EPCOT New GEO-82 Spaceship Earth Lounge Coming to EPCOT

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Like a broken record, here I go defending an unpopular decision by Disney.

Ontop of the already discussed capacity issues this Lounge has, making this lounge 21+ will have two additional major benefits:

First, the previously mentioned relief on other popular lounges, mainly Space 220 which is much more of an exciting kid friendly experience and almost impossible to book currently.

Secondly, the Swan and Dolphin are right by EPCOT, huge convention hotels that get a high volume of visitors who never step foot in a Disney park. Despite its attempt for edutainment for all ages, EPCOT has always been thought of as the adult park. Having a 21+ space will absolutely be a draw for some visiting that may not have considered entering a park.

Also, I think a big point nobody has focused on is that nothing was taken away to make this a 21+ space. It's not like Space 220 changed its policy, or we lost a pavilion to an adults only space. This was always a space that wasn't open to the general public. Nobody's losing something they have a close emotional connection to ala Muppet Vision, or Rivers of America, or even the Shooting Gallery.

If you're excited about this, awesome! But if you're not, whatre you losing by this? You're gaining more capacity in other popular experiences, whether it be attraction lines, dining or lounges. This seems to be a pretty textbook win-win whether you chose to visit this lounge or not

I don’t think it’s really that “unpopular”…people just like to dispute pretty much everything

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This lounge overlooks an area they destroyed because they needed to make Epcot more family friendly.

..:totally fair point

 

[HauntedPirate]

It’s strange they leaned so hard into the “warm, metallic tones” when Spaceship Earth, the inspiration, is silver— literally the opposite from gold. It reads convention hotel bar to me. But everyone’s got different taste and I’m sure it’ll be slammed regardless of paint scheme.

The name seems like a big miss; it isn’t particularly catchy and they had so much history to draw from. I don’t think it’ll be long before people just call it the Geo Bar. Or worse…

“What’s that attached to the Golf Ball?”
“Oh, that’s the Golf Bar!”

"The 19th Hole"

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The margin on drinks are second only to LLs, this is why you will see lounges pop up in all the parks.

the only logical next step is selling LL to skip the line for the bar to buy your drinks!

 

[Disstevefan1]

the only logical next step is selling LL to skip the line for the bar to buy your drinks!

LLAPP = Lighting Lane Alcohol Premium Pass.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

LLAPP = Lighting Lane Alcohol Premium Pass.

fine print: "premium" refers to the pass not the quality of the alcohol

 

[lazyboy97o]

Ontop of the already discussed capacity issues this Lounge has, making this lounge 21+ will have two additional major benefits:

First, the previously mentioned relief on other popular lounges, mainly Space 220 which is much more of an exciting kid friendly experience and almost impossible to book currently.

If the venue is constrained in its capacity then it’s not really going to provide relief to other spaces.

 

[HauntedPirate]

If the venue is constrained in its capacity then it’s not really going to provide relief to other spaces.

What, taking 32 people out of the general population of the park isn't going to provide any relief elsewhere? Oh wait...

 

[Scamp]

Should've called it Horizons: Bar & Grill.

Get it? Because the giant window, and the ride and the....

haha yes! …and a robot butler serves you drinks.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

A bar absolutely does NOT provide relief to “other spaces”

Anything but

We are talking about a place that has 20 “non-permanent” food and booze booths for the last 15 years…

What these “lounges”…most blatantly…are for is providing more “adulting” to mainly reinforce the subliminal push to sell REALLY overpriced timeshares in a place that has shown shrunken capacity/options since palpatine took control of the senate…
…and then cloned himself and came back

 

[wdwmagic]

View attachment 848696
What bothers me is the concept art shows a single seamless glass window across the whole back wall. The real building has large columns breaking up the windows.

View attachment 848697

Maybe at one point they were planning on redoing it to create a seamless glass facade, although I doubt that was ever feasible, but I’m sure they’re not doing that now. So who knows what else in this art isn’t accurate

Definitely some artistic license there in the concept rendering to really emphasize the view. In reality it wont be that good, but the art gets across the general intention of the space.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What, taking 32 people out of the general population of the park isn't going to provide any relief elsewhere? Oh wait...

It will also provide the added entertainment of 1 million “special” dvc members losing it on the concourse when they can’t get in…

…so really it’s like streetsmosphere too

 

[MisterPenguin]

Solution:

1. Let kids into GEO 82.​

​

2. Serve alcohol at all the KidCots.​

 

[wdwmagic]

I feel bad for the CMs working here who are going to have to eject people after their allowed time, especially when it gets around firework time.

 

[larryz]

I think the age requirement is another way of reducing demand due to very limited capacity. They know it is going to be very hard to move people out of the lounge once they are there, and capacity is already low.

It's actually pretty easy.
1. Limit entry to those 65+
2. Mandate a 3 drink minimum, with each drink 22 ounces
3. Don't put any restrooms inside the lounge.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I feel bad for the CMs working here who are going to have to eject people after their allowed time, especially when it gets around firework time.

At least they’re not doing anything to impair guest decision making….

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I feel bad for the CMs working here who are going to have to eject people after their allowed time, especially when it gets around firework time.

Definitely around fireworks time

Guess will work like with Oga's and they will make it very clear when you come in how much time you have but I am sure at least a couple of bad situations will happen

 

[networkpro]

It’s strange they leaned so hard into the “warm, metallic tones” when Spaceship Earth, the inspiration, is silver— literally the opposite from gold. It reads convention hotel bar to me. But everyone’s got different taste and I’m sure it’ll be slammed regardless of paint scheme.

The name seems like a big miss; it isn’t particularly catchy and they had so much history to draw from. I don’t think it’ll be long before people just call it the Geo Bar. Or worse…

“What’s that attached to the Golf Ball?”
“Oh, that’s the Golf Bar!”

I don't think its intended clientele is going to be looking to discuss contrasting color schemes or appropriate draperies.

 

[Jrb1979]

I don't have an issue with more alcohol in Epcot or it being 21+. My issue is it's a continuation of making Epcot a park you pay admission to get in to eat and drink.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

As someone who generally travels to WDW with kids I have no issue with this - not everyone gets to do every single thing

I do hope this doesn't carry forward too far - like, don't want to see similar with the Pirates Tavern coming to MK and wouldn't want Oga's to be adults only (at least not all day, maybe after 9pm or something) - like heavily themed lounges can be more family friendly I think but this seems like a straight up adult oriented bar