Anyone else feel the whole "Drinking around the World" theme is ruining the Epcot experience?

[ChiDisneyFan]

First off, I'm not a prude, I enjoy a drink or 2 at Epcot, I just have noticed by being a local now that the atmosphere has definitely changed at Epcot with this "Drinking or Drunk around the world" theme that people are taking into the park. Tired of seeing these homemade shirts with people flaunting their drunkenness, I guess it's something to be proud of? It is not just during Food and Wine that I have noticed this trend. Numerous times walking thru World Showcase there will be people swearing and bragging about drinking all around you, not the best atmosphere for kids. It has a more open bar feeling now and even though Epcot has always been a more adult park I still think Disney needs to be careful and think if some way to curb this trend before something happens. I know if my kid were younger I definitely would not be taking her to Epcot. Now with Disney adding more kid-friendly rides such as Ratatouille and Guardians what is Disney's future plan for the park. Maybe curb the limit of # of drinks per person? Putting a ban on the obnoxious drunk t-shirts? I don't know, anyone else have any suggestions? In my opinion if you want to get drunk and wasted go to your local bars, Disney is not the place. Again, hopefully they will take a look at this before it's too late and something bad happens.

 

[Farro]

I have a layered answer.

I like to drink. We drink at Epcot.

Do I care if other people drink/get drunk? Nope, not at all, unless you are being aggressive.

Do I think wearing the shirts, etc., is dumb? Let's say, I find it a bit "amateurish" .
I don't feel the need to let other people know that I plan to drink.

Do I think Disney should ban the shirts, drinking groups, put a cap on amount of drinks? NOPE. NOPE. NOPE.

(just curious why was this moved to restaurant board? It's not a question about restaurants)

 

[Wubar]

First off, I'm not a prude, I enjoy a drink or 2 at Epcot, I just have noticed by being a local now that the atmosphere has definitely changed at Epcot with this "Drinking or Drunk around the world" theme that people are taking into the park. Tired of seeing these homemade shirts with people flaunting their drunkenness, I guess it's something to be proud of? It is not just during Food and Wine that I have noticed this trend. Numerous times walking thru World Showcase there will be people swearing and bragging about drinking all around you, not the best atmosphere for kids. It has a more open bar feeling now and even though Epcot has always been a more adult park I still think Disney needs to be careful and think if some way to curb this trend before something happens. I know if my kid were younger I definitely would not be taking her to Epcot. Now with Disney adding more kid-friendly rides such as Ratatouille and Guardians what is Disney's future plan for the park. Maybe curb the limit of # of drinks per person? Putting a ban on the obnoxious drunk t-shirts? I don't know, anyone else have any suggestions? In my opinion if you want to get drunk and wasted go to your local bars, Disney is not the place. Again, hopefully they will take a look at this before it's too late and something bad happens.

If a larger number of people are getting drunk and obnoxious and it becomes a problem (not just someone's opinion), then I am sure Disney will look into changing things if they feel it's necessary. But as for the shirts? I've seen annoying family shirts as well, as well as groups of 15 family members taking over a sidewalk or ride entrance and not displaying exemplary behavior.

 

[RealBlast3]

I understand we all have our different perspectives on stuff like this, and who we are and what roles we play in life, like if we are parents or teachers, plays a part on how we see issues like this. I am not a parent - I am a single guy, so maybe that's why I don't see the big deal with people embracing the 'Drink Around the World' motto, as long as it's done in a responsible and safe manner that doesn't infringe upon the rights and enjoyment of others in the park.

I do understand that when you are a parent, you see life differently, of course, and want to protect your children, especially from stuff like seeing some belligerent drunk vomiting in Italy's water fountain in Epcot, so I get the concern that you might have over Disney endorsing drinking as much throughout the World, not just Epcot. So, I can sympathize with that, you never stop worrying when you're a parent - I get that, even if I am not one, I understand, I am an uncle.

