We’ve been waiting, and it’s finally here! The Boathouse is now open!
The restaurant is located in what will be The Landing Area of Disney Springs (still officially Downtown Disney, but it seems to be getting closer to the changeover everyday.)
The Boathouse opened its doors on Monday, but don’t rush out to get an Advance Dining Reservation just yet. While we’ve had success booking through the Open Table website for May 15th and after, Disney still isn’t offering ADRs — a signal that this is clearly a soft opening period, and a time for the staff and kitchen to work out the kinks.
There’s been a ton of hullabaloo over what we can expect, food and price-wise. We have lots of information and pics to share with you — as well as some information to clarify! So let’s get started.
Atmosphere
I’ve been dying to get a peek behind those walls forever — and now they’re down! And the new restaurant is pretty beautiful.
As You Approach the Boathouse
You’ll see the entrance to the restaurant to the left. The big green tower that we’ve all been watching for a while now is the entrance to the Ship’s Store, the Boathouse’s gift shop.
Entrance to Ship’s Store
Between the two entrances on the day we visited, there was this tiny little boat right by the front door. I’m thinkin’ it would be pretty fun to take it for a spin. 🙂
A Tiny Boat By the Front Entrance
Here’s a shot from across the water. This is a great way to sort of get your bearings if you’re still wondering where in the grand scheme of Downtown Disney that The Boathouse is located. This also gives you a glimpse of how The Boathouse has “grown” rather organically. I’m looking forward to hearing the story here. Because we all know — this is Disney. There’s always a story.
The Boathouse as Seen from the Water View
But The Boathouse will be more than just a place to eat. It will also be home to several boat-themed attractions. In other words, it really is a boathouse.
We gave you a glimpse of Amphicar dress rehearsals taking place the other day ahead of Monday’s soft opening. And today, we have a few more pics to show you! You’ll find the Amphicar Launch around the side of restaurant, to the left of the main entrance.
Amphicar Launch
So you think they just hop in the car and drive it into the water, right? Well, of course, it’s not quite that simple.
See this Amphicar Captain? That wheel behind him is more than just a fancy prop. The captain’s wheel has many gears just behind and under it. When a member of the staff turns the wheel, it actually rotates the turntable that the Amphicars are parked on. When they come in from the lake, they are facing the street. The car wheels are locked down, and the captain turns this wheel, which rotates the car 180 degrees, so that it’s facing the water again. Pretty swift, eh?
Amphicar Captain Stands at the Ready
And in case you aren’t tired of looking at these cute little overachievers, here’s another shot. The teal one may just be my favorite.
One of the Amphicars on the Ramp
And…off he goes! Super fun.
One of the Captains Taking an Amphicar for a Spin
But the amphicars aren’t the only game in town. While we haven’t yet seen the 40-foot Italian Water Taxis that are touted as another Boathouse draw, there are plenty of interesting watercraft to check out.
Like this gorgeous option. I wouldn’t mind cruising the harbor in one of these.
Another Beautiful Boat
And then, there’s the U-22 Alter Ego, a vintage racing boat. This thing is fierce; it looks like it’s about to blast off to the moon, doesn’t it?
Rocket Boat! U-22 Alter Ego
While it looks like they’re still trying to get everything arranged and situated, you can definitely tell that this area is going to offer some fantastic opportunities for vintage boat fans to enjoy a look around.
But now, let’s get back to the restaurant. Behind The Boathouse, you’ll find one of the restaurant’s three bars, the Dockside Bar.
Dockside Bar
While you take a walkway to get to the bar, there’s quite a bit of seating situated closer to the building. The sense here is that it will be walk up seating — an outdoor extension to the first inside dining and bar area (which we’ll show you in just a sec).
Check out this awesome firepit! I can’t wait to hang out here with an adult beverage.
Outdoor Seating
Teak Tables and Chairs with a View
And I thought this was a pretty fun detail. You may ask, “What happens if one of those fancy vintage Amphicars suddenly loses power?” Well, these little guys will come to the rescue and tow the Amphicars back to the dock.
Amphicar Rescue Vehicles — Just in Case
Whew! How’s that for a look around outside! Now, let’s head inside for even more touring.
When you walk into The Boathouse, you enter directly into the first bar — the Captain’s Raw Bar. This area features a cathedral ceiling and lots of rich wood accents. The feeling is refined, although it has almost a workshop-like vibe.
