Walt Disney World is yet to announce any exciting new attractions for 2015, despite the closures of the Backlot Studio Tour and American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s likely that we’ll have to wait for the Frozen-themed boat ride that’s due to replace Maelstrom in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion for our next taste of a “new” Walt Disney World ride.
For many of us, though, themed dining experiences are also a major part of a Walt Disney World vacation. That’s evidenced by the difficulty of actually making a dining reservation for many of the resort’s restaurants, even months in advance.
There may be no new rides on the horizon for 2015, but there are likely to be plenty of new restaurants. In particular, the first phase of the transformation of Downtown Disney into the revamped Disney Springs will be completed, with the opening of The Landing area. This is set to feature a host of new eateries, some of which have been confirmed and others of which are still in the rumor phase.
We keep an eye on all of the rumored new additions in our monthly update on everything that’s in the pipeline for Walt Disney World. In this article, we’re going to take a bit more of an in-depth look at four dining outlets that we know for sure are on the way next year.
1. The Boathouse (The Landing, Disney Springs)
One of the big selling pints of The Landing area of Disney Springs will be its lakeside location. Disney has promised that it will be home to “inspired dining, retail and beautiful waterfront views”.
Concept artwork and a construction permit filed by Disney have all but confirmed that one of the signature restaurants in the Landing will be the “The Boathouse”, reportedly devised by Steven Schussler. Schussler created the T-REX and Rainforest Café restaurants at Downtown Disney, along with the Yak and Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. All three of those restaurants are operated by Landry’s Inc.
What to expect: The restaurant is set to cover a huge area of some 22,000 square feet, next to the existing Fulton’s Crab House. The sheer size of The Boathouse suggests that it will be a mid-range offering targeted at families, however we expect to it be pitched at the pricier end of that market given its prime location.
The Boathouse is an existing Landry’s brand, with restaurants having operated in British Columbia for the last three decades. The menu is focused on seafood and steaks, with offerings including Cod ‘n’ Chips, Crab Legs, Seafood Grills and a variety of certified Angus steaks.
Theming: Concept artwork for The Landing shows water-based cars known as Amphicars located next to the under-construction Boat House restaurant. Rumors have suggested that these are likely to be available for hire by guests. While construction at Disney Springs is ongoing, this particular feature has not been announced yet.
2. The Hangar (The Landing, Disney Springs)
Concept artwork released by Disney for the The Landing has shown a second major new restaurant, The Hangar, which will boast an aviation themed. It is set to be located between Paradiso 37 and the under-construction The Boathouse.
What to expect: This one is something of an enigma at present, with Disney having announced no details of The Hangar’s menu. We don’t even know if it will be a table-service location, or a quick-service location, although given the expense of construction and prime location we’d angle towards the former.
Theming: The Hangar will be located on the waterfront, extending out over the lake itself. It will be designed to resemble a vintage aerodrome – expect lots of aviation-themed props both inside and outside.
3. Patina Group Restaurant (The Landing, Disney Springs)
Earlier in 2014, another construction permit was filed in Orange County for a new restaurant at The Landing. This time, it was to occupy the former 8Trax and Mannequin’s clubs, both of which were popular elements of the defunct Pleasure Island.
The permit states that a new restaurant owned by the Patina Restaurant Group will occupy the space, which will include “two floors, a new dining area, kitchen and cast and guest restrooms”.
What to expect: In a Disney context, The Patina Group is most closely associated with Italian restaurants. It already operates the Via Napoli, Tutto Italia and Tutto Gusto restaurants at Epcot’s Italy Pavilion.
Elsewhere, the group has its fingers in a number of other pies, including steak restaurants – and a high-concept steakhouse has mentioned in connection with this site before. Given the proximity to the Boathouse, though, we think another Italian is the most likely option here.
Theming: The site to be occupied by the restaurant is pretty huge, which has led the Disney Food Blog to speculate that we could even see some live entertainment return to the Pleasure Island area. We’ll have to wait and see.
4. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort)
Disney is in the process of overhauling the Polynesian Resort, restoring its previous name of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This will include the addition of a new bar and dining outlet, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. This will be similar in theme to the existing Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel in California.
What to expect: Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar opened several years ago at the Disneyland Hotel, and is inspired by the Jungle Cruise and Enchanted Tiki Room attractions. It also incorporates elements of the Adventurer’s Club, one of the most popular nightclubs in Walt Disney World’s now-defunct Pleasure Island area. It has proven to be very popular, serving up tropically-themed appetizers, desserts and cocktails.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto will feature a themed lounge area, and will serve up handcrafted tiki cocktails in souvenir mugs alongside Polynesian-style small plates. Construction at the Polynesian Resort is ongoing.
Theming: As with the Disneyland version, the Trader Sam’s bar is set to be heavily inspired by the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise. Concept artwork appears to show Uh Oa, the Tiki Goddess of Disaster from the (now replaced) “Under New Management” version of the Enchanted Tiki Room.
What do you think of the planned new restaurants for Walt Disney World? Will you be heading to any of them during 2015? Let us know in the comments below.
