EPCOT... UGH!!! DOUBLE UGH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Klayfish]

There's not an over run problem of drunks in the WS. If there was, something would be done. There's tons of families, bunch of people drinking, quite a few pretty drunk, and only a handful out of control and being loud. It's not an issue. The issue is created by a few people who blow it out of proportion and act like everyone is drinking to just blackout or create scenes. Then in turn, people who have never even been in the WS or have never witnessed anyone there drunk, get it in their mind that they have to avoid the WS because it's just a big drunk free for all.

I mean someone in this thread said they really don't go to the WS and hasn't experienced any of these issues, but it "sounds" like there are many who take it too far.

That was me, and you didn't get my quote right. What I said was we don't go "a ton", I didn't say we really don't go. We go, but I say we don't go "a ton" because it's not something we do multiple times each trip, like riding PoC or something. We typically go with the kids shortly after it opens.

No, I have no belief that the WS turns into a frat party atmosphere at night, I'm 100% certain it doesn't. At the same time, I don't think all of these posts people have made about alcohol fueled behavior are fabrications either. In my oversimplified mind, I just don't see the reason for alcohol to be served in Epcot or the other parks. I just don't. In a place that beckons little kids to come see Anna and Elsa and has places everywhere for kids to do activities, I don't see it as a wise idea to put alcohol in those same places...which will create the ability to do a drinking around the world game. While most know how to drink respectfully, sadly there are those who don't. They come in all shapes and sizes, but I'd agree it's often those just at legal drinking age. We've all been there, including me...did some really dumb stuff in my youth, not child appropriate. Besides financial, what will it actually hurt to not have alcohol in the parks? If it lessens someone's enjoyment of Disney, then I guess we're different kinds of tourists.

I know it sounds like I have an agenda against alcohol, I don't. I just don't think it needs to be in WDW parks. I agree with someone else who posted that they should make a separate area for alcohol to be served...I mentioned that in my previous post. Disney Springs is the perfect spot, or make an area that's designated for serving drinks.

I also think I recall reading someone saying that if drunken behavior was a problem at Epcot, Disney would do something about it. As much of a Disney apologist as I am, I would say that's not correct. The behavior of some tour groups (not all, just like not all drinkers) is a well known and documented problem, but it's a cash cow for Disney, so they're not likely to stop it. I'd argue the same is true for alcohol sales. I'd bet it makes them a lot of money, so it's not something they have interest in stopping.

 

[jrt1176]

Obviously, drinking has gone up around WS in the last decade, etc.

I have a seen a few drunk people and it was during the day. They were being a bit loud, but they weren't being rude to others, etc.

The drunken loudness may take away a bit of the Disney feel to some, but, for me, it's something I notice for a second and move one. Of course, I think I probably do that with a lot of things that I see get some worked up on here.

 

[GaryDis]

They were being a bit loud, but they weren't being rude to others, etc.

Some would say that being loud is being rude to others, depending on where, when, and how loud. There was a thread about loud talking on Soarin' a while back that discussed this.

 

[CarolynU]

Well, I guess I'll contribute to this discussion with my personal thoughts.
People go to Epcot to enjoy the park
People go to Epcot to enjoy an adult beverage or two or three
People go to Epcot to get drunk and do the Drinking Around the World Challenge
People go to Epcot for any combination of the three
Just google "drinking around the world" challenge and you'll find many sites and articles devoted to it. There are shirts, lanyards, strategies...it's a thing
In my 18 years going to Epcot I've seen people enjoying drinks all the ay up to people knocking over other people, puking,peeing,going into the Epcot fountain (which was stopped by Disney security not before the 2 people actually were touching the water in the fountain)
What do I do when I see bad behaviour? I move along, it's their own lives, wallets and liver that will live through the consequences. It doesn't make me wanna leave Epcot.
Just found this video of a group doing the drink around the world thing. This is repeated by maybe 10 groups a day, it could be just friends, or kids that just turned 21, bachelors, and bachelorettes...
Enjoy

If people want to behave like that it's entirely their right as it appears as if Disney accept this behaviour as it's profitable for them to do so. Then it's not up to me to question it. However, what right have they got to get so drunk that I am almost knocked to the ground? I'm afraid that at that point if as a consequence of their behaviour I am hurt then that is unacceptable to me. Regardless of whether or not Disney accepts it. It happened to me and so I left Epcot, and perhaps when you are my age and have a greater fear of falling you might feel the same.

