Is food and wine getting out of hand?

[dwight16]

so i just returned from 5 days down in the world and i had my 3rd food and wine experience and boy it was a complete mess and after 5pm and forget about a weekend day. i cant even attempt to understand what was going on.....i must be getting old but i feel like epcot as a whole is not kid friendly during these 2 months...(i know its not the most kid friend place to begin with) even in future world there were random packs of drunks wondering all around i saw people puke and some needing wheel chairs to get out. i feel like they should make it 21 and over event if they are going to concentrate on the drinking.....when i was in my 20s i was all about drinking all around the world so i get it and i love the fun but boy when you have kids it changes my whole feeling. its a shame i love the food and the whole idea but it reminds me of Burban street minus the flashing but i would not be surprised if that happened before....just wanted to see what everyone else thought......am i just and old man or do you feel its going down a bad path....

 

[LSUfan4444]

I've been hearing the same things for at least 5 years now and from someone who lives in and grew up in New Orleans, F&W is nothing like Bourbon Street except for the overpriced souvenirs.

 

[wilkeliza]

It has been this bad (at least on the weekends) for a few years at least. I worked in Epcot in 2012-2014 and I'll say there were some rowdy groups and sometimes some outright bad behavior but I do think it bothers people more the older they get or if they have children. The only thing I won't tolerate are the fights that seem to always break out when people get too drunk but now it is appearing alcohol isn't even needed for that to happen.

However, nothing made a work day more entertaining then a cranberry bog swimmer or a Mexico climber.

 

[sunshinemelody]

It has been this bad (at least on the weekends) for a few years at least. I worked in Epcot in 2012-2014 and I'll say there were some rowdy groups and sometimes some outright bad behavior but I do think it bothers people more the older they get or if they have children. The only thing I won't tolerate are the fights that seem to always break out when people get too drunk but now it is appearing alcohol isn't even needed for that to happen.

However, nothing made a work day more entertaining then a cranberry bog swimmer or a Mexico climber.

When you say cranberry bog swimmer ... can you clarify? I just pictured a poop log floating around.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

When I was last there with our small children, about 10 years ago, we also got the feeling that they were barely interested in having children around. They had the "kidcot" stations at each country, but every other part of the world showcase was shoulder to shoulder, and all of the focus was on the food and alcohol (not things that interest children).

I have been back since without our kids and don't worry about those drinking heavily. Really doesn't bother us.

 

[wilkeliza]

When you say cranberry bog swimmer ... can you clarify? I just pictured a poop log floating around.

Some years they have the cranberry bog set up on the bridge between future world and world showcase right past the Agent P World Showcase Adventure booth (previously Kim Possible). It seems every single year some drunk person decides they are hot and the bog looks refreshing. It is unmanned after a certain time and they jump in. Usually happens as drunks are stumbling their way out the park and think nobody is watching.

 

[sunshinemelody]

Some years they have the cranberry bog set up on the bridge between future world and world showcase right past the Agent P World Showcase Adventure booth (previously Kim Possible). It seems every single year some drug person decides they are hot and the bog looks refreshing. It is unmanned after a certain time and they jump in. Usually happens as drunks are stumbling their way out the park and think nobody is watching.

LOL

Don't mean to laugh, but wow. That's, hm. *scratches head* K. I liked my poop log theory.

 

[maxiesmom]

Hmm. I was just at Epcot for 3 nights, and while it was pretty darned crowded, I didn't encounter anyone puking or so drunk they were having to use a wheelchair to make it out of the park. That is assuming that is why they were in a wheelchair, and not just because they needed it to get around.

 

[wilkeliza]

LOL

Don't mean to laugh, but wow. That's, hm. *scratches head* K. I liked my poop log theory.

Had to edit to make it say Drunk not drug but year it is hilarious. Also a "Mexico climber" is someone who decides it is a great idea to try and climb the Mexico pavilion. Happens at least 1 time every Food and Wine. Those are the harmless silly things I've experience at F&W as a CM and am pretty sure 90% of the time other guests did not see the worst of it.

 

[sunshinemelody]

Had to edit to make it say Drunk not drug but year it is hilarious. Also a "Mexico climber" is someone who decides it is a great idea to try and climb the Mexico pavilion. Happens at least 1 time every Food and Wine. Those are the harmless silly things I've experience at F&W as a CM and am pretty sure 90% of the time other guests did not see the worst of it.

I figured as much.

Have only been to WDW once, but I remember that place especially since I went in for the Caballero ride. It was cute. I can only imagine what is worse than that, aside from vomit all over the place. No one wants to clean up protein spills.

 

[PSUGuy]

I read about these things but rarely see them and we are regulars at F&W. We do avoid Sat. but only because of general sardine conditions, not that there's outrageous drunkenness. I don't doubt the observations of fellow DISers but the behavior of others brings out subjective judgement. What's 'over the top' to my great aunt Maude is just a good Happy Hour to many another. I will say that a few years back we popped in just after 11 am to have a Fisherman's Pie and Guinness in the R&C patio and to people watch. It got crowded fast and more than a few 20 somethings arrived 'Pre Lubricated', probably a good idea given the prices there.

