Alcohol in Fantasyland?

[raidermatt]

...i dont think its wrong to serve it, your on holiday and i think 1 beer with food isnt going to be bad,

It's not so much about right and wrong in this case, because everybody has a different idea about that. It's about what kind of atmosphere Disney wants to create.

You're right of course that 1 beer with dinner isn't going to cause any problems, beyond Disney having to start doing ID checks and put in procedural controls that are unique to liquor. But they do this elsewhere so certainly they could do it in the MK.

The issue is similar to the issue with a lot of things, you have to deal with the lowest common denominator. Most people who drink can do so responsibly (though certainly there are some who THINK they are responsible but maybe aren't so much). But there's always the few who ruin a good thing for everybody else. It unfortunate everyone else has to suffer because of them, but it's the way things work today.

MK is the most family oriented of the parks, and it's also the most popular and crowded of the parks. I think those are the biggest reasons Disney has stayed true to their philosophy of no alcohol in the MK. Any issues that the alcohol leads to are going to be magnified in the MK.

 

[JetsetJAK]

I was wondering about the alcohol situation as well when I heard about them building a place called "Gaston's Tavern". I'm fine with no alcohol in the Magic Kingdom, but I'm kinda surprised then that they're calling it a "tavern" since, at least to me, calling a place a "tavern" seems to insinuate that there will be alcohol served there (I've never actually been in MK's other taverns so I guess I didn't think about those).

And even having been there a couple times previously, I didn't even really realize they don't serve alcohol at MK until I saw a repeat of that episode of "Roseanne" where the Connors go to Disney World, they do the slow-motion run set to "When You Wish Upon A Star" as the family enters MK at rope-drop...then Aunt Jackie tells Dan they don't serve alcohol in MK...and he does the slow-motion run again (once again set to "When You Wish Upon A Star") right back out of the park so he can go to Epcot and have a beer.
"Roseanne" clip - The Connors enter The Happiest Place On Earth
(The YouTube clip above must be from the DVD release where they had to substitute music they didn't have the rights to, since "When You Wish Upon A Star" isn't the song playing when they run into the park)

 

[JoshuaShaw]

By anyone confused by the use of the word "tavern" in the title "Gaston's Tavern", allow me to clear up a few other misnomers for you.

-The Haunted Mansion isn't haunted.
-The Hall of Presidents is actually a theater, not a hallway.
-Splash, Big Thunder, and Space are not actual mountains or even approximations thereof.

Disney World is basically one big scam. Sorry.

 

[GrimGrinningSteph]

No alcohol in MK and I want to keep it that way.

There is talk of a 'butterbeer' dupe being served at Gaston's though. Obviously with a different name.

 

[Ed J]

I was wondering about the alcohol situation as well when I heard about them building a place called "Gaston's Tavern". I'm fine with no alcohol in the Magic Kingdom, but I'm kinda surprised then that they're calling it a "tavern" since, at least to me, calling a place a "tavern" seems to insinuate that there will be alcohol served there (I've never actually been in MK's other taverns so I guess I didn't think about those).

And even having been there a couple times previously, I didn't even really realize they don't serve alcohol at MK until I saw a repeat of that episode of "Roseanne" where the Connors go to Disney World, they do the slow-motion run set to "When You Wish Upon A Star" as the family enters MK at rope-drop...then Aunt Jackie tells Dan they don't serve alcohol in MK...and he does the slow-motion run again (once again set to "When You Wish Upon A Star") right back out of the park so he can go to Epcot and have a beer.
"Roseanne" clip - The Connors enter The Happiest Place On Earth
(The YouTube clip above must be from the DVD release where they had to substitute music they didn't have the rights to, since "When You Wish Upon A Star" isn't the song playing when they run into the park)

Thanks for the youtube link, both half's of the Rosanne episodes are on there and I just watched them, fun way to spend lunch time .

 

[look1angel]

Don't I wish! I think Disney plans on keeping the MK alcohol-free. You'll still have to smuggle in your tiny bottles and pour them into your Dole Whip or Coca Cola.

LOL Good idea

 

[look1angel]

Wow, some really great & humorous responses!

Personally, I don't mind keeping MK alcohol free. I did however get the image of Gaston holding his beer mug up high & that's why I asked & the fact it was in Fantasyland..hee hee hee. Rootbeer would be a cute idea though

So I will cheerfully eat the churros while drinking my cup of coffee sitting on a bench & smile at all the people with the tired, cranky kids, strollers & remind myself...Been there, done that, waiting on a grandkid LOL

Thanks Disney experts, knew I could find my answer here.

Have a MAGICAL DAY!

 

[look1angel]

Wow, some really great & humorous responses!

Personally, I don't mind keeping MK alcohol free. I did however get the image of Gaston holding his beer mug up high & that's why I asked & the fact it was in Fantasyland..hee hee hee. Rootbeer would be a cute idea though

So I will cheerfully eat the churros while drinking my cup of coffee sitting on a bench & smile at all the people with the tired, cranky kids, strollers & remind myself...Been there, done that, waiting on a grandkid LOL

Thanks Disney experts, knew I could find my answer here.

Have a MAGICAL DAY!

 

[chartle]

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.

Correct your best history can be seen in old sitcoms. Or maybe Mad Men (never seen it).

In Bewitched(60's), Daren or his boss Larry had a built in bar in his office and was expected to serve cocktails to clients at business meetings. Samantha would greet Daren at the door with a pitcher of martinis.

On The Mary Tyler Moore Show (70s), Lou had a bottle in his desk drawer.

Best example of attitudes changing to drinking was an Episode of Quincy, M.E. where someone wanted to murder someone so they drank right before they hit them with their car and by the time the police showed up was over the legal limit and therefor drunk. The killer knew that drunk driving would only give him a slap on the wrist versus a first degree murder charge.

