BWV needs.....

[zackiedawg]

If the no-fryer rule is true of the Big River space, it could serve as a quick-serve space just without fryer foods, similar to how Big River operated. If a jazz club is replacing Jelly Rolls, I still think the best thing to add would be a full-service restaurant with American mix food replacing Atlantic Dance - huge space, and the menu could be something that replaces what Boardwalk really misses after losing ESPN and Big River - steaks, burgers, fried chickens, quesadillas, chilis and soups, and so on. Casual food, but above quick-serve quality, and above Beaches and Cream. Burger & sandwich places like Geyser Point, mid-level steakhouses like Steakhouse 71, and bar/American food spots like City Works all seem to be hopping with business, so the concept would seem successful, especially since it could serve up to 9 resorts and walking/boat access from two theme parks...and it's something generally missing from that area. There's Yachtsman and Shula's, both expensive higher end steak spots, and Fountain & Beaches for diner style burgers, but nothing in that middle space.

Do some real reshuffling, and you could make two restaurants in that space with a first floor and second floor serving slightly different fare - one more bar/club/casual, and the other more mid-priced sit-down.

I never really missed Big River because it was any good, but because it at least gave me an option for some late-night quick bar food - I miss ESPN much more - that was a late night go-to for many years for us at Boardwalk, as well as lunches, sports events, and when we just felt like something more bar-American like to sit and enjoy.

 

[WhitneyMB]

I would love to see the Boardwalk get something similar to Riviera’s Primo Piatta (QS), which is upscale but offers some nice options. I agree the issue is how much it may take away from the BW deli, Cake Shoppe, and the existing stands. It’s not clear how much traffic the BW gets during the day already.

Moderate resorts can sustain those giant food courts because the have 2000+ rooms and not many other food options.

 

[Dano1182]

Are food and drinks available at BWI pool?

 

[kevtlas]

We’ll miss Big River. It was one of my DW favorites.

 

[Skywalker3]

BWV really needs another really good quick service option. Just something more than that sandwich shop, something for basics, or like a Geyser Point, AND with that something like a Steakhouse 71 type place, at least their lunch menu, good burgers, etc.
Being so close to EPCOT, and since Festivals are plentiful, we usually just head there, but not having APs, and daily access to EPCOT, made me realize Boardwalk is lacking in food option. We never tried ESPN or Big River, and only did the ice cream shop once, nothing special.
Also, I will say this until 2042, BWV needs dedicated 2 bedrooms, not just lockoffs that are never available since the studio is always booked.

 

[patm95]

BWV really needs another really good quick service option. Just something more than that sandwich shop, something for basics, or like a Geyser Point, AND with that something like a Steakhouse 71 type place, at least their lunch menu, good burgers, etc.
Being so close to EPCOT, and since Festivals are plentiful, we usually just head there, but not having APs, and daily access to EPCOT, made me realize Boardwalk is lacking in food option. We never tried ESPN or Big River, and only did the ice cream shop once, nothing special.
Also, I will say this until 2042, BWV needs dedicated 2 bedrooms, not just lockoffs that are never available since the studio is always booked.

100% agree

 

[snacks]

Are food and drinks available at BWI pool?

Yes. Leaping Horse Libations is located inside the gate for the feature pool. It has a full bar and a small menu of food items. We've eaten lunch there several times and everything has been good.

 

[DeeCee735]

One important factor I learned when Big River Grill closed:

Those commercial spaces underneath the rooms cannot have fryers. That’s why the grill had no chicken fingers or french fries. They offered potato chips or mashed potatoes as a side.

For insurance purposes or whatever, it’s possible many limitations exist for what kind of menus can be developed in those prime spaces in the Boardwalk’s building.

Yet the model rooms next to BRG have full kitchens, so perhaps taking the model room space and BRG space would solve the problem of being able to offer fuller menus. If they couldn't fry, at least baking is an option. At least it's how I make fries and chicken fingers for my grandbabes....in the oven.

If Disney can create amazing rides, I'm sure they can think of much better accessible food options at the BW. I just wonder what they are waiting for.

JMHO,

Dee

 

[crazywig]

Yet the model rooms next to BRG have full kitchens, so perhaps taking the model room space and BRG space would solve the problem of being able to offer fuller menus. If they couldn't fry, at least baking is an option. At least it's how I make fries and chicken fingers for my grandbabes....in the oven.

If Disney can create amazing rides, I'm sure they can think of much better accessible food options at the BW. I just wonder what they are waiting for.

JMHO,

Dee

They're waiting for our BWV contracts to expire.

 

[CarolynFH]

Yet the model rooms next to BRG have full kitchens, so perhaps taking the model room space and BRG space would solve the problem of being able to offer fuller menus. If they couldn't fry, at least baking is an option. At least it's how I make fries and chicken fingers for my grandbabes....in the oven.

If Disney can create amazing rides, I'm sure they can think of much better accessible food options at the BW. I just wonder what they are waiting for.