 

[yulilin3]

If people want to behave like that it's entirely their right as it appears as if Disney accept this behaviour as it's profitable for them to do so. Then it's not up to me to question it. However, what right have they got to get so drunk that I am almost knocked to the ground? I'm afraid that at that point if as a consequence of their behaviour I am hurt then that is unacceptable to me. Regardless of whether or not Disney accepts it. It happened to me and so I left Epcot, and perhaps when you are my age and have a greater fear of falling you might feel the same.

I'm not sure how you know what age I am. When I go to the parks I am aware of my surroundings and you can see the intoxicated people coming and going, they don't move that fast or in a straight line so you have time to react and move aside, or get their attention...It's your own choice to leave or not, and that's fine, for me, personally, I don't see the need to leave because there are drunk people in the park.

 

[alliecat523]

Maybe Disney should ban all sugar from the parks because we've seen too many kids run around screaming loudly, bumping into people and getting sick from indulging too much.

 

[CarolynU]

I'm not sure how you know what age I am. When I go to the parks I am aware of my surroundings and you can see the intoxicated people coming and going, they don't move that fast or in a straight line so you have time to react and move aside, or get their attention...It's your own choice to leave or not, and that's fine, for me, personally, I don't see the need to leave because there are drunk people in the park.

I can assure you that as I was exiting the boat ride in Mexico there was no time to get out of the way of the drunken guy wearing the huge sombrero and he didn't just almost take me out but a couple of little children too. The dad just managed to push the guy out of the way in time to stop his kids being bowled over and I watched as the guy then lurched off in another direction, so drunk that he hadn't even realised the potential for an accident that he had caused.
I just can't understand why being this drunk and almost knocking a senior and two little children off their feet is considered acceptable I'm afraid.

 

[maxiesmom]

If people want to behave like that it's entirely their right as it appears as if Disney accept this behaviour as it's profitable for them to do so. Then it's not up to me to question it. However, what right have they got to get so drunk that I am almost knocked to the ground? I'm afraid that at that point if as a consequence of their behaviour I am hurt then that is unacceptable to me. Regardless of whether or not Disney accepts it. It happened to me and so I left Epcot, and perhaps when you are my age and have a greater fear of falling you might feel the same.

I'm sorry I must have missed it, when were you knocked to the ground by a drunk? You claim you were knocked flying(?) by a guy getting out of the boat ride. I'm trying to picture how that happened as you are in a very small space when exiting the boat. And I can tell you I sometimes have trouble getting out of the boat when sober, so how are you sure he was drunk. It could be that he was simply clutsy like me and bumped into you.

I also admit to trying to cut around people walking in the park, but if they bump into me as I pass them that is on me. It is not like they can see you coming around them, there are no rear view mirrors like on the highway. I'm also amazed by how many people can judge who is and isn't drunk my a 5 second interaction with them. Are they drunk or clutsy or silly or boisterous by nature?

I think too the odds of getting knocked over by an over-excited child or adult are probably higher than getting knocked over by a drunk.

 

[GaryDis]

I'm sorry I must have missed it, when were you knocked to the ground by a drunk? You claim you were knocked flying(?) by a guy getting out of the boat ride. I'm trying to picture how that happened as you are in a very small space when exiting the boat. And I can tell you I sometimes have trouble getting out of the boat when sober, so how are you sure he was drunk. It could be that he was simply clutsy like me and bumped into you.

I also admit to trying to cut around people walking in the park, but if they bump into me as I pass them that is on me. It is not like they can see you coming around them, there are no rear view mirrors like on the highway. I'm also amazed by how many people can judge who is and isn't drunk my a 5 second interaction with them. Are they drunk or clutsy or silly or boisterous by nature?

I think too the odds of getting knocked over by an over-excited child or adult are probably higher than getting knocked over by a drunk.

The OP was sufficiently vague that the post deserved questioning. But the person you're quoting was specific enough that there's no reason to trigger skepticism on the accuracy of the observations.

We're not trying to convict the other person of being illegally under the influence, so when someone gives a plausible and specific description, we should accept it at face value.

