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

[mysto]

Ever gone to WDW in July?

Hey bud can you spare some of that popcorn? My limited edition BUCKET IS EMPTY!

But seriously, where would I go to get yelled at by addicts at WDW in July? Tour groups?

Agree with most here that this is probably not Disney's decision, but choosing to cater to kids seems kinda OK to me?

 

[Jrb1979]

Hey bud can you spare some of that popcorn? My limited edition BUCKET IS EMPTY!

But seriously, where would I go to get yelled at by addicts at WDW in July? Tour groups?

Agree with most here that this is probably not Disney's decision, but choosing to cater to kids seems kinda OK to me?

IMO there should be a balance for kids and adults of things to do. After long days at the parks, I like having somewhere to grab a drink and listen to music or in the case of ESPN zone watch a game.

 

[castlecake2.0]

The jazz club at POFQ seems to do good business, maybe Disney thinks they can cut out the third party and just run a music venue on their own. Disney knows how to do grown up venues and entertainment, as seen on DCL, hopefully they can do the same here.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

IMO there should be a balance for kids and adults of things to do. After long days at the parks, I like having somewhere to grab a drink and listen to music or in the case of ESPN zone watch a game.

I don't think you are ever going to see, nor should WDW be looking for a balance between kids/adult things to do. Almost no business is looking to market itself totally balanced to all segments of the market. The focus of any business should be on its target demographic. Sure you may offer some alternatives to other secondary or tertiary demographics, but your certainly not looking for there to be balance.

That being said if your looking to grab a drink and listen to music/relax in the Epcott area alone there are numerous options other than ESPN or Jelly Rolls. I believe every resort has a least one bar open until 11/12. Yacht club has at least 2, boardwalk has one, Swan and Dolphin have them. Your not going to be finding places open until 2-3 in the morning most likely, but again I don't think Disney is looking to cater to that market in the resort area anyway. They don't want to deal with the later nights, or the transportation issues

 

[monothingie]

The jazz club at POFQ seems to do good business, maybe Disney thinks they can cut out the third party and just run a music venue on their own. Disney knows how to do grown up venues and entertainment, as seen on DCL, hopefully they can do the same here.

Honestly, I see it becoming an upscale pretentious feeling venue serving $25+ drinks with a small Jazz band.

 

[Captain Culpepper Cline]

File this under-
Bye!

 

[FiestaFunKid]

When I have visited Jellyrolls - many times there has been a large group of DCP 'kids' (young adults technically) hanging out by the bar, dancing near the pianos, etc - especially later in the night.

They may not be toddlers but still a young demo (and little kids arent going there late at night anyways). The new spot is going to have to have this level of fun for this group to pay those drink prices. While I like it, I don't think a POFC style laid back jazz club is going to do it. Not the same w/o music, but Abracadabar is cool and does not pack in the younger set for those pricey drinks - and is often quiet in general. Hopefully, they can maintain some of the upbeat vibe, maybe even dueling pianos or piano bar singalongs on some nights.

Jellyrolls leaving the bubble is going to be rough for them - too bad Springs wasn't an option.

 

[Tha Realest]

Yeah, and I say this as someone who did not gain a full appreciation for jazz until well later in life: it seems like a dueling piano bar has more broad appeal than a jazz club?

I also feel the POFQ bar has a much smaller footprint than Jellyrolls.

 

[lewisc]

Agree with most here that this is probably not Disney's decision, but choosing to cater to kids seems kinda OK to me?

Most of us have the opposite opinion. The lease is coming up and Disney is either not willing to renew the lease or is offering terms which don't make sense for Jellyrolls

 

[Ayla]

The jazz club at POFQ seems to do good business, maybe Disney thinks they can cut out the third party and just run a music venue on their own. Disney knows how to do grown up venues and entertainment, as seen on DCL, hopefully they can do the same here.

I don't know that I'd call it a "club". It's a teeny, tiny claustrophobic area across from the lobby.

 

[lewisc]

How many DVC studios could Disney fit in the space?

 

[monothingie]

Most of us have the opposite opinion. The lease is coming up and Disney is either not willing to renew the lease or is offering terms which don't make sense for Jellyrolls

Huh?

The landlord always holds the power to pick and choose who they lease space to and for how much. The tenant can choose to agree to the terms or not to. It would make no sense for Disney to discontinue a relationship with a tenant who agrees to all of their terms.

 

[monothingie]

How many DVC studios could Disney fit in the space?

None. The only Boardwalk facing ground floor DVC units are demo units. It is more valuable as a retail space.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Huh?

The landlord always holds the power to pick and choose who they lease space to and for how much. The tenant can choose to agree to the terms or not to. It would make no sense for Disney to discontinue a relationship with a tenant who agrees to all of their terms.

This. There could be multiple details, but fundamentally it comes down to does Disney believe they can make more money running its own operation on site, vs. being an landlord and just collecting rent. If the answer is yes, the landlord isn't renewing the tenant no matter what.

 

[Ayla]

How many DVC studios could Disney fit in the space?

Unfortunately, I think you're on the right track. *sigh*

 

[montyz81]

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.

Yeah, TDO are "epic"ally bad at noticing the things happening around them in favor of rising prices and cutting expenses.

 

[wdwfan100]

Hopefully the correct the error of getting rid of ESPN and do a sports bar. Perhaps City Works on the Boardwalk. With all the craft beer they have on tap that would replace both Big River and ESPN. Assuming of course that City Works would be interested.

 

[lewisc]

Maybe Icon Park for Jellyrolls. They don't have a piano bar. It's near the convention center. It has parking. Blue Man Group is opening. Bars have good hours.

 

[Jrb1979]

Maybe Icon Park for Jellyrolls. They don't have a piano bar. It's near the convention center. It has parking. Blue Man Group is opening. Bars have good hours.

There already is Piano Bar on I-Drive near Icon Park.

 

[lewisc]

There already is Piano Bar on I-Drive near Icon Park.

I don't think Universal would want Pat Obriens and Jellyrolls in Citywalk. I don't think Icon cares about competition in another shopping center.

It's possible Jellyrolls will just close.