Grand Avenue and Baseline Tap House

[andysol]

Don’t kid yourself. It’s like any milleniial beer establishment (aka bar) these days. Bring your rug tats and let them go rampant while you get trashed.

Sadly, I fear that you hit the nail on the head. Only in WDW can you sit AT a bar and have someone plop their DD8 on the stool next to you...

Would it be so hard to have a walk-up window for those on the go and a nice sign that says "must be 21 to enter"
One in an entire park isn't asking for much. And with a walk-up window, those who have kids can get a drink too. And let's be honest, they need the drink even more.

 

[Po'Rich]

For now, it's just a holding pen for the SW:GE crush. If they put actual attractions in there, then there would be no place for the SWGE queue.

That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Jones14]

I think the parking sign with all the restrictions is pretty funny. You have to solve a damn riddle to park anywhere in LA.

 

[Kman101]

Am I the only one rather disappointed with the whole Grand Ave. development? It looks like Disney didn't quite know what to do with the space, had some leftover materials from Streets of America, and slapped together a weak semblance of a theme.

What more would you want? It looks nice enough to me. It's a nice place to sit and people watch and it's the street to go into Star Wars. It was never going to be more than this.

 

[Kman101]

For now, it's just a holding pen for the SW:GE crush. If they put actual attractions in there, then there would be no place for the SWGE queue.

Exactly. It really can't be more than what it is. They did some nice work and we haven't seen the planters before entering Grand Park. It looks nice to me. It serves it's purpose. Not sure what people wanted.

 

[GoofGoof]

Would it be so hard to have a walk-up window for those on the go and a nice sign that says "must be 21 to enter"
One in an entire park isn't asking for much. And with a walk-up window, those who have kids can get a drink too. And let's be honest, they need the drink even more.

As a parent of 2 kids I couldn't agree more (especially the part about me needing a drink) The problem is there are parents who think their precious snowflakes should be allowed anywhere and they are so well behaved they aren't bothering anyone. I think each park and at least some of the resorts should have 1 adult only bar or lounge. Restricting just 1 place isn't a big loss for us parents with kids and would make it nice if we did get an evening or even a few hours of adult only time. I guess the demand isn't strong enough or they would do more of that.

 

[GoofGoof]

What more would you want? It looks nice enough to me. It's a nice place to sit and people watch and it's the street to go into Star Wars. It was never going to be more than this.

I agree with this. It's a nice little transition area. I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out and the beer is just an added bonus. I also like that it ties into Muppets area now too.

 

[GoofGoof]

If they had Pliny,I’d never leave.

As far as I know Russian River only has one distributer east of the Mississippi in Philly. They might be convinced to ship to FL for the right money but they don't seem like the type of brewery obsessed with making money so maybe not. I would not be opposed to having mostly anything Russian River makes there.

I think Disney went with mostly larger breweries with more widespread distribution. That may be more of a logistical move than one based on taste or quality of the beer. This place will probably crank through a bunch of beer so they need to get stuff that's readily available.

I would have liked to have seen at least 1 rotating tap with various smaller breweries. I still think there is room for a craft beer bar at Disney Springs. One with 100+ taps from all over the country. I think this location was a little too small for that kind of variety.

 

[Jon81uk]

Wow! there's no theme. It feels like all the bars down the street from me.

Generally speaking that is the theme.

Also aside from Trader Sams and Jocks Hanger are any of the bars at WDW really that themed? A lot could say still pass as generic hotel bars.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Would it be so hard to have a walk-up window for those on the go and a nice sign that says "must be 21 to enter"
One in an entire park isn't asking for much. And with a walk-up window, those who have kids can get a drink too. And let's be honest, they need the drink even more.

Agreed! I don't have kids myself but I honestly dont think children need to be in a bar or bar atmosphere. I hope the Mouse will consider making a new walk up bar much like one of my old favorites High Octane that used to be next door to Studio Catering Co. So convenient and they knew how to make a mean drink.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

When it says "cocktails on tap" does that mean that they're premade? Kind of gross if so.

Having cocktails on tap is a new trend in the bar industry and can be accomplished in two ways.

a) The cocktail is premixed and on tap so it comes out cold with little to no work for the bartender.
b) The mixers are all premixed and on tap so they come out chilled much like soda so its icy cold before being mixed with ones choice of alcohol then the bartender can add the shots to it depending on the customers choice of strength (single, double etc.)

 

[raymusiccity]

I don't drink. Hubby does.

I can easily see us sitting in here for a few minutes. Him enjoying a beer flight. Me enjoying a black cherry soda.

Our kids are adults now, but we're not yet grandparents, so no kids to "say horrible things to".

I think it looks awesome, and am sorry that we missed it by less than two weeks. I get that you're not impressed, but please - not everyone who drinks is a drunk; much like not everyone who steps inside a bar is a drinker.

I wish there were a few more snack items, but that's a tiny complaint.

Agree with you 100%. Not every one who drinks is a drunk, but, someone who sees '30 drunk parents' is a troll !

 

[mbesty]

If there's no plan to remove Tatooine Traders and Star Tours after the opening of SWGE why didn't disney just retheme the entire area to Star Wars, Tatooine ruins the Grand Avenue "theme" and Muppets look somewhat like aliens and would be easier to fit into a Star Wars theme than the way Disney chose to approach it.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

I feel like that's where it belongs, the parks seem to be turning into disney springs and drinking but its all about profit from every corner, so Im sure more of these are on the way. Thats the crowd they seem to be interested in.

