Drunk in Disney - Come on Now!

[DrivenByDisney]

I have been visiting Disney World since I was 10 years old, and have held a Florida Resident AP since 1989. I have spent my fare share of time at Disney World and have loved every second of it. Living just four miles from property now, I spend more & more time there than ever before.

Now, I like to partake in adult beverages at Disney all the time. It is enjoyable and I have met some really nice people along the way and it's just a fun time, 99.9% of the time.

Having said that -- I encountered first hand yesterday something I have never seen at Disney prior to yesterday afternoon with a drunk woman.

We were in the Tune in Lounge relaxing, escaping the regular afternoon rain shower having a pleasant conversation with another couple about Disney, Orlando in general, etc. Then the "fun" began.

A woman (whom I will not guess on age) though was no 21 year old out for a celebration ... Began stumbling around the bar area asking for cigarettes from nearly everyone in the Tune in Lounge area. Clearly very drunk at this point, she shuffled over to the wall, slumped on it and fell onto a younger (say 12-14) year old kid sitting on the floor.

My wife and I along with several others in the lounge obviously alerted the bartenders and managers.

She then proceed to heave herself up from the floor and stumble over to one of the couches and insist that another child "move their *** over" (her words not mine) so she could sit. At this point, the parents of that child got up to confront her.

Before they could even get there ... This woman had pretty much passed out on her feet and crashed into the other child on the couch and was out cold. Not a pretty sight to see at all.

A good 10 minutes went by until paramedics and Disney security arrived to wheel her out as they could not get her to wake up from her bender.

This is the issue I have with it. I have had my fare share of drinks at Disney World. Though at no point was I ever close to the level of this woman. People pay gobs of money to visit Disney, maybe only once in their lives. What a disgrace this was to witness and have this perhaps be their memories of their trip.

I did not witness her even get a drink in the Tune in Lounge, so I cannot place blame on over serving in that bar area. However, having owned a bar/beer brewery in my lifetime, I can assure you it is on the bartenders to know when enough is enough for their patrons.

I do not put all the blame on any one person as I did not witness this event from start to finish ... Merely the aftermath it produced. Though it was one of the worst events I had ever seen from a guest in all my years of visiting Disney World.

The only other worst was witnessing and help breaking up a fist fight at F&W last year in front of the Rose & Crown between two fathers (who had too much to drink) and getting into a "pi**ing" contest on who's son was better at baseball. No joke.

 

[JaxDad]

Wow! In defense of the bartenders, she could have had a very low tolerance for alcohol, either naturally or due to meds. Or she may have had a drink that was much stronger than anticipated, and then tried to stand up! I was at a Fat Tuesdays once and had a couple nice, slushy, sweet drinks. I didn't realize they were made with 151 until I stood up! I sat back down and had a couple rounds of water.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Wow! In defense of the bartenders, she could have had a very low tolerance for alcohol, either naturally or due to meds. Or she may have had a drink that was much stronger than anticipated, and then tried to stand up! I was at a Fat Tuesdays once and had a couple nice, slushy, sweet drinks. I didn't realize they were made with 151 until I stood up! I sat back down and had a couple rounds of water.

Yes, very true. If this was one (or just a few) drinks ... I want to know what they are

All kidding aside. As I said, having owned a bar, it is up to the bartenders to cut a patron off at the first sign of over serving. No matter the drink, known or unknown tolerance of that patron, etc. Bars have closed after being sued due to this situation.

I do agree this person's condition probably had several factors, and I have seen it before at Disney -- Just not to this extent.

1. Very hot weather
2. Not drinking water with/during/between booze drinks
3. Just having too many drinks
4. Not eating anything
5. Combination of all or some of the above

 

[JaxDad]

Or she could have been playing some sort of Seven Dwarfs drinking game, but only made it through Happy, Dopey, Grumpy, and Sleepy! (And then got taken to see Doc.)

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Or she could have been playing some sort of Seven Dwarfs drinking game, but only made it through Happy, Dopey, Grumpy, and Sleepy! (And then got taken to see Doc.)

Hilarious!

