Actually, we can't know exactly why the decision was made to offer wine and beer with a fine French meal. However, I believe it probably came down from Imagineering, not the bean counters. Someone involved in the design of this restaurant suggested that French meals are always served with wine (and my daughter can attest to this, having recently been in Paris), so why not - in the interests of authenticity - offer wine and beer with dinner?
At which point a whole bunch of other people said, "My gosh, you're right! That's a great idea!" While yet another group of people said, "Alright, but let's put restrictions on it. A two drink limit, and no carry-out. That will preserve the alcohol-free atmosphere of the Magic Kingdom."
And, then, the decision having been made, the Imagineers set out to discuss with the Chefs which authentically French wines and beers would go best with the menu.
That is an ENORMOUS positive. It's what corporations survive on. Any "tons of dough" Disney makes will benefit us all in terms of more development and expansion of the parks.
I don't know about you, but I personally WANT Disney to make money. Lots of money!
Maybe if they make enough, someday they'll build a Canadian Disney World.
Yes, you are mistaken.
Disneyland was originally built for Families, not children. There was a deliberate effort to draw in parents from the very beginning. In the decades that followed, the Disney corporation then expanded their marketing efforts to appeal to Teenagers, Honeymooners, the Elderly, Single Adults, Gay Couples and more.
New Fantasyland hasn't opened fully yet, but it's clear that Disney is trying to appeal to as broad a base as possible. That's why they backed off the whole Princess/Fairy focus they'd originally envisioned and decided to go with the Dwarves Mine Ride instead. People were upset with what they perceived as too narrow a focus on little girls, so Disney changed their plans to accommodate boys as well.
And, by serving a small amount of incredibly expensive wine or beer with dinner in BOG, Disney is continuing the practice of catering to a wide variety of people. The BOG may now become a popular romantic dining destination.
There will be a two drink limit. If you buy the whole bottle, then you'll most likely have to collect it at the front of the park as you leave, or have it delivered to your hotel room.
And if someone is determined to get intoxicated at the park, they can stroll over to the Contemporary and do so quite easily there, then return.
How many drunken sots have you spotted stumbling around Animal Kingdom, which actually has a full service bar in the Africa section?
I doubt that. Disney's cast members are very professional and well trained. "Lax" is not a word that ever comes to MY mind with regards to Disney dining.
Would you crash a child's birthday party as a single adult? No? Would you celebrate your honeymoon at a kindergarten graduation? No? Would you visit Walt Disney World without a young child in tow? Yes?
Then I'm sorry, it's your examples that are bad. There is NO relationship between the Magic Kingdom and a child's birthday party or kindergarten graduation. The Magic Kingdom is for families, singles, couples and everyone else. It is not solely for children.
And besides, no one's suggesting Disney should sell alcohol to children!