The wait is finally over for Disney Springs visitors eager to try Six Ravens, the newest food destination created by the team behind Gideon's Bakehouse. The restaurant officially began its soft opening today, giving guests their first chance to sample the menu before the location celebrates an official grand opening later on.
While many visitors will simply be excited to finally walk through the doors, the experience won't look exactly like a typical restaurant opening. Six Ravens is easing into daily operations, and that means guests should be ready for a few temporary procedures as the staff works through the busiest part of the launch.
The biggest one is a virtual queue.
Rather than letting a line stretch across Disney Springs, Six Ravens plans to move guests into a text-based waiting system whenever crowds become too large. Instead of standing outside for an extended period, visitors can continue shopping, exploring, or relaxing elsewhere in Disney Springs until it's time to return.
For anyone familiar with Gideon's Bakehouse, the approach probably won't come as much of a surprise. The bakery has used a similar system during busy periods for years, and Six Ravens appears ready to follow that same strategy if demand quickly exceeds the available space.
The virtual queue also makes sense considering the restaurant's size. Six Ravens is designed as a small grab-and-go location rather than a full-service dining venue. There aren't tables waiting inside, so controlling the number of guests arriving at one time should help keep the operation running more smoothly during these early days.
The restaurant has also been upfront about what guests should expect from a soft opening. Instead of promising flawless service from the start, the team acknowledges there may be delays, adjustments, and a few bumps along the way while employees continue learning the flow of daily operations.
That's exactly what soft openings are designed to accomplish.
By serving actual guests before the official grand opening, restaurants can identify challenges, adjust procedures, and improve the overall experience before larger crowds arrive.
Guests should also be aware that Six Ravens is placing limits on its signature menu items during the soft opening. Each paying guest can purchase up to two Coffyns, helping the restaurant serve as many visitors as possible while keeping production manageable.
The team also recommends trying the suggested dipping sauce pairings that accompany each item. Although guests are free to customize their combinations, Six Ravens says those pairings were carefully developed to complement each menu item.
Another thing to keep in mind is that every order is intended to be enjoyed shortly after pickup. Since the restaurant doesn't offer seating, most guests will likely take their meals elsewhere around Disney Springs.
Today's launch isn't the official celebration, either. Six Ravens says a grand opening is still planned for a later date after the staff feels comfortable with day-to-day operations. That event will also include a special free gift for attendees, with more details expected in the future.
For now, guests visiting Disney Springs simply need to arrive with realistic expectations. There may be a wait, but thanks to the virtual queue, it won't necessarily mean spending that time standing in line. Instead, Disney Springs visitors can continue enjoying the shopping and entertainment district until their phone lets them know it's time to return.
