Disney’s BoardWalk Resort is entering a new era.
The hotel has changed more in the past few years than at almost any point since the resort opened in 1996. Restaurants have disappeared, nightlife has shifted, and new businesses have steadily replaced longtime favorites along the waterfront.
Disney’s BoardWalk’s transformation has been especially noticeable for regular Walt Disney World visitors. Once known for venues that remained largely unchanged for decades, the entertainment district has become one of the fastest-evolving areas outside the parks.
Located between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort has long attracted guests thanks to its walkable location and mix of dining, shopping, bars, and live entertainment. That combination has helped cement its reputation as one of Walt Disney World’s most popular Deluxe resorts.
Several well-known businesses have disappeared in recent years. ESPN Club permanently closed in 2022, followed by Big River Grille & Brewing Works. Jellyrolls, the dueling piano bar that entertained guests for nearly 30 years, also closed in April 2025 before announcing plans to relocate elsewhere in Lake Buena Vista.
New arrivals have brought a different feel to the district. Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs expanded from Disneyland Resort onto the BoardWalk, while The Cake Bake Shop generated headlines over its premium prices and multiple employee lawsuits alleging wage theft.
Disney has now confirmed what comes next.
Disney Brings Live Entertainment Back to the BoardWalk
After months of rumors, the company has announced that several new experiences will begin opening at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort in late 2026, continuing its long-term overhaul of the entertainment district.
The biggest addition is Hurly-Burly, a new waterfront lounge inspired by a historic seaside theater.
Disney said the venue will serve different purposes throughout the day. Families can expect trivia and interactive games during daylight hours before the space transitions into an adults-only destination each evening for guests aged 21 and older.
The opening is significant because it restores live entertainment to the west end of the BoardWalk after Jellyrolls closed last year.
Rather than replacing the dueling piano bar directly, Hurly-Burly will feature a rotating lineup of live musicians alongside classic coastal-inspired cocktails and light bites, giving the area a different style of nightlife.
The announcement marks Disney’s latest effort to redefine what an evening at the BoardWalk looks like after several longtime attractions disappeared.
Shopping Expands as Disney Teases Another New Restaurant
Entertainment isn’t the only part of the resort changing.
Disney also confirmed that Basin will open a new location at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. The retailer already operates at Disney Springs and specializes in bath and body products, including soaps, bath bombs, bath salts, and body butters.
The new store will offer more than retail shelves.
Guests will be able to create custom bath teas, make their own soaps, and personalize purchases with a soap embossing press. Disney said the experience has been designed to match the BoardWalk’s vintage seaside aesthetic.
Another addition is already in development.
Disney revealed that a new quick-service restaurant is planned for the resort, although the company has not yet shared its theme, menu, or opening date. More information is expected later this summer.
The latest announcements arrive as Disney continues adjusting how guests access its resort hotels.
Beginning later this month, visitors traveling from Disney Springs to Disney Resort hotels by bus or Sassagoula River Cruise must present a valid Disney Resort hotel reservation, MagicBand, room key, or qualifying dining or Enchanting Extras reservation before boarding.
Rumors have suggested similar restrictions could eventually extend to additional transportation routes, including the FriendShip Boats serving Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. Disney has not announced any plans to expand the policy.
What do you think of the latest changes coming to Disney’s BoardWalk Resort?
