If you’re looking for a dining experience that feels both immersive and indulgent (but not chaotic), Story Book Dining at Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge might just be your perfect fairytale evening.
Mom and I dined here on a recent visit, and honestly? We loved it.
From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, we noticed the difference between this and many of the other character dining experiences we’ve tried. In most character meals, the restaurant isn’t really decorated in a way that feeds into the fairytale. They’re usually nicely decorated, but the decor isn’t necessarily part of the character experience. They’re nice restaurants, and the characters are layered in on top. Story Book Dining at Artist Point is different. The decor here IS definitely part of the “story”, part of the experience. this wasn’t just dinner, it was a storybook come to life. The space is whimsically decorated with soft lighting, twinkling trees, and a magical Disney ambiance that makes everything feel special without being too over-the-top.
Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho – It’s Off to Dinner We Go!
This character dining experience brings the world of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to life with delicious food, enchanting details, and just the right amount of Disney magic. Set in a rustic, enchanted forest setting, you’ll be visited throughout the evening by Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy. Each character brings their own personality to your table—and yes, even Grumpy made us smile! All three characters were strong–Snow White, in particular, was perfect. Her voice, her questions and comments were all very in character. We had so much fun watching all the characters with the kids around us. They were really terrific!
Over the years, we’ve done a LOT of character dining experiences. The character interactions are as varied as the restaurants themselves. Sometimes, the character arrivals at your table can sort of “take over” your meal. This wasn’t the case for us here. Each character that visited our table provided good interaction, and we felt that we got personal attention, but the visits were brief and thoughtful. We were still able to enjoy our food without being overwhelmed by characters.
Every so often, music swells and the characters make a grand entrance, sweeping through the restaurant as twinkling lights shimmer in the trees above. The most dramatic entrance, of course, belongs to The Queen—her arrival comes with a villainous change in lighting and music that sets the perfect tone. The Queen really dominated the room (as a Queen SHOULD) as she made her entrance. Her facial expressions, her regal bearing–she was so perfectly the Queen as she journeyed through the restaurant, arriving at the large Story Book backdrop she rules over. The Queen doesn’t visit tables like the other characters, but after your meal, you’ll be summoned to meet her in front of a dramatic storybook backdrop.
We really appreciated this post-meal invitation to visit the Queen—it kept the flow relaxed and allowed us to enjoy our meal without feeling rushed. Best of all? A Disney PhotoPass photographer is stationed with the Queen, so you can get high-quality photos without having to fumble with your phone. It’s rare to see this at character dining, and we loved being able to be in the moment and get a photo of both of us with the Queen at the same time.
A Feast Fit for Royalty
This is a prix fixe menu that includes shared appetizers and desserts, plus your choice of entrée. The current cost is $67 per adult and $41 per child, plus tax and gratuity. It’s also worth noting that this restaurant requires two Table-Service credits on the Disney Dining Plan.
We started with a trio of shared appetizers:
- Hunter’s Harvest (a meatball-style dish)
- Wicked Shrimp Cocktail (my personal favorite of the three)
- Smoky Mushroom Bisque, served in charming individual bowls.
These arrived on a three-tiered “tree” stand that was both whimsical and slightly space-hogging—especially on our small table for two—but we loved the presentation.
For our entrées, I chose the Royal Prime Rib Roast, and Mom had the Fish of the Day (salmon during our visit). Both were excellent—generous portions, flavorful, and beautifully plated. Other entrée options include the Brother’s Grimm Herbed Chicken, Magic Mirror’s Slow-Braised Pork Shank, and a vegetarian gnocchi dish called A Stroll Through Nature.
I tried the “Evil to the Core” specialty cocktail—my favorite so far at any Disney restaurant! (I’m going to be trying to recreate this at home, it was SO good!). Mom enjoyed a glass of wine from their well-curated list featuring selections from Oregon and Washington State.
For dessert, we were presented with three themed mini-desserts to share:
- The “Poison” Apple (a rich dark chocolate-apple mousse)
- The Fairy Tale Gooseberry Tart
- And Miner’s Treasures, a playful treat layered with cookies and cream panna cotta.
They’re small but rich and full of flavor—plus, the presentation continues the storybook theme beautifully.
We were celebrating Mom’s birthday while at Story Book Dining at Artist Point, and our server mentioned Mom’s birthday several times during our meal, and dessert included a lovely white chocolate “Happy Birthday” banner.
After dessert, our server brought out a special treat. She brought over an ornate wooden box with a magical mist pouring out of it–inside were two chocolate hearts. We loved this little call-back to the Huntsman’s box with the heart in it from the original Snow White story.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
For us? Absolutely.
Story Book Dining at Artist Point strikes a wonderful balance of elegance and fun, making it a great choice for couples, families, and anyone who appreciates the magic of a well-done character meal. The setting is gorgeous, the food is genuinely delicious, and the character interactions are thoughtful and well-paced.
As always, it’s important to remember that with a character meal, you’re not just paying for the food, you are also paying for the “entertainment” of the character interactions. Story Book Dining at Artist Point is a little pricier than some other Disney meals, but for what you get—character interaction, immersive theming, and a well-crafted three-course dinner—we think it’s a worthwhile splurge. Just be sure to book early, as reservations for this experience tend to fill quickly!
