With offerings like a magician-themed bar and surrey bike rentals, Disney’s BoardWalk is one of the most unique hotel properties at Walt Disney World, and rightfully attracts many guests who aren’t staying there overnight to partake in its fun. The BoardWalk has stealthily undergone a gradual, but sweeping, changeover during the past few years as longtime tenants have closed up shop and new establishments have opened. There are even more changes in store very soon. These follow updates from last summer.
Disney’s BoardWalk will implement 4 changes as new offerings for adults and families open at this eclectic Disney World hangout spot. We have details on what’s happening and when. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including tons of new Disney World Halloween food and Disney World’s Christmas party prices for every event date in 2026.
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Big Changes at Disney World’s BoardWalk
Disney’s BoardWalk is one of my favorite places in Walt Disney World. The waterfront promenade, with its mix of dining and entertainment options, is like a miniature Disney Springs with far less chaos.
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In recent years, the BoardWalk has opened quite a few new experiences. The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant and The Cake Bake Shop Bakery brought two new concepts for upscale desserts from Gwendolyn Rogers. Blue Ribbon Corn Dog introduced its signature takes on corn dogs, like its famous pickle dog.
In the coming weeks and months, Disney’s BoardWalk guests will see more changes begin to roll out.
September 25, 26, and 27, 2026, will be the final operating days for Atlantic Dance Hall, an adults-only venue that’s been around since the BoardWalk opened in 1996. Atlantic Dance Hall doesn’t charge a cover for guests ages 21+ to come on in and show off their moves on its huge dance floor. The space will continue to be available for private event rentals, but it will end its weekend operations to the general public.
Nightlife seekers needn’t worry, though, as Atlantic Dance Hall’s closure comes in tandem with the grand opening of a new spot just a few feet away.
Hurly-Burly will open at Disney’s BoardWalk on October 1, 2026. The new establishment will function as a family-friendly trivia venue by day, and an adults-only lounge starting nightly at 9:00 PM with live music.
Within the fictional backstory created by Walt Disney Imagineers, Hurly-Burly was a once-thriving theater nearly a century ago, but it’s long been neglected. Now, it’s opening its doors for a chance to revive its former glory.
Hurly-Burly will serve an all-day menu of specialty drinks and light bites. See the full menu here.
Hurly-Burly replaces Jellyrolls, the longtime dueling piano bar that operated here from 1996 to 2025. Independently owned by a non-Disney entity, Jellyrolls is opening a new location not far from Disney property.
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A new store called Basin on the BoardWalk is opening soon. The shop will sell salts, bath bombs, body butters, lip salves, shampoo, and conditioner bars, and will offer embossing services for guests to personalize their items. Guests will also be able to blend their own custom bath teas or make their own soap.
Disney has not announced an opening date for Basin on the BoardWalk. It will likely reside in the former spot of Promenade Fine Art Gallery, which closed in 2025 and now operates at a different location at Pointe Orlando on International Drive.
A new quick service restaurant is coming to Disney’s BoardWalk. Disney has remained tight-lipped about this project, initially teasing a reveal for late summer 2026, a timeframe that has come and gone with no announcement. This eatery will likely replace Big River Grille & Brewing Works, which closed in 2024. They just again mentioned the new space being announced soon in an article for the DVC member magazine.
The changes at Disney’s BoardWalk are just the beginning of many ongoing happenings throughout Walt Disney World. New food to celebrate Halloween is now available in all four theme parks, and the holiday season isn’t far behind with its own slate of seasonal parties.
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