Boathouse - What I Learned Today

[disnygirl55]

I've been checking every morning to find information about the Boathouse restaurant at Disney Springs, hoping for a reservation in mid-May. It is our last dining reservation I'd like to secure for our trip. I called the restaurant today - found the number online - and a very nice gentleman told me that they are not accepting reservations for the time being. They will begin taking reservations either on May 23, or for the dates of May 23 or after - I'm sorry I didn't clarify that. He says they don't know how busy they will be, so they'll only be taking walk-ins at that point. He also mentioned reservations for parties of 5 or more. Again, I didn't think about reporting back here, so I didn't ask all the questions I should have. I am a BAD reporter... so sorry. He did mention that the restaurant would be opening for dinner at 4:00 daily, and we could stop by at that time, or around the time we would like to be seated, and they would take our name and number and call when they were able to seat us around the time we wanted. So it sounds a lot like they'll be available for "call-ahead seating" to some extent.

I'm not sure how Disney will be playing a role in all this, so there may very well be a more firm "reservation system" when the restaurant actually opens for reservations, at least from the Disney Dining phone or MDE. Regardless, the place appears to be HUGE, so I'm hoping it will be a non-issue to get a seat.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I won't be surprised if it's like a lot of the other restaurants in the area not "owned" by Disney and that only "some" of the tables are released to Disney for ADRs.

 

[eva]

Good to know. I spoke with reservations this week and the woman I spoke with had a completely different answer. She said that reservations would open sometime in April and she said nothing about there being a limit on the number of your party. Here's keeping my fingers crossed. But since you called the restaurant directly, you probably have the more reliable info. I will let everyone know because I am going to call and give it a try tomorrow. Then I am going to try every couple of days. I have a reservation at Ohana that I am trying to snag. So no biggie to ask.

 

[Belle61513]

Thanks for this info @Disneygirl55. What date this is restaurant opening? May 23rd? Or sooner?

Thanks!!

 

[eva]

I won't be surprised if it's like a lot of the other restaurants in the area not "owned" by Disney and that only "some" of the tables are released to Disney for ADRs.

I agree. And from the website and all I read, they will not take the dining plan.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I agree. And from the website and all I read, they will not take the dining plan.

Hopefully they can hold out.... I am willing to pay for decent food at Disney but thanks to DDP I am being asked to pay for subpar food to subsidize the DDP losses. (The list of places I will even bother to eat is pretty slim now LOL!)

However, I am seriously concerned that it's a "Rainforest" restaurant. I have eaten at several of their locations nationwide and they all seem to have one thing in common.. incredibly poor service. It's like they think you won't notice your beverage glasses are empty if they have a thunderstorm going on... Sigh!

 

[disnygirl55]

Thanks for this info @Disneygirl55. What date this is restaurant opening? May 23rd? Or sooner?

Thanks!!

I have been reading around that they are opening in April. I have not heard any exact date, but it really made me excited when I saw photos posted with the flags in their holders outside the front door to the restaurant. It makes me think VERY SOON!!!

However, I am seriously concerned that it's a "Rainforest" restaurant. I have eaten at several of their locations nationwide and they all seem to have one thing in common.. incredibly poor service. It's like they think you won't notice your beverage glasses are empty if they have a thunderstorm going on... Sigh!

From the looks of the food they have posted in their photo gallery at boathouseorlando.com - this looks to be much more upscale than T-Rex or Rainforest. On the Disney website, it also says "Signature Dining". I'm hoping the staffing and the service reflect that, but time will tell.

Good to know. I spoke with reservations this week and the woman I spoke with had a completely different answer. She said that reservations would open sometime in April and she said nothing about there being a limit on the number of your party. Here's keeping my fingers crossed. But since you called the restaurant directly, you probably have the more reliable info. I will let everyone know because I am going to call and give it a try tomorrow. Then I am going to try every couple of days. I have a reservation at Ohana that I am trying to snag. So no biggie to ask.

