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

[Angel Ariel]

I would expect it at Mardi Gras of course, that's why people go there. Who goes to a family vacation spot to get drunk?

Interesting...I actually tend to have more drinks on vacation than any other time of year because there are other adults around and people share in watching the children so that the parents who don't generally have time to themselves can have some of that time to themselves and do something as an adult. One of my favorite memories at WDW is DH and I going to the 3D Dessert Party at Food and Wine a few years back. GRandma and Grandpa watched our DD for the night to let us have a night out alone. All you can eat, all you can drink, all included with the price of the ticket. We had a fantastic night. We don't get to go out at home on our own very much because we don't have anyone to watch DD.

 

[Chrelaine]

This was not my Epcot experience at all. We went on a kid free trip last week and would have been drinking around the world if it weren't so expensive, and hot!!! (No draft beer is worth $11! LOL.) We were at Epcot 2 nights and didn't see anyone getting loud, obnoxious or unruly. Were they drinking? Sure. It's no different than going to any other theme park or a state fair. I wouldn't hesitate to be there with our DD5.

 

[CarolynU]

Like


I mourn PI as well. I remember roller skating at the one bar. The bar was in the middle - had to be 21 to get in, but they could see me roller skate around through the big glass windows. I remember the same night going to the under 21 club. And as an adult I remember hanging out at the Adventurers Club. Gone are those days...

This to me was a perfect place to drink and have fun as adults, while enjoying an atmosphere that was unique to PI. Those CM's who performed there were so super talented and I spent so many evenings there having fun and yes drinking. Sadly it's all about profit now and you can see how much more revenue is generated by laying off the CM's, replacing them with shops restaurants, and extending the F&W by weeks and encouraging drinking in the park. However as I said for shareholders it's a win.

 

[IrishNYC]

But to be fair to the OP, the only people who find drunks amusing are either a) other drunks or b) the people who are the ones being drunk.

My last flight home I sat behind a pair of people who started drinking as soon as they could, and kept going the whole flight. Let me tell you, they thought they were hilarious.

If you're someone who is prone to get a little (or a lot) buzzed, you'll tend to have more tolerance for others who do the same. But that doesn't mean everyone does.

OP is right in saying that groups of drunk people tend to be louder, more overbearing and less observant and considerate of those around them than groups that are less drunk. It's also a little interesting that people are quick to condemn obnoxious and overbearing foreigner tour groups, but are more willing to give obnoxious and overbearing drunken groups the benefit of the doubt that they're just on vacation. I don't hear such tolerance for the cheer groups or the quinceañera -ians we run into.

True, and he had no problem with cocktails at dinner or that liquor would be sold in sites adjacent to the parks.

Just not in it. Thought it violated the image he was trying to create and promote.

You can argue the morality or the correctness of it, but it's interesting that some people see Epcot being portrayed as something in violation of that image. I don't know whetyher it really is like that, but reading OP, I thought it was an interesting contrast.

I'm not criticizing you or anyone for drinking. But I want to ask you this -- do you know you're not bothering anyone? I've been around a lot of drunk -- or even tipsy -- people who think they aren't bothering a soul, when in fact they're being obnoxious and rude. When you're buzzed, you don't necessarily have the perspective to know whether you're being too loud, or inappropriate, or what. I'm not saying you -- or anyone -- gets like that, but I think everyone has to admit their consideration level goes down a bit when they've got a few in them. And in a venue like a crowded amusement park filled with children, that losing any degree of consideration towards others can be troubling.

You seem to have had very poor interactions with people drinking alcohol to have this very judgey attitude towards it. Or perhaps it's against your moral upbringing. Drinks does not equal drunk.

One could argue that Walt Disney World is a complete violation of Walt's original idea and plans for The Florida Project. I think in the end it just comes down to the very American idea that drinking alcohol is not family friendly. Which is not how the majority of the world views it. I would rather be around drinking as it is in Epcot and on Disney property than the binge-drinking, unsafe alcohol consumption that is the norm for many people in their 20's.

I think it's a very small section of the US/North American population that has an issue with drinking. We may not be as free flowing with the alcohol as Europeans, but most Americans I know have no problem with people imbibing.

 

[whiporee]

I think regardless of a drink or not, people have lost all consideration towards others - in the park and out of the park.

What about the parents who change diapers on the tables at QS restaurants? Did they consider the people who might need that table after them?