Hardly! With Baseline DHS now has 3 designated Bar/Lounges (Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, Tune In Lounge) so no I wouldn't say it becoming a "wet" park by any means. The area needed something especially since the closure of High Octane which was attached to Studio Catering Co. nixed the only other bar besides the two mentioned above and then we also lost the Writers Stop and Starring Rolls so something had to be built to fill those voids.

~edit~ To add Baseline looks way better than what High Octane did since HO was basically a closet with two counters and some shelving. Maybe not the most themed Bar/CS option but does a bar really need to be heavily themed?

 

[MisterPenguin]

If there's no plan to remove Tatooine Traders and Star Tours after the opening of SWGE why didn't disney just retheme the entire area to Star Wars, Tatooine ruins the Grand Avenue "theme" and Muppets look somewhat like aliens and would be easier to fit into a Star Wars theme than the way Disney chose to approach it.

Oh, Star Tours and Traders will eventually go or be rethemed. Probably not in the first year of SWGE, because they'll need to soak up the crowds, but eventually, they'll be changing.

 

[trampdog]

As a parent of 2 kids I couldn't agree more (especially the part about me needing a drink) The problem is there are parents who think their precious snowflakes should be allowed anywhere and they are so well behaved they aren't bothering anyone. I think each park and at least some of the resorts should have 1 adult only bar or lounge. Restricting just 1 place isn't a big loss for us parents with kids and would make it nice if we did get an evening or even a few hours of adult only time. I guess the demand isn't strong enough or they would do more of that.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away there was an adult only sanctuary called Pleasure Island. It was an amazing place where every night was New Years Eve. Every establishment was only open to those 21 and over. One could find entertainment of every genre, from Country to rock to dance to comedy. Bars every ten feet with Frankie and West End Boys belting out familiar tunes on an outdoor stage that made any outdoor venue green with envy. Sadly, they paved paradise and filled it with "insert your city here" mall.

 

[aladdin2007]

Hardly! With Baseline DHS now has 3 designated Bar/Lounges (Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, Tune In Lounge) so no I wouldn't say it becoming a "wet" park by any means. The area needed something especially since the closure of High Octane which was attached to Studio Catering Co. nixed the only other bar besides the two mentioned above and then we also lost the Writers Stop and Starring Rolls so something had to be built to fill those voids.

~edit~ To add Baseline looks way better than what High Octane did since HO was basically a closet with two counters and some shelving. Maybe not the most themed Bar/CS option but does a bar really need to be heavily themed?

Yes because its Disney and I expect better, or use to, from them. I want to feel like I am in a Disney park, not the springs down the street, or some local place near home etc. Same could be said for some of their recent resort design changes (yacht club especially as an example), its all being voided of Disney and streamlined to be bland boring cold, and no different than a regular hotel chain. Two different topics really I know, but just meaning its getting less and less Disney from the parks to resorts,,,,from a design/theme perspective.

 

[GoofGoof]

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away there was an adult only sanctuary called Pleasure Island. It was an amazing place where every night was New Years Eve. Every establishment was only open to those 21 and over. One could find entertainment of every genre, from Country to rock to dance to comedy. Bars every ten feet with Frankie and West End Boys belting out familiar tunes on an outdoor stage that made any outdoor venue green with envy. Sadly, they paved paradise and filled it with "insert your city here" mall.

Lucky for me I was old enough to enjoy PI but didn't have kids yet so I enjoyed many a New Years Eve night there on every trip I took. Forget about something as cool as PI was, I would just settle for a few more actual adults only spots these days. I guess there's always Jellyrolls but not much else.

 

[GoofGoof]

Yes because its Disney and I expect better, or use to, from them. I want to feel like I am in a Disney park, not the springs down the street, or some local place near home etc. Same could be said for some of their recent resort design changes (yacht club especially as an example), its all being voided of Disney and streamlined to be bland boring cold, and no different than a regular hotel chain. Two different topics really I know, but just meaning its getting less and less Disney from the parks to resorts,,,,from a design/theme perspective.

I think it's hard to judge the theme of Grand Avenue or its fit without knowing the overall theme of the park and also what they plan to do with Star Tours, Indy and the Echo Lake area. Baseline Taphouse itself fits pretty well into the look of Grand Ave.

If there's no plan to remove Tatooine Traders and Star Tours after the opening of SWGE why didn't disney just retheme the entire area to Star Wars, Tatooine ruins the Grand Avenue "theme" and Muppets look somewhat like aliens and would be easier to fit into a Star Wars theme than the way Disney chose to approach it.

I can't imagine Star Tours or Indy lasting much beyond the opening of SW Land. Maybe a little while to help absorb crowds for the opening push.

I think the new idea for Muppets is that the Muppet theater with the 3D movie is supposed to be a theater near Grand Ave in LA. Once Star Tours is rethemed I don't think you will have a direct view of the building from Grand Avenue. They can easily hide it with landscaping.

 

[NoChesterHester]

The negativity sometimes on this board is just exhausting. It is a nice addition in a nothing area and pages of complaints ensue.