Alcohol in Fantasyland?

[heyitsmejosh]

I wouldn't mind seeing alcohol at MK, but just because it's called a tavern doesn't mean it actually will be!

Here's an awesome blog post about "places not to drink at the Magic Kingdom." It's pretty funny because it chronicles all the alcohol there... just not for the public to consume!

http://www.yesterland.com/mkalcohol.html

I agree, I think the idea of not serving alcohol is a little archaic. I don’t think they should have people walking around with large yard glasses of beer with straps like at busch gardens but people should be able to enjoy a glass of wine or beer with their overpriced meals. All the other parks allow it and it’s not really a big problem I’ve never really seen any major issues with my own eyes of course there is the occasional story or youtube video. Either way I don’t believe the decision to not allow alcohol should be based on what a man who died over 50 years ago believed was socially acceptable as the time, things have to evolve over time.

 

[Wadecool]

Temperance League mobilize!

 

[raidermatt]

... people should be able to enjoy a glass of wine or beer with their overpriced meals. All the other parks allow it and it’s not really a big problem I’ve never really seen any major issues with my own eyes of course there is the occasional story or youtube video. Either way I don’t believe the decision to not allow alcohol should be based on what a man who died over 50 years ago believed was socially acceptable as the time, things have to evolve over time

Drinking is no more socially acceptable today than it was 50 years ago. If anything, it's less so, at least in some situations. For example the 3-cocktail lunch was a staple in the past, but not so much these days. Public intoxication in general is frowned upon much more. People still consume of course, but there's just places where it has become less acceptable.

As for whether it's more acceptable in a family theme park, I don't think the needle has moved much. Maybe a bit, but that's primarily because Disney decided to go for the bucks at its other parks. Still, while all of Disney's parks are family-oriented, the Magic Kingdoms are more so than the other parks.

That said, I don't think it would be a huge problem, but I respect Disney for sticking to a philosophy in this case rather than just going for the cash. That's more a rarity for them these days.

Just as it's ok to have some places on property where kids are not as welcome, I think it's also ok to keep the Magic Kingdoms alcohol free.

I do agree that Disney shouldn't do things "just because a man who died over 50 years ago" said so. But at the same time, we are talking about a man without whom this board would not exist, because Walt Disney World and Disneyland wouldn't exist. So sure, don't do things just because he said so, but don't be so quick to cast aside his philosophies either. There were legitimate business reasons for them, they weren't just based on the personal morals of one man.

Now heres a question would people support the sale of alcohol in the MK if that meant Disney wouldn’t raise prices on anything for a while??

I wouldn't because I think sticking to a philosophy or principle is important and not worth selling for a few bucks. That said, I think the idea is a non-starter. Disney wouldn't sacrifice profit in one area (higher prices) just because they generated more in another (alcohol). As an example, they don't charge less for food in restaurants that serve alcohol. They charge what they can get and that won't change.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Drinking is no more socially acceptable today than it was 50 years ago. If anything, it's less so, at least in some situations. For example the 3-cocktail lunch was a staple in the past, but not so much these days. Public intoxication in general is frowned upon much more. People still consume of course, but there's just places where it has become less acceptable.

As for whether it's more acceptable in a family theme park, I don't think the needle has moved much. Maybe a bit, but that's primarily because Disney decided to go for the bucks at its other parks. Still, while all of Disney's parks are family-oriented, the Magic Kingdoms are more so than the other parks.

That said, I don't think it would be a huge problem, but I respect Disney for sticking to a philosophy in this case rather than just going for the cash. That's more a rarity for them these days.

Just as it's ok to have some places on property where kids are not as welcome, I think it's also ok to keep the Magic Kingdoms alcohol free.

I do agree that Disney shouldn't do things "just because a man who died over 50 years ago" said so. But at the same time, we are talking about a man without whom this board would not exist, because Walt Disney World and Disneyland wouldn't exist. So sure, don't do things just because he said so, but don't be so quick to cast aside his philosophies either. There were legitimate business reasons for them, they weren't just based on the personal morals of one man.



I wouldn't because I think sticking to a philosophy or principle is important and not worth selling for a few bucks. That said, I think the idea is a non-starter. Disney wouldn't sacrifice profit in one area (higher prices) just because they generated more in another (alcohol). As an example, they don't charge less for food in restaurants that serve alcohol. They charge what they can get and that won't change.

well since i wasn't alive in the 50/60's i cant really speak to what was socially acceptable when it came to drinking. as for today drinking is very mainstream, it's common for people to go out after work and have a few drinks ect. a great deal of the mainstream singles and social scene revolves around bars and clubs. people still drink during lunch as well, just go into any applebees on a weekday during lunch time.

