Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Walt Disney World’s BoardWalk Resort was designed to be a bustling, nostalgic hub. Themed to a 1930s Atlantic coastal village, the promenade offers breathtaking views of Crescent Lake and is just a short stroll from EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, despite its unbeatable location, the district has recently struggled with a troubling “dead mall” reputation. A mass exodus of beloved restaurants and entertainment venues left the once-vibrant promenade feeling eerily vacant.
But change is finally on the horizon. Recent construction permits, official refurbishment bulletins, and massive on-the-ground demolition indicate that Disney is quietly working on a major revitalization slated for late 2026.
With iconic buildings currently being gutted, the Walt Disney Company is gearing up for a spectacular second act. Here is everything we know about the closures, the recent additions, and the highly anticipated mystery projects transforming Disney’s BoardWalk.
The Mass Exodus on Crescent Lake
To understand the scale of the current construction, you have to look at the massive void left behind by recent closures. While the east side of the BoardWalk recently welcomed the high-profile Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers and Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, the west side has been severely hollowed out.
The decline began with the sudden, permanent closure of Big River Grille & Brewing Works. The situation worsened in April 2025 when Jellyrolls, the beloved dueling piano bar that entertained late-night guests for nearly 30 years, closed its doors due to high rent and relocated to Lake Buena Vista. Shortly after, the Promenade Fine Art Gallery quietly shut down.
Combined with the pandemic-era losses at the ESPN Club and Ample Hills Creamery, the west end of the promenade looked like a ghost town. Fans worried Disney might let the prime real estate rot until the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) contracts expire in 2042.
A Small Step Forward: The New Snack Kiosk
Before the major construction ramped up, Disney did throw guests a modest lifeline. In late December 2025, an unnamed snack stand—lovingly dubbed “BoardWalk Snacks” by fans—quietly opened, replacing a Funnel Cake cart that had been shuttered for months.
Offering much-needed quick-service fare like Mickey pretzels, churros, ice cream, alcoholic beverages, and a unique “Saltwater Taffy” cake-batter-flavored popcorn, it wasn’t a flashy new restaurant, but it was a crucial signal. It proved that Disney management had not forgotten about the promenade and recognized the immediate need for fast, accessible food along the water.
The 2026 Mystery Projects: Demolition Underway
The real excitement, however, lies inside the massive, empty buildings left behind by Big River Grille and Jellyrolls. An official construction bulletin on the Walt Disney World website notes that “refurbishment work will take place in select areas of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn” now through late 2026.
While Disney is keeping the details intentionally vague, the on-the-ground activity speaks volumes. Over the last few months, the massive interiors of both the former Big River Grille and Jellyrolls buildings have been completely gutted. Guests have reported heavy demolition noise, massive plumbing and utilities work, and a constant presence of construction vehicles out front.
Walt Disney World does not spend millions of dollars retrofitting massive commercial spaces unless a concrete plan is in place. This aggressive demolition strongly implies that Disney has either greenlit firm in-house dining concepts or signed third-party tenants to long-term leases.
What Could Be Replacing Jellyrolls and Big River?
While Disney is likely saving the grand reveal for a major D23 announcement or summer kickoff event, the rumor mill is churning with exactly what the Crescent Lake area needs.
- A High-Energy Sports Bar: Since the ESPN Club closed, sports fans staying at the nearby Deluxe resorts have had nowhere to watch the big game. A modern sports bar and grill in the Big River or Jellyrolls space would be a guaranteed cash cow.
- A “Magnet” Fast-Casual Eatery: Guests have long complained about the lack of an affordable quick-service food court around Crescent Lake. A fast-casual concept like D-Luxe Burger or a third-party chain like Portillo’s would instantly draw crowds from the theme parks.
- An Immersive Disney Lounge: Disney has seen massive success with highly themed lounges like Geyser Point. An indoor/outdoor lounge with an immersive theme would fit the BoardWalk perfectly.
Whatever incredible concepts are being built behind those walls, they will face one major hurdle: Disney’s restrictive parking policies, which currently turn away locals trying to visit the promenade. If Disney can solve the parking problem and unveil these mystery projects, the BoardWalk is poised for a massive, destination-worthy comeback in late 2026.
