New Boathouse to offer food, drinks, entertainment, shopping and boat tours at Downtown Disney Springs

A new unique restaurant experience, The Boathouse, is set to open at Downtown Disney as it transforms into Disney Springs next year. It will offer dining, bars, entertainment, shopping and boat rides.

Opening next spring as one of the new venues in The Landing at Disney Springs, The Boathouse will be an upscale, waterfront dining experience featuring floating artwork: dream boats from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.

The culinary experience of The Boathouse will be showcased in an expansive restaurant with three distinctive bars including The Captain’s Raw Bar, The Admiral’s Club Bar and The Dock Bar, which is built over the water. Other nautically-themed rooms include The Runabout, Twin Transoms and The Lake House. There will also be two private dining rooms for special events, conventions and presentations: The Regatta and The Trophy Room.

The Boathouse restaurant will immerse guests both on land and on water with live music and romantic Captain’s guided tours aboard The Venezia, a beautifully crafted 40-foot wooden Italian Water Taxi featuring champagne toasts and chocolate-covered strawberries. There also will be guided Amphicar rides that launch from land, entering the water with a splash, taking guests on a 20-minute tour of the landmarks of Disney Springs.

The Harbor Master will orchestrate daily flag ceremonies, accompanied by a lively musical performance of beloved bugle songs, performed aboard a classic 1800’s antique steam boat.

Authentic nautical items, custom engraved paddles, distinctive lake-themed merchandise, and other unique items “Made on Earth” will be available at The Ship’s Store, adjacent to The Boathouse restaurant.

“Combining dining with interactive entertainment, The Boathouse helps bring to life our vision of Disney Springs as a welcoming place for guests of all ages to enjoy with their friends and family amid the charm of a waterfront town center,” said George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Disney World Resort.

The restaurant will be designed and built by Schussler Creative and managed by Gibsons Restaurant Group. Schussler Creative is also the creator of Hot Dog Hall of Fame at Universal Orlando, and Rainforest Cafe, T-REX Cafe and Yak & Yeti at Walt Disney World.

“We are very excited that The Boathouse is joining the Walt Disney World family at Disney Springs,” said creator Steven Schussler. “We are proud to bring the culinary expertise and impeccable service of Gibsons Restaurant Group to The Boathouse. The outstanding cuisine, the excitement of Amphicars, the Italian Water Taxi, and live music will make The Boathouse a must-see destination for Walt Disney World guests from all around the world. Walt Disney Imagineering has created a wonderful, interactive, culinary and entertainment experience at Disney Springs. We are proud to be part of this magical experience.”

For dining reservations and more information about The Boathouse, guests will be able to visit Disneyworld.com in the future.