Latest Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Rumors

[NYCgrrl]

I suspect the ease with which people have been able to book at AP is the difficulty of getting to WL. Leaving the MK and jumping on the monorail to one of the deluxes around the loop is far easier than taking a launch, in large part because WL is an outta-sight/outta-mind resort.

I think there is boat service between MK and WL but it's not really advertised well.

 

[mystery222184]

It’s true that even when Artist Point was in its prime a few years ago, reservations were easy due to location. However, it doesn’t help that their food quality and service became spotty as of late.

I feel like many of the fond memories are from the previous menu and chef. Similar to Flying Fish, which has also become hit or miss, Artist Point became more expensive and less daring. For example they removed the iconic buffalo 3 ways and replaced with a petite filet - and charged the same amount.

You can’t rest on your laurels because you make a solid mushroom soup (even this was too salty in December) and a good cobbler dessert. Even the famous salmon, which every decent restaurant makes now, was bland on the last visit.

I was hoping they would go a different way and bring back the quality and service Artist Point was known for - this is a different direction. I’m sure it will do ok- as everyone loves their characters at Disney. I do expect they lose some of their core audience like us who will go to places like California Grill (really excellent every time). That’s my rant- Just disappointed.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I really hope you are wrong. Moving AP to character for breakfast and even lunch isn't bad, and worked in the past. But I really don't like the idea of AP becoming a character meal at dinner.

SAME HERE! I have to say, im shocked by this news and VERY disappointed. I really hope Rusty is wrong. I have gone to AP the last few years and my meals have always been one of the best on property, every single trip! So im really REALLY sad about this.

Character meals at breakfast and lunch is one thing. But dinner? Heck no!

 

[sleepydog25]

I think there is boat service between MK and WL but it's not really advertised well.

There is. I would make a major marketing effort to hype AP before I would change the Signature dining experience at dinner. The addition of a character meal at breakfast alone would increase foot traffic and spread the word about AP, and expanding it to lunch would reap further benefits. However, if they make dinner a character meal, I'll stop going. I like character meals just fine, just not at the expense of a Signature meal. That would leave WL and two DVC resorts without a fine dining option. Stupid idea.

 

[Nancyg56]

There is. I would make a major marketing effort to hype AP before I would change the Signature dining experience at dinner. The addition of a character meal at breakfast alone would increase foot traffic and spread the word about AP, and expanding it to lunch would reap further benefits. However, if they make dinner a character meal, I'll stop going. I like character meals just fine, just not at the expense of a Signature meal. That would leave WL and two DVC resorts without a fine dining option. Stupid idea.

I agree. Rather than try to make adjustments to improve the restaurant experience, and to add revenue with the addition of a Character breakfast, they toss the baby out with the bathwater and go all character all day. I cannot see how this will improve revenue in the longterm.

 

[sleepydog25]

It’s true that even when Artist Point was in its prime a few years ago, reservations were easy due to location. However, it doesn’t help that their food quality and service became spotty as of late.

I feel like many of the fond memories are from the previous menu and chef. Similar to Flying Fish, which has also become hit or miss, Artist Point became more expensive and less daring. For example they removed the iconic buffalo 3 ways and replaced with a petite filet - and charged the same amount.

You can’t rest on your laurels because you make a solid mushroom soup (even this was too salty in December) and a good cobbler dessert. Even the famous salmon, which every decent restaurant makes now, was bland on the last visit.

I was hoping they would go a different way and bring back the quality and service Artist Point was known for - this is a different direction. I’m sure it will do ok- as everyone loves their characters at Disney. I do expect they lose some of their core audience like us who will go to places like California Grill (really excellent every time). That’s my rant- Just disappointed.

Well said. I've been going to AP routinely for well over a decade, and while we've had a couple of less than great meals, that's par for the course at any restaurant. Overall, the quality of service, food, and ambiance has been excellent. As you say, the first step to getting people to fill the seats is offer consistently superb food and service and to be creative with the menu. "If you build it, they will come." Tout AP as the spot to be at TWO DVC resorts; show off those cabins and place AP as the gem. There are ways to increase traffic without making the drastic change from Signature to mediocrity. I'm still hoping this rumor isn't true as reported. A character meal for breakfast and, if necessary, at lunch is something I could live with, would even do for breakfast, in fact. Losing adult dining at night? Sad.

