Jellyrolls - A Review

[Wild4Walt]

Hi there!

I'm not sure if this is the place to post this but when you find a hidden gem you want to tell everyone about it!

I had the opportunity to visit Jellyrolls over at Boardwalk Inn. For those of you who do not know what this is, it's a dueling piano bar on Disney's Boardwalk. It is located at the far end opposite of ESPN Zone.

The 1st thing that caught my eye was the sign on the door that stated you had to be 21 to enter. Dare I wish it that there was still a place that an adult could go without children and cut loose a little now that Pleasure Island is gone? YES YES YES!

The club opens at 7p ( we arrived shortly after ) There is a 10.00 cover, but believe me - the entertainment is worth twice that much! The center of the club is a stage with 2 pianos flanked by long wood bars on both sides. The bars themselves carry any type of alcoholic beverage you can considered with a few beers on tab as well as bottles. Since we were there so early we had time to sit and relax and take in the atmosphere. We had a wonderful waitress come over and take our order and bring us some complimentary popcorn. When she came back we asked if they had gotten busier since PI had closed and she said it was hard to tell because of the economy. She expected that they would get busier in March with Spring Break. She came by several times that night to make sure we were sufficently watered.

At 730p the club was still pretty empty and we started to wonder if it would be completely dead. Well, by 745p the place was really starting to get packed. All the tables on the main follow were full. The seats in the rear of the club were only chairs. No tables to go with them and they were lined all along the back rail or the main floor and the back wall.

The show started at 8p. You have 2 sets of piano players who take turns playing songs the audience requests. Each table gets a stack of napkins and a pen. You write down what you would like to hear and they play it. The napkins stack up quickly so either request as soon as they start playing or be willing to cough up a buck tip to see if that entices them to play. We did notice that they did play all the songs they could during their sets with or without tip.

These guys were terrific! Both sets had a chemistry that made them not only talented but funny! We laughed, we sang, we danced.

All in all, this place is a rare gem for adults who want to get away and cut loose a little! Go in and enjoy the magic!

 

[ScotnSteph]

I love Jellyrolls, too. I just posted a video review if anyone wants to check it out.

http://www.expotv.com/videos/reviews/21/188/JellyrollsatDisney27sBoardwalkResortatW/287185

Stephanie

 

[onelilspark]

We visited for the first time on Monday night. It was great! We got there around 8 and the tables on the floor were pretty much empty.

What night of the week did you visit?

 

[Robo]

You're not going to like what I have to say, but my wife made me swear I'd post this the next time Jellyrolls came up on the boards.

We had the worst, Worst, WORST experience we have ever had at a show on Disney property with a trip to Jellyrolls.

The least talented performers, with the crumbiest attitude I have
ever seen on the professional stage.

The two guys (they each had the same first name) nearly refused to play the piano. When they finally did
the quality of their talent (and the hideous-sounding BANGED-ON pianos)
was enormously lacking.
The "sound system" was horribly loud and distorted (so unlike other venues at Disney.)

We waited it out for nearly an hour, then we leapt up and bolted
from that hideous place.

I was so angry with myself for dragging my wife to that DUMP
by telling her all of the glowing reviews of the joint on this board.

Glad so many folks love the joint.
There will always be 2 extra seats for you, because we'll never take up space in there again.

 

[DenverDave]

Is smoking allowed currently at Jellyrolls? We almost went there a couple years ago but the fact that smoking was allowed turned us around. What's the current situation please?

 

[Wild4Walt]

We were there on Sunday night, could be the difference in the crowd.

There were no smokers inside when we were there. Not sure what the Florida law is though.

 

[deej696]

Wow Robo, I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I'd like to say that "maybe you caught them on an off night" but honestly what you described is basically what it is every night. There is always a lot of banter back and forth, and while the guys are no Jim Brickman, Jellyrolls never disappoints on what it is, a place to kick back and have a good time with friends. We go about once a month and it never gets old

Oh and starting with the New Year, Jellyrolls is smoke free...

