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Guests with a Bourbon Steak reservation at the Walt Disney World Dolphin should make a backup dining plan. The Michael Mina steakhouse is temporarily closed after a June kitchen fire, and the hotel is telling affected guests it will remain unavailable for the foreseeable future while repairs are completed.
No reopening date has been confirmed. Reservation inventory appearing in September is useful to watch, but it is not a promise that the restaurant will return on that date.
In This Article
- What happened at Bourbon Steak
- What the hotel has confirmed
- How affected reservations are being handled
- Other Swan and Dolphin dining choices
- Why September is not guaranteed
Bourbon Steak Closure: What Is Confirmed
- Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Closed since: June 25, 2026
- Reason: repairs after a kitchen fire
- Current status: temporarily closed
- Reopening date: not announced
The June 25 fire led to an evacuation from Bourbon Steak and other parts of the hotel. A Walt Disney World spokesperson said the building’s ventilation system pushed smoke outside, the hotel itself was not damaged, and damage was limited to the restaurant.
The steakhouse has not reopened since the incident. The official Swan and Dolphin dining page currently labels the restaurant temporarily closed and directs diners to other venues around the resort complex.
What Happens to Existing Reservations?
The hotel is contacting guests who hold Bourbon Steak reservations and offering help with another restaurant booking. If your meal is tied to a birthday, anniversary, or a night with fixed park plans, do not wait until arrival day to choose an alternative.
Check the email address and phone number attached to the reservation. If the hotel has not reached you, contact the Swan and Dolphin directly and confirm whether your booking is still active before canceling another meal.
Dining Alternatives Without Leaving the Resort
The Swan and Dolphin lists 22 other food and beverage outlets, including five signature alternatives. The best replacement depends on what mattered most about the original reservation:
- bluezoo: seafood and coastal dishes from celebrity chef Todd English
- Il Mulino: Italian dining at the Walt Disney World Swan
- Kimonos: sushi and Japanese selections
- Amare: Mediterranean flavors at the Swan Reserve
- Rosa Mexicano: Mexican dining at the Dolphin
These are alternatives, not automatic replacements. Menu style, dress expectations, prices, and reservation times vary, so review the current restaurant page before accepting a switch.
Why September 16 Is Not a Reopening Date
The first reservation availability found in the source’s booking check was September 16. That may reflect a target in the reservation system, but the hotel has not announced September 16 as the restaurant’s return date.
Repair schedules can move after inspections, permitting, equipment replacement, or testing. Treat any future reservation as provisional until Bourbon Steak or the Swan and Dolphin publishes a firm reopening announcement.
Should You Change Your Resort Plans?
This is a restaurant closure, not a hotel closure. Guests can still stay at the Dolphin and use the broader Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve dining lineup. A room change is unlikely to be necessary unless Bourbon Steak was a central reason for choosing the hotel.
For other hotel projects that could affect an upcoming stay, our August 2026 Disney World resort refurbishment planner separates full planning disruptions from work that is easier to avoid.
What to Check Before Your Trip
- Look for a direct message from the hotel about your reservation.
- Confirm a replacement meal before canceling a backup.
- Recheck the official Bourbon Steak page close to your travel date.
- Do not move hotel or flight dates around an unconfirmed September reopening.
If Bourbon Steak was part of your trip, would you rebook elsewhere at the Swan and Dolphin or choose another Disney World steakhouse? Let us know in the comments below.
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