Jellyrolls Closing in 2025

[bdthebrave]

Multiple sources are reporting that Jellyrolls will close on or around January 1, 2025. Disney is apparently replacing it with a new jazz club.

This is pretty disappointing as I have some great memories at Jellyrolls, but I'm also excited for something new.

 

[New Mouse]

Multiple sources are reporting that Jellyrolls will close on or around January 1, 2025. Disney is apparently replacing it with a new jazz club.

This is pretty disappointing as I have some great memories at Jellyrolls, but I'm also excited for something new.

Why would they replace it with a jazz club when the jazz club experience at Atlantic Dance Hall next door failed pretty quickly?

 

[Lewisc]

The site responsible for the rumor said:

Of course, all of the information above is purely speculative at this time and nothing has been confirmed at this time by Disney, nor by the third-party company that currently operates the establishment.

In other words Tom will take credit if it's right but point to the disclaimer if it's wrong

 

[Cfabar1]

The rumor indicates Disney would take it over and have it not be 3rd party...

I would rather see them fill big river before replacing things, but that said, on our most recent visit, I found myself thinking Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall seems underutilized, and to be honest, a bit dated of concepts.

 

[melbatoast]

We absolutely love Jellyrolls and go every visit. It’s the highlight of my trip! The entertainers are better than I’ve seen in any part of the country. They need to put something to replace Big River, and do something with the dance hall which is never crowded. Jellyrolls packs them in! It really makes no sense and I am really hoping this rumor isn’t true

 

[bdthebrave]

We absolutely love Jellyrolls and go every visit. It’s the highlight of my trip! The entertainers are better than I’ve seen in any part of the country. They need to put something to replace Big River, and do something with the dance hall which is never crowded. Jellyrolls packs them in! It really makes no sense and I am really hoping this rumor isn’t true

We love Jellyrolls too, and to me it makes much more sense to close Atlantic Dance Hall, but I think they need to address a larger problem at Boardwalk - which is that it just isn't a destination in the way it needs to be.

For starters, they need to figure out a better system of actually getting there. You can't drive and park there, you can't even take even take an Uber, so you basically have to be staying at BW or BC, or take the Skyliner over, or walk from the IG at EPCOT. Then if you stay a while you are left with even less return options.

Until they solve that issue, I don't see anything they put there being packed all the time. Especially not multiple places (Atlantic Dance hall, new jazz club, and whatever replaces Big River Grille).

 

[Kevin Stringer]

For starters, they need to figure out a better system of actually getting there. You can't drive and park there, you can't even take even take an Uber, so you basically have to be staying at BW or BC, or take the Skyliner over, or walk from the IG at EPCOT. Then if you stay a while you are left with even less return options.

Have they stopped Uber to the Boardwalk? I'm sure we took Ubers to and from there a couple of years ago.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Have they stopped Uber to the Boardwalk? I'm sure we took Ubers to and from there a couple of years ago.

I don’t think you can rideshare in the morning, but later in the day?

 

[bryaalre]

Can always rideshare to the Swan or Dolphin.

 

[etherealcaitiff]

Why would they replace it with a jazz club when the jazz club experience at Atlantic Dance Hall next door failed pretty quickly?

I think that's more of a indictment on Atlantic Dance Hall than it is about the general idea of a jazz club concept. A lot of people that I've travelled with, cast members included, do/did not know what that building is even for. I've asked people at the Boardwalk and they said it's convention space only lol. There is not enough marketing, signage, or even presence of life for that building for it to ever draw people in. It's impossible to tell at a glance if it's even open. I feel like a lot of people might just think it's a themed-appearance building that's actually just offices or non-guest areas. I've been a cast member previously, I've lived in Florida my whole life, family is DVC, I know literally no one that's ever been in there. Granted this is all anecdotal, I think there's got to be something to be done to better represent that building as an attraction.

 

[Cfabar1]

Didn’t Disney Deluxe resorts offer babysitting in the 90s? The idea of a night on the town on your Disney Vacation was probably much easier if so. That’s why the adult areas work so well on the cruise ships after all.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Is there anyone besides WDWNT reporting on this rumor? I don't exactly view them as credible. Their articles are banned from the WDW subreddit and other Disney platforms due to them being clickbait.

 

[Lewisc]

Is there anyone besides WDWNT reporting on this rumor? I don't exactly view them as credible. Their articles are banned from the WDW subreddit and other Disney platforms due to them being clickbait.

Others reporting the rumor cite WDWNT as their source.

It's plausible. It could happen. Employees and owner of Jelly Rolls deny it

 

[The Jackal]

We spoke with a CM about Jelly Rolls and they said they have also heard that rumor and said it’s not official till Disney comments on it. Exactly how long did it take Disney and DVC to confirm BLT was being built. I think most of the steel frame was up and they still denied anything was happening there. Who knows. Time will tell.

 

[Lewisc]

We spoke with a CM about Jelly Rolls and they said they have also heard that rumor and said it’s not official till Disney comments on it. Exactly how long did it take Disney and DVC to confirm BLT was being built. I think most of the steel frame was up and they still denied anything was happening there. Who knows. Time will tell.

Was the CM a bus driver?

 

[DebbieB]

Didn’t Disney Deluxe resorts offer babysitting in the 90s? The idea of a night on the town on your Disney Vacation was probably much easier if so. That’s why the adult areas work so well on the cruise ships after all.

They used to have kids clubs. Not sure why they closed them down.

 

[Cfabar1]

They used to have kids clubs. Not sure why they closed them down.

high risk, high expense, low profit (in the scope of the entire business) was most likely why.

To be fair, Swan and Dolphin still offer it I believe.

 

[Dznefreek]

They did offer babysitting.
There was a KinderCare on property that provided the sitters.

 

[Cfabar1]

They did offer babysitting.
There was a KinderCare on property that provided the sitters.

Wish it was still around today, but just don’t see it coming back. I think it’s gone like the Disney Store…

 

[zackiedawg]

Atlantic only occasionally will be fairly crowded on a special convention event or private event, but much of the time, it seems to have just handfuls of people there. Jelly Rolls on the other hand almost always has a good crowd. I would think if Disney is smart they'd keep a new concept somewhat similar to Jelly Roll's, just owned by them instead of a third party. 'Jazz' doesn't really say much, as it can range from Dixieland, big band, light rock, to bebop, freeform, etc.

Atlantic is a giant space for such light use - and really would be an awesome restaurant space - would love to see a great mid-priced steak/seafood/American/mix type restaurant go in there - utilize the outdoor patio/balcony for waterside seating, lovely two story views over the lagoon with the boats cruising by...then they could do something else with the Big River space and wouldn't have to worry about fryers/ventilation issues with the rooms above.