Bar 1
The Raw Bar is actually part of a bar which also serves drinks. Those crazy multitaskers.
Raw Bar
Raw Bar — Up Close
Good news if you’re looking to catch part of a game or your favorite team’s score — there are large TVs situated over the bar area.
Bar 1 Televisions
There is seating at the bar, of course. And it’s important to note that, while comfortable, none of the designated bar seating includes chairs with back support. If you topple over easily, you may want to request a spot in the dining room!
Bar 1 Seating
Trendy communal seating has made its way to The Boathouse as well. While these tables seating 8 are termed “family seating”, especially during the soft opening phase, walk up patrons may find themselves seated here with other parties.
Bar 1 Family Style and Communal Seating
There are smaller tables available too, though.
Bar Seating
One detail we learned early on was that The Boathouse planned to offer live music, and we found that to be the case during our visit. Over the duration of our meal, two different musicians played in this area, and the music was piped throughout the entire venue.
Live Music is Played and Piped Throughout the Restaurant
As you would expect, boats and parts of boats figure strongly into the decor of The Boathouse — especially in this first room.
Model Boat with Working Motor
Outboard motors of all makes and sizes are mounted on the walls and displayed on stands. The staff was very quick to tell us that the models were actually working motors. Why this is important, I’m not sure. But I guess…authenticity?
Wall of Motors
Close Up of Functioning Outboard Motor
But the other detail that you’ll see plenty of are these whimsical Rubber Ducks. While the duckies you spy throughout the restaurant are affixed in place to make sure they don’t walk off 😉 , there are plenty of cute varieties for sale in the Ship’s Store. We’ll look at a few options in just a bit.
Rubber Ducks Can Be Found Throughout
Another fun feature of this area is the booth in a boat! Would you expect anything less from Schussler Creative, who gave us a booth in in the belly of a triceratops at T-Rex? (I must sit at this table.)
Boat Booth Seating
The custom Chris Craft Boat features a nifty niche cut out, big enough to accommodate at least five.
Booth in Boat — Up Close
From here, you segue into the the next dining room. Ceiling heights come down, but the boat touches remain.
Second Dining Room
We saw spare use of aquamarine in the first dining area, and that same color is carried through here. It serves to unify the spaces, as the decor here is drastically different from the entrance. A large central fan keeps air circulating. Chairs in this area have backs, but there are also a few semi-circle booths that you can choose from.
Dining Room 2
From here, you move to the third dining area, which seems to me much more refined and upscale. This is also where you’ll find the Admiral’s Club Bar.
Wide View of Dining Room 3
The Admiral’s Club Bar
This room feels more like a private club. The aquamarine and bright white color scheme differ drastically from the more rustic areas we’ve seen prior to this.
Dining Room 3 Table Setting
More Seating in Dining Room 3
Be sure to check out the glass “fish tank” that’s the centerpiece of this room. What a fun, low-maintenance way to incorporate marine life into the decor!
Glass “Fish Tank” in Dining Room 3
Finally, we move on to an area that will be reserved for private dining functions. The rooms are appropriately called The Regatta and The Trophy Room.
The Regatta and The Trophy Room — Private Dining Area
Outside Windows and Lighting
The rooms, which may be used for overflow dining during busy times, have two main focal points. This large, built-in wine storage area showcases some of the restaurant’s wine collection.
Wine Rack
The other is a stately fireplace with a marble surround and a mantel that holds The Boathouse’s trophies. Impressive!
Now, clearly, the area is being used to store extra chairs during soft opening. Still, you get a sense of how nicely appointed it is.
Mantel with Trophies and Models
And this is a really cool detail — check out the photo of the boat, and a replica of a boat that’s very similar to the one in the photo, displayed together!
Picture and Model of the Same Boat
Seating here is very similar to what we found in the previous dining room.
Seating
Don’t you love the lights?
Beautiful Lights
Whew! Hang on! We are almost to the food!
The last space that I’d like to show you before we dig in is the Ship’s Store. Remember back at the front of the restaurant? You veer right if you’d like to shop a bit.
Here you’ll find all manner of merch, from apparel and mugs, to models, and even board games.
Cast Member and Display Counters in Ship Store
Boathouse Hoodie
Boathouse Amphicar Mug
Boat Replica
Classic Boat Replicas
Miniature Outboard Motor Models for Sale
Boat-Shaped Game Sets
And yep — there are rubber duckies, too.
