Walt Disney World has two new lounges coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT in 2025, with the latter being a bar referred to as GEO-82 inside Spaceship Earth. This shares dates & particulars, idea artwork, entry & age restrictions, and all the pieces we all know–plus complete commentary about extra bars at WDW and whether or not we predict these are probably good or dangerous additions for the park.
Previous to revealing the brand new GEO-82 identify, Walt Disney World beforehand introduced that the lounge inside Spaceship Earth pays tribute to essentially the most lovely EPCOT icon. Everybody’s favourite geodesic sphere will likely be residence to an entire new expertise when GEO-82 opens in late Spring 2025, welcoming an elevated lounge to the record of issues that make it completely beautiful! This elegant lounge, honoring the intertwined historical past of Spaceship Earth and EPCOT itself, is ready to have fun the legacy of the icon’s previous whereas admiring its future.
Walt Disney World cooks have created scrumptious culinary creations to enrich the class of this extraordinary, intimate setting. Whereas taking in breathtaking views of the park from a wholly unique approach, you could be impressed by the tales and legacy of this iconic construction. With sweeping views of World Celebration Gardens and a singular perspective of the nightly fireworks, this secluded retreat invitations you to boost a toast to the enduring spirit of EPCOT.
The newest information from Walt Disney World is that when GEO-82 opens this yr (no point out of the earlier “late Spring 2025” timeline), the placement will supply reservations for company 21 and older. The GEO-82 lounge inside Spaceship Earth would be the final spot to toast to a visit round EPCOT with revolutionary cocktails and globally influenced small plates when you absorb spectacular park views.
With this new GEO-82 lounge, you’ll really feel such as you’re discovering an all-new a part of Spaceship Earth. GEO-82 will encompass company with iconic shapes and complicated buildings impressed by the park’s instantly-recognizable icon. You’ll sit amid wealthy textures and heat, metallic tones that echo Spaceship Earth in a chic and intimate setting.
The identify GEO-82 is a nostalgic nod to Spaceship Earth—which opened in 1982 and is a GEOdesic sphere. At GEO-82, you’ll be immersed within the storied historical past and enduring legacy of this timeless EPCOT icon. Based on Walt Disney World, advance reservations are required at GEO-82, as area is extraordinarily restricted. Verify again later this spring to study extra about reservations and the menu at GEO-82.
Clearly, the large information right here is that GEO-82 is an adults-only lounge, which is a primary for any of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Even the Membership 33 lounges enable company of all ages. Whereas there are a few eating places that ‘gently discourage’ households with young children (Takumi-Tei and Monsieur Paul), even these don’t require company be age 21 or older. So that is fairly notable!
It’s additionally certain to be controversial. Not simply because all the pieces Walt Disney World does is mired in controversy for those who search for it exhausting sufficient. However as a result of EPCOT being too alcohol-centric is already a typical grievance amongst followers, and admittedly, one which has a point of validity. It will solely add gasoline to that fireplace.
There was a time once we averted EPCOT on weekends. That is even nonetheless talked about in a few of our assets, particularly relating to fall dates when Meals & Wine Competition is going on and universities in Florida have away soccer video games. After just lately driving Cosmic Rewind over a dozen instances throughout school spring break, I used to be reminded of this as soon as once more. (Extra on that quickly…)
Nevertheless, I very a lot disagree with the sentiment that that is worsening. That’s, particularly, a grievance we frequently hear–that EPCOT is (in a state of) turning into extra centered on alcohol and consuming tradition. Whereas overconsumption completely nonetheless occurs–there’s no denying that–our view is that it peaked round ~2015 to 2017.
I nonetheless keep in mind one notorious weekend throughout Meals & Wine once we noticed school college students handed out within the garden and different unsavory actions. Whilst you’ll nonetheless spot bachelor/bachelorette events, workforce consuming shirts, and so on., it’s far much less frequent than it as soon as was. I assume youthful folks being priced out of APs and the rising value of alcohol–versus proactive insurance policies on the a part of Walt Disney World–have been the driving issue.
GEO-82 is unlikely to maneuver the needle on overconsumption by hook or by crook. I’d liken this to desk service eating places serving alcohol at Magic Kingdom, which has equally been a non-factor.
As a sensible actuality, GEO-82 goes to be an extremely aggressive Advance Eating Reservation. Simply one of many high 5 most troublesome ADRs at Walt Disney World, probably surpassing the House 220 Lounge. It’s extremely unlikely that adults are going to stand up on the first light 60+ days upfront, fist-pump upon scoring an ADR, and shout their enthusiasm: “now I’ve someplace to get blackout drunk at EPCOT!”
