Big River Grille??

[Thumper99]

Hello! We are staying at beach club this week and I see Big River Grille on Open Table app but not on Disney’s? Anyone know if this is open and why it wouldn’t be in Disney’s online dining site? Thank you!!!

 

[SteveH]

Could be Disney just hasn't updated things, very odd its not showing up. It does show up on the Disney website - if you're unsure you can always call, 407-751-1544.

 

[Thumper99]

Thank you! I took the reservation in open table which I prefer since they don’t have the 48 hours “we charge you” rule but I was just wondering if it’s actually open or if it was a screw up on Open table.
Now I would love to hear if anybody has actually gone to it after reopening!!

 

[hes122]

I was there 2 weeks ago. We walked up to see if there was any availability on our arrival day. There was a table outside so we took it. When I tried to pay I wasn't able to use my Disney gift card (which wasn't a big deal), so I'm guessing they're not being operated by Disney which is perhaps why their availability is showing up on Open Table.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We had dinner there the first week they opened back up - walked up and were seated immediately. Probably had the best service to date at Disney! Food was fine, prices were fair for location.

 

[OKW Lover]

I took the reservation in open table which I prefer since they don’t have the 48 hours “we charge you” rule

I haven't heard about a 48 hour rule. Please elaborate.

 

[gatour]

I was there 2 weeks ago. We walked up to see if there was any availability on our arrival day. There was a table outside so we took it. When I tried to pay I wasn't able to use my Disney gift card (which wasn't a big deal), so I'm guessing they're not being operated by Disney which is perhaps why their availability is showing up on Open Table.

You are correct, It is not operated by Disney. Before it covid it was operated by Gordon Biersch. A chain of brew pubs, with one offs like Big River. However they were having financial difficulties but had worked it out. Then covid hit and the financing dried up, so shutdown operations. However some entity took over some of the locations. I guess Big River was one of them.

 

[Best Aunt]

I haven't heard about a 48 hour rule. Please elaborate.

From the official Disneyworld website:

How do I cancel a dining reservation at the Walt Disney World® Resort?
A.

You can cancel your dining reservation online. Please refer to the cancellation policy provided at the time of your booking and in your email confirmation.
Restaurants offering advance reservations charge a per-person cancellation fee for reservations cancelled after the designated cancellation period, or for no shows. Each restaurant at Walt Disney World® Resort maintains its own cancellation policy, so be sure to confirm the policy before finalizing your reservation. For additional assistance, please call (407) 824-1391.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining-reservations/restaurant-reservation-cancellation/

 

[SteveH]

You are correct, It is not operated by Disney. Before it covid it was operated by Gordon Biersch. A chain of brew pubs, with one offs like Big River. However they were having financial difficulties but had worked it out. Then covid hit and the financing dried up, so shutdown operations. However some entity took over some of the locations. I guess Big River was one of them.

That entity is SPB Hospitality, a part of Fortress Investment Group took over operations in July after Craftworks Holdings filed bankruptcy in April. Big River Grille & Brewing Works at Disney plus another 260 different restaurants are working to reopen as local rules allow. SPB is working to rehire many of the former team members.

I was glad to see them reopening so many locations and trying to rehire former team members too, hopefully it's a good thing for all those that got laid off through the whole mess.

 

[gatour]

That entity is SPB Hospitality, a part of Fortress Investment Group took over operations in July after Craftworks Holdings filed bankruptcy in April. Big River Grille & Brewing Works at Disney plus another 260 different restaurants are working to reopen as local rules allow. SPB is working to rehire many of the former team members.

I was glad to see them reopening so many locations and trying to rehire former team members too, hopefully it's a good thing for all those that got laid off through the whole mess.

I figured a investment group was behind. Here in Jacksonville, Gordon Bierch owned three brew pubs (more restaurant than pub) that they bought from a local ownership group years ago. They reopened pretty quickly when allowed to do so.

 

[jillt2ph]

Thank you! I took the reservation in open table which I prefer since they don’t have the 48 hours “we charge you” rule but I was just wondering if it’s actually open or if it was a screw up on Open table.
Now I would love to hear if anybody has actually gone to it after reopening!!

