ID for drinking

[mummabear]

So last time we were at DCA DHS NZ driver liscence was not accepted as ID for Cove Bar, they said he needed his passport.
I really have no interest in risking our passports being lost/damaged, would a photocopy of our passports be accepted with our Driver licsence as well?
Is it normal to not accept DL?

We are in our mid 30s, sadly there is no way we could pass for under 21.

 

[ParkHopper1]

No...needs to be valid Passport. That is your only option, sorry.

In the US we now have the option for a Passport Card that is the size of a driver's License. Is that an option for NZ residents?

See below for policy:

Alcoholic beverages may be purchased at the Disneyland Resort by Guests 21 years of age or older. The documents required to verify age vary for United States residents and non-United States residents.

United States Residents

United States residents who wish to purchase an alcoholic beverage at the Disneyland Resort must present one of the following forms of identification:

• Valid United States state driver’s license (includes United States territories*)
• Valid United States state ID (includes United States territories*)
• Valid active United States Armed Forces ID (must include date of birth and portrait photo)
• Valid original passport

Temporary driver’s licenses, temporary ID cards and copies of passports, driver’s licenses or ID cards are not acceptable.

* United States territories include Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, United States Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

Non-United States Residents

Original passports are the only form of identification acceptable for Guests from outside the United States; non-United States driver’s licenses, ID cards, temporary ID cards and copies of ID cards are not acceptable.

 

[SMD]

They card everyone, even my father when he was in his 60s. Have a seen a 40 something order a drink without being carded a few scattered times? Sure. But in general they're pretty good about asking everyone for ID when ordering alcohol.

Are you going to drink every day? Maybe just bring your passports on days you plan to drink. And you could put them in covers on those days to minimize the chance for damage.

 

[mummabear]

Darn it.
Crazy we have not had the problem at WDW at all.
Yes I would likely drink most days or would like to at least have the option to.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I really have no interest in risking our passports being lost/damaged...

I have used this plastic case: WITZ PASSPORT LOCKER

 

[corrie563]

I feel you, we had this problem at trader Sams, so we didn't drink for the whole trip... I have had my passport pick pocketed in europe once, now it doesn't leave the safe...

 

[bcla]

So last time we were at DCA DHS NZ driver liscence was not accepted as ID for Cove Bar, they said he needed his passport.
I really have no interest in risking our passports being lost/damaged, would a photocopy of our passports be accepted with our Driver licsence as well?
Is it normal to not accept DL?

We are in our mid 30s, sadly there is no way we could pass for under 21.

California state law specifies acceptable ID. The law itself includes a government issued driver license or state ID, but the state of California interprets that as meaning a government within the United States. Even Canadians can't get it.

https://www.abc.ca.gov/trade/Industry Advisory re 25660 amendments_2009_12-16-09.pdf

The identification itself must meet the requirements of the Section 25660. With respect to “federal, state, county, or municipal government, or subdivision or agency thereof”, such issuing government or agency shall be located within the United States.​

There was a period of time when there was an issue with passports not being accepted even though they traditionally were. The Alcoholic Beverage Commission determined that they weren't acceptable because they don't typically contain a physical description (height and weight) as well as possibly eye/hair color. That was creating an issue at airports and with international visitors. A new law was passed that specifically included passports to give international visitors an acceptable ID.

The other thing is that asking for ID is really just an "affirmative defense" for the seller. They won't actually get in trouble for not asking for ID for someone who is actually at least 21, but asking for it protects the seller in case there's a sting operation. No sell is required to accept an ID, and Disneyland's policy is considerably stricter than the state's recommendations. Theoretically there are municipal identification or other government-issued ID that theoretically meets the state standards, but Disneyland's list only includes a US driver license/state ID, a US Armed Forces ID card, and various passports.

Some concealed weapons permits issued in the United States are similar to driver licenses. Disneyland policy theoretically means they won't accept them for purchasing alcohol.

 

[Princess Jes]

Darn it.
Crazy we have not had the problem at WDW at all.
Yes I would likely drink most days or would like to at least have the option to.

We had this issue multiple times at WDW. Florida is really strict about it too. I think you got lucky

 

[felice]

My wife and I have occasionally been asked to show ID when purchasing alcohol at one or two of the 7-11 Stores on Katella; though our UK driving licenses have been accepted without any problem.

 

[mummabear]

We had this issue multiple times at WDW. Florida is really strict about it too. I think you got lucky

Then I got lucky a lot, every trip from numerous locations

 

[Aurora_Australis]

Wow, so glad we didn't get checked! Cove was the must do for DH on the trip (he would have run all the way back to the hotel and back through security again though ). I would never have thought to check what the requirements are.

We were not asked at DTD or anywhere else in the Disney area (or all of the state's on the West Coast over several weeks actually!)

We're only 30, get carded from time to time at home but have my driver's license for those times.

 

[ParkHopper1]

My wife and I have occasionally been asked to show ID when purchasing alcohol at one or two of the 7-11 Stores on Katella; though our UK driving licenses have been accepted without any problem.

This is all CA law says about age verification requirements:

A. To be suitable as evidence for a defense, the identification card must be issued by a governmental agency and have a current description and a picture of the person presenting it which reasonably describes the person as to date of birth weight, height, sex and color of eyes and hair.

Many will accept foreign government ID's but establishments can elect for stricter guidelines such as Disneyland. Having been on the other side, it comes down to verification ability. We had books that has all the state ID's to check against and what to look for on passports. Would have been impossible to have that for al the foreign entities as well. Since it is 100% on the establishment if they sell to a minor and stiff penalties and liquor license suspensions are involved , they can set their own criteria as to what they will accept or not.

 

[PinkHelloKitty]

In Canada we usually have to show two pieces of photo ID for alcohol and both of mine got denied as well. My boyfriend however has yet to be carded and since we only get the margaritas and you're allowed to get two per person so problem solved! Otherwise we wouldn't bother, we would not risk losing our passports at the park.

 

[JennyN]

It seems to depend upon n the staff. At one of the DD restaurants last year my 21 year old was asked for a passport ( which she was not carrying) when she was with her 50 something parents yet a week later was with her 25 year old cousin and they were both served drinks without being asked for ID. I agree with some of the previous posters, we don't want to have to carry our passports as if they get lost or stollen it is a big problem.

 

[sweethannah]

I was asked for ID at the beer cart(sorry forget the name) in CA but we've had drinks at almost every other location in CA and have never been asked for ID. I only bring my BC DL into the Parks with me.

 

[Mintycake]

We were in wdw last year and drank at two restaurants and we're not asked for Id (we are Canadian ).