But it's impossible to protect kids from all that life might show them - it's unpredictable, and anywhere there could be something that happens that could be inappropriate that you wouldn't want them to see, from Disney to your local Wal-mart.

As far as I can remember, the 'Drinking Around the World' thing has been around Epcot - I think if it was really such a problem, Disney would have done away with it because if ever there was a company concerned with bad publicity, it's them. So, if really horrible things were happening from people drinking all the booze Disney has been serving, it would have been curbed or banned by now. But since Disney has only been increasing the amount of booze being sold throughout the parks, I would take that to mean it's really a non-issue.

 

[Cramden]

AS long as people aren't obnoxiously in my face I have no problem with it. I've only seen on one occasion at Disney when someone was embarrassing themselves and fortunately they had someone with them taking charge of the situation. I'm sure there are instances where someone gets out of control but I haven't seen it.

When traveling without our daughter or if we send her to a Kids Club we like to bar hop around Disney. We've done Drinks around the World, Monorail Pub Crawl, Boardwalk Pub Crawl and Disney Springs Pub Crawl. We never drive and never get stumbling drunk, but we do get pleasantly buzzed. We laugh and have fun, it's a nice break from everyday responsibilities. I like that Disney can provide us with the option to Adult when we have the chance.

 

[Disneylover99]

I see the shirts, but happily no, I haven't noticed drunk people walking around Epcot. So drinking hasn't been ruining the Epcot experience for my family.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

(just curious why was this moved to restaurant board? It's not a question about restaurants)

That's my bad. I was multi-tasking / on my phone and mis-read it as a Food & Wine related thread. @crazy4wdw or @Pumbaa_, feel free to throw it back to TPAS if you see fit. Thanks!

 

[Farro]

That's my bad. I was multi-tasking / on my phone and mis-read it as a Food & Wine thread. @crazy4wdw or @Pumbaa_, feel free to throw it back to TPAS if you see fit. Thanks!

Thanks for answering!!!

I was just curious because I couldn't find it after replying, no complaints!

 

[shh]

As one who samples their way around EPCOT, I do enjoy diff drinks from the diff countries, but don't do the full tilt DATW. I'm with the other posters - as long as they don't infringe on my trip and CMs take quick measures to remove people out of control if someone expresses a concern, I'm ok with it. I'm just amazed that people have this much disposable cash - drinking around the world sure ain't cheap!

 

[bumbershoot]

I still think Disney needs to be careful and think if some way to curb this trend before something happens.

What do you suggest?

Maybe curb the limit of # of drinks per person?

You don’t think they already do that? They have to follow the same liquor laws as any other bar in Florida.

And you don’t think the prices have a calming effect on people’s urges?

I imagine half the supposedly drunk people you see (remembering a post on the dis by someone who was laughing and simply tripped, and was berated by a stranger for being drunk) had drinks before they got to the parks. The drinks generally just aren’t that strong, plus cost so much that imo most people aren’t actually having their own full drinks while “drinking around the world”.

But as for the shirts? I've seen annoying family shirts as well

Any matching shirt situation is annoying imo.

At least the shirts that bother the OP let him or her know who to avoid. Not sure why they’d want them to be banned!

do understand that when you are a parent, you see life differently, of course, and want to protect your children, especially from stuff like seeing some belligerent drunk vomiting in Italy's water fountain in Epcot

I’m a parent and I don’t care if it’s what you describe or a sick and tantruming toddler, I don’t *want* to see anyone vomiting, ever.

 

[RealBlast3]

Also, to be fair to the original poster, I just re-read their post and they do go to Epcot alot as a local, so they do see more than many who just go on a once a year or 2 or 3 vacation, and they are basing their opinion on that, and they say they see "people swearing and bragging about drinking all around you" and so, sure I would have to agree with them, generally, that that makes it "not the best atmosphere for kids". But then, other than school or the library, there is much in this world that is "not the best atmosphere for kids". Nowhere, in this day and age, is it "safe" or as safe as we think it is, for kids, and it's just a sad fact of life, that yes, even in Disney, there can be inappropriate things that kids can see.

