New Enhancements, Dining Options Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk

[Bocabear]

Honestly I prefer the Cake Bake Club to the ESPN club anyway! That was not Boardwalk themed either and at least the cake bake is a lovely place!! Can’t wait to have afternoon tea lakeside

ESPN was always an odd choice for the Boardwalk... Cake Bake Shop looks nice and pretty but also does not fit the theme of the 1940s Jersey Shore Boardwalk... it does fit more with the Grand Floridian Resort....or Disney Springs.....
I am sure there will be crowds for at least a year or two despite the prices... Sadly for all of us, they will take curiosity of the guests as a sign that Guests love spending this amount for dining and Disney will adjust their restaurants up in price...and on it goes.... And don't even get me started on the $400/day Lightning Lane Pass that does not include park entry....and no park hopping...

 

[Fox&Hound]

You are definitely the only one because the Boardwalk area was never Downtown Disney.

You know what I mean…

 

[Ayla]

@ToTBellHop That's a public pay toilet I used this summer in Cologne.

 

[Prince-1]

You know what I mean…

No, I actually don’t but it’s ok.

 

[Prince-1]

Read what I said. I said it was hideous. Cake Bake is what has the deluxe look.

Yep, I misread what you wrote. I thought you were saying ESPN zone looked like it belonged at a deluxe resort which was crazy because even Stevie Wonder would know that it didn’t.

 

[Bocabear]

Oddly, ESPN would have been a perfect fit for Downtown Disney/Disney Springs..... and yet.....lol

 

[Prince-1]

Oddly, ESPN would have been a perfect fit for Downtown Disney/Disney Springs..... and yet.....lol

Better than the BW, but man, their food was always horrible.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

No, I actually don’t but it’s ok.

When it opened… the boardwalk was a mini Downtown Disney.

Now it’s kind of in a no-man’s land - disney doesn’t advertise it, nor do they really want people to visit (try parking there).

Not sure if it’s true but supposedly the dance club still exists because of a weird contract with Swan and Dolphin?

But it’s a great place to hang out with fun entertainment and a lovely vibe.

 

[WDWTrojan]

When it opened… the boardwalk was a mini Downtown Disney.

Now it’s kind of in a no-man’s land - disney doesn’t advertise it, nor do they really want people to visit (try parking there).

Not sure if it’s true but supposedly the dance club still exists because of a weird contract with Swan and Dolphin?

But it’s a great place to hang out with fun entertainment and a lovely vibe.

Yeah they definitely marketed it as a fun night-time destination on par with Downtown Disney when it opened, with Jellyrolls, ESPN and ADP being late-night options. Now they don't market it really, which is good because you couldn't really get there unless you took Disney transportation.

The Dance Hall contract baffles me. They're running this club 4 nights a week that is largely a ghost town? In an era where Disney hates all things nightlife (can anyone explain why Disney Springs closes at 11:30 on a Friday??), it's wild they keep this place open.

 

[UNCgolf]

Yeah they definitely marketed it as a fun night-time destination on par with Downtown Disney when it opened, with Jellyrolls, ESPN and ADP being late-night options. Now they don't market it really, which is good because you couldn't really get there unless you took Disney transportation.

The Dance Hall contract baffles me. They're running this club 4 nights a week that is largely a ghost town? In an era where Disney hates all things nightlife (can anyone explain why Disney Springs closes at 11:30 on a Friday??), it's wild they keep this place open.

I'm baffled by it too. Jellyrolls is fun and it's also popular, so it makes sense that it stays open, but that dance hall has to be completely empty most of the time.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

can anyone explain why Disney Springs closes at 11:30 on a Friday??

One of the nice things about the Old Downtown Disney / Pleasure Island hours is you could get a bus back to the area at anytime.

If I go to port orleans to listen to yeehaw Bob I have to leave early or risk paying for an Uber back.

 

[maxairmike]

Yeah they definitely marketed it as a fun night-time destination on par with Downtown Disney when it opened, with Jellyrolls, ESPN and ADP being late-night options. Now they don't market it really, which is good because you couldn't really get there unless you took Disney transportation.

The Dance Hall contract baffles me. They're running this club 4 nights a week that is largely a ghost town? In an era where Disney hates all things nightlife (can anyone explain why Disney Springs closes at 11:30 on a Friday??), it's wild they keep this place open.

Private events like weddings and conventions (it’s a Disney owned venue, not 3rd party), plus now it’s the free nightlife spot on property for CPs instead of Jellyrolls. The decks have a pretty nice view of Luminous, too.

 

[WDWTrojan]

Private events like weddings and conventions (it’s a Disney owned venue, not 3rd party), plus now it’s the free nightlife spot on property for CPs instead of Jellyrolls. The decks have a pretty nice view of Luminous, too.

Sure but there’s a ton of venues on property that used to exist which now are solely for weddings and events.

It’s open four days a week til 1:30am. Most nights never have more than 25-30 people. It can’t be a money making endeavor.

 

[gerarar]

Supposedly opening to the public tomorrow 10/18.

 

[mattpeto]

From Facebook group:

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

From Facebook group:

Mmmm stretched pizza!

 

[surfsupdon]

Now with the Skyliner, connected Resorts (Pop/ Art/ Caribbean/ Riviera Guests) in addition to Crescent Lake Guests should be given the Crescent Lake Guide which explains all the entertainment, nightlife, dining, and atmosphere available. Make it a destination for these Guests.

But from what we have seen in recent years, Disney would rather you up early and miserable than out late and having fun. park hours are so early, yet close so early too.

 

[maxairmike]

Sure but there’s a ton of venues on property that used to exist which now are solely for weddings and events.

It’s open four days a week til 1:30am. Most nights never have more than 25-30 people. It can’t be a money making endeavor.

If it weren’t worth keeping around for the profits then we know it would be shuttered, so it is making enough profit somehow. I’d say about half the time I pop in just to people watch and enjoy the music for a little bit the floor is actually decently full.

Atlantic Dance will almost certainly outlast this new place. I’m betting it doesn’t last 5 years unless they revise their pricing downwards within the first two years.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

If it weren’t worth keeping around for the profits then we know it would be shuttered, so it is making enough profit somehow.

Supposedly there is a contractual reason they have to keep it open. As a whole it probably doesn’t lose money since it doubles as special event space.

 

[WDWTrojan]

If it weren’t worth keeping around for the profits then we know it would be shuttered, so it is making enough profit somehow. I’d say about half the time I pop in just to people watch and enjoy the music for a little bit the floor is actually decently full.

Atlantic Dance will almost certainly outlast this new place. I’m betting it doesn’t last 5 years unless they revise their pricing downwards within the first two years.

I've heard for years that there's a deal in place with Swolphin which requires Disney to operate a nightclub on property, which is why it's there (still).

If profits were the only parameter, Mannequins would still be there.