I was lucky enough to enjoy the latest character meal being offered in Walt Disney World! Storybook Dining with Snow White! I was in Orlando for a travel agent training, so I joined several other agents at Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge on January 10, 2019.
We took Lyft from Animal Kingdom Lodge where we were staying. We got Lyft XL as there were 6 of us, and the cost was about $3 per person once we split it up with tip. There is no direct bus from resort to resort. So we would have had to bus to Magic Kingdom, then get on a boat or another bus to Wilderness Lodge. It was just easier to do Lyft and we were there in a jiffy!
Wilderness Lodge is GORGEOUS! The lobby is stunning. I personally have never stayed here but I would love to! I felt like I was in a cabin in the mountains somewhere. Here are a couple of shots of the lobby.
Check in for Artist Point is through the lobby and to the left. At the check-in desk, the hostess was sure to tell us to enjoy our “60 minute dining experience.” She sent us up the ramp where another hostess sat us at our table immediately. She also said, “Enjoy your 60 minute dining experience.”
Artist Point has been magically transformed into an enchanted forest for this special character dining experience. It used to house a different restaurant, and the switch excited half the people, and upset the other half. Now, you can dine with Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy, who come to visit you at your table, and the Evil Queen who is stationed in the center of the dining room and you go to her to get your picture taken. Kind of like the Beast at Be Our Guest for dinner.
Also noting, we were staying 1 night at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and we all had the Disney Dining Plan for this 1 night stay. This dinner is $55 plus tax for an adult. The Dining Plan costs $75.49 per adult. Dinner also comes with a drink, which can be an alcoholic drink, and we all know those cost more than a soda! So besides this meal, we still had 1 Quick Service Meal (also comes with an alcoholic drink if you wish), 2 Snacks, and the Refillable Mug. We more than made out by using the Dining Plan this night.. You can read more about the different Dining Plans HERE.
We were seated and greeted by our waiter. He welcomed us to our “60 minute dining experience.” (What the heck! They really want you in and out!). He took our drink orders and explained the menu. We all opted for an alcoholic drink, as this came with the Dining Plan. This dinner is a little bit different, as everyone receives the appetizers and desserts automatically. You don’t get a choice. You DO get to choose your main course though.
Almost immediately, Snow White stopped by our table. One of our agents was FaceTiming her daughter so she could see the restaurant, and just then Snow White stopped by! She had a really cool interaction with her…asking her if she was in a magic mirror!
We wanted a group picture with her, which was impossible at our table. So we had to move to out to the hostess stand.
She was really great and stayed in character the entire time!
The Menu:
This is the “allergy” menu they provided us when asked.
I opted for the “A Brew of Peaches.” It sounded like it was going to be sweet and fruity! Peach, raspberry, sugar and bourbon. How bad could it be?
Well…it was SO STRONG! All I could taste was bourbon. I actually thought it wasn’t my drink and he made a mistake. We passed it all around the table! But alas, this was the drink I ordered. I ended up giving it to my friend and just had water. Notice the drippings down the side of the glass. I think that was the sugar! I think everyone else enjoyed their drinks. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures.
These were our place settings.
The characters here do not sign autographs. Instead you receive this apple with signatures attached to your napkin.
While we were waiting for appetizers, Grumpy found us.
His character was great! He “happily” took a picture with each of us.
Our appetizers arrived. They are placed on this spinning “tree” that is attached to the center of the table. Our party of six had two tables pushed together. So three were on this table and three on the other, except they had all 6 shrimp in this one jar.
These are shared and are one per person.
Up first is the Winter Squash Bisque. Caramel Loli, Granola. The white thing on the stick is actually marshmallow that is meant to be stirred into the soup.
This was my favorite of the three items given to us. It was smooth and creamy and tasted really good. It was maybe 4-5 spoonfuls.
Next, is the Hunter’s Pie. Chicken, black truffle, stone fruit preserve.
These were just okay. The center of the pastry part…the chicken was actually hard. Like a solid disc. I dipped it into the preserves which tasted ok. I personally didn’t love this! Maybe 1.5 inch in diameter.
Last was the Wicked Shrimp Cocktail. Soy, Miso, Avocado, Thai Chili, Greens.
I don’t eat shrimp so didn’t taste this. I’m not allergic, I just don’t like it. Two others in our group also don’t eat it. So at the start of our ordering, one person mentioned it. He brought here this next picture…a Tomato Salad.
She also doesn’t eat tomatoes! So she gave it to me. This was delicious! Fresh and really good flavor.
Overall, my opinion on the appetizers…not my favorite! Really small portions and I would prefer to choose what I would like to eat and not have a preset menu.
While waiting for our main course, Dopey found us.
He was super cute and playful compared to Grumpy!
Our main courses had finally arrived!
I ordered the Brother’s Grimm Roasted Chicken. Confit Potatoes, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Apples and Chestnut Butter (Two views below!)
This was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! The chicken (yes there is a bone) was so moist and flavorful with the sauce. The Brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly and tasted great with the sauce and potatoes. I would definitely order this again if I ever went back!
My friend ordered the Magic Mirror Slow-Braised Veal Shank.
Three others ordered the Royal Prime Rib Roast. Horseradish Mashed Potato, Hay-Smoked Carrots, Popover, Jus
Some ordered with regular mashed potatoes. This had mixed reviews! One person commented that they wished they kept the horseradish mashed potatoes instead of regular.
The below picture is the Brother’s Grimm Chicken with Broccolini substituted for Brussel Sprouts.
Every now and then, music came over for all to hear, and the characters danced around the dining room.
While we were waiting for our dessert, someone came to our table to tell us the Evil Queen would be leaving soon, so we might want to go see her now.
She was REALLLLLLLY good! She was not friendly, and not nice. Haha!
Our dessert was brought soon after we got back to our table. These were also shared and were 1 per person.
Fairy Tale Gooseberry Pie–Meringue, Gooseberry
This tasted kind of like apple pie! It was tasty, and small. Maybe 3 spoonfuls??
“Poison” Apple–White Chocolate-Apple Mouse, Sour Center
This was super cute and tasted just ok. Gone in two bites!
Miner’s Treasures–Sponge Cake, Chocolate Gems, and Buttercream Icing
This was my favorite of the three! I loved the addition of the chocolate gems, and the buttercream frosting was really good!
Just when we thought we were finished (we were way past 60 minutes here by the way!), our waiter showed up with this:
He explained that this was The Hunter’s Gift to the Queen. Cracked Maple Popcorn, Ganache Heart.
To me it was a little strange! He scooped it out of the box with a spoon and put it on the plate.
Overall Impression:
This is a great deal if you have the Disney Dining Plan. The character interactions were great. I loved my main course. The decor in the restaurant was neat. There is a photo pass photographer at the Evil Queen.
I thought the appetizer and dessert portions were small. I don’t like not having a choice! If you are a particularly picky eater, I don’t know if this is the restaurant for you.
I would eat here again, but only if on the Dining Plan.
I would love to hear any comments or questions you may have! Have you eaten here? What was your favorite part of the dining experience?
