist Point fans is that we have no information on what the refurb will entail, with regard to either the menu or the decor. And no information on how long the refurb will last. And it is truly puzzling that it would be shut down during the busy holidays instead of starting the refurb in January.

I agree, the timing is weird. Maybe a short refurb? It's almost August, one would hope that info on any refurb for October would be published soon. Although, I have found that in general this year (i.e. ride refurbs) that info has been coming out more last minute.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Some folks get entire barrels of pixie dust dumped on them when they enter the gates of Disney. That's the only reason I can come up with.

When I first went to Disney in 2003 I thought the food was good and we paid OOP. Yes it was a bit pricey but overall we had good meals, even at character buffets.

The next 3 trips we did "free" DDP and I thought everything was just amazing! Disney food is so amazing and good!

Last trip we paid OOP and did a lot of ADRs. With 3 Disney adults and one kid it got pricey especially at buffets and AYCTE restaurants. Well I didn't think most places were worth the price i was paying. Looking at you Ohana! Great value on DDP but not OOP.

Next trip I have only 3 ADRs and the rest we will wing. I don't even have a character buffet or any AYCTE restaurant booked. It's just not worth the money IMO. We may do one character meal if we feel up to it once we are there but that's it.

I think the DDP and especially the "free DDP" really gives people a lot of pixie dust.

 

[DisBuckMan]

When I first went to Disney in 2003 I thought the food was good and we paid OOP. Yes it was a bit pricey but overall we had good meals, even at character buffets.

The next 3 trips we did "free" DDP and I thought everything was just amazing! Disney food is so amazing and good!

Last trip we paid OOP and did a lot of ADRs. With 3 Disney adults and one kid it got pricey especially at buffets and AYCTE restaurants. Well I didn't think most places were worth the price i was paying. Looking at you Ohana! Great value on DDP but not OOP.

Next trip I have only 3 ADRs and the rest we will wing. I don't even have a character buffet or any AYCTE restaurant booked. It's just not worth the money IMO. We may do one character meal if we feel up to it once we are there but that's it.

I think the DDP and especially the "free DDP" really gives people a lot of pixie dust.

Absolutely.

We're going for a long weekend in November, and as we've done for our previous few trips....we've made zero ADR's. If we decide to do a certain restaurant, we'll check day of or day before...if it's not available, we won't be heartbroken. Just nothing at Disney worth the heartache.

I don't have the ability to "trick" myself into thinking I'm getting a great deal on the dining plan by prepaying for it, so I don't have to think about what it costs while I'm there. I can't even believe some people even admit to that.

Agree on 'Ohana. Probably the most overrated restaurant at WDW.

 

[dachsie]

Absolutely.

We're going for a long weekend in November, and as we've done for our previous few trips....we've made zero ADR's. If we decide to do a certain restaurant, we'll check day of or day before...if it's not available, we won't be heartbroken. Just nothing at Disney worth the heartache.

I don't have the ability to "trick" myself into thinking I'm getting a great deal on the dining plan by prepaying for it, so I don't have to think about what it costs while I'm there. I can't even believe some people even admit to that.

Agree on 'Ohana. Probably the most overrated restaurant at WDW.

I am planning on a 4 day trip in Jan and considering only Cali Grill for fireworks viewing

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Absolutely.

We're going for a long weekend in November, and as we've done for our previous few trips....we've made zero ADR's. If we decide to do a certain restaurant, we'll check day of or day before...if it's not available, we won't be heartbroken. Just nothing at Disney worth the heartache.

I don't have the ability to "trick" myself into thinking I'm getting a great deal on the dining plan by prepaying for it, so I don't have to think about what it costs while I'm there. I can't even believe some people even admit to that.

Agree on 'Ohana. Probably the most overrated restaurant at WDW.

That’s exactly our plan for our mother daughter trip. For 10 days i only did HDDR (first time), BOG (huge BATB fans) and VN (long time favorite) at DD12 request.I was fine winging the entire trip but I’m actually looking forward to our 3 ADRs. After that we will do some lounges, QS and day of ADRs including some Swan and Dolphin restaurants. There’s lots of places I’m looking forward to trying, especially lounges. There’s no place that would make or break our trip if we don’t get to eat there. We are going for value for my money, quality foods and just ordering what we want.

 

[DisBuckMan]

That’s exactly our plan for our mother daughter trip. For 10 days i only did HDDR (first time), BOG (huge BATB fans) and VN (long time favorite) at DD12 request.I was fine winging the entire trip but I’m actually looking forward to our 3 ADRs. After that we will do some lounges, QS and day of ADRs including some Swan and Dolphin restaurants. There’s lots of places I’m looking forward to trying, especially lounges. There’s no place that would make or break our trip if we don’t get to eat there. We are going for value for my money, quality foods and just ordering what we want.

Absolutely cannot go wrong with any of the Swan/Dolphin restaurants. The best of the best at Disney.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

In terms of AP, she needs to find how to create a draw from more then just guests in AP because the reality is that getting there is more inconvenient than getting to other resort restaurants, kind of like hiking to SSR for dinner. Do you really want that steak that badly, or is dining in Epcot just easier? This is not an easy fix, and I do not envy whoever is entrusted with that job.

I agree, but lots of people seem to make a special trip over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to dine at the restaurants there, even with no character meal.

 

[OKW Lover]

Absolutely cannot go wrong with any of the Swan/Dolphin restaurants.

We are big fans of Il Mulino. Best Italian around!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We are big fans of Il Mulino. Best Italian around!

That’s my top pick. Hoping for a same day ADR. Planning on using open table also.

 

[OKW Lover]

That’s my top pick. Hoping for a same day ADR. Planning on using open table also.

Good luck. We've gone without reservations quite often (we are local) and haven't had a problem.

 

[Capang]

I agree, but lots of people seem to make a special trip over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to dine at the restaurants there, even with no character meal.

True, but the food offered there is different than any other resort.

 

[Dean Marino]

Deleted

 

[Cramden]

Liked this - but NO. Thea should be dead out of the door. FIRE her.

A GOOD Manager does not create chaos on day 1. DAY 1 - WL has FOUR restaurants in chaos. Either Thea, or her predecessor, has caused this. SOMEONE needs to be fired.

Given that WL has JUST put in a 2n'd DVC? Please - get SERIOUS.
1) Geyser Point - total failure pool bar, no real services in the BEST location possible. TOTAL FAIL.
2) AP - GREAT Restaurant, totally unknown future post OCT 28, 2018.
3) WC - constant complaints over theaming. PICK A DIRECTION.
4) Roaring Forks - remodeled, and STILL in trouble.

If current Local Management can not DEAL with this mess? ESCALATE. Correct local Management. DO YOUR JOB.
Reference: We are OWNERS at BRV. We hate to see Management FAILURE. This tends to make us wish to SELL our contract on the open Market.
DVC - is this what you desire?

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong.

I respect your passion Dean. You obviously have a lot more at stake and know a heck of a lot more than I do about WL. That said I just can't see how you or anyone not privy to the meetings can know what she's been told to do and what's she's done on her own. As for your above points.

1. Reviews continue to be positive by most regarding GP. Basing on TA and Yelp reviews
2. Not sure how a yet to be announced refurb (if that's what it is) is the end of AP. Multiple people have posted their correspondence with Disney and all point to it's continued status at a Sig. Speculating is kind of pointless at this point.
3. Seems like they've settled on a direction. Slightly toned down antics.
4. No knowledge of anything RF related.

Just my thoughts. Anyways happy travels!