There are many top restaurant locations you can dine at while in Walt Disney World. However, only a few of them can offer you what you can get at The BOATHOUSE in Orlando.
The BOATHOUSE is more than a restaurant, as many raving fans who have dined at this fancy location at one time or the other would confirm.
What this means is that anyone who visits The BOATHOUSE will enjoy the outstanding dining experience offered at this place.
In this article, I will give you everything you need to know about this dining destination.
I will also give my full review and other details that are needed for your trip to Walt Disney World.
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The BOATHOUSE Restaurant at a Glance:
- Located in Disney Springs
- Known for its amazing seafood collection
- If you’re new to the oyster life, the staff at The BOATHOUSE will guide you to the best options
- Don’t miss the amphibian automobiles are called ‘Amphicars’ that will give a scenic tour through the water
- Expect to spend between $30 to $45 per person depending on what you get
- The hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. for Lunch and 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for dinner
- Best food on the menu: Strawberry Shortcake, Lobster Bisque, Firecracker Shrimp, Crab Cake, Lobster Roll and Lemon Drop Martini!
Keep reading to get the full foodie guide for your visit.
Who Owns the BOATHOUSE Restaurant?
The BOATHOUSE is not just a single restaurant, it’s a part of a group of top American restaurants from the Gibons Restaurant Group.
This is one of the reasons why it is so highly rated.
Because of that, The BOATHOUSE is not owned by a single person. Instead, it is owned by a collective group coming together to create a top-notch restaurant in the Disney Springs.
The creation and idea of The BOATHOUSE was brought to life by Schussler Creative, a creative attraction firm based in Minneapolis, MN.
You may recognized other restaurants such as T-Rex, Yak and Yeti, and Rainforest Café that were also conceived by Schussler Creative.
Together, they have developed a brand that is now standing out among the dining options at Disney World.
Rather, it is a spot where you can get the best of food, drinks, while also having lots of fun enjoying an amazing atmosphere created by the amenities offered by the owners.
As a matter of fact, many reputable media outlets, including the USA Today, have at one point rated The BOATHOUSE as one of the best restaurant you can visit while at Disney World.
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Top Features and Side Attractions at The BOATHOUSE
The high praise of this Disney dining location is due to what it offers in addition to the amazing menu at the restaurant.
Although the meals are great, there are other complementing factors which make The BOATHOUSE such an amazing destination for you.
1. World Class Menu
Many fans, including myself, are always raving about the quality and the taste of the food offered.
Serving great meals must always be at the forefront of every restaurant, and this is an area where The BOATHOUSE has excelled.
It is known for its amazing seafood collection, meaning that you will get the best seafood such as oysters, shrimp, fish and salmon.
In fact, The BOATHOUSE Orlando is known to have the largest collection of oysters in all of Florida.
Even if you’re new to the oyster life, the staff at The BOATHOUSE will guide you to the best options that way you’ll have a great experience trying oysters for the first time.
Other food on their menu include: delicious steak, the famous lobster roll, firecracker shrimp, stuffed to the brim crab cakes, calamari and a host of other amazing meals and drinks.
2. Waterfront Dining
The BOATHOUSE is literally built on water. Where did you think the name comes from?
The idea was to build a world class restaurant at Disney Springs where you can enjoy the best meals and have drinks in a cool New England ambiance.
This seems to have worked out well for the owners of The BOATHOUSE as they were able to build an amazing structure on water for you to sit, drink, talk and have a great view.
As a matter of fact, The BOATHOUSE has been described as a floating artwork in some quarters, which portrays how beautiful it looks.
If you want an amazing view, you could easily just sit at the waterfront and have dinner with your significant other, friends or on your solo Disney trip.
Just picture how that could look!
This is another reason you should visit this restaurant.
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3. Amphibious Automobiles
Visiting The BOATHOUSE is without doubt a great experience for anyone who has had the privilege of being at this restaurant.
One of the reasons why you will enjoy a visit to The BOATHOUSE is the amphibious automobiles.
These automobiles are always available to take you on a boat cruise experience.
They are sophisticatedly designed for the purpose of taking people around on the water (think a water taxi).
The aquatic cars are driven by highly trained professionals to give you a memorable Disney experience.
These amphibian automobiles are called ‘Amphicars’ (i.e. amphibian cars around Disney and these Amphicars).
They are driven by ‘captains’ who ensure your safety as well as guarantee that you have an amazing time on the ride.
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4. Amazing Ambiance
Anyone who has been around bodies of water would have to admit that there is always something so magical about being in that environment.
Now, imagine a body of water where you get the best of food and drinks with the charm of Disney.
How great an ambiance could that be?
That is exactly what you get when you visit The BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs.
The views in the evening are even better with the magic of Disney coming to life at night.
5. Quality Service
Another hallmark that is constant with this Disney restaurant is quality of service delivered from each server. This is something you are going to get a lot of while at The BOATHOUSE.
The staff at this restaurant are courteous, respectful and very helpful.
As a matter of fact, the wait staff understands the menu thoroughly and will give you the best recommendation on top of the quality service.
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The BOATHOUSE Menu
As mentioned earlier, one of the best things about The BOATHOUSE is the wide array of creative dishes that makes up their menu.
This restaurant has one of the most impressive menus at Walt Disney World.
