Reservations Canceled: Disney World Restaurant Abruptly Closes Three Days Before Christmas

A popular Table Service restaurant at Disney Springs unexpectedly ceased operations on Monday, leaving numerous Walt Disney World Resort guests without their planned dining reservations. The December 22 closure arrived during one of the busiest holiday periods at the outdoor shopping and dining destination, when thousands of visitors rely on advance reservations to secure meals during their Central Florida theme park vacations.

Paddlefish, the boat-shaped dining establishment located within Disney Springs, remained shuttered throughout Monday despite scheduled operations and confirmed guest bookings.

Monday Morning Surprises Waiting Diners

BlogMickey documented the unexpected closure on December 22, revealing that Paddlefish had not opened for business as anticipated. The Table Service restaurant operated normally through Sunday, December 21, giving no indication of impending problems.

Guests arriving on Monday for their reserved dining times discovered signage posted at the entrance explaining that the restaurant was “closed for a private event.” This explanation, however, reportedly did not reflect the actual circumstances preventing operations.

According to reporting on the situation, a sewage leak somewhere within the Paddlefish facility forced the closure. The plumbing issue allegedly developed sometime after the restaurant concluded Sunday evening service, creating conditions that prevented Monday operations from proceeding safely.

Reopening Timeline Remains Tentative

Walt Disney World Resort representatives have not issued official statements regarding the Paddlefish closure or confirmed reopening information. However, cast members working at Disney Springs indicated optimism that the restaurant could resume operations by Tuesday, December 23.

At the time this article was published, Paddlefish remained closed with no official confirmation about when doors would reopen to guests. The uncertainty leaves visitors with Tuesday reservations unsure whether their planned dining experiences will proceed as booked.

The My Disney Experience app continues displaying available reservation slots for Paddlefish on December 23, 2025. This digital availability suggests Walt Disney World Resort maintains confidence that necessary repairs can be completed quickly enough to allow Tuesday operations.

Previous Security Incident at Restaurant

Paddlefish gained notoriety earlier in 2025 through an extraordinary criminal incident that captured widespread attention beyond typical theme park news coverage.

Shortly after midnight on September 15, 2025, an individual wearing scuba diving equipment approached the distinctive boat-shaped restaurant via water. The suspect allegedly emerged from Lake Buena Vista, entered the Paddlefish facility, and physically restrained several Disney cast members using bindings.

The perpetrator reportedly stole approximately $20,000 during the robbery before escaping back through Lake Buena Vista using the same aquatic route by which he arrived. Authorities investigating the unusual heist have not publicly identified or apprehended the scuba-suited suspect as of this article’s publication.