food IS a theme park
In 2024, I had a really bizarre restaurant experience in Disney World.
Big River Grille
As one of the reporters on our team, I visit restaurants around Disney World frequently to do dining reviews, and in January 2024, I was tasked with going to Big River Grille on the BoardWalk. At the time, this was a rather under-the-radar spot that wasn’t often talked about, so I was eager to experience it for myself. But imagine my surprise when the restaurant shut down within a week of my visit!
One of Disney World’s once-bustling restaurants has been sitting abandoned for months and no one seems to care at all!
No sign of Big River Grille
One of the highlights of becoming a Disney World expert is when you can recount the park and hotel histories, and closures, and even impress your friends with abandoned places hiding in plain sight. There’s one particular abandoned Disney World hotel restaurant that’s patiently waiting its turn, yet no one seems to know what to do with it!
Disney’s BoardWalk is getting some BIG changes these days!
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
The rooms are getting complete makeovers, but there are also some new dining locations under construction with The Cake Bake Shop and Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs coming soon. However, even though several new things are coming soon…this week we had to say goodbye to one restaurant!
Another day, another closure in Disney World.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
We’ve said goodbye to several stores in Disney Springs over the past year and even dealt with continued restaurant closures, too. Of course, when one door closes another one opens, and this time — the door is closing on a restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and we’ve got all the details.
Let’s face it — when it comes to Disney World, you’re pretty much living on Disney World time.
How late is Trader Sam’s open?
That means you’re subject to Disney World’s schedule, meaning that you probably aren’t going to make any 2AM snack runs to 7-Eleven like you might do at home when you can’t sleep and you want some food. But there are SOME late-night dining options available at Disney World, maybe even more than you think.
We love to explore Disney World, don’t you?
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
We’re checking out all of the latest updates at some of our favorite Disney World Resort hotels! Join us over at the EPCOT area resorts to see all the latest in food, construction, and merchandise!
We’ve been keeping close tabs on the dining locations in Disney World that haven’t yet reopened.
Big River Grille and Brewing Works has reopened!
Well, we’ve got some updates to share with you! Another restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk is reopening — Big River Grille & Brewing Works!
With all the great food options at Disney World’s BoardWalk, Big River Grille & Brewing Works hasn’t landed on our must-do list for that area.
It has a fantastic location on Crescent Lake within walking distance to four other area resorts, as well as Epcot AND Hollywood Studios. It also has an on-site microbrewery! Yet Big River Grille has remained a ho-hum spot for grabbing mediocre (in our experience) American-style pub grub.
Big River Grille & Brewing Works
Still, we are here for YOU, dear readers, and we are here to provide you fair reviews of every restaurant option available to you, even if it hasn’t won any gold stars from us over the years.
So we’re back on the BoardWalk at Big River Grille seeing if it’s had a clandestine renaissance.
We can all use a few tips when it comes to planning vacations at Disney. And of course, we think the food is just about the most important part of the trip!
Budgeting for all of the special meals that you’d like to enjoy is a big concern. And it may seem impossible to cut corners and save a little here and there while still enjoying yourself. But with a little creative planning, you can find some wonderful meals at some of the coolest places, all for less than you might think.
Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle
Previously, we shared our Top Picks at Walt Disney World for Meals Under $20. Today, we’re back to celebrate some fantastic meals that you can enjoy at Disneyland for around $20 or less. This is by no means exhaustive — there are lots more where these came from. But for now, come with us and check out some of the great options we have to share! [Read more…]
Guest reviewer Bill Iadonisi is back with another great Disney World restaurant review! This time, Bill takes us to an actual working brewery on Disney property — Big River Grille and Brewing Works. Take it away, Bill!
Let’s move forward with a review of the Big River Grille & Brewing Works at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort before getting back to the counter-service restaurants in my next post. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is one of my favorites, because it reminds me of summers spent on the boardwalks of New Jersey, Atlantic City or Seaside Heights.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is a wonderful re-creation of a Boardwalk town with restaurants and snack shops lining the boardwalk. On Disney’s Boardwalk, you will find the Big River Grille & Brewing Works, the only working Micro-brewery pub on property. Owned by CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc., the restaurant is located between Jellyrolls and Thimbles & Threads, a short walk from the resort’s lobby.
Big River Grille & Brewing Works
Upon entering the Grille, your first impression is that of a standard bar/lounge setup a la [Read more…]
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
