Do you have your Advance Dining Reservation to enjoy the Flying Fish as we know it for this, its final week? Though the Flying Fish will reopen later this Fall, its refurbishment — beginning on Monday, February 1st — will bring major changes to this BoardWalk favorite. Not only is the location being “reimagined” with a new look, but the Chef’s Counter experience will offer table seating in order to accommodate more guests.
Even the menu will receive a makeover (though Disney has promised that the Potato-wrapped Snapper and seasonal approach will remain. I’m personally crossing my fingers for the return of my favorite Char-crusted Angus New York Strip Steak).
But Flying Fish isn’t the only BoardWalk eatery that will see some changes. Our friends at AllEars.Net have noted that Seashore Sweets, which is the next-door neighbor of the Flying Fish, will also be closing on February 1st.
And indeed, a Cast Member at Seashore Sweets (which features hand-scooped ice cream alongside favorite Disney confections such as Krispy Treats, English Toffee, and oodles of bulk candy amidst memorabilia from the Miss America Pageant) has confirmed the closure, noting that it has not yet been decided if it will reopen in the Fall along with Flying Fish.
It’s been rumored that the space now taken by Seashore Sweets was originally master-planned to be a shared bar/lounge between the restaurants on either side — currently Trattoria al Forno and Flying Fish Cafe. (That’s why you have to go through Seashore Sweets to get to the shared restroom for both restaurants! Perhaps they’ll finally open that bar/lounge in the space. We’re eager to see!
So if you’re in the area, be sure to stop by this charming little sweets shop and wave goodbye to the Sisters of Seashore Sweets… just in case!
What do you think of the changes coming to Disney’s BoardWalk? Please let us know with a comment!
Ellie says
I think this is awful and am really angry with disney. one of the best places they have on property to eat at and they’re going to ruin it by changing, revamping, renovating.
Mandi says
The manager came over to my tables on my visits both in October and last week and assured me that the steak would remain unchanged! Thank God!
Cynthia says
My god I think alcoholics are running Disney now and it’s why we can’t have nice stuff in the parks anymore . Where are people with kids supposed to go for a treat now. This is getting way out of hand
Lauren says
Damn you Disney another stupid bar for drunks. Now what kind of treats are kids suppose to have now. Disney is being runned by alcoholics these days. So everyone else only cares about their stupid steak not being ruined. But no one cares that kids can’t have a treat anymore.
Essie says
I have planned to visit both Boardwalk Sweets and the Bakery for the first time on my next trip. I hope the sweet shop will be there.
Heather I. says
I love Seashore Sweets, it is so quaint and one of my must-stops when I’m at the Boardwalk, I’ll be really sad if it doesn’t reopen!
Mike says
After a long hot day in the park, it was so nice to take the kids, and myself, down to get an ice cream. I sure hope the sweet shop opens again, if not it would be a terrible lost.
Abigail says
I love Seashore Sweets! Why does Disney have to get rid of every good quick service dessert shop. It’s bad enough they got rid of the Boardwalk Bakery (aka Cinnamon Rolls). Now I won’t be able to easily get my fudge fix!
Frank says
Rumor I’ve heard is that there will be an all purpose bar between Flying Fish and the Italian restaurant.
We were there last week (Had to have the steak one more time!!!) and noticed that it looked like the ESPN gift shop and game room were dark.
Second rumor is that Seashore Sweets will be moving into the space where the ESPN gift shop and/or game room is/was!!! Heard that the ice cream shop “prints money,” i.e. it is immensely popular and profitable and isn’t going anywhere.
NOW, if we can only get the Beach Club to expand Beaches & Cream….. I’m soooo tired of getting the “you have a 40 minute wait” each time I go there, no matter what time I go there. I made an ADR for an upcoming March visit, but I think it is ridiculous to make an ADR for a burger “joint.” Lafferty Place Arcade may too print money, I don’t know, but it is huge… Maybe cut down the size and expand B&C!!! Please!!!
