Disney Dining Option Ending – What Louisiana Guests Need to Know

If you ever want to meet people from Louisiana you've got a couple of options. You can visit one of our amazing festivals in Breaux Bridge, Scott, Broussard, Crowley, or New Iberia or you can just go to Disney World in Orlando Florida during Mardi Gras week or spring break week.

Do you think I am kidding about Disney World? I am not. I would hazard to guess that everyone from Louisiana who has visited the House of Mouse in Central Florida during Mardi Gras or spring break has encountered someone they knew from home. Heck, my family came across our down-the-street neighbors one year at EPCOT. 

This just goes to prove that what Uncle Walt kept hammering into our ears was true, "It's a small world after all". Now, if you're stuck singing that song for the rest of the day you can hate these guys. By the way, since 1983 there has not been a moment that the song "It's a Small World After All" hasn't been playing in at least two places around the globe.

Besides the rides and attractions at Disney, the other big draw is the food. Yes, it is expensive but the portions are plentiful, almost to the point of being shareable. The other issue that you need to know about food at Disney is reservations are a good thing. No, they are THE thing. A Disney guest without reservations is in for a lot of waiting and a lot of disappointment.

And if you are one who loves a great steak, then we have some important news regarding one of the nation's premier steakhouses. Since 1999 guests at Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Hotels have had the option of dining at Shula's Steakhouse. The steakhouse is the namesake of former Miami Dolphins football coach Don Shula. 

There has been a Shula's Steakhouse on property at the Dolphin Hotel since 1999. That restaurant is closing. The restaurant is taking reservations through June 14 of this year and then it will be no longer. Shula's other locations across the country will not be affected by this closure. You can still dine at Shula's Steakhouse in Chicago, Gainesville, and Naples in Florida. There is also a location in Richmond Virginia.

In its place, Disney will be opening Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina. Mina is a James Beard Award-Winning chef. MIna has two other restaurants in Florida one is in Miami and the other is in Delray Beach.

There was no opening date mentioned for when the new Bourbon Steak will be ready for guests, we hope to have that information for you as it becomes available. The speculation is that the new restaurant will begin taking reservations in mid-summer of 2025.