Alcohol at Be Our Guest

[sfbank]

Just wondering what the difference is between a drunk urinating in the bushes and a parent instructing their child to go in the bushes, on the sidewalk, etc because they do not want to leave a line. Wrong is wrong. It is all disgusting and people that do it should be escorted out. It is a health hazard. I agree with the earlier post that people need to chill out. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. As for me, a glass of wine with dinner will be wanted after fighting crowds all day thinking they are the only ones on vacation and the world should evolve around them and their family

 

[KellyNY]

Just wondering what the difference is between a drunk urinating in the bushes and a parent instructing their child to go in the bushes, on the sidewalk, etc because they do not want to leave a line. Wrong is wrong. It is all disgusting and people that do it should be escorted out. It is a health hazard. I agree with the earlier post that people need to chill out. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. As for me, a glass of wine with dinner will be wanted after fighting crowds all day thinking they are the only ones on vacation and the world should evolve around them and their family

Oh my, you are not enjoying MK enough without a glass of wine, you have to have a drink to cope with all the goodness of being around crowds?


I agree with you, people misbehave all the time without alcohol, in very dry MK, no less then in non dry parks. I wonder if those who cry so much about evil of alcohol, do not go to those parks, do they only stay at MK all the time?

I think we have some control issues here. Some people just want everyone to do what they want, not happening. Do not want to drink, don't, but leave your judgement home.

What you afraid of anyway? If you see a drunk it will be a nice example for your kids how "evil" alcohol is. Or the problem is that people drink and you can't find enough examples to support your "evil" talk. What your kids see people drinking wine at TS, walking with a glass of something and behaving normally? I guess it goes against your theories of "evil drinks" and that is what upsetting you.

 

[DVCPAT]

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.

Its OK to disagree. No one is saying it’s the end of the world or Disney World? You may not care about Disney’s philosophy or how the company has become very successful, and that’s fine. I’ve always been interested in how some individuals seem to persevere against all odds. Every other amusement/theme park sold alcohol because it is a sure fire income producer. Walt could have made a lot more money?

 

[declansdad]

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?

I agree with everything you have written.....



except the Go Duke part.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

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.

 

[Hopefully]

Its OK to disagree. No one is saying it’s the end of the world or Disney World? You may not care about Disney’s philosophy or how the company has become very successful, and that’s fine. I’ve always been interested in how some individuals seem to persevere against all odds. Every other amusement/theme park sold alcohol because it is a sure fire income producer. Walt could have made a lot more money?

Yes, we can agree to disagree, that's fine.
I am puzzled, however, by your reply. I have read and reread what you have written and I don't see your point.
I care very much about the success of Disney. As I said, I am a DVC owner and have many thousands of dollars invested in the company. If it fails, my investment fails. I also understand that Disney is a publicly traded company, and the management has a fiduciary responsibility to investors to be profitable.
It is about more than just a vision today. Those days are long gone, just as times have changed greatly.
I believe all is good.

 

[declansdad]

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?

MK is number one because it is an iconic park, the first park people think about when they think about Disney. The vast majority of people would have no idea that alcohol was not being served at MK.

 

[jlh512]

Ok, so Club 33, according to their website, is named after its address, 33 Royal Street. But why the number 33? Perhaps it's because that is the year prohibition was lifted in the USA? 1933? Or is there another reason?

 

[sfbank]

KellyNY-LOL! I did say at the end of the day a glass of wine with dinner AFTER a long day at the parks with the ones that apparently have better morals than I do. Totally agree with everything else you said too.

 

[flicx]

The move is a simple comprimise of ethics by the new disney management! They have decided to change a 4 decade policy for a reason. That reason is a simple one ($$$$$$$). The park has survived and thrived for 40 years without alcohol, why change now? I am not gonna buy into the whole theme of the restaurant theory. Quite a few other establishments at the MK are just as well suited to alcohol, liberty tree tavern, diamond horseshoe revue, caseys hotdogs, etc. However for some reason disney did not choose to sell for 40 years at these places. Lets be realistic here, it is simply a money grab and will spread further into the park over the next 5 to 10 years. What positive will come out of this? (besides disney making a ton of dough). Doesn't anyone find it the least bit disheartening that they are gonna peddle alcohol in the new fantasyland? This is a place that is primarily built for kids or am I mistaken in thinking that? Please don't tell me that no one will drink enough to get intoxicated either,they are selling whole bottles of wine. I'm quite sure the monitoring will be lax at best especially during busy times. Let's look at the thing for what it is and quit calling it something else. I drink alcohol,however I don't need to drink at the magic kingdom, neither would I drink at a childs birthday party a kindergarten graduation etc. It is a bad example IMO.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

This is a place that is primarily built for kids or am I mistaken in thinking that?

Yes. You are mistaken in thinking that.

 

[declansdad]

The move is a simple comprimise of ethics by the new disney management! They have decided to change a 4 decade policy for a reason. That reason is a simple one ($$$$$$$). The park has survived and thrived for 40 years without alcohol, why change now? I am not gonna buy into the whole theme of the restaurant theory. Quite a few other establishments at the MK are just as well suited to alcohol, liberty tree tavern, diamond horseshoe revue, caseys hotdogs, etc. However for some reason disney did not choose to sell for 40 years at these places. Lets be realistic here, it is simply a money grab and will spread further into the park over the next 5 to 10 years. What positive will come out of this? (besides disney making a ton of dough). Doesn't anyone find it the least bit disheartening that they are gonna peddle alcohol in the new fantasyland? This is a place that is primarily built for kids or am I mistaken in thinking that? Please don't tell me that no one will drink enough to get intoxicated either,they are selling whole bottles of wine. I'm quite sure the monitoring will be lax at best especially during busy times. Let's look at the thing for what it is and quit calling it something else. I drink alcohol,however I don't need to drink at the magic kingdom, neither would I drink at a childs birthday party a kindergarten graduation etc. It is a bad example IMO.

The parked survived many years without the new Fantasyland as well but they are changing that.

I also don't think the addition of alcohol to one restaurant is going to make a drastic change in the bottom line. People aren't going to start lining up simply because they can have a glass of wine or beer with their meal.

 

[DVCPAT]

MK is number one because it is an iconic park, the first park people think about when they think about Disney. The vast majority of people would have no idea that alcohol was not being served at MK.

Do you think Disney had anything to do with it being Iconic? If its iconic and know one knows alcohol isn’t being served, why change?

 

[Princess_taffy05]

Nothing anyone says or does will change this decision, so maybe everyone should just deal with it. If you don't like it, don't go to Disney anymore.
If you are concerned about your kids seeing and being around people who have been drinking, you may need to just suck it up and use any situation as a teachable moment. There really is no way around it. People are going to drink- hopefully not to an obnoxious or sick state.
Bottom line is that this is how it is...roll with it or stay home.

 

[KellyNY]

The move is a simple comprimise of ethics by the new disney management! They have decided to change a 4 decade policy for a reason. That reason is a simple one ($$$$$$$). The park has survived and thrived for 40 years without alcohol, why change now? I am not gonna buy into the whole theme of the restaurant theory. Quite a few other establishments at the MK are just as well suited to alcohol, liberty tree tavern, diamond horseshoe revue, caseys hotdogs, etc. However for some reason disney did not choose to sell for 40 years at these places. Lets be realistic here, it is simply a money grab and will spread further into the park over the next 5 to 10 years. What positive will come out of this? (besides disney making a ton of dough). Doesn't anyone find it the least bit disheartening that they are gonna peddle alcohol in the new fantasyland? This is a place that is primarily built for kids or am I mistaken in thinking that? Please don't tell me that no one will drink enough to get intoxicated either,they are selling whole bottles of wine. I'm quite sure the monitoring will be lax at best especially during busy times. Let's look at the thing for what it is and quit calling it something else. I drink alcohol,however I don't need to drink at the magic kingdom, neither would I drink at a childs birthday party a kindergarten graduation etc. It is a bad example IMO.

I do not care if they will make tons of $$. I am all for that, let them profit and bloom.
As for not for kids, does anyone making kids to drink? Are other 3 parks and water parks not for kids or setting a bad example somehow? Aren't those of us who drink and behave actually setting a good example of being responsible adults? Lets not mistake parks with night clubs but lets not mistake parks with playgrounds as well.

 

[declansdad]

Do you think Disney had anything to do with it being Iconic? If its iconic and know one knows alcohol isn’t being served, why change?

I would guess that they are changing because all the market research they do showed their was a demand for a table service restaurant at MK that served alcohol.

 

[Princess_taffy05]

Yes. You are mistaken in thinking that.

I agree with Sweet Melissa!!

 

[DVCPAT]

Yes, we can agree to disagree, that's fine.
I am puzzled, however, by your reply. I have read and reread what you have written and I don't see your point.
I care very much about the success of Disney. As I said, I am a DVC owner and have many thousands of dollars invested in the company. If it fails, my investment fails. I also understand that Disney is a publicly traded company, and the management has a fiduciary responsibility to investors to be profitable.
It is about more than just a vision today. Those days are long gone, just as times have changed greatly.
I believe all is good.

My point is, why did Walt Disney go against investors, advisors and some of the public and decide to make MK dry? Alcohol was more accepted then than it is now…..back in the 70s, I remember being pulled over while drinking and driving, and the police would make me pour it out onto the street…..I wouldn’t even get a ticket!! Why didn’t Walt want alcohol in this park?? Looking back….was it a good decision? What makes it a good decision today?

 

[JimmyV]

The move is a simple comprimise of ethics by the new disney management! They have decided to change a 4 decade policy for a reason. That reason is a simple one ($$$$$$$).

See below from post #479 in response to a supposition that is the same as yours, i.e., that $$$ is driving this...

As for the $$$ aspect, the numbers just don't add up. You can't just look at the price of a glass of wine ($8-$12). You have to look at the delta between that glass of wine (or beer) and the beverage it would have replaced. If you would have had a $4 soft drink, and instead have a $9 glass of wine, the income difference is only $5. Multiply that by the fairly small number of people who secure ADRs at BoG; who are adults; and who choose to drink beer or wine, and you have a pretty small number. Sure. It's greater than zero. But no one is going to be getting rich off of serving this limited amount of alcohol. Besides, soft drinks are practically free and the profit margin is almost 100%. The markup and profit on beer and wine is much less, percentage-wise. If WDW buys a beer for $1.50 and sells it for $6.25, it makes $4.75. If WDW sells a Coke for $4, it makes about $3.90 (assuming it is coming from a soda fountain). The limited number of potential sales coupled with the relatively small difference in profit margin makes it hard to conclude that $$$ is the driving factor here. Now, the day you start to see hard liquor sales or beer carts strewn all over the MK, then I will agree wholeheatedly that $$$ is at play. That is where the big bucks are, because the profit margin on liquor is huge, and the sales from beverage carts are not necessarily replacing a soft drink. The sale could be in addition to, and not instead of, some alternative beverage.

 

[KellyNY]

My point is, why did Walt Disney go against investors, advisors and some of the public and decide to make MK dry? Alcohol was more accepted then than it is now…..back in the 70s, I remember being pulled over while drinking and driving, and the police would make me pour it out onto the street…..I wouldn’t even get a ticket!! Why didn’t Walt want alcohol in this park?? Looking back….was it a good decision? What makes it a good decision today?

And you do not see that things changed?