Frank
Deena says
Very distressing news!! The removal/change of either of these locations will dampen the atmosphere and feel of the “Boardwalk” experience. Disney seems to be losing sight of nostalgia and immersive, personal experiences (such as Chef’s table) and opting for mass money making ventures. Heartbreaking to say the least:-(
Pete says
Still haven’t tried FF. I hope it doesn’t change TOO much. We’re staying at BC next trip and plan on frequenting the restaurants around there (Yachtsman, FF, etc.)
Seashore Sweets never did it for me. Nothing about it stood out, the way Boardwalk Bakery does. You can easily go to any store in Disney and get the same candy and goodies. I think it’d be awesome if they opened up a shared space. I’d actually love to see it turn into more of a boardwalk-themed spot. Maybe italian ices or gelato… or hot dogs!
JB says
Good riddance to Seashore Sweets if it doesn’t come back. The premise of what it should be is right up my alley but every time I have gone the employees have all been incredibly rude and put out by my being there. I’m assuming b/c it’s always empty whenever I have been (almost annually since they opened) and they are getting used to not having to take care of customers – or maybe it’s just b/c I had the meal plan and was using snack credits each time. I much prefer being at Yacht/Beach to Boardwalk. Even before I had children I felt they needed to make Boardwalk more family friendly.
Linora lawrence says
Disney is becoming alcohol obsessed. I hate it. I understand that profit margins are high on selling alcohol, but really. This is a family friendly park. EPCOT especially is getting ridiculous , so many drunk adults. Management: wise up. You will lose members!
Toni says
Horrible, getting ice cream and watching the street performers are all part of the experience.
Pattie says
It would be a great loss if the Boardwalk Seashore Sweets didn’t reopen…We as a family go every year and stay at the Boardwalk and love getting a ice cream from the sweet shop after a long , hot day and just sitting and talking about our day with ice cream or treats…I personally think the Boardwalk and hotel has enough places to drink , they have, ESPN, Joes, all three Resturants on the boardwalk serve drinks, the leaping lounge by the pool serves drinks, the lounge inside also, the Jellyroll, the Dance Hall, do u think they need more liquor on or around the Boardwalk? I would personally like to keep the ice cream/ candy shop or make a Kisoct in the middle of boardwalk, but add more family/kid friendly places to eat or do , games, food, etc. on the boardwalk, it is Disney related so make it family fun…I will be very disappointed if they take the Sweet shop away completely, it’s a long time favorite…..
Jeanne B. says
Not happy about Seashore Sweets closing. As a BWV DVC member, it’s a favorite of our family… especially the grandkids. I sure can’t take them to the new bar… aren’t Big River Grille, the ESPN Zone, JellyRolls, & the Dance Hall enough places – along with Flying Fish & Tratorria Al Forno – to get alcoholic beverages? What’s next? the Boardwalk Bakery? Very disappointing Disney… what happened to your caring about the kids?
Frank Stefanec says
I love Flying Fish. My favorite restaurant on property. Great food, great people!!
Never experienced Seashore Sweets.
Tried the Italian restaurant on the Boardwalk twice and was disappointed both times.
The Bakery does nothing for me. I miss the Mickey profile jelly and double twisty glazed donuts!!! Oh yeah!!
I don’t think you can get coffee until 630am at the Boardwalk. You’d have to go to Ale and Compass (Yacht) @ 6am, or Picabu at the Dolphin 24/7. Don’t tell me about in room coffee 8(
I love staying at the Yacht and Beach Club resorts!!!
KT says
How about they stop closing everything? These closures have gotten way out of hand and it’s getting pretty old.
Christina says
I would be extremely disappointed if Seashore Sweets closed its doors for good. We stay at the Boardwalk every single time we go to Disney and Seashore Sweets is apart of our family tradition…going to get some ice cream and sitting down on the bench while enjoying the festivities going on around us. Personally, I feel that the Boardwalk has enough places available for alcoholic beverages. Disney is also a family oriented location and they need to consider the people and families that have no interest in alcohol and just want to engage in family based treats. Disney really needs to think about what they are doing…as I am sure that I am not the only one that is upset by this. Definitely a wrong move as far as I’m concerned…
Sue Ottaviani says
Disappointed they may be taking out Seashore Sweets. Candy stores are a staple of Boardwalks all along the eastern shoreline.
