Drunks @ Food & Wine Festival?

[k5thbeatle]

Just got done talking with a friend and told him we were going to WDW during the F&W fest. I was somewhat surprised at his response. Never again would he take his family during this event as the park was full of drunks! His point was especially on the week-ends where (according to him) all these young kids (young but old enough to drink legally) are there, probably locals, who overindulge and get out of control...cursing and loud obnoxious behavior. He said it just about ruined his trip.

I was surprised in that I had been there and while I must admit I did see a few people like those he described I would say it was rare and we certainly didn't encounter anyone who was causing a problem.

I started thinking though, am I maybe not seeing what is really going on? I honestly did not see this as a problem but was wondering if others could chime in on this subject.

Specifically did you encounter any problems with people (of any age) overindulging?

(I should add that my friend is no tea-tottler and indulges in alcoholic beverages himself, as does his wife. I also believe that he is realistic in that I am sure he expected to see a few people maybe go overboard but again I was surprised by his response)

 

[ReggieB]

I have seen other posts on this subject. Personally I have never seen that many horribly drunk people, but then we generally go first thing in the morning, and don't hang about much at night. I am originally from UK, and for about 5 years of my teenage life lived in a pub, so nothing shocks me when it comes to drunken behaviour!! The behaviour I have seen is really just people being louder than normal, nothing threatening or intimidating. If you are concerned, probably best to avoid Epcot later on in the day/night time.

 

[O2BNWDW]

I wonder if it was a LOTW member that he saw?

 

[O2BNWDW]

But seriously I have only once seen an obnoxious group but they were at the Matsu no ma Lounge and that was a few years ago.

 

[CarolA]

Let's get real... even for the Food & Wine festival it costs a LOT to get drunk at Disney...

I have never seen "horrid" behavior... I have seen some folks feeling good, but nothing that concerned me at all. (And I was there as a single female)

Now.. that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. But like all things perception is very important. I have seen folks who can only find "disgruntled CMs" at Disney.. Yes, they exist but it's not like ALL the CMs are disgrunted. So I guess if you walked around LOOKING for drunks and pointing out everyone who may have had too much you'll find them...


Plus the only time a I did see an abusvive drunk was not during Food & Wine. I also saw a Disney security person showing him the way out!

 

[FanofG00fy]

I have attended two F&WF and attended those serveral times. Maybe I'm just blind, but I didn't notice "drunks" everywhere. I'm not a drinker myself either, so I usually smell them coming. My boyfriend does drink, but he never gets like that. Maybe I'm not paying attention to people around me to notice if they are drunk. I will admit, I did see several people I questioned my boyfriend about their ages and the beers and wines in their hands. But then again, 21 year olds are starting to look pretty young to me anymore. I did notice the "younger looking" people more on Friday and Saturday nights. But then again, Friday and Saturday nights are their busiest times. If you want to go and not worry about all the "drinkers" trying going during the week and do it early. The best time my DBF and I love to go is Tuesday and Wednesday when they first open. Foods fresh, and people just aren't ready for drinking yet. So I guess I'm like you. I'm to busy enjoying myself to pay to close attention to people. Only time I pay attention to people is so I don't run into them.





Chris

 

[panthergirl]

I did not see any problems during the day but at night there were quite a few more obviously drunk folks. We decided to leave to enjoy the Beach Club hot tub as we had had a few ourselves! I would definitely take the kids during the day but I'd plan on leaving around 6 or so. FYI, the crowds on the Saturday night we were there picked up significantly after 6 as well.

 

[jann1033]

just what you need, a bunch of stroller pushing, scooter riding, close talking, stop dead in the middle of the path, parade seat stealing drunks...as if going to wdw wasn't torture enough

(seriously i wondered about this myself)

 

[Ted and Holly]

We spent over 20 days at last year's F&W Festival including most weekends.

While it will not deter me from going, I can say that I have seen many, many loud, obnoxious drunks. In fact, I have seen more than one "almost" fights.

It may not be less expensive at this time, but the Food and Wine Festival draws a lot of locals. Many of them are younger people who like to get together in large groups and have a good time. The problem is that a good time often yields at least one over-indulgence and one or two "bad drunks".

Ted

 

[malibuconlee]

I love going to WDW in October, with the exception of the Food & Wine Festival. Yes, I've encountered rude drunks at Epcot that week.

I like to go for our anniversary in October, but am one of the few, it seems, that could do without the festival. I love Epcot the way it is.

 

[Nickymouse]

We are about to do our 6th Food and Wine Festival (it coincides with Jersey week). In all those years, I have never seen the kind of behavior described. We like to spend the evenings in Epcot sampling different foods and occasionally drinks, and everything was fine.

 

[mjslvswdw1]

I love the F&W festival and am really looking forward to it this year...we will be attending one of the wine tasting events at Coral Reef.
I'll be honest last year my now Dh and I were there with our friends celebrating us getting married in WDW and we were probably considered "tipsy" by some other guests We were not rude or loud...at least in our minds. We knew that we were still in a family friendly environment...even though they were serving adult drinks.
We left early around 7, and we did see some people in the Rose and Crown pub, getting very intoxicated.
I think that some guests forget that the F&W Fest is about appricating(sp) good food and wine, and not getting drunk.

Melissa

 

[safetymom]

It does seem during F&W that there are many more people drinking. There were a few times last year I saw unsuitable behavior at Epcot.

 

[edjbiologist]

I have gone every F&W fest. for the last 5 years and have never seen this. I have three young kids and spend a LOT of time at EPCOT. I think you'll be fine. See a CM if you notice an issue.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I have gone every F&W fest. for the last 5 years and have never seen this. I have three young kids and spend a LOT of time at EPCOT. I think you'll be fine. See a CM if you notice an issue.

Not always a cure all. Last year, I wen to a CM and said, " I just heard that guy mention to his friend that he was going to punch that other guy after Illuminations." The CM shrugged and said that the security guard was in France. We were in the Beer garden in the UK. There was no fight, btu there was a lot of pushing and cursing.

Ted

 

[PatriciaH]

One year during F&W we did see a man throwing up (sorry gross) in the line to Malestrom. He was not young either. Other than that just some tipsy behavior.

 

[CarolA]

Actually come to think of it I have seen SEVERAL drunks at the Rose & Crown. It doesn't seem to matter if it's festival time or not though.

As for throwing up... keep in mind that being sick does NOT mean the person is drunk. (I see kids throw up all the time at Disney, let's hope they are not drunk LOL!)

 

[Otter49]

We'll go to F&W approximately 30 times this year, as we always do.

I've never seen any notable problems with drinking and bad behavior. At least no more so than any other time.

You can always find a drunk or two if you hang around the pub, any time of the year.

 

[vettechick99]

I've been twice before and going again in a few weeks. I've never seen a drunk person at the F&WF. In fact, the only times I've seen any major drinking is at PI and that's late at night.

People should also note that there is ALWAYS alcohol available in the WS so its not like the F&WF is bringing in alcohol when there was none there before. F&WF attracts foodies and wine lovers, who aren't your typical lushes. And paying $5 for a small beer or half glass of wine, it takes quite a bit of money and time to get tipsy!

 

[laurabelle]

I'm excited to be going to my 2nd F&W fest next month! I went to my first F&W fest in 1997, when I had a baby and a toddler and I didn't see anyone trashed or out of hand there. Like vettechick said, alcohol is always available at WS... and there could always be someone there who overindulges... but I think F&W attracts more foodies and wine lovers than drunks. Go and have fun!