Rubber Ducks Come Come in All Kinds of Fun Themes
More Ducks
Kangaroo…Duck?
Okay…now that you’ve had a look around, let’s get to the food.
Eats
During this time, The Boathouse is featuring two menus: a Bar Menu and a Table Service Menu. Essentially, the bar menu includes raw bar items and more casual fare. There is some overlap to the menus, but if you’re looking for a burger, head to the bar. If you want steaks, it’s the dining room for you.
However, if you’re sitting in the bar area, you can order from either the bar or table menu. At least for now.
Bar Menu — Front — Click to Enlarge
Bar Menu — Back — Click to Enlarge
Table Menu — Front — Click to Enlarge
Table Menu — Back — Click to Enlarge
For our first time out, we decided to stick to entrees, sides, and dessert. But we were lucky to snag a few pics of some raw bar items. Everything that we saw looked extremely fresh and well prepared.
Anastasia Gold Farm Raised Caviar — A Boathouse Exclusive
Lobster Cocktail and Oysters on the Half Shell
Wild Caught Baja Shrimp Cocktail
If you’re very observant, you’ll see that we’re seated in the second dining room, right next to the boat booth. Alas, maybe it will be my turn to sit there another day. 🙂
Our Table Setting
You may have noticed during our tour of the dining rooms earlier, but Crystal Hot Sauce is the preferred brand here. You’ll find a bottle on every table.
Crystal Hot Sauce on the Table
We began our meal with Complimentary Bread Service and Butter. It was perfectly fine, but nothing out of the ordinary. Interestingly, they also brought a Carafe of Ice Water so that we could help ourselves.
Complimentary Bread Service
We dug right into our entrees. We began with the Swordfish, which is served on a bed of Sweet Corn, Fennel, Andouille and Potato Hash, and Creole Butter.
Swordfish
Definitely a Louisiana and Cajun vibe here.
Swordfish — Different Angle
While we couldn’t identify every spice used here, we really enjoyed the dish — especially the savory components. Apparently, chefs are doing a lot of sweet sides with swordfish these days, but this was a good approach. While some have thought the dish too salty, we didn’t feel this way.
Swordfish — Up Close
Of course, we also had to give a steak a try — so we ordered up one of my favorites — the 8-Ounce Filet Mignon. Steaks are served with your choice of Sauce — Béarnaise, Peppercorn, Red Wine, or the signature Boathouse Steak Sauce. We asked to try them all, and our server cheerfully obliged. (We somehow ended up with a bonus sauce…I’m pretty sure it was an extra order of Hollandaise. And who in the world would complain about that??)
Eight-Ounce Filet Mignon, Pictured with All Sauce Choices
The steak had a nice crust and was well-prepared. It may have been cooked slightly longer than I would have liked, but it wasn’t tragic. The meat had good flavor and was very tender. In fact, we joked we could have cut it with a spoon.
Eight-Ounce Filet — Cross Section, Up Close
A word about the sauces…while they were all good, I really liked the signature sauce. Our server shared with us that it actually came about as a result of an internal contest among the chefs. This was the winner! And it’s made fresh in-house, daily.
We opted for a couple of extra sides as well. Our first choice was the Grilled Asparagus.
Now, first thing I have to clear up — the side is $12, not $21, as was previously discussed. I know, I know. It’s still expensive. But I can tell you that it was incredibly good quality, came with a side of Hollandaise (woo!), and was more than enough for two people.
The Legendary Side of Asparagus
But we also couldn’t pass up the Shrimp and Andouille Mac and Cheese.
Shrimp and Andouille Mac and Cheese
It was, in a word, awesome. And huge! I could easily have made an entree of this side dish and happily called it a day.
Shrimp and Andouille Mac and Cheese — Up Close
Even though we were more than satisfied with our large meal, we couldn’t pass up a chance to sample The Boathouse dessert menu. (If you’re looking for it on the menus above, you’ll find the sweet stuff in the lower left hand corner of the bar menu.)
To be honest, the only thing that jumped out at us was the Whiskey Caramel Cornbread Cake.
Whiskey Caramel Cornbread Cake
Basically, this was a take on an old fashioned berry shortcake, but with a cornmeal cake.
Whiskey Caramel Cornbread Cake — Up Close
The flavor combination was delicious, even though we would have preferred a sweeter cake. Still, it was fresh and well prepared. And the texture of the cornmeal cake held up nicely to the thin caramel sauce.
