Disney World Announces BoardWalk Restaurant Permanently Closing
Walt Disney World has confirmed that another restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort will be going out of business in 2024, the third such permanent closure during the phased reopening. This post shares dates & details, along with the interim replacement planned for the ‘Showplace of the Shore’ along Crescent Lake.
Let’s start with the meat of the story, which is that Big River Grille & Brewing Works will have its final day of operations on January 21, 2024. The restaurant will end its nearly three-decade run and be permanently closed as of January 22, 2024. To the best of my knowledge, Big River is an opening day BoardWalk original, and first opened in 1996. (I’d be surprised if it’s changed much since then.)
For those who were unfamiliar with it, which I’m guessing is a lot of you as it was never particularly busy, Big River Grille & Brewing Works was the only working brewpub at Walt Disney World. The third party table service restaurant served American bar fare, such as barbecued ribs and burgers. Big River had a rather large indoor dining room along with a waterfront outdoor patio.
Most notably, Big River Grille & Brewing Works had a large menu of award-winning, handcrafted ales and lagers brewed on the premises. Favorites included the Big River I.P.A and the seasonal Sweet Magnolia American Brown Ale. An extensive selection of wines, margaritas and specialty cocktails are also available. Guests could also watch the onsite brewmaster craft 5 specialty beers through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Big River Grille & Brewing Works was one of the slower to return restaurants at Walt Disney World during the phased reopening, opening its doors again in February 2021 after a nearly year-long closure. While slow by the standards of WDW as a whole, it arguably outperformed the average at BoardWalk, which lost ESPN Club and Ample Hills Creamery on the other end of the promenade.
On this end, Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall seem to be hanging on by a thread, which was the case even prior to the events of March 2020. Meanwhile, Trattoria al Forno is doing just fine on the other side, but its beloved Bon Voyage Character Breakfast has yet to return.
For the last year-plus, Walt Disney World has been undertaking a quasi-reimagining or refresh to the BoardWalk, which has already included the additions of BoardWalk Ice Cream (replacement for Ample Hills) and BoardWalk Deli (replacement for BoardWalk Bakery). Other stuff has happened inside the lobby and guest rooms, all of which is beyond the scope of this post.
Next up is Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, which is a small but beloved quick service spot. Then comes the big one–The Cake Bake Shop, which will maybe/hopefully open sometime in 2024 as the permanent replacement for ESPN Club. All of this is relevant as context to the commentary below, which discusses the viability of businesses on the BoardWalk.
Word first emerged on social media that Big River Grille & Brewing Works is going out of business, via a notice sent by the third party restauranteur to its employees. Between that, notifying them that the restaurant would be closing in only a few days’ time, and Walt Disney World seemingly being caught flat-footed by the news, it’s quite clear that this was not preplanned and coordinated. It was, however, a long time coming. We’re honestly surprised Big River lasted as long as it did.
Obviously, there’s no word yet on any plans for a permanent replacement for Big River Grille & Brewing Works. Frankly, we wouldn’t expect to hear anything from Walt Disney World for months. It wouldn’t surprise me the least if there’s no announcement until 2025.
In the meantime, Walt Disney World has indicated that a rotating selection of food trucks will offer lunch options at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn starting February 22, 2024. I’m a bit surprised even by this, so perhaps I’m being too pessimistic with my prediction of no news on a Big River replacement this year.
It’ll be interesting to see what replaces Big River Grille & Brewing Works in the long term. If we’re thinking about this logically, what makes the most sense is another brewery. A sports bar & grille that’s like a mix between Big River and ESPN Club would be perfect, and fill a vital role that’s now conspicuously absent from this area.
There are a lot of dads and other sports fans who enjoy watching “the big game,” and there’s not a great option for that that’s easily accessible from the parks. Big River Grille & Brewing Works is walkable from EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and also is within Skyliner distance of a ton of resorts. A family-friendly(ish) sports bar makes a lot of sense here.
It’s kind of unfortunate that this didn’t happen a few years ago. Big River seems like it’s been on life support for ages, and there’s a part of me that wonders whether Cake Bake Shop would be going in here and ESPN Club would still be operating had Big River gone under back during the closure when Ample Hills did.
