Hello and welcome to my 2026 Princess Half Marathon Weekend coverage! Today we’ll be discussing our pre-half meal at GEO-82 in Epcot. Read all the posts in this report here. Onward!
Score one for the hoi polloi! Down with the corporation-exclusive Siemens lounge; up with GEO-82, the restaurant for the masses.
Assuming, of course, that the masses are prepared to throw down a medium amount of money.
WHAT’S GEO-82?
GEO-82 is a new Epcot restaurant located INSIDE Spaceship Earth. That’s right, you can now eat and drink from within the iconic golf ball geodesic dome itself.
This space is not new. It started life as a lounge for whatever corporation was sponsoring the dark ride at the time. Siemens dropped their sponsorship in 2017, I believe, paving the way for Disney to transform the space into an upscale bar restaurant.
GEO-82 offers a fireworks viewing package with a fixed assortment of drinks and snacks; I haven’t tried this, although I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued. During the day, however, there is a full bar and food menu, open to anyone with a reservation.
You can access GEO-82 through a small opening in Spaceship Earth’s post-ride area. After checking in, you’ll take the stairs or an elevator to the lobby. When your table is ready, they’ll call you into the restaurant proper.
WHAT’S GEO-82 LIKE?
GEO-82 might be best described as classy. It’s not opulent, it’s not elite, it’s not true luxury – but it aspires to look and feel a lot like these things. Just being at Disney tends to soften the hard edges of elegance and refinement.
That can be a boon, though! Whoever headed the design team made sure to play with Spaceship Earth’s motifs. The famous geodesic dome triangles are everywhere you look – down to the glassware AND what’s inside it. Look at the Spaceship Earth ice! (Those glasses are available for purchase, btw. I don’t need one. … Right? Are you sure?)
Perhaps it would make the most sense to say that GEO-82 sits at the intersection of friendliness and ritziness. The menu is gilded but the people are regular. Or anyway I am!
You know what the people aren’t, though? Children. To dine at GEO-82 you must be 21 years of age or older. I can see how that might be a disappointment for families. Alas, as one of those childless millennials you keep hearing about, I see the appeal of a retreat for adults.
Oh, for the view-hounds: GEO-82 has one wall of windows facing toward World Showcase. They’re covered by a shade until 5pm. You can’t really see much through it during the day.
HOW ARE THE DRINKS?
Do you number among the many who hate how frequently a highly expensive Disney cocktail is low on alcohol? Then GEO-82 might just be the bar for you!
For my first drink, I went with the Peach Shrub Whisky Smash (Toki Suntory Whisky, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, Peach and Mint Shrub, Bubbles). I often prefer my whisky on the rocks over mixed in a cocktail, but the additional ingredients were speaking to me (I love fresh peach AND mint AND bubbles!) so I took a shot.
Before I dive into my review, let me tell you about my second round, because it was also a whisky cocktail: the Clarified New York Sour (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, Yuzu, Lemon, Red Wine Float).
Both of these cocktails were excellent – and whisky forward. This was especially true of the Clarified New York Sour, which almost tasted like drinking straight whisky with through a filter of wine and citrus flavors. If you prefer a cocktail that kicks you in the proverbial teeth, order a Clarified New York Sour.
For something a little gentler but still noticeably strong, I adored my Whisky Peach Smash. In this case, all the cocktail elements co-starred with the alcohol as opposed to supporting players as in the above. I loved the balance of sweet fruit, herbaceous mint, and effervescence of the bubbles. I wish I had one right now!
Another fun surprise? The Whisky Peach Smash came with a cute little amuse bouche in the form of a tiny shortbread topped with apricot jam. I’m not sure to what I owe the honor but it was a delicious singular bite – very buttery and tangy-sweet.
If none of the drinks on the official menu appeal to you, don’t be afraid to ask for a standard… or even something bespoke! At one point Kate had a good looking margarita in front of her, and Erika’s order of “surprise me” yielded a pretty pink cocktail that your socials will eat up.
HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
With five of us in attendance, we were able to work our way through 80% of the food menu at GEO-82. Here’s what we thought of each dish:
Truffled ahi tuna (Japanese Whisky Barrel-aged Soy-Truffle Ponzu, Citrus, Scallion, Tobiko, Black Sesame Seeds). The soy-truffle glaze was just enough to add a little sweet-and-sour punch to the tuna, which is deep pink and freshly delicious. Anyone who enjoys tuna steak will dig this. The portion is small, however, so should you have an appetite you’ll want to order at least one additional dish.
Jump lump crab gateau (Smoked Cheddar, Pickled Mustard Seed-Lemon Vinaigrette, Supreme Caviar). I’m sorry, but I simply do not like crab. I tried a bite and it tasted like crab. Bleh. But Becky and Erika loved it, so it’s probably a good choice if you’re a shellfish fan?
Funghi Flatbread (Roasted Mushrooms, Miso-Mascarpone, Mozzarella, Fontina, Pickled Red Onion, Black Garlic Molasses). This is a mushroom white pizza. Okay, yes, as is generally the case with flatbreads, the crust is poofier and breadier than, say, a New York slice. But I’ve had this dish before. This was a good mushroom flatbread and will hit the spot if that’s what you’re after, but it probably won’t wow you.
Chef’s Selection of Artisanal Cheeses, Cured Meats, and Accompaniments. Our quest to try every charcuterie board on Disney property continues! And this might be my favorite so far??? I’d imagine the description is kept vague because the individual meats and cheese sare rotational and dependent on what’s on the market. I’d also imagine it hardly matters, because while the meats and cheese themselves were lovely, it was the accompaniments that really made it for me.
Adding the honey or apricot jam to the meat, cheese, or both created exciting new flavor profiles straight out of Remy’s handbook. The pickles were lightly sweet and fresh – clearly house-made. And if you like to make little cracker stacks, you have two types of bread to choose from. Ten outta ten; would charcuterie board again.
The only item we didn’t try was the cannellini hummus. Becky ordered this dish on a previous visit and declared it the best hummus she’s ever had. Guess I’ll have to go back!
DOES THE SERVICE MATCH THE PRICING?
Service at GEO-82 was excellent but not deluxe. To be clear, I do not mean this as a criticism. I don’t think GEO-82 is so fancy as to warrant something truly white-glove. I make this distinction more to strata the degree of exclusivity GEO-82 inhabits than to slap a sick burn on the Cast Members. Their comparatively casual demeanor keeps things from getting too stuffy. This isn’t Victoria & Albert’s after all!
As it stands, our server was simultaneously personable and professional, joking with us in keeping with the vibe we presented while maintaining decorum. He was knowledgeable about all aspects of the menu, and showed up at our table at all the right times without hovering. Perhaps most enjoyably of all, I never once felt rushed.
IS GEO-82 WORTH IT?
Honestly, if you were to walk into GEO-82 completely blind, the prices would probably be a bit of a jump scare. You’re not doing that, though – you just read this blog post!
You know me and my rallying cry: value is subjective. As a celebratory, post-Princess, only-on-vacation expenditure, I felt GEO-82 was completely worth it. The views and decor, strong pours, elevated bar bites, and convivial atmosphere all combined in a way that worked for me. I walked away already eager to return.
Then again, could you have just as good a time getting a drink or two from a kiosk in World Showcase and wandering Epcot unfettered? You absolutely could if that’s more your budget.
GEO-82 is not, by my estimation, a must-do. It doesn’t provide anything only Walt Disney World could offer. Should this review speak to you, however, I would highly recommend trying it at least once. I doubt you’ll be disappointed!
Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Threads @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!