A warning regarding Epcot F&W ...

[magsmom]

I have just returned from 10 days at Disney, and, in particular, F&W. Never, in all of the times that our family has been to Disney, have I seen so many DRUNKS at F&W, particularly this past Saturday around 6:00. The bathrooms were disgusting, and my Mom said that people were throwing up in the bathrooms and in the bushes. These people were wearing shirts saying "Drinking Around the World" - They were there for the express purpose of getting DRUNK.

The Pub at the Rose and Crown was full of fools as well.

Don't get me wrong - I will have a drink or two as I go around the world but these people were BLOTTO. I could not get over the fact that Disney was continuing to serve people who had to show signs of drunkenness. THIS IS A FAMILY THEME PARK. I shudder to think who ended up getting in cars after the parks closed.

 

[babar41]

I am so sorry you had this experience! DH and I were at F&W a few years ago and although there were a couple of people that were definitely under the influence, no more than I normally see at Epcot.

It's sad that people would behave this way at WDW, or anywhere for that matter. Never did understand the idea of "drinking around the world", I prefer to enjoy my vacation, not worship the porcelin god.

 

[dvcgirl]

I have just returned from 10 days at Disney, and, in particular, F&W. Never, in all of the times that our family has been to Disney, have I seen so many DRUNKS at F&W, particularly this past Saturday around 6:00. The bathrooms were disgusting, and my Mom said that people were throwing up in the bathrooms and in the bushes. These people were wearing shirts saying "Drinking Around the World" - They were there for the express purpose of getting DRUNK.

The Pub at the Rose and Crown was full of fools as well.

Don't get me wrong - I will have a drink or two as I go around the world but these people were BLOTTO. I could not get over the fact that Disney was continuing to serve people who had to show signs of drunkenness. THIS IS A FAMILY THEME PARK. I shudder to think who ended up getting in cars after the parks closed.

I've got to tell you, my DH were there at the exact same time that you were this past Sunday. We arrived at 3pm and left around 7:30 and didn't see anything even remotely close to what you are describing. We've been over to take a lap around the WS a few times already this year and in all of those times I don't believe that we saw one person who was visibly drunk.

 

[ladysoleil]

I have actually managed to "drink around the world" but we generally order a drink from each pavillion and share with each other, not each have a drink. I find that consuming a full Fiesta Margarita in Mexico tends to make Test Track and Mission Space a bit, erm, unpleasant.

I do think that they should stop serving people who are obviously drunk, but then again, I'm so goofy that I'd probably never be served at all if they were going on sheer boisterousness. I'm surprised people got that out of hand. I sort of think that sort of thing should be saved for Pleasure Island.

 

[Philadisney]

i worked at F&W when I was a CP, at the New Zealand booth in the UK section. We did refuse to serve people who appeared to be extremely inebrieated, though of course i can't speak for all CM's. the worst behavior i ever witnessed was a drunk guy who tossed his drunk girlfriend into the WS lagoon and then jumped in after her!!!! my friend, a skinny college student, tried to pull them out, and was out of work 2 days with an injured neck cos of it

 

[jann1033]

I
but these people were BLOTTO. I could not get over the fact that Disney was continuing to serve people who had to show signs of drunkenness. THIS IS A FAMILY THEME PARK. I shudder to think who ended up getting in cars after the parks closed.

hmm and wouldn't disney be responsible? maybe it is a local law but i thought bartenders can be libel if they continue to serve drunk people . this is the only think i worry abut food and wine as i really hate that type of drunk atmosphere and wonder how much it happens then

 

[jann1033]

I've got to tell you, my DH were there at the exact same time that you were this past Sunday. We arrived at 3pm and left around 7:30 and didn't see anything even remotely close to what you are describing. We've been over to take a lap around the WS a few times already this year and in all of those times I don't believe that we saw one person who was visibly drunk.[/QUOTE

op said saturday not sunday

 

[Leota]

hmm and wouldn't disney be responsible? maybe it is a local law but i thought bartenders can be libel if they continue to serve drunk people . this is the only think i worry abut food and wine as i really hate that type of drunk atmosphere and wonder how much it happens then

I really wouldn't worry about that at all. I have been to F&WF several trips. We spend every evening in Epcot on those trips - so I would conservatively guess I've been to F&WF about 25-30 nights - I have NEVER seen anything remotely like what OP posted. I've seen a couple Happy People, but no Blotto, rude, obnoxious , puking drunks at all. I don't drink at all & I don't like being around drunk people, so I would say I am fairly sensitive to it. Even with that, I have never seen it.

