Artist Point Becoming Snow White Character Dining
Walt Disney World has confirmed the rumor we reported on a couple months ago that Artist Point will become a character dinner, featuring Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and the Queen. In the process, Wilderness Lodge will lose its lone Signature Restaurant, leaving this Deluxe Resort without a fine dining option.
In this post, we’ll offer details from Disney’s press release, followed by our commentary on the decision. Per Disney, this will be called “Storybook Dining at Artist Point” and will feature an Enchanted Forest-like setting inspired by Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In addition to the aforementioned characters, there will be music and activities bringing the classic fairytale to life.
October 4, 2018 Update: Reservations just opened for Storybook Dining at Artist Point, which will debut on December 16, 2018. The re-imagined dining experience will offer a prix fixe menu, costing $55 for adults and $33 for children ages 3-9. For a full menu and to make reservations, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or call (407) WDW-DINE (407 939-3463). We’d recommend making your ADRs as soon as possible–when we just made ours some dates were already unavailable!
Storybook Dining at Artist Point will take place amidst the rustic elegance and exceptional dining for which Artist Point is known. There will be a prix fixe menu, including shared starters, individual plated entrees, and ‘sweet spells’ for dessert. Select fan-favorite Artist Point menu items will be relocated, which means we’ll likely see the Smokey Portobello Soup and Cedar Plank Salmon relocated to Whispering Canyon Cafe or perhaps Territory Lounge.
Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White is slated to begin this winter, after Artist Point ends its Signature Dining on November 10, 2018. While Disney is careful to highlight the ‘elegance’ and ‘exceptional dining’ above, there’s no getting around the fact that this will become a character meal, a change that is incompatible with fine dining.
This is one of those Walt Disney World changes that I can somewhat understand from a business perspective, but it bothers me to no end as a guest. This is particularly true as one who loves Wilderness Lodge, which will soon have no dining suitable for an ‘adult’ meal.
I understand that character dining is immensely popular. With this slate of characters, Storybook Dining at Artist Point will easily book up months in advance. It’ll be one of the most coveted ADRs at Walt Disney World for at least the immediate future. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s so successful that character breakfast is offered in the future.
By contrast, Artist Point is not particularly popular. We haven’t dined there a ton, but on the occasions we have, the restaurant has been about half full at most. Rather than going off our unreliable anecdotal observations, I’ll instead point to the 40% off Cast Member discount that is frequently offered at Artist Point.
As with all Walt Disney World discounts, this is done to fill tables, not out of corporate benevolence. Frankly, knowing the other restaurants on that list sends a shiver down my spine, as several of them are among my absolute favorites at Walt Disney World.
Hopefully other locations aren’t on the chopping block, but I fear that may be the case, especially as new high end and chic dining options continue to pop up at Disney Springs. Even as the proportion of adult guests (and convention-goers) increases as Walt Disney World, the number of more ‘adult’ restaurants at Disney Springs keeps rising, putting pressure on restaurants in the Disney resorts.
If Artist Point is vulnerable now, many more could face similar issues when the economy stumbles. This is a looming problem on the horizon that was easily foreseeable; even though we enjoy several of the new restaurants at Disney Springs, we recognize that there are too many of them.
Third party dining options in Disney Springs aren’t the only problem. If Artist Point was struggling, why wasn’t more done to highlight or promote it? I see a new Disney Parks Blog article about every ridiculous hot dog monstrosity at Casey’s Corner, yet I can’t remember the last time seasonal menus at Artist Point (or any Signature, for that matter) were highlighted. Offering Annual Passholder or Tables in Wonderland special events likewise could’ve spiked interest and created some buzz for Artist Point.
Basically, something–anything–should have been tried before Disney simply threw its hands up in the air and went for the low-hanging fruit of character dining. Or, if guests were “demanding” a character meal at Artist Point, why not start with a trial breakfast at Artist Point (or the more logical venue of Whispering Canyon Cafe) and leave the Signature dinner undisturbed? Walt Disney World Food & Beverage had several alternatives to the choice that was made–they just took the easiest route that would maximize profits for this venue.
