First look at The BOATHOUSE menu - opening next week at Disney Springs The Landing

[Mawg]

Disney has certainly never released any kind of information that stated they wanted more locals as opposed to vacationers at DS. If they have, please provide us a link. Here is the original press release from Tom Staggs:

I don't recall where I read it. But, it's fairly obvious. From better access off the freeway to large parking garages it just seems they want more locals to stop by and spend money. I'm not a local so I'm no expert. I'm also not opposed to any of these changes and think the boathouse looks great. I have two boys 6 and 9. I don't think I'll be going to the boathouse any time soon, but when they are older and appreciate finer dinning I might consider it. If I was a local though, I would definitely take the wife for a special occasion without the kids and maybe even enjoy a boat ride, sounds like a great date night. Not, that kids should not go, I just know mine would not appreciate it all that much. Plus I have one with a shellfish allergy and try to avoid restaurants with shellfish. I always feel bad munching down on crab and saying sorry you'll never get to try it. I'm going off topic here.

I'm not a naysayer about the addition of this restaurant. I think it looks great, and someday I hope to try it. But for now, it's not for us. It would be like me saying they should not add any more princess meet and greets or princess meals because I have two boys. Just because it does not cater to me and where I'm at in my life does not mean they should not add it.

While I think it will be family friendly and there will be plenty of kids there, I also think you'll see less kids there than most other DS restaurants and probably more locals too. At least I hope more locals, because having the support of the locals is really what's going to keep DS ticking. I'm probably not alone when I say my kids would rather be in the Parks than at DS. While we do go for a few hours each trip, like probably most vacationers do, its not enough no matter what they add that vacationers alone can support the retail of DS. They depend on a large local attendance and purchases.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

As of now, locals avoid the place like the plague.

 

[jaklgreen]

I think what people are failing to realize is that there are two adult mindsets when it comes to Disney. Those adults who think a trip to Disney is all about the kids and then those who go for their own enjoyment. As a member of the former mindset, I just can't fathom why a vacationing adult with kids would get excited about another signature restaurant that caters mainly to grown-ups.

Call me old fashioned, but Disney is and will always be about kids having fun and sitting in a fancy restaurant with some idiot next to you wearing a wife-beater (who happened to get a big tax refund at our expense) is not their idea of fun. Kids want theming in DD/DS restaurants that they can relate to like T-REX (2008) and Rainforest Café (1996) but as usual Disney ignores who Walt had in mind when he built these parks and they go for the almighty dollar instead. This is the same mentality that led to the drunks taking over WS on the weekends and at F&W.

Why does it have to be either/or. Disney is NOT just for kids, in fact that is the whole reason why Walt built Disneyland, to be able to enjoy things with his kids. So people without small children should never go to WDW? Why cant it have things for all types of people, kids, single adults, seniors? WDW is definitely big enough to have something for everyone. There are plenty of restaurants, if someone doesn't like one then go to another. I really don't see the big deal in this. I would also like to add that my kids love seafood and steak and actually prefer to go to a steakhouse then the Rainforest Café. So not every kid wants the same crap they serve at every restaurant on the kids menu. The food is one of the main reasons we love going on the Disney cruise. My youngest orders the filet with the sour cream mashed potatoes and inhales it like there is no tomorrow.

 

[fillerup]

The Boathouse will accomplish at least one thing I'm sure Disney wants as far as locals go.

It's going to get me back on property for at least one meal since I long ago gave up on Disney restaurants as being overpriced and bland to mediocre.

 

[epcotisbest]

@wdwmagic Thank You.

 

[Mawg]

The Boathouse will accomplish at least one thing I'm sure Disney wants as far as locals go.

It's going to get me back on property for at least one meal since I long ago gave up on Disney restaurants as being overpriced and bland to mediocre.

Agree, A local is only going to want to experience T-Rex and Rainforest so many times before they realize the food is not worth it and they've seen it all before. Hopefully some finer dinning can bring you back more than just once.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

With as many complaints as the food at places like T-Rex and Rainforest gets I thought you guys would be singing the praises from the rooftops to finally have actual chef prepared dishes in a fun family atmosphere.

I thought wrong.

I, the biggest Disney hater/Uni Fanboi here, am having a hard time finding fault with this place. It looks like a delightful and chillaxed place to sup.