 

[DVCajun]

I really wouldn't worry about that at all. I have been to F&WF several trips. We spend every evening in Epcot on those trips - so I would conservatively guess I've been to F&WF about 25-30 nights - I have NEVER seen anything remotely like what OP posted. I've seen a couple Happy People, but no Blotto, rude, obnoxious , puking drunks at all. I don't drink at all & I don't like being around drunk people, so I would say I am fairly sensitive to it. Even with that, I have never seen it.

Ditto. F&W is my absolute favorite time to go and I've never seen inapropriate behavior either. Or maybe I just didn't notice it because I was drunk off my rocker.

oh. did I say that out loud?

Just kidding. I wasn't drunk. Really.

 

[Goofyish]

The Pub at the Rose and Crown was full of fools as well.

Glad to see they have the UK theming correct at last

 

[srfrgrl07]

I'm sorry to say this, and I respect that everyone has different opinion, but I feel the need to defend F&W cuz it's my favorite event. Disney will refuse to serve, as the CP person mentioned. But people also need to drink responsibly and sometimes that just doesn't happen especially when transportation is provided for resort guests. If someone is beligerent and clearly drunk and disturbing, Disney security should be contacted and the guest removed from the park. It's no different than the guest who causes a scene because someone cut the line, Mickey left before thier child got a picture, their food was horibble, their room was too far, etc. Unfortunately, Disney does not require a "manners" test before someone is allowed entrance into the park. There are rude people everyday, not just F&W.

 

[Ted and Holly]

While I have never seen people getting thrown into the lagoon, I can say that I have definitely seen a lot of ridiculous drunken behavior. Last year, we went more than 25 days/nights of the F&W. This year a lot less so far (moving). The Beer Garden at the UK pavilion is the worst.

I have seen swaying drunks, drunks damp with beer, fighting, swearing, and otherwise belligerant drunks, and my favorite, crying drunks.

This is usually on Friday or Saturday nights, but it can happen any day.

It is not something to make you avoid F&W, just something to be aware of.

Many people say you should be concerned with yourself and not other people, but when I see people starting fights with strangers, it becomes my problem.

EDIT: Having said this, I have seen similar behavior on weekend nights throughout the year. Not just during F&W.

Ted

 

[dani0622]

Thought I'd throw this interesting tidbit in here that's somewhat related...Back in April when I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour, the CM asked us which park was the least favoriate for characters to work at? Epcot! Why? Because alcohol is served there and apparently the characters sometimes get pretty bad treatment from those guests who've had one to many....

 

[safetymom]

Thank you all for posting your experiences about drunks during F&W. I posted about this last year and was told I was crazy that no one had ever seen that.

The park seems to change during F&W. It looks like all the folks that can't hold their alcohol go to Epcot.

It goes back to be a nice park after the event is over.

 

[Feralpeg]

I try to avoid Saturday night at F&W because of the crowds and the drinking. I really get tired of having drinks spilled on myself and DD. I know people are just having fun, but it gets very crowded and just plain difficult to walk through the crowd. People are holding those little plastic wine type glasses. They seem to feel the need (probably the effects of what they've been drinking) with large hand gestures. Where do there drinks go? On the people walking by. Not long ago, a lady tossed most of a glass of some type of red wine on DD. She just looked at us and started giggling hysterically. She needed to be cut off, IMHO.

 

[lucy_love_]

Glad to see they have the UK theming correct at last

yes i was thinking that too.

also british beer is alot stronger than american pints. no wonder people were plastered

when does the food and wine festival finish?

hopefully before i go.

lucy

 

[Ted and Holly]

yes i was thinking that too.

also british beer is alot stronger than american pints. no wonder people were plastered

when does the food and wine festival finish?

hopefully before i go.

lucy

Not the stuff imported to the US.

Ted

 

[jann1033]

ok so all those who have seen "unruly" behavior it's mostly been on weekend nights? so if we go mid week and get out of there by a little after dinner we would be ok?

really i can see the differing opinions depending on if you have had something spilled on you or whatever...i just remember key west after a "sunset" ...piles & puddles of human waste on the public bathroom floors and really did not find that fun so maybe i am overly cautious about that type "partying" of atmosphere.

 

[liamsaunt]

Wow, that is really too bad. We went to food and wine last year, maybe four times on our trip, and I don't remember any problems. We all enjoyed trying the various food and wine samples and did not find it to be overly crowded. I will say that we were not there on a Saturday. I hope to get back to the F+W festival next year, and hopefully won't witness any of the type of behavior you described. Public drunkeness is just rude, especially at Disney!

 

[isyt]

I find this hysterical. We just got back from a 10 day trip and also witnessed alot of rude and stupid behavior. My dh and I both noticed alot of drunk people around over our entire vacation. One night I was on line with my dd (8) and this gut was very drunk and hitting on the girls in front of us. It was our first time at the f & w and would do it again, but maybe without the kids!!!

Besides it was too hot to drink, maybe they should switch it to January!!!