REVIEW: “The Captain’s Sing-Along” Brunch is a Shocking Hit and Miss at The Boathouse in Disney Springs

Shannen Ace

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REVIEW: “The Captain’s Sing-Along” Brunch is a Shocking Hit and Miss at The Boathouse in Disney Springs

Shannen Ace

e606314d-27b0-4943-b8bd-0bba40d78437

REVIEW: “The Captain’s Sing-Along” Brunch is a Shocking Hit and Miss at The Boathouse in Disney Springs

As we reported a couple of weeks ago, beginning today The Boathouse in Disney Springs has a new brunch experience: The Captain’s Sing-Along. We visited for the brunch’s first day to try the new menu and check out the dueling pianos.

The Boathouse Brunch Menu

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In addition to the new brunch menu, the standard lunch and drinks menu is also available.

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Drinks

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Orange Crush – $7

Stoli Oranj, Solerno, Orange Juice, Soda

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This is a classic orange cocktail. It’s cold and refreshing. At $7, this twist on a screwdriver is a good value and the orange flavor is clearly present without being overpowering. There’s just enough kick to notice the alcohol. It also has fine, slushy-like ice, which we loved.

Strawberry Splash – $6

Kopparberg Strawberry – Lime Cider, White Peach Puree

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This is a basic mix of strawberry/lime cider and lemonade. It’s a simple drink, presented nicely, and goes down easy.

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Pearmosa – $6

Kopparberg Pear Cider, White Peach Puree

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Similar to the Strawberry Splash in its simplicity, this is notable for its surprising softness on the palate. The pear flavor is subtle and pleasant.

Espresso Martini – $14

Stoli Vanilla, Kahlua, Liquor 43, Espresso

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This has a sweet espresso aroma and a round, dense feeling in the mouth. The versatility of Licor 43 shines through. We highly recommend this.

Boathouse Bloody Mary – $16

Stoli Hot, Ancho Reyes, Charleston Bloody Mary Mix, Blue Cheese Olive, Pepperoncini, Jumbo Shrimp, Lime Wedge

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The large and fresh jumbo shrimp was excellent and didn’t have an overpowering seafood flavor. The blue cheese stuffed olive and plain olive were also great. The drink itself is a pretty standard Bloody Mary but the whole package is better than most.

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Entrees

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Brunch includes a plate of bread rolls for the table. These are the usual rolls but covered in icing like a cinnamon roll. Yes, they are as good as you think they are.

Steak & Eggs – $21

Broiled Petite NY Strip Steak, Home Fries, Two Eggs any style

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The menu warns that the broiled strip steak is petite and it is.

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We ordered this medium rare and it was cooked to perfection with the right amount of tenderness. The flavor is excellent. At $21, it’s a good value.

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The eggs are to order and, in this case, were prepared over medium and executed well.

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The home fries are fantastic. They were browned to the point of nearly being burnt, which made them crunchy with a somewhat soft interior. They are fairly spicy, giving them a pleasant kick.

Fried Chicken Biscuit – $15

Buttermilk Biscuit, Creole-Onion Gravy, Panko Chicken Tenders, Two Eggs any style

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This had nice portions of chicken, gravy, and eggs piled on top of buttermilk biscuits.

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The creole-onion gravy you would imagine on seafood gives the classic fried chicken and biscuits a strange twist.

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Sadly, the gravy overpowers the taste of the chicken and biscuits.

Lakeside Breakfast – $14

Two Eggs any style, Choice of Bacon or Smoked Sausage, Home Fries, Ciabatta Toast

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This has all the “classics” in one dish. It’s definitely not the most surprising thing on the menu and could make you wish you ordered a different dish. The home fries—also available with the steak and eggs—were the best thing on this plate.

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The scrambled eggs were a bit dry and the grilled ciabatta toast didn’t help, although it came with strawberry marmalade. This is the safe choice if you are a picky eater.

Shrimp and Grits – $19

Spicy Cheddar Beer Cheese Grits, Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, Two Eggs any style

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These shrimp and grits are not served the traditional way. Instead, small shrimp and chunks of chorizo are in the cheese grits, covered with eggs in the style of your choice.

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We got it over-easy, which was probably the best choice given the flavor combination with the cheesy grits. Honestly though, it was quite bad.

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There was barely any shrimp and the grits are way too rich to eat in this quantity. Everything just tasted like rich cream.

Jumbo Lump Crabcakes Benedict – $28

Twin Crabcakes, Prosciutto Ham, Poached Eggs, Hollandaise Sauce, Grilled Asparagus

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The hollandaise sauce in this dish was too plentiful and overpowering. It was pretty one note.

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A much better version of this dish exists at The Wave if you’re interested. The asparagus was good, but a little overcooked.

Belgian Waffle – $15

Choice of Bacon or Smoked Sausage

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This is a standard item, but it’s nice and fluffy and a good portion size. As with most items on the brunch menu, unless you really feel the need for it, just stick with the standard Boathouse menu instead.

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Dueling Pianos

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The dueling pianists perform from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM during brunch. They sit behind plastic dividers in the corner of the restaurant’s dining room, but the live music is played in speakers throughout the restaurant.

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Watch Piano Rob of Jellyrolls fame perform “You’ll Be In My Heart” from Tarzan below.

In dozens of visits to The Boathouse at Disney Springs, I have never been disappointed. That was until today. Sadly, the foray into breakfast is unsuccessful, but that may not even matter. Drinks were great and well priced, plus the entire regular menu is there, and having tasted everything on it, I can tell you there is little disappointment to be found. Just stay clear of the breakfast items and you’ll make it safely back to shore.


Are you hoping to visit The Boathouse at Disney Springs for brunch? Let us know in the comments.

16 thoughts on “REVIEW: “The Captain’s Sing-Along” Brunch is a Shocking Hit and Miss at The Boathouse in Disney Springs”

  1. Had a great brunch. Entertainment was amazing. Your review is way off. Honestly I think you are just trying to create controversy when there shouldnt be.

  2. Isn’t it kind of hypocritical of a restaurants brunch menu on it’s first day? I’ve never been to The Boathouse and I do care to give it a try. But, to sell the farm on it’s first day is kind of wrong. Why not give it a second chance before giving it a scathing review. Just my opinion.

  3. Looks amazing! im gonna get over there and so happy the guys from Dueling Pianos found a temp home but I was hoping they would be back up and running!

  4. I have to disagree. I thought the brunch was a fabulous addition. We thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast. Plus with the fabulous entertainment they probably could have served us cardboard and we would have loved it! We can’t wait to go back!

    • Agree! We thought the food was great and the entertainment was fabulous. Plus you got a free mimosa for wearing a captains hat. What could be better? I think actually it was one of the highlights of our Disney trip!

        • I am not sure what it was called…but I had the skillet with an order of avocado toast and my fiancé had the chicken and waffles. I got a free mimosa with my hat. But we also ordered bottomless mimosas which were relatively cheap. Considering you got free entertainment, we thought it was a great value.

          • We definitely said we loved the entertainment and drinks, we did not like the brunch exclusive food. In the end we recommended people order from the regular menu. I would hardly call it a bad review if we still said people should go.

  5. Can you speak more about the atmosphere created by the pianos? I agree the Brunch menu looks beyond pedestrian, but I think my toddler might love the music!

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