Name me naive, however I don’t suppose the hardcore day-drinking crew has that diploma of dedication or degree of premeditation. Extra doubtless, the goal demo of this lounge goes to be dorks (non-derogatory) in search of old style EPCOT Middle easter eggs, diehards desirous to drink or dine contained in the geodesic sphere, and different Childless Disney Millennials. I’d hazard a guess that on any given go to to GEO-82, you’re going to see way more Loungefly baggage, Spirit Jerseys, and Figment paraphernalia than visibly drunk company.
Anybody who needs to get wasted at EPCOT will likely be doing that on the numerous walk-up bars and kiosks all through the parks. There’s no scarcity of alternatives for that throughout World Showcase (and past), and it’s exhausting to think about GEO-82 modifications the equation on that. A brand new lounge, even one which’s 21 and up, with a big barrier to entry is not going to improve alcohol overconsumption in EPCOT by any significant quantity.
To be clear, none of that is to say that EPCOT doesn’t nonetheless have an issue with consuming tradition. I’m removed from a prude (or so I’d prefer to suppose), and I feel Disney might be extra diligent about decreasing consumption. There’s no incentive to take action and it will be a nightmare for frontline Solid Members to implement, however they need to work out one thing.
Regardless, the trajectory is for this to get higher versus worse–and GEO-82 gained’t alter that by hook or by crook. I assume seen overconsumption will proceed to lower as costs proceed going up and the demographics most inclined to overdrink are least doubtless to have the ability to afford admission and alcohol. Principally, it’ll proceed self-correcting.
GEO-82 can even be controversial from one other perspective, which is that this frequent grievance: “Walt Disney World solely builds bars! They should deal with extra family-friendly stuff!”
That’s not a good criticism, and hasn’t been for some time. Certain, when Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, The Edison, and a handful of different areas that have been very clearly geared toward adults–and solely adults–it was true. Particularly in the course of the peak years of the Downtown Disney reimagining into Disney Springs. There was additionally validity to the grousing when extra bar kiosks have been popping up or a better emphasis was positioned on alcohol on restaurant menus.
That hasn’t been the development of the final a number of years, although. As an alternative, Walt Disney World has added a slew of family-friendly lounges which might be extra food-forward. These are extra pretty categorized as eating places than bars (or at the least “and grills”), and are oozing inviting ambiance and have sturdy meals menus that arguably surpass a number of the common eating places at their respective resorts. That is true with the brand new Wailulu Bar & Grill on the Poly’s Island Tower, and can doubtless be the case with the Pirates Tavern at Magic Kingdom.
There are additionally numerous different examples of Walt Disney World constructing points of interest and experiences for all ages. Nonetheless, GEO-82 with its adults-only rule will likely be one evident occasion of Walt Disney World opening one thing aimed solely at adults, and it’s certain to attract scrutiny from those that consider Walt Disney solely needed issues the place dad and mom and youngsters may spend time collectively. Not likely any approach round that one.
As a retired Childless Disney Millennial and present Disney Dad, I’ve some ideas about GEO-82 being adults-only.
Having been a member of each teams, the previous for over a decade and the latter for the final couple of years, I’d prefer to suppose that I’ve distinctive perspective. In the beginning, I’m slightly bummed out that we gained’t be capable to take Megatron right here. From a purely egocentric perspective–and let’s be trustworthy, that’s a very powerful one to every of us–that kinda stinks!
Being extra goal, that is nice for Childless Disney Millennials and different generations of Disney Adults. My common perspective is–and at all times has been–that children ought to be welcome nearly in all places in society. As an example, grown adults who get upset about crying infants on airplanes are the true crybabies in that instance.
On the similar time, it’s good for adults to have areas to themselves. These ought to be discretionary locations that aren’t important to any core expertise, and have a cause–sophistication, ambiance, and so on–for being adults-only. That is true at Walt Disney World and past.
That is in all probability going to make me unpopular with my fellow dad and mom, however there are a number of present areas at Walt Disney World that might profit from being extra restrictive. There’s no cause I have to take my daughter to Citricos, Toledo, or a handful of bars and some choose Signature Eating places. Having some upscale choices for households is an effective factor, however dad and mom with young children don’t want all of them.
Permitting youngsters to classy eating places introduces an excessive amount of of a wildcard. We’ve had just a few costly date nights at refined eating places the place, solely a desk or two away, have been youngsters bouncing off the partitions…or subdued by an iPad with out headphones. We didn’t get upset–in any case, that’s the character of the beast at Walt Disney World. However we did marvel what they have been doing there, and vowed to study from that have and by no means do the identical with our children earlier than they have been prepared for refined eating places. (To make me much more unpopular, I’d additionally advocate for extra stringent enforcement of present gown codes for related causes.)
