Alcohol at Be Our Guest

[LadyKay]

I do 90% of those things sober. Wanna coincide our trips ;p

 

[jekajekalynn]

Jeeze... I don't drink often but even I want a margarita after reading this thread....

 

[buffettgirl]

Not trying to be a beer snob at all . Just that people used to drinking BMC will be awfully surprised at how fast a good Belgian can sneak up on you.


Jim

Oh, i Know. Just having a little laugh. And yes, there is quite a big difference in how they hit. That's why i giggle a little over anyone clutching their pearls over a few cups of swill over in epcot....

 

[buffettgirl]

Thanks for your response. I am sure my post does speak of my attitude towards exposing children towards drunk people. Nothing good comes from over imbibing. People lose their inhibitions and self control. They urinate in public (mostly the men-haha), trip over strollers, fall into people, act rude and obnoxious, vomit and disturb other guests' meal/vacation/sleep/good time/whatever. It is not a "very, very narrow view," it is more common than I'm sure you realize. Sadly, as a guest of WDW I am sometimes a prisoner of my own surroundings and yes, we eat mediocre food while we are there. That said, we also drink alcohol but that doesn't change my opinion that this will likely change the atmosphere at the MK.

Edited to add: why do people find it strange to want to follow the express wishes of founder of the company who has only been gone since the 60's but think we should follow the exact words of the Constitution that were written 200+ years, or the Bible written even longer ago?

again, yours are fairly narrow views on alcohol, whether you believe it or not.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Thanks for your response. I am sure my post does speak of my attitude towards exposing children towards drunk people. Nothing good comes from over imbibing. People lose their inhibitions and self control. They urinate in public (mostly the men-haha), trip over strollers, fall into people, act rude and obnoxious, vomit and disturb other guests' meal/vacation/sleep/good time/whatever. It is not a "very, very narrow view," it is more common than I'm sure you realize. Sadly, as a guest of WDW I am sometimes a prisoner of my own surroundings and yes, we eat mediocre food while we are there. That said, we also drink alcohol but that doesn't change my opinion that this will likely change the atmosphere at the MK.

Edited to add: why do people find it strange to want to follow the express wishes of founder of the company who has only been gone since the 60's but think we should follow the exact words of the Constitution that were written 200+ years, or the Bible written even longer ago?

Young Lady, you have been very polite, respectfull and honest in your opinions to everyone and are entitled to your feelings as everyone elses is entitled to theirs..

I would not worry about others opinions and the steady repeat repeat and mocking they have given you like *your views are narrow*.

That is their problem not yours!

AKK

 

[DVCPAT]

Thanks for your response. I am sure my post does speak of my attitude towards exposing children towards drunk people. Nothing good comes from over imbibing. People lose their inhibitions and self control. They urinate in public (mostly the men-haha), trip over strollers, fall into people, act rude and obnoxious, vomit and disturb other guests' meal/vacation/sleep/good time/whatever. It is not a "very, very narrow view," it is more common than I'm sure you realize. Sadly, as a guest of WDW I am sometimes a prisoner of my own surroundings and yes, we eat mediocre food while we are there. That said, we also drink alcohol but that doesn't change my opinion that this will likely change the atmosphere at the MK.

Edited to add: why do people find it strange to want to follow the express wishes of founder of the company who has only been gone since the 60's but think we should follow the exact words of the Constitution that were written 200+ years, or the Bible written even longer ago?

I agree…Walt could have easily taken the path of least resistance and served booze to increase revenue. Walt used family entertainment, innovation and customer service to attract the masses. Innovation and plusing seem to have gone by the wayside. Its kind of sad when current management drift from the core values of its founder. I wonder if Busch Gardens still offers free beer with a tour of the park brewery….I think AB was bought out by a European firm?

 

[dansyr2514]

First of all...my opinion is ..I'm sad! Walt didn't want alchohol in the Magic Kingdom and I kinda wish they would've stuck by that.

But ( and I mean this jokingly) have you ever seen the parents in Fantasyland....sometimes, I think they deserve a drink or too. However, can you be ticketed for drunken stroller driving???

 

[freshmanjs]

Edited to add: why do people find it strange to want to follow the express wishes of founder of the company who has only been gone since the 60's but think we should follow the exact words of the Constitution that were written 200+ years, or the Bible written even longer ago?

The constitution has been amended 27 times since it was written.

