Big changes are happening over at Disney World’s hotels.
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
We just said goodbye to not one, but two iconic Disney World restaurant staples. Shula’s Steak House at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel and Jellyrolls on Disney’s BoardWalk have both officially closed their doors — and if you’ve ever spent time at either one, you know how big of a deal this is. Here’s what we know about these permanent closures, and what’s coming next.
Shula’s Steak House Has Closed
If you’ve ever stayed at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort and wanted a top-tier steakhouse experience away from the chaos of the parks, there’s a solid chance Shula’s was your go-to. This spot has been serving up dark wood, white tablecloths, and high-end cuts of beef since 1995. Named after NFL legend Don Shula, this place built its reputation on generous portions, rich flavor, and a price tag to match. But after nearly 30 years in business, it’s officially closed. (The last day for reservations was June 14th, 2025.)
It’s officially closed
Now, if you’re already wondering what’s replacing it — don’t worry, Disney isn’t leaving that space empty for long. A brand new restaurant is on its way: Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina. And yes, it’s just as fancy as it sounds.
©Walt Disney World Dolphin
Michael Mina is a James Beard Award-winning chef and the founder of MINA Group, which runs over 40 restaurants around the world. So we’re expecting something big here. Bourbon Steak is set to bring elevated American cuisine with that sleek, upscale vibe — and let’s be real, your wallet is probably already bracing for impact.
©Bourbon Steak
According to OpenTable listings, Bourbon Steak might open as early as July 26th, 2025, though that hasn’t been confirmed as the official debut just yet. The restaurant is expected to open sometime mid-summer.
©Walt Disney World Dolphin
Sean Verney, Area General Manager for the Swan and Dolphin, called the addition of Chef Mina a step forward in the resort’s food and beverage program. And based on Mina’s track record, it’s safe to say the bar is being raised. We’ll definitely be checking it out once it opens, so stay tuned for a full review when it does. But still…we’ll miss Shula’s.
Jellyrolls Says Goodbye to the BoardWalk
This one hits hard. Jellyrolls officially closed on April 19th, 2025, after 30 years of live music, crowd sing-alongs, and strong drinks on Disney’s BoardWalk.
Jellyrolls
If you never made it over to Jellyrolls, it wasn’t your average Disney bar. This place had energy. The dueling pianos, the wild crowd requests, the nightly drink specials — it was pure chaos in the best way. It was also one of the few spots at Disney where adults could let loose without feeling like they were crashing a kids’ party.
Jellyrolls
And yes, we know it wasn’t technically run by Disney, but it still felt like part of the soul of the BoardWalk. The good news? Jellyrolls isn’t totally gone. According to the team behind the bar, they’re “making a move” and plan to reopen elsewhere — though we don’t have any concrete details yet about the new location. What we do know is that the BoardWalk won’t be the same without it. The glowing drinks, the baby grand pianos, the $22 cover (half-price for Cast Members!) — it was all part of the experience.
Jellyrolls
Jellyrolls was one of those rare spots where you could walk in not knowing a single person, and somehow still end up belting out “Bohemian Rhapsody” with 50 strangers by midnight. It’s been a staple for birthdays, bachelorette parties, Cast Member hangouts, and spontaneous Disney date nights for three decades. We’ll definitely be keeping tabs on where it goes next, and you can count on us to report back the moment we find out.
Jellyrolls
So yeah, Disney hotel dining just went through some serious changes. One fine-dining staple has officially passed the baton to a new heavyweight, and one beloved bar has taken its final bow — at least in its original form. We’ll be keeping a close eye on both Bourbon Steak’s opening and any updates on the new Jellyrolls location.
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Did you ever eat at Shula’s or party it up at Jellyrolls? Let us know in the comments!
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Can’t Disney replace Jellyrolls with a similar dueling piano bar? Jellyrolls was so much fun!
The current Disney administration certainly has a death wish and concept of what guests want when they close a venue like Jellyrolls. I no longer have a desire to visit WDW since it’s become an overpriced ripoff.
We went to Shula’s many years ago at the Dolphin. Despite specifically saying no “dusting of seasoning” it came out as a salt lick. As I was explaining this to the manager, I did not notice that my wife was having difficulty sawing through the gristle on her steak. Needless to say, we sent both steaks back, and declined an offer of a free dessert. We had difficulties with Shula’s in NYC and. Ew Orleans. They deserve to close.