Walt Disney Imagineering has shared new details about the design and Vaudeville backstory behind Hurly-Burly, the newest eatery at Disney’s BoardWalk.
Hurly-Burly Jazz Club Details
The story behind The Hurly-Burly Theatre is that it was once the home of the BoardWalk’s most celebrated vaudeville performers, who delighted audiences for decades with their signature style of variety entertainment. In its heyday, Polly Delmar anchored the theatre as the resident headliner among a variety of ocean-themed acts. When the tide finally turned and the theatre was forced to close, many of the resident performers left their personal effects behind, dreaming of the day that Hurly-Burly would receive its much-deserved encore.
Now, nearly a hundred years later, Hurly-Burly is opening its doors once again by the seaside, with entertainment offerings, vintage drinks, and light bites inspired by an era of world-class performances and nautical novelty.
According to Walt Disney Imagineering, many of Polly Delmar’s costumes and props from her career can be found throughout the lounge, including Pearl the puppet. Ocean iconography with wave-like lines and colors decorate the outside, while nautical puns and visuals and lots of seashells can be found inside.
Hurly-Burly, a word meaning “tumultuous uproar,” is inspired by the playful pandemonium of a live audience bursting into applause.
As you explore the space, the props and story reveal themselves on the walls in chronological order, with details like the Moon from “Vaudeville by the Sea,” a sign introducing Polly Delmar, and a sign for “The Illustrious Pearl.” More nautical details like waves, a ship’s wheel, and pearl light fixtures also adorn the walls.
Props from previous shows at Hurly-Burly can be spotted to the right of the bar, including Pearl the puppet. Polly Delmar’s necklace and gloves are also framed on a nearby wall.
Two bulletin boards in the back hallway feature audition notices, notes from Polly Delmar, a theater sign-in sheet, and ads for other businesses at the BoardWalk. Seashell lights on the stage, which were common in vaudeville theatres, continue Hurly-Burly’s nautical theme.
View the original Instagram post below:
Hurly-Burly Jazz Club
Hurly-Burly, which takes over the former JellyRolls location at Disney’s Boardwalk, is now open to guests from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
After almost 30 years at Disney’s BoardWalk, JellyRolls piano bar closed in Spring 2025. We first reported the rumor of JellyRolls closing in October 2024 and have been following the construction updates to the location since then.
During last week’s preview, we got a first look at the interior and entertainment. We also recently reviewed the small bites and cocktail menu.
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The post Imagineering Reveals Vaudeville Backstory and Design Details for Hurly-Burly at Disney’s BoardWalk appeared first on WDW News Today.
