Grand Avenue and Baseline Tap House

[Disneyhead'71]

They don't! Bars are for adults to sit down relax and have drinks with their group. If anyone is like me that can come with a good share of expletives and conversations that are not appropriate for children. Now if a parent is ok with allowing their child to be around that then by all means go for it. However if the said parent does not approve of any behavior many patrons of bars partake in and want to voice their disapproval then they can leave! If they are expecting anyone to change their behavior in a setting normally set for the 21 and up crowd they need to be aware that their opinion is no longer valid in said setting.

In short I shouldn't have to change my behavior, language or mannerisms just because your little prince and princesses ears are fragile. I have enough respect to censor myself in other public areas so parents like this should have enough respect and frankly sense to do the same and not put their brood in a situation where adults are letting loose and enjoying themselves free of these issues.

I would point at you and say to my kids,



"See kids, that's how you do it. You apply a modifier before the adjective to add emphasis. And notice how he used the "bourbon shot/wipe mouth on sleeve move" mid sentence to draw out some anticipation. That's like art, or something. And I bet he won't touch the pretzel or the euro-esque cheese. Just the bar mix (almonds in this case)."

There are very few places my kids (2 girls) haven't been. They saw Rocky Horror Live when they were, like, 13. Totally inappropriate. Loved EVERY second of it. They still bust out the Time Warp regularly and the oldest is 21 now.

 

[GoofGoof]

You also have Trader Sams after 9:00. FWIW anytime I have gone into Jellyrolls it’s been pretty dead. That might be why you don’t see more of those kinds of places in WDW

I haven't been in there in over a decade now (my oldest son is 10) so I don't know what crowds are like anymore, but Jellyrolls got decent crowds in the past most nights even back when it first opened and PI was still around. Jellyrolls is off the beaten path too so that may lead to issues keeping people there. I am sure if there was an overwhelming demand Disney would react to it and build more adult only places, but I think the average guest these days is just resigned to the fact that that type of nightlife is not really being an option anymore. If they want a night out without kids around they just go off property now. It wasn't always that way though.

 

[GoofGoof]

A bar is still a bar, in Disney or not, and I don't quite understand why you'd want your child in there after a certain time of night. During the day? Sure, I get it. But a bar is still a bar ...

People are selfish and/or self centered. Plain and simple. Parents want to sit in the bar and have a few drinks, there's no rule against bringing the kids in, it's their vacation too, they just do it. This is much more likely to happen at WDW then some random bar. People think WDW is for kids so it should be fine to take them into a bar/lounge. There's no thought given to the impact that action has on the other guests or overall vibe of a place and a lot of people justify it by saying "their kids" are well behaved and not harming anyone by being there so it's OK.

 

[c-one]

The menu is on the Disney site now https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/baseline-tap-house/menus/

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

I've had pretty good cocktails on tap before! Not sure how Disney will pull them off. But good bartenders and the right recipes, it actually works fine and it's obviously efficient for the bar's POV.

 

[c-one]

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.

Depends on your expectations. They're just getting a head start on reconnecting the park in its future form. I think it's a mistake to judge it as if they're building a new Fantasyland (or... Star Wars Land) or anything close to that level, and instead judge it as a small piece of updated streetmosphere with a nice little drinking spot. I do think the Disney hype machine (both its official and unofficial representatives) could have pumped the brakes a little bit and set the expectations a little lower. But I guess there's not much else to tangibly cover in DHS these days when the back half of the park is still construction for a few more years.

For those who continue to suggest this area is essentially Disney Springs, I would offer it's really the reverse. Disney Springs was designed thematically with a backstory that would not be unfamiliar to a themed land in one of the parks. To me, it's more a product of the times, design-wise, that Disney Springs and Grand Ave have similarities.

Disney has long been creating lands that evoke nostalgic Americana - nothing new here. What's changed is that it now plays out across the country in "lifestyle centers" such as the Grove or new urbanism communities such as Celebration.

Bingo! I guess that then makes the question whether Disney must then raise its own game -- Baseline would have been cool and different 10 years ago for sure, but now, is a vague backstory that 95% of patrons will never learn about enough to elevate the bar, given that otherwise it just goes for a (well-done, admittedly) version of the rustic/industrial Americana look that's been in fashion for regular bars for years?

 

[c-one]

Oh, and count me as someone else disappointed in the menu. I am a certified beer snob and I'm not disappointed in that beer list, though I'm not amazed either. Perfectly fine beer list for a theme park, never going to expect Pliny or something close to it here. But I had been hoping/expecting more of a sit-down pub kind of menu ... I love cheese plates and Bavarian pretzels but I'd like a few options for a full meal here. Ah well. Wonder if the suits are concerned about possibly cannibalizing business with Sci-Fi Diner, PizzeRizzo's and Mama Melrose's all so close by.

 

[Flynnwriter]

Can someone tell where this mall is where these bars exist?

The malls here in Colorado have your usual restaurants (Red Robin, Ruby Tuesdays, Yard House etc.) and then some have very grand restaurants (Steak Houses plus other local and national chains that are quite pricey) however none of them are just bars. The only place I have ever seen an actual Bar in a mall is in Las Vegas and even there they are not themed or look anywhere as nice as Baseline.

It’s a bar. It sells beer. It’s pedeatrian design. ( that means you might see something like it various ordinary places). Just because disney builds it, it seems everyone here goes ape.

 

[doctornick]

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.

I think only certain establishments were 21 and over. I remember going into the bars of Pleasure Island despite being a teenager, you just couldn't drink.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

It’s a bar. It sells beer. It’s pedeatrian design. ( that means you might see something like it various ordinary places). Just because disney builds it, it seems everyone here goes ape.