But yes people should be able to handle not drinking.

Oh and none of my local parks have alcohol. I was shocked when I first went to a Six Flags and saw the lines for beer. I pasted two or three looking for a $3 bottle of water.

 

[BLTLDZ]

Don't I wish! I think Disney plans on keeping the MK alcohol-free. You'll still have to smuggle in your tiny bottles and pour them into your Dole Whip or Coca Cola.

Oh no you did-n't...

 

[HMGar]

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.

Your comment was offensive to me. "what a man who died over 50 years ago believed..." Walt Disney wasn't just " a man who died over 50 years ago". He is THE reason we're having this dicussion right now. He is THE reason we all vacation and accumulate life long family memories that we can cherish and talk about. He happens to be a hero of mine. His vision was remarkable and he made a difference in his life that many of us could only dream of making.

I drink, and I don't mind having a cocktail or two when I go out. But it doesn't affect my enjoyment of Magic Kingdom that I can't drink there. It's a place for families and many many children make memories in this park that will last a lifetime. A memory vacant of drunk fools throwing up on Dumbo is a good thing. And Walt Disney knew this.

 

[TDC Nala]

Walt died in December 1966, about 45 years ago, not quite over 50 years yet. I don't see any reason why it should be offensive what the previous poster believes. Maybe the majority don't agree with him but I wouldn't call it offensive.

I couldn't care less which way they go with MK, alcohol or no alcohol. But I'm okay with them leaving it the way it is. I would, however, object to an alcohol ban in all Disney parks.

 

[brookmey]

I don't have a problem with the MK being dry, either. I don't see what the big deal is with 1 park being alcohol free when you can drink at the other parks and other restaurants on property.

I realize some people like to have wine or a beer with their meal, but some people like to have Pepsi with their meal, and that's not available either. What's the big deal with having to make do for 1 day while you're in the MK?

 

[raidermatt]

Walt died in December 1966, about 45 years ago, not quite over 50 years yet. I don't see any reason why it should be offensive what the previous poster believes. Maybe the majority don't agree with him but I wouldn't call it offensive.

I think offense was taken more at the way Walt was referred to, as just "a man who died over 50 years ago", and not so much at the opinion that alcohol would be ok.

I could be wrong, but that's how I read it.

 

[BLTLDZ]

Your comment was offensive to me. "what a man who died over 50 years ago believed..." Walt Disney wasn't just " a man who died over 50 years ago". He is THE reason we're having this dicussion right now. He is THE reason we all vacation and accumulate life long family memories that we can cherish and talk about. He happens to be a hero of mine. His vision was remarkable and he made a difference in his life that many of us could only dream of making.

I drink, and I don't mind having a cocktail or two when I go out. But it doesn't affect my enjoyment of Magic Kingdom that I can't drink there. It's a place for families and many many children make memories in this park that will last a lifetime. A memory vacant of drunk fools throwing up on Dumbo is a good thing. And Walt Disney knew this.

No need to get offended. Go have a drink!

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Your comment was offensive to me. "what a man who died over 50 years ago believed..." Walt Disney wasn't just " a man who died over 50 years ago". He is THE reason we're having this dicussion right now. He is THE reason we all vacation and accumulate life long family memories that we can cherish and talk about. He happens to be a hero of mine. His vision was remarkable and he made a difference in his life that many of us could only dream of making.

I drink, and I don't mind having a cocktail or two when I go out. But it doesn't affect my enjoyment of Magic Kingdom that I can't drink there. It's a place for families and many many children make memories in this park that will last a lifetime. A memory vacant of drunk fools throwing up on Dumbo is a good thing. And Walt Disney knew this.

Well if you saw my follow up post I said that of course walt was a genius and visionary and a true genius in his arts and ideas, but his social standards and beliefs do not hold up in these times. he was known to be sexist and was a leader in the whole Hollywood blacklisting witch hunt as well many other things that have been said about his social ideas. Of course these ideas were just products of the time and do not make him a bad man, but we shouldn’t be basing our social policies off someone’s beliefs from about 50 years ago, that is all I was saying.

ill reiterate that I don’t believe they should have like beer bins and a drinking atmosphere like busch gardens or something. I do think when I’m paying 40 50 dollars for a plate of food i should be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine or beer to compliment my meal.

 

[TDC Nala]

I do think when I’m paying 40 50 dollars for a plate of food i should be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine or beer to compliment my meal.

Would be nice, but there's only five full service restaurants in the MK to start with, and most of them aren't quite THAT expensive. So I personally can't consider it a major imposition that I need to visit a restaurant outside MK if I want some booze with my dinner. It is in fact one of the reasons I don't eat at the restaurants in MK (the other is that I don't think any of them are very good, so no big loss - there are plenty of good restaurants with wine lists, just a monorail ride away).

 

[yankeepenny]

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??

There are THOUSANDS of us who would pay to keep MK alchohol free.
Thank you very much!

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Would be nice, but there's only five full service restaurants in the MK to start with, and most of them aren't quite THAT expensive. So I personally can't consider it a major imposition that I need to visit a restaurant outside MK if I want some booze with my dinner. It is in fact one of the reasons I don't eat at the restaurants in MK (the other is that I don't think any of them are very good, so no big loss - there are plenty of good restaurants with wine lists, just a monorail ride away).

they are when you factor in Appetizers and deserts but thats going by my assumptions based on other dining in disney since i never eat at the MK because i cant have some booze with my dinner.

 

[DCTooTall]

I enjoyed reading this thread, but then I came across this and just had to respond...

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.

I don't have any issues with serving something with a nice dinner.... but this is the MK we are talking about. There really isn't anyplace that you can GET a Nice dinner there, so that arguement is kind of a moot point.