Alcohol at new magic kingdom restaurant...

[UKDEB]

It is always the Brits, Brits are notorious for not being able to stop when they should And since we make up a very large amount of visitors to WDW this isn't going to help that.

Actually, we make up less than 1.5% of visitor numbers.

 

[madmumof2]

Actually, we make up less than 1.5% of visitor numbers.

Really?? I find that hard to believe, most of the people I came across in 2009 were English and Scottish, not American.

That wasn't my main point anyway. We have a drinking culture unlike any other and it's to our shame not our benefit.

 

[UKDEB]

Total visitor numbers to Orlando last year were 55 million. 767,000 were from the UK.

 

[madmumof2]

I'm not sure I would go as far as saying that the MK is mainly for kiddies or a childrens park. I once read a statistic about the number of adult only groups that go to WDW and it's surprisingly high.
That being said, I agree that the 'magical' element of the park appeals to youngsters. However, having one restaurant serving alcohol with meals will have no impact on the park at all in my opinion. The CM's will not have to monitor alcohol intake as I understand it, as alcohol will only be served tableside. Just how long would you have to take over your meal to get blinding drunk? It's just not going to happen. Heck, if people were that desperate to over-indulge, they would go to a bar at the Contemporary or GF before entering the park.

I can understand that people would be unhappy at alcohol being served freely throughout the park, but as an accompaniment to a meal in one restaurant I see no problem.

Kev

That's a good point it's easier to get drunk elsewhere, which probably happens already. And I'd bet BOG drinks will be quite pricey too!

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

I do agree though, and I know this will sound controversial, but almost everyone I see in day to day life who drink far too much and have problems with alcohol, with their sad children, are either on very low incomes or have no income and live off benefits (nothing wrong with that btw!), so the people who are lucky enough to be able to afford to go to WDW are not going to be those people, so hopefully anyone who dines at BOG are responsible enough to know when to stop without having to be stopped by CM's

In 2007 a study involving every local authority in the country found the worst rates of dangerous drinking were in some of the country's most attractive suburbs. To say that most of the people on low income you see have a drink problem is unfortunate.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I don't think it's right to say that children and alcohol do not mix. You could ask why they sell such a huge array of junk food throughout the resorts when there is a widespread obesity problem. It's all about being sensible and I don't think that alcohol being sold in one MK restaurant is going to result in hordes of drunkards stumbling around the park.

 

[wideeyes]

I don't think people will be going into mk to get drunk. If it is just in one expensive restaurant it is only going to be a small amount of people who have alcohol and can't see them consuming loads during a meal to get drunk. Sadly those who will get drunk while they have children in their care are likely to do it at other places like at the hotel/pool bar etc

 

[madmumof2]

In 2007 a study involving every local authority in the country found the worst rates of dangerous drinking were in some of the country's most attractive suburbs. To say that most of the people on low income you see have a drink problem is unfortunate.

#

I didn't say that, I said most people I know with drink problems are on low incomes, I think that's fairly typical no matter where you live. Not that everyone on a low income has an alcohol problem.

Statistics like that don't really stand, you can't watch what happens in someones home. They're based on arrests, people out on the street etc not on the countless amount of people sat in their homes blotting out the real world.

 

[zippy99]

As someone who enjoys a glass of red with her meals I do welcome this. But to be completely honest - the price of alcohol in the parks would surely be enough to put most off getting drunk! In fact, having been during food & wine several times I have never seen anyone who I would consider to be 'drunk'

I resent paying $50 for a bottle of wine for DH & I to share and then being expected to pay a $10 gratuity on it! If you bought a $100 bottle of wine the proposed tip would be $20 - but there is no difference in the service to earn that additional tip. With the exception of California Grill where our server was excellent and topped our glasses from the bottle - all the other restaurants just left us with the bottle to do our own tops ups - we therefore deducted the cost of the wine when calculating our tip!

 

[madmumof2]

As someone who enjoys a glass of red with her meals I do welcome this. But to be completely honest - the price of alcohol in the parks would surely be enough to put most off getting drunk!

 

[Laurafoster]

#

I didn't say that, I said most people I know with drink problems are on low incomes, I think that's fairly typical no matter where you live. Not that everyone on a low income has an alcohol problem.

Statistics like that don't really stand, you can't watch what happens in someones home. They're based on arrests, people out on the street etc not on the countless amount of people sat in their homes blotting out the real world.

I've known a few people with drink problems and they have all been from higher income families. I don't believe that it's typical either way.

I don't think serving alcohol in BOG is going to be an issue provided its only served in the restaurant to diners. I think lots of people go for dinners at the monorail resorts and then go into the MK afterwards which is no different IMO. I've often done events like the backyard BBQ and Hoop de doo revue where alcohol is available in large quantities and seen guests go on to the MK afterwards with no problems.

