News Jellyrolls Announces Departure from Disney's BoardWalk at Walt Disney World

[Tom P.]

Count me as another voice who is sad that there are basically no late night options left at Disney. I'm not even talking about "adults only" options, though those are nice too. I just mean anything. Heck, you can't even be in the parks most of the time past 9 p.m. unless it's a special night like the Halloween Party.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Those are food and gift sales? The only entertainment are ad hoc "acts"

There are some very talented variety acts that perform at the boardwalk - but they are all 3rd party. When the resort opened, it was cast members - meaning equity actors and union musicians.

At some point it changed to what I would call a hybrid 3rd party - they were technically 3rd party, but they were auditioned and given specialty props etc. that made them “Disney” quality like in the parks. Brian Staron was the best example and he was so perfect for the resort.

Now… it’s just a mix of local variety entertainers. Many of them are extremely talented but it’s just not the same polish as before. I’m not complaining though…. At least they still have them!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What’s the value in fun after 7 pm?

…unless it’s called an “after hours premium experiency exclusive special ticket event”…

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Count me as another voice who is sad that there are basically no late night options left at Disney. I'm not even talking about "adults only" options, though those are nice too. I just mean anything. Heck, you can't even be in the parks most of the time past 9 p.m. unless it's a special night like the Halloween Party.

…I think the last part is the key

 

[monothingie]

They seem so weirdly adverse to having any late night options. We were shocked on a recent trip that DS closes at 11:30, even on weekends. Pre-COVID Raglan and Edison were open til 1ish. Boathouse was serving food until midnight.

Disney makes the money from rent regardless of the operating hours of the establishment. But everything closing before midnight means all those security guards and janitors and expenses the company has to burden are less. And less is more to the current brain trust that infests the TDO building.

 

[monothingie]

Count me as another voice who is sad that there are basically no late night options left at Disney. I'm not even talking about "adults only" options, though those are nice too. I just mean anything. Heck, you can't even be in the parks most of the time past 9 p.m. unless it's a special night like the Halloween Party.

A late night means you won’t be up at the crack of dawn use the LL and spend money in the parks.

 

[Nunu]

I've been saying that adult targeted nightlife is pretty much non existent at WDW, for quite some time now.

C'mon Disney, not everyone visits with children, or wants to go to bed at 10pm!

 

[Tom P.]

…I think the last part is the key

That's fair. But I don't think the market for Jellyrolls and the market for the Halloween Party are the same market.

A late night means you won’t be up at the crack of dawn use the LL and spend money in the parks.

Disney could give me the tickets for free and I wouldn't be up at the crack of dawn to go to the parks! As I've mentioned, I'm a certified night owl. And I can spend money just as easily at midnight as someone else can at 9 a.m.

 

[nickys]

It could be that this was not Disney’s decision, especially if Jellyrolls is moving offsite.

The Boardwalk doesn’t give them a lot of exposure outside the Epcot resorts. Moving elsewhere could get them a lot more potential guests, including from locals.

And if so, maybe the agreement was for simultaneous announcements but that Jellyrolls would delay announcing their new home until nearer the date.

 

[Tommye1078]

I guessing lease went to term and the current market rates don’t make sense. I mean year 30 right. The two 5 year leases both including two 5 year options.

 

[danlb_2000]

They could turn it into a shop that sells overpriced donuts, wouldn't even need to change the name.

 

[ToTBellHop]

All these shuttered locations will make the BW look like Atlantic City circa 2020 or circa 1933. Take your pick.

 

[Tha Realest]

That’s the late night weekend hours!

A far cry from the halcyon days, where New Years Eve was celebrated EVERY night. As a pre-teen, it felt special.

 

[monothingie]

I guessing lease went to term and the current market rates don’t make sense. I mean year 30 right. The two 5 year leases both including two 5 year options.

Jelly Rolls never really recovered post covid to the pre 2020 crowds. Neither did the Boardwalk tbh. As @ToTBellHop said humorously, but accurately, the place looks like AC 2020, there just isn’t enough going on there to support operating there and paying the probably inflated rent.

@Brian said they were moving off property. I’m sure it’s not going to be in a strip mall off of 192 but in a reputable tourist area that has a nightlife that doesn’t shut down at 11PM.

This move makes a lot of sense for them.

 

[Brian]

All these shuttered locations will make the BW look like Atlantic City circa 2020 or circa 1933. Take your pick.

All you need is random drug addicts screaming at you as you pass by and it'll be just like Atlantic City present day.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It could be that this was not Disney’s decision, especially if Jellyrolls is moving offsite.

The Boardwalk doesn’t give them a lot of exposure outside the Epcot resorts. Moving elsewhere could get them a lot more potential guests, including from locals.

And if so, maybe the agreement was for simultaneous announcements but that Jellyrolls would delay announcing their new home until nearer the date.

Ehhh…

Generally speaking in “Orlandonomics”…it’s always better to be in the bubble where peoples spend - literally - like drunken sailors than outside somewhere in Orlando

And also…nobody ever leaves wdw short of bankruptcy…the company tells them when and how it goes

True story…a friend of mine worked some on Fulton’s when they were doing the conversion during the springs construction and the meeting with the owner went like this:
The name tags walked and put the completed renovation plans on the table and said: “here’s what you’re gonna do…and it’s gonna cost you X amount…

Are you in or out?”

That’s the way it goes.

Now the appeal of paying huge rent in the current climate in the swamp may not be quite as appealing…possible.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

the place looks like AC 2020,

Wait…there are guys asking for money and trying to sell you puppies in front of Caesar’s now?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

All you need is random drug addicts screaming at you as you pass by and it'll be just like Atlantic City present day.

They’re not addicts…they’re burnouts playing stairway on acoustic or e street band on the sax…

Give them credit for a little class

 

[Jrb1979]

All you need is random drug addicts screaming at you as you pass by and it'll be just like Atlantic City present day.

No different than being on 192 outside Disney.

It's not as bad as you make it out to be. We were there this past summer and never saw any of that. Loved the boardwalk and the Showboat

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That's fair. But I don't think the market for Jellyrolls and the market for the Halloween Party are the same market.

But That’s what they want…

They’ve spent 10 years steering everyone towards this…

First 5 years willingly “hey everyone…let’s run over that cliff…I bet it cool…”
And the last 5 years now that the fog has cleared a bit…kicking and screaming…

Eventually everyone will submit to an $80 breakfast buffet…then it will be $110 and “magical”