What about the people who show up to a parade 5 mins before it starts and push people out of the way so they can get a good spot?

What about the people who allow their kids to have blown meltdown in the middle of a ride or the park? Did they consider how that if affecting others?

What about the people who use their flash on dark rides? Did they consider that they are ruining it for the other riders, even blinding them for a brief period?

What about the people who cut in line?

What about the people who run you over with a stroller or scooter?

What about the people who scream at CMs because they didn't get a free cupcake or whatever?

What about the big tour groups chanting through the parks? Are they considering others?

I have seen grown men be obnoxious and rude to the point security had to be called. We were in MK so I can only assume he wasn't drinking. But I don't know he might have a flask or drank before coming to the park.

I have been way too tipsy in park, and I know for a fact that I was not bothering anyone. We would giggle and laugh but nothing obnoxious or rude.

I think it is inappropriate and rude to assume that someone that is buzzed doesn't know what he or she is doing. I will be at Epcot in about 20 days. Just want to let everyone know so if they see me being obnoxious and rude they can tell me since I can't handle being buzzed.

Every single thing you mentioned are things that create scorn and criticism on this board. Every one. None of the behaviors you mention are celebrated by anyone other than the people who are doing them. Why would you think drunken behavior would be exempt?

I think it is inappropriate and rude to assume that someone that is buzzed doesn't know what he or she is doing.

I think that's actually the definition of being buzzed. It's why people get buzzed, or drunk, or high -- to change their perception on the world just a little bit (or a lot).

 

[Mitzicat]

One could argue that Walt Disney World is a complete violation of Walt's original idea and plans for The Florida Project. I think in the end it just comes down to the very American idea that drinking alcohol is not family friendly. Which is not how the majority of the world views it. I would rather be around drinking as it is in Epcot and on Disney property than the binge-drinking, unsafe alcohol consumption that is the norm for many people in their 20's.

I had to re-read your comment, but you are right. Consulted Wiki for this:

His original vision was for a model community which would have been home to twenty thousand residents and a test bed for city planning as well as organization. It was to have been built in the shape of a circle with businesses and commercial areas at its center with community buildings, schools, and recreational complexes around it while residential neighborhoods would line the perimeter. This radial plan concept is strongly influenced by British planner Ebenezer Howard and his Garden Cities of To-morrow. Transportation would have been provided by monorails and PeopleMovers (like that in Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland.) Automobile traffic would be kept underground, leaving pedestrians safe above ground. The original model of EPCOT can still be seen by passengers riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority attraction in the Magic Kingdom park; when the PeopleMover enters the showhouse for Stitch's Great Escape!, the remaining portion of the model is visible on the left (when facing forward) behind glass. Walt Disney was not able to obtain funding and permission to start work on his Florida property until he agreed to first build Magic Kingdom. He died nearly five years before Magic Kingdom opened.


With that said...had the original concept for EPCOT been built, there would have been restaurants, pubs/bars, adult activities that.......wait for.....serve....ALCOHOL!!!!

Had it been built, there wouldn't be an EPCOT that we know today. No kidcot, no grey goose slushies or blood orange margaritas, no F&W or Flower and Garden. No Eat to the beat, no Candlelight Processional......

 

[IrishNYC]

Every single thing you mentioned are things that create scorn and criticism on this board. Every one. None of the behaviors you mention are celebrated by anyone other than the people who are doing them. Why would you think drunken behavior would be exempt?

I don't need to be drunk, and I can't remember the last time I was, to be ok with people being drunk. Until their behavior affects me in such a way that my enjoyment is obstructed in a way I can't escape from, they can drink up.

 

[Boopuff]

Epcot tried a few years ago to do an after hours event. Which would have been cool if they made it 21 and over or even 18 and over. I read many reviews that said it was great, but there were cranky kids (which it's not their fault for being cranky - tired, hot, hungry) that spoiled the mood and atmosphere. If Disney is going to cater to families of shapes, sizes, ages, then they are going to need some additional adult only events.

Well it's a loss that Disney chose to knock down The Comedy Club, Adventurers Club and all the clubs in general that were situated on Pleasure Island, which did have a drinking culture but were also great fun at the same time. PI catered almost exclusively for adults and I for one miss it. Of course though knocking that area down, replacing it with shops and restaurants and moving the drinking to Epcot is a win win for Disney, and yes before anyone says I am aware that Disney is a business and is responsible to its shareholders. I just mourn PI and the time I spent there laughing until I cried!

I totally agree! I just wish with the new additions at DS that at least one would be an over 21 bar/restaurant. Jellyrolls is far from convenient for most guests and if you're not staying at the Boardwalk or other nearby resorts transportation is not easy to and from. So DS is ideal and I really wish they had kept a few of the over 21 places in new re-imagining. I also wonder how many of the people fussing about drinking take their kids into the 'bar' areas of restaurants and expect "pristine" behavior from imbibing adults all around.

 

[Mitzicat]

Every single thing you mentioned are things that create scorn and criticism on this board. Every one. None of the behaviors you mention are celebrated by anyone other than the people who are doing them. Why would you think drunken behavior would be exempt?

I think it is inappropriate and rude to assume that someone that is buzzed doesn't know what he or she is doing.

I think that's actually the definition of being buzzed. It's why people get buzzed, or drunk, or high -- to change their perception on the world just a little bit (or a lot).

I never said anything about celebrating actions. I was pointing out that buzzed, drunk, or sober, people have lost all considerations for others.

When I'm buzzed I know full well what I am doing and I know I have choices to make. Drink more and pay the price later. Or stop drinking, get some water and something to eat. I pick the the water and food.

It should also be noted that being buzzed means different things to everyone. I believe full blown drunk people lose their considerations for others, but not someone who may be buzzed off a drink or two.

 

[Mitzicat]

I totally agree! I also wonder how many of the people fussing about drinking take their kids into the 'bar' areas of restaurants and expect "pristine" behavior from imbibing adults all around.

This still shocks me. I get taken aback when I walk into a bar area at Disney and Mom and Dad have plopped junior onto a bar stool, while they order a gin and tonic. Not saying it is right or wrong, just seems very odd to me. I still get looked at funny when I ask at local chain restaurants if under 21 are allowed to sit at the tables in the bar area. The response - yes but not at the bar.

Please I don't want my response to turn into a discussion of Florida liquor laws. I have read on other boards that Florida allows this.

 

[awalker1015]

I think regardless of a drink or not, people have lost all consideration towards others - in the park and out of the park.

What about the parents who change diapers on the tables at QS restaurants? Did they consider the people who might need that table after them?

What about the people who show up to a parade 5 mins before it starts and push people out of the way so they can get a good spot?

What about the people who allow their kids to have blown meltdown in the middle of a ride or the park? Did they consider how that if affecting others?

What about the people who use their flash on dark rides? Did they consider that they are ruining it for the other riders, even blinding them for a brief period?

What about the people who cut in line?

What about the people who run you over with a stroller or scooter?

What about the people who scream at CMs because they didn't get a free cupcake or whatever?

What about the big tour groups chanting through the parks? Are they considering others?

I have seen grown men be obnoxious and rude to the point security had to be called. We were in MK so I can only assume he wasn't drinking. But I don't know he might have a flask or drank before coming to the park.

I have been way too tipsy in park, and I know for a fact that I was not bothering anyone. We would giggle and laugh but nothing obnoxious or rude.

I think it is inappropriate and rude to assume that someone that is buzzed doesn't know what he or she is doing. I will be at Epcot in about 20 days. Just want to let everyone know so if they see me being obnoxious and rude they can tell me since I can't handle being buzzed.

Everything you listed above is ten times more annoying to me than someone drinking in Epcot. We have had bad experiences with guests before and each one was at MK where presumable no drinking had occurred.

You can add me to the list of misbehavers a month from today and we drink around the world showcase.

 

[BeckyThatcher]

Great thread. Disney won't change a thing, but maybe parents with young families should be warned to stay away after dark or on weekends. Parents can choose to leave if it feels too rowdy. I did.

My husband decided to drink around the world starting at 11 a.m. It was the low point of our last trip. My kids noticed how much he had to drink, and since he was hammered and sleepy I had to pick up the slack (check out of our hotel, go to bag check, arrange the Uber to Universal). It ruined that day for me, but I'm sure he had a blast.

MK is a relief to me because there's no booze. We might not visit Epcot next time. I'd love to see the new Soarin and Frozen, but drunk husbands are a bummer.

 

[Mitzicat]

Everything you listed above is ten times more annoying to me than someone drinking in Epcot. We have had bad experiences with guests before and each one was at MK where presumable no drinking had occurred.

