For many years, Disney theme park visits did not include adult beverages. While Coca-Cola might have been served on opening day at Disneyland, the most magical place on Earth preferred skip adult beverages.
Today’s Disney theme park visit is very different. Some people happily drink around the world and others savor creative and thoughtfully curated beverages at various restaurants. From a South African Chenin Blanc wine at Tiffins in Animal Kingdom to Nutty Irishman at Hollywood Studios’ Brown Derby Restaurant, each one adds another layer of authenticity to the beverage experience.
When Walt Disney World opened Geo 82 at Epcot, the beverage team took a huge leap forward with its offerings. While Disney dining has a Michelin star restaurant and celebrated chefs within its offerings, the tremendous selection of high-end, unique and coveted spirits behind this bar has drinkers flabbergasted.
From numerous offerings of Pappy Van Winkle to WhistlePig’s the Beholden, this selection is far from different than a well pour in a mixed drink. Whether it is a mid-afternoon respite from the chaos or the last sip under the blanket of fireworks that illuminate the sky, these beverages deserve a moment to allow the imagination to soar with the flavor experience.
Disney’s Beverage Director Embraces Unique Offerings to Elevate Guests’ Experiences
The Geo 82 menu is a lovely example of how Stephanie Dold and her team balance familiarity with flavor trends. The bar is packed with a collection of bourbons and whiskeys that would make a collector drool. At the same time, the person who does not know a blend from a single malt will not be intimidated by the experience.
Just like the magical moments within the theme park open the experience to everyone, the cocktails at Geo 82 are equally inclusive with just a little extra helping of pixie dust. The Brown Butter Old Fashion is a lovely example.
This particular cocktail features Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, Brown Butters, Maple, and Hella Cocktail Co Mexican Chocolate Bitters. Some mixologists would shy away from fat washing that particular Woodford offering, but Dold and her team in the Flavor Lab embraced it.
Dold explained, “we wanted to have something that would stand out. It was really hard to sit in the lab and fat-wash all the different bourbons, but this one captured that smoothness. This one is the best expression.”
While many bourbon drinkers would love to have that difficult job, the resulting cocktail is one that everyone will enjoy. From the person who has sipped that Double Oaked Woodford neat or the person who has never had the expression, they can come together and appreciate the experience.
The biggest driving force in everything that Dold and her team does is the flavor. As she said, “it comes down to the flavor that we are trying to achieve. We can give them something that is a little be elevated or something that is their opportunity to try.”
Dold & Her Team Make Connections Across All Its Spirits & Cocktail Offerings
While bourbon and whiskey drinkers will happily enjoy the bourbon flight that features Uncle Nearest Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve Private Barrel, Blanton’s Gold Single Barrel and Stagg Private Barrel, the beverage team encourages guests to raise a glass to other offerings. Even if the connections are not obvious, the flavor ties can be found.
For example, the Electron with its Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal is a cocktail that bourbon drinkers greatly appreciate. While this cocktail is vibrant with its carrot flavors, the smoky notes and warm cinnamon spices are similar to bourbon-focused drinks.
At the same time, the cocktail is approachable for the person who loves a great margarita. Finding that delicate balance between the familiar and the new is something that Dold and her beverage team do well.
Themed Immersive Experiences Get An Elevated Approach
While Geo 82 is a sophisticated, adults-only location at Epcot, Dold and her beverage team had a large influence on the newest Disney offering, The Beak and Barrel. The eater-tainment venue in Magic Kingdom has plenty of spirited offerings that showcase the team’s attention to authenticity.
For example, Dold made a conscious decision to use coconut water in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. That subtle nod is another example of creative storytelling behind the bar. Guests might not necessarily pick up on the Caribbean connection, but the flavor adds to the overall experience.
Even the particular spirits used in the cocktails are elevated. For example, the menu’s bourbon cocktail, Barrel’s Ablaze, features Jack Daniel’s Bonded Bourbon. Since the cocktail is relatively simple, the nuanced spirit excites the drinker. At the same time, it is a familiar brand that a large audience will appreciate.
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