Why There’s an Abandoned Restaurant in the Middle of This Disney World Hotel

There’s something mysterious that keeps us interested in abandoned places, especially when they happen at Disney World.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

We’ve talked about abandoned places before like Disney’s River Country which sat in its dilapidated state for decades before being demolished for an upcoming hotel project. But, even plans for THAT hotel were eventually tabled, and it’s become abandoned again. While that construction site isn’t on our authorized list of abandoned places you CAN visit in Disney World, we’ve got another abandoned place that’s sitting in plain sight you can visit anytime!

Disney World is no stranger to change, and sometimes we lose things like rides, attractions, and in this case, restaurants. Most of the time when these things are closed, they’re rethemed or replaced rather quickly, as was the case with Splash Mountain becoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom and the ESPN Club becoming The Cake Bake Shop at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort.

Construction at Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

However, on the rare occasion, we get a closed location to become an abandoned one. Recently, Disney World abruptly closed a restaurant at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort named Big River Grille and Brewing Works.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works

This closure seemingly came with very little advanced notice. Since its sudden closure, the restaurant has been stripped of anything of its former name and for lack of a better term for it, is essentially abandoned. We’re not certain of the exact reason this restaurant closed, either. As far as we’ve seen, there hasn’t been any significant change to the restaurant’s exterior since taking away the restaurant’s signage, and from the looks of things, it doesn’t appear that anyone is looking to change it into another usable space just yet.

The sign is gone

Currently, their attentions are busy with two other restaurants that are coming soon to the same hotel, Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs and the Cake Bake Shop.

The Cake Bake Shop construction

Perhaps their preoccupation with these ongoing projects is Disney’s main focus for now and we could see change at this abandoned restaurant space shortly after they’re completed. As it stands for now, there’s not much to see when you pass by this former restaurant strolling along the Boardwalk, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for any changes!

We’re constantly talking about the latest changes happening at Disney World so be sure to stay tuned with us for even more!