Why is the alcohol thing the only one of Walt's wishes that must be protected even long after his death? What about his wish to have a tobacco shop on main street? What about his wish to have no cotton candy in the parks? What about his wish to have no round sticks that people could trip on? Why have we so cavalierly disregarded his wishes on those topics, but must respect them on the alcohol topic?

 

[DVCPAT]

Can we please keep this discussion grounded in the change to allow limited quantities of beer and wine at BoG during the dinner hours only? Otherwise, the discussion falls off the rails, gets too personal, and ends up having nothing whatsoever to do with WDW and addresses alcohol in society in general. And when that happens, the mods will step in and close the discussion. For good reason.

So....with that introduction, Waltgirl, is it really your opinion that the extremely small number of adults with ADRs at BoG, (less than 1% of all people in the park), who choose to drink beer or wine at a dinner with a two drink limit will lead to:

drunk people;
over imbibing;
loss of inhibitions;
loss of self control;
urinating in public
tripping over strollers;
falling into people;
acting rude, and obnoxious;
vomiting ; and/or
disturbing other guests' meal/vacation/sleep/good time?

Because if you do, then you must have access to a whole different set of data than most of the world when it comes to the impact of two glasses of beer and/or wine (with alcohol percentages of between 5%-14%). And if you don't really think that two beers or two glasses of wine leads to all of this mayhem, then why bring it up? Why the hyperbole? If you want to start a thread about Epcot during F&W, or Ragland Road on St. Patrick's Day, fine. Have at it. But there is absolutely no reason to believe that the newly minted rules for BoG will have any impact on the atmosphere of the park whatsoever. If you went to WDW last month and did not notice any measurable degradation in the atmosphere of the MK from the guests who had dinner at places that have no two drink limit such as Citricos and/or the California Grill ,who then headed over to the MK after dinner, then you will not notice any degradation in the atmosphere from the similar number of people who dine at BoG and enjoy a glass of Burgundy with said dinner.

If your argument is one of zero tolerance because that is what you believe Walt Disney wanted, then fine. That is a rational basis to resist change. But a fear that the MK is going to turn into Sodom is simply not supported by any facts, because many, many people who roam around the MK after 5:00 pm now, (and since the ribbon was cut in 1971), have done so after a couple of drinks obtained at resort bars or restaurants. The extra 200 adults to whom BoG serves beer and wine each night are not going to change what you have already been witnessing. If a person is allowed to return to the MK after having a drink at Citrico's, why shouldn't a person be allowed to enjoy the MK after having a drink at BoG?

Do you know which WDW theme park leads in attendance for the past 5, 10 or 15 years? How about leads in attendance wordwide?

 

[bellenbuzz]

I love that Disney is Adding this at this restaurant !!
It will add to the wonderful meal experience.....
If you don't like it, then don't have the alcohol

 

[JimmyV]

Do you know which WDW theme park leads in attendance for the past 5, 10 or 15 years? How about leads in attendance wordwide?

Yes. But how is that question the least bit relevant to either my post, or this topic in general? Are you suggesting that the MK is #1 due to its prohibition of alcohol? And are you suggesting that serving a couple glasses of wine to a few adults during dinner is going to change that?

Consider this scenario. My DW and I go to the MK with my brother and his wife. Alcohol is not served at BoG. It comes time for dinner and we each have different plans. My wife and I go to Citricos at 6:30 and split a bottle of wine with dinner, and my brother and his wife go to Narcoossees and each have two beers with dinner. We meet back up at the MK main entrance at 8:30 and enjoy the MK until it closes at 11:00 pm.

Now consider this scenario. My DW and I go to the MK with my brother and his wife. Beer and wine are served at BoG. It comes time for dinner and we each have different plans. My wife and I go to Citricos at 6:30 and split a bottle of wine with dinner, and my brother and his wife go to BoG and each have two beers with dinner. We meet back up at the MK in front of the castle at 8:30 and enjoy the MK until it closes at 11:00 pm.

Please explain for me how scenario #2 is going to result in a measurable degradation of the atmosphere of the MK. Sorry. You can't.

 

[buffettgirl]

http://dsc.discovery.com/show-news/mike-rowe-gets-thirsty.html
A timely little show for us all. It will be an interesting take on attitudes surrounding alcohol, which, in the end is what we're really talking about here. Walt's attitude when DL was built, and the attitude that is allowing MK to have alcohol in 2012.

How Booze Built America.
Mike Rowe is thirsty. Really thirsty. And after doing hundreds of dirty jobs, who can blame him? In Discovery’s brand-new three-part series HOW BOOZE BUILT AMERICA, premiering on Wednesday, Sept.19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (and airing on the following two Wednesdays), host Mike Rowe takes a break from the dirty jobs … and takes a seat at the bar.