Honestly, I’m more wondering if anything will replace Big River Grille & Brewing Works, rather than what. While it’s fun to speculate about the possibilities, it’s probably also worth examining the reality that Disney’s BoardWalk isn’t the counterprogramming to Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs) that it was envisioned back in the 1990s.
There are still times when BoardWalk is absolutely hoppin’, but it certainly isn’t a huge hangout for locals. (Walt Disney World’s restrictive resort parking rules have seen to that!) Not only has this area not lived up to its full potential and doesn’t see the foot traffic needed to sustain a restaurant row, but there already are a lot of dining options. BoardWalk, Yacht & Beach Club all have a lot of options, and that’s not to even mention Swan & Dolphin, Swan Reserve, all of the Skyliner resorts, or World Showcase.
While I think the circumstances were unique that led to the closures of Ample Hills and ESPN Club, I can’t help but wonder if Walt Disney World is going to have a difficult time luring another third party into this space. I guess it’s possible that Disney will open its own restaurant in this location, but that’s difficult to see given everything else they’ve done (or not done) on the dining front in the last several years.
If you’re a third party with the option of going into Disney Springs, World Showcase, or here…which would you choose? The Big River spot–on the ‘dead’ end of BoardWalk–would be a really tough sell for me. It would almost have to be a unique and popular concept that knows it can rise above the location, fill tables regardless, and would prefer the lower rent. (Like the Cake Bake Shop!) But I’ve never been in charge of any tier of restaurant above a Subway sandwich shop, so what do I know.
On a personal note, most of my memories of Big River Grille & Brewing Works are fuzzy but fond ones from the mid to late 1990s and early aughts. This was the type of restaurant that was right up my family’s alley when I was growing up. Coming from a small town that got its first “big” restaurant (Applebee’s) the year I left for college, we absolutely loved stuff like this. Big River, Planet Hollywood, All Star Cafe–those were our go-tos. They were novel and fun, serving up huge plates of approachable food.
While I don’t purport to be an expert on this sort of thing, I’d say that Big River Grille & Brewing Works was ahead of its time, for a time. Since then, time has passed it by. Stated differently, Big River was a forward-thinking concept in the mid-90s before the craft brewpub really became “a thing” you could find in virtually any city. The idea was an interesting one, but Big River failed to evolve and stay fresh. Which is precisely why, I assume, a lot of you reading this–even Walt Disney World fans–will have never even heard of Big River, much less dined here.
While “researching” this article, I was going through the DTB archives trying to figure out when the heck was that we last dined at Big River Grille & Brewing Works. I seemed to recall being there a couple of times within the last decade, but my photo archive did not corroborate that. Then I found this tidbit in a trip report about, as it turns out, our final experience at Big River:
After being seated [at Big River], I realized this is not what I remembered. At all. Now I know how Brian Williams feels, because I remembered the environment being totally different. There’s no way that’s a result of the interior being redone in the interim–that interior was easily 10 years old.
Anyway, we were one of 4 parties in the entire restaurant, which would normally be nice, except we were seated between two tables of families, both of which had crying children. Families with crying children do not bother me, particularly at Walt Disney World, where that comes with the territory.
However, I think I speak for literally the entire universe when I say that I do not find children’s cries to be a harmonious melody. I assume parents must agree with this, or else they would encourage their children to cry more, instead of less.
The point being: if 85% of the tables in your restaurant are open, why on earth are you going to seat a couple without kids right next to two tables of crying kids? I don’t care how the restaurant is divided up for servers, that’s just poor service.
We figured we’d just ask to be re-seated when our server came, but after that took an inordinate amount of time, we started to re-evaluate what, exactly, had led us to Big River Grille. Clearly, my memory of the place was suspect. Almost no one else was here. The decor would’ve been tired and dated by the standards of a real-world strip mall in Pennsylvania. At this point, we just decided to bail.
Big River Grille & Brewing Works, you will be missed. Not by me, but probably by someone. Like Ace Ventura Pet Detective (an all-time classic), I’m perfectly happy with my fuzzy and fond–but probably very rose colored–memories. There are some things better left in the past, and for me, Big River is one of those.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of Big River Grille & Brewing Works permanently closing? Will you miss it or are you excited for whatever’s next? Think that something will take its place on that end of the BoardWalk anytime soon? What would be your ideal replacement for Big River? Expect other concepts on this end of the BoardWalk to go out of business at some point in the not-too-distant future? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I can’t help but think of how restrictive Boardwalk is in general for locals, and that possibly being a big factor in restaurants/eateries failing in this location. This is no real loss, but a really cool quick service option or two would liven things up. Maybe something basic along with something a tad more ambitious. Likely a pipe dream, but who knows?