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

We were at Jellyrolls about 3 years ago with friends (on a no kids vacation to WDW). Jellyrolls was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. It started off slow, but after about 10:00pm the crowd there really rivaled the piano players in terms of entertainment. We assumed that many Disney employees frequented Jellyrolls (when we came in there was a Disney employee sign in sheet where we paid our cover). The piano players were great, but the people there (Disney employees?) were VERY entertaining. They were dancing and singing with every song and put on quite a show themselves.
Just the dueling pianos was great, but the crowd there certainly made it a lot of fun for us!

 

[That Mom]

Thanks for your great review. We are still so bummed that PI closed just before DD turned 21 & could enjoy it. I'm really hoping Jellyrolls will show us a good time.

 

[ScotnSteph]

Jellyrolls is now non-smoking.

Robo - Sorry to hear about your experience. I enjoy all the banter, but there was certainly lots of piano playing when we have been there. It does get better as the night goes on.

Stephanie

 

[travelin' tigger]

Robo, sorry to hear you had such a lousy time. Jellyrolls is not going to be everyone's style, but I've always had a great time there.

Just got back from a few nights at Jellyrolls and had a blast! Saturday night I arrived after Mardi Gras at US to find a full house. Many conventioners having a rowdy time! Sunday was a little quieter, but still a decent sized crowd. Still alot of conventioners. Ended up hanging out with 2 couples from NJ who were alot of fun - singing, drinking, singing, etc. Monday night wasn't as crowded as the previous nights. Donna and I had to get up early Tuesday so we only stayed for 1.5 sets, the highlight was all 4 doing Fat Bottomed Girls and my request, In The Middle Of The Night, which Scotty (and the rest) were outstanding!!!

We visited for the first time on Monday night. It was great! We got there around 8 and the tables on the floor were pretty much empty.

I was there Monday night - had to fly home the next day so had an early night.

 

[rudetreehill]

I'm so glad to hear they went non-smoking! I've been a big Jellyroll fan for years and try and go at least once every trip. (I have a trip coming up in March.) But I quit smoking a while back, and with this being a smoke-friendly environment, I was afraid that I'd slip (as I occasionally tend to do when drinking and having a very good time in a place where smoking is allowed). Plus, I know my family -- who will be with me on this trip -- will enjoy it much more because of the non-smoking environment.

 

[DenverDave]

Jellyrolls is now non-smoking.


Stephanie

Thanks very much! That's good news - I'll have to give it a try during my April trip.

 

[MyMuse]

I'm trying to plan to get to Jellyroll's on least once on my trip next month.

I can't wait to visit the Boardwalk area! I haven't decided whether to combine the trip there with a park day or just have a "visit resorts" day. It i a quandry!

How's th transportation from there back to the resorts?

 

[laura001]

We had a great time at Jelly Rolls, it was one of the highlights for us. We booked at The Boardwalk for our next trip, that way we will be nice and close!

 

[deej696]

If it were me, I would do it on a park day, and plan the resort day for the day after. If you are like us, the last thing you will want to do after a night at Jellyrolls is get up early to go to a park

 

[MyMuse]

If it were me, I would do it on a park day, and plan the resort day for the day after. If you are like us, the last thing you will want to do after a night at Jellyrolls is get up early to go to a park

Yes, that would make sense! *slaps forehead*

I must be getting dizzy with all th planning....


Thanks!!

 

[travelin' tigger]

How's th transportation from there back to the resorts?

When I was there last week I had no problems. Left JRs around 12:30am, went down to the bus stop and saw 3 DTD busses. Driver asked where I was going, then had the first bus take me directly back to my resort (Pop Century). Had my own private, giant limo - and all for free!! Mike, the driver, was great - thanks Mike!!!

 

[MyMuse]

When I was there last week I had no problems. Left JRs around 12:30am, went down to the bus stop and saw 3 DTD busses. Driver asked where I was going, then had the first bus take me directly back to my resort (Pop Century). Had my own private, giant limo - and all for free!! Mike, the driver, was great - thanks Mike!!!

Very cool! That probably would not happen if I was there.

 

[laura001]

The other thing you can do is head over to the Swan/Dolphin or The Boardwalk and take a cab. We took a cab from BW and it was only $10.00....no biggie!