Personally, I do not believe this can be justified as a necessary and sensible business move. Wilderness Lodge is a Deluxe Resort charging rates north of $400/night, and will soon offer zero sophisticated dining options. To me, that’s unfathomable. A hotel with luxury price points should absolutely feature fine dining.
From my perspective, fine dining is an expected amenity at hotels of this caliber. That the restaurant may not fill every table every night is immaterial; certain features should exist at hotels that charge luxury prices. This is no different than Walt Disney World using call centers when in-room guests dial the front desk, reducing housekeeping, or cutting other services. It’s degrading the overall experience of a purported ‘Deluxe’ Resort, and not something guests should silently accept given the money they’re forking over to stay here.
Unfortunately, I doubt Disney management is approaching Wilderness Lodge as a comprehensive resort experience when evaluating its slate of offerings. It would appear that management looks at individual components, questioning how costs can be reduced or profits increased. It’s entirely possible Food & Beverage made this decision without regard to the resort at large, because it would be good for that business unit’s numbers.
Character dining is more lucrative, which will likely always be the case as character meals draw outside visitors than other hotel restaurants. By that same logic, swapping out all three of Grand Floridian’s Signature Restaurants for character dining to draw families from other resorts or off-site to eat there could be a savvy move. Yet, that does not occur (or at least has not occurred yet) because it would diminish the resort at large.
Viewing profitability metrics of key amenities in isolation is a dangerous precedent, and could lead to other important aspects of the luxury resort experience disappearing because they don’t generate as much revenue as a bar or a character meal. Yet, those less or unprofitable elements of the experience reinforce the resort experience as a whole, and are what (begins to) justify those sky-high rack rates.
All of this really drives me crazy, and it has been a gradual erosion with Artist Point just being the latest step in an overall trend. With each stay at a Deluxe Resort, we are paying more and getting less. This is unfortunate, as I love several Deluxe Resorts from a thematic perspective, but if someone I knew wanted a true luxury experience, I’d direct them to the Four Seasons or Waldorf Astoria rather than Disney’s hotels.
On a personal note, we really enjoy this restaurant. As I wrote in our Artist Point Review, to me it evokes memories of U.S. National Park Lodge dining rooms, and the ambiance is pitch-perfect to those flagship locations. We haven’t eaten there in a couple of years (which is probably part of the problem–professed “fans” of the restaurant haven’t dined there in a while), but we hope to get a chance to return before Artist Point takes its final bow on November 10. If you’ve never been and have a chance to go between now and then, we’d highly recommend it.
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Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with our take on Artist Point transforming to a character restaurant, or are we overreacting? Do you agree that Deluxe Resorts should have fine dining? Would you prefer to see a Snow White meal at breakfast-only, or at Whispering Canyon? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I just stayed at the WL last week. I agree with others that the food court there is way too small and now taking away Artist Point for commercial reasons is a bad idea. Geyser Point is all outdoor and not really fine dining.
But the worse thing is going to be the disruption to the peaceful great lobby at the WL. At least with Chef Mickeys it is already loud there because the monorail runs through the lobby. The WL is our go to hotel and we love sitting there at Christmas waiting to ride the boat to the party.
Not happy about this at all, not that Disney cares as long as their stock goes up.
I have eaten at Artist Point in years past. When we had kids it was not as much of a option for us and them being very picky eaters! This being said I am not a fan of this switch. I would have rather them changed the direction of the restaurant with new menu or theme but still keep a fine dining option onsite. I hope it does not turn into another Chef Mickeys with noise and people everywhere that could ruin the resort as I like to sit in the lobby and enjoy the music. If it’s full with people waiting for character dinners they could over crowd the lobby very fast in my opinion. Like you said I hope this is not a trend that will spread to other resorts!
I really don’t know what to add beyond being sick to my stomach about what Disney has done to my ‘home’ resort, a place I stayed opening week and about 150 nights since. I have had many a great meal at Artist Point, including as recently as last year. As a DVC owner there (at the original DVC, not the new Marriott rooms they replaced half the lodge with in a money grab), I will be complaining loudly to management (not that it likely will matter, all Disney cares about is short term profits). They literally destroyed most of the wilderness to add those ridiculous cabins and just wait for the new River Country project.