Whiskey Caramel Cornbread Cake — Cake Detail
And with that, our very first meal at The Boathouse was in the books!
Overall
So. What do we think of The Boathouse? Well. The jury is still out.
Across the board, the food that we ordered was good to great, and we enjoyed friendly, relaxed service. The setting is beautiful, with thoughtful, upscale detail. You really do feel like you’re dining at your chi-chi yacht club.
But — those prices. When I take a step back and look at them, they’re a little…well, pricey. $19 for Chicken Fingers? And still, we have sticker shock — albeit less so than previously — from that asparagus.
Yes, when The Boathouse comes online with the Disney Dining Plan (and we expect that it will), it will very likely be a Signature restaurant; and participating in the DDP will alleviate the issue of cost for some guests. But still, for these prices I want to have the best meal of my life. Can The Boathouse deliver that? We’ll see!
Are you excited to try The Boathouse at Downtown Disney? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!
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So we’re possibly looking at a $100 tab for two people to dine on chicken fingers while perched on a stool. I think I’ll pass.
Don’t forget an additional $120 for 20 minutes on the amphicar if your heart desires. Now the price point makes more sense when you factor in they don’t use the car itself to turn around but rather a fancy turntable.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures and review! The restaurant is beautiful and big. Is the communal seating only in the bar areas? All the chairs and stools look very uncomfortable, what is up with that?
I will take somewhat of a step back on my initial thoughts of the prices being too high taking a look at the menu, however…..
Your telling me that I pay $39 for that filet and that’s all I get? Not even paired with a small risotto, just some dipping sauces?
Comparing it to the filet at Le Cellier or the oak fired beef at Cali Grill, I’ll go there instead.
The fish prices seem fair and reading the menu they all seem to be accompanied with at least something else.
That looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it out. Too bad don’t have a trip on the calendar. 🙁 Great review and pix AJ!
O.K., it is very expensive – even for a signature type restaurant at WDW. Maybe it will fly (pardon the mixed metaphor ) but I would like to see them pull the pricing back a notch or so. It will be interesting to see how they do after the newness wears off and more eateries and bars open up. However, let’s be positive. It is a stunningly beautiful place, reminiscent of some old time, gold coast Long Island yacht clubs I’ve been to, years ago. The decor is great, the menu looks perfect with live music and a very welcomed waterside bar, the Boathouse brings to the new entertainment area something it has been missing from the early days. If the rest of Disney Springs is done this well – wow.
AJ’s review and pics made me feel as if I was there, myself. Saved me a few bucks anyway.
Agree with you on the prices. I’m all for a unique Disney Dining experience, but not at this “expense”. I’ll just live vicariously through DFB 🙂 …. for now.
I hope they re-consider charging two dining credits on the Disney Dining Plan! The Menu is too varied to charge two credits for everything. I think they should only charge two credits for the more Fancier Dining Room and higher priced meals. Why use two credits in the Raw Bar for a less expensive entree.
I would go for the cornbread dessert alone! Wow, that looks incredible. Great pics, AJ!
I was looking at the nautical flags under the Boathouse logo, both on the building and the merchandise. The initials for the flags are TBOF. I suspect it stands for: The Boathouse Orlando Florida. A nice hidden mickey?
I can understand the prices being so high because it’s a brand new restaurant that they probably spent a very pretty penny creating. Maybe as time passes the prices will go down… but I highly doubt that many guests will be willing to spend this kind of money on food. $27 for a pork chop? I don’t think so.
Do you know if the outdoor tables will be seated with reservations? Or are those available only first come, first served? We are going next month with a late reservation. Thanks for the review!
So excited for this since we leave for WDW in 6 days! The prices are high, but we always look forward to trying something new at Disney. Hoping we can get a table when we’re there next week.
Since there are no ADRs yet, I assume it’s just first-come, first-served for walk-up guests?
I agree with Kathy’s concern. The restaurant menu is upscale but the atmosphere looks very casual–it reminds me of Olivia’s, in fact. I hate barstools without seatbacks and cane chairs perfect for a cup of espresso but not for an extended fine dining experience. Perhaps you’ll find me at the dockside bar more than than inside. Or perhaps I’ll be at Flying Fish.
I’m a little surprised by the aghast opinions about the pricing. Has no one ever been to high-end steak house before? The Capital Grille, Morton’s, Ruth’s Chris, The Palm, etc, they ALL charge similar prices. $40-50 for a steak with sides being separate is pretty standard. Of course it’s expensive, but there’s a market for it.
