Like It or Not, an Iconic Hotel Restaurant Is About To Close for a HUGE Overhaul in Disney World

A BRAND-NEW restaurant is coming to Disney World later this year.

Swan and Dolphin Hotel

In the spring of 2025, Disney confirmed that the Dolphin Resort’s Shula’s Steakhouse – – named for famous Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula – – would be closing in June to make way for a new dining experience: Bourbon Steak.

Celebrity chef Michael Mina launched Bourbon Steak as “a tribute to the classic American steakhouse” nearly 20 years ago. Currently, there are locations in Del Ray Beach, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Orange County, Scottsdale, and Washington D.C.

The restaurant’s menu includes “prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and an extensive selection of wines and spirits, including rare and vintage bourbon selections,” made with locally sourced ingredients.

The cut of the steak!

From an atmospheric standpoint, the restaurant’s aim is to emerge diners in an “atmosphere of sophistication and warmth” with “elegant yet comfortable decor” that creates the “ideal backdrop for a memorable evening, whether (they’re) celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in the pleasures of a fine meal.”

Recently, we paid a visit to the Orange County, California, location in order to get a feel for Bourbon Steak prior to its Disney World opening, and we saw both the food offerings and the decor firsthand.

Bourbon Steak, Orange County

Located at the Waldorf Astoria in Dana Point, California, the restaurant had an upscale, oceanfront vibe, featuring decor heavy on open spaces…

The bar!

… and views of the Pacific Ocean.

Bourbon Steak in Orange County

While the new Dolphin location likely won’t mimic the decor exactly, we’d imagine it will fall into a similar luxury, elegant design aesthetic.

The wine!

From a menu standpoint, judging by the menus offered at other locations, including Miami and Del Ray Beach, we’d imagine the Orlando outpost will feature similar offerings – – including the French Fry Flight – – with some Floridan twists.

The fries!

Bourbon Steak is coming to Walt Disney World’s Dolphin hotel and is replacing Shula’s later this year. Stay tuned to DFB for more on this new restaurant.

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Are you planning on trying Bourbon Steak? Let us know in the comments below!