More Booze in the MK!

[declansdad]

Take EPCOT Food and Wine out of the equation (because that is when some people seem to see multitudes of drunks), how many families are going to spend $100 per person to enter MK and get falling down drunk?

The possibility of belligerent drunks roaming the park ruining the day is pretty far fetched. You are far more than likely to run into a rude guest that ruins the parade or fireworks.

 

[declansdad]

In general, people that drink will agree with alcohol being served in MK. And people who do not drink will disapprove(notice I said in general). And most revenue from these parks come from parents with children well under 18(feel free to quote and argue this if so desired). My only point is that IF there is any place that should be alcohol free, anywhere...it should be MK. It's the park that more than any other at DW is themed and frequented by young kids. That said it will not stop me and my family from spending thousands each year at Disney.

So are other theme parks and the numerous restaurants that have been mentioned in other posts. Alcohol doesn't seem to be a problem at those places.

 

[DatFan]

It's the great defense of alcohol Anywhere debate! Simply giving my opinion only. It seems those that drink can pretty much rationalize alcohol anywhere. To each their own.

 

[declansdad]

It's the great defense of alcohol Anywhere debate! Simply giving my opinion only. It seems those that drink can pretty much rationalize alcohol anywhere. To each their own.

Isn't the point of a discussion board to discuss the points made by others?

 

[DisneyRobin]

This is fantastic news! It's about time!

I could never understand why they allow smoking in the mk but ban drinking. the strong smell of cigarette smoke in certain areas of the park is awful!

 

[fla4fun]

I don't think anyone really thinks that by serving alcohol with meals we are going to have people falling down drunk like they do at Epcot. What is concerning to a lot of us who are against this is that we know it's just a matter of time now until they have free-standing bars and kiosks selling drinks like they do in the other parks. People have a tendency to drink more when those options are available, whether it's by making a game of it (say, by getting a drink from every "land" in MK like people drink around the "world" at Epcot) or just because it's handy. It will be a lot harder to remove kiosks and bars once they get them going if they find out it really does impact the atmosphere of the park. But the reverse side of the coin is that we don't know what the impact will be until alcohol is widely available. The only thing for certain is that park wide alcohol is coming - like it or not. It's just a matter of time.

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

I really think it is inevitable.

Disney says they are expanding alcohol from BOG to the other Restaurants because of a huge demand from Guests.

I would expect in a few years,Disney will say due to a huge demand by our Guests to be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage while touring the Park,we will begin offering a few premium beers,etc. at select kiosks in Magic Kingdom for our Guests' enjoyment,etc,.etc.

JMHO(A LOT of money to be made).

That will be just great! Instead of a child getting a little wet and sticky after a minor collision with a soda carrying guest, they will smell like a brewery all day after the same minor collision with a beer carrying guest. NOT saying the beer carrying guest was drunk, minor collisions are the norm at a place as crowded as the MK

 

[DizDad513]

I have a question for all those quoting Walt, and saying that wasn't his vision and etc: What would Walt think of the parks being (pretty much) smoke free?

Times change, we evolve, things that were outrageous before become commonplace (women working outside the home, dads taking time off to be with their children...), things that used to be commonplace become outrageous (beating your child for poor behavior, forbidding married women from working...)

At the end of the day, if I'm at WDW, I'm happy, and I don't give a hoot what the other people have had to eat or to drink around me.

Interesting point... Remember, when MK opened it had a Tobacco Store on Main St until the mid '80s! Now gone because of changing social norms.

And the reason (I believe) that Walt was not in favor of alcohol at the parks at the time was because during the time DL was being created amusement parks were known as places of rowdy behavior/drunkenness by adults and he wanted to distance his parks from that. Since Disney essentially re-defined these parks as family oriented, they have been able to find the appropriate balance to serve alcohol and remain family friendly without prohibition. Those parks at the time also had crooked games of skill (the milk bottle game where you threw a baseball at them to knock them down but they were glued together, etc), and because of this Walt didn't want those in his parks either. But now you see them at dinoland USA and on the Boardwalk because the negative connotation from these games no longer exists. Basically, it makes sense for MK to change with the times on this. Especially if you did a study on who spends the most money per day at a park, those ordering drinks will outpace those that don't most of the time.

 

[MoonFaerie]

That will be just great! Instead of a child getting a little wet and sticky after a minor collision with a soda carrying guest, they will smell like a brewery all day after the same minor collision with a beer carrying guest. NOT saying the beer carrying guest was drunk, minor collisions are the norm at a place as crowded as the MK

In all my years of Disney trips, usually several a year and frequently during food and wine, I have never had a collision carrying even 2 beers back to our Illuminations spot.

 

[amberpi]

(and by that I mean less chance of drunken jerks causing disturbances)

I've seen plenty of jerks in WDW, PLENTY, and a number of drunks and they never converged in a venn diagram.

 

[declansdad]

I think I have been to WDW about 14 times and for the life of me I don't ever recall seeing a falling down drunk at EPCOT or any other park. Have I seen people drinking, sure I have but not like some of the posters on drinking threads seem to have. I guess I travel at the wrong time.