First asked to go to court versus the prices. Around here in New England that decor really does fit with some more pricey options. Especially when you’re down by marinas. So I’ll let that pass.
My bigger concern would be the price versus the number of seats. Do they really think they’re going to fit so many seatings of 600 people in this place willing to pay that much money for chicken fingers? Or steak, even? You’re looking at 3000 people at night that’s a banquet hall not a restaurant. Establishments that charge that much are usually about one quarter to third the size of this. I’m not even thinking about the size of the menu. Quality control is going to be a nightmare. The guy watching 50 fillets at once is not going to do as good a job as if he was watching seven or ten. But hey I’m not a professional maybe they have a system worked out we’ll see.
I’m really hoping this place works out I would love to try it on my next trip however it just doesn’t look like I can afford it and I’m not sure that the food is going to be worth the price over time. And take into account that I am one who always, always is willing to pay a markup price for good, well prepared food.
Ok clearly a spell check issue on the first line up there. Should read “as to the decor versus the prices.”
Writing on my phone. Sorry!
Megan:
At least the places you mention have comfortable seating. I suppose Disney doesn’t want people to linger over their drinks or meal, hence the uncomfy chairs and barstools without backs. However, if they expect me to pay these prices for the food, I expect them to provide a comfortable environment in which to consume it.
Another nit I have is people saying “those prices are fair considering the cost of a high-end steak house”. But they are not. Why? Because you get far less food for the same money than at, say, Capital Grille. You don’t get ANY sides at The Boathouse with a steak, however for a similar price, you do get sides at the places you mention.
For the price, there should be more food. If the amount of food remains the same, the pricing should be lower.
This is right on par with our steakhouses as well, Megan. The steaks do not come with sides, they are the same sharable options. And they aren’t on the water. Or at Disney world. We have had a surge in chef inspired restaurants the last few years and most of the meals are only slightly less expensive than these. I don’t choose to dine out at these type of restaurants every night at home, and I take the same approach with Disney. Excited to try this!
First, you did a great report with wonderful photos; I really enjoyed seeing everything. I’m not so sure about the prices either. I’ll pay a fair price for really good food, especially steak and seafood, which I love. But I agree with some of the others that these prices should include sides along with the entrees. The food looks good, but you can get food of that quality in DW at other restaurants with sides included for comparable pricing. I would have to consider my choices.
Hallelujah! The $21 asparagus was a typo after all!
I head to WDW next week, and was originally thinking I might have to check this place out if it was open in time. Now though, looking at the prices, I think I’ll pass. I’d rather wait and hear more details and hear that the food is definitely worth the cost before I spend that kind of money. I don’t mind paying those prices or higher at Jiko, Cali Grill, etc. because we know that we will get an incredible meal. Nothing on the menu is really screaming to me as special.
I think the prices are on par with the other specialty restaurants on property.
Cali Grill- Oak Grilled Filet with tomato risotto $49.00
Narcoossees- Filet with cream potatoes & veg. $49.00
Citrocos- Filet with yukon potatoes, broccoli. $49.00
Jiko- Filet with pole beans. $49.00
Yachtsman Steakhouse- 8oz Filet with mashed potatoes. $49.00
Boathouse 8oz filet $39.00 Sides can be shared but I’ll eat the whole baked potato $7
So that 39 plus 7 = $46.00 for my dinner at boathouse.
Boathouse 8oz Filet $39.00 side of asparagus can be shared $12.00 even this totals $51.00
Like I said I think the prices are on par with the other signature restaurants.
The prices are high, but they don’t seem out of line for good steakhouses. We live near D.C. and these are similar to the Palm and other upscale steak and seafood dining. Not that we go to those places! I did enjoy the finer dining experiences in my single days, but with a family and retirement planning, paying $75 a person or more for dinner is out.
Having gone over the menu and looked at the pictures, we could see us sitting outside with burgers or a salad and a drink, just to enjoy the water view. But we wouldn’t be eating a full meal. Just too high for me to enjoy. We would rather go back to Il Mulino at the Swan (where we had appetizers, main courses and desserts for three plus a good tip for about $200) or maybe try the California Grill or Flying Fish.
This isn’t Applebees, Outback, or Red Lobster. This is Disneyworld and pricing is exactly what it should be.
Whoever would go here and order chicken fingers deserves to have to pay $19 for them!