I totally get Disney not wanting Boardwalk to become a free parking cheat for EPCOT or DHS, but there’s gotta be a way around that. Do hourly rates with validation or something!
WDW will need to build a dedicated parking structure for the boardwalk area before they can make it really work as a dining destination. If that’s not going to happen (and what are the chances it would?), then I agree with the other posters who’ve said turning the space into a quick service location is the way to go. I know that both Yacht & Beach each have theoretical counter service spots, but their marketplaces don’t really work that way and they can’t handle much volume.
I also wonder how the decrease in beer consumption in America has affected long term projections for restaurants like Big River. The Youth (TM) are replacing alcohol with pot and micro-dosing and I don’t know if people coming in to watch sporting events will make up for that downturn in drinking if the pattern holds.
Hard to fathom Disney building a parking structure unless it’s to free up the surface lot for more DVC. So…not impossible, I guess?
Aren’t The Youth also drinking more zero proof cocktails? I have a hard time imagining alcohol going the way of smoking tobacco, but I’ve heard some experts predict exactly that. Pretty wild.
Kids these days! It’s strange to me, too, but hearing some interviews with Gen Zs who just don’t consider alcohol to be a Thing anymore has me wondering. It’s an interesting phenomenon.
Not to mix brands, but I think something along the lines of Royal Caribbean’s Playmakers could work well there. Playmakers has solid food (for what it is), a good selection of beers and cocktails, some arcade and midway style games, and lots of TVs. They also have a “VIP Owners Box” that can be rented by a small group (10, I think) to watch their game of choice. It’s a fun spot that I think would draw people taking a break from the parks.
They need a Dave & Buster’s type restaurant game room sports bar on the boardwalk. There is really nothing drawing people out there, but having a huge arcade and sports bar would definitely make families want to go out to the boardwalk and see what else is there, right now a lot of people do not know it exists.
The Boardwalk area desperately needs a counter service restaurant. I hope Disney realizes that and builds one in this space.
We ate here during a 2 week stay at the Swan in September ’22 & it was the only truly bad meal experience of the entire trip. Of course, we grabbed a few sub-par breakfasts on-the-go & some of the counter service meals weren’t exactly fine dining but in terms of evening dining, we ate here due to the proximity to our hotel on the evening of our first non-park day & regretted it soon after taking a seat.
As a US-loving Brit, I’m perfectly ok with a couple of nights grabbing food & a few beers in this kind of eatery but the whole place was tired, it was almost empty around 8:30pm on a weeknight & the windows were pretty much steamed up due to the rain outside. I ordered a beer which was horribly flat & had to request an alternative then proceeded to order a salad which was really pretty bad. Maybe three nights into our first Orlando vacation for a number of years, Big River represented that first taste of “Damn, we messed up coming here” & returning this April to stay at CBR we aren’t disappointed that Big River will no longer be an option.
We have been DVC members Boardwalk home resort since the late 90’s. I’m SO happy they are going. It has never been on our radar, always heard lack luster reviews. I know with what I am going to say, is not the most elegant nor classiest. And, I know there are various choices broken up along the Boardwalk…..
However, we started out in moderate resorts for years before we puchased DVC. The large marketplace venue’s with drink stations centrally located and many types of foods, grab and go, hot, cold, entrees, bakery…etc. is the only thing we have silently wished for. Early morning, later afternoon quick meals on the run, snacks…etc.
I know….I know…. But, it’s what we would wish for 🙂
Also a Boardwalk DVC member and you are not alone in your assessment. We never ate there either and were warned against it, too many other good and great table service options within walking distance. However there are SO many requests for a “real” counter service in that area. Yes, there is Boardwalk Bakery (or whatever its called this year) but its small and limited and feels a little distant from the DVC side. I’d love to walk downstairs from the DVC wing to refill a soda and grab a snack.
I also agree that if Disney wants to do anything with that area they are going to need to address the parking situation. I understand they don’t want visitors parking to visit the parks, but couldn’t they do a 2-3 hour validation if you’re eating at certain boardwalk restaurants? Seems like they could do more to really prop up the restaurants in this area.
