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

[castlecake2.0]

The resort gm apparently wanted it gone, hopefully they have some sort of vision.

 

[lewisc]

So, only... $250/point, by the time they're built?

With a 12 year expiration

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I don’t know how they’d expect to fill anything here, since apparently Boardwalk parking security sometimes think parking for non-guests, or even Ubering, is not allowed.

We were staying at the Swan a few years ago and Ubered to the Boardwalk from Animal Kingdom because we were going to pick up desserts at the bakery before returning to our room for an afternoon break.

The security guard in the parking lot (very rudely) would not let our uber drop us off, despite showing her the room keys, which have the Swolphin on them, and explaining we were picking up food.

I found this especially problematic since they’re supposed to allow you to shop and eat there, but apparently only if you walk or take WDW transportation.

And it was an Uber, clearly marked, so we obviously weren’t parking.

It kind of ruined the day. Our legs were tired and we were hot, and the little cafe in the Swan wasn’t open at that time. And I really wanted one of those little lemon tarts with the marshmallow fluff on top.

The security guard was so unpleasant about it. I work retail, and she would’ve been fired for talking to anyone that way at my store. I deal with Karens all day, so I go out of my way to be courteous with service staff.

Parking at WDW resorts are for guests of the resort, or visitors who have dining/entertainment reservations for select restaurants/events. You had neither. Uber drop off point is the TTC, not resorts.

You showed up a resort you weren't staying at, and showed them a key from....another hotel? Not even another WDW hotel. So what? I show up in private parking lot of a Hilton and say its ok for me to be here because here is my Marriot hotel key from down the street, I wouldn't expect the Hilton security to ignore their company policy or be too impressed i was staying someone other than his hotel.

The Uber could have been painted bright pink with flashing lights that said uber on it, that doesn't mean it belongs there unless it is dropping off a guest of the Boardwalk hotel. There are reasons uber drop/off pick up are at TTC. Can you image how many people would be "picking up something to eat" at the contempo cafe and then walking over to MK every day?

People shouldn't be offended or confused when people are actually doing their jobs. It happens so infrequently its a trait that should be encouraged. Especially in this case when you could have taken the uber to your hotel, and then just walked down the path to the boardwalk to get your desert.

 

[larryz]

Here is a look from today at Jellrolls removal

They were so close -- they could have just left up the "L O LS"...

 

[larryz]

I don’t know how they’d expect to fill anything here, since apparently Boardwalk parking security sometimes think parking for non-guests, or even Ubering, is not allowed.

We were staying at the Swan a few years ago and Ubered to the Boardwalk from Animal Kingdom because we were going to pick up desserts at the bakery before returning to our room for an afternoon break.

The security guard in the parking lot (very rudely) would not let our uber drop us off, despite showing her the room keys, which have the Swolphin on them, and explaining we were picking up food.

I found this especially problematic since they’re supposed to allow you to shop and eat there, but apparently only if you walk or take WDW transportation.

And it was an Uber, clearly marked, so we obviously weren’t parking.

It kind of ruined the day. Our legs were tired and we were hot, and the little cafe in the Swan wasn’t open at that time. And I really wanted one of those little lemon tarts with the marshmallow fluff on top.

The security guard was so unpleasant about it. I work retail, and she would’ve been fired for talking to anyone that way at my store. I deal with Karens all day, so I go out of my way to be courteous with service staff.

So send a letter to WDW Guest Communications pointing out how a rude security guard cost them probably $50 or $60 in food sales that night.

 

[tpoly88]

I have to word this carefully to avoid invoking political slogans, but it's high time that they restore the Boardwalk to its former glory. The boardwalk itself is like a shell of its former self.

Agree the boardwalk seems like it’s missing something. We walk along this all the time on our way to Epcot. Doesn’t have the energy it used to.

 

[tpoly88]

Current management at WDW and company wide does not see value in customer service or experience. The parks were developed so that Families could enjoy time together, even at a resort. All the hotels had a theme that carried through. Even DVC facilities had a theme and now they are blah - blah expensive hotels with little to no themes in them. So what to expect at the Boardwalk. Maybe they will see money in gambling and open a casino and claim that it is themed to old Atlantic City?

Oh let’s hope not! AC boardwalk is terrible

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Parking at WDW resorts are for guests of the resort, or visitors who have dining/entertainment reservations for select restaurants/events. You had neither. Uber drop off point is the TTC, not resorts.