Did you know that the Puritans landed the Mayflower early on Plymouth Rock … because they ran out of beer? Or that Johnny Appleseed was actually creating farms to sell hard apple cider? Mike Rowe does, and he’ll walk you through all of this and more. He’s proven that dirty jobs can be fun. He’s ready to do the same for history.

 

[BGK]

Edited to add: why do people find it strange to want to follow the express wishes of founder of the company who has only been gone since the 60's but think we should follow the exact words of the Constitution that were written 200+ years, or the Bible written even longer ago?

I guess because the second is the figurative bedrock on which this nation is founded, the law of the land, the eternal principles for which generations of citizens have offered and given their lives to protect. The last enshrines the words and laws for living from what billions of people believe to be the creator of the universe, the giver of all life, and giver of a love so great He would redeem us from death; a book even ardent non-believers think has much to offer.

The first are the business decisions of the builder of an amusement park.

Facing the fact that I just took time to write that, I'm opening the bar. I'm making Pimm's punch, should anyone in the Eastern time zone be thirsty.

 

[buffettgirl]

I guess because the second is the figurative bedrock on which this nation is founded, the law of the land, the eternal principles for which generations of citizens have offered and given their lives to protect. The last enshrines the words and laws for living from what billions of people believe to be the creator of the universe, the giver of all life, and giver of a love so great He would redeem us from death; a book even ardent non-believers think has much to offer.

The first are the business decisions of the builder of an amusement park.

Facing the fact that I just took time to write that, I'm opening the bar. I'm making Pimm's punch, should anyone in the Eastern time zone be thirsty.

you're talking silly talk now.

don't forget that the constitution has been amended which means we did something against the original wishes of the people that built the country.

oh NOES! EXACTLY like Walt.

 

[DVCPAT]

Yes. But how is that question the least bit relevant to either my post, or this topic in general? Are you suggesting that the MK is #1 due to its prohibition of alcohol? And are you suggesting that serving a couple glasses of wine to a few adults during dinner is going to change that?

Consider this scenario. My DW and I go to the MK with my brother and his wife. Alcohol is not served at BoG. It comes time for dinner and we each have different plans. My wife and I go to Citricos at 6:30 and split a bottle of wine with dinner, and my brother and his wife go to Narcoossees and each have two beers with dinner. We meet back up at the MK main entrance at 8:30 and enjoy the MK until it closes at 11:00 pm.

Now consider this scenario. My DW and I go to the MK with my brother and his wife. Beer and wine are served at BoG. It comes time for dinner and we each have different plans. My wife and I go to Citricos at 6:30 and split a bottle of wine with dinner, and my brother and his wife go to BoG and each have two beers with dinner. We meet back up at the MK in front of the castle at 8:30 and enjoy the MK until it closes at 11:00 pm.

Please explain for me how scenario #2 is going to result in a measurable degradation of the atmosphere of the MK. Sorry. You can't.

Yes, Magic Kingdom is number one because of Walt Disney’s vision. Why do you think Walt prohibited alcohol from being sold in MK during a time when drinking in public was widely accepted? Why did Walt not listen to Auggie Busch and turn away millions of investment dollars for such a harmless vice?

Some families want to show kids how to have fun in a simple way without a social lubricant. I know its kind of corny…..a little like Mayberry or Fantasy Land. It also sold more tickets than any other theme park in the world. Walt simply made kids and family the priority.

You mention different scenarios for the convenience of adults…. do you have kids?

 

[Hopefully]

Yes, Magic Kingdom is number one because of Walt Disney’s vision. Why do you think Walt prohibited alcohol from being sold in MK during a time when drinking in public was widely accepted? Why did Walt not listen to Auggie Busch and turn away millions of investment dollars for such a harmless vice?

Some families want to show kids how to have fun in a simple way without a social lubricant. I know its kind of corny…..a little like Mayberry or Fantasy Land. It also sold more tickets than any other theme park in the world. Walt simply made kids and family the priority.

You mention different scenarios for the convenience of adults…. do you have kids?

I disagree.
I have a family. I have children. I am a DVC owner and have heavily invested in WDW. I am a Disney lover.
I did not come to love WDW, nor choose to purchase DVC, because of Walt's vision. I love Disney for what it is, how it has evolved and what it continues to grow to be.
I have been able to teach my children strong morals and good values in spite of the fact that we also frequent Epcot, DHS and AK. None of us needs a social lubricant.
I was fine with the MK being dry. I am also fine with wine and beer being served at a nice TS restaurant.
It truly isn't the end of the world as you know it.
Get a Grip.

