Some of the biggest Walt Disney World projects aren’t happening inside the theme parks.
In fact, two of the resort’s most intriguing mysteries are sitting just steps away from EPCOT, hidden in plain sight along Disney’s BoardWalk.
Disney has yet to reveal what will replace two prominent vacant locations at the popular resort district, but a newly filed permit suggests the company may be inching closer to making an announcement.
For Disney fans who have been following every permit, construction update, and government filing, the latest development is another clue worth watching.
A New Permit Appears
Walt Disney Imagineering recently filed a Notice of Commencement connected to the BoardWalk area.
The permit names Design Communications Ltd. as the contractor and identifies the scope of work as signage installation.
At first glance, that may seem like a routine filing. However, Disney frequently uses Design Communications on projects involving attraction, restaurant, retail, and resort signage throughout Walt Disney World.
Because signage generally arrives later in a project’s timeline, the filing immediately caught the attention of fans tracking the future of several vacant BoardWalk locations.
The permit itself does not reveal what the signage will say or exactly where it will be installed.
That’s where the mystery continues.
Two Locations Still Without Answers
The filing arrives as Disney continues work on two locations identified in public records as Project Amazon and Project Bubbles.
Project Amazon is linked to the former Big River Grille & Brewing Works space. The restaurant closed in early 2024, leaving behind one of the largest unused locations on the BoardWalk.
Project Bubbles is associated with the former Promenade Fine Art Gallery, which closed in late 2025.
Months later, Disney still has not announced what will replace either business.
The projects first gained widespread attention after being discovered in Central Florida Tourism Oversight District records, with many fans hoping the names might reveal future plans.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Most observers now believe the names are likely internal placeholders rather than hints about future concepts.
BoardWalk’s Future Is Taking Shape
Even without official announcements, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Disney is actively reimagining portions of the BoardWalk district.
The area has undergone significant changes in recent years. Several businesses have closed, while Disney has invested heavily in nearby resort improvements and guest offerings.
Jellyrolls also closed in 2025 and is currently undergoing extensive interior work, creating yet another major vacancy in the entertainment district.
Taken together, the changes suggest Disney is positioning the BoardWalk for its next chapter.
The question is what that chapter will look like.
Will Disney add new dining concepts? More entertainment? Unique retail experiences? A combination of all three?
At this point, nobody outside Disney knows.
Fans Continue Watching Every Move
One reason these projects have attracted so much attention is their location.
The BoardWalk remains one of Walt Disney World’s most popular resort districts thanks to its proximity to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Thousands of guests pass through the area every day, making any new addition highly visible.
That visibility also means Disney fans are paying close attention.
The latest signage permit was first reported by WDWMagic, which noted that Disney has not yet confirmed whether the filing is connected to Project Amazon, Project Bubbles, or another BoardWalk project entirely.
For now, the permit simply adds another layer to an ongoing mystery.
Still, each new filing suggests Disney is steadily moving forward behind the scenes.
And eventually, those mysterious project names will be replaced with something much more exciting: an official announcement.