In an ideal world, dad and mom would be capable to use their discretion, figuring out whether or not their youngsters are mature sufficient for Signature Eating places and different extra subtle areas at Walt Disney World. However we don’t stay in an ideal world. Many individuals don’t make judgment calls with self-awareness; they accomplish that with selfishness.
Our view is that Walt Disney World must do extra to cater to households with young children, because it dangers dropping its foundational generational followers if it doesn’t attain youngsters throughout their youth. However this principally revolves round promotions and pricing, not the substance of the experiences. In that regard, Walt Disney World is undeniably a family-friendly place, firstly.
On the similar time, there’s no denying overarching demographic developments. It’s savvy for Disney so as to add adult-centric points of interest & leisure, and in any other case chase the convention-goer and childless millennial demographics. Adults with out youngsters are making up an ever-increasing slice of the pie for Walt Disney World, they usually’re freer spending.
Given all of that, and since a few of these areas are enhanced by being adults-only and since dad and mom can’t be counted on to make use of their discretion to find out whether or not their youngsters are sufficiently mature for a complicated setting, age restrictions could make sense. The query is however whether or not it is sensible right here, at GEO-82.
GEO-82 is clearly a discretionary area. It beforehand existed as a company sponsor lounge, so it hasn’t been accessible to 99.99% of EPCOT theme park company for the previous couple of many years, anyway.
No household’s journey will likely be “ruined” by being denied entry into GEO-82. Most likely gained’t find out about it and can go about their day as at all times. If something, they’ll as an alternative go to eating choices which might be extra family-friendly and higher suited to youngsters. I’m 100% sure that our Megatron will get pleasure from House 220, Coral Reef, Biergarten, Backyard Grill, and a number of other different EPCOT eateries greater than GEO-82.
That also leaves the unanswered query of whether or not there’s good cause for GEO-82 being an adults-only lounge. Will or not it’s subtle? Have a extra grownup ambiance? Be a quiet place to decompress away from the hustle and bustle of the park?
Frankly, I’m skeptical about any of this. The decor appears to be like pretty primary (a mode masquerading as elegant and stylish, however not a lot when it comes to match and finishings), and the presence of all these Loungefly baggage and Figment issues suggests it’s in all probability not going to be all that refined, if truth be told.
I actually hope I’m mistaken about that, and that Imagineering will get the finances essential to make this one thing particular, and that the culinary groups have an opportunity to point out off their creativity in making bold and grownup menus. It is a area that might be comparatively easy, however emerge as a Walt Disney World eating heavyweight by nailing all the little issues. Kinda like Takumi-Tei, however with a terrific view.
If that occurs, we are going to nonetheless come out forward as Disney Mother and father, as a result of we are going to win when Walt Disney World executes tasks on a excessive degree. On a extra egocentric degree, there will likely be a compelling “excuse” to carry alongside the grandparents and have GEO-82 be the primary cease in a multi-phase date night time at EPCOT, adopted by a flowery dinner in Japan or France. (We’ll in all probability by no means truly do that, if I’m being trustworthy with myself, however I can dare to dream!)
Whatever the adults-only age restriction, my prediction remains to be that Advance Eating Reservations for the Spaceship Earth lounge immediately change into the #1 most troublesome ADR in all of Walt Disney World, dethroning the House 220 Lounge within the course of. Despite the fact that this could have barely increased capability and fewer in the way in which of themed design, the view and novelty of being inside Spaceship Earth will likely be like catnip to childless Disney Adults–and there are a whole lot of them!
That is truly but another excuse to make GEO-82 adults-only. Demand will likely be sky-high regardless, and children can not eat alcohol (legally), so that they’re using capability in an area not geared toward them. This dynamic jogs my memory slightly of when the Frozen meet & greet simply debuted and was tremendous fashionable, and oldsters have been (rightfully!) aggravated by a bunch of childless bloggers clogging up the traces.
In the end, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how issues proceed to unfold with GEO-82. Right here I used to be pondering that the lounge inside Spaceship Earth can be pretty uninteresting, with followers uniting behind the notion of one thing that was as soon as unique being opened as much as the park-going public. Walt Disney World primarily mentioned, “maintain my beer” in response to that thought, and that is in all probability going to be fairly polarizing in consequence.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on GEO-82 being an adults-only bar? Are you excited for the Spaceship Earth lounge at EPCOT? Or are you disenchanted that Disney is including extra bars and lounges to the parks? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