 

[perdidobay]

I disagree.
I have a family. I have children. I am a DVC owner and have heavily invested in WDW. I am a Disney lover.
I did not come to love WDW, nor choose to purchase DVC, because of Walt's vision. I love Disney for what it is, how it has evolved and what it continues to grow to be.
I have been able to teach my children strong morals and good values in spite of the fact that we also frequent Epcot, DHS and AK. None of us needs a social lubricant.
I was fine with the MK being dry. I am also fine with wine and beer being served at a nice TS restaurant.
It truly isn't the end of the world as you know it.
Get a Grip.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you for expressing what would have taken me half a page to say!

 

[JimmyV]

Yes, Magic Kingdom is number one because of Walt Disney’s vision. Why do you think Walt prohibited alcohol from being sold in MK during a time when drinking in public was widely accepted? Because Walt wanted a park without people walking around with 20 oz cups of beer. It isn't any more complicated than that. And that won't change.Why did Walt not listen to Auggie Busch and turn away millions of investment dollars for such a harmless vice? Same answer. He didn't want people walking around with cans and cups of Bud. And they won't now.

Some families want to show kids how to have fun in a simple way without a social lubricant. Are these the same people who hop from the MK to Epcot? When you can prove to me that there is an appreciable number of people who only go to the MK and eschew every other park due to the presence of alcohol, then I will start to follow your line of thinking. But as long as all these self-righteous people continue to go to AK, then your argument has no credibility.I know its kind of corny…..a little like Mayberry or Fantasy Land. It also sold more tickets than any other theme park in the world. Because it is the original park, the most fun park and the best park, irrespective of having a glass of wine with dinner.Walt simply made kids and family the priority.

You mention different scenarios for the convenience of adults…. do you have kids?

Yes, I do. And so does my brother. So if it helps you to visualize the two scenarios, assume that in each scenario, I have my DD with me, and he has his three kids with him. You've read the two scenarios. Now go ahead and try to explain to me how my family's enjoyment of the MK would change in the hours of 8:30-11:00 between the two scenarios; then try to explain how my brother's family's enjoyment would change; and then, most importantly, try to explain for me how YOUR enjoyment of the park would change between the hours of 8:30-11:00 under the two scenarios.

It is easy to address this in terms of pixie dust, magic and Mayberry. But at some level, you are going to have to look at this from the real world realization that the MK is not, and has never been, since 1971, populated by people who would blow a 0.00 on a breathalyzer after 6:00 pm. People have been leaving the MK and having alcohol at resort restaurants from day one. In July, 1972, my family left the MK every night of a 4 day stay to go have dinner. We went to the Gulf Coast Room, the Papeete Bay Verandah and the Top of the World. At each dinner, my parents consumed wine. And each time, we returned to the MK for the rest of the night. So this notion that the MK is Mayberry and that everyone walks around stone cold sober is simply Pollyanish and more importantly, inaccurate. So go ahead and try to explain how allowing a limited number of drinks to a limited number of people will alter the REAL atmosphere of the MK between the hours of 6:00-closing as opposed to the Mayberry atmosphere that you think exists. I've laid out the scenarios. Go ahead and address them.

 

[taymorel]

I am actually considering eating here now. My husband did not want to eat here since he thought it too girly, but I think I might now be able to beg him to take me here with the promise of beer. Hope it works. Thanks Disney.

 

[Pygoplites]

I don't know if it has been mentioned in this lengthy (and hyperbolic/histrionic thread), but 1950s/60s Disneyland had a very different situation in that you could get an admission-only (no rides) ticket for only a dollar. If alcohol was served throughout the park, I can see how the "riff raff" that Walt worried about might have been a problem. There were numerous alcohol-related problems at another nearby amusement park (the Long Beach Pike), so Walt's decision probably did make sense originally.

Yet, he planned Club 33, which was never intended to be dry. Explain that one. Fundamentally, how is 33 much different than BOG? Both are limited-capacity, premium experiences located inside their respective parks. One is limited by membership and the other by capacity. The main difference I see is that you could probably get rip-roaring drunk easier at 33 since they serve hard liquor. Diners at BOG will not be allowed to linger and since there is no bar and no takeaway cups, there will be NO impact on "park decorum" that all of these hand-wringers are so worried about.