New Restaurant at Wilderness Lodge

[gracelrm]

So, I'm really behind the times on what is going on at Wilderness Lodge. We have all our DVC points at VWL/Boulder Ridge Villas or whatever the name is now. I've seen pictures of a structure that it a restaurant near the water. Is there any information about that restaurant yet? Will it be an additional table service restaurant or is it supposed to be a quick service place? Sorry if I'm asking questions that have been answered a dozen times. We've just completed a vacation with extended family that I've been planning for about a year and have been concentrating on AKL for that trip and ignoring the information on WL and area.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's thought to be a new quick service (which likely means replacing Roaring Fork) but no information has been released so it's just speculation.

 

[Dean Marino]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, you are not wrong.....

Current data is beginning to indicate that the New Restaurant will be a mixed use building. PERSONALLY saddened by this, as a really WONDERFUL waterfront location is likely to become wasted, to a degree, with something other than the SIG it should have been .

I suspect AP has little to worry about. Neither does WC. Current indications appear to point to a LOVELY waterfront building, with little to offer .

Again, all personal opinion - I'm not right, you are not wrong.....

 

[hakepb]

At least some eating might take advantage of the water view.

For years, World Showcase only had 1 TS, 1QS with a water view, despite being the dining "capital" of WDW.

Echo Lake at DHS is surrounded by eateries, none with a dining area focused on a water view.

Slowly by slowly Disney is adding more dining with a view.

 

[jmassey1samchi]

I was actually hoping for a sit down moderate price restaurant. I tend to stay away from the signatures as I just don't feel the value is there for the money you spend. I haven't tried whispering canyon but am not a big fan of family style dining. Just got back from a stay at the Polynesian villas, and had a meal at Kona Café which was really good. I'd like to see something of that caliber at VWL.

 

[sleepydog25]

I was actually hoping for a sit down moderate price restaurant. I tend to stay away from the signatures as I just don't feel the value is there for the money you spend. I haven't tried whispering canyon but am not a big fan of family style dining. Just got back from a stay at the Polynesian villas, and had a meal at Kona Café which was really good. I'd like to see something of that caliber at VWL.

While I agree with the others who believe it will be a QS (RF is very small and often packed) with outdoor seating, no information for the masses has been forthcoming from Disney. Based on all the pics I've seen, and this is just pure speculation (though there's fun to be had in such), another TS isn't likely as the building is supposed to be a multi-use one, and there appears to be a covered area more or less pointed at the Trout Pass bar which suggests outdoor QS seating, too. Will Trout Pass move to the new building? It's always possible. . .

 

[DenLo]

It is fairly large building for a Quick service restaurant near a pool. But it does appear to have a wing that is for outdoor dining.

 

[sleepydog25]

It is fairly large building for a Quick service restaurant near a pool. But it does appear to have a wing that is for outdoor dining.

Perhaps they'll surprise us all.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I really wish Disney would be more forthcoming. I mean really everyone knows it's a restaraunt and some disclosure would not effect a thing. I really want to know some construction end dates.

 

[disneynutz]

There may be several things operating in the building, QS, rentals, activity room, could be anything.

Bill

 

[tcufrog]

Perhaps it's for functions. Diversifying the options for private function rentals is another revenue stream I really haven't seen Disney exploit. They could make a surprising amount if they had more smaller, simple rental spaces for family reunions, smaller corporate retreats, anniversary/birthday parties, etc.

 

[ParkHoppers]

On a slightly different note any news on a change with Artist Point. Didn't think it has been doing to well attendance wise these past few years. How long is their lease? I only ate there once and the place was empty. Wasn't a big fan of the food but that might just be my taste and it is possible they made changes to the menu since I was there about 5 years ago.

 

[sleepydog25]

On a slightly different note any news on a change with Artist Point. Didn't think it has been doing to well attendance wise these past few years. How long is their lease? I only ate there once and the place was empty. Wasn't a big fan of the food but that might just be my taste and it is possible they made changes to the menu since I was there about 5 years ago.

I'm not aware of any news re: AP though I will say that they went through a rough patch of middling food for a few years. On our last three visits within the last year and a half, they introduced a new executive chef and changed some management types, and I'm happy to report the food has improved. It's been steady on our visits there.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I really wish Disney would be more forthcoming. I mean really everyone knows it's a restaraunt and some disclosure would not effect a thing. I really want to know some construction end dates.

I agree - on this I don't understand the secrecy.

On a slightly different note any news on a change with Artist Point. Didn't think it has been doing to well attendance wise these past few years. How long is their lease? I only ate there once and the place was empty. Wasn't a big fan of the food but that might just be my taste and it is possible they made changes to the menu since I was there about 5 years ago.

I believe AP is a Disney restaurant so it would only be dependent on Disney's desire to change or not. I will say this though - we're not very devoted to making ADR's and whenever we've tried walk ups there in the past 5-7 years it's not been possible unless we were there right away when they opened or sometimes if we were willing to make an ADR for much, much later.

 

[ParkHoppers]

I'm not aware of any news re: AP though I will say that they went through a rough patch of middling food for a few years. On our last three visits within the last year and a half, they introduced a new executive chef and changed some management types, and I'm happy to report the food has improved. It's been steady on our visits there.