 

[sotoalf]

I think there is boat service between MK and WL but it's not really advertised well.

No, of course there is. What I meant to say, in case it's unclear, is that while you can see the three monorail resorts from the MK you can't see WL, so it's less viable an option even though it takes as much or as little time to get there by launch as it does to reach the GF from the MK by monorail.

 

[gillep]

Well said. I've been going to AP routinely for well over a decade, and while we've had a couple of less than great meals, that's par for the course at any restaurant. Overall, the quality of service, food, and ambiance has been excellent. As you say, the first step to getting people to fill the seats is offer consistently superb food and service and to be creative with the menu. "If you build it, they will come." Tout AP as the spot to be at TWO DVC resorts; show off those cabins and place AP as the gem. There are ways to increase traffic without making the drastic change from Signature to mediocrity. I'm still hoping this rumor isn't true as reported. A character meal for breakfast and, if necessary, at lunch is something I could live with, would even do for breakfast, in fact. Losing adult dining at night? Sad.

My husband and I have been seriously discussing adding on at CCV in the next couple years (waiting to see what's up with Riviera) and this would give us pause. I don't necessarily need a signature dinner each trip, but I like having the option at my resort. You never know when you want to, or need to, dump all your plans but still want a good dinner without leaving your resort. If they made it a character meal do you think you would still be able to order food at Territory Lounge, or would they change that as well? My husband has gotten sick a couple times while staying at AKL and being able to get a meal and glass of wine at Jiko's bar has been a nice fallback option. I will just wait to see what both WCC and AP become, but if WCC stays more or less as-is and AP changes to a character meal I am not sure I would still consider adding on at CCV. Thanks for potentially saving me money Disney.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Artist Point became more expensive and less daring. For example they removed the iconic buffalo 3 ways and replaced with a petite filet - and charged the same amount. It's happening everywhere though, Jiko has replaced it's popular and tasty Wild Boar appetizer to Bershire pork tenderloin, of course they didn't lower the price, but the dish has lost it's flavor.

You can’t rest on your laurels And I think that's exactly what many of the 2TS signatures/Disney are doing

I do expect they lose some of their core audience like us who will go to places like California Grill (really excellent every time). April 21st/June 9th, 2 less than stellar CG meals (poor quality/preparation of seafood) something I never would expect to say ! That’s my rant-

Just disappointed.

That sums up my week-end, spent $$$, disappointed in The Hollywood Brown Derby, California Grill and Jiko, restaurants that have been among my top favorites. I stopped going to Artist's Point for that reason.

 

[MomOTwins]

Now that people have been mentioning Copper Creek Villas, this suddenly makes sense! I've heard they have been having trouble selling the CCV memberships, and a character meal might help them market to families with young kids who want to be near Magic Kingdom. The other three MK resorts all have a character meal.

On the plus side, a new signature restaurant is opening in Japan in Epcot, so for those who want nicer signature restaurants that is on its way.

 

[Sandiz08]

I don’t see why adding characters will cheapen the food at Artist point. a perfect example is bon voyage. I thought that food was up a notch for a character meal. It is very classy.

 

[OneinThree]

I cannot see how this will improve revenue in the longterm.

Character meals enjoy a built-in demand. Also, the pressure and costs associated with creating and maintaining signature food quality evaporate. It's a lot easier to pay a few employees a marginal wage to dress in costumes and walk around taking pictures than to staff a fining dining establishment with talented chefs and servers. Ultimately, the tables have to be filled to make money and clearly, they haven't been for one reason or another. Although I have zero use for character dining personally, if I were running WL I'd have one up and running ASAP. But I'd work it into either Whispering Canyon, or do it at the AP location in such a way as to preserve the signature dinner service which really adds to the designation of "deluxe resort", IMO.