You showed up a resort you weren't staying at, and showed them a key from....another hotel? Not even another WDW hotel. So what? I show up in private parking lot of a Hilton and say its ok for me to be here because here is my Marriot hotel key from down the street, I wouldn't expect the Hilton security to ignore their company policy or be too impressed i was staying someone other than his hotel.

The Uber could have been painted bright pink with flashing lights that said uber on it, that doesn't mean it belongs there unless it is dropping off a guest of the Boardwalk hotel. There are reasons uber drop/off pick up are at TTC. Can you image how many people would be "picking up something to eat" at the contempo cafe and then walking over to MK every day?

People shouldn't be offended or confused when people are actually doing their jobs. It happens so infrequently its a trait that should be encouraged. Especially in this case when you could have taken the uber to your hotel, and then just walked down the path to the boardwalk to get your desert.

That being the case, it does seem clear that entertainment and dining at the Boardwalk is seen as catering to those staying around Crescent Lake and maybe the Skyliner resorts. If they make it impossible for guests to even take an Uber there, it suggests they don't really want people treating it as a kind of mini-Disney Springs and I can see why they might decide concepts like Jellyrolls no longer fit what is essentially a hotel. It also kind of makes you wonder why a company like Cake Bake would set up shop there.

 

[sWANNISAX]

Boardwalk has really declined as an experience. It really just is an out door lobby at this point. There's nothing terribly unique about its offerings. It has some decent dining options but its too hard to get to unless you have a dining reservation and can park or are walking from epcot. I can't beleive atlantic dance hall is open still

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

That being the case, it does seem clear that entertainment and dining at the Boardwalk is seen as catering to those staying around Crescent Lake and maybe the Skyliner resorts. If they make it impossible for guests to even take an Uber there, it suggests they don't really want people treating it as a kind of mini-Disney Springs and I can see why they might decide concepts like Jellyrolls no longer fit what is essentially a hotel. It also kind of makes you wonder why a company like Cake Bake would set up shop there.

I don’t know why there would be even a thought that the boardwalk would be comparable to Disney Springs. DS is a stand alone complex, built around shopping/eating/drinking. It’s open to the general public, not really on park property, and has the infrastructure to be accessible not only with Disney transportation, but public access.

The boardwalk is an extension of a deluxe resort. It’s literally abutting a large number of hotel rooms, and is situated within walking distance of a number of others. The area isn’t set up for handing ingress/egress of large amounts of off site customers. And if you are a bunch of families sleeping right above the boardwalk, you don’t want the noise/aggravation of tons of people partying outside your rooms, or walking through your hotels to get to outside parking areas for cars/ubers.

 

[Jrb1979]

I don’t know why there would be even a thought that the boardwalk would be comparable to Disney Springs. DS is a stand alone complex, built around shopping/eating/drinking. It’s open to the general public, not really on park property, and has the infrastructure to be accessible not only with Disney transportation, but public access.

The boardwalk is an extension of a deluxe resort. It’s literally abutting a large number of hotel rooms, and is situated within walking distance of a number of others. The area isn’t set up for handing ingress/egress of large amounts of off site customers. And if you are a bunch of families sleeping right above the boardwalk, you don’t want the noise/aggravation of tons of people partying outside your rooms, or walking through your hotels to get to outside parking areas for cars/ubers.

Then remove all the boardwalk places altogether.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Then remove all the boardwalk places altogether.

They’ve been progressively removing anything that would attract non-Crescent Lake resort guests at night for years to make the experience better for guests actually staying there. People want their kids to be able to sleep.

They should upgrade the pool and put in a legitimate QSR if they want this to largely function like all other deluxe resorts—fill rooms and get dining tables booked during typical meal times. The pool is pretty boring outside of the slide and BoardWalk Deli doesn’t cut it.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Parking at WDW resorts are for guests of the resort, or visitors who have dining/entertainment reservations for select restaurants/events.

I’m not sure what the current policy is in writing but we used to park at the boardwalk to enjoy the street entertainment all the time. Same thing at Port Orleans to see yeehaw Bob.

Since resorts are open to visitors I’m not sure why an Uber drop off would be any issue - if that’s the policy I’m certainly not aware of it.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Then remove all the boardwalk places altogether.

