Getting "carded" in Epcot

[sdamico71]

Has anyone else had this issue.
I totally understand the need to require proof of age when purchasing alcohol.
Is it a policy to card everyone, regardless of how old they look.
We typically do not carry identification when in the parks, except for our Disney hotel key card.
My husband (40) was carded and since he did not have his driver's license, they would not serve him. My husband is not "young looking". They also carded a 50+ person and refused to serve him also.

 

[cinder1]

That's ridiculous. I'll have to warn DH to bring his drivers license!!

 

[Figaro]

We always carry our driver's licenses with us, since Disney can also ask for identification when you use your park ticket. We saw this happen to a couple of people and they were not very happy about having to go back to their hotel to get their driver's licenses. Just is easier to have it along and not need it, then go through the hassle of having to retrieve it from the hotel room(smile). It's not like we don't have it with us, since if we fly we need it for id there and if we drive we need it for that.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by sdamico71
Has anyone else had this issue.
I totally understand the need to require proof of age when purchasing alcohol.
Is it a policy to card everyone, regardless of how old they look.
We typically do not carry identification when in the parks, except for our Disney hotel key card.
My husband (40) was carded and since he did not have his driver's license, they would not serve him. My husband is not "young looking". They also carded a 50+ person and refused to serve him also.

I agree that carding a 40yr is a little over the top but it was always drilled into me that once I got my drivers liscense that I should always carry picture id with me. Picture id is something that my husband and I do not leave home, or in this case hotel room, without.

 

[CarolA]

It may be "ridiculous" but the law states that you have to have proof you are over 21 to buy an alcholic drink. So carry the ID.

 

[DebbieB]

I think "these days" you should always have ID with you. I sometimes take walks from work at lunchtime, I used to just leave my purse in my desk. I always take it now, you never know when you might need money, cellphone, ID. I work in a major city and get nervous when I see a low plane flying overhead.

 

[Misti]

Moving to Theme Parks Board

 

[drusba]

Carding is a common practice even at WDW. Most do not know that the drinking law does not say you can be served if 21 or over. It says you can be served if you are able to produce a valid ID showing you are 21 or over.

 

[sdamico71]

I appreciate all of the "lessons" that everyone has shedded on this thread.
However, I feel it is totally unheard of anywhere else that a gray haired man would be carded.

 

[dejr_8]

There is a yearly Taste of Boston event that includes a beer tent. Everyone and I MEAN eveyone is carded before entering the tent.

For an organization such as Disney it pays to be vigilant about not serving anyone under 21. By carding everyone you ensure compliance with the law and eliminate any charges of discrimination if the server only selectively carded certain customers.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Very interesting. We were there during the F&W festival in October and were not carded. The only ID we were asked for was to enter the beer tasting at the Samuel Adams tent. But anything we bought at any of the vendors, we were never carded. (mid=thirties and mid=forties in case you wondered )

 

[Cinderella37]

I also agree it is going a little far carding someone who is obviously far away from age 21. Especially because on our last trip my fiance and I did not get carded ONE time in any restaurant or bar property wide. I'm 26 and he's 29 and we look rather young ( if I do say so myself). We get carded at home all of the time, in fact my fiance sometimes gets carded for cigarettes! We rarely have to show ID in WDW, and don't mind if we do, but it just seems a little odd to be carding individuals with gray hair and not us.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I got carded at 'Ohana ... I thought that was kind of strange but then I remembered that the legal drinking age is 21. In Ontario (Canada) it's 19 I took it as a complement of sorts but I can see how it would be a pain for someone who doesn't look anywhere close to 21. That seems pretty extreme ... did you speak to the manager sdamico71?

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Sadly enough, I've NEVER been carded at WDW!

I have had the server at the Mexican Cantina insist on seeing who I was buying the 2nd maragarita for though. All I did was call DH over into her view and we were all set. But quite honestly, I can't imagine that they truely have much control, especially when the parks are dark and/or crowded. We could have easily walked away with our drinks and handed them over to someone else. But I suppose if they've done their job and carded the purchaser, at least they can't be accused of selling alcohol to a minor.

 

[k_k_100]

My father was carded and he is 85!

 

[Tulip]

My father was carded and he is 85!

I bet he was thrilled!

 

[sdamico71]

He didn't ask for a manager, but if I would have been with him, I would have asked.

 

[chessie]

When I used to work in a restaurant, their policy was to card anyone we thought looked under 30 even though the drinking age was 21. Sometimes people would ask for a manager but then it was on the manager if we served them. In our area there was also a $1,000 fine to the person serving the underage person. It would be interesting to hear from a cast member what Disney's policy is on carding.

 

[Misti]

I've never been carded in a WDW restaurant, even when I had just turned 21. I guess some servers are over zealous in this policy. It is customary to card if the person looks under age 30. If the person is clearly older than that, I think it is poor judgment and ultimately poor service.


sdamico71, I had the same thing happen at home recently. I live in a touristy, beach community (hence more strict?) and went to eat dinner with my mother (age 60) and my DH (age 35). Since this place was a bar/grill type of place, they card just to get in the door. My DH didn't have ID and they wouldn't let him in. Can you imagine, me, my 60 year old mother and him and they wouldn't let him in? I could maybe understand if he rolled up with bunch of kids in their early twenties. So, you aren't alone. The whole thing was kind of embarassing.

 

[Maridw]

Another good reason to carry an ID is some credit cards have the cashier's check the ID of the person submitting it.

I was asked for a picture ID once the whole time I was at WDW. On other visits, I was asked for each time I presented it. My DH & I did the wine tasting and only I (43) was carded. I guess he looked old enough (48).

Some years back, we went to O'Hana's with my best friend, and our kids and DH bought drinks for the 3 adults. He wasn't asked for ID and neither were myself or my best friend. But obviously we weren't buying the drinks for the two youngsters (11 & 5).

When we ordered the Adult's only Milkshake at Sci-Fi, we weren't carded either. I guess in some areas they would rather be overly safe than sorry.