 

[Remy is Up]

Had AP on my list for a long trip in January. Ill scratch that. It will now be Flying Fish Dinner, Monsieur Pauls Dinner, Cali Grille Dinner, Yachtsman Dinner, Morimoto Dinner, HBD Dinner, Jiko Dinner, Il Mulino replacing Artist Point for DInner, Narcoosees Brunch, Homecomin Brunch, Castle Breakfast, and Trattoria breakfast. May drop Citricos in instead of Mulino, actually considered V&A but thats got a hefty price tag.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Leaving the MK and jumping on the monorail to one of the deluxes around the loop is far easier than taking a launch, in large part because WL is an outta-sight/outta-mind resort.

And that is why we prefer to stay at WL. So peaceful compared to the Monorail resorts. Vacation!

 

[Nancyg56]

Character meals enjoy a built-in demand. Also, the pressure and costs associated with creating and maintaining signature food quality evaporate. It's a lot easier to pay a few employees a marginal wage to dress in costumes and walk around taking pictures than to staff a fining dining establishment with talented chefs and servers. Ultimately, the tables have to be filled to make money and clearly, they haven't been for one reason or another. Although I have zero use for character dining personally, if I were running WL I'd have one up and running ASAP. But I'd work it into either Whispering Canyon, or do it at the AP location in such a way as to preserve the signature dinner service which really adds to the designation of "deluxe resort", IMO.

I do not doubt that the character meals may be a winner for a period of time, however to fill three meals worth of character meals a day may not be as easy as it seems. There is a reason that several resort restaurants have a normal TS meal in the evening.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

That sums up my week-end, spent $$$, disappointed in The Hollywood Brown Derby, California Grill and Jiko, restaurants that have been among my top favorites. I stopped going to Artist's Point for that reason.

Thank you for not making me think my husband and I are crazy… We dined a California Grill based on the stellar review from the DIS. To say we were disappointed was an understatement. We spent w week in WDW in May and as time passes we keep thinking about how much below average our dinner was.

Getting back to AP, we stayed at WL a half a dozen times or so and the only time we were there was back in May, 1998 when there was a Pooh n friends character breakfast. It was a lot of fun, food was outstanding, and Tigger was so awesome and so excited to be there he actually fell into one of the huge windows and broke the glass. Don’t worry, Tigger was fine and still one of our fondest memories. We thought about going back each year but just never did. It’s nice for us to hear they are bringing back a character dining experience there.

WCC.... we always found it very loud, antics or not so after one experience there we chose something else each visit. There is so much they can do with that space we look forward to see what’s coming next.

 

[OneinThree]

. . .however to fill three meals worth of character meals a day may not be as easy as it seems. There is a reason that several resort restaurants have a normal TS meal in the evening.

I agree, and think 3 character meals (or even 2) might be a misstep, all things considered. Then again, I don't have access to their internal reporting and could be completely out to lunch here.

 

[Texans_loyal]

If it does become a character meal, I hope it's 1 TS credit and not 2.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree, and think 3 character meals (or even 2) might be a misstep, all things considered. Then again, I don't have access to their internal reporting and could be completely out to lunch here.

I know! I don't either, just speculating. LOL!

 

[sleepydog25]

I don’t see why adding characters will cheapen the food at Artist point. a perfect example is bon voyage. I thought that food was up a notch for a character meal. It is very classy.

The characters themselves don't cheapen the quality of food; it's the mindset that goes with it. They won't offer Signature quality food (granted, that's a debatable topic to be sure ) AND also pay to have extra characters. The most likely idea for a character meal there would undoubtedly be a buffet or all-you-care-to-eat skillets (a la Akershus)--the only buffet that comes close to having superior food is the CG Brunch, and that starts at $80 pp. Now, if Disney plans to offer that sort of quality and characters, then I suspect the price would be north of $100 pp. That won't happen. Ergo, the food quality is going to be more like 1900 Park Fare which, while solid, isn't terribly unique or exceptional. No, if they wind up having three meals, all with characters, then I expect the food quality to be average at best; otherwise, it won't be cost effective.