Photo by Jodi Jones Kerr-Taylor

On my recent whirlwind trip to Florida, I had the pleasure of meeting up with some friends at the newly opened BOATHOUSE® Restaurant at Disney Springs.  The BOATHOUSE is owned by Gibson’s Restaurant Group, which is renowned for its award-winning service. This is a Signature Restaurant that is part of the Disney Dining Plan. (2 Table Service credits per person will be used.)

The restaurant opened in April 2015 and is located in the Landing area (previously known as Pleasure Island) of Disney Springs. The BOATHOUSE  is more than a restaurant, it’s an experience!  Before you even enter the restaurant itself, you will be caught up in the outdoor ambience surrounding the place.  Adjacent to the entrance is the Amphicar Launch. What is an Amphicar you ask? Well, Amphicars are vehicles that look like cars, but will take you right into the water for a tour of the Village Lake.  Each car seats 3 passengers plus the boat captain. The cost for a 20 minute tour is $125 and tours run daily from 10am to 10pm. Please click Amphicar Disney Springs for a video of an Amphicar returning to dock at Disney Springs.

Photo by Jodi Kerr-Taylor

The BOATHOUSE is a large-scale restaurant.  It has seating for 400 Guests inside and an additional 200 Guests outside. There are 3 separate bar areas; The Captain’s Raw Bar which features a very large bar as well as some table seating and a full menu.  This area also features TVs and live music.  The Dock Bar is an outdoor full-service bar that offers a 360° view of the lake.  Finally the Admiral’s Bar has a quieter ambiance than the larger Captain’s Raw Bar area.

DIStracted Tip:  If you find yourself in the Disney Springs area and would like to try The BOATHOUSE but have not made reservations, try your luck at getting a table at one of the bar areas that offers the full menu.

 The inside is beautifully decorated with  high-end finishes that are apparent in everything from the flooring to the decorative accents to the marble-finished washroom.  There are even boats that have been converted into dining booths.

Each of the dining rooms has been named as well. The Runabout, Twin Transoms and Lake House rooms each have seating for approximately 100 Guests.  There are also 2 private dining rooms.

The menu offered is extensive with a variety of fresh fish, seafood and steaks.  However if surf and turf is not your favorite, The BOATHOUSE also offers chicken and pork, sandwiches, tacos and burgers. Side or a la carte dishes may seem quite expensive at first glance, however as explained by our server, most are definitely sized to be shared by two people.

In our group, I ordered the NY Strip Steak (with baked potato side), and my husband the Crab Stuffed Lobster.  Our friends enjoyed the Calamari, Lobster Mac N Cheese and Shrimp & Andouille Mac N Cheese.  Each of us commented on the generous portion sizes.  We were very pleased with the quality of the meal, the impressive wine list and found the service to be outstanding.  We genuinely enjoyed a very relaxed and delicious meal.  We didn’t feel rushed in the least, which I find can be the case sometimes especially in new and busy restaurants.  None of us left room for dessert, but we did see many different and delicious looking ones at tables around us.  I was amazed by the Baked Alaska for 4 and would have loved to try it, but will have to leave that on my must-do list for next time!

Image by Matt Stroshane/Disney

If you are looking for a high-end yet casual meal at a fun and entertaining venue then you will have to grab your skipper and come say Ahoy! to The BOATHOUSE!  There is sure to be something here for everyone’s taste and you will to leave “full to the gunwales!”

Bon Appetit!