That’s stupid. Because something doesn’t fit into a wide open site like Disney Springs you just shut it down? It still serves as a great place for people staying in the Swan/dolphin, yacht club, beach club, boardwalk area. It serves as a side location during the day for people visiting Epcot. It serves a function, just not the one that Disney springs does. There are 6 hotels that the boardwalk can easily serve, all without having to open it up to outside access. It can also serve for a limited time. Each hotel in the area has their own bars that area open late night. That location doesn’t have to be a late night center.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I’m not sure what the current policy is in writing but we used to park at the boardwalk to enjoy the street entertainment all the time. Same thing at Port Orleans to see yeehaw Bob.

Since resorts are open to visitors I’m not sure why an Uber drop off would be any issue - if that’s the policy I’m certainly not aware of it.

It’s the policy because it can be easy to exploit. Especially for resorts that have direct access to the parks. Eliminate the need to park at the TTC, or at the parks. There is also the policy of not wanting to turn the boardwalk hotel into a cut through for everyone taking and uber to avoid parking and taking boats/walking to the parks. It’s been that way as far back as Covid as far as I remember, to get into a resort property (to be fair we are very contemporary and Swan centric) that driving onto property, either with a personal car or ride share, you needed a reservation at the hotel or dining.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It’s the policy because it can be easy to exploit. Especially for resorts that have direct access to the parks. Eliminate the need to park at the TTC, or at the parks.

I understand the parking policy - but not the Uber drop off policy. Maybe in the morning but in the afternoon and evening it’s normal for guests to want to visit the resorts and it’s allowed to visit other resorts.

It doesn’t really affect me - the only time I take Uber is if it’s after Disney Springs closes and I can’t get a bus to there.

 

[tpoly88]

I understand the parking policy - but not the Uber drop off policy. Maybe in the morning but in the afternoon and evening it’s normal for guests to want to visit the resorts and it’s allowed to visit other resorts.

It doesn’t really affect me - the only time I take Uber is if it’s after Disney Springs closes and I can’t get a bus to there.

I would imagine they are also trying to stop the 2pm hoppers and then people coming for the night time fireworks at Epcot. We stay at the Swann most of the time. If I have a reservation for California grill we will uber there and they ask to see the reservation. Or we get dropped off at poly to get a drink at trader Sam’s. If we go to MK we take the bus to yacht club and walk

 

[lewisc]

Some posters, and some guards, make up rules. Jellyrolls site, still up:
Parking


When you arrive at the Boardwalk Entrance, please let the Security Guards know you are going to Jellyrolls.


They can direct you to free parking or fee-based valet parking.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I understand the parking policy - but not the Uber drop off policy. Maybe in the morning but in the afternoon and evening it’s normal for guests to want to visit the resorts and it’s allowed to visit other resorts.

It doesn’t really affect me - the only time I take Uber is if it’s after Disney Springs closes and I can’t get a bus to there.

It might be normal for some people to want to resort hop(though I honestly challenge how much of the core demo really engages in that with major frequency) but even so, without dinning reservations to a specific restaurant, I am not sure how much resorts want to handle the uber drop offs, or really any significant non-resort guest presence at other resorts. Especially during evenings, around fire work shows (for those with resort views.)

In the afternoon you’re probably right that it becomes less of an issue, but for simplicity sake, it’s easier to just keep a uniform policy.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

They’ve been progressively removing anything that would attract non-Crescent Lake resort guests at night for years to make the experience better for guests actually staying there. People want their kids to be able to sleep.

They should upgrade the pool and put in a legitimate QSR if they want this to largely function like all other deluxe resorts—fill rooms and get dining tables booked during typical meal times. The pool is pretty boring outside of the slide and BoardWalk Deli doesn’t cut it.

It does seem like that's what they're doing. I don't know if rowdy crowds stopping people from sleeping was a big issue (I never noticed that staying there in the late-1990s), but perhaps there were issues.

That said, I come back to why Cake Bake Shop would have opened a venue at a Disney resort hotel if it is no longer considered an entertainment district. It would seem strange, for example, if they had of opened that venue at the Grand Floridian. It appears the resort is trapped in a weird state in-between the original boardwalk concept and a straightforward resort hotel. The boardwalk area looks like a dining and entertainment district and features more dining and drinking options than you would get at most Disney resorts, as well as things like corn dog and margarita stands and even live entertainment. However, they don't seem to want anyone other than those staying within walking distance to go there.

Maybe they just don't have a clear idea of what they want it to be. On the one hand, they want to collect the rent and revenue of a dining and entertainment complex. On the other, they don't want to deal with any of the hassles that a dining and entertainment complex brings.