Alcohol in the Magic Kingdom

[Pmlocke]

Take a look at what has happened to EPCOT. It's for that reason I would not like to see alcohol served at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[happy2012]

NOPE. Let the kids have MK. To think people wouldn't get drunk or outa line is completely naive. Let the kids have this place free of booze & all the junk that CAN come with it. Walt was right.

 

[bumbershoot]

Take a look at what has happened to EPCOT. It's for that reason I would not like to see alcohol served at the Magic Kingdom.

Since I've never seen issues at Epcot, all I know about what happened there is that I can have a grand marnier slushie. And I'd love one of those at MK, too.

 

[jrmasm]

Alcohol is served all over Disney except at MK. People only complain about drunks at Epcot. IMO assuming MK will become a drunk fest if they start serving alcohol is a tad bit silly.

 

[Jennasis]

I dont understand alcohol, or the allure, but I don't care if others drink...its just not for me. I don't think the MK needs to serve alcohol anywhere, but if they do I will just roll with the changes.

 

[Polydweller]

I wouldn't like it at all. Wait had very strong feelings that DL be alcohol free (club 33 notwithstanding). That policy was carried over to MK when it opened. I see no reason to expand alcohol sales further than BOG.

I don't much care what Walt thought back in 1966. Very different era and trying to apply that to now, fifty years later, really is meaningless. No one knows how or whether his thoughts would have changed. He was a businessman and would have adapted his business to the time but we can't predict how.

But that all said, I think it could be expanded but only to restaurants not general sale like Epcot and not carrying around the park. BOG has shown that it can be sold and still maintain the nature of the park.

 

[JimmyV]

Walt's vision was to have no drinks in the MK's . Doesn't seem to be a big thing to honor hat policy.

1. Maybe Walt had a "vision" of no alcohol at any park. Yet it is served at Epcot, DHS and AK. So either Walt: a) approved of alcohol being served in expansion parks and that desire is being fulfilled; or b) he disapproved of alcohol being served at expansion parks and his wishes are being dishonored; or c) he had no opinion one way or the other as he never envisioned expansion parks, and current management simply does not care to run the company based on the 50 year old desires of a long-gone CEO.

2. We've already crossed the Rubicon. It is impossible to now "honor Walt's policy" given that beer and wine are being served in the MK.

3. Beer and wine have been served in the MK for 3 years now, and the world (or World) did not implode. We all survived the anticipated doom.

4. Beer and wine have been served at multiple locations in Disneyland Paris since the day it opened and the world did not go to h-e-double-hockey-sticks in a handbasket. Everyone is doing just fine.

5. A simple rule not allowing alcohol to leave restaurants so that people cannot walk around the park with an open drink is all that would be needed to satisfy all but the most strident resistors. Even still, it can be debated whether that rule should even exist. But as a compromise, it might be a good place to start.

 

[JimmyV]

Take a look at what has happened to EPCOT. It's for that reason I would not like to see alcohol served at the Magic Kingdom.

?? What happened at Epcot? Did I miss something? The only thing I know about alcohol at Epcot is that if WS did not serve it, far fewer people would go there. The ability to get a beer/glass of wine/cocktail in the afternoon/evening is one of the main reasons why people go to WS. They certainly don't go to see fake scenery.

 

[dsanner106]

It is not something I would probably take advantage of but I would not mind wine and beer available with a meal. I am against open alcohol sales in the park from carts and would not be a fan of a bar but most of the world is used to wine with dinner etc. MK is definitely the park with the most small children so restricting it to the restaurants might be a good idea.

 

[fbb]

?? What happened at Epcot? Did I miss something?

They started selling alcohol and now Soarin is closed.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

1. Maybe Walt had a "vision" of no alcohol at any park. Yet it is served at Epcot, DHS and AK. So either Walt: a) approved of alcohol being served in expansion parks and that desire is being fulfilled; or b) he disapproved of alcohol being served at expansion parks and his wishes are being dishonored; or c) he had no opinion one way or the other as he never envisioned expansion parks, and current management simply does not care to run the company based on the 50 year old desires of a long-gone CEO.


There was no Epcot, or HS or AK when Walt was with us, so we won't know what his wish's would have been on those parks. Walt was far more then a just a CEO and considering how the Iger and his Igertrons have messed things up, I think it would be a good thing to honor and follow the wishes and guidance of one of the greatest men of the 20th century.

2. We've already crossed the Rubicon. It is impossible to now "honor Walt's policy" given that beer and wine are being served in the MK.

No, we could remove beer and wine form BOG. A very simple thing to do.

3. Beer and wine have been served in the MK for 3 years now, and the world (or World) did not implode. We all survived the anticipated doom.

Yet many many people are still saddened by the fact the alcohol in the MK as dulled it shine a good bit.

4. Beer and wine have been served at multiple locations in Disneyland Paris since the day it opened and the world did not go to h-e-double-hockey-sticks in a handbasket. Everyone is doing just fine.

Actually no..........there was year or so before Disney gave in to he French wining about not having there wine.

5. A simple rule not allowing alcohol to leave restaurants so that people cannot walk around the park with an open drink is all that would be needed to satisfy all but the most strident resistors. Even still, it can be debated whether that rule should even exist. But as a compromise, it might be a good place to start.

Here your right it is a compromise. yet considering there is many many place the folks that what a drink, can find it all over WDW. Would it hurt at all to keep the MK a little more special in this way?

However we are not going to agree, so we will have to agree, not to agree. I am happy they are not expanding drinks in the MK.