Bill From PA

 

[sunshinemelody]

I read about these things but rarely see them and we are regulars at F&W. We do avoid Sat. but only because of general sardine conditions, not that there's outrageous drunkenness. I don't doubt the observations of fellow DISers but the behavior of others brings out subjective judgement. What's 'over the top' to my great aunt Maude is just a good Happy Hour to many another. I will say that a few years back we popped in just after 11 am to have a Fisherman's Pie and Guinness in the R&C patio and to people watch. It got crowded fast and more than a few 20 somethings arrived 'Pre Lubricated', probably a good idea given the prices there.

Bill From PA

I can't. Oh gosh. My eyes are watering. We call that "Pre-Gaming."

 

[ktlm]

We have taken DD, 9, to F&W for the past 3 years. We love it and DD loves it. We were there a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday during the lunch hour- we hopped to EPCOT from DHS to see Duffy on his last day and have lunch. That Saturday was the most crowded I have ever seen it during F&W(and we have been on Saturdays before). We had to wait about an hour and 15 minutes in line for Duffy and DD was hungry. The sun was beating down and she was whining in the long F&W line because she was hungry. A lady looked as us and said loudly to her party obviously for us to hear- " This is just no place for children." I almost busted out laughing because once DD got her food she was perfectly happy-- she was just really hungry and hot in the line in the sun for that 5 minutes. It was insanely crowded that day and we did hop out after lunch- but we spent 2 full other days there morning to night and one other half day there and had a great time.

EPCOT has been DD's favorite park other than MK since she was 2. It is totally kid friendly as far as she is concerned. She also loves F&W. She is a very picky eater, but at F&W, she is willing to get and taste all sorts of things she normally would not touch because she knows she is not committed to it as her meal and that if she doesn't like it, then we are fine with DH either eating it, or throwing it away and getting her something else. On our trip 2 weeks ago, she decided she really liked yucca, something I know she would not have tried before. That is also the first place she ever ate Salmon 2 years ago and she loved it immediately. Before she would not even taste fish.

We would be devastated if the tried to make EPCOT 21 and over in WS in the evenings during F&W. As far as the drunks, we have not had any issues on weeknights. We have seen a few tipsy people or people who have had too much to drink- but you can run into that in a restaurant at home or at any event where alcohol is sold. It is a teaching moment. I will agree that I don't like having DD there on Saturday nights. It is way too packed- and with the huge crowds come a lot more drunks. This year I was there Saturday night Oct 10 for a trip to Mousegears while DD and DH were at the YC pool, and it was crazy walking back to the resort. There was a drunk girl sitting to rest right in the middle of the WS walking path and creating a total log jam because it was so crowded you could barely walk anyway and everyone was trying to get around her. She is lucky if she didn't get stepped on. We had a teaching minute that DD is still talking about either last year or the year before on a Saturday night involving 3 drunk early 20s guys climbing into the birdbath by the UK bathrooms and looking like idiots. I'm surprised the birdbath didn't break and I'm surprised that security wasn't right there. Honestly, I'm pretty sure that DD is going to remember that moment and how stupid they looked every time she thinks about drinking too much in college, so I'm not so sure it was a bad thing for her to see!

 

[DrivenByDisney]

We go to Food & Wine a lot as locals and have never seen any guests puking (drunk, yes) climbers, swimmers, etc., etc. We actually see a lot of families with children that are very interested in trying all the food they normally do not eat or have never eaten prior to the festival.

Now we work on weekends and do not visit from Friday - Sunday. Though we would not anyway due to the crowd levels then.

Last night, we actually met two families we shared a table with to try some food that had younger, I would say younger than teenagers, that really enjoyed the festival and the reason they come this time of year is due to their kids saying it's their favourite park for all the different foods they can try.

Isolated incidents can happen at anytime and any person there will witness it and make their own judgement about the person and the situation -- I understand that and it will happen and it stinks. However, we go to Disney parks or Disney Springs at least three times a week and we witness very little I would consider "out of hand" guests in any situations.

These situations can happen anywhere, not just Disney World. I have seen more drunken idiots at a TGI Fridays than I have in a Disney Park.

 

[loves to dive]

I read about these things but rarely see them and we are regulars at F&W. We do avoid Sat. but only because of general sardine conditions, not that there's outrageous drunkenness. I don't doubt the observations of fellow DISers but the behavior of others brings out subjective judgement. What's 'over the top' to my great aunt Maude is just a good Happy Hour to many another. I will say that a few years back we popped in just after 11 am to have a Fisherman's Pie and Guinness in the R&C patio and to people watch. It got crowded fast and more than a few 20 somethings arrived 'Pre Lubricated', probably a good idea given the prices there.

