Changes at Artist Point - Character meal coming?

[DaveInTN 3,247]

1 hour ago, WannaBeImagineer said:

Am I the only person that never ate at Artist Point?  We always intended to try it but never found the time, we did enjoy Territory Lounge though.

On another note, they just converted half of WL to DVC, then refurbed the concierge lounge, and then temporary stopped the antics at Whispering Canyon saying they wanted to make the Lodge feel more like a high end deluxe resort...now the silliness is back and they are adding dwarfs?  Odd.

WBI

We actually have never eaten there either.  My personal concern with this is the impact to Territory Lounge, as we did enjoy that.  I've made AP reservations over the years for a date night, but we always ended up canceling, primarily as the menu didn't really appeal to us, and we are more "drinks and appetizers" people rather than sit down meal/bottle of wine people.   

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

4 hours ago, WannaBeImagineer said:

On another note, they just converted half of WL to DVC, then refurbed the concierge lounge, and then temporary stopped the antics at Whispering Canyon saying they wanted to make the Lodge feel more like a high end deluxe resort...now the silliness is back and they are adding dwarfs?

This exactly!  Nothing says "deluxe" like a dwarf named Dopey flooping around your dinner table while you try to enjoy your $50 entree.  😎

3 hours ago, DaveInTN said:

...we are more "drinks and appetizers" people rather than sit down meal/bottle of wine people.   

Ditto.  Only time we ever ate at Artist Point was back in the days when the dining plan included the appetizer and gratuity.

But we have enjoyed Territory Lounge a bunch over the years and this is probably going to pack it full of people hanging around waiting for their photo ops. (sigh)

[shoreline99 137]

On 9/4/2018 at 12:50 PM, djsamuel said:

My daughter posted a negative comment on the blog about this and it did show up eventually.

Hmmm, nope.

[djsamuel 322]

14 hours ago, shoreline99 said:

Hmmm, nope.

That is interesting.  Her comment was pretty early on; so I wonder if they've hit their limit on negative comments. Hopefully, they are taking note.

[keith_h 420]

On 9/5/2018 at 10:13 AM, DaveInTN said:

We actually have never eaten there either.  My personal concern with this is the impact to Territory Lounge, as we did enjoy that.  I've made AP reservations over the years for a date night, but we always ended up canceling, primarily as the menu didn't really appeal to us, and we are more "drinks and appetizers" people rather than sit down meal/bottle of wine people.   

 

On 9/5/2018 at 1:24 PM, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

This exactly!  Nothing says "deluxe" like a dwarf named Dopey flooping around your dinner table while you try to enjoy your $50 entree.  😎

Ditto.  Only time we ever ate at Artist Point was back in the days when the dining plan included the appetizer and gratuity.

But we have enjoyed Territory Lounge a bunch over the years and this is probably going to pack it full of people hanging around waiting for their photo ops. (sigh)

We really like the Territory Lounge as well for a quick bite and drink. I don't see how the change won't have an impact on it. 

[Beckers 1,136]

Does anyone know if territory lounge is open? 

[djsamuel 322]

On 11/13/2018 at 4:00 PM, Beckers said:

Does anyone know if territory lounge is open? 

Territory Lounge is open. Construction on the entrance to Artist Point was well underway today. Looks like they are adding some sort of hallway to walk through to enter the dining area. 

[Beckers 1,136]

14 hours ago, djsamuel said:

Territory Lounge is open. Construction on the entrance to Artist Point was well underway today. Looks like they are adding some sort of hallway to walk through to enter the dining area. 

Thank you! We may go tonight 

[Travisma 1,317]

Here's the "official" update

https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/12/04/disneys-latest-character-dining-experience-opens-in-two-weeks-heres-everything-we-know-about-it

Disney's latest character dining experience opens in two weeks, here's everything we know about it

Back in August, when Disney announced the upcoming Snow White-themed Storybook Dining at Artist Point, few details were shared. Now with the new character dining experience less than two weeks from opening, we have plenty of information on precisely what diners can expect. 

Artist Point, the Wilderness Lodge’s finest dining establishment, has been given a slight update with the columns sculpted to look more like natural trees. Large fake trees have sparkling firefly lights with glass lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The dining room will be filled with music and sounds from the classic Disney film while Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy will meet guests. A special meet-and-greet with the Evil Witch will also be available during the dining experience. 