 

[epcotisbest]

With as many complaints as the food at places like T-Rex and Rainforest gets I thought you guys would be singing the praises from the rooftops to finally have actual chef prepared dishes in a fun family atmosphere.

I thought wrong.

I, the biggest Disney hater/Uni Fanboi here, am having a hard time finding fault with this place. It looks like a delightful and chillaxed place to sup.

I don't know what chillaxed place to sup means, but it does look like a delightful addition to DTD.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I don't know what chillaxed place to sup means, but it does look like a delightful addition to DTD.

A relaxed place to have supper.

 

[MikeyK72]

I apologize for not reading all 11 pages, but does anyone know if The Boathouse will accept Tables in Wonderland?

 

[squidward]

With as many complaints as the food at places like T-Rex and Rainforest gets I thought you guys would be singing the praises from the rooftops to finally have actual chef prepared dishes in a fun family atmosphere.

I thought wrong.

I, the biggest Disney hater/Uni Fanboi here, am having a hard time finding fault with this place. It looks like a delightful and chillaxed place to sup.

I guess for me, I'm just tired of the high priced restaurants. We really noticed it last summer. The pricing at many Disney restaurants across the board, has gotten out of hand. I love Universal, but Disney holds a very special place in my heart. However, my heart doesn't pay the bill, and every year we're finding that we spend more time at Universal, but somehow more money at WDW. It's just not a good recipe (no pun intended) for us.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I guess for me, I'm just tired of the high priced restaurants. We really noticed it last summer. The pricing at many Disney restaurants across the board, has gotten out of hand. I love Universal, but Disney holds a very special place in my heart. However, my heart doesn't pay the bill, and every year we're finding that we spend more time at Universal, but somehow more money at WDW. It's just not a good recipe (no pun intended) for us.

I get the spending more time outside the Disney bubble. My husband is planning to run the Disney marathon in Jan and I'm bringing the kids down to hit the parks. We are doing Uni and Legoland. No plans to set foot in a Disney Park. We have taken the kids twice to WDW and there is nothing new and exciting in the parks but my kids love Lego and Harry Potter. All that is new and exciting to them so that's where we will be spending our money. I told my daughter (6) we might skip Disney and just do Uni and Lego and her only question was - We are still seeing the Harry Potter Land right?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I guess for me, I'm just tired of the high priced restaurants. We really noticed it last summer. The pricing at many Disney restaurants across the board, has gotten out of hand. I love Universal, but Disney holds a very special place in my heart. However, my heart doesn't pay the bill, and every year we're finding that we spend more time at Universal, but somehow more money at WDW. It's just not a good recipe (no pun intended) for us.

You're talking to a local that let my Disney AP expire in 2010 and still holds a Universal AP. Yes, all the Disnry restaurants are crazy expensive. This one may actually be worth it being run by Gibson's and all.

IDK, $39 for a filet at a Gibson's restaurant or $49@Artist's Point. I'll give it a shot eventually.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I get the spending more time outside the Disney bubble. My husband is planning to run the Disney marathon in Jan and I'm bringing the kids down to hit the parks. We are doing Uni and Legoland. No plans to set foot in a Disney Park. We have taken the kids twice to WDW and there is nothing new and exciting in the parks but my kids love Lego and Harry Potter. All that is new and exciting to them so that's where we will be spending our money. I told my daughter (6) we might skip Disney and just do Uni and Lego and her only question was - We are still seeing the Harry Potter Land right?

But, but.......but, what about FROZEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You obviously forgot about the Anna and Elsa M&G.

Oh, and Magic Bands®. Those alone are worth scheduling a Disney trip. And speaking of scheduling, did I mention Magic Bands®?

Are you guys thinking about staying at Universal?

 

[RandomPrincess]

But, but.......but, what about FROZEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You obviously forgot about the Anna and Elsa M&G.

Oh, and Magic Bands®. Those alone are worth scheduling a Disney trip. And speaking of scheduling, did I mention Magic Bands®?

Are you guys thinking about staying at Universal?

Unfortunately no. My husband travels a lot and has been saving all his Marriott points for the trip. We want to stay at the big one with the lazy river. Since you can't use Express Pass for Harry Potter anyway I'm hoping it won't be that big of a deal that time of year.