I would advise anyone who dislikes this to write or call Thea Sargent, the GM of the resort ([email protected]). I bought into a deluxe resort WITH a signature dining location. They could have ADDED character breakfasts (like they had in the past) and/or lunches at AP and left dinner alone. They could have added them at Whispering Canyon. This is another Walmarting decision to appeal to American rubes with more money than sense. It is amazing that just when you think things can’t get worse there, they do.
Oh, and as to the 40% CM discount (currently available there and many other places from Boma to Flying Fish to Trail’s End to Citricos to Jiko, could it be that their insane price points are finally showing? Or could it be that you can easily get the same (or better) quality food at many Disney Springs locations for the same prices or less and don’t have to have an anal cavity search to be allowed to park at the resort? I think it’s both of those. … I also blame bloggers who hype every new cupcake, which is exactly what Celebration Place wants, versus taking real stands. You know like hyping Figment Food and Wine merchandise, while Disney lets his terrible third version attraction sit there.
Well Obviously you have never had very fine dining and consider a character dining experience at the top. It is hard to get at Disney these days a truly culinary experience It’s sad to see another signature restaurant Bite the dust. When “be our guest “ is now considered “signature” for slinging out prepared meals and pre fix on an assembly line charging 55 bucks. Have you noticed that you can get a reservation at dinner now ? Wonder why? Food is not great and expensiveness
Kids today don’t even care who Snow White is they just know the mine train ride. It is us adults living that dream. Yes I know I love Snow White too. But if we don’t stand up and say enough where will it lead ! It’s sad that a wonderful restaurant like artist point will be gone. What’s next ? California Grill ?
I’m curious if it will be breakfast or dinner. I have been coming to DW for years and would like a different character meal. When will reservations begin, after Nov. It’s hard to find the characters named here so I believe it will draw a crowd.
You are spot on, Tom. This is such an unwelcome change. What a terrible downgrade for such a beautiful lodge that so captures the the spirit of our American West national parks. The dining ambience at Artist’s Point was such a lovely ‘world away’ from the hectic pace of MK. Our favorite memories of attending MVMCP always included a relaxing break at Artist’s Point for a fabulous seasonal offering dinner expertly prepared accompanied by a fine bottle of a NW wine. Refreshed, we would take the boat back to MK for the party festivities and Kiss Goodnight. RIP to those lovely memories
During our April stay at WL, we dined at Artist Point twice. Once because we reserved from home, and the second time because we were so happy with the first experience. We no longer dine at Whispering Canyon because it is too noisy. So what is left for guests who are paying a premium to stay at WL, and what about those rainy days when all you want is to have dinner at your pricey hotel? WL food court is small and not all that great. And while their lounge is good, it doesn’t offer much in the way of dinner. Geyser Point is the only other option, and that’s basically outdoor dining.
No worries, because going forward, it’s Riverside (a favorite anyway), where I’ll pay less and get more in the way of food options. We booked a last minute trip for next month. The only hotel available was Coronado Springs, a moderate. I’m aware of the construction and don’t care. The rooms were recently refurbed and are reminiscent of those at Copper Creek, but cost much less moolah. CS also has a restaurant and a neat food court. So, what I’m really saying Disney is your deluxe hotels no longer interest me.
Another WDW experience I anticipated that will never be. What a bummer. That’s two “Deluxe” hotels in the most expensive area of the resort as a whole with no fine dining. (Along with the Polynesian, which at those rack rates it is ridiculous to not have any)
Obviously fine dining and character dining in the same resort are not detrimental to each other so I find it infinitely confusing why, other than sheer short-sighted number crunching, they decided to put this meal at Artist’s Point instead of the (recently toned down in gimmick) Whispering Canyon.