Rebecca H says
We got married at the Yacht Club Wedding Gazebo and one of our favourite photos is of us reflected in the window with candy on – so I really hope they don’t remove it!
James says
Seashore Sweets had awesome treats and made the Boardwalk feel authentic and like a Boardwalk. It better return! Order the booze inside the restaurant!
Lorna says
I’m so sad to hear this, I did Disney’s International College Program in 2006 – I’m from Scotland, and I worked in Seashore, we were always queued out the door in the evenings with families wanting fudge and icecream it is the perfect place for dessert after dinner. Please don’t close it, it’s the heart of the boardwalk. Lorna
Rob says
Hahaha these comments are hilarious. They are changing things up and probably going to make things better!!
Comment edited to stick to DFB comment guidelines. Thanks, Rob!! I’m excited to see what they put in there, too! — AJ
Sam says
It will be a nice change to have a real lounge to grab a drink before dinner here. This place always felt like an afterthought, why would you go through a candy store from a nice restaurant anyways?? Beaches and Cream is right across the lake for ice cream and you can get generic Disney treats everywhere now, the gift shops even sell a selection. A place to wait and get a drink sounds perfect, with so many kid themed spots in WDW it’s nice to see adults who enjoy traveling to Disney getting some new places as well. Families come in all types, getting drinks on vacation certainly doesn’t qualify us as “alcoholics” and Disney always imagined WDW as a place for everyone, not just families with children.
Sam says
Yes, there are a number of places to get drinks on property, but remember those places are outnumbered by places to get “sweets and treats”. You can still get sweets at the restaurants if that is the main concern people have… A new lounge sounds delightful 🙂
Beth says
Really sad about the changes but Disney knows that no matter what they do, people will come. When people stop coming, then they might give a darn. It has been 30 years since my first visit and most of the changes since that time have been disappointing. The service has declined and the food has become generic. Most of the quaint, nostalgic places have disappeared. I find it harder and harder to book my next trip.
Frank says
Boardwalk opened in ’96. That’s 20 years. Flying Fish needs to update items. I know it appears that everything seems to be changing there, but Disney does update with the future in mind.
As for the bars at the Boardwalk, other than Belle Vue Lounge inside the resort, there isn’t a “nice” place to sit, relax, and have a “beverage.” Neither Flying Fish or the Italian restaurant have that. Disney is built for everyone to enjoy. People enjoy a drink before dinner, and it is a profitable entry for Disney. I personally have never seen alcoholics draping the railings that surround the Boardwalk. If rumors are true, the ice cream shop WILL reopen in the ESPN arcade spot. If not, you have Beaches & Cream (B&C), and the Dolphin Fountain. Also, let your voice be heard via letters/emails, etc. I personally wish Disney would expand B&C. Disney does its level best to entertain every age. It’s a tough task indeed.
Elma Rodney says
Enough with the alcohol, Disney… Bars are NOT for kids, or even some adults… Keep the Sweets…
Cindy says
Seashore Sweets was a perfect ending to a wonderful day at Epcot. Can they please put it somewhere else in the Boardwalk area? By the way, Beaches and Cream has advanced reservations now!
Cindy says
Last October I saw many groups of adults staggering around the world showcase “drinking around the world”. One bumped into me, another was loud and vulgar. I’ve never seen that before, and I hope the adults can tone it down a little.
Frank C. says
So I’ve read all the comments and I feel the same way a lot of folks do. There’s enough alcohol around the boardwalk and like so many others, my grandchildren and I love Sweets. OK Disney… How about some feedback from you. You’ve heard us now what are you planning?
Melina bairamis says
I’m so mad! They’re changing all the good things in Disney! The art of animation, the Osborne lights, now seashore sweets!! I’m hating all this change.