I hope you post an update with anything you learn, Eva!

I made a temporary ressie at Ragland Road for dinner that night, just in case, but will probably cancel it a week or so before we arrive, and try the walk-up route, as long as the reviews are positive. If worse comes to worse - I've been wanting to eat at Earl of Sandwich. LOL!

 

[pluto445]

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Hopefully they can hold out.... I am willing to pay for decent food at Disney but thanks to DDP I am being asked to pay for subpar food to subsidize the DDP losses. (The list of places I will even bother to eat is pretty slim now LOL!)

However, I am seriously concerned that it's a "Rainforest" restaurant. I have eaten at several of their locations nationwide and they all seem to have one thing in common.. incredibly poor service. It's like they think you won't notice your beverage glasses are empty if they have a thunderstorm going on... Sigh!

Wow, a question that I can actually answer. I'm excited! Being from British Columbia, Canada (where the Boathouse franchise restaurants started) I can assure you that the locations here are nothing like that at all. They are really lovely restaurants. I'm hopeful that the Orlando franchise will be the same. Here is a link to their website that has other locations listed and has some pictures of each. You can also look at their menu, etc at the site. I hope that this is okay to post here.

http://boathouserestaurants.ca/locations/

 

[disnygirl55]

Wow, a question that I can actually answer. I'm excited! Being from British Columbia, Canada (where the Boathouse franchise restaurants started) I can assure you that the locations here are nothing like that at all. They are really lovely restaurants. I'm hopeful that the Orlando franchise will be the same. Here is a link to their website that has other locations listed and has some pictures of each. You can also look at their menu, etc at the site. I hope that this is okay to post here.

I read when the restaurant was first announced that this was a sister restaurant to the Boathouse in British Columbia - but I've heard recently that it's not true, and they are unrelated properties. But I hope I'm wrong, because it does look wonderful!

Off topic - I'm originally from across the Strait from Victoria, BC - on the Olympic Peninsula. That's a beautiful part of the world, pluto445! I miss it!

 

[eva]

↑



Wow, a question that I can actually answer. I'm excited! Being from British Columbia, Canada (where the Boathouse franchise restaurants started) I can assure you that the locations here are nothing like that at all. They are really lovely restaurants. I'm hopeful that the Orlando franchise will be the same. Here is a link to their website that has other locations listed and has some pictures of each. You can also look at their menu, etc at the site. I hope that this is okay to post here.

http://boathouserestaurants.ca/locations/

I assume the prices on the menu are in Canadian currency. If in US, still not too atrocious. I am game! Everything at WDW is high anyway. You got to know that going in. The drinks look yummy!

 

[pluto445]

I read when the restaurant was first announced that this was a sister restaurant to the Boathouse in British Columbia - but I've heard recently that it's not true, and they are unrelated properties. But I hope I'm wrong, because it does look wonderful!

Off topic - I'm originally from across the Strait from Victoria, BC - on the Olympic Peninsula. That's a beautiful part of the world, pluto445! I miss it!

Well, hello former almost neighbour. Well, that is disappointing to me that it's not connected. It's not going to be a Landry's property? Sigh. So much for finally being able to answer a question. LOL! And I was so looking forward to the franchise expanding into one of my favourite places.

 

[pluto445]

I assume the prices on the menu are in Canadian currency. If in US, still not too atrocious. I am game! Everything at WDW is high anyway. You got to know that going in. The drinks look yummy!

It seems to be a moot point anyway as this restaurant may not be part of the Landry's family after all. Sorry for the misinformation everyone!

 

[eva]

It seems to be a moot point anyway as this restaurant may not be part of the Landry's family after all. Sorry for the misinformation everyone!

