Disney’s BoardWalk is described by Disney as a top destination at Walt Disney World with “exquisite dining, unique shops and exciting nightlife.” Unfortunately, the quarter-mile stretch just in front of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is failing to live up to that description. Vacancies are mounting. What’s going on?
It was recently announced that the BoardWalk’s Promenade Fine Art Gallery will close in October. The store, which is located near the Screen Door General Store, doesn’t have a replacement named at this time. That closure will add yet another empty space to the western side of the BoardWalk, following the exit of Jellyrolls and Big River Grille.
We find it extremely odd that Disney hasn’t announced any plans for either the Big River Grille or the Jellyrolls locations. Remember that Big River Grille closed in January 2024 and Jellyrolls closed in April 2025. There’s been plenty of time (especially in the case of Big River Grille) to come up with something new.
The western side of the BoardWalk now only has the general store and the Atlantic City Dance Hall. That’s wild. There are so many opportunities for these spaces that would appeal to the many guests who stay around Crescent Lake. How about a new restaurant? A new quick-service dining location? A new lounge? A new nighttime hangout for all the conference guests? Something that can bring some life to that end of the BoardWalk is needed.
Disney is in a bit of a tricky spot here, and it’s a situation they created. They made visiting the BoardWalk very difficult for guests who aren’t staying at the BoardWalk Inn or one of the nearby resorts. Guests are routinely turned away at the parking gate if they aren’t staying at the resort. That’s not ideal for anything new on the BoardWalk, especially if it’s operated by a third party.
We’re big fans of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, but it does have some glaring weaknesses compared to other deluxe resorts. For starters, the quick-service situation is pretty disappointing. Grab-and-go Mickey Waffles aren’t even a possibility! There’s some premium dining options (Cake Bake Shop, Flying Fish, Trattorio al Forno), but there’s limited options for something fast outside of the Deli. While we’re not sure what Disney has planned on the west side of the BoardWalk, we hope a quick-service spot is on the list.
What do you want to see come to the BoardWalk?