You have very good points and if this was a Pixar movie, Star Wars, Marvel, or another modern intellectual property, it would be irritating. Personally, I like this move because (1) its utilization of a classic movie from Walt’s era, (2) I rarely eat at fine dining restaurants anyways, (3) I enjoy character dining with fur characters and I picture Dopey and Grumpy being fun like the fur characters, and (4) I prefer character dinners since I eat quick small breakfasts and I like to be at the parks at opening. I understand having all 7 Dwarfs is overkill but it would be nice if they rotate a couple of the others each time. I would have loved this move if it was a critter character dining theme to match wilderness/forest theme (Brers, Country Bears, Thumper, Brother Bear, Humphrey, Chip and Dale, and/or Robin Hood characters).
I’m not sure fine dining and character meals are mutually exclusive. Or at least I’m not sure there is any reason they have to be. Unless it’s the thought character meals appeal more to kids/families and some people’s idea of fine dining is adults-only. Hopefully they can ahve characters and still serve good food here.
I wonder if this is a long-term play. With Character Dining’s nose under the tent now, it will be very difficult to dislodge. Food & Beverage could come back in a few years with the argument, “Gee, the character dining is working great, but we’ve got this survey showing people want a fine dining experience as well.” So, empire-building at work, perhaps?
Also, about the new, nearby project. Perhaps that will be the new home for signature dining?
Part of the problem with keeping Artists Point, I think, is that Wilderness Lodge is not on the monorail line, and so when people leave the parks to find dinner, they’re far more likely to choose the Contemporary or Grand Floridian when looking for high-end dining. It’s far more convenient in terms of getting there, especially if you’re staying at one of the monorail resorts. Wilderness Lodge, on the other hand, is kind of tucked out of the way, and therefore isn’t in the front of people’s minds when they make reservations. I know that, in my family, the Wilderness Lodge used to be my dad’s absolute favorite resort, mostly because of the theming. Our family has a lot of good memories there. However, pretty much every trip we’ve taken in the part decade, we’ve stayed at one of the Epcot resorts because they’re a bit cheaper than the MK resorts while still being super close to two parks. Wilderness Lodge is no longer a resort that we consider when booking a WDW resort, just because it’s not convenient to the parks, and if we’re going to be paying crazy amounts of money to Disney, we want to be as close to the parks as possible. It’s probable that they chose to put a character dining spot there in order to draw more guests, either staying there or simply visiting for a meal.
Any idea when they will start taking reservations for the new character dining?
Normally I would agree you here 100%. I’m a big fan of signature dining, and never been too keen on character meals.
But Artist Point seriously disappointed on my 2 previous visits. To the point where I didn’t even consider making an ADR on my Wilderness Lodge stay last year.
Despite the beautiful mural & views out the windows, the atmosphere has always seemed very sterile to me. I suppose they could have made serious changes without adding Snow White. But I’m somewhat intrigued, and will almost certainly give it a try after it opens.
Had this change involved virtually any other signature restaurant at a resort, I’d probably be pretty unhappy. I know you’re worried more changes might come if this move is successful. Which is a very valid concern.
We’ll see what happens.
I expect it will be very popular.
You didn’t come on a good night I’ve never had a bad meal and what kid now even knows who Snow White is. They all want pandora. Just another way for Disney to charge more
Trust me, nobody under age 12 knows about Avatar/Pandora (we just took our grade school age kids to AK and they liked Pandora but had literally no clue it was based on a movie). Every little kid knows about Snow White.
This is an unbelievably bone-headed move from a guest perspective. If the lobby of this beautiful hotel starts to resemble the lobby of the Polynesian during dinner hours (with the relaxing ambiance of a sporting event and a 2 to 1 ratio of people to strollers), we’ve lost one of the more magical elements of the entire resort.
The food at Artist Point is excellent, but the menu is not kid friendly. Every time we dined there, the restaurant was less than half empty.
I really want to go to this restaurant now!
“It would appear that management looks at individual components, questioning how costs can be reduced or profits increased. It’s entirely possible Food & Beverage made this decision without regard to the resort at large, because it would be good for that business unit’s numbers.”