 

[sharon78]

It's a sad, sad day for the Magic Kingdom IMHO. Walt will be turning in his grave.

I agree it's not what Walt wanted. However a glass of wine or two with a TS dinner is what many people enjoy and I don't see that being a problem. Saying that I don't think it would of been an easy decision to make, I would hope that they gave it some serious thought before making this decision, if it's the right or wrong decision only time will tell i guess.

 

[tinkerpea]

I'm completely torn on this!
I actually used to think when younger why on earth is alcohol not served at MK when it's served everywhere else? Then as I reached legal drinking age for the US and started taking my own children I realised what a wonderful thing it was to have 1 dry park!

I remember being with somebody who asked where they could get a drink while in MK and the reply was sorry sir MK is a dry park just the way Walt wanted! It was said with such enthusiasm and pride it actually sounded quite magical and after that it got me thinking what a wonderful idea it was to have 1 special dry park and the idea was its for the children!!

I like to have a drink with dinner a good wine or a cocktail, but I can do with out, and often do I don't think it's going to make everyone turn into raging drunks BUT I am sad about the break in tradition.

 

[disney_princess_85]

At the end of the day, Walt Disney was a businessman. I doubt he will be 'turning in his grave'. Times change. Just bear in mind that Club 33 at Disneyland has been serving alcohol for a while now.

 

[Disney Princesses LW]

As someone who enjoys a glass of red with her meals I do welcome this. But to be completely honest - the price of alcohol in the parks would surely be enough to put most off getting drunk! In fact, having been during food & wine several times I have never seen anyone who I would consider to be 'drunk'

I resent paying $50 for a bottle of wine for DH & I to share and then being expected to pay a $10 gratuity on it! If you bought a $100 bottle of wine the proposed tip would be $20 - but there is no difference in the service to earn that additional tip. With the exception of California Grill where our server was excellent and topped our glasses from the bottle - all the other restaurants just left us with the bottle to do our own tops ups - we therefore deducted the cost of the wine when calculating our tip!

completely agree with you One glass of wine with my meal would definatly be enjoyable but at the prices they charge per bottle/glass would stop me from having more

 

[PudseyChancer]

Judging by some of the comments you'd think the Dapper Dans were going to be striking up a tune outside a Wetherspoons, hawking two for one drinks promotions!

For me, the opportunity to have a drink with a meal is a positive, especially as one of the beers available is the excellent Chimay Blue, however the key for me would be whether or not the food menu appeals as to whether I would go.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

At the end of the day, Walt Disney was a businessman. I doubt he will be 'turning in his grave'. Times change. Just bear in mind that Club 33 at Disneyland has been serving alcohol for a while now.

Exactly! I think some people are taking this well out of proportion, it's just a restaurant serving some alcohol! It will have no effect on peoples experience at the park.

Wow, anyone would think we were back in the Prohibition era!!

 

[tinks_1989]

I think it shouldn't happen it's not very "Walt" Disney!

I think some people's reaction is a bit over the top you can buy alcohol in the other parks and hotels and in 11 visits have only ever once seen a drunk scene (food and wine some one got in the fountain at US pavilion) Disneyland Paris serve alcohol every where and I have never seen a drunk person there.

I'm not for it and think its a shame that some one has agreed to it. I read on Facebook they have done it because it was what the guests wanted. but change will happen as long as it doesn't start popping up in all the restaurants and counter services.

 

[chmurf]

Disneyland Paris serve alcohol every where and I have never seen a drunk person there.

DLP does not have a problem selling alcohol, it's too expensive inside the parks for "that kind of public" to get drunk "thanks to" Disney.
The main problem of the park in Paris are junkies and gangs of youth smoking pot (sometimes even in the lines)
Other people will bring their own booze, like gin and vodka inside plastic water bottles.

So the main problem is not the selling of alcohol at all.

It's even less a problem in the US where there is a strict 21 years old policy enforcement.

Still I'm an advocate of the 0 alcohol tolerance policy and think that alcohol does not belong in a theme park. (unless that theme park is dubbed "oktoberfest")

 

[tinks_1989]

DLP does not have a problem selling alcohol, it's too expensive inside the parks for "that kind of public" to get drunk "thanks to" Disney.
The main problem of the park in Paris are junkies and gangs of youth smoking pot (sometimes even in the lines)
Other people will bring their own booze, like gin and vodka inside plastic water bottles.

So the main problem is not the selling of alcohol at all.

It's even less a problem in the US where there is a strict 21 years old policy enforcement.

Still I'm an advocate of the 0 alcohol tolerance policy and think that alcohol does not belong in a theme park. (unless that theme park is dubbed "oktoberfest")

LOL OK

I have never seen any of that in Disneyland Paris I'm not saying it doesn't happen but it hasn't personally affected me! I'm sure things happen in WDW that you haven't experienced just like you have complained about at Disneyland Paris!