Paddlefish will replace Fulton's Crab House in Disney Springs

Fulton's Crab House closed earlier this month in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort. When the closing was announced , Disney said that the restaurant in the former Empress Lilly would reopen this fall with a new name.

Now we know what that name will be: Paddlefish.

Fulton's Crab House made the announcement on its Facebook page this morning. And, based on the concept art for the new restaurant, the stern wheel will return! The Empress Lilly's stern wheel was removed when the restaurant was converted into Fulton's Crab House, to the disappointment of some Disney fans who thought the removal made the restaurant look a bit less authentic.

The new name should return the facility to its thematic roots as a Mississippi River sternwheeler. The name "paddlefish" itself elicits thoughts of that big paddle wheel at the back of the boat. And in real life, the paddlefish is native to the Mississippi River. As for calling a restaurant after it... well, while paddlefish aren't exactly known as eating fish, their roe is often sought after for processing into caviar.

Fulton's Crab House was not operated by Disney, but by Levy Restaurants. It appears that Levy will retain control of the new restaurant, as its parent company trademarked "Paddlefish" in February. Paddlefish is expected to open this fall.

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