 

[whiporee]

Do you feel unsafe at Applebee's or Ruby Tuesdays or TGIFriday's at home? Because (whisper) those places serve way more alcohol than any MK restaurant will have. And at much cheaper prices, prices that make it a lot easier to actually get drunk than Disney's $12 beers and $18 wine.

I don't take my kids there during Happy Hour, no, or late on a Friday or Saturday night because I know that no matter what the place is like at lunch time, it's a different environment after hours. Just like I don't take my kids to NFL games, but college games are okay because NFL games serve beer, and most college venues don't, and I've learned that crowds and available alcohol means a higher chance to jerky behavior. And the bigger, more confined the crowd (like waiting in lines, or crowds waiting for parades or fireworks) the higher the chance that jerky behavior escalates. And I've seen plenty of people getting drunk on $12 beers at football games.

There are a pair of issues. One is whether it's a net positive add-on for people to have drinks with dinner at select TS places. i don't think there are many who argue against that (I don't like it, but it doesn't concern me). The other questions is whether this opens a door to kiosk sales and making drinking part of the experience at MK, which I certainly think it does. I can't use anything but a loaded word here, but one thing I've learned is that vice spreads. You start with a statewide lottery and before long you've got casino gambling. You start with medical marijuana and before long you've got it so you can't attend any outdoor activity without being dominated by the smell of grass. And I've no doubt at all we're two or three yeas away from beer kiosks, and then specialty umbrella drinks and more drunk people trying to navigate the already crowded throroughfares of WDW. The bachelorette parties people at Epcot sometimes folk dread? Why would you think that wouldn't be twice the issue at MK? A lot of people have said they'd like to have a beer or two with dinner, or it will help make line waiting more tolerable. But that's only half the question. The other half is are you okay/looking forward to the guy behind you doing the same, except maybe having one more?

I'm not trying to criticize anyone who drinks. i drink a little. But I don't like being around drunks, and I think this opens the door to more drunks at the MK, and to me, that's regrettable.

 

[Missyrose]

That will be just great! Instead of a child getting a little wet and sticky after a minor collision with a soda carrying guest, they will smell like a brewery all day after the same minor collision with a beer carrying guest. NOT saying the beer carrying guest was drunk, minor collisions are the norm at a place as crowded as the MK

Except no one will be carrying the beer around MK because, wait for it, it will only be served at a few TS restaurants.

 

[gwynne]

I think I have been to WDW about 14 times and for the life of me I don't ever recall seeing a falling down drunk at EPCOT or any other park. Have I seen people drinking, sure I have but not like some of the posters on drinking threads seem to have. I guess I travel at the wrong time.

Same here. Sometimes I wonder if it's one of those things where people find what they expect to find. I'm a pretty positive person, I figure most people are at WDW to enjoy the fun of Disney. I'm not overly interested in what others choose to do while they vacation. Extra desserts? Ride a rollercoaster? Have a glass of wine with dinner in the MK? Watch the same parade twice in one vacation? All options, all their choice, not my business.

 

[mckennarose]

It's the great defense of alcohol Anywhere debate! Simply giving my opinion only. It seems those that drink can pretty much rationalize alcohol anywhere. To each their own.

My observation of this thread has not shown a "great defense of alcohol anywhere" debate, or people going out of their way to "rationalize alcohol anywhere". For the most part people in favor of it have been asking questions or giving specific answers to general (and sometimes vague) concerns/questions/statements.
For example: (paraphrasing)
What are people afraid of?
Why do you think alcohol in a few restaurants in MK makes it an unsafe or un-family environment?
Remember we're talking about a few restaurants offering drinks with a two drink cap.

And some people against it have given specific answers as to why their against it.
For example: (paraphrasing again)
They may not like alcohol and/or don't drink as a personal decision.
They are concerned as to what it may lead to down the road.
They feel it's contrary to the original vision for MK.

It's a public message board and everyone in entitled to their opinion. If you personally don't drink, that's fine and you're entitled to live the way you want. But we are too, and I don't think defining our choice to have a drink on vacation or people stating their opinion in favor of adding alcohol to a few restarants in MK should be labeled as "those that drink can pretty much rationalize alcohol anywhere" I certainly don't rationalize alcohol anywhere.

Thumbs down from our family and I believe a mistake by Disney. MK and alcohol do Not mix regardless what others are saying. Keep alcohol confined to DS and Epcot. Disney trying to increase their bottom line may well hurt business, and maybe families with children(which is the where the bulk of revenue comes) will choose to go elsewhere. If we wanted our kids to be around people drinking we would vacay on Bourbon Street. Not a prude by any means but not the proper setting. IMO.

We are a Disney family with mostly adults; only one is under 18 but that will soon change. Disney gets WAY more money from us now than they did on our first trip as a young family in 1993. Not only because prices have increased, and not because the adults in my party may have a drink or two, but because we do the parks differently and have more now that my children are grown and can afford some extras, like parties, table service dinners, tours, fishing, etc. And when we travel with extended family there are more children under 18 and we still don't have an issue with a few restaurants adding alcohol.