In newly released artwork, the current seating remains though it is unclear if the large custom mural that cover the walls of the restaurant will also remain. 

The prix-fixe menu is $55 for adults and $33 for children ages 3-9. The meal begins with a shared appetizer, an individually plated main entrée, and a shared dessert. For those using the Disney Dining Plan, the one table service credit also includes an alcoholic beverage. Four specially themed alcoholic drinks are found on the menu. Those diners without the Dining Plan can purchase the beverages for $11 to $12 each. 

 

 

• Image via Disney Parks Blog

The Smoking Mirror drink has Johnnie Walker Black, wildberry, with lime and will be served in a rosemary smoke-filled glass. The Enchanted Apple has Skyy Citrus Vodka, DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple, and white cranberry juice. A drink called Alchemy combines lime, agave, cucumber, and Uncle Val’s Gin Vodka. The final drink, Evil to the Core, adds Habanero to orange juice and blackberry with Patrón Silver Tequila. 

Two non-alcoholic drinks include a Transformation Potion sparkling lemonade that includes a color changing spoon and a Berry Breeze iced herbal tea. 

• Image via Disney Parks Blog

While shared, the appetizers look to be made up in easy to divide portions. They range from a Winter Squash Bisque to a Wicked Shrimp Cocktail. A pot pie with chicken, black truffle, and stone fruit preserve plus a cheese and fruit plate with a make your own honey butter are available. 

Six entrees include a veal shank, seafood stew, snapper, and a squash-based vegetarian entrée. 

Desserts also keep with the Snow White theme. Miner’s Treasures, themed to Drawfs, is a sponge cake with chocolate gems and buttercream icing. The Hunter’s Gift to the Queen is a crackled maple popcorn with a ganache heart. A “Poison” Apple white chocolate and apple mouse has a sour center. A gooseberry and meringue pie rounds out the dessert options. 

• Image via Disney Parks Blog

A kid’s menu includes classics like chicken tenders and pasta but also a vegetarian steam bun and a prime rib roast. 

Reservations are now open for the new character dining experience which starts on December 16. 

 

[keith_h 420]

One less place for Rene and I to go to when we visit. Sigh......

[Duane 152]

Once I read the first part of the article, I thought of the décor as possibly looking like Rain Forest with a Disney spin...

[ImDownWithDisney 342]

They can piss right off with this. They have ruined one of my favorite restaurants. 

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

I’m out. DD(14) isn't in to characters like she used to be.  So I can’t justify paying a premium for a character meal.  I’d rather spend the $165 (3x $55) on some sushi at the Poly or the California Grill. 

[shoreline99 137]

2 hours ago, ImDownWithDisney said:

They can piss right off with this. They have ruined one of my favorite restaurants. 

This.

[PghBob 31]

Yep, we ain't going no more!

[Travisma 1,317]

For every person that will no longer go to this because of the changes, there will be 20 people clamoring to take your place.

Just like the Fort, for every family that decides to stop coming there are 100 willing to take your spot.

Like TCD says, Disney always wins!

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

35 minutes ago, Travisma said:

For every person that will no longer go to this because of the changes, there will be 20 people clamoring to take your place.

And also why things change, that's what the masses want/ask for.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Since we weren’t regular patrons of Artist Point I don’t know the answer. So that’s why I’m asking.

was it a popular restaurant?

was it easy to get a rezzie there or difficult?

i personally want new attractions, restaurants, etc. 

In most cases I don’t see why they have to close one thing to open another?  They want another character restaurant open one. There’s plenty of room/land for Disney to do what ever they want. 

New attractions bring in new guests. I get it. But it doesn’t help the crowds.  They could have opened a new restaurant at wilderness lodge and kept artist point.  

For that matter they could have left HS alone and added Toy story land and Star Wars land next to it. It would have brought in more/new people and would have increased the footprint of the park. Which in turn would increase the capacity of the park. 

But im sure the bean counters can explain why it had to close/change artist point to a character restaurant 

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

The last time we went it was empty at 6:30.

