Williams Family: Our GEO-82 Opening Day Experience

 

GEO-82 is a new dining location at EPCOT and we were there on opening day!

 Geo-82 from outside

Entrance to Geo-82

The adult only establishment is located in an area on the 2nd floor behind Spaceship Earth.  When we went, there were NO SIGNS outside for the restaurant.  We had an idea of where the entrance might be, on the right side of Spaceship Earth, but the only door was to Project Tomorrow, the area guests walk through as they exit after riding Spaceship Earth.  It was inside the sliding doors to Project Tomorrow that we spied the Geo-82 sign.  We then turned left and walked down a short hallway to the check-in desk with a staircase and elevator near-by.

Hallway on first floor that leads to the check-in desk. Not much room for 2-way traffic.

Our reservation was for our party of four was at 5:05 pm.  We checked in about 10 minutes prior after waiting in a line in the hallway and watching guests without reservations get turned away.  I gave my telephone number and was told to go wait in Project Tomorrow as there are no seats in this check-in area.  I asked why there was no sign outside and was told that it is for the "speakeasy vibe."    

Project Tomorrow at the exit of Spaceship Earth

Wall across from first floor check-in desk

Behind the first floor check-in desk for speakeasy vibes

Now typically, at this point, my phone dings, indicating that our check-in at the restaurant is established and that I will receive another text when the table is ready.  No text. At 5:05, I returned to the check-in desk to inquire about not receiving the initial text and confirm that the phone number is correct.  Phone number was correct, but "their system wasn't sending the initial text messages."  I also learned that guests "upstairs" were taking their time and that there is a seating area upstairs but it was full. Back to Project Tomorrow to wait.

Will you take the stairs or elevator to the second floor?

5:30 pm, the husband goes to the check-in stand to inquire about our reservation.  Sometimes a different face helps.  He called me and said to come, so off we went.  Another delay at the check-in desk and then off we went, half of us in the elevator and the other half up the stairs.  

We were greeted by a Cast Member holding a try of damp washcloths with a special scent and were handed to us with tongs.  The cold washcloths did smell nice and after wiping our hands we were to dispose of them in a trash bin nearby.  

Second floor waiting area

Second floor waiting area

Now, we were in the seating area upstairs.  It was not full.  There was one other party.  At 5:45, my phone dinged.  Your table is ready; proceed to the host desk on the 2nd floor.  OK, we were already there, actually past the desk so I approached with the message open on my phone and was told to return to the waiting area until we were called.  

Portal from sitting area to dining area

More waiting as we watched other parties enter the waiting area and then get escorted by Cast Members to their tables.  We were the only party in this area.  Finally, a Cast Member came to get us and walked us to our table.  Yes, the floor in the hallway has the twinkling lights a nod to the original EPCOT pavement. 

View looking outside Geo-82

At 6:05 pm, we were seated.  One hour after the time of our reservation. Our table had 1 chair and a curved banquet, so 3 of us on one side with 1 of us in the chair.  It felt like someone was at a job interview and we joked about it.  Now, I will say that this table most likely had 2 chairs, but the neighboring table ended up adding a guest to their party after they were already seated (watched the whole thing happening from the sitting area). 

Exclusive Disney Select Bourbon Flight

Peach Shrub Whisky Smash and Coke

High Brow Batanga

The menu is in a book and matches the theming.  Our server approached and knew the script about the food and drinks.  One in our party has a food allergy and the server diligently communicated with the chef.  Three of us ordered drinks from the menu with the fourth ordering a Coke.  We had to ask for waters.  We also had to ask for napkins with the drinks.  Well, I asked for napkins and was given three cocktail napkins.  There are no coasters.

Chef's Selection of Artisanal Cheeses, Cured Meats, and Accompaniments

Funghi Flatbread

We ordered Chef's Selection of Artisanal Cheeses, Cured Meats, and Accompaniments, a long way to say Charcuterie, and Funghi Flatbread (mushroom) to share at the table.  When the food was brought to the table by a different Cast Member, our server was passing out small plates, cloth napkins and small silverware--knife and fork. 

Our Coke drinker finished his drink and the conversation turned to whether or not there would be a charge for a refill.  He ordered another Coke.  What do you think?  Was there a charge?

Three adventurous eaters tried everything while the fourth diner enjoyed the bread on the charcuterie plate.  Speaking of bread, the ratio of cheese, cured meats, and spreads was greater than the amount of bread to accompany.  More bread, please!  We didn't ask.

The check arrived and guess what?  No charge for the second Coke!  We paid and headed to the restrooms.  Don't get me started on how the toilet paper dispenser has a "stop" function but the toilet paper was hanging in such a way that the stop function allowed for the only 1-2 squares coming off the roll at a time. 

We each received a commemorative wine glass

Back down the stairs and elevator.  We were each given a bag that contained a box.  Turns out those were commemorative glass wine glasses to take home.  Nice touch.

We walked to the nearest Joffrey's as one in our party wanted a coffee.  There is no tea or coffee served at Geo-82, as we were told by our server.

That's the play-by-play, but there's more.  There were EMPTY tables in the restaurant the whole time we were seated.  Disney website says Advanced Reservations are required, which I understand, especially with Geo-82 being new.  But empty tables mean less revenue and again, we watched so many guests being turned away at the check-in stand on the first floor.  

Highlights:

• Theming is cool and a novel idea for use of the space.  We had been in that space during a tour as it was used as a lounge for the attraction sponsor.  There are similar spaces near Coral Reef, in the middle of Test Track, and in The Land Pavilion.
• Along with theming, the drinks and food have stories, like the reserved bourbon only for Disney Parks.
• There is a fireworks experience that has a different menu of offerings that may be fun to try.

Only for Disney Parks & Resorts

Recommendations:

• Put a sign outside.  Please.  I asked the woman handing out washcloths why no sign and was told, "yeah, that's funny" with my reply being it was frustrating.  Signage outside will not detract from the speakeasy vibe.  The location is visible on the MyDisneyExperience app when Dining locations are selected.
• Don't use Project Tomorrow as a seating area for guests waiting on a reservation.  This was off-putting.  It would be like guests waiting to dine at Coral Reef being told to wait in the Living Seas aquarium area. 
• Anticipate guest needs with waters, drink napkins, and a pen to sign the bill.  Yes, I had to ask for a pen.
• As a guest, don't come hungry, come curious to try something new.  

I know that it was opening day and there are still kinks to work out.  My hope is that there is an awareness of the kinks so that they can be addressed.  There was plenty of staff on hand in all areas, it is about communication, efficiency, and making sure systems are working, such as the initial text message system not working--which is OK, but tell guests upon check-in.

Will we be back?  Maybe.  It is pricey, no discounts yet. If friends or visitors wanted to go and wanted us to go with them, then yes.