EPCOT New GEO-82 Spaceship Earth Lounge Coming to EPCOT

[HauntedPirate]

I wouldn’t mind seeing this look extended into Project Tomorrow when or if they get that refurb back on the books.

So… just put the SSE tiling motif everywhere? Hard pass. It’s not “a theme”. It’s already dead from misuse and overuse. Maybe they could… come up with something original? Oops. My bad.

 

[Andrew C]

So… just put the SSE tiling motif everywhere? Hard pass. It’s not “a theme”. It’s already dead from misuse and overuse. Maybe they could… come up with something original? Oops. My bad.

The motif continues to be used to pull on our nostalgia heart strings. This lounge definitely looks nice. But, yeah, I rolled my eyes when i saw the tiles. Although given that it’s a part of the SSE “complex” I am giving them a pass on this one.

 

[DrStarlander]

Better than a private lounge. I'll still drink there, just could have been something meaningful.

Totally agree. The interior design is strong on motif and light on meaning. By that I mean it's a parade of aesthetic references -- patterns especially, which is superficial. Any interior design student or intern or external for-hire firm can look at Spaceship Earth and derive the patterns and aesthetic qualities, then shop for, or specify custom, tiles, carpet patterns, finishes, etc. to match. What's missing is meaning: an understanding of the purpose, ideas, intent, vision of Spaceship Earth and Epcot, starting with Walt and continuing past his death through the Imagineers that designed the park.

There was an opportunity here to reference and inform new generations of all that, to be more knowing. And it's a perfect place to do that because it's a place to slow down, to talk, to be thoughtful and absorb.

The one thing from the images and videos that I have seen that I would have changed is the artwork in the small lounge area. It fits the style of the bar, but looks too AI-generated. Perhaps Herb Ryman concept art wouldn't have fit the aesthetic, but it would have been nice if they could have done something with that.

The artwork is also superficial. Yes it has an AI feel, and a stock-photo feel. There is so much more intriguing, meaningful, clever imagery that could have been featured that would have made people stop and say "wow." I've seen incredible, clever artwork in the stairways of cruise ships that are stunning and make me return to that part of the ship just to see it again...more was possible here.

Contemporary decor is contemporary decor.

Don't know why people are surprised to see contemporary decor in places of WDW which use contemporary decor.

Was anyone expecting a four year old girl's Disney Princess decor?

Contemporary, institutional bars are dime a dozen. Countless airport lounges, hotel bars, and contemporary restaurants are in every corner of the world. They all look roughly the same, and frankly, they all look dated after ten or fifteen years. I think a more thematic approach would have been better and had more longevity. But it doesn't need to be tacky or childish. I think they could have created a love-letter to Walt Disney's original utopian vision with a 1960s modern, tasteful interior and references to the futurism he loved. Or the late 1970s and early 80s -- when Epcot was created -- offers amazing aesthetic and thematic opportunities which could have been combined with artifacts and artwork from the creation of the park.

Both of these would have had meaning, surprise, and playfulness that this space may lack.

 

[JD80]

A $20+ cocktail that's made by a good bartender with quality ingredients it's a great experience.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I wouldn’t mind seeing this look extended into Project Tomorrow when or if they get that refurb back on the books.

lol…you are still on that?

It’s been retired to unicorn status now

It will happen after they finish the Russian and Brazil pavilions and fire mountain

 

[tanc]

You’re going to run up a hefty bar tab with cocktails that cost around $30 a piece. It is definitely not “free” to access.

Don’t normalize stupid.

You'd have to get quite a few drinks to run up to a $180+ tab when the drinks are like $22 - $30 each.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Then don’t post stupid lies. Even a cheap dive bar expects you to buy something.

I think that was his point, no?

That isn't "access", that is the cost of what you are obtaining ala carte which could be lower or higher.

And prices seem pretty standard to me for a high end lounge/bar - just actual drinks need to deliver to that level

This type of product won’t “deliver” to that level

If you want to splurge and do it…have at it.

But I’m gonna repeat the cry to not normalize what they dish to their fans in their bubble as “normal”. It’s a heightened reality…but that doesn’t mean we have to lineup and deny what actual reality is.

Bar in an amusement park. At the end of the day

A $20+ cocktail that's made by a good bartender with quality ingredients it's a great experience.

It’s a drink…

A reminder: Disney marketing pushed this “experience” buzzword stuff for years with the goal of disassociating the price of goods from their market component value

So in layman’s terms: stop repeating this nonsense and working for free

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You'd have to get quite a few drinks to run up to a $180+ tab when the drinks are like $22 - $30 each.

