The Edison to bring a lavish 'Industrial Gothic' style restaurant, bar and nighttime destination to Disney Springs in 2016

Jun 10, 2015 in "The Edison"

Posted: Wednesday June 10, 2015 12:50pm EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Edison will open in 2016 at The Landing district of Disney Springs, bringing a lavish "Industrial Gothic" style restaurant, bar and nighttime entertainment destination to Walt Disney World.

Inspired by its sister location in Los Angeles, The Edison will offer classic American food, cocktails, and live entertainment - including cabaret and music.

Themed to a 1920's period electric company power plant and boasting 35ft high ceilings, The Edison will feature a number of distinct spaces. The Lab performance space, The Ember Parlour, Telegraph Lounge, The Patent Office, The Tesla Lounge, The Radio Room, and a Waterfront Patio.

The Lab performance room will feature entertainment such as contortionists, palm readers, live DJs and more.

The restaurant will be operated by the Patina Group, who also operate a number of other Walt Disney World restaurants, including Via Napoli and Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot's World Showcase.

“We are delighted to bring this extraordinary destination to the new Disney Springs,” said Nick Valenti, restaurateur and CEO of Patina Restaurant Group.

The Edison is being built on the site of the former Adventurers Club and B.E.T., which is currently in the site preparation stage. An opening of The Edison is expected in 2016.

In Los Angeles, The Edison sits inside the historic Higgins Building in downtown Los Angeles and was designed and created by Andrew Meieran in February 2007. An AIA award winner, The Edison has won global recognition and design awards nationally and internationally, including being repeatedly named one of the world’s top 20 bars in GQ, Esquire, Condé Nast Traveler and The Los Angeles Times. The Edison has been featured in many other renowned publications, television programs and films for its unique visionary design, has been the winner of the Zagat Guide’s Best Design Category, and has been named the best bar/lounge in Los Angeles every year since it opened.

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Jon81ukJul 12, 2018

But adding more and more restaurants away from the resorts won't always draw people away. They need to add enough capacity so people staying in a resort can eat in their own resort!

Jon81ukJul 12, 2018

Basically Trade Sam's fits the bill in this case, or the old Adventurers Club or the comedy warehouse. Adults only can still be Disney!!

HoraceHorizonsJul 11, 2018

It kinda bothers me that the word "adult" is used so often as the black to white opposite of the word "family." Im saying - Adult entertainment doesn't have to be R-rated or even anti-G-rated. That's my point. I think it could be of interest to "Adults only" without involving strippers and puking college kids. A Vaudeville show, PBS Experimental, Progressive cartoons, or in this case, a jazzy Speakeasy is the perfect example of that, I think. Im saying that black and white idea between adult entertainment and family entertainment is largely inflated and not always real. I think, in the effort to strike the balance between the two, sometimes Disney loses the very thing that made the concept great to begin with. Side note: I love the old B&W cartoons on the TV's at THE EDISON.

HoraceHorizonsJul 11, 2018

Im not disagreeing with you, per se but I dont think this is 100% accurate. For instance, I dont think transitioning the central concept of Pleasure Island and THE EDISON with Neverland Tunnels, to more of a restaurant style, was part of the plan or had anything to do with capacity and getting families meals. So many of the restaurants within a stones throw are struggling, and constantly tweaking menus, price-points and the like to generate crowds. Even places as popular as The Boathouse are easy reservations to snag. Changing a hip speakeasy into an Italian Restaurant/Speakeasy combo wreaks of exactly what it is IMO - too little commitment/faith in a good, exciting idea.

FullSailDanJul 10, 2018

The 600 restaurants at DS is to build capacity. No, you can’t try them all, not are you meant to. WDW has a problem with resort and park restaurants being at capacity and guests being unable to get breakfast or dinner anywhere (see yacht and beach club) except for a pizza counter or salad bar. The hope is, you’ll go there for dinner and do a little shopping.

surfsupdonJul 06, 2018

Remember BoardWalk Inn has two 21+ places that are fun. I’m hoping with the Skyliner that more Guests from other Resorts can get easy access to the BoardWalk clubs and bars and make them more crowded and fun later into the night. Like I said earlier tho, I much enjoyed The Edison for late night fun.

RSoxNo1Jun 26, 2018

You're thinking of burlesque.

I am TimmyJun 26, 2018

I miss the comedy you could take your kids to at Pleasure Island - my boys LOVED it. It didn't get raunchy until late, they always kept it PG early when kids would be there. My boys miss the Adventurer's Club, as do we all. And Improv and popcorn just go together. What family doesn't love to laugh?

martymcflyy85Jun 26, 2018

You make a valid point. Thanks for making it in a nice way. :)

MisterPenguinJun 26, 2018

If it wasn't for all the adults-without-children-in-tow going to WDW, the park would only be open when schools weren't in session. Adult-only guests keep WDW alive.

trainplane3Jun 26, 2018

You do realize Pleasure Island was a thing that was mainly for the 21+ crowd? I don't think it's much to ask at all to have a single place to hang out that isn't for the kids. And even then, it doesn't go "club-ish" till 10pm unless that changed.

flynnibusJun 26, 2018

Uhh... because adults like to be adults on family trips too?

martymcflyy85Jun 25, 2018

If you are looking for an adult scene, then why are you trying to get it at Disney World?

MisterPenguinJun 24, 2018

But kids love cabaret!!