Need to double check my facts. SSR??

[Scoootch]

Okay, just answered a question on the resorts board about SSR and now I'm 2nd guessing myself as I haven't actually stayed over there yet. So I need you SSR experts to double check my facts for me...Artist palate (I think it's called) -- the resturaunt over there, it's just a resturaunt right? Not a food court?!

TIA

 

[Mattsmom]

Artist's Palette at SSR is a food court.

Artist Point at WL is a sit-down restaurant.

 

[Scoootch]

OOOH....thank you! Good thing I asked!

Okay, I'll go back and change my anser

Can I say "open mouth, insert foot?"

Thanks again

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Scoootch


Can I say "open mouth, insert foot?"

Nope, feet are not on the menu there!

 

[Disney Doll]

Artist's Palette is a food court, but it is a nicer-than-average food court, IMHO. Not as big and raucous feeling as the food courts at the moderates.

When you walk into the restaurant, you walk through the seating area, and then the food service area is all the way at the back f the room. The seating area is quite nice, with some tables, some booths. The gift shop/grocery area is sort of to the right of the food area.

All in all, I think it's a good set-up.

 

[daddiojiggy]

i thought the palette was one 'restaraunt' similar to the one downstairs at contemp.to me a food court has a setup where you have more than one vendor selling different cuisines.ie:chinese,pizza,subs...
from what i've seen of artists palette pics, there is only one 'restaraunt' selling various entre's.maybe i'm wrong or maybe we have different ideas of food courts.
when i think of food courts , i think of the setups at various malls for eating.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I'd classify it (to use an older term) as a 'cafeteria', where you get a tray and a plate and slide it along to get food, then take it to the cashier.

However, it is a "food court" in the Disney way of naming things. No table service, and you can go up to one of a few different sections of the food area and ask for what you want.

Not sure if we're ever going to see "Sbarro's", "Panda Express", "Taco Bell" and "Ben & Jerry's" inside a Disney resort....

 

[tjkraz]

DVC has actually used the term "food court" (or something synonymous), so it's hard to argue with that. The materials released when the resort was being constructed actually made it sound as if there were four separate stations at which you could purchase items. As it turns out, they're really all combined behind a single counter.

If you want a better term, you'd probably have to use "cafeteria". You walk up to the counter, order your food, receive your food, and pay at the cash register, choose your own table and eat. There are also refrigerated and dry goods that you can purchase at the same time if so desired.

If you want to fit it into the Disney lingo, you'd have to call it a "Counter Service" establishment.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Is there a sit down restaraunt at SSR?

Is there a lounge for cocktails?

 

[rinkwide]

If you want to fit it into the Disney lingo, you'd have to call it a "Counter Service" establishment.

I'll pass on fitting in and instead call it a "disappointment".

Let's hope SSR can improve their dining options in the near future.

 

[elfbo]

I dont think they plan to improve their dining options. My guide told me that since there were so many food places at DTD (both sit down and take out) "they" figured people would go there and not use the resturant at the resort as heavily as the resturants at the other resorts.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thought the offerings were well prepared and very good! I would agree that it is more cafeteria-like than food court. You dont slide your tray along, but more like the prepared food section/Deli at the grocery store where you tell the server what you want. Many items behind the counter are prepared to order like the wood-fired flat bread pizzas and entree salads.

Is there a lounge for cocktails?

Although we were there during H-Jeanne, the Turf Club was open. It is the lounge around the corner from Artist Palette. They served beer, wine, cocktails and appetizer-like items (wings).

 

[Sammie]

I hope they leave it as is, we loved it. It was such a welcome change from the regular junk food you can find everywhere else.

 

[tjkraz]

I think DVD was being...practical...in going with the Counter Service configuration rather than another Table Service restaurant. A couple reasons:

1. As was mentioned, the proximity to Downtown Disney. While it may sound like a cop-out to refer people over to DD, DVD did have to allow for the fact that even with a Table Service restaurant at SSR, many people would still choose to eat at DD rather than SSR.

2. When the design for SSR was approved and construction began, only the first four buildings were guratnteed to be built. Due to the economy and 9/11, DVD was taking a conservative approach with regard to their ability to sell points. And they certainly couldn't support a table service restaurant with just 200 SSR rooms.

