Jellyrolls Closing in 2025

[The Jackal]

Was the CM a bus driver?

No. This was a DVC cast member. We drive to WDW so we don’t get the good info from bus drivers. I asked this DVC cast member how big the MK DVC Lounge was going to be. They said smaller than the Epcot one and larger than the Disney Springs lounge. The DS lounge is very nice. The refurbished Epcot one looks very similar to what it was with different furniture.

 

[Babsy]

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.

Just, FYI, we went there first when it opened and really enjoyed ourselves.

 

[Babsy]

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).

First when it opened there was a direct bus from Coronado Springs resort to the Boardwalk. I guess that it was intended partly as a destination for conventioneers.

 

[Babsy]

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.

It would also be a great place for a huge quick service dining venue - much needed in the Epcot resort are for breakfast and quick dinner options

 

[Arobinson]

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.

Any specifics as to this "jazz club"?

 

[fatmanatee]

Any specifics as to this "jazz club"?

OP didn't post a source but based on other replies and the original post date I think the rumor came from here. No details.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Well, I think The Adventurers Club could fit nicely in that space…

 

[etherealcaitiff]

Well, I think The Adventurers Club could fit nicely in that space…

My last glimmer of hope for a new Adventurers Club went out when the DCL Adventure didn't have it or even an easter egg alluding to it.

After all, "We plumb the deepest oceans, cause we're daring through and through."

 

[varsityboyz]

Disney is now for adults only!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Jellyrolls Instagram confirming a move in the Spring

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[LoveDaisy]

Jellyrolls Instagram confirming a move in the Spring

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Where are they going? I don’t have instagram.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Where are they going? I don’t have instagram.

They didn’t say. Just that sometime in spring they’re moving and there will be updates on their social media sites with more later


“After nearly thirty years on Disney’s Boardwalk, Jellyrolls is making a move! Come celebrate with us into the spring season and keep your eyes on our social media for exciting new updates!”

 

[nlenguyen]

It is really sad. The boardwalk is going to have no place to go at this point

 

[LoveDaisy]

They didn’t say. Just that sometime in spring they’re moving and there will be updates on their social media sites with more later


“After nearly thirty years on Disney’s Boardwalk, Jellyrolls is making a move! Come celebrate with us into the spring season and keep your eyes on our social media for exciting new updates!”

Thank you.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Since they’re planning to move, they have the craziest option to move to Universal Orlando!

 

[melbatoast]

Pat O'Brien's with dueling pianos is already there at Citywalk.

 

[New Mouse]

On the next episode of what can Disney possibly ruin next.....

 

[fla4fun]

On the next episode of what can Disney possibly ruin next.....

It could be that Jellyrolls is instigating the move, not Disney. That’s what happens when third party vendors lease space. Big River was a third party, and now it is empty too. I would say we could blame Disney for using third parties, but that is something that has been done since Walt built Disneyland, so it’s nothing new. I do blame them for taking so long to get new restaurants lined up and allowing space to sit empty for so long. The Boardwalk is a good location. They should not have this much trouble filling space.

Perhaps they can put a sports bar on an upper level and a huge quick service on a lower level. That would probably make a lot of visitors very happy.

 

[Cfabar1]

I'm not sure how much the Boardwalk really works anymore with just how compelling Disney Springs has become... It is a shame because the Boardwalk is actually one of my favorite areas of WDW...

 

[Brian Noble]

I've never been that impressed with the Boardwalk through its various incarnations. If I was already staying in the area, I'd stop by for a visit, but if I wasn't staying along Crescent Lake, it was never "worth a detour" in the words of the Michelin Guide.

Big River always had a very meh reputation, so I never made it there. Jellyrolls was fun, but it (along with ESPN Club) was the kind of thing I can do other places, so they were rarely things I took time out of my trip to do. Contrast that with, say, the Adventurer's Club, which I would make a point of hitting up for an adult-only trip. I never once went into Atlantic Dance. I take it that I am far from alone there, given the reports that it is typically a ghost town.

I'm not sure what would make Boardwalk an anchor. I think CBS is one example that might serve this role. I'm not in the target market, but for those who are, it might well be one of the splurges you plan your trip around. A couple more things like that might revitalize the area enough to generate foot traffic for the buskers, etc.