For months, Disney fans have been wondering what might eventually fill some of the most noticeable vacant spaces around Disney’s BoardWalk. While construction permits and government filings have provided a few clues, Disney has remained largely silent about exactly what is planned for several former restaurant and retail locations surrounding the popular EPCOT-area resort.Now, a new filing from Walt Disney Imagineering has added another intriguing piece to the puzzle.Credit: DisneyA recently filed Notice of Commencement tied to Disney’s BoardWalk points to upcoming signage installation work, suggesting that Disney may be moving closer to revealing what will occupy two long-vacant spaces that have become the subject of growing speculation among fans. The development was first reported by WDWMagic.The Two BoardWalk MysteriesThe locations at the center of the mystery are currently known only by internal project names that have appeared in public Central Florida Tourism Oversight District records.One project is listed as “Project Amazon,” while the other is labeled “Project Bubbles.” Neither name appears to reveal what Disney is actually planning, and the company has not announced any future tenants, restaurants, shops, or entertainment concepts for either location.The “Project Amazon” designation is connected to the former home of Big River Grille & Brewing Works. The longtime BoardWalk restaurant permanently closed on January 21, 2024, leaving behind one of the resort’s largest vacant spaces. Since then, guests have watched the building sit empty while rumors about its future continue to circulate.Meanwhile, “Project Bubbles” is tied to the former Promenade Fine Art Gallery. That location closed in late October 2025 and has remained vacant ever since. Like the former Big River space, Disney has yet to publicly discuss what may be planned for the location.New Signage Filing Raises QuestionsThe newest development comes from a Walt Disney Imagineering Notice of Commencement that lists Design Communications Ltd. as the contractor. The company is frequently used by Disney for signage-related projects across Walt Disney World.According to the filing, the scope of work involves signage installation at a BoardWalk-area address. While Disney has not confirmed exactly where the signs will be installed, the timing naturally raises questions about whether the work is connected to either Project Amazon or Project Bubbles.Signage is often one of the later stages of a project timeline. While it does not necessarily mean an announcement is imminent, it can indicate that Disney is beginning to move beyond basic planning and construction work.At this point, however, Disney has not provided any official confirmation linking the permit to either mystery project.Credit: DisneyThe Names May Not Mean AnythingFans have spent weeks attempting to decode the unusual project names, but there is a strong possibility they are simply internal placeholders.According to speculation surrounding the filings, “Project Amazon” could reference the former Big River Grille location because both names are associated with rivers. Likewise, “Project Bubbles” may be a reference to the marine-themed artwork that was previously featured inside the Promenade Fine Art Gallery. If that theory is correct, the project names likely reveal nothing about what is actually coming to either space.That leaves Disney fans exactly where they started: curious, but without definitive answers.BoardWalk Has Several Vacant SpacesThe mystery surrounding these locations has become even more interesting because they are not the only major vacancies on Disney’s BoardWalk.In addition to the former Big River Grille and Promenade Fine Art Gallery locations, Jellyrolls closed in April 2025. The former nightclub space has since been undergoing demolition and interior work, though no public project name has surfaced for that location yet.Taken together, the closures have created one of the biggest periods of change the BoardWalk district has experienced in years.That is particularly important because Disney’s BoardWalk sits within walking distance of both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The area remains one of the most desirable resort districts at Walt Disney World thanks to its combination of hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and easy access to two major theme parks.Any additions to the area have the potential to significantly impact the guest experience for thousands of visitors staying at nearby resorts each year.What Could Disney Be Planning?Right now, Disney has not announced any replacement concepts for either location, leaving plenty of room for speculation.The former Big River Grille space is large enough to support a major dining destination, while the former gallery location could accommodate retail, food and beverage offerings, or another guest experience entirely.Disney has spent the last several years investing heavily in dining and entertainment across Walt Disney World. New concepts have opened at Disney Springs, EPCOT continues expanding its festival offerings, and several resort areas have received updates and refurbishments.Because of that, many fans believe the BoardWalk vacancies represent opportunities for Disney to introduce something entirely new rather than simply replacing what existed before.For now, though, Disney is keeping those plans under wraps.Credit: DisneyWaiting for the RevealThe latest signage permit does not answer the biggest question surrounding Disney’s BoardWalk, but it does suggest that activity is continuing behind the scenes.Whether the filing ultimately connects to Project Amazon, Project Bubbles, or something entirely different remains unknown. What is clear is that Disney has now publicly acknowledged work connected to the BoardWalk area through another Imagineering filing, adding fresh intrigue to one of the resort’s most closely watched mysteries.Until Disney officially reveals what is replacing these long-vacant locations, guests visiting the EPCOT resort area will continue doing what Disney fans do best: watching permits, tracking construction activity, and searching for clues about what could be coming next.The post Disney Confirms 2 “Mystery” Locations To Be Built Near EPCOT appeared first on Inside the Magic.