The Best Food at Disney’s BOATHOUSE Restaurant:
- Maine Lobster Tail Oscar: 8 oz Tail, Asparagus, Jumbo Lump crap, Béarnaise Sauce, Parsley Potatoes
- Shrimp & Andouille Mac & Cheese: Bay Shrimp, Smoked Sausage, Pipette Pasta in Spicy Cheddar-Beer Sauce
- Oysters on the Half Shell: Gibsons Bombay Cocktail Gin Cocktail Sauce, Sangria Mignonette
- Maine Lobster Bisque
- Firecracker Shrimp: Sriracha Mayo, Serrano Chilis, Sweet Peppers
- Jumbo Lump Crab Cake: Coleslaw, Creamy Brandied Cocktail Sauce
- Maine Style Lobster Roll: Chilled Maine Lobster, Lemon-Chive Dressing, Butter-Toasted Split Top Bun served with Fresh-cut Fries
- Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
- Triple Chocolate Layer Cake (Serves Two): with Homers Vanilla Ice Cream *A MUST TRY
What to Know Before You Go the BOATHOUSE at Disney Springs
Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s go through some of the most common questions.
Is There a Dress Code at BOATHOUSE Restaurant?
In spite of its sophistication and elegance, The BOATHOUSE restaurant doesn’t have a lot of restrictions, especially when it comes to the dress code.
While some signature restaurants at Disney World insist on some dress code before admitting people into their halls, this is not a big concern at the restaurant.
You can wear your theme park attire here and it won’t be an issue.
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Is the BOATHOUSE on the Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan has added a number of locations in recent years. The BOATHOUSE is one of the few brands added to the Signature Dining List.
What this means is that Guests who have purchased the “Regular” Disney Dining Plan will each day get:
- 1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)
- 1 Table-Service Meal (per night of stay)
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug
It means if a family of four are dining, each individual in the family would be entitled to the package above under the Disney Dining Plan available at The BOATHOUSE but you will have to use 2 credits for this location as it’s considered a Signature Dining Restaurant.
How Much is the Amphicar at Disney Spring?
Just like many things in Disney World, you know that nothing comes for free. This means you will have to pay for the amphicar that will take you on a ride through Disney Springs. To enjoy the famous amphicars, it will cost you $125.
The amphicar will allow you to take up to three people along with you. This means you can enjoy the ride along with your family and friends.
How Long is the Amphicar Ride?
The whole amphicar ride at Disney Springs lasts for 20-minutes per trip. The twenty minutes may seem short, but it’s definitely worth every single dollar you pay for it.
Hipster Power Tip: You can skip out on the Amphicar ride and opt for the Venezia. It is a 40-foot Italian water taxi that’s perfect to rent for any special celebration. It costs $500 to rent and does not come with food. You can order food from The BOATHOUSE Orlando to take onboard.
My BOATHOUSE Dining Review
As you can see, The BOATHOUSE has so many unique activities and live entertainment to offer you beyond the outstanding menu.
Yes, I’ve mentioned the great ambiance and staff many times, but now I want you to read just how great the food really is.
Lobster Bisque
In order to do lobster bisque right, you have to have the right consistency, texture and flavor profile. The BOATHOUSE delivers on this every time!
If you are a fan of this classic New England dish, then you must try it!
Crab Cake
The first thing that comes to my mind is crab overload!
I’m used to crab cakes that come with more bread than crab, but this one was stuffed to the brim. So much so that I felt like there was no way I was going to finish it.
However, I did in good ThemeParkHipster fashion as I used the refreshing coleslaw to compliment this seafood delight.
Firecracker Shrimp
Again, The BOATHOUSE has mastered the art of flavor, presentation and heat. Everything you’ll enjoy with this delicious appetizer.
It has a similar taste to the Bang Bang shrimp at Bonefish, but it’s not heavily breaded as that one. I also preferred the flavor of the dish at The BOATHOUSE.
Please keep in mind that the Firecracker Shrimp does pack a punch. This dish will leave a lingering hint of spiciness in your mouth.
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Filet Mignon Slider
This slider was absolutely incredible! No words to describe just how juicy, tender, and flavorful this dish was…no words!
During my dinner, this was the highlight. Mostly because I wasn’t expecting much of anything from it so I was pleasantly surprised.
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Strawberry Shortcake
This is one dessert that you don’t want to miss.
If you’re not trying to take on the mammoth Triple Chocolate Layer Cake (that can feed two people), then this is one treat you must try.
I enjoyed diving into the sweet strawberries as they toppled the moist whipped cream filled biscuit. Many times I usually don’t get dessert after dinner.
However, I had to make an exception to the rules due to the overwhelming fan reviews online.
Drinks
Now for the adult cocktails (as I clear my throat in excitement), there are three themed bars! The bars include the Dock Bar, The Captain Raw Bar, and the Club Bar.
Needless to say, I am a fan of this restaurant. And it’s not because of the bars or the Water Taxi ride with champagne…well maybe it is 🙂 .
Their collection of drinks are also well-versed and varied. This means you will get the kind of drink you fancy if you visit The BOATHOUSE in Orlando.
Price
In terms of price, The BOATHOUSE has got you covered. Although the prices of food and drinks are not cheap in this restaurant, they are also not incredibly expensive.
Especially, when compared to some of the other signature dining locations in Walt Disney World.
So, expect to spend $30 to $45 per person on your visit. Now of course, this price can go up if you add drinks and dessert to your foodie adventure.
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My Final Thoughts
At Disney World, there is no doubt that there are a lot of great restaurants to make your experience unforgettable.
In the midst of all these great offerings, I can assure you that The BOATHOUSE Orlando is at the top of my list and it should be at the top of yours.
It’s no wonder that it is regarded as one of the best restaurants in Disney.
Final Score for The BOATHOUSE Orlando
- Ambiance: 10
- Food: 10
- Prices: 8
- Drinks: 10
- Service: 10
I give this restaurant a 9.6 out of 10 on the ThemeParkHipster dining scale and I know you will definitely enjoy it too!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
(Original Article Date: April 19, 2015/Updated July 16, 2024)