I’ve known about Space 220 but hadn’t looked too much into it. Part of the reason is that the restaurant is Prix Fixe and listed as $$$. The last time we walked up to the entrance to try to get into the lounge, which is listed as a separate thing from the restaurant on the Disney app, we were told it was about a 40-minute wait. We’d also have to stand there until the time came for us to go in. We decided against it, and wrote it off again.

Walk-ups to the Space 220 Lounge

The occasion arose for us to get some serious space theming. After a spin on Mission Space, we walked over to the entrance again around lunchtime. This time, we were more determined and ready to wait for a reasonable time. We asked about getting into the lounge as a walk up and were told it’d be about 40 minutes to an hour. We took a spot by the wall and stood there. 

Not too long after, a couple walked up and seemed to be asking the same thing. Eventually, the couple were let in before us, which I guess is on us for not being hypervigilant. There were about 10 people, maybe four groups total, waiting around, and it was disorganized since there was no real line queue and likely won’t be.

TIP: If you’re trying to get in as a walk up, be sure the cast member knows your intention and ask them if they need to take your name. Also, do your best to watch what’s happening, like people leaving the restaurant or the cast member looking for the next walkup.

We got in after about 20 minutes.

A Trip to Space

When you enter, you experience some Disney magic and are “transported” to the restaurant in space. On the way, it all looks futuristic and like you’re about to get on a ride. The experience is immersive, and there are some great photos. There’s no real ride, but there is a video experience that could make some queasy if they have issues with screens or heights. 

The restaurant is a medium-sized dining room with a ten-person bar on one side and the “windows” to space on the other. For some reason, I was expecting there to be more to the restaurant or for it to be bigger. 

The Space 220 Lounge

I quickly understood why getting into the “lounge” is so hard. The ten-seat bar and a few tables behind it, which could easily be considered the dining room, are what I believe to be the lounge. There are only a few tables, and even fewer are for two. (There’s a similar issue with getting into Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant with a party of four.)  

We also experienced why they are careful about letting walk-ins in. A party of three came in knowing they weren’t sitting together and made it awkward by walking around and talking over people/across people in a quiet place with not much extra space.

Themed Dining

The restaurant’s theming is pretty neat. You seem to be in a dining hall on a spaceship like Star Trek. It’s not overwhelming once in the actual restaurant, though. I thought a nice touch was that the plates looked like moons. That could have just been my imagination.

The overwhelming feeling I got from the clean, futuristic space vibe was calm. There was a peaceful vibe(before the party of three) inside the restaurant that doesn’t happen at many Disney dining locations. 

The Menu

The lounge offers small bites, unlike the restaurant’s Prix Fixe menu. It also has a large themed cocktail menu, including a few Zero-Proof/non-alcoholic options. It’s of note that buying the Zero-Proof cocktail gets you a pack of Space 220 Trading cards, which is likely why they are still $13 and $16.

Certain kids’ drinks come in awesome spaceship sippers, but I believe they are pretty strict about those only going to kids.

Bites & Beer

We ordered the short rib sliders, which had white cheddar, red pepper citrus aioli, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, on a whim and enjoyed a couple of $11 beers. They have their own Stevens Point Centuari Amber Lager on draft and a rotating space-themed beer among the standards.

The Bad

Something happened, and the food took quite a while. The two sliders and a generous portion of fries, similar to good McDonald’s fries, arrived cold. The food was good, a decent amount for $18, but it was still cold. I was pretty full after one beer, the slider, and fries.

Return Trip

When you exit the restaurant, you leave through the same method you entered. Of course, the view is different since you are going from space back to Earth. Again, this is a good time to get some fun pictures. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, I would say it’s worth a visit if you think something on the menu sounds good. There’s usually a festival at Epcot with all sorts of interesting food, plus there are many restaurants, but if you want a space experience this is the place. I’d lean towards the lounge, but as mentioned, getting in can be a struggle. 

Reminder: The wait is likely less than what is told to you as a walk up, but you still have to stay vigilant.

Verdict: I give Space 220 Lounge 3 out of 5 moon plates.