Alcohol sales in general are way more acceptable then they were years ago, most states repealed or changed their blue laws to extended sales and to allow sales on sundays ect. As for theme parks it is as well, almost all parks now sell it in some form (its a great source of revenue), the magic kingdom is the only one i can think of off the top of my head that doesn't (DL has club 33). but you are correct you really do have to tip your cap to disney for sticking to their guns and not giving in to the massive amounts of money they could make.

while walt was a great visionary and a genius and came up with some amazing ideas and concepts. his social ideas were not really on par with what is acceptable today. He was a major player in the Hollywood blacklisting as well as a known sexist (most were during that time). there are also a lot of allegations of him being racist as well but again probably a product of the time. Walt also spent his early adulthood during the Prohibition era, not only was alcohol illegal but it was tied to organized crime. i'm sure that had an impact as well on the way he saw alcohol and its use.

all that being said i don't mind that they don't sell it in like beer tubs and things like that but i do think they should sell it in the restaurants and things where a nice glass of wine can really compliment a nice dinner.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I'm glad there's no alcohol in MK and I hope it stays that way. I wonder if this is part of the reason why MK is just so magical.

 

[kerplop]

This reminds me of our trip in December. I was standing outside by the castle and this guy was all up in arms because the Liberty Tree Tavern didn't serve any alcohol. I guess I looked like I understood him? Because then he came to rant at me for sympathy. He was peeved that he couldn't get a drink and "how else was he supposed to be able to deal with this place and his family?!?. I felt...sorry for him and his family. Eesh.

 

[>Ash<]

Gastons Tavern,

ive got a feeling they will do a WWOHP type attraction here, i think they will make a non alcoholic root beer float style drink possibly so kids can have the same drink as parents,

i think this would be more acceptable even though i would love to see some of the ales from epcot featured but i dont think they would as MK is still a NO NO for alcohol.

just about some of the above posts - i dont think its wrong to serve it, your on holiday and i think 1 beer with food isnt going to be bad,

 

[kbelle8995]

Yeah when it gets down to it Alcohol is such a pain for the CM's to handle. You have to ID the person and if you don't serious trouble just like at a regular bar or restaurant. Plus you can't just hand it to anybody. And really surprisingly enough at the parks that have it they don't sell a lot. I guess it depends on the place. My sister worked at Discovery island at the time and they sold a lot there. And at food and wine they sell quite a bit. But really drinking and then riding a roller coaster has no appeal to me.

For years there was a law in Florida that you couldn't sell alcohol on Sunday until after 12:00 noon not midnight.

Plus the price of alcohol like everything at Disney is not cheap.

 

[poison ivy]

Well, since Walt served booze in his elite Club 33 at Disneyland then who's the hypocrite?

 

[WEDWDW]

Alcohol is served in Magic Kingdom during some Private after hours events with bars set up around the Park.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I think the MK will still stay dry. Perhaps it'll offer some unique non-alcoholic offerings.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't have issue with them having alcohol at the restaurants in the park.

But after seeing the footage of that drunk guest at DCA recently....... I'm not so sure about seeing it offered out in the park. Yes, the vast majority of guests are responsible. But I'm not willing to risk the ever so occasional scene like that as the price.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Gaston's Tavern, like the rest of the Magic Kingdom, is an illusion.

 

[mom2rtk]

Gaston's Tavern, like the rest of the Magic Kingdom, is an illusion.

LOL! Forced perspective at its finest!

 

[DebbieB]

I don't have issue with them having alcohol at the restaurants in the park.

But after seeing the footage of that drunk guest at DCA recently....... I'm not so sure about seeing it offered out in the park. Yes, the vast majority of guests are responsible. But I'm not willing to risk the ever so occasional scene like that as the price.

I agree, the big issue is serving it from carts or stands. That's where people go too far, usually not with a meal in a restaurant. I think during F & W, a big issue was the tequila bar in Mexico.

 

[TDC Nala]

They already have Liberty Tree Tavern and Tortuga Tavern. Neither sells alcohol. The odds are VERY high that Gaston's Tavern, despite the name, will not serve alcoholic beverages. Tortuga Tavern even sells something they've labeled "non-alcoholic sangria," guess that sounded more intriguing than "fruit punch." MK has been a dry park since it opened; alcohol is available there only at private events.

I have no problems with the MK staying dry as long as I can get booze everywhere else on property. I would definitely not be in favor of a property-wide ban, although some people obviously are.

 

[Ed J]

The new tavern will encourage smoking since after all, Walt was a chain smoker. The main advertiser of this new tavern is rumored to be
Philip - Morris.

 

[Bullseye]

Drinking is allowed if you are a POTC

 

[Wadecool]

The new tavern will encourage smoking since after all, Walt was a chain smoker. The main advertiser of this new tavern is rumored to be
Philip - Morris.

Since Walt was a Lucky Strikes man, it would more likely be sponsored by RJ Reynolds (the maker of Luckys).

 

[Day-Day]

I hope they do not serve alcohol in MK. After all, alcohol is only a monorail ride away! Or a walk to the Wave. I know because I have done this to survive a cranky toddler.

How much did you give to the toddler to improve the mood?