I was there a week ago for dinner. Had the club sandwich, and it was great! The other 2 people with me also really enjoyed their selections. I have eaten there in the past and not been impressed, but I will definitely be getting the club sandwich again! I did notice that they put glasses of water on the table as soon as you were in your seat so you could legitimately remove your mask quickly.

 

[gharter]

I was there a week ago for dinner. Had the club sandwich, and it was great! The other 2 people with me also really enjoyed their selections. I have eaten there in the past and not been impressed, but I will definitely be getting the club sandwich again! I did notice that they put glasses of water on the table as soon as you were in your seat so you could legitimately remove your mask quickly.

Thats good to hear. Enjoyed their beer. The food was never bad, but never that great either. Sounds like its improved.

 

[sharadoc]

We love BRG for the atmosphere, sitting outside only. Dinner at sundown is beautiful and we love to go there after park close for drinks and apps. Can't say about the food now since it's a different operator, but we would prefer the burger and Red Rocket ? Ale. Great nachos, but generally just a fantastic location. Much better than ESPN if you're staying there and looking for an easy meal.

 

[KMarston]

Thank you! I took the reservation in open table which I prefer since they don’t have the 48 hours “we charge you” rule but I was just wondering if it’s actually open or if it was a screw up on Open table.
Now I would love to hear if anybody has actually gone to it after reopening!!

I’m having trouble finding on open table. What area did you put in?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I’m having trouble finding on open table. What area did you put in?

I just typed in Big River Grille into the search bar and it showed up (says "- Disney" at the end of the name). Location is Lake Buena Vista.

Try this: https://www.opentable.com/big-river-grille-disney

 

[KMarston]

Thank you! That worked! I was having trouble with the location part!

 

[MamaJessie]

I am tired of stalking DHS ADRs for our April trip and am going to visit Big River Grille instead - nice to read some good reviews.

 

[luckydriver]

glad i found this thread and it answered my open table question. was looking for arrival day lunch and zero was on the disney site so i booked big river. just hope with an 830 flight arrival i can make a 1215 lunch there

 

[Nabas]

We had dinner at Big River Grille earlier this week.

We've been dining at the Big River Grille for years - it's become one of our favorites.

I thought my Brewer's Club was fantastic. The bread was nicely toasted, almost like Texas Toast. I don't remember this on the menu pre-COVID. Is it possible I've been missing this all these years?

My wife disliked her Pub-grilled Sandwich. I thought this was my go-to meal pre-COVID but perhaps I am confusing this with some other chicken sandwich that they had on their pre-COVID menu.

I always drink the lightest beer on the menu so I went with their Southern Flyer Light Lager, which I enjoyed.

My wife wanted to be good so she got the same - thought it tasted like water. For the second round, she switched to the much heavier Sweet Magnolia Brown Ale, which she greatly enjoyed.

The view from our outdoor table:

 

[Thumper99]

Hello. I’m the original OP on this thread and I wanted to report back that we did go to BRG while staying this past week. We did dinner.
One family member got the fish tacos and very much enjoyed them. The other two got the harbeneo chicken. For my hubby it was good but for my sister it was too spicy. Her mouth burned the whole time!!

I asked the server about choosing between the Cajun pasta or the ribeye and he said the pasta was good but if I didn’t like it I could change. I didn’t like it. It was too spicy and just wasnt all that appetizing. He came over and could see I was not enjoying it and said he would put in right away for a ribeye. I felt bad but he assured me it was fine. The rib eye was fatty but yummy and I loved the mashed potatoes. They only charged me for the ribeye.
All in all it was my least favorite meal at Disney for our short stay. (Beaches was yummy thanks to someone on the board pointing out to me that I could get a patty melt on the “ allergy” menu ). And Homecoming was very good!)
I was happy to give a generous tip because I thought the server tried very hard to make us happy. I will go back but next time I’m getting the club. That looked delicious!!

was happy they gave a 10% DVC discount and took my Disney rewards redemption card for Payment.