Credit: Only the Chosen, FlickrWalt Disney World has never been afraid to retire beloved attractions, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues in the name of progress. For longtime fans, that can be both exciting and bittersweet. Every few years, another familiar piece of Disney history disappears, making way for something completely new.
Now, that trend is continuing once again.
A nearly 30-year-old Disney World staple has officially reached the end of its story, and Disney has now revealed what will replace it. The new experience is scheduled to debut in 2026, adding another chapter to the ongoing transformation taking place around the resort.
Disney’s Long History of Replacing Fan Favorites
If it feels like Disney has been replacing classic experiences more frequently in recent years, that’s because it has.
Perhaps the most discussed example remains Splash Mountain. After entertaining guests for decades, the attraction closed permanently and was transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Elsewhere, Animal Kingdom is preparing for one of its biggest changes ever. DINOSAUR has already closed as Disney continues work on Tropical Americas. The new land will bring entirely different stories and experiences to the area formerly occupied by DinoLand U.S.A.
Even attractions that haven’t closed yet are seeing major changes on the horizon. Disney has teased updates to the Carousel of Progress, signaling that even some of Disney World’s oldest experiences are not immune to modernization.
Taken together, these projects paint a clear picture. Disney continues investing heavily in new offerings, but many of those additions arrive only after something familiar disappears.
That brings us to Disney’s BoardWalk, where another longtime favorite recently took its final bow.
The End of a Decades-Old Experience
Disney recently announced two new experiences coming to Disney’s BoardWalk in late 2026, officially revealing what will take over the former JellyRolls location.
For nearly three decades, JellyRolls served as one of Disney World’s most recognizable nightlife destinations. The dueling piano bar entertained guests for roughly 29 years before closing its doors, ending a run that stretched back to the early days of Disney’s BoardWalk.
Located near EPCOT, Disney’s BoardWalk draws inspiration from classic turn-of-the-century seaside destinations like Atlantic City and Coney Island. Over the years, it has become one of Disney World’s most unique entertainment districts.
Recently, guests have seen updates to Stage Door General Store, renovations throughout the resort lobby, the closure of Promenade Fine Art Gallery, the arrival of The Cake Bake Shop, and numerous other projects to refresh the area.
Now Disney has officially confirmed what comes next.
A Replacement Coming in 2026
The former JellyRolls space will become Hurly-Burly, a brand-new entertainment venue inspired by a historic seaside theater.
Rather than recreating what came before, Disney is taking the location in a different direction.
During the daytime, Hurly-Burly will offer family-friendly entertainment. Disney says guests can expect activities including trivia, games, and interactive experiences designed to welcome visitors of all ages.
As evening arrives, the venue will transition into a more adult-oriented atmosphere.
At night, Hurly-Burly will become a live music destination exclusively for guests ages 21 and older. Disney says the lounge will feature coastal-inspired cocktails, light bites, and live performances in a setting designed to capture the charm of a vintage waterfront theater.
Whether longtime JellyRolls fans embrace the replacement remains to be seen, but Disney is clearly hoping Hurly-Burly becomes a new BoardWalk favorite.
More Changes Are Already on the Way
Hurly-Burly won’t be the only major addition arriving at Disney’s BoardWalk.
Disney also announced that Basin will open a new retail location in the district, bringing an entirely new shopping experience to guests.
According to Disney, Basin on the BoardWalk will feature a sensory-focused environment with interactive elements, including a custom bath tea-blending counter, a make-your-own-soap station, and a soap embossing press.
The store will also offer natural soaps, bath salts, bath bombs, body butters, lip salves, shampoo bars, conditioner bars, and other handcrafted products.
Disney isn’t stopping there.
The company also teased a brand-new quick-service restaurant for Disney’s BoardWalk. While details remain limited, Disney says additional information will be released later this summer.
The Replacement Trend Continues Across Walt Disney World
The changes happening at Disney’s BoardWalk mirror what guests are seeing throughout the parks.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the former Muppets Courtyard has already closed to make way for Monstropolis, a completely new land inspired by Monsters, Inc.
Animal Kingdom is undergoing a similar transition. Tropical Americas is steadily replacing DinoLand U.S.A., bringing new attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones while removing an area that had been part of the park for decades.
Ironically, the Muppets themselves recently became part of another replacement story. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster now features the Muppets instead of Aerosmith, giving the characters a new home inside Hollywood Studios.
When viewed together, these projects reveal a larger pattern. Disney continues to introduce new experiences, but many of them arrive by replacing older offerings rather than expanding into untouched spaces.
With Hurly-Burly now confirmed as the successor to JellyRolls, another piece of Disney World history officially moves into the past. And based on everything currently happening across the resort, Disney’s wave of modern replacements doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