 

[LiveYourLife]

I've gotten "almost knocked over" more times by strollers than I have by an intoxicated person at Epcot. Actually the score is: Strollers: 26 / Drunks: 0

At the end of the day people are going to find ways to be offended by something (emphasis, without using shouty caps). How you choose to react to those certain things that offend you is up to you. Control what you can control. You'll be much happier that way, and the chances of you self-combusting during a vacation is drastically reduced.

 

[CarolynU]

I'm sorry I must have missed it, when were you knocked to the ground by a drunk? You claim you were knocked flying(?) by a guy getting out of the boat ride. I'm trying to picture how that happened as you are in a very small space when exiting the boat. And I can tell you I sometimes have trouble getting out of the boat when sober, so how are you sure he was drunk. It could be that he was simply clutsy like me and bumped into you.

I also admit to trying to cut around people walking in the park, but if they bump into me as I pass them that is on me. It is not like they can see you coming around them, there are no rear view mirrors like on the highway. I'm also amazed by how many people can judge who is and isn't drunk my a 5 second interaction with them. Are they drunk or clutsy or silly or boisterous by nature?

I think too the odds of getting knocked over by an over-excited child or adult are probably higher than getting knocked over by a drunk.

I'm not going to justify what haooe

I'm sorry I must have missed it, when were you knocked to the ground by a drunk? You claim you were knocked flying(?) by a guy getting out of the boat ride. I'm trying to picture how that happened as you are in a very small space when exiting the boat. And I can tell you I sometimes have trouble getting out of the boat when sober, so how are you sure he was drunk. It could be that he was simply clutsy like me and bumped into you.

I also admit to trying to cut around people walking in the park, but if they bump into me as I pass them that is on me. It is not like they can see you coming around them, there are no rear view mirrors like on the highway. I'm also amazed by how many people can judge who is and isn't drunk my a 5 second interaction with them. Are they drunk or clutsy or silly or boisterous by nature?

I think too the odds of getting knocked over by an over-excited child or adult are probably higher than getting knocked over by a drunk.

I am relating a story that happened to me, and believe me he was drunk, but obviously you don't. So no amount of me recounting my experience is going to convince you, so this discussion has become pointless.

 

[KrazeeK120]

You guys, my son's stroller has cup holders on the handlebar! 2 of them! My husband and I are super excited to have a place to put our beer when we visit World Showcase next year! I'm also looking forward to the Parent of the Year award I will undoubtedly receive after the day is through.

Also, I don't much pay attention to other people. I get bumped into multiple times per day at Disney. A lot of people don't know where they're going, aren't paying attention, or are chasing little kids.

I also don't believe in shielding kids from everything in this world. They're going to find out about bad behavior, bad words, etc. at some point anyway.

 

[AngiTN]

What the...... seriously. You are complaining about adults drinking. Oh the horror.....

 

[maxiesmom]

The OP was sufficiently vague that the post deserved questioning. But the person you're quoting was specific enough that there's no reason to trigger skepticism on the accuracy of the observations.

We're not trying to convict the other person of being illegally under the influence, so when someone gives a plausible and specific description, we should accept it at face value.

I'm still skeptical that in an interaction that happens in a split second any of us can judge drunk vs not drunk. Drinking doesn't always equal drunk, don't forget. As I said I'm clutsy enough that I have had trouble exiting the boat ride in Mexico and stumbled a bit. Could easily be what happened to the other poster.

 

[yulilin3]

I can assure you that as I was exiting the boat ride in Mexico there was no time to get out of the way of the drunken guy wearing the huge sombrero and he didn't just almost take me out but a couple of little children too. The dad just managed to push the guy out of the way in time to stop his kids being bowled over and I watched as the guy then lurched off in another direction, so drunk that he hadn't even realised the potential for an accident that he had caused.
I just can't understand why being this drunk and almost knocking a senior and two little children off their feet is considered acceptable I'm afraid.

I'm not saying it didn't happen to you nor am I saying it is acceptable behaviour. What I am saying is that for me, personally, I wouldn't leave Epcot because I saw drunk behaviour. And you still didn't tell me how you know my age from your post that I quoted you on.

