FIRST LOOK: Story Book Character Dining Has Reopened in Disney World!

Over the past several months, character dining options have become available at several Disney World spots, including Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House, and Hollywood & Vine.

Artist Point

Not too long ago, we shared that Story Book Character Dining at Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge would be reopening on December 16th. Recently, we got our first chance to check out this reopened spot, and here’s what we saw!

We’ve experienced the Story Book Dining at Artist Point in the past, so we were excited to see what this reopened experience would be like now that character dining has changed due to COVID-19.

Check-In

We started our dining experience by accessing our reservation on the My Disney Experience app and using Mobile Dine Check-In to let the restaurant know we were there and ready to eat! Once we checked in, we got a message indicating that we’d be alerted once our table was ready.

Entrance to Artist Point

Not too long after, we got a text telling us that our table was ready, so we headed up to the host stand to let the Cast Members know.

Host stand

Let’s head inside!

Atmosphere

Artist Point now serves as the home of Story Book Dining with Snow White. When you step into the space, you’ll truly feel like you’ve been transported to the Enchanted Forest.

Gorgeous theming!

There are decorations all around of leaves and trees to really immerse you in that storyline.

Enchanted Forest

All of those trees and leaves really bring the outdoors in. That, coupled with the large windows in the restaurant, give this spot a unique feel.

Dining Room

At each table setting, you’ll find plates, silverware, and a dish stand that’s shaped like a tree. Your server will use this stand for your appetizers and desserts, which is a beautiful and on-theme way to display the food.

We love this tree stand

But, this is no ordinary dinner, this is a CHARACTER meal! So let’s get on with how the character aspect is being handled right now.

Characters

Previously, during your dinner at Artist Point you had the chance to see Snow White (of course), Dopey, and Grumpy. There was also a special photo opportunity with the Evil Queen. Currently, Snow White, the dwarfs, and the Evil Queen are still hanging out at this dining spot. All of the characters now walk around the dining room to wave hello to the guests from a distance.

 

Before, the Evil Queen would remain stationary and guests could go up to meet her. But now she’s moving around like the rest of the characters, although she didn’t join in the dance party to “Silly Song” like everyone else did.

As with most other Disney character meals right now, you can take photos of the characters and wave hello, but you can’t get very close to hug the characters or ask for autographs. 

Cast members encouraged the guests to remain seated while the characters were out visiting, and an overhead announcement also reminded you to stay at your table. At some character dining locations (like Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom), guests can get up to take photos with the characters while still remaining about 6 feet away. Story Book Dining, however, asked for guests to remain at their tables.

Snow White

Since you can’t get up to greet the characters, you might be pretty far away from them when they come to visit. We were sitting in the second row, behind another table, so we could really only see the characters from a distance.

Evil Queen

You can’t ask for autographs now, but guests each get an autograph card at the end of the experience.

 

The card has the signatures of all the characters that came to visit during your meal.

The Food!

When it comes to the food, Artist Point is open for dinner, and dinner is a set price, prix fixe meal. The cost is $60 per adult and $39 per child (plus tax and gratuity).

QR Code Menu

The meal begins with shared appetizers. Then, each guest picks an individual entrée. Desserts (like appetizers) are shared.

©Disney

For the kids, they get to pick an appetizer (a la carte), one entree, and 2 side selections.

©Disney

There are also non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages available.

©Disney

We tried the Smoking Mirror cocktail, which has Johnnie Walker Black, Wildberry, Lime, and Rosemary Smoke.

The appetizers for this meal are shared, and they include Wild Mushroom Bisque, Hunter’s Pie, and the Wicked Shrimp Cocktail.

For our meal, we got the “Cottage” Beef Stroganoff, which is tender beef, preserved vegetables, spätzle, mushrooms and aged cow’s milk cheese.

The desserts, like the appetizers, are shared with the whole table. You’ll get a “Poison” Apple, Miner’s Treasure, and Fairy Tale Gooseberry Tart.

We’ll be sharing a FULL review of our experience at Artist Point soon, so stay tuned for that. And check back with us for all the latest Disney news.

Click here to see how the character dining photo policy has CHANGED at some restaurants in Disney World.

Disney Park Reopening Details and Info

What do you think of the character dining at Artist Point? Tell us in the comments!

The post FIRST LOOK: Story Book Character Dining Has Reopened in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog.