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Post by helenabear on Oct 9, 2024 13:38:17 GMT -5
And considering when we were there in May/June there were extremely limited hours the truck was there, it wasn't worth it. I realize that the whole company closed the doors but you'd think they could find something to do or even open something on their own. We walked to Swan & Dolphin more than eating at BW. Really disappointing what they're doing there. If the Cake Bake Shop is any indication of what WDW has planned for the Boardwalk, I wonder if the Big River space is empty because WDW wants a higher end chain restaurant. A CM who works at the BW told me that an issue with the Big River space is that it's not configured for deep fryers, because there is nowhere to ventilate them. If this is accurate, I think that would rule out mid level chain-ish restaurants who have a lot of fried apps on the menu. My idea (for years) has been Sandwiches of America. Regional well-known sandwiches. Or make it Bites of America, and add Baja fish tacos, something Tex/Mex, etc. You would be missing some of the good with Tex-Mex if you couldn't have deep fryers. I actually really don't think we need another text mix in the area. I would be all for sandwiches as a whole. The redo of the bakery was a disappointment to me because it's hardly a deli. I would like healthier options for lighter feeling meals personally, but I know I'm kind of in the minority on that. |
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Post by helenabear on Oct 9, 2024 13:40:13 GMT -5
And considering when we were there in May/June there were extremely limited hours the truck was there, it wasn't worth it. I realize that the whole company closed the doors but you'd think they could find something to do or even open something on their own. We walked to Swan & Dolphin more than eating at BW. Really disappointing what they're doing there. Since we tend to go during F&W, there is no need for eating at the Boardwalk. We have gone to BRG once or twice over the last couple of decades, and it was OK. But nothing great, so not disappointed to see it go. We'll see what they do with it and may give it a try if it's interesting. Maybe an Ample Hills location?  Cheers. Playing catch up here hence the multiple posts with quotes. I never really liked Big River Grill either. We had the parent company here in a slightly different restaurant. I can't think of the name at the time, but what we had here was significantly better than what Disney offered in that version of their restaurant. Ours was more of a brewery which was kind of cool and it dictated some really good food to go with the drinks. Ample Hills... I really miss that place! |
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Post by johnb on Oct 9, 2024 13:47:21 GMT -5
Since we tend to go during F&W, there is no need for eating at the Boardwalk. We have gone to BRG once or twice over the last couple of decades, and it was OK. But nothing great, so not disappointed to see it go. We'll see what they do with it and may give it a try if it's interesting. Maybe an Ample Hills location?  Cheers. Playing catch up here hence the multiple posts with quotes. I never really liked Big River Grill either. We had the parent company here in a slightly different restaurant. I can't think of the name at the time, but what we had here was significantly better than what Disney offered in that version of their restaurant. Ours was more of a brewery which was kind of cool and it dictated some really good food to go with the drinks. Ample Hills... I really miss that place! Gordon Biersch, IIRC. |
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Post by PirateLinda on Oct 9, 2024 13:50:41 GMT -5
Is the construction done at BWV? I'm starting to regret my decision to stay there the first half of the trip. We were just there in September. All the construction appears to be done. Even when we were there in May, the construction didn’t bother us. |
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Post by PirateLinda on Oct 9, 2024 13:57:24 GMT -5
Like Elaine said, no word on a replacement.
To help make up for the loss of Big River Grille, there is suppose to be Food Trucks to pride additional dining choices. Is it still at the Boardwalk, I don't know. Is it a replacement for Big River Grille.....Not even close. I am really surprised that here we are 9 months later and there has been zero rumors of a replacement.
And considering when we were there in May/June there were extremely limited hours the truck was there, it wasn't worth it. I realize that the whole company closed the doors but you'd think they could find something to do or even open something on their own. We walked to Swan & Dolphin more than eating at BW. Really disappointing what they're doing there. When we were there last month, I never saw a food truck. The new corn dog place was open though. We were never a fan of BRG. Food was not very good and the place was noisy. I really hope they put something good there. The Cake Bake place does not interest me at all. |
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Post by allanadale on Oct 9, 2024 14:04:36 GMT -5
Jumping in to say that what the Boardwalk needs - ironically, for an area so close to a theme park - is a place to get a burger and fries. And chicken tenders. The quick services don't have those options, so parents with finicky children are sort of stuck...and while I hear everyone above who's mentioned Swolphin, I really feel there are a lot of WDW visitors who simply won't think to go there for food because it's 'not Disney'.
I'm sure I've been on this particular high horse before on this board, lol. But to lose ESPN, BRG, and that cash-only stand by the water that sold junk food...and replace it all with a cake store for the nouveau-riche and a corn dog machine...it's just not good enough.
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Post by tomandrobin on Oct 9, 2024 14:05:33 GMT -5
I was told that part of the problem with ESPN was that on big game days, groups would come in, take up a lot of tables, and watch games for hours while ordering very little food/drinks. So the servers and the restaurant didn't make much. Disney is all about revenue/square foot--a big space like ESPN would have been well below Disney's expectations. I'd love for WDW to find a creative twist to something that fits the Boardwalk theme. And that right there is one of Disney's current "business" problems. Its not that ESPN did not make money, it didn't make enough money. Its a Sports Bar for petes sake, what do you expect people to do and why they came there to eat? I have gone in on a Sunday and watched a Ravens game. I seem to recall getting $400 bills for food and beers.
Tell me how closing ESPN, having the space idle for years and this new restaurant can make up for all that lost revenue? Its not gonna happen. In fact, I will be surprised if they last to the full term of their lease.
Disney forgets that by having a sports bar, you are making certain aspects of your clients very happy on their trip.