 

[5kidsmommy]

So you are upset that you saw people drinking during daylight hours? You are upset that people were having fun in a way that you obviously don't enjoy? How is that Disney's problem? You didn't explain horrible behavior, you merely described people drinking which is what you found offensive. My suggestion is don't go to Epcot because they sell alcohol. Also don't go to Europe, don't go to restaurants, and definitely avoid bars. It sounds like drinking alcohol is highly offensive to your sensibilities, so it would be best if you avoid it. Also don't go to weddings because people have fun and they *gasp* drink!

 

[DisneyBridetoBe08]

Drinking around the world is fun..true some people go overboard but that's everywhere, you might want to stay clear of Epcot on the weekends in the fall, it's nuts with drinking during Food and Wine

 

[CarolynU]

I'm not saying it didn't happen to you nor am I saying it is acceptable behaviour. What I am saying is that for me, personally, I wouldn't leave Epcot because I saw drunk behaviour. And you still didn't tell me how you know my age from your post that I quoted you on.

I have an annual pass, and so just made a decision that leaving Epcot was fine as I thought that I would prefer the atmosphere at Disney Springs, particularly around the main Disney Store and Ghiradellis for a chocolate sundae, and that was the right decision for me, and I was happier as a consequence. I could return to Epcot any other evening of my choosing and I did so a couple of days later when it was not a Saturday night and felt totally different. You are right I do not know your age. My mistake, so how old are you?

 

[HopperFan]

That was me, and you didn't get my quote right. What I said was we don't go "a ton", I didn't say we really don't go. We go, but I say we don't go "a ton" because it's not something we do multiple times each trip, like riding PoC or something. We typically go with the kids shortly after it opens.

No, I have no belief that the WS turns into a frat party atmosphere at night, I'm 100% certain it doesn't. At the same time, I don't think all of these posts people have made about alcohol fueled behavior are fabrications either. In my oversimplified mind, I just don't see the reason for alcohol to be served in Epcot or the other parks. I just don't. In a place that beckons little kids to come see Anna and Elsa and has places everywhere for kids to do activities, I don't see it as a wise idea to put alcohol in those same places...which will create the ability to do a drinking around the world game. While most know how to drink respectfully, sadly there are those who don't. They come in all shapes and sizes, but I'd agree it's often those just at legal drinking age. We've all been there, including me...did some really dumb stuff in my youth, not child appropriate. Besides financial, what will it actually hurt to not have alcohol in the parks? If it lessens someone's enjoyment of Disney, then I guess we're different kinds of tourists.

I know it sounds like I have an agenda against alcohol, I don't. I just don't think it needs to be in WDW parks. I agree with someone else who posted that they should make a separate area for alcohol to be served...I mentioned that in my previous post. Disney Springs is the perfect spot, or make an area that's designated for serving drinks.

I also think I recall reading someone saying that if drunken behavior was a problem at Epcot, Disney would do something about it. As much of a Disney apologist as I am, I would say that's not correct. The behavior of some tour groups (not all, just like not all drinkers) is a well known and documented problem, but it's a cash cow for Disney, so they're not likely to stop it. I'd argue the same is true for alcohol sales. I'd bet it makes them a lot of money, so it's not something they have interest in stopping.

Disney World is an optional luxury vacation. It is not a necessary destination.

There is zero reason for Disney to change their business model because it bothers some people. Those people can just choose another destination.

There are places I do not like the surroundings, the business model or the behavior of others .... so I don't go. I do not expect them to change their business for me.

I think we all have seen a drunk or two, and as others have said you keep on moving - just like at a baseball game, football game, beach, restaurant ... basically the same as anywhere.

Now what are we going to do about all these screaming kids in lines we can't get away from, the rude guest taking flash photos on dark rides or holding their iPad up blocking my view - all day every day every park .... the list is long on negative behavior that actually does impact my trip so I find this complaint very blown out of proportion.

 

[HopperFan]

I have an annual pass, and so just made a decision that leaving Epcot was fine as I thought that I would prefer the atmosphere at Disney Springs, particularly around the main Disney Store and Ghiradellis for a chocolate sundae, and that was the right decision for me, and I was happier as a consequence. I could return to Epcot any other evening of my choosing and I did so a couple of days later when it was not a Saturday night and felt totally different. You are right I do not know your age. My mistake, so how old are you?

Oh my - you never ask a lady her age.