 

[ruthies12]

Just to throw in another scenario, she might be diabetic, especially if she was stumbling around. Very low blood sugar really can look like they are drunk and they are usually very belligerent in behavior. Ketones on the breath can smell just like alcohol as well. Diabetics have died in jail cells because cops think they are drunk put them in there to sleep it off.

I'm not saying you are wrong in your assessment of the situation but just that something more could have been going on. I agree that if it was drunkenness it was completely out of line. I'm not even sure the place really matters, that level of drunkenness in any public setting is pretty atrocious.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Never seen so many hard booze stands as SWW. They must assume the 21+ fans are loaded with $$ and drunkies! I'll admit, I'd like to try a tattooine sunrise, but I'm trying to be more fiscally responsible. I got my whole dinner with GF chicken tenders, apple slices and a refillable drink for $11 (and I had rewards for that!). I ate my entire day from 1:30p-10:30p on that lil meal and its less than what one drink would cost. You know Disney is all about the $$ because they have the drink stand every ten feet!

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I don't like seeing people drunk out of their minds at DISNEY WORLD of all places. I'm no prude, but it really disturbs me. I have ran into many drunken packs of young adults in Epcot drinking around the world. To each their own, but you cross the line when you are cursing at the top of your lungs, harassing other guests, and rolling around on the floor. I plan to go this September for my 21st birthday, but one or two drinks will be enough for me. If I try to partially drink around the world, I will space it appropriately. I'm not trying to be a "fun-sucker" (a term a lot of my nursing school friends dubbed to me), I just think that people should really try to hold it together when there are children around.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

@TheDisneyNurse So just FYI, Carnival Cruise Lines NOT for you!

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

@TheDisneyNurse So just FYI, Carnival Cruise Lines NOT for you!

Lol, I've heard! I know, I'm too much of a weenie

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Just to throw in another scenario, she might be diabetic, especially if she was stumbling around. Very low blood sugar really can look like they are drunk and they are usually very belligerent in behavior. Ketones on the breath can smell just like alcohol as well. Diabetics have died in jail cells because cops think they are drunk put them in there to sleep it off.

I'm not saying you are wrong in your assessment of the situation but just that something more could have been going on. I agree that if it was drunkenness it was completely out of line. I'm not even sure the place really matters, that level of drunkenness in any public setting is pretty atrocious.

I 100% agree with no matter the place, one should be able to control their selves. Obviously, this does not happen. And yes, I am not sure if she was a diabetic or not. Other factors could have been at play certainly. Myself, wife and the 30+ other people judged (as we all do at times) that most likely, she simply had just had too many that day.

Never seen so many hard booze stands as SWW. They must assume the 21+ fans are loaded with $$ and drunkies! I'll admit, I'd like to try a tattooine sunrise, but I'm trying to be more fiscally responsible. I got my whole dinner with GF chicken tenders, apple slices and a refillable drink for $11 (and I had rewards for that!). I ate my entire day from 1:30p-10:30p on that lil meal and its less than what one drink would cost. You know Disney is all about the $$ because they have the drink stand every ten feet!

I thought that as well for SWW actually. They had little "bars" set up in places I had not seen before. I understand and know that alcohol is a BIG money maker for anyone. Though at what cost? Having others ruin someone else's vacation and never return due to some drunk person accosting them or their children just to make a few extra bucks?

I don't like seeing people drunk out of their minds at DISNEY WORLD of all places. I'm no prude, but it really disturbs me. I have ran into many drunken packs of young adults in Epcot drinking around the world. To each their own, but you cross the line when you are cursing at the top of your lungs, harassing other guests, and rolling around on the floor. I plan to go this September for my 21st birthday, but one or two drinks will be enough for me. If I try to partially drink around the world, I will space it appropriately. I'm not trying to be a "fun-sucker" (a term a lot of my nursing school friends dubbed to me), I just think that people should really try to hold it together when there are children around.

I myself have had many, MANY adult beverages at Disney World through the years. Some would say too many I'm sure. However, I have never been to the point there or any place for that matter, unable to stand, speak or wake up when someone was trying to throw me out.