I have been to WDW probably 20 times in the past 20 years and have stayed at the Boardwalk twice. I have never heard of this restaurant! It appears on no “best of” lists and as far as I know has never popped up when I was making reservations.
They do still need more dining there but what they need is a quick service!!! Like Primo piatta or something. We recently stayed there and there’s no where you eat unless you want take out (go back to your room?) or to sit down. We went to Trattoria for breakfast, but it took literally FOREVER. And every table was full. They were slammed. I think it took 45 min just to get pancakes.
Anyway, there needs to be a walk in, order and sit down breakfast lunch and dinner place, something fun like shake shack (not the brand but the idea). Where I live families love a good burger and milkshake! And I just went somewhere to sit and eat quickly like Grand Floridian or Riviera have. I don’t know why all 3 boardwalk area resorts have shunned the quick service idea! The one at yacht club is terrible!!! (And has like 3 seats). Beach club is even worse.
I think you’re too pessimistic about the possibility that “nothing” replaces Big River.
I’ve said this elsewhere but this closing means the Boardwalk Resort has no place to get…well, a burger. Or French fries. Or chicken Strips. Stuff families rely on when vacationing. In the last few years all of those places – ESPN, Big River, even that cash-only junk food stand – are all gone.
Food trucks are a temporary solution but Disney really needs to drop a fryer in the Big River location and see what happens.
You’re right about the Cake shop though…I’m not optimistic about it succeeding in a spot the size of a good sports bar, but we will see.
Exactly what I was thinking. Give us a quick service burger and fries place. That’s what the people want. Something fun and quick and easy. Everything has to take three hours to sit down and eat over there or you have to buy it over a counter and take it back to your room. Why can’t we have anything in the middle???
My home resort is boardwalk and I’ve eaten there frequently. The food was never very good but the beer was fantastic. All I want though at boardwalk is somewhere where I can get a good variety of quick dinner options that isn’t the pizza window.
The boardwalk resort area definitely needs some updating with newer restaurants . Needs a new ice cream place like the old Ample Hills.
Considering they’ve already expanded to south Florida, the replacement NEEDS to be Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. Disney should pay them to locate there. If you know, you know.
I agree that a sports bar and grill is definitely needed in Disney World- the resorts often don’t have a good option for viewing games, and their bars don’t usually show them. Viewing in rooms is iffy at best and not fun. The lack of ability for parking there for obvious reasons does impact outside access, but surely there is some formula for success in that area.
i did dine there when i went 2023 as my partner is a big beer fan (and i love disney so took him to as many brew places i could find to make it up to him).
If i recall, i could not reserve it ahead of time like i could with other resurants. we went out first day when we did DHS in morning, then Epcot in afternoon and walked between the 2. (which i doubt many people do that walk, over boat or the gondalers.
it was pretty empty that day!
I ate at Big River a few years ago. My vague recollection is that I had decided to have lunch outside DHS just to break up my theme park day a little bit. The food and service were okay, nothing memorable, and I chalked up the lack of traffic to the assumption that Big River was more of a dinner spot. It seems to be a common practice to give restaurant workers very little notice that their employer is packing it in–hope the staff lands on their feet somewhere.
The whole Boardwalk area is well-themed from a design perspective but has felt a bit dead the last couple of times I’ve been there. It’s in this weird spot where it is oddly adult skewing (Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall expressly forbid children) but doesn’t feel particularly sophisticated. I think its best chance at revitalizing is leaning into a family friendly entertainment space with games and venues that cater to kids or teens; at this point there’s no way it is clawing back the “hip adult hangout” title back from Disney Springs.
“ I’ve never been in charge of any tier of restaurant above a Subway sandwich shop”
Calling a Subway a restaurant might be a stretch :-).
Let me just say that I found replacing Ample Hills with Edy’s to be personally offensive when Salt and Straw exists.
I certainly have heard of the restaurant, but if you asked me to start listing restaurants at WDW, the resorts, Disney Springs, etc. I’m not sure I would have ever remembered this one. Like you said, it doesn’t have the theming of eating in World Showcase or the convenience of dining in your own resort, so there was never any draw for us to eat there. Given the location, it needs something to convince people to walk there instead of all the other options.