I don’t think the prices are that bad either, given the quality and the resort location. They’re in line with other restaurants of similar quality.
Any word on if TiW will be honored here?
Oh, and the name of the place is The BOATHOUSE, all uppercase. Not really sure why.
Interesting that DC prices are on par or more than NYC. Must be those lobbying firms!
I wonder if part of the plan is to use that massive back room with the water view for events. It seems designed for it.
Again, as in the first post about prices here, I have to compare the price to top and Michalin (sp) starred NY steakhouses. At those prices, or not more than $10 above, I could have a world class meal in a small to midsize establishment where the chef isn’t putting out steaks for 100 people at a time. Size often matters when it comes to high quality food due to quality control issues. I’m skeptical that a massive banquet sized facility can consistently meet near world class standards that, at that price, they should be meeting.
I agree to an extent, GG, about the prices. But this is a major resort, and prices there have no bearing on the realities of the market; they exist in their own special world.
Still, if I’m going to drop that kind of coin on a steakhouse meal, I’ll go to Capa at The Four Seasons.
Great report! Being from Chicago we’re familiar with Gibson’s Restaurant Group so the menu does not come as a shock – the entrée prices are in line with what they are here and yes, their restaurants are always a la carte.
I do agree about the seating, people with mobility issues have a very difficult time with bar stools, especially backless ones.
That being said, we’ll take that table in the boat!
Thanks for the great review. I will have to pass however. I agree with the others… I don’t like seats without backs and the ones that did looked very uncomfortable for a nice meal. There are a lot of other restaurants in that price range that are more desirable.
George — How’s Capa? I haven’t been there yet!
I know they’re trying to make a Disney version of Shula, The Palms, Ruth Chriss..etc.
But I wonder if they’ve missed something here in the pricing and business model.
High end steak houses don’t survive with out people on expense accounts and people doing date/birthday/anniversary. These are people that are willing to drop some serious coin and people that want a ‘safe bet’ to impress someone—and usually that coin is other people’s money.
Maybe it’s part of a plan to ramp up their corporate customers doing conventions and sale shows etc?
The prices are perfectly in line with ‘expense account’ steak houses.
I wonder if they will get the volume of people paying out of their own pocket?
Not surprised at the high-end pricing, as that seems to be the way Disney is going nowadays. But this will be just like many of the other restaurants in the World and Downtown – crowded, noisy, expensive and a notch below what they should give you in terms of quality for the prices charged.
A Disney vacation is expensive to begin with and this just puts it over the top. And I agree that with a venue of this size, many meals will suffer in terms of quality and cooked to order. Combine high prices with food that probably wont live up to expectations, to uncomfortable seating, the crowds, etc., I doubt I will choose the BOATHOUSE. Plus, the outdoor seating has no cover and no umbrella holes in the middle of the tables. So Disney expects us to bake in the Florida sun?
No Thanks!
AJ:
We stayed at the FS last October, before Capa opened. We’ll be back there from 1-10 May. Want to go?!
We did try Ravello, which was wonderful. Top-notch service, thoughtful and authentic Italian cooking.
I am with Megan regarding pricing, I don’t know if I am just jaded but that is what I expect to pay . Thanks for the excellent review and pictures.
@AJ: Not to take the discussion too far off topic, but we ate at Capa twice in November and found it decent but nothing exceptional. It’s the classic case of thoughtful, interesting appetizers paired with hum-drum entrees. Certainly not as interesting as the independent steakhouses we love in LA, though they do have similar aspirations, so maybe they’ll get there eventually.
Galloping Gourmond–my thought is that for a restaurant of this size would have an equally large kitchen, and therefore 5 guys watching 50 filets at a time…that would be my hope anyway! 🙂
Paul A, you hit on a lot of my concerns as well regarding this restaurant. I don’t find the prices to be out of line with other restaurants that feature steak and seafood, but I do wonder if the cost here will be worth it. This place looks massive, and I can picture it being very noisy. With the number of people they’re serving, I also worry that the quality either won’t be there or will be inconsistent (like many Disney restaurants seem to be). I don’t care for the seating choices at all- there is no way I’d be eating a nice meal like that at a high-top table with stools. I’m also surprised to see that no one thought it a good idea to offer some protection from sun or weather for the outside tables.
I’ll be curious to see some more reviews in the future to see how they’re holding up.