But the world is not going to revert backwards to an earlier time, so sure, you can decide to not bring your young children to Epcot if you think it's inappropriate - that's certainly a choice a parent can make if they deem it fit. But you're likely to run out of safe places you can take your kids to if you find Epcot to be so bad - you could take them to your local park and run into a drunk man, as well, it's probably even more likely.

 

[kiramay]

My husband and I drink, even around our own kids. They even saw me get accidentally drunk on a “punch” that was significantly stronger than it tasted. Lol They know grownups make mistakes, and any drunk people at Epcot are adults that have made bad decisions. They’ll probably laugh about it. They loved the story of the drunk guy who tried to climb the Mexico building. I can’t shield them from everything but I can make it a learning experience. I’m more bothered with rude or aggressive people, and they’re usually sober.

I think the shirts are tacky but it’s not my business and doesn’t affect my vacation.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Throwing back over to tpas

 

[CAS239]

This topic comes up about once every couple months.

Imo, there's not a drinking problem in Epcot or any other Disney park. The shirts are fun and people spend a day at Epcot drinking, eating, and taking in the world showcase. You might see someone drunk or cussing, but it's more of a rare site and is 100% not the norm. Going into the world showcase is not the same atmosphere as walking into a bar. The norm is seeing responsible adults consuming alcohol and acting like they've done it before. Drinking around the world also has been done for years, it's nothing new that Disney is just now seeing.

I've heard just as much cussing at magic kingdom as I've heard at Epcot.

As long as there's not any profanity displayed on the shirts, then Disney has no reason to ban them. They also can refuse to serve if someone needs to be cut off, same as venues outside of Disney

 

[ChiDisneyFan]

Again to reiterate, I do enjoy drinking at Epcot, love Food and Wine and sampling what every country has to offer. The Drinking around the World, Eating Around the World, Chocolate Around the World, I get that. It's when the emphasis is on getting drunk or showing shirts with Disney characters getting drunk I have a problem with. It definitely creates a different vibe walking around Epcot, and I have been there dozens of times the past few months and witness plenty of examples of lewd behavior. With the crowds and the heat it is only a matter of time when a really ugly incident is bound to happen. I understand that this is the real world but one of the reasons I go to Disney is to escape that and at Epcot it is trending in the wrong direction in my opinion. Have no problem with allowing alcohol in the parks, I never see "Getting drunk around the Lands" type shirts in Magic Kingdom. As I stated it seems that Epcot wants to make the park more kid-friendly with the upcoming changes, they still have Kid-Cot stations in every country, just don't think that mixing kids with drunkenness is a good idea, in fact not just kids but I don't enjoy being around drunk people either and try to avoid those types of places. I don't feel like Epcot should belong on those places for me to avoid but it may be in near future, which is sad. Lots of good responses to this thread, I feel like this is a topic that deserves to be discussed.

 

[FCDub]

Nope. Doesn't bother me.

 

[mckennarose]

We are full swing into the Autumn Wine season here in the Northeast and many, many people visit wineries for the special tours, events and such, my family included. I always see people wearing matching drinking or bachelor/bachelorette party shirts, so it's not just Disney. I think it's cute and if they're having fun, I say go for it. And I have yet to see a whole group in matching shirts at Disney or the wineries here falling down drunk. Not saying it CAN'T happen, but there is a big difference between being drunk and rowdy and wearing silly shirts, enjoying a few drinks and generally having fun. We also frequent football, hockey and baseball games and while there are plenty of families at these games, there are far, far more rowdy and drunk people. Way more than I've ever seen at Disney.

I think Disney is on top of things and the one time I did see really drunk people was at the end of the evening at Rose and Crown pub after the fireworks and the police were actually there watching them right outside the door. They weren't fighting or super rowdy, just loud.