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Post by johnb on Oct 9, 2024 14:41:04 GMT -5
Jumping in to say that what the Boardwalk needs - ironically, for an area so close to a theme park - is a place to get a burger and fries. And chicken tenders. The quick services don't have those options, so parents with finicky children are sort of stuck...and while I hear everyone above who's mentioned Swolphin, I really feel there are a lot of WDW visitors who simply won't think to go there for food because it's 'not Disney'. I'm sure I've been on this particular high horse before on this board, lol. But to lose ESPN, BRG, and that cash-only stand by the water that sold junk food...and replace it all with a cake store for the nouveau-riche and a corn dog machine...it's just not good enough. Well stated. The stand that was converted to the corn dog place was perfect for a quick bite and the menu was decent. |
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Post by helenabear on Oct 9, 2024 15:02:04 GMT -5
Playing catch up here hence the multiple posts with quotes. I never really liked Big River Grill either. We had the parent company here in a slightly different restaurant. I can't think of the name at the time, but what we had here was significantly better than what Disney offered in that version of their restaurant. Ours was more of a brewery which was kind of cool and it dictated some really good food to go with the drinks. Ample Hills... I really miss that place! Gordon Biersch, IIRC. That's who it originally was. I had to google this, and it was in 2010 that Gordon Biersch was acquired by Centerbridge Capital Partners to form CraftWorks Restaurants and Breweries. That company went bust in 2020 just before covid hit. We lost our Gordon Biersch Brewery in early 2020 because of it. Was a shame, they were good. SPB hospitality took over the remaining restaurants. And considering when we were there in May/June there were extremely limited hours the truck was there, it wasn't worth it. I realize that the whole company closed the doors but you'd think they could find something to do or even open something on their own. We walked to Swan & Dolphin more than eating at BW. Really disappointing what they're doing there. When we were there last month, I never saw a food truck. The new corn dog place was open though. We were never a fan of BRG. Food was not very good and the place was noisy. I really hope they put something good there. The Cake Bake place does not interest me at all. This summer it was only open like 11-5 or 6pm. So basically lunch and snack time for most. Really not the best timing for most people. The corn dog stall wasn't open when I was there but that one is severely limited anyway. The take out for Trattoria al Forno never seemed to work right either though we were told we could order there. |
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Post by dvcduffy on Oct 9, 2024 17:44:06 GMT -5
The sandwiches at Dolphin' FUEL are wonderful. Had for first time 3 days ago and both my daughter & we were shocked how much we liked them. Bu Bye Boardwalk Bakery. No comparison in taste. Can't wait to take DH there in January. Daughter also loved the fresh juices (bottles) there. Raved about them.
PS: We gave the Food Truck 2 chances. Didn't care for anything we ate.
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Post by annamaria on Oct 10, 2024 7:00:56 GMT -5
I was just telling my son we will head to the Dolphin when we stay at the BWVs in April. He also told me everyone (he listens to podcasts) is complaining about their prices. I doubt they will last there long.
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Post by baymaxfan on Oct 10, 2024 9:19:08 GMT -5
I was just telling my son we will head to the Dolphin when we stay at the BWVs in April. He also told me everyone (he listens to podcasts) is complaining about their prices. I doubt they will last there long. Agreed. A slice of cake for >$20 (actually $22-$26). A chocolate chip cookie $10. A lemon bar $16. A small hot chocolate $11. A small cup of tea $8. Even a Coke is $8. Never did I ever think you would need to go inside a theme park to get better prices. These prices make Disney seem like a bargain. LOL. |
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Post by simbasmom on Oct 10, 2024 15:55:21 GMT -5
I just heard on a Podcast I listen to that the CBS was going to have a soft opening today, they thought, but then Hurricane Milton had other ideas, so they reconsidered. But it should open very soon.
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Post by bakerworld on Oct 10, 2024 19:51:24 GMT -5
We vote for the return of ESPN - one of the stupidest actions taken by Disney was the dissolution of that bar. And to replace it with a Cake Shop. No Bueno. Pre-pandemic a favorite day was to walk to HS for the AM, walk back to ESPN for a nibble, and journey on to EPCOT WS. "Those were the days, my friend - I thought they'd never end." I was told that part of the problem with ESPN was that on big game days, groups would come in, take up a lot of tables, and watch games for hours while ordering very little food/drinks. So the servers and the restaurant didn't make much. Disney is all about revenue/square foot--a big space like ESPN would have been well below Disney's expectations. I'd love for WDW to find a creative twist to something that fits the Boardwalk theme. Back in 2005/6/7/8 ESPN use to let people stand around high tops. You could order a drink from waitstaff and stand in there watching the huge screen. You could also seat your self anywhere in the bar area. I'm sure the wait staff made more $ back then. Then they made the high tops tables with chairs and hostess seating, along with putting up a partition which obstructed the large screen in the bar. The only self seating was around the bar so it got a lot harder to self seat. The last few years ESPN was open the bar was over full and the dinning areas were practically empty. I'm guessing all the self seating and standing was a fire hazard. Then on non-game days the place was wide open, which was actually our best time there. We'd hit it in the mid-afternoon for a light bite. Perfect rest spot. DH could look at some game (soccer, college sports, etc.) and all the memorabilia. I wonder what happened to all the stuff. |
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Post by helenabear on Oct 11, 2024 8:29:52 GMT -5
I just heard on a Podcast I listen to that the CBS was going to have a soft opening today, they thought, but then Hurricane Milton had other ideas, so they reconsidered. But it should open very soon. Riiiiiight - it's a diversion (totally believe you heard it, but poking fun at CBS) |
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