Erin says
WDW is not just for kids. We have no children and love WDW. Also there would seem to be a middle ground somewhere between it’s just for children or alcoholics, that some people are missing. We’re DVC members at BW and have been for about 15 years now and we’re really excited about the rumored changes. It would be great to have a nice lounge right on the BW. I think it would be more popular than the Belle Vue because of location alone.
Honestly I’m amazed this hasn’t happened sooner. Every time we stop into the sweet shop it’s virtually empty and the selection is probably the worst on WDW property. Now, if they move that over toward ESPN and retheme it, ( I never liked, or really got, the beauty pageant theme), then get some unique sweets, I think it could be so much better.
The only thing I worry about is possibly losing the iconic Flying Fish sign. I hope that if they change that that they replace it with something just as whimsical that ties in as well with the Boardwalk theme. In the meantime, we can’t wait to hear more about the updates. So exciting!
Frank says
Erin, I agree with you 100%. There actually is a middle ground. Seems today, many people are 100% one way or the other. No compromise!!! I have to admit though, that New Year’s Eve at Epcot is truly an event!!! World Showcase seems to be one big bar. But that said, WDW is never going to be dry. Quite frankly, I’m surprised the Magic Kingdom is as “dry” as it is… We frequent Disney and try to stay at one of the Epcot Resorts. I’ve yet to see anyone stumbling around the BW. Belle Vue is a great venue, but it is a bit out of the way for a pre-dinner cocktail or glass of wine. And if it rains, you would have to carry your drink outside to FF or wherever you are going to dine. Great for after-dinner, and a place to crash before heading to your room.
IMHO, the BW needs a lot of renovation. I’d like to see food at Luna Park. Just don’t like having to truck onto the boardwalk to one of the stands for lunch. The pizza window is expensive.. (tangentially, I LOVE the pizza window at Via Napoli!!!..it needs to be open more!!) ESPN, well maybe that’s where all the complaints are centered around. People tend to hang on to tables watching some event while others can’t get a seat. Plus, the patrons often over the top reactions are annoying. Walking the Boardwalk, I keep thinking there is something else they could do to make it nicer. I think Paradise Pier at DCA could be a model!!! All this said, I would like to see Beaches & Cream expanded into Lafferty’s or else, build out the ESPN arcade for Seashore Sweets with seats, and a grill, and ice cream, and drinks… ok .. just kidding about the drinks… Anyway, another ice cream dining place with seats would be really neat. B&C is always over crowded. I actually broke down and made an ADR for an upcoming trip there. All this said, I can’t wait for Flying Fish to reopen. It is our “go to” restaurant when we want a dinner we can count on… Metaphorically, it’s that # 1 starter to pitch Game 7!!! That’s Flying Fish.. Great people all around there. It starts with Chef Tim, and drifts on down through the staff!!! The food is magnificent too!!!
Frank
Frank says
My wife added that she’d like to see soft serve if/when Seashore Sweets returns.
Frank
Lee says
I like the Flying Fish but I’m concerned it may not be as good after the re-do. Usually when Disney changes something I like, it’s not for the better. Seashore Sweets never thrilled us- anyway it was always empty when we were there, the sweets were too sweet (if you know what I mean) and the Fountain at the Dolphin has better ice cream. And instead of standing around waiting for our table, I would rather pass the time sitting in a comfy lounge with a well chilled chardonnay.
al mcmullan says
how can you have a boardwalk experience without an ice cream shop? or a candy shop?
if they don’t put one somewhere and just put another bar, makes the Boardwalk amuch less attractive place to stay.
Betty says
I loved staying at the Boardwalk and taking the kids to get ice cream. This makes me really sad. I prefer the Alcohol free Ocean City Boarwalk now. So sad.
Frank says
Betty,
Check out this link:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2016/02/24/rumor-is-star-wars-ice-cream-coming-to-disney-worlds-boardwalk/
Disney may be just moving the ice cream shop to the ESPN Arcade site down the boardwalk a bit. Not sure if the name will be the same….
Frank