In 2024, I had a really bizarre restaurant experience in Disney World.
Big River Grille
As one of the reporters on our team, I visit restaurants around Disney World frequently to do dining reviews, and in January 2024, I was tasked with going to Big River Grille on the BoardWalk. At the time, this was a rather under-the-radar spot that wasn’t often talked about, so I was eager to experience it for myself. But imagine my surprise when the restaurant shut down within a week of my visit!
Yep, that’s right! One week, I was sitting peacefully at a table enjoying their — somewhat mediocre — menu of sports bar eats, and then a week later, I stopped by to find the restaurant shut down completely. We’re talking doors closed, no one inside. The closure was confirmed by Disney, and at the time, it felt incredibly sudden.
My spread
Y’all, seriously. This place closed SO fast that I didn’t even have time to write the review. (If you’re curious, dessert was delicious, but the rest was nothing to write home about.)
Chocolate Confusion
But what’s even stranger is what has happened since. The space has remained entirely empty with no sign in front, no construction visible, and nothing to replace Big River Grille. Typically, when restaurants close down in Disney World, they’re replaced by new, shiny options within a few months or a year.
Big River Grille closed
It happened just down the way on the BoardWalk — the ESPN Club became The Cake Bake Shop, and the closed Ample Hills Creamery was turned into BoardWalk Ice Cream. So with such valuable real estate, why does this storefront sit empty?
BoardWalk Ice Cream
Well, it’s not the only spot on this end of the BoardWalk that’s empty right now. Jellyrolls closed earlier this year, and the Funnel Cake stand that used to sit near the entrance to the boat dock is also empty. In fact, the entire right side of the BoardWalk is feeling increasingly abandoned, with mostly just the Atlantic Dance Hall and one gift shop.
Stroll the boardwalk!
So here’s to hoping Disney has big plans for this resort! It’s in a prime location between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and with Yacht Club, Beach Club, and the Swan and Dolphin resorts all nearby, any dining locations here could get some serious traction. The BoardWalk has changed quite a bit in the past five years, and we’re interested to see what continues to be added to it in the future.
The BoardWalk
We’ll make sure to keep you in the loop with any other changes coming to Disney World.
Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World updates.
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The Boardwalk used to be a very fun and active place, especially at night. Disney knows how and has the capability to bring it back, if they want to. The Boardwalk remains our favorite WDW resort, in spite of the Boardwalk itself feeling abandoned.
My guess….they are clearing the area for the next new resort after lakeshore lodge.
Just came back on Friday from a 3 week trip, including a DVC membership update at the Disney Springs site. At the meeting we were told that although OKW DVC owners were given the chance to extend their contracts on expiry, this wouldn’t be happening for other DVC resorts. The DVC cast member used Boardwalk of an example saying that there was so much wrong structurally with the buildings there now, that as soon as those contracts expire, they’ll be pulled down. So as I see it, there’s no point filling up spaces with restaurants, bars or shops at the moment as it’ll be easier for Disney long term if they have no tenants there.
I just read Louise’s comment. How disheartening. The Boardwalk contracts expire in 17 years. Disney can’t just allow the Boardwalk to continue to decay for 17 more years and do nothing, even if they want to.