(fun topic)
Owner at BWV since it opened, and I agree they need to do something badly about casual food options. An upscale fancy bakery was not what we wanted. We liked the Boardwalk Bakery the way it was, but the resort has been suffering since ESPN closed and then BRG, so there is nothing but Pizza and corn dogs and pool bar junk and all outside seating. I had no love for Boardwalk as a nighttime entertainment district, so I want to see them convert Atlantic Dance Hall to large quick service venue with indoor seating. Move the BW Deli and Pizza there as part of the offerings. Make it a multi-station with better hot breakfasts, a choice of grill and deli stuff and pizza and flatbreads and such. Add something different and thematic with a good ice cream option (Beaches & Cream is hard to get to and such limited seating!) and add milkshakes and smoothies for fun. Also an easily reached drink refill station PLEEEEEASE.
We have been BWV owners since 96. I am with you. The Deli is nice but I do miss the bakery. Converting the Dance Hall is a great Idea!
We're in the same boat - owners here since the start and have watched the changes. The Cake Bake Shop is NOT our idea of enhancing the resort. We loathe the place.
The ESPN Club (NOT "Zone") was a great little spot for casual eats. It provided a nice respite from the parks and satisfied many for their sports fix. We watched many a championship games / matches there in a lively atmosphere. Sure the food was nothing special, but it served a purpose. Disney was printing money there as it always had a flow of customers during the day and got pretty crowded at night. Those who say that shutting it down "wasn't Disney's decision" are completely incorrect. Do you know who owns ESPN? And the Boardwalk? ESPN was shut down as they struck a lucrative contract with Gwendolyn. Now, no more labor concerns, no worries about supplying the Club, limited liability. And they were guaranteed steady money from the bakery. In the long run, it's less of a headache but more likely than not, less money for them.
Big River, unfortunately shut up shop seemingly overnight. They also served a purpose as they had easy, quick food at a sit-down place with decent beers. In the evenings, their TV's showed sports and served as an overflow for those not able to get into ESPN. Now we have neither.
We miss the Sweet Shop, dislike the Abracadabar. Nostalgia at the Sweet shop - great soft serve, too.
Spoodles was decent, but we enjoyed Kouzzina by Cat Cora probably the most. Trattoria Al Forno serves a purpose, but we preferred Kouzzina. Flying Fish has kept up fine.
We also thought the bakery was fine, the deli isn't much different. Can't stand what they did with the lobby shop, now Carousel Coffee - just made the elevator lobby area more crowded, and quite frankly, dirty.
Yes, we have been critical of many of the Boardwalk's changes. But we still love the place for many reasons. We just don't spend as much out at the Boardwalk as we once did. Our money goes elsewhere, including Instacart - yes, we actually make meals in our room. And we have beer/cocktails that we make and bring with us to the Boardwalk. Better quality at a much much better price! We're not selling off our points. Too many memories there. Great evening entertainment when our kids were little. Not at the same level these days. But we're entering a new stage in our lives and look forward to the next generation enjoying the Boardwalk with us.