I think I have been to WDW about 14 times and for the life of me I don't ever recall seeing a falling down drunk at EPCOT or any other park. Have I seen people drinking, sure I have but not like some of the posters on drinking threads seem to have. I guess I travel at the wrong time.

Well, we go specifically for F&W and F&G and still haven't seen it either. I have seen one lady talking very loudly with a beer in hand while walking, but she wasn't falling-down-drunk-puking in the bushes. Either I miss the excitement, or I really just don't assume or look for it and mind my own business. I'm there to enjoy time with my family.

 

[WalkinShoes]

In all my years of Disney trips, usually several a year and frequently during food and wine, I have never had a collision carrying even 2 beers back to our Illuminations spot.

My girlfriend was waiting in line for Chaka Kahn last year at Food and Wine while I ran to Italy for two of their huge awesome margaritas. They were 10 dollars each regular price so I use two tickets and hussle back to the line that had already opened. Shes standing there at the front waiting giving me the stink eye as I two fisted drinks running to her and sure as hell as I stopped I spilled some slushy goodness on her feet and she was wearing sandals.

Lmao.

She was really pissed off.

 

[crostorfer]

I don't think anyone really thinks that by serving alcohol with meals we are going to have people falling down drunk like they do at Epcot. What is concerning to a lot of us who are against this is that we know it's just a matter of time now until they have free-standing bars and kiosks selling drinks like they do in the other parks. People have a tendency to drink more when those options are available, whether it's by making a game of it (say, by getting a drink from every "land" in MK like people drink around the "world" at Epcot) or just because it's handy. It will be a lot harder to remove kiosks and bars once they get them going if they find out it really does impact the atmosphere of the park. But the reverse side of the coin is that we don't know what the impact will be until alcohol is widely available. The only thing for certain is that park wide alcohol is coming - like it or not. It's just a matter of time.

I love this idea, a Magic Kingdom cocktail tour. Put a specialty drink in each "land" (KUNGALOOSH!), or just go ahead and add the rum to the Dole Whips there. I think that is the greatest idea ever! I'd go ahead and wait the hour in line for the Mine Train if I could sip on a drink while I wait.

Get someone on this, post haste!

 

[DatFan]

My observation of this thread has not shown a "great defense of alcohol anywhere" debate, or people going out of their way to "rationalize alcohol anywhere". For the most part people in favor of it have been asking questions or giving specific answers to general (and sometimes vague) concerns/questions/statements.
For example: (paraphrasing)
What are people afraid of?
Why do you think alcohol in a few restaurants in MK makes it an unsafe or un-family environment?
Remember we're talking about a few restaurants offering drinks with a two drink cap.

And some people against it have given specific answers as to why their against it.
For example: (paraphrasing again)
They may not like alcohol and/or don't drink as a personal decision.
They are concerned as to what it may lead to down the road.
They feel it's contrary to the original vision for MK.

It's a public message board and everyone in entitled to their opinion. If you personally don't drink, that's fine and you're entitled to live the way you want. But we are too, and I don't think defining our choice to have a drink on vacation or people stating their opinion in favor of adding alcohol to a few restarants in MK should be labeled as "those that drink can pretty much rationalize alcohol anywhere" I certainly don't rationalize alcohol anywhere.



We are a Disney family with mostly adults; only one is under 18 but that will soon change. Disney gets WAY more money from us now than they did on our first trip as a young family in 1993. Not only because prices have increased, and not because the adults in my party may have a drink or two, but because we do the parks differently and have more now that my children are grown and can afford some extras, like parties, table service dinners, tours, fishing, etc. And when we travel with extended family there are more children under 18 and we still don't have an issue with a few restaurants adding alcohol.



Well, we go specifically for F&W and F&G and still haven't seen it either. I have seen one lady talking very loudly with a beer in hand while walking, but she wasn't falling-down-drunk-puking in the bushes. Either I miss the excitement, or I really just don't assume or look for it and mind my own business. I'm there to enjoy time with my family.

I am happy for you, really. You have argued and rationalized alcohol at MK. I still disagree wholeheartedly. Cheers!

 

[WalkinShoes]

Double dip

 

[crostorfer]

I think I have been to WDW about 14 times and for the life of me I don't ever recall seeing a falling down drunk at EPCOT or any other park. Have I seen people drinking, sure I have but not like some of the posters on drinking threads seem to have. I guess I travel at the wrong time.

I'm usually there Columbus Day Weekend and I've seen more than my fair share. Now that I think about it, I've seen some pretty messed up people at night during Flower and Garden too. Literally falling over and slurring words. I once saw a bride-to-be pee her pants at the Florida Fresh stand.

Individually, they aren't that bad. Its the drinking teams during Food and Wine that bother me, and it isn't necessarily that they are all trashed, its their size and the fact that they all congregate in one area. If you get caught in a group of one or two its kind of a nightmare.