Here at AllEars, we’re big Disney food fans. I dream about dinners at certain restaurants and am always planning our next snack, so when Disney is starting to make a change in the parks, I’m going to notice.
What’s up with this new shift Disney has been making away from traditional restaurants? A new era is coming to Disney Parks, and well, we have some thoughts.
It feels like Disney has been focusing on adult-centered spaces like bars and lounges. In June, the very first adults-only lounge was opened at Disney World, GEO-82.
This space is only for those 21 and up, has small plates and over-the-top drinks with beautiful views of EPCOT. While Disney has always been a family-friendly place, it surprised us to see them open a lounge only for adults inside one of the theme parks.
We’ve had some adults-only restaurants on the Disney Cruise Line, like Enchante on the Disney Wish, for many years now, but the cruise line has always felt separate from the theme parks, even though both are under the Disney name.
Beak and Barrel is the pirates-themed lounge opening in Magic Kingdom on August 29th, with reservations opening August 14th. This bar will be family-friendly and welcome guests of all ages, but guests are concerned about the family atmosphere.
At Oga’s Cantina, while there are non-alcoholic drinks for adults, there is also the Oga’s Obsession, a flavored lemonade drink, for kids to get in on the fun.
But should this bar be family-friendly at all?
The menu was recently released with four Caribbean-inspired food items and two non-alcoholic drinks. The rest of the menu includes seven specialty cocktails, wine, beer, and rum pours.
The lounge also promotes sing-alongs and storytelling, which will likely be the biggest draw for children. It’s also important to note that Beak and Barrel will be open during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party after it opens and at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, two events that are popular with families.
Magic Kingdom has traditionally only sold alcohol at sit-down restaurants, but unlike the other three parks, alcohol is a little harder to get here. Beak and Barrel will have 45-minute reservations with a maximum of two drinks per guest to limit guests.
Even the resorts aren’t immune to this new shift. The Grand Floridian is currently under renovation to add a bar in the lobby of the resort. Soon, you’ll be able to grab a drink and sit around the lobby while listening to the pianist and enjoying the vibes.
On July 26th, Bourbon Steak officially opened at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, replacing the long-standing Shula’s Steak House location. This was one of the best meals we’ve ever had in Disney World, but it’s an upscale and expensive place. There is a kids’ menu here, but you’ll likely find groups of adults filling the restaurant due to the menu and cocktail lineup.
Should Disney continue to make this change? Disney World has the idea of being only for families, but what about the Disney Adults who want a more specialized experience? It feels like Disney is marketing towards a different audience with these new additions.
In the comments, tell us what you think! Do you like this new shift, or do you think Disney should stick with the traditional restaurants? Let us know your thoughts and make sure you keep following AllEars for more Disney news.
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THE BEST DRINKS AT DISNEY WORLD (BOTH ALCOHOLIC AND NON-ALCOHOLIC)
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Both locations have been wasted space for years. I expect the pirates lounge will be more of an experience, like Oga’s, with a couple of drinks as a little bonus for the adults. It won’t be possible to become the same drinking-around-the-world atmosphere/situation as EPCOT. Why not throw the adults (& grand adults) this little bone. As for EPCOT, the lounge is tucked away where no kids really want to hang. It could be a good spot to chill with a nightcap, while the kids get in some last minute rides at the end of the day, as long as you’re not driving.
Not a fan of liquor in a family oriented park like MK. At least they have a drink max, unlike EP. I still envision some mum or dad still getting tipsy. (kinda sad) It seems Disney thinks its guests have drinking problems….or are easily swayed into buying those expensive drinks? Guess we’re no longer buying enough over priced souvenirs? I wish there would be more adult only venues at Disney. A large portion of guests are sans kids, couples or solo.
I don’t like there being bars in the parks or at the resorts that are more child oriented. A drink with a meal is ok, but not making alcohol a source of income at a vacation destination that is a primary destination for children.
I recall being at Epcot during the food and wine festival and there being a shoulder to shoulder crowd and trying to walk behind a bunch of young people that couldn’t handle their alcohol. Not sure if they might suddenly be sick, walking side to side. Not a good time.
There is a place where people can go and drink all day and night, while they eat, or while they gamble. The only difference is Vegas doesn’t allow children in the casino.
magic Kingdom needs more quick drink stops. even if they want to corral ppl in a little gated area, we need more walk up and get a quick drink options. the average Disney Dad will out drink and outspend any other type of bar patron. we need less time sink lounges and more quick drink breaks, ones that serve better stuff than coors and uninspired IPAs.
as for the lounges, making them family inclusive means they aren’t shutting out a big part of their population. I’ll likely never visit the Geo lounge because it’s in a unfavorable part of Epcot that I rarely visit, and because my kids won’t be 21 for over a decade from now, and Geo will become something else. tbh, these days, even Oga’s is a skip for us, we can get half the drinks at docking bay with dinner.
There are enough adults going without kids to warrant adults-only restaurants, bars, and lounges. These can be located both in the resorts and parks.,
I think this is great, there’s a lot of “Disney adults” young and (ahem, I mean me 😏) “older,” who enjoy exploring other aspects of WDW….
I love this new shift! Our youngest is now 16 and doesn’t even come with us every time we go to Disney. When we are overheated,a quieter space with no screaming kids sounds fantastic.
I’m not sure I would call it a change of direction just yet, but I don’t mind the trend. We have been going to WDW since the 80s and have been DVC members for over 20 years. There have always been adults without children in the parks over the years. They should be able enjoy a quiet, adults only atmosphere once in a while. We have stayed at several of the resort hotels as a family of eight including grandchildren. Sometimes it’s just my wife and me. We always enjoy (and need) Disney detoxing from time to time, but that is nearly impossible for adults to do inside the parks. Sometimes we leave the parks early just so we can relax at the hotel. At GF we grab a glass of wine at the pool bar or at the Enchanted Rose, then sit in the lobby and listen to the pianist (we do miss that Dixieland group that played on the 2nd floor). We often sit at hotel pool locations wherever we stay. But when we are inside the parks the only indoors places to relax and regroup are mostly restaurants where spur of the moment seating is impossible to find. We are a family group but we still think there should be an adults only lounge/bar in each park.
I agree about the bar at pirates – seems not be a good idea to bring kids to a bar – I am sure it will be cool and well done just seems like Joe Camel. Whats next a cigar bar that has candy cigars for the kids to “smoke”.
Our kids are grown so I will be checking it out
I am ok for the most part! Very disappointed with the change at the Grand Floridian effecting the gingerbread house
!!!
Yep