BAY LAKE, Fla. -- When most people think of Walt Disney World, images of Mickey Mouse, castles and children screaming -- usually in delight -- pop into their heads (for the record: my kid is one of them, no judgement).
But there's a whole other side to the Vacation Kingdom of the World, one filled with Disney adults, drinking around the world and even top-shelf, exclusive booze for those looking to imbibe between attractions and shows.
And it's clear that Disney is listening to the denizens of that side of the World. I include myself among them.
Last summer, two new bars opened in the parks: The Beak and Barrel, themed to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise in Magic Kingdom, and Geo-82, an ode to its home inside Epcot's icon, Spaceship Earth. I checked out both on a recent family trip (thanks for babysitting, grandma!).
Magic Kingdom's The Beak and Barrel
Let's start with The Beak and Barrel, whose entrance is aptly located next to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
First, let's get this out of the way: It's a bar in Magic Kingdom, the theme park that notoriously shunned alcohol for decades despite its popularity, and ubiquity, in Disney's other parks.
You've been able to get a drink or two (but no more than two, there's a maximum) at table-service meals at the Magic Kingdom for years, but for me, it was really a novelty to sit -- er, stand -- in an actual bar there.
It should be noted that, over the course of your timed, 45-minute reservation, you might get a seat, but you might be leaning against a bar, too, where I found myself. There isn't a bathroom inside, either, so plan ahead to avoid spending a chunk of that reservation outside the bar. There is a two-drink max here, too.
Inside, the theming is on point.
Rummy the parrot, one of the bars main attractions. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
A giant wooden anchor hangs from the beamed ceiling in the main room, wax perpetually dripping from candles on top of it and in the rafters. Nautical artifacts are littered throughout the space. Its centerpiece sits behind the bar: what appears to be the back of a ship in the shape of a skull.
The centerpiece is also home to one of the bar's main attractions (aside from the drinks): Rummy, the parrot companion to the space's owner, pirate Captain Meridian "Merry" Goldwyn. Goldwyn is off adventuring, but Rummy -- an animatronic that looks very similar to the barker bird that once sat outside the attraction, encouraging park visitors to ride -- is happy to lead the bar in song, through storms and beyond.
The vibes to imbibe
The atmosphere inside The Beak and Barrel is rowdy and noisy (parents of kids who prefer quieter spaces, take note). It's also just plain fun. Who doesn't want to join their bartenders and servers for a rousing rendition of "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" when they've had a rum drink or two?
With the help of some of that patented Disney magic, things also happen inside the bar, whether it's one of the aforementioned storms or all the rum draining from an enchanted bottle behind the bar.
The Beak and Barrel is the pirate-themed version of the popular Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and Tiki Bar that's just outside the park at the Polynesian Resort, and follows its lead as an interactive bar quite well.
And now, for the drinks. There are several nonalcoholic specialties for kids and those who don't wish to imbibe alongside a menu of signature cocktails. Take note, the cocktails are premixed, so you can't request any additions, subtractions or more custom drinks.
I enjoyed the Siren's Whisper ($20), a potent mix of pot and column still white rum blend, Bols Blue Curacao liqueur, Combier creme de peche de vigne liqueur, lime and cinnamon. My bartenders topped it with a few drops of "mermaid's tears," which I was told would curse me … to have a really good time. They weren't wrong.
A limited food menu is available at The Beak and Barrel. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Wine, beer and a selection of rums are also available, as is a limited food menu. I tried the island provisions ($16), a trio of dips served with plantain and tortilla chips and flatbread; it was a great snack for two at the end of a long day.
The Beak and Barrel is for lovers of a lively, interactive themed bar (I'm not 100% sure why, but I repeatedly chanted "Walk the plank!" with the masses when several groups walked out the door). Cocktail connoisseurs might not find the level of nuance or customization they'd like, but I've had many a drink in my day, and I was happy, even if the drinks were a little sweeter than I usually prefer.
Epcot's Geo-82
Two short monorail rides away sits Geo-82 inside Epcot, the park best known for its adult beverages.
Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
It sits inside Spaceship Earth toward the rear of the building. You enter the bar through a side door to Project Tomorrow, the interactive post-show area where riders exit the attraction (you heard that right; for once, it's not a gift shop!).
Indeed, Geo-82 is the perfect spot to sit and debate your favorite Spaceship Earth narrator over the years. With apologies to Jeremy Irons, I'm team Judi Dench all the way.
I was delighted to recognize a few elements of the space from its previous iteration, a private sponsor lounge for whichever company sponsored Spaceship Earth. I visited it more than a dozen years ago when I was at the park with a friend who worked for then-sponsor Siemens.
Today, though, the space is beautifully updated with touches throughout that are reminiscent of the giant geodesic dome that is Spaceship Earth, from lighting fixtures to textured walls. Much of the lighting inside corresponds to color-changing lights in Epcot's World Celebration neighborhood, visible through the large windows overlooking that section of the park. Guests wearing a MagicBand+ device will notice the lights on the band correspond, as well.
Those large windows lend themselves perfectly to fireworks views over World Showcase Lagoon. A full-on Geo-82 Fireworks Experience, which includes light bites and sips during nighttime spectacular "Luminous: The Symphony of Us," is available for $179 per person. It has reserved seating next to the windows.
Drinks and a show
I happened to be there during fireworks time, though a few tables away from the window, and the view was great. Even better, the soundtrack was pumped in through the bar's sound system, the clearest I've ever heard the show.
My fellow patrons immediately quieted down when the first firework went off, and we all just sat and collectively enjoyed the show.
Maybe now is a good time to mention that Geo-82 is restricted to those 21 and up. It also offers seating for all, and bathrooms in the space.
The decor and the view are both major selling points for the joint, but the third piece of the puzzle would have to be the drinks. The bar serves small bites, too.
Cocktail connoisseurs have a lot to celebrate here.
Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
I started with the exclusive Disney Select bourbon flight ($49) featuring pours of Uncle Nearest single barrel, Woodford Reserve single barrel, Blanton's gold single barrel and Stagg private barrel. Keep in mind, these bourbons can only be consumed within Geo-82 -- they're that exclusive.
They were delicious, and the server's recommendation of drinking order -- Uncle Nearest, Woodford, Blanton's then Stagg -- was right on. It was an added bonus that they came on a themed wooden platter with etchings reminiscent of Spaceship Earth.
I also tried the pink peppercorn clover club ($25), a nice mixture of gin, raspberry and lemon with a delightful peppercorn taste. I expected it to be sweet based on its vibrant pink color, but it wasn't. It was fruity and black pepper-forward, but with no spice, a well-balanced cocktail.
The brown butter old fashioned ($28, Woodford Reserve double oaked bourbon, brown butter, maple and Hella Cocktail Co. Mexican chocolate bitters) wasn't for me because I'm not the biggest fan of brown butter in cocktail form, but it was very approachable and drinkable.
These two spaces highlight the depth of Disney's current strategy. The Beak and Barrel offers the high-energy, interactive fun families are looking for in the parks, while Geo-82 provides something of a sanctuary for the 21-and-over crowd. For advisors, these additions are more than new places to grab a drink; they are useful tools to help tailor a trip to clients' particular speeds.
Personally, I'm just happy I have a place to toast Dame Dench in peace, even if I have to head back to stroller parking eventually.