BY DANNY SHUSTER
Perched waterside in the Landing section of Disney Springs , The BOATHOUSE is the perfect port of call if you ’ re looking for nautical fun and a satisfying menu with the best of the land and sea . The restaurant is quite large , with beautifully themed interior dining and breezy , dockside dining on the outdoor patio . If all of that isn ’ t enough , you can also set sail on the restaurant ’ s signature Amphicars or head over to the gift shop to get après sail-ready .
SET SAIL The decor inside the restaurant is charming and inviting with nautical bric-abrac , wood panel details , and lots of bright , beautiful windows . There are several distinct sections to the indoor dining and a beautiful outdoor patio right on the waterfront . You can enjoy craft cocktails from the well-appointed bars inside the restaurant , and there are even two private dining rooms to reserve for parties and other events .
ANCHORS AWAY It ’ s not just nautical theming and good eats on the menu at Boathouse . There is an attached gift shop with clothing and accessories to get you dockside-ready , as well as the Amphicar launch if you ’ d like to take a scenic cruise around Disney Springs .
The Amphicars , as the name implies , are amphibious cars that seamlessly transition from land to sea . They just … drive into the water . These vintage-looking cars can be reserved for groups of three or four and include a captain-guided tour around Lake Buena Vista . The Amphicars run daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM ( weather permitting ), and sometimes you can score a discount by presenting your receipt from dining at The Boathouse . Check with the staff at The Boathouse as the promotions and discounts are always subject to change .
WHAT WE ORDERED
• Oysters on the Half Shell
• Coconut-fried Shrimp
• Filet Mignon Sliders
• Grilled Mahi Tacos
• Chicken Tenders ( Kid ’ s Entrees portion of the menu )
• S ’ mores Baked Alaska
FRESH CATCH The raw bar gets prominent placement right as you enter the restaurant , and you ’ d be missing out if you don ’ t sample these ocean delicacies . The servers are knowledgeable and can help you navigate the oyster menu . If this is a new experience for you , I recommend you start as we did by ordering one each of the varieties . Oysters take on unique flavor profiles based on their environment , and there are nuances to be enjoyed .
The Amphicar offers a unique way to experience Disney Springs . PHOTO BY BRETT SVENSON
PREVIOUS PAGE : The Boathouse offers picturesque waterfront dinning . PHOTO BY JUDD HELMS