You can add me to the list of misbehavers a month from today and we drink around the world showcase.

To add insult to injury...we also do a monorail crawl! lol. It's a great way to see the different resorts.

 

[Boopuff]

This still shocks me. I get taken aback when I walk into a bar area at Disney and Mom and Dad have plopped junior onto a bar stool, while they order a gin and tonic. Not saying it is right or wrong, just seems very odd to me. I still get looked at funny when I ask at local chain restaurants if under 21 are allowed to sit at the tables in the bar area. The response - yes but not at the bar.

I also can't get past a kid plopped on a bar stool right next to me. I also like to have "adult" conversation at a bar and sometimes we talk about "adult" subjects or movies whatever that might not be appropriate for tiny ears. Should I have to "watch" my adult conversation because mommy decided junior should sit next to me at a bar?? And at EP I can honestly say that my DH and I always try to sit down somewhere to have a beverage. Well just try to do that and not be anywhere near kids....

 

[saskdw]

I don't have time to read 11 pages.

Can I just assume this is 11 pages of people disagreeing with the OP?

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

I, and every person in my family, have been hit, scraped, bruised, cut, run into by sober parents pushing strollers. Especially in Magic Kingdom. We have been pushed by people with strollers trying to get out of the parks a little faster than everyone else. My daughter was RAN OVER by an old lady in a scooter who didn't so much as say she was sorry, or ask how she was as she was laying on the ground. What right do these adults have to be so irresponsible with their strollers and scooters that I, or someone in my party is injured or run into, or knocked to the ground?? If unacceptable behavior at Epcot due to alcohol is something Disney should do something about, then unacceptable behavior with STROLLERS is something that Disney should do something about too. I have been to Disney 40+ times since 1999. I, or someone in my party, is hit by a stroller every single day we are in a park. Ive NEVER been injured or pushed or run over by someone drinking in Epcot.

This, so much. We did a no-kids trip last year. Epcot on a Friday night? No problems (that we noticed). We had a few drinks spaced over the course of the day as well as a lot of food and water, and we weren't the least bit tipsy. Labor Day/last day of Frozen Summer Fun at DHS? Hey, dad with the double stroller over by MuppetVision: Imma remember your face for the rest of my life. Watch your back.

Mostly kidding about that last bit, but yikes. (We also had drinks with dinner while we were there. And complimentary champagne! Lovely.) I'm in the camp that tries to let things go (who stands there watching people buy rounds and then count the shots? Creepy) but some things do stick in the mind. And the shoes, when someone is running a stroller over them.

 

[awalker1015]

To add insult to injury...we also do a monorail crawl! lol. It's a great way to see the different resorts.

Love the monorail crawl! Last trip we dos a boardwalk crawl and that was fun, too

 

[ols386]

I don't have a problem with anyone drinking at Epcot (or anywhere), as long as they aren't unruly.

If someone is drinking and being obnoxious, then that's a little bit different. I've never seen anyone drinking and being obnoxious at Epcot (at least not when I was there).

 

[KrazeeK120]

Great thread. Disney won't change a thing, but maybe parents with young families should be warned to stay away after dark or on weekends. Parents can choose to leave if it feels too rowdy. I did.

My husband decided to drink around the world starting at 11 a.m. It was the low point of our last trip. My kids noticed how much he had to drink, and since he was hammered and sleepy I had to pick up the slack (check out of our hotel, go to bag check, arrange the Uber to Universal). It ruined that day for me, but I'm sure he had a blast.

MK is a relief to me because there's no booze. We might not visit Epcot next time. I'd love to see the new Soarin and Frozen, but drunk husbands are a bummer.

This is where it's important for adults in a group/family to have some sort of understanding/agreement about how much alcohol will be consumed before setting foot in the park. If I asked him before we got to the park what his plans are and he told me he wants to get wasted, I'd kindly inform him that his plans need to change. Also, I have a fairly good idea of what my husband's tolerance is and would say something to him if I felt he was getting too close to the point where he would no longer be functional. Our trip next year will be the first with our son. We have drank in World Showcase before and will continue to do so, but I can't imagine him leaving me hanging with the kid while he got trashed. He wouldn't disrespect me like that.

 

[JennyMP03]

Not gonna lie, this thread makes me want to have an extra margarita or two next time I'm in the WS.