We all know that if Disney determines that SSR can support a table service restaurant, they'll find a way to fit it into the mix.

When I visited SSR in May I was a little disappointed with what I saw. But we'll be staying there in December and I intend to try at least one meal. So, I'll reserve final judgement until I have given it a fair shot.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by elfbo
I dont think they plan to improve their dining options. My guide told me that since there were so many food places at DTD (both sit down and take out) "they" figured people would go there and not use the resturant at the resort as heavily as the resturants at the other resorts.

Can it really be considered a deluxe resort without a nice indoor dining restaraunt? With the frequent rain in Florida, IMHO seems like that is a requirement. Glad to hear about the Turf club. Perhaps more is coming down the road.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
Can it really be considered a deluxe resort without a nice indoor dining restaraunt? With the frequent rain in Florida, IMHO seems like that is a requirement. Glad to hear about the Turf club. Perhaps more is coming down the road.

Since none of the DVC resorts are Deluxe resorts (all are classified as Home-Away-From-Home), including a "nice indoor dining restaurant" probably isn't as important. None of the DVC resorts have included restaurants that can be accessed from all of the villas without having to travel outside in the frequent rain in Florida and VB is the only DVC Resort that has access for any villas thru interior means. At Vero, only the few rooms in the main building can get to Shutters or Sonja's without having to travel outdoors to get there. At OKW, HH, BWV and SSR none of the restaurants/food courts are accessible without going outside at the mercy of the elements. VWL and BCV do have outside covered walkways to access the lobby and food areas of the attached hotels.

When planning dining options for SSR, Disney had opportunity to consider the track record for a wonderful restaurant - Season's- that had to compete with DD dining options and failed in spite of heavy discounts offered to guests at the resort, DVC members and others. Artist's Pallette and the Turf Club now fills the space formerly occupied by Season's.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Good points, Doc. I didn't get a chance to try Season's and I haven't tried the SSR food court yet. I'll have to see it to check it out. When I'm reading tjkraz share that he's dissapointed, it raised a question for me. But the proof will be in actually eating there.

 

[RobDoc]

I think one's feelings about Artist's Palette will be influenced by expectations. If you are expecting an elegant, full service dining experience- you should be very disappointed. If you are expecting a place to grab a burger and fries - you may also be disappointed.

Artist's Palette does offer made-to-order options from the limited menu and the chef behind the counter. There are flatbread pizzas, meatloaf, chicken and beef selections, etc. on a changing basis depending on what's offered at the time you visit. The seating area is certainly cheery and comfortable, but still not anything close to a full-service experience. The resort store is also located within the same general space. There are drink options including wines and refrigerated items like cold sandwiches and salads. Most items can be enjoyed on-site or can easily be carried back to your villa at the resort.

We enjoyed the few meals we've tried there, but in general have a neutral feeling about the experience. Not personally being a food court proponent- I found Artist's Palette certainly to be a step above the typical mall or moderate resort food-court experience ... but ... it is definitely a step (or three) below dining at the Yachtsman's Steakhouse at YC, Artist's Point at WL or even Olivia's at OKW. There are many great restaurants at DD to choose from and those will serve the SSR guest's well, IMO- with Artist's Palette as an appropriate option for eating quickly and close to their villa.

.02

 

[rinkwide]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
... it is definitely a step...below...Olivia's at OKW.

Agreed. An easily accesible restaurant on par with Olivia's is the minimum I would expect from a resort of this caliber.

In my opinion, this tendency for guides or management to fall back on a you should go to Downtown Disney mentality is a real disservice to owners of this resort.

 

[CM Tinkerbell]

We stopped by to visit SSR on our trip a week ago. While exploring the resort, we started a converstaion with one of the CM's there and he was saying that the number one comment made by guests staying there so far has been that they were dissapointed with the lack of a sit down restaurant. He said that DVC had always planned on adding one eventually, but with all the feedback they've been receiving he said they decided to push the project up sooner. We were standing in the Turf Club when we were speaking and he said it would be located near there at the back of the building. Of course we know that often times the things we're told from CM's aren't always fact, but it's interesting.