Far less than one would think

For reference…look at trader Sam’s pricing

$22 is probably too low

 

[Nunu]

With tax and tip, our tab (2ppl) would be $120 aprox.

2 Brown Butter Old Fashioned ($28 ea)
1 Charcuterie/Cheese Board ($29)

 

[denyuntilcaught]

IMO it's gorgeous and delivered exactly on its promises. That entry is quite nice and I'm loving that hue of gold they chose. I'll definitely be paying (literally) a visit during my next vacation here.

 

[James Alucobond]

So… just put the SSE tiling motif everywhere? Hard pass. It’s not “a theme”. It’s already dead from misuse and overuse. Maybe they could… come up with something original? Oops. My bad.

This is a decent application of it. CommuniCore is a terrible one. It being overused elsewhere doesn’t mean it’s always inappropriate. This is attached to Spaceship Earth and would look way better than the current tired interior of Project Tomorrow.

lol…you are still on that?

It’s been retired to unicorn status now

It will happen after they finish the Russian and Brazil pavilions and fire mountain

I know what was originally planned is not happening (and I didn’t want it to anyway), but Spaceship Earth will need to be refreshed at some point.

 

[zann285]

So… just put the SSE tiling motif everywhere? Hard pass. It’s not “a theme”. It’s already dead from misuse and overuse. Maybe they could… come up with something original? Oops. My bad.

Well, you are asking Mr Alucobond if he wants more Alucobond tiles everywhere… I think he might be biased.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

It sounds like each drink is custom made and not just pouring store bought alcohol in a glass. They infuse everything.

 

[KDM31091]

Contemporary decor is contemporary decor.

Don't know why people are surprised to see contemporary decor in places of WDW which use contemporary decor.

Was anyone expecting a four year old girl's Disney Princess decor?

No props for not using a Disney movie IP?

I'll probably never step foot in it. Too expensive. And I don't drink. The only two non-alcoholic drinks look like they have ingredients that are toxic.

Maybe I'll check out that new restaurant in the Japan pavilion. Surely, that can't be too expensive...

There’s no taking chances in design anymore or doing something really unique which Disney used to be known for. It is a perfectly nice, good looking space, but it also kind of is giving “any nice hotel bar” vibes

 

[JoeCamel]

It sounds like each drink is custom made and not just pouring store bought alcohol in a glass. They infuse everything.

Not store bought? Disney Distillery finally fired up?

 

[solidyne]

Not store bought? Disney Distillery finally fired up?

Ha, yup. Well, given the cocktails are "extremely high end..."

 

[FoodRockz]

Not store bought? Disney Distillery finally fired up?

Give it 15-20 years. Android-Iger© will have acquired at least two distilleries by then. #Diversification

 

[eddie104]

There’s no taking chances in design anymore or doing something really unique which Disney used to be known for. It is a perfectly nice, good looking space, but it also kind of is giving “any nice hotel bar” vibes

I don’t understand what people want with this space ?

It’s a contemporary high end design.

Very simple to accomplish with slight SSE nods that’s all it needs.

This is not the POTC lounge they are opening in a couple of months which calls for very specific highly themed space.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I don’t understand what people want with this space ?

It’s a contemporary high end design.

Very simple to accomplish with slight SSE nods that’s all it needs.

This is not the POTC lounge they are opening in a couple of months which calls for very specific highly themed space.

There should be a talking animatronic triangle, as well as the lady from the SSE ride from the IBM room to come out and regale guests about advances in communication from 50 years ago.

 

[KDM31091]

I don’t understand what people want with this space ?

It’s a contemporary high end design.

Very simple to accomplish with slight SSE nods that’s all it needs.

This is not the POTC lounge they are opening in a couple of months which calls for very specific highly themed space.

My point is there’s not a whole lot of “Disney” about it. It looks like a nice high end bar anywhere other than the slight SSE touches. I’m not saying it looks bad. Far from it. It doesn’t have enough charm for me to want to drop $200 for an okay fireworks view. But I guess I’m in the minority since it’s booked solid all summer, so I guess people will fall over themselves to continue to pay for just about anything Disney puts out even if it’s IMO in this case just an okay, safe, boring product for an inflated price tag. Didn’t the electric umbrella provide almost the same view for a fraction of the cost? I guess I am just tired of all the up charges.