Bill From PA

I agree. I was there the last week in Sept/first week in Oct. this year and about the same time last year and didn't notice any horrible drunken behavior. Maybe I'm just more tolerant than others since I live in a college town and our downtown is nothing but bars any given weekend night you are going to find drunk kids doing some pretty bad stuff. I was there on Friday night until about 8 and while it was pretty crowded I didn't notice anything bad and was there Saturday afternoon and didn't even think it was that bad crowded, more than on a week day but not horrible. My kid is grown now but I wouldn't have hesitated to have taken him and he would have enjoyed it. Certainly does as an adult.

 

[DOOM1001]

I read about these things but rarely see them and we are regulars at F&W. We do avoid Sat. but only because of general sardine conditions, not that there's outrageous drunkenness. I don't doubt the observations of fellow DISers but the behavior of others brings out subjective judgement. What's 'over the top' to my great aunt Maude is just a good Happy Hour to many another. I will say that a few years back we popped in just after 11 am to have a Fisherman's Pie and Guinness in the R&C patio and to people watch. It got crowded fast and more than a few 20 somethings arrived 'Pre Lubricated', probably a good idea given the prices there.

Bill From PA

I have to agree with this,I've been visiting the festival multiple times a year for at least 15+ years and out of all those visits I only recall two incidents that were something more than just people having fun,once we were leaving the festival on a bus to another park in the middle of the day on an empty bus and that's where I saw the most drunk guy ever at the festival,like falling over drunk,not at night but on a bus around 2pm,how he got so drunk so early I have no idea.The other incident was when a fight nearly started sitting at the American Gardens theater before a concert,the incident was over in 15 seconds and didn't escalate.Out of all those visits over the years,probably close to 100 visits and that's all I recall thats not too crazy overall.I am sure stuff happens but in general its not out of hand.I will say it does get more crowded every year and the weekends are just way too crowded,especially Saturday.You can however still enjoy yourself even on the most crowded day,the concerts always are going to have a seat available,if you enjoy people watching and don't mind waiting 30+ minutes to do the food booths even on a Saturday the festival can be enjoyable,if you don't like crowds go on a Tuesday at 1pm.

 

[Reimagineer]

I don't think it's "out of hand" as much as it's just not what most people think of as a "Disney" party. It's inconsistent with other special events that Disney puts on. Everything, everywhere, is at least family friendly if not downright inspirational. In contrast, it feels like Disney is ignoring the cultural themes that World Showcase was founded on and sort of treating it as an elaborate food court where beer and wine sales need to be maximized. It's hard to blame a company for wanting to maximize revenue - but Disney has always promised higher standards, prioritizing quality over gimmicks and quick profits. I was just there last weekend and at one point it felt really awkward with my kids...like I was sitting at a bar with them. I would never knowingly bring my kids to a bar and felt sort of duped. At the end of the day, F&W *is* a very unique experience and drinking around the world is something you can't do anyplace else, but Disney should at least put some parental advisory signs up or something when the place really gets rockin'. If they could just help reset expectations a little, it would go a long way.

 

[missbrooke06]

When I was last there with our small children, about 10 years ago, we also got the feeling that they were barely interested in having children around. They had the "kidcot" stations at each country, but every other part of the world showcase was shoulder to shoulder, and all of the focus was on the food and alcohol (not things that interest children).

I have been back since without our kids and don't worry about those drinking heavily. Really doesn't bother us.

Ugh, if all they're going to focus on is that, they should really reflect that in the name.

 

[MattsPrincess]

Well, it *is* the FOOD and WINE festival, so i'm not really sure what you expected the focus to be on? i've certainly read the horror stories of roving packs of drunken idiots vomiting on everything and punching children and all that, so I was expecting much worse. We were there this year for a Friday-Sunday and never saw anything bad at all. I saw one early 20's girls that was a little too playful (i meant that literally, she was trying to get her friends to play tag) and one young man that was being a bit loud, but that was it. And in both cases, their friends were telling them to stop being stupid.

Adults go to Disney too. Even ones that don't have kids. Why does everything have to be for kids 24/7? I'd say MK and AK are both largely focused on children, why can't epcot be targeted more toward adults?

ETA- I will say, I think they may be having an issue with underage/newly legal attendants this year. I don't look nearly my age and only got asked for ID twice in three days. DB was never asked. I also overheard a convo between CM's about there being an awful lot of "newbies" and "Youngsters" coming out this year, and how it made them feel weird to ask for ID.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Hmm. I was just at Epcot for 3 nights, and while it was pretty darned crowded, I didn't encounter anyone puking or so drunk they were having to use a wheelchair to make it out of the park. That is assuming that is why they were in a wheelchair, and not just because they needed it to get around.

I don't understand. So because you didn't see someone puking it is impossible that it happened? Just trying to understand your point better.