As long as no one is obnoxiously drunk and doing something directly to me or my family, I don't pay attention enough to notice if someone is drunk or not. I do my own thing and have my own fun.

Now.... I HAVE been in Disney in the middle of crowds of very rude, loud and obnoxious tour groups which caused me far more problems. I will not go to Disney anywhere near tour group season anymore. We made that decision as a family because it did bother us and affected our vacation. I would think that people can decide for themselves if Epcot at certain times of the day (evenings/weekends) or year (F&W, F&G, etc), bothers them enough to avoid it, like we avoid tour group season.

 

[Summer2018]

I understand the OP's opinion.

Disney is primarily a place for children, and should be a safe space. Yes, adults travel there without children just as we did in the summer with our now adult daughter. I have friends without children who go to WDW several times per year.

However, Disney World's focus is on children. Public drunkenness is not child-friendly. We do the majority of our drinking during dinnertime and once in a while will have a cocktail by the pool. We make it a point not to get bombed.

Comparing Epcot to a Winery is comparing apples and oranges. Wineries are for adults. Children don't belong there.

I don't really know what Disney could do to control the obnoxious t-shirts, but I'm sure that security would step in if someone or a group got out of control due to alcohol or drugs.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I’ve heard horror stories of drunk groups at Epcot, particularly at F&W, but fortunately didn’t experience any of it at my last trip. It was our first time at F&W and we visited Epcot twice, on weekdays before 4pm, which I realize isn’t prime go overboard on the drinking time yet.

We did do matching “drinking around the world” shirts because we thought they were fun for our group trip, celebrating sampling all the different foods and drinks... even though several of us didn’t drink any alcoholic drinks

I definitely think Disney should control over drinking, but not the shirts (unless they are particularly bad). Not everyone wears them to advertise getting drunk.

 

[mckennarose]

I understand the OP's opinion.

Disney is primarily a place for children, and should be a safe space. Yes, adults travel there without children just as we did in the summer with our now adult daughter. I have friends without children who go to WDW several times per year.

However, Disney World's focus is on children. Public drunkenness is not child-friendly. We do the majority of our drinking during dinnertime and once in a while will have a cocktail by the pool. We make it a point not to get bombed.

Comparing Epcot to a Winery is comparing apples and oranges. Wineries are for adults. Children don't belong there.

I don't really know what Disney could do to control the obnoxious t-shirts, but I'm sure that security would step in if someone or a group got out of control due to alcohol or drugs.

Wineries are not only for adults. Many have entire Fall festivals set up, train rides, bounce houses, etc. There are some coming up in December with sleigh rides, cocoa trails, lighting of the vineyards and so on. Trust me, as a family member of someone who owns and operates and vineyard and winery in NY, they are most definitely NOT for adults only. Wineries will specify if an event is for all ages or adults only.

And Disney is for anyone who enjoys Disney movies, theme parks, rides, shows, etc. Not primarily for children. My young adult children who have gone to WDW since 1994 grew up loving it and continue to visit. None of them have children yet.
Disney does a good job making it a safe space for all ages who visit.

These drinking threads always spiral into "Epcot is a cesspool of drunkenness", "But what about the children!? Disney is for children", and "Disney has to stop opening new places to serve alcohol", "Walt would be against alcohol in the parks!". PP, I'm not mentioning these because of your post specifically, but because of what I've seen here over and over.

It boils down to
1. Disney serves alcohol, there's a market for it and people like it, it's not going to stop.
2. Disney keeps on top of anything offensive, attire, drunkenness, behavior, etc.
3. What one person finds offensive may not bother anyone else or they have had a different experience.
4. Do you own thing and if it bothers you or you feel unsafe, go somewhere else or avoid certain times of day/year.

 

[FCDub]

I can't imagine being worked up over someone's shirt unless it had profanity, nudity, etc. on it.