Venue Review - GEO-82

Wow, this was a hard reservation to get. Disney adults must be excited to drink with no kids. I haven’t had to stalk a reservation this hard unless it’s ‘Ohana on a holiday for years! When I had to give up my first reservation due to an emergency, a kind cast member was unable to find me a replacement at any time in the future. Luckily, a few days later, I was able to grab a last-minute resy that someone must have dropped.

GEO-82 is the new hotness. At least until we get The Beak and Barrel in the Magic Kingdom. As a Disney fan, the draw of GEO-82 is to share some sips inside Spaceship Earth, as one looks towards the World Showcase. And let’s be honest, this is an idea that should have been stumbled upon a while ago, it’s easy money. 

Spaceship Earth Vibes

GEO-82 is located right at the back of Spaceship Earth. As a guest, it’s easy to see the windows that look out onto the gardens behind Spaceship Earth. But it’s also a little bit difficult to find. The entrance is in the exit for Spaceship Earth…well, one of the exits, with the entrance on the World Discovery side. One will find a fairly indistinct hallway that then leads to a small desk and the beginning of theming. From this check-in area, one is taken to a lobby up a set of stairs that is highly themed with images and homages to the history of Spaceship Earth. Also at this stop, a guest is handed a cool lavender-scented towel, which is refreshing and delightful. It begins to feel like a high-end experience as one cools off with their towel (I apologized to the server who took mine away) and soaks in the vibes of comfy seating and golden Spaceship Earth tiles. Yes, the tiles inside are gold to pay tribute to the original Spaceship Earth plans.

The lounge is not large, with comfortable seating for small groups. There is a handful of seating types between the windows looking out towards the World Showcase and the bar. Everyone will want seats next to the windows, seats that have been reserved for fireworks views at night. But everyone can see out towards the greeny and the showcase from inside. We would like to come back at night, perhaps for a fireworks experience, which will require us to sell blood or take out a medium-sized loan. 

“Peach Shrub Whisky Smash”

My sipping companion doesn’t like drinks that taste of pure alcohol, are overly sour, or super bitter. So I was worried that we wouldn't find something that she would enjoy. At the server’s recommendation, she got a “Peach Shrub Whisky Smash” advertised as Toki Suntory Whisky, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, Peach and Mint Shrub, and Bubbles. Luckily for her, the whiskey was hidden by a gentle sourness and gave her something she could enjoy. I did worry that the specialty cocktails would all be options that she would find off-putting, but the bottles displayed behind the bar made it clear to me that they could likely make her a cocktail from scratch if nothing on the menu was pleasing to her. 

The Shapeship Earth Ice of the “Brown Butter Old-Fashioned”

I dove into bourbon. First, I grabbed the “Brown Butter Old-Fashioned” consisting of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, Brown Butter, Maple, and Hella Cocktail Co. Mexican Chocolate Bitters. I don’t see myself as someone who stands in fields and finds heather and leather notes in whiskey. No, I’m the guy who likes Bourbon because its barrels can make a nice temporary home for dark beers and I want to be reminded of that boozy sweetness. I found this old-fashioned to have a nice little whiskey burn balanced out by the sweetness of the brown butter and bitters, with a nice sweet chocolate note. I think the maple helped tame the beast also, but I didn’t walk away saying, “oh yeah, that maple was nice!” It was a very nice old-fashioned, and maybe my second favorite on Disney property after “The Tempting Tigress” at the Nomad Lounge.

Disney Select Bourbon Flight

Second, yes, there was a second; I treated myself to an experience. This is likely a once in a lifetime for me. I may get the old-fashioned again, but I can’t support myself routinely spending $49 on 8 ounces of bourbon. I mean, I didn’t even get tones of vanilla and aisne or stone fruits (which I generally have to Google). But I treated myself to the Exclusive Disney Select Bourbon Flight. It is an experience as you try different presentations of the same liquor. My server said that the “Stagg Private Barrel” is the favorite of the bourbon fans, with me calling it spicy, which means alcohol burny. And I imagine that this spiciness is what real bourbon fans really dig. I preferred the “Uncle Nearest Single Barrel” which I found to be the smoothest. The “Blanton’s Gold Single Barrel” scratched a to drink off my bucket list since Blanton’s and my favorite bourbon, “Buffalo Trace” are very similar. But I didn’t need to get up and chase an allocated bottle. Finally, I found the “Woodford Reserve Private Barrell” to be tastier than I expected, as I don’t drink a lot of Woodford bourbons, which made me rethink that choice. Honestly, I’m glad I did this once, as I don’t often get to sip from private or select barrels; it’s just not an experience I think I would duplicate anytime soon.

We do need to be clear, these cocktails are pricey. But they are also in line with the experience that you are having, the location you are sitting, and the view provided. One just needs to be prepared for the expense.

I did notice behind the bar three different bottles of different-aged Pappy Van Winkle bourbons. I mean for the three of us who watched Secret Wars on Disney+, this is how we drink like Nick Fury. It’s also an unicorn bottle of bourbon for many sippers, a liquid I have never sampled myself. I texted a friend who thinks he’s a bourbon guy, asking what bottle he would still be chasing. He immediately stated, Pappy. So I did ask the server what a sample of Pappy would cost and if it’s available. The resounding answer was yes, I mean Disney has always been willing to take Disney adult money. I was told based on the age, it would cost $150 to $400 for two ounces. That is a pretty steep pricetag, but I also think it’s fair for what I have seen other bourbon bars that I have been at sell a sample from the bottle.

Funghi Flatbeard

There are five small bites on the menu. Some of them are not to my tastes. It does sound like the chef’s selection of cheeses or meats, can we just call it charcuterie, is the item that will fill larger parties and picky eaters. We grabbed the Funghi Flatbeard, which was such good mushroomy goodness. But, like with many things at GEO-82, it’s a $15 price tag for a few bites when split between two. But it is so so good if you like mushrooms!

Beer, why would you come here for beer? It’s an honest question. Beer is nothing special, and in fact, a handful of beers that one can find throughout Walt Disney World, including Yuengling's “Traditional Lager” and Lexington’s “Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale” which just don’t feel like special brews for such a high-end, highly desired reservation.


Who Drinks Here? Disney adults who love Epcot and want to feel classy while sipping high-end cocktails without the pressure and presence of children drink here. Those guests with a reservation have to want a cocktail to get the most out of the experience, as beer is much cheaper and more interesting outside of GEO-82. I can see visiting again for an anniversary or special event, which should only be shared with adults, but I don’t see GEO-82 as my go-to location.