I'm pretty sure you are correct. Steve Schussler is the person who filed the permit and he also created Rainforest and T-Rex. Those are Landry restaurants. And here are a few sites that say the new Boathouse is a Landry restaurant:


http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2014/04/25/news-more-popular-restaurants-possibly-coming-to-disney-springs-in-walt-disney-world/


http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/several-‘major’-restaurants-may-be-headed-disney-springs


http://www.****************.com/features/20141009/29383/4-new-restaurants-coming-walt-disney-world-2015

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The BOATHOUSE restaurant will be managed by internationally renowned and award-winning Gibsons Restaurant Group, celebrated for exceptional food and extraordinary service (recently named Best Steak House in Chicago)

This is from a hiring advertisement for the Orlando Boathouse restaurant.

Gibsons appears to be completely separate from the Landry group that owns the Rainforest Cafes, T Rex and Yak and Yeti. However Landry is listed as owning the BoatHouse restaurant chain in Canada. Apparently they are not going to be the same restaurant, although many of the sources regarding Disney thought they were.

 

[pluto445]

This appears to be completely separate from the Landry group that owns the Rainforest Cafes, T Rex and Yak and Yeti.

This appears to be completely separate from the Landry group that owns the Rainforest Cafes, T Rex and Yak and Yeti. However Landry is listed as owning the BoatHouse restaurant chain in Canada. Apparently they are not the same restaurant, although many of the sources regarding Disney thought they were.

Sigh. Oh, well. I'm sure it will be a beautiful restaurant. Yes, Landry owns the Boathouse restaurants in Canada so with the same name and Landry already having several restaurants at Disney locations I can understand where the confusion stemmed from. Thanks for clearing this all up for me Disneygirl and MakiraMarlena.

 

[eva]

This is from a hiring advertisement for the Orlando Boathouse restaurant.

Gibsons appears to be completely separate from the Landry group that owns the Rainforest Cafes, T Rex and Yak and Yeti. However Landry is listed as owning the BoatHouse restaurant chain in Canada. Apparently they are not going to be the same restaurant, although many of the sources regarding Disney thought they were.

Well, that is weird since this is right on the Disney site:

“We are very excited that the BOATHOUSE is joining the Walt Disney World family at Disney Springs,” says creator Steven Schussler. “Walt Disney Imagineering has created a wonderful, interactive, culinary and entertainment experience at Disney Springs. We are proud to be part of this magical experience.”

The BOATHOUSE will open in the Spring of 2015 in Disney Springs. The restaurant’s gourmet menu (served daily until 2 a.m.) will feature steaks, chops, seafood and a raw bar. The BOATHOUSE is the latest project of Schussler Creative, the creators of Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex and Yak & Yeti at the Walt Disney World Resort.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/boathouse-what-i-learned-today.3395695/#post-53358932

Even though the other 3 restaurants are Landry's, I guess this new one is not. We shouldn't assume, right.

Well, I like Hugo's Frog Bar, which is a Gibson's Group restaurant. But it is strange that this group from Chicago is opening this restaurant. Sure enough, when I do a search there are articles on it. Just doesn't seem in their wheelhouse. We live close to Chicago and are familiar with their restaurants. Hope they can handle this.

 

[pluto445]

Even though the other 3 restaurants are Landry's, I guess this new one is not. We shouldn't assume, right.

LOL! I guess not. Unfortunately, I am SO good at assuming. In this case, I am not sure that they didn't want everyone to assume what they initially did. They are even spelling THE BOATHOUSE in all caps the way the Landry Group franchise does, curved in a semi-circle the same way. It hardly seems legal.

 

[cigar95]

Perhaps there is a different group who will actually *run* the restaurant, apart from being developed by Schussler. If his group is independent of Landry, and he actually does development for multiple operators, this could explain the apparent confusion.

 

[kaybird]

My friend started at Boathouse today for training. Opening day is April 13th according to her schedule. Can't wait!

 

[disnygirl55]

My friend started at Boathouse today for training. Opening day is April 13th according to her schedule. Can't wait!

Awesome - I was hoping someone would chime in who knew the opening date!