AKK

 

[disnut8]

I drink and have enjoyed drinks at Disney World. I know the whole "Walt wanted things this way because......" thing but Walt died in 1966 when I was four years old. He never saw Epcot, the Studios or Animal Kingdom. While I would enjoy walking around Magic Kingdom with a cup of beer like I can at the other three parks, I think the way Be Our Guest does the adult beverages is just fine. You are limited to two drinks and you cannot take them out of the restaurant. I would feel comfortable expanding that to all the Magic Kingdom restaurants. No kiosks and no carrying around drinks but to have a drink with your meal - if you should choose to do so - what is the big deal? Unless someone sneaked in some alcohol during the day or went bar hopping along the monorail resorts and came back to Magic Kingdom to have a meal, what's the big deal? I guess I don't get the whole thing about having Magic Kingdom being one place in the world where alcohol isn't served. And if it is served, it can be done on the down low with restrictions in place. Imagine dining at Tony's with a glass of wine and a plate of spaghetti (don't get into a food critic), or hoisting up a mug of beer at Liberty Tree Tavern because I'm sure the guys back in those days would have been doing the same. But limit to two drinks and only inside the restaurant.

 

[JimmyV]

However we are not going to agree, so we will have to agree, not to agree.

I agree that we will not agree on the opinion as to whether it is right or wrong to sell alcohol in the MK, or whether sales should be expanded. But I don't think the "honoring Walt's wishes" part is subject to agreeing not to agree. Disney has decided to sell alcohol in the MK and that is that. One cannot "honor Walt's wishes" but maintain an "exception." On that point, the company has to be "all in" or else it is "out". And it is clearly "out". So opinion aside, (and I respect yours), the decision to sell or not sell alcohol cannot be part of a larger strategy to "honor Walt's wishes." That part of the thought process is now out the window. Some may find that sad. Others may rejoice. And that is where the "agree not to agree" comes in. But his wishes are clearly no longer a factor.

 

[Micca]

They started selling alcohol and now Soarin is closed.

I don't want to see people stumbling around drunk at MK, but I've never seen it at Epcot either. OK, maybe during F&W there were some boisterous guests, but as a rule it's contained in WS. They sell alcohol all over DHS, I don't hear about problems there, same with AK. I'd be ok with it in MK if it were handled similarly to BOG.

With respect to Walt Disney's opinion, the world is a much different place than it was when he departed the planet. I'm a big fan of his creative genius, but I don't know that everything he said can stick with a global corporation beholden to its shareholders.

 

[Planogirl]

A lot has changed at WDW and a lot of that no longer seems to fit Walt's vision but who knows what he would think?

I don't drink in the themeparks but wouldn't have a problem with Full Serve places serving beer and wine.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I agree that we will not agree on the opinion as to whether it is right or wrong to sell alcohol in the MK, or whether sales should be expanded. But I don't think the "honoring Walt's wishes" part is subject to agreeing not to agree. Disney has decided to sell alcohol in the MK and that is that. One cannot "honor Walt's wishes" but maintain an "exception." On that point, the company has to be "all in" or else it is "out". And it is clearly "out". So opinion aside, (and I respect yours), the decision to sell or not sell alcohol cannot be part of a larger strategy to "honor Walt's wishes." That part of the thought process is now out the window. Some may find that sad. Others may rejoice. And that is where the "agree not to agree" comes in. But his wishes are clearly no longer a factor.

Point taken,......I have to admit, I know I have lost that battle..............not happy about it............but its still lost!

Someday maybe we can meet at WDW (anywhere but the MK...LOL) and raise a glass and toast Walt!

AKK

 

[Pmlocke]

Let me clarify. I have no problem having a drink with your dinner. What I have seen the last two years is that in the evening at EPCOT you have a large number of people who are enjoying much more than a drink with their dinner. They are loud, rude, walking into others, falling down. Yes, dare I say it, drunk. Last year we were trying to enjoy the fireworks but thanks to the three couples who had definately had more than enough we were barraged by filthy language, they kept bumping into us and spilling drinks on my wife and I, and were beligerant when I asked them to settle down and let us enjoy the show. I am not a prude. I do enjoy my Jack from time to time but I see no reason to allow this type of behavior in a Disney Park.

 

[JimmyV]

but I see no reason to allow this type of behavior in a Disney Park.

The response to this is the bookend to the reasoning why people don't want alcohol in the MK...because that park is for the kids. WS is for the adults. So if the kids can have a park that is (mostly) shut off from alcohol, can't the adults have a park where drinks from around the world are a feature? While I of course agree with your that boorish behavior is inappropriate, it is inappropriate everywhere. You would have been just as upset, (and rightfully so) had you been subjected to filthy language, bumping and spilled drinks while you were standing on the shore at the Poly watching the fireworks from people who had one-too-many Uh-Oa's at Trader Sam's. Would the response then be: "I see no reason to allow this type of behavior in a Disney Resort?" I think Disney understands that WS features several 35 year old travel films and a Donald Duck boat ride. While that level of entertainment may appeal to many, there are many more who go to WS specifically (and solely) to enjoy food and drinks. If Disney were to remove alcohol from WS, it would have to up its game substantially in order to make it appealing to a large number of guests. Or...it could draw people in by selling $12 drinks and make a profit without any capital expenditure. It is unfortunate that you experienced what you did. But outside of F&W days, this type of experience is rather atypical. After all, it is really, really expensive to get rip-roaring drunk in Epcot.

 

[Lisa F]

I like a good margarita as much as the next girl (maybe more!) but I like the idea of the MK as a "dry kingdom" for purely nostalgic reasons. I like that the parks are different and feel different and have different themes and different atmospheres. I agree that MK is more about the child and the inner child and I like that they celebrate that by keeping out the booze right now. It must have been a very difficult decision for Disney over the years to turn away that kind of revenue stream. I hope they hold strong but won't be heartbroken if not.

 

[shoney]

I would like the option to have wine or beer with my meal. I would also like a bar to hang out and relax for a little while.