We already met the sisters at Disneyland -

 

[bhg469]

Unfortunately no. My husband travels a lot and has been saving all his Marriott points for the trip. We want to stay at the big one with the lazy river. Since you can't use Express Pass for Harry Potter anyway I'm hoping it won't be that big of a deal that time of year.

We already met the sisters at Disneyland -

It will be fine. Do the potter stuff early and you will have an amazing time. Cabana Bay is an incredibly cool resort too. You should love it

 

[BigRedDad]

I like the pictures and everything. However, the cost is simply not worth it for us. We always travel by car to save ~$500 on airfare. The last trip we wanted steak. We looked at options at Disney (resort, parks, DtD). We were driving where ever we were going. It took us the same amount of time to get to Lonestar as it would to any Disney restaurant that had steak. It was 3 adults, 1 child (ordered adult meal). It was Happy Hour to boot. 4 cocktails, 2 large beers, 3 regular steak meals (8ozers) and 1 16oz Porterhouse (me). With tip, the bill was $80. Fro my steak alone (assuming any restaurant had it), would have been that much with the 2 beers.

I just don't see us sitting down at the Boathouse for a meal. Don't get me wrong, the pictures look delicious. The price tag will take alot of that deliciousness away.

 

[xdan0920]

I like the pictures and everything. However, the cost is simply not worth it for us. We always travel by car to save ~$500 on airfare. The last trip we wanted steak. We looked at options at Disney (resort, parks, DtD). We were driving where ever we were going. It took us the same amount of time to get to Lonestar as it would to any Disney restaurant that had steak. It was 3 adults, 1 child (ordered adult meal). It was Happy Hour to boot. 4 cocktails, 2 large beers, 3 regular steak meals (8ozers) and 1 16oz Porterhouse (me). With tip, the bill was $80. Fro my steak alone (assuming any restaurant had it), would have been that much with the 2 beers.

I just don't see us sitting down at the Boathouse for a meal. Don't get me wrong, the pictures look delicious. The price tag will take alot of that deliciousness away.

Perfectly reasonable. However, the Boathouse is serving a different class of meat then Lonestar. Not in the same class. Class.

 

[bhg469]

I like the pictures and everything. However, the cost is simply not worth it for us. We always travel by car to save ~$500 on airfare. The last trip we wanted steak. We looked at options at Disney (resort, parks, DtD). We were driving where ever we were going. It took us the same amount of time to get to Lonestar as it would to any Disney restaurant that had steak. It was 3 adults, 1 child (ordered adult meal). It was Happy Hour to boot. 4 cocktails, 2 large beers, 3 regular steak meals (8ozers) and 1 16oz Porterhouse (me). With tip, the bill was $80. Fro my steak alone (assuming any restaurant had it), would have been that much with the 2 beers.

I just don't see us sitting down at the Boathouse for a meal. Don't get me wrong, the pictures look delicious. The price tag will take alot of that deliciousness away.

Believe me, the difference between Prime and choice cuts is huge. You will get a superior steak at the boat house. The weight will come from perfectly marbled beef not huge chunks of fat that will get wasted. That isn't possible for a place that offers more affordable beef.

It's not really even possible to get these cuts in most stores because higher end restaurants buy them before you can. Dry aging beef for example has large pieces of beef hanging out in a room lined with salt, the exterior of the beef is essentially useless when the processes is done and there is a lot of waste to produce a better end product.

I'm not saying Lonestar can't be good, because once in a while you'll get a pretty good cut, it's just not common And a good prime steak is definitely better.

 

[Otterhead]

I just don't see us sitting down at the Boathouse for a meal. Don't get me wrong, the pictures look delicious. The price tag will take alot of that deliciousness away.

I guess a lot depends on what you want in a steakhouse. I know folks who're perfectly happy with a $15 sirloin covered in steak sauce with a big baked potato on the side. Others would really appreciate a $35 prime dry-aged steak with a simple side of grilled asparagus. But some folks prefer a cold Bud over a pricey microbrew, too.

(I should add that I had my first steak when I was 35, and haven't really 'developed a taste' for dry-aging yet, or had enough experience to appreciate its nuances, so a $35 steak would be a bit lost on me, I fear)