[bhall 115]

The last time we went was March 6, 2015.  Had a reservation for 7:15 and had to wait awhile to be sat.  That was a Friday night though.  It was the best meal I've had at Disney hands down.  Now, it's sad to know it was probably the last.

[Travisma 1,317]

14 hours ago, h2odivers...Ray said:

Since we weren’t regular patrons of Artist Point I don’t know the answer. So that’s why I’m asking.

was it a popular restaurant?

was it easy to get a rezzie there or difficult?

i personally want new attractions, restaurants, etc. 

In most cases I don’t see why they have to close one thing to open another?  They want another character restaurant open one. There’s plenty of room/land for Disney to do what ever they want. 

New attractions bring in new guests. I get it. But it doesn’t help the crowds.  They could have opened a new restaurant at wilderness lodge and kept artist point.  

For that matter they could have left HS alone and added Toy story land and Star Wars land next to it. It would have brought in more/new people and would have increased the footprint of the park. Which in turn would increase the capacity of the park. 

But im sure the bean counters can explain why it had to close/change artist point to a character restaurant 

I feel the same way, especially with them taking up prime real estate spaces for desert parties.  They make a fortune off of those, and they should've built out spaces for them in other areas where the general public isn't allowed.

I think they should put a back entrance to the MK that isn't "magical" for the jaded/veteran visitors... no ferry boat, no fancy entrance, no transportation in the sky.  Just an entrance to get in and out easily.

 

And they definitely need to expand the park footprints.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

4 hours ago, Travisma said:

I think they should put a back entrance to the MK that isn't "magical" for the jaded/veteran visitors... no ferry boat, no fancy entrance, no transportation in the sky.  Just an entrance to get in and out easily.

This jaded/veteran visitor wouldn't use it. As convenient as it is, I hate it when they route you backstage to empty out a park. When I'm at WDW I prefer wall-to-wall, 24/7 magic... even if that means crowds.

We stay until park close most of the time and we never count on getting out quickly or easily.  Instead we pull up a snack or a drink, find an out of the way bench to chill out and people watch until the crowds clear, then enjoy strolling out of a mostly empty park.

But hey, we're crazy like that. 

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

2 hours ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

This jaded/veteran visitor wouldn't use it. As convenient as it is, I hate it when they route you backstage to empty out a park. When I'm at WDW I prefer wall-to-wall, 24/7 magic... even if that means crowds.

We stay until park close most of the time and we never count on getting out quickly or easily.  Instead we pull up a snack or a drink, find an out of the way bench to chill out and people watch until the crowds clear, then enjoy strolling out of a mostly empty park.

But hey, we're crazy like that. 

 We are usually at the parks at rope drop and leave by three or 4 PM.

I agree if few times we stayed at a park till close and escorted us out backstage it wasn't the best way to exit the park IMHO.   

 But a few years ago we stayed at Epcot for New Year’s Eve and they took us out behind test track.   Seeing that back stage area was kind of cool.  Once.   I’ve got my routine when leaving Epcot and it involves a stop at the men’s room next to SE before getting on the bus. 😂 

[Travisma 1,317]

2 hours ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

This jaded/veteran visitor wouldn't use it. As convenient as it is, I hate it when they route you backstage to empty out a park. When I'm at WDW I prefer wall-to-wall, 24/7 magic... even if that means crowds.

We stay until park close most of the time and we never count on getting out quickly or easily.  Instead we pull up a snack or a drink, find an out of the way bench to chill out and people watch until the crowds clear, then enjoy strolling out of a mostly empty park.

But hey, we're crazy like that. 

I'm talking about another entrance at the backside of the park, like out behind Fantasyland and a parking lot back there.

[LONE-STAR 370]

7 hours ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

This jaded/veteran visitor wouldn't use it. As convenient as it is, I hate it when they route you backstage to empty out a park. When I'm at WDW I prefer wall-to-wall, 24/7 magic... even if that means crowds.

We stay until park close most of the time and we never count on getting out quickly or easily.  Instead we pull up a snack or a drink, find an out of the way bench to chill out and people watch until the crowds clear, then enjoy strolling out of a mostly empty park.

But hey, we're crazy like that. 

Is there any other way