JMHO,

Dee

It might have more to do with smoke and odors from a large commercial fryer rising into the resort rooms above, than it has to do with the amount of space needed for that fryer.

 

[Cfabar1]

Problem is if you open another space, you're mostly just taking business away from other venues. For quick service, BW already has the Deli, pizza window, corn dogs and food at the pool bar. There are snack options at the ice cream shop, Cake Bake shop and carousel coffee. And TS in Flying Fish, Trattoria and Cake Shop. Plus literally dozens of other options a short walk away at Beach, Yacht, Dolphin, Swan and Epcot.

Logistically, I can see the argument for a more traditional QS option with diverse menu. Especially if there were a way to connect either the BRG or Jellyrools space so that it could be reached without going outdoors.

But the smaller, more specialized venues also plays into the theming of the BoardWalk. I'm not convinced that an 800-room hotel--with more than half of its rooms having kitchen or kitchenette--can support yet another dining option.

Perhaps a different kind of dining option could work in the area. I know that S/D is renovating the "Picabu" space - maybe that will bring something like what the poster is hoping to the resort.

The Deli is a great value, and while the options are limited, it is quite nice.

There are several vacant (or soon to be) vacant spaces in this part of the vacation kingdom:
- Ariels at BC/YC
- Big River Grille
- soon to be Jellyrolls

And with that being said, ADRs are very easy to come by in this part of the resort. Sometimes the S/D reservations can be tricky because MDE only has some of the available times and the others are in OpenTable - same with CBS...

A recent poster suggested Atlantic Dance Hall could be demolished and make way for a small DVC property... who knows... it does feel to me like there is too much convention/adult space in the area, but clearly there must be demand... Dolphin is expanding a huge convention addition....

 

[tjkraz]

A recent poster suggested Atlantic Dance Hall could be demolished and make way for a small DVC property... who knows...

There aren’t enough eye roll emojis

 

[TCRAIG]

I think the whole BW area (BW and BC) could do with a pub like restaurant- not just burgers but nachos, chili mac, salads, wings, potato skins, buffalo shrimp…none of which (I think) require fryers.

 

[crazywig]

I think the whole BW area (BW and BC) could do with a pub like restaurant- not just burgers but nachos, chili mac, salads, wings, potato skins, buffalo shrimp…none of which (I think) require fryers.

One with large televisions playing sports maybe? I'm still bitter.

 

[Girlstar30]

Is there no ts restaurants inside the hotel?

 

[TCRAIG]

One with large televisions playing sports maybe? I'm still bitter.

Of course, that may have been the reason for ESPN’s demise - people sitting at the tables long after they’d finished eating to watch games…I know I did when it was NCAA basketball time.

 

[jennypenny]

A QS sports bar would work but a great QS pizza place would be more in line with the Jersey shore.

I wouldn't worry about people hogging tables at a sports bar -- it's been decades since Boardwalk was crowded enough to worry about such things.

Why don't they have an old-timey themed restaurant in Atlantic Dance with music and dancing? It's begging for a Captain America type place. Oh that's right -- Disney doesn't do that kind of fun stuff with real cast members anymore. :-(

 

[tjkraz]

Is there no ts restaurants inside the hotel?

Flying Fish, Trattoria and Cake Bake Shop are all accessible via the BoardWalk shopping district. You have to walk outside to reach them. Although with some knowledge of stairwells at the resort, it's often a brief outdoor walk.

 

[tjkraz]

A QS sports bar would work but a great QS pizza place would be more in line with the Jersey shore.

I wouldn't worry about people hogging tables at a sports bar -- it's been decades since Boardwalk was crowded enough to worry about such things.

Why don't they have an old-timey themed restaurant in Atlantic Dance with music and dancing? It's begging for a Captain America type place. Oh that's right -- Disney doesn't do that kind of fun stuff with real cast members anymore. :-(

Last spring I went to Rix Sports Bar during NBA and NHL playoff games. 2500 room hotel and there was zero excitement over the sports. No cheers for goals. Nobody openly rooting for any one team. The vast majority of the crowd was just families getting a late dinner.

Twenty years ago, a significant portion of the audience went to sports bars just to be able to see out of town games. Now most people have every game in their pocket (smartphone.) The appeal of communal viewing isn't nearly what it used to be. Younger generations would rather post on social media or text their friends during a game. Times change.

Convention business used to be huge for the BW area. Between BW itself, Beach/Yacht and Dolphin/Swan, there were always people walking around in sport coats and dresses with lanyards around their necks. Anecdotally, that business is a fraction of what it was pre-covid. There are fun things that would thematically fit on the BW, but the more eclectic they get, the less the appeal.

It would be fun to see if there's enough interest to support Atlantic Dance Hall as a night club a couple evenings per week. I doubt the facility is large enough to make a go as a restaurant. Not sure if it even has a fully-functional commercial kitchen.