Good to hear Artist Point is doing better now. I think when we went was the time AP was having their issues. We plan on staying at VWL after construction is fisnished and would love to give AP another shot.

As far as the new restaurant I was hoping for another signature restaurant but doubt they will do that with Artist Point already on the property. Any thoughts on what you other people would like to see the new restaurant be?

 

[Dean Marino]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, you aren't wrong....

We're DVC members homed at VWL. Been going to AP for a good 12 years, twice per year....

AP experienced what a NUMBER of SIGs went through - they fell off the boat trying to "cut costs" for the DDP - with the same result: their offerings went into a death spiral. The HBD did this, and recovered. Bistro de Paris did this - changed names, and never recovered. LeCelier really never measured up, and never got better .

This is seldom the fault of a head chef.... rather, the head chef and current management really MUST work together. AP has always had great Head Chefs.... but sometimes, as with other SIGs - they cooperate TOO much with Management. AP has always had good Managers.... but sometimes, as with other SIGs? They pay attention to DDP cash flow and corporate "team" mentality TOO much, and don't want to listen to the Head Chef .

If you look closely.... AP, and several OTHER Sigs have pretty much had enough of DDP clipping. And they have come up with a WONDERFUL means of killing this beast .

"Enhancements" .

AP, Narcoossee's, Citrico's, The CA Grill - these are only the Disney Owned SIG's that we have had personal experience with, in the last year, that have gone the "Enhancement" route. OTHERS may have. The strategy is brilliant. It allows a SIG to OFFER enhanced items, without getting into the "DDP financial Clip". Got DDP? No problem - BASIC Entree, etc, etc, etc, .

Now, with this? We've seen new Managers at AP.... and a new Head Chef. GOOD move - it gets people out of a rut, and lets them THINK differently. The offerings HAVE improved - but are also no longer slaved to a "DDP Clip". Overall? We've booked AP again for the Fall of 2016. If the improvement continues? We'll book 'em again in April 2017.

Again, All personal opinion - I'm not right, you aren't wrong....

 

[ParkHoppers]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, you aren't wrong....

We're DVC members homed at VWL. Been going to AP for a good 12 years, twice per year....

AP experienced what a NUMBER of SIGs went through - they fell off the boat trying to "cut costs" for the DDP - with the same result: their offerings went into a death spiral. The HBD did this, and recovered. Bistro de Paris did this - changed names, and never recovered. LeCelier really never measured up, and never got better .

This is seldom the fault of a head chef.... rather, the head chef and current management really MUST work together. AP has always had great Head Chefs.... but sometimes, as with other SIGs - they cooperate TOO much with Management. AP has always had good Managers.... but sometimes, as with other SIGs? They pay attention to DDP cash flow and corporate "team" mentality TOO much, and don't want to listen to the Head Chef .

If you look closely.... AP, and several OTHER Sigs have pretty much had enough of DDP clipping. And they have come up with a WONDERFUL means of killing this beast .

"Enhancements" .

AP, Narcoossee's, Citrico's, The CA Grill - these are only the Disney Owned SIG's that we have had personal experience with, in the last year, that have gone the "Enhancement" route. OTHERS may have. The strategy is brilliant. It allows a SIG to OFFER enhanced items, without getting into the "DDP financial Clip". Got DDP? No problem - BASIC Entree, etc, etc, etc, .

Now, with this? We've seen new Managers at AP.... and a new Head Chef. GOOD move - it gets people out of a rut, and lets them THINK differently. The offerings HAVE improved - but are also no longer slaved to a "DDP Clip". Overall? We've booked AP again for the Fall of 2016. If the improvement continues? We'll book 'em again in April 2017.

Again, All personal opinion - I'm not right, you aren't wrong....

Not sure I understand the enchantments section of you post. Are you saying that DDP gets a downgraded menu and those paying cash can get different better selection? Please explain.

 

[RossK]

The enhancements are effectively addons. Say for example, a restaurant wanted to offer a steak and lobster dish, but due to trying to meet a profit margin on guests who use the disney dining plan, they may not be able to offer such a dish as it wouldn't be profitable. So, instead of taking such an expensive dish off the menu entirely, they will offer a steak meal, with the option of a paid "enhancement" (addon) of a lobster tail. So everyone orders from the same menu whether they're on the dining plan or out of pocket, except the dining plan would not cover the "enhancements".

 

[Dean]

I really wish Disney would be more forthcoming. I mean really everyone knows it's a restaraunt and some disclosure would not effect a thing. I really want to know some construction end dates.

By not announcing they retain options and flexibility. Everyone may know it's a restaurant and even the proposed menu may be leaked but until they announce it, they could change it easily. While AP has been one of our favorites, our last 3 meals there have left the group not wanting to go back. I don't think AP can survive a good water view restaurant in it's current form. 3 TS options are more than anyone but GF as a single resort within the resort. I know that BW and YC/BC could be argued. GF is the only one with two Signatures as well and Citrico's is the easiest signature option to book it seems though AP is close already. I can see adding a nicer CS, I could see adding a regular TS but I think they'd have to scale back AP to do so. I could see making it a signature and dropping AP to a regular. But that still leaves them with the problem of too many TS options and too little CS.

 

[DenLo]

They could make the new restaurant a CS during the day and TS at night like Be Our Guest.