EPCOT New GEO-82 Spaceship Earth Lounge Coming to EPCOT

[TheMaxRebo]

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.

We did an EPCOT after hours event last year and was surprised how many people were at the Rose and Crown bar during the after hours time - and like pretty deeply into the time so don't think it was just people who hadn't finished their drink before regular park time ended

 

[networkpro]

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.

I certainly dont know why, the last meal we had there was dreadful, they held everyone up at opening time for 20 minutes because the "elevator" gag wasn't working, and the "animated" screen objects were pure OG Star Trek mat quality.

 

[networkpro]

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

All ages should be able to experience the horrors of Oga's Pork Rinds dusted with cinnamon sugar.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

my son did point out that he's 13 and while Disney considers him an "adult" but he can't go in this lounge lol

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

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

…yeah but those kids are aging out soon…

I’ll save you a stool (since mine won’t even go anymore )

 

[aladdin2007]

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.

Feel the same way, DisneySpringscot is basically what its becoming. What bothers me is the $$$$ they are spending on this project could have gone towards the ride refurbishment itself instead.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

All ages should be able to experience the horrors of Oga's Pork Rinds dusted with cinnamon sugar.

Right?

One of the worst ideas ever conceived was that bar in dullville…except galactic line dancing

I can’t believe the words “like oga’s” was said in this discussion with a straight face

 

[ToTBellHop]

To be fair, this is also the exception now. Though I appreciate your lens that you want to go there. But I think having a single child free space in not a super child IP’d out lounge fits a demo that there is no harm in Disney catering to.

For families with slightly older kids, drop them off at Guardians.

There’s still space for the more IP lounge/bars that are also kid friendly too (pirates, Oga’s).

Oh, I’m not honestly that upset. As in-park lounges go, for me, this is the least exciting. But, not everything needs to be for me.

 

[BrianLo]

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…

Does the resort as a whole have less capacity than 2005? Honestly asking, I’m sure someone has the fast math. My assumption would be no, but some areas of the resort yes.

It’s very fair to say it’s been 20 years and the answer isn’t obviously “Yes”. I think it would have been true in 2015 though.

 

[co10064]

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.

I think the additions of Guardians, Remy, and Journey of Water help offset that a bit.

I personally don’t have a problem with it. Anecdotally, I have never witnessed a visibly drunk person at EPCOT…
Of course this is obvious, but focusing on food and drinks keeps locals coming back.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Does the resort as a whole have less capacity than 2005? Honestly asking, I’m sure someone has the fast math. My assumption would be no, but some areas of the resort yes.

It’s very fair to say it’s been 20 years and the answer isn’t obviously “Yes”. I think it would have been true in 2015 though.

We’ve broke this down pretty much every way over time…

Are there “more” rooms on property or less than 20 years ago?

The only answer of “more” lies at AoA…because the deluxes have lost a lot of rooms for dvc.

So with that sorta “neutral” answer…the growth in travel means there are less spots for the customers

Ride capacity? We’ve also done that…bearing in mind that most “new” rides are in fact replacements of older spots…and not necessary a net positive. It’s pretty neutral…for again…more volume.

And how about in park stuff? Well that one is easy…they have more distractions such as playgrounds, street performers, meet and greets in the concourses, stage shows? Or less?

It’s a good question…but the answer is tangible “capacity” is definitely down from a math perspective…

…almost like it wasn’t entirely “unintentional”…unless you believe in coincidence

 

[Ayla]

That art mock up looks just like the hotel bar we spent the evening in a couple weeks ago. Though that bar actually had color.

 

[BrianLo]

We’ve broke this down pretty much every way over time…

Are there “more” rooms on property or less than 20 years ago?

This caused me to look at the 10Q filings and it appears the answer is indeed yes, there are more rooms than 2005. Gran Destino and Art of Animation are 2500 rooms. DVC still represents rooms. Kidani Village, Bay Lake Tower, the Grand Flo DVC tower and Riviera are all rooms. It's certainly not Eisner impressive hotel growth and really not good for 20 years.


Something else interesting I just stumbled on is I think people kept saying Disney was fudging occupancy by taking room wings offline. But that is not actually the case.

(5)Available hotel room nights is defined as the total number of room nights that are available at our hotels and at Disney Vacation Club (DVC) properties located at our theme parks and resorts that are not utilized by DVC members. Available hotel room nights include rooms temporarily taken out of service.


Anyways, this is all very off topic, but interesting to share.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

By the way some are reacting to the 21+, you’d think they’re putting in a strip club. Which now that I think about it, that might actually help boost EPCOT’s attendance.

That art mock up looks just like the hotel bar we spent the evening in a couple weeks ago.

Disney seems to be digging the Marriott look these days.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

That art mock up looks just like the hotel bar we spent the evening in a couple weeks ago. Though that bar actually had color.

Yes, I don't have an issue with the lounge and keeping it 21+. The concept art, however, just looks so bland. It looks like a blend of just about every hotel bar and airport lounge I've visited over the past 10 years or so.

 

[Ayla]

By the way some are reacting to the 21+, you’d think they’re putting in a strip club. Which now that I think about it, that might actually help boost EPCOT’s attendance.


Disney seems to be digging the Marriott look these days.

It was a Hyatt Regency.

 

[DisCOT_97]

Feel the same way, DisneySpringscot is basically what its becoming. What bothers me is the $$$$ they are spending on this project could have gone towards the ride refurbishment itself instead.

Ironically, the former Disney Springs president is the new Epcot VP…so Wonders of Life pavilion will definitely be turned into an Inside Out restaurant!

 

[Agent H]

To be fair, this is also the exception now. Though I appreciate your lens that you want to go there. But I think having a single child free space in not a super child IP’d out lounge fits a demo that there is no harm in Disney catering to.

For families with slightly older kids, drop them off at Guardians.

There’s still space for the more IP lounge/bars that are also kid friendly too (pirates, Oga’s).

My thoughts exactly. For better or worse there’s nothing here that kids would want to see .

 

[monothingie]

Oh, I’m not honestly that upset. As in-park lounges go, for me, this is the least exciting. But, not everything needs to be for me.

Meanwhile at the Geodesic Dome Fan Club Headquarters…

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This caused me to look at the 10Q filings and it appears the answer is indeed yes, there are more rooms than 2005. Gran Destino and Art of Animation are 2500 rooms. DVC still represents rooms. Kidani Village, Bay Lake Tower, the Grand Flo DVC tower and Riviera are all rooms. It's certainly not Eisner impressive hotel growth and really not good for 20 years.


Something else interesting I just stumbled on is I think people kept saying Disney was fudging occupancy by taking room wings offline. But that is not actually the case.

(5)Available hotel room nights is defined as the total number of room nights that are available at our hotels and at Disney Vacation Club (DVC) properties located at our theme parks and resorts that are not utilized by DVC members. Available hotel room nights include rooms temporarily taken out of service.


Anyways, this is all very off topic, but interesting to share.

There are multiple ways to take rooms out of service in their system. OOO is not available inventory for accounting purposes.

And the contention wasn’t “less” rooms…the question was “capacity”

So if aggregate attendance was in the low to mid 40s in 2005…what should the onsite rack have been in 2019 when it “alledgedly ” was like 59 mil?

I know we believe that everything is fantastic…all the time…in Orlando…

And with that we have to believe that “well they want less people…” which is fundamentally stupid for a public traded company that leans on parks revenue…

…but as far as capacity relative to attendance and lodging goes…this isn’t the case