Thats exactly my point! I don't need a big to do and backstory to enjoy it its just a bar.

 

[Jon81uk]

I think only certain establishments were 21 and over. I remember going into the bars of Pleasure Island despite being a teenager, you just couldn't drink.

You could get into Pleasure Island age 18+ (back when the whole island was ticket only) but only those over 21 got a wristband showing they could order alcoholic drinks. Then additionally some of the dance clubs may have applied 21+ policies on top of the general 18+ to enter the island. I know for sure you could get into the comedy club as I went in age 20.

 

[Minthorne]

You could get into Pleasure Island age 18+ (back when the whole island was ticket only) but only those over 21 got a wristband showing they could order alcoholic drinks. Then additionally some of the dance clubs may have applied 21+ policies on top of the general 18+ to enter the island. I know for sure you could get into the comedy club as I went in age 20.

I think only mannequins was 21+ back then. All the other clubs were 18+ after a certain hour.

 

[Prototype82]

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

All of the printmaking tools on the shelves though...and the printer's drawers under the bar...I like it.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think only certain establishments were 21 and over. I remember going into the bars of Pleasure Island despite being a teenager, you just couldn't drink.

Original PI was 18 to get in 21 to drink with wrist band. You could get in if you went in with an adult (I think maybe there was a time cutoff) I remember a trip where I was 18 but one of my friends was only 17 and he had to find a random adult each night to vouch for him and pretend to be one of their kids. I'm not sure what the rules were once the gates came down.

 

[Ismael Flores]

I like they kept some aspect of the Streets in order to give some transition and walking space into SW:GE. I like the name Grand Avenue. Looks like they've kept the menu they introduced at Writers Stop shortly before it closed. I like the idea. Glad they saw the opportunity to do something with that area.

But just how big will this "pub" be? The same footprint as Writers Stop or are they expanding further behind the facades (if that's possible?)

I was wondering the same thing, haven't been to WDW in years but looking at google map it seems like those facades have quite a lot of room behind them. from what it seems they are just used as storage or wasted space. It would have been nice if they had tried to modified their supports a bit so that they could use more of the facades for some more small eateries or vending area. The facade at the opposite corner of the street looks like it had the most room with that large corner.

At DCA when the the park opened, they had a huge overly long queue for muppets that used one of the facades for extended queue. Then they got smart and actually opened one of the facade doors at turned the area into a seating area for the award weiners eatery using what was once wasted space into a guest area that is now used constantly. I think this one corner facade in DHS could also be turned into an area that could serve drinks and simple items that do not require a full kitchen. These were the things TDO should consider when trying to create areas that could generate revenue easily and with a minimal investment

 

[Ismael Flores]

I thought there was going to be a sort of fork at the end of Grand Ave. that would veer to the right and follow along the Galaxy's Edge "hills" to the north that would head to the new exit area of TSMM making the other entrance to TSL?

It would make sense that they would do that but they do the strangest things some times.

making a fork would help crowd flow throughout the area, i could just imagine when Star wars land opens and the crowds start creating gridlock in toy story land. makes no sense to only have two entrances into Toy Story land especially when one forces you to go thru what could a packed Star Wars land.

It wouldn't be difficult to add a pathway from the grand Avenue to the existing Pixar place area and into Toy Story land. I'm even surprised a third entrance is not being considered for Star Wars land that leads directly into the existing Pixar place. there doesn't seem to be any major building designed within Star Wars land in that area that would be an issue. it would just be a matter of creating a winding path thru greenery and berm

 

[BD-Anaheim]

I think this decision has more to do with the fact that Pixar Place is turning into a backstage area rather than for crowd control or accessibility.

 

[DlpPhantom]

This is what Grand Avenue will look like when completed.

 

[Cake]

I was at HS last week. I missed the opening, darn. Going back in a few weeks and can’t wait to check this out. We’re also having lunch at SciFi Diner for the first time.

I did get a good look at Baseline and Grand Ave through the fencing. I think the pictures understate how cool it really looks. We enjoy good beer, and I hope they serve local Florida beer and not just California beer. While I enjoy Sculpin, there are some great craft breweries in Florida - Due South, Copperpoint, Funky Buddha to name a few.

Just saw the menu. Beer selection is okay. What’s interesting is the breweries have grown so big they seem less like a craft brewery

 

[Gabe1]

The park is a work in progress.

The studios are indeed a work in progress, since 1989. It opened as a half day park and it remains that in 2017 maybe less than a half day? How many attractions can one ride these days? Maybe they'll get it right this round. We are coming up on its 30th anniversary real fast, be nice if its work in progress was finally realized. Dear Lord.

As much as I've enjoyed Flight of Passage at AK I am so surprised they designed another crown jewel with such a painfully slow load capacity. Hoping for better at the Studios.

 

[Gabe1]

I have to disagree. Martini's at Brown Derby, an Old Fashioned at the Belle Vue, Margaritas at La Cava, and slushes in France all pack a strong and tasty punch. Never experienced the drinks being watered down. But maybe it's just where I get my drinks.

It depends. I had two classic Margaritas from LaCava about 4 hours apart on the same day. The first came out of the punch bowl premixed fountain on the counter behind. It wasn't their genuine classic and lacked any punch. Before Illuminations I went back. The punch bowl was empty and they had to hand make the second Classic Margarita. Now that second one was worthy of what LaCava was known for back in the day. It is a game of roulette in the World Showcase.