Williams Family: The Beak and Barrel

 

The Beak and Barrel, a new dining/experience location at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort, opened the last week-end in August 2025.  Reservations required.

Nestled inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the signed entrance for The Beak and Barrel is to the right of the queue entrance for the attraction.  This location was the former Pirates League where guests would be transformed into pirates with make-up and accessories. 

Pirate theming abounds, as guests are inside a pirate ship.  The parrot speaks and squawks periodically, pirate songs are song by guests and crew, and MagicBand+ lights up, not because of interactivity in the lounge, but because of proximity to the attraction down below. 

Guests check-in for their reservation outside the entrance. Once a text is received to approach the podium, proceed.  Guest parties are called in groups to enter with the caveat that this is a 45 minute adventure and informed that there is group seating.  (Think Biergarten at EPCOT or Oga's Cantina at Hollywood Studios.)

We were seated in the "Captain's" room at a table for two.  Seating, and or standing if in the "Map" room, is at tables, booths, the bar, and wooden stools along the walls.  And, given one menu to read in a dark room--I got out my phone for both pictures and the flashlight app.  Our seater warned us that we would only have 45 minutes. 

Our server arrived shortly complete with pirate garb and scratchy pirate voice and accent.  We ordered Island Provisions, an assortment of chips and dips which were tasty, and Cook's Corn Griddle Cakes with Chipotle-braised Chicken which was spicy and I found the griddle cakes hard and tough to cut/chew.  There is a Griddle Cakes option without the chicken.  The only other "bite" on the menu is Kraken's Catch which is octopus tentacles.  

For guests over 21, libations are on the menu with a 2-drink maximum.  We tried the Hibiscus Rum Punch Royale and Salty Seas mARRRgarita.  Each drink came in a different cup--again think what would be found on a pirate ship.  There is a souvenir drink with cup available for purchase--Plunderer's Punch.  There are wines, beer, and reserve rum selections, too.  While there is a bar, this isn't an order your favorite spirit or drink location as far as we could tell.  

Magic Band is interacting with attraction down below

Our server, too, warned us of the 45 minute limit and that he would return half-way through to inquire about a second round of drinks.  Our food came quickly and our server was friendly and attentive. 

Click here for The Beak and Barrel menu. 

The Beak and Barrel is a unique experience that will fit the bill for many guests and fans, as is evident by the nearly full and difficult to snag reservation system.  

If you are looking to fill empty bellies during a day at a theme park, The Beak and Barrel would not be a top choice.  While the menu is allergy friendly, it is not picky eater friendly.  And, it's pricey!

We saw parents wandering with littles looking for a restroom inside the establishment.  I had inquired and knew the restroom is outside the lounge, on the far side of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.  

Speaking of wandering, guests are welcome to move about and take in the theming, but best to do it at the end of your experience as to not use up the 45 minutes allotted to your table. 

Note:  Partway through our experience at The Beak and Barrel, the lounge lost its lighting--not electricity as the music continued to play, but all of the lights.  Suited Cast Members were suddenly on their phones, servers got out flashlights and/or used their phones, guests pulled out their phones for illumination, and important people began filing through the door.  The second entrance was opened for light. We were checked on by multiple Cast Members making sure we were okay.  The lounge stopped seating guests, many guests paid and left, and we were smiling at the adventure and munched on chips.  The husband ordered a second drink.  We were told to take our time and soon Guest Experience Team members (blue shirts) arrived with their tablets and scanned park tickets and MagicBands to add a Lightning Lane entitlement to accounts.  We were told this has never happened before.  The husband blamed "George" the supposed ghost that haunts Pirates of the Caribbean.  We do say good-bye to George on our way up the escalator belt when we exit the attraction! 

We paid our bill; I signed the receipt with a flashlight pointing.  The lights did turn on before we left, and we were able to capture photos in a relatively empty lounge and took a small tour.  On the other side of the door was a flood of guests waiting to enter.  

To top off our experience, we scanned our MagicBands on the Lightning Lane entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean and of course, said good-bye to George on our way out. 

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.