I understand the draw of 'Drinking Around the World' and see more & more people publicly displaying this task with shirts, hats, etc. I am not of fan of this to be honest. Look, we're all adults here (for the most part).

Yes, it's your vacation as well not just other people's, I get that. Though if your "good times" interfere with my vacation that I paid for with my hard earned money just as you did. That is where I draw a line. Especially if you are to a point where the swearing is out of control loud and/or you are unable to speak at all or hold yourself upright. That needs to be stopped immediately.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Lol, I've heard! I know, I'm too much of a weenie

Didnt say that. Personally for me too, I have had enough, I only cruise DCL now if I can help it. But CCL's reputation is rightly deserved and frankly encouraged.

 

[aaarcher86]

If you've only seen it once in all this time then it doesn't sound like a regular occurrence.

It sucks, but some people have no sense. DW or not. She's just lucky they weren't my kids.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

If you've only seen it once in all this time then it doesn't sound like a regular occurrence.

It sucks, but some people have no sense. DW or not. She's just lucky they weren't my kids.

No. I have seen many of times actually. Just not quite to the level of yesterday's episode is what I was saying. Sorry, should've been a little more clear on that.

I see people virtually every time I visit the parks that are what I would consider at the point of no return, or leaning over that edge dangerously. They can be spotted (or heard) a mile away. I talk to all the bartenders I know in the parks and they say it happens a few times a week where someone is asked to leave or is escorted off property. Especially during F&W they state is the most cases.

Sad actually.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

Didnt say that. Personally for me too, I have had enough, I only cruise DCL now if I can help it. But CCL's reputation is rightly deserved and frankly encouraged.

I was saying it about myself on my own You didn't offend me one bit, you're good.

 

[TDC Nala]

problem is, YOU can't know who to put the "blame" on. There are plenty of instances of guests loading up before they even enter the park, or sneaking booze in.

Just a week ago there was a guy at Fort Wilderness who got so blasted that he stole a golf cart, wrecked it and then jumped into the lake to try and avoid security. He had to be rescued. They said he'd been in a restaurant, but haven't seen anything about how much he was served at the restaurant or if he was providing himself with a bit of "fortification"

DHS sets up temporary bars when they expect crowds at events. There are very few bars in that park, and they can get overwhelmed when extra guests come in for an event.

I've seen overindulgers a few times, but I can count on one hand the ones who were inebriated to the point where they couldn't control themselves. Maybe I'm there at different times and in different places.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

problem is, YOU can't know who to put the "blame" on. There are plenty of instances of guests loading up before they even enter the park, or sneaking booze in.

You make a great point there. I know for a fact that a lot of people my age are sneaking in booze to the parks. And boy do I mean sneaking! Very sketchy ways lol.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

problem is, YOU can't know who to put the "blame" on. There are plenty of instances of guests loading up before they even enter the park, or sneaking booze in.

Very true.

However, I was not placing blame on anyone here. I stated what I was witnessed and what I have encountered as a former bar owner. If it seemed as though I was passing blame to someone individually in this instance, perhaps my choice of words was incorrect. Tough to convey emotions (for lake of a better term) in text on a screen

Though I do get and understand where you are coming from there, as I have seen people whip out little "nipper" bottles in the parks before.

 

[TDC Nala]

I saw a drink around the world group meet up at the Beach Club with tons of coolers and have a cocktail party right there in the resort before they walked over to Epcot...I guess to keep the cost of their revels down. They were well juiced before they even went in, although they weren't totally out of control. But depending on how much they indulged in at the park, the heat and other factors...I bet some of them had to back out.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

I saw a drink around the world group meet up at the Beach Club with tons of coolers and have a cocktail party right there in the resort before they walked over to Epcot...I guess to keep the cost of their revels down. They were well juiced before they even went in, although they weren't totally out of control. But depending on how much they indulged in at the park, the heat and other factors...I bet some of them had to back out.

I've seen similar as well. Not good and dangerous really. Not just to them selves, to others as well.

It can get costly and I'm sure more than we know do this prior to entering. If you figure the average drink is close to $10.00 in EPCOT. You could cut through over $100.00 rather quickly. On top of the $100 it cost to enter park on a regular ticket.