“Maybe as time passes the prices will go down…”
OH, HA HA! HA HA! Hoo-AH HA HA! OHHHHH, HA HA, HA HA! OHHH! Hooo! Ha! OH, ha… I can’t stop… laughing… heh… heh…
I can’t wait to go and have a drink and app, shrimp cocktail looks nice. I just wonder how this place will effect Fultons, which I thought was high on price. Dockside bar should do wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Can we please stop with the condescending “haven’t you eaten at SIGNATURES before?” responses to the outrage over these prices? This is a Disney food blog. Everyone who posts here is used to overpaying for food, and we’re usually happy to do so.
My problem is that nothing about that restaurant’s decor OR menu screams “upscale”, only the prices. There’s not exactly any astoundingly gourmet creativity expressed in these menu options, and the atmosphere seems akin to a Red Lobster.
I think I’ll stick to Bluezoo and Flying Fish, but you all enjoy your bumper boats!
I was holding space for our January trip to see if we wanted to put the Boathouse in for a meal. After seeing the pics, I think we’ll pass. The prices don’t bother me (we eat two TS meals a day during our 2 week trips to WDW so our food budget is already through the roof), but the atmosphere (and seating) does nothing for me. I’d rather spend the money to eat at Fulton’s.
This is run by the Gibsons Restaurant Group out of Chicago. They are THE signature steak experience in Chicago. They are meticulous about every detail that goes into their operation. They are so particular about their meat selection that they are the only restaurant group in the nation to have their own USDA certification.
Every item on this menu is priced right on par with their offerings in Chicago – which are just about equal to ever other fine dining experience in the city, as well as Las Vegas, New York, etc. And I can tell you that there is not one empty seat in the house any night of the week.
I can’t wait to try it in July when we go, for too long (though not complaining) our go to signature meal of the week has been The California Grill.
I don’t believe that, properly-managed and -run, that the kitchen couldn’t turn out quality with each and every meal. Nothing’s ever going to be 100%, but to presume a slippage in quality because of a restaurant’s size just isn’t a valid argument. Look at some of the classic restaurants around the country, both present and past: Commander’s Palace (New Orleans), Tavern on the Green (NYC), The Four Seasons (NYC), Bern’s Steakhouse (Tampa), Del Posto (NYC), Joe’s Stone Crab (Miami Beach), Gibson’s (Chicago), etc. All seat/sat hundreds on a daily basis and also do special events. The logistics of running such a place are staggering, but they manage to do it. The Gibson’s folks know from good quality, and I’m sure they’ve put a lot of resources into making sure this venue gets off the ground successfully. I’m apt to give them the benefit of the doubt, and am looking forward to a top-notch experience.
When going to Disney, (usually a 7-10 stay) dinning has always been part of our enjoyment of our trip, but as much as the boathouse menu seems interesting and enticing, the prices are WAY TOO RICH for my blood and wallet. For something that seems casual themed, it seems chef’s table priced
Actually looks terrific, but yeah the prices are up there. The business model seems pretty simple really. Disney is the top destination in the worlds top tourist destination. 62 million came to Orlando in 2014 and rather clearly Disney is hoping that several million of those have already put $3 or $4 thousand into the trip so what’s another $150 or $200 for a lunch or dinner. They are making record profits so it must be working. And folks, did you really think they were going to spend so much on Disney Springs to make it a budget destination?
The concept looks interesting but these prices will keep most of the locals away. If I am going to spend that kind of money I would rather go to Mortons, Ruth Chris’s or Capital Grille where it will not be as crowded or noisy.
Oh and $33 for a bottle of Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling? Umm…NO! I can buy that at the local grocery store for $12. ($14 if I go to Trader Joe’s).
I just noticed something.
In the picture with the American Flag. The American Flag is displayed improperly.
When displayed with other flags…the American Flag should always be at the highest posistion. In that picture the blue flag is higher. What is that blue flag anyways?
It looks cool and the prices aren’t overly shocking except as someone else mentioned if I’m going to pay those prices I expect the quality to be top notch and even based on this review there may be some issues with that. You said the steak was cooked a little bit more than you would have liked…what temp did you order? That steak looks at least medium if not nearing medium-well…that’s unacceptable to me for a quality steak.
And I know AJ didn’t review it but from the pictures I’ve seen that “Baked Alaska” is the most over-priced thing on the menu…$40 for a wedge of rocky road ice cream with toasted marshmallows stuck to it…no way that thing is worth/satidfying for $10 a person.