I was on the behind-the-scenes tour a couple of years ago, and the cast members guiding the tour pointed out this was exactly the case. Rather surprisingly, they were quite critical of the approach for the problems it causes (I’ll refrain from mentioning their names or the specific year I took the tour, just in case Disney is watching and they weren’t supposed to– though it’s conceivable Disney lets them criticize as part of a “you’re seeing behind the curtain” backstage theme). The guides described the official policy as being that each different department within the overall Theme Parks & Resorts division is required to show its own separate profit, even if it’s a division with no direct contact with paying guests. The only way for a department that doesn’t directly receive money from guests to do that is to internally bill other departments for its services. So for example Laundry can only report a profit by billing the hotels and costume departments for the stuff it washes. To a point this makes sense as a way to monitor how well the different departments are contributing, but (as any complex institution has a tendency to do) it can get out of hand– especially if those higher up, who are the ones able to consider the bigger picture, don’t bother to do so but just check the individual reports.
This could well be such a case: Food & Beverage is making decisions without thinking of the overall resort experience because the system forces it to do so. Someone higher up the chain of command than the individual departments, who ought to be the one to say “Okay, but this reduces the overall guest experience so let’s let that slide and the money coming to Disney as a whole will go up,” is instead saying “Laundry is bringing in X dollars, why aren’t you matching them?” (Or some comparison marginally less absurd.)
It’s definitely the case, I only added “it would appear” because I’m not sure how this particular change was decided upon.
We know a number of people in ‘decision-making’ roles who lament the fact that their departments have adversarial relationships with other departments in Walt Disney World, as each competes with one another. These are scenarios that should be collaborative, but in the way things are structured, that’s absolutely not the case.
What the Cast Member on the tour described to you is 100% accurate and is, sadly, only the tip of the iceberg. We’ve heard some stories with an end result that is just asinine, and flies in the face of logic and good sense.
What a stupid business plan. Iger said they would be phasing out discounts. I don’t see it with the way they keep raising prices and degrading guest’s experience all in the name of profit. I predict that in five years, once the Stars Wars hype wears off we will see larger discounts again because it will be difficult to fill rooms. And for now I don’t see the current discounts going away or going down.
Just now reading through these comments after reading your follow-up post (like you, Artist Point was arguably my favorite WDW restaurant), and I just want to say, the exact business “strategy” you describe is largely responsible for the utter collapse of another famous American brand: Sears. Departments competing against each other WITHIN THE SAME COMPANY makes no sense at all, I’d think, but it is evidently the best thinking of the last few decades in business philosophy… among LIBERTARIANS. A hardcore ideological libertarian took over Sears, implemented his philosophy of “unrestrained capitalist competition INSIDE THE COMPANY,” and not very many years later: no more Sears. So what I’m asking/wondering: have the rigidly ideological libertarians taken over WDW as well?
… sorry to get all political. 🙂
It is a great shame. I’ve always loved the style and the food at Artist Point, and one of the key selling points for my dad to join a WDW vacation is its signature restaurants. If character dining was necessary – and I don’t doubt it will be popular and profitable – it could easily have been featured at one of the other WL restaurants instead of sacrificing the fine dining and unique ambience of Artist Point. Heck, if the restaurant is rarely filled to capacity, why not half the dining space and put a Character Dining spot in the other half (using the same kitchens)? A smaller, more intimate restaurant would admittedly not have quite the same ‘feel’ as a National Park Lodge but at least they would be able to fill both establishments to capacity while simultaneously offering both fine dining and character dining.
hello I totally agree with you. This is a real shame. The food there is exceptional at this moment. And the wine list is lovely. How can you have a resort so expensive in rooms and not a place at all for fine dining? I believe they should’ve started with a character breakfast and went from there as in the old days. I think if Disney hears from his guests at artist point it may make a difference. Unfortunately the almighty dollar he’s calling their name. Already missing Artist Point ! TamD
Do you know if it will count as 1 or 2 table service credits? I’m staying at wilderness next summer and wouldn’t mind trying it.