Is there a rule about being drunk in the park?

[Tink415]

I have been to F&W for every opening weekend since 2006 and have never seen this. Tipsy people having a good time? Sure. I have been one of them but excessively drunk and puking? Never.

That doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I've visited with children a few times while F&W was going on. My family has seen several excessively drunk incidents. We didn't stay around to find out what happened. I avoid going in the evening now, plenty of other things to do.

 

[CarolMN]

Please tell us you will be using Disney transportation and not driving. I often wonder about a few of the people I see and hope they either plan to use Disney transportation or have a designated driver who is NOT drinking .

 

[TDC Nala]

Loud talking and laughing may get you the stinkeye from other guests but that is about all it will get you. You may wish to stay outside, and hold back on the obscenities if you use them in regular conversation.

Nobody's going to get banned from the park unless they cause a public disturbance. I'm going to take the OP at his word that they don't intend to get "wasted."

That said, unless you like large crowds or at least don't mind them, I recommend avoiding the Festival on Friday nights and Saturdays.

 

[ttintagel]

Drunk but not creating a public disturbance: OK.
Drunk and creating a public disturbance: escorted from the park.

 

[ctl]

As long as you don't upset anyone else in a loud and obnoxious manner, I'm sure you will be fine. However, if the weather is warmer than you're used to the alcohol can hit you pretty fast and you can get dehydrated very easily (drink some water too). Remeber alcohol hits females quicker than males, so while your F will get tipsy quicker on less, she will sober up faster too.

 

[North of Mouse]

You don't get banned from WDW for being a little bit drunk. You get banned from the park for being so drunk that you either become violent, belligerent or can't keep your clothes on (or all three.) There is more to your friends' story.

We once walked by a guy in the would showcase who was very drunk and shouting obscenities. Even his frat brothers were all "Dude, chill out. there are kids here." Seven hours later we walked by him again as we were leaving the park - he was peeing in the bushes.

I have NEVER been to Guest Relations with a complaint, but this situation would have definitely had me PUSHING the complaint button

 

[Suellen]

We saw a man get tased once over by the buses at Epcot once. At first I thought he had been hit by a bus - but we were wrong - he was drunk and he was surronded by security and sherrifs.

Interesting. Personally I dont see the point of hanging out at a theme park completely wasted - but hey - it takes all kinds!

 

[Scotico]

Remeber alcohol hits females quicker than males, so while your F will get tipsy quicker on less, she will sober up faster too.

WHAT??? Where did you hear that. Wy wife can out drink most men and she is only 120 lbs. It all depands on the tolerance of the person.

We were on POTC one time and some guy behind us was throwing up into the water almost the whole time. I was amazed he was allowed on the ride. After the ride, some CM's approached him to ask if he was ok and he just said "I think I got sea sick." The stupid CM's believed him and let him go on his way.

 

[Alesia]

I have NEVER been to Guest Relations with a complaint, but this situation would have definitely had me PUSHING the complaint button

Meh. We just chalked it up to a teachable moment and moved on. It wasn't worth spending anytime getting upset over it. I tend to save that for situations where someone is putting other people in danger. He wasn't actually hurting or threatening anyone - he was just being a jack ***.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Its the Food and Wine festival. There are all types of beers, wines and mixed drinks. Buying them is what Disney wants people to do.

Op, you'll be fine. Just don't cross that line from having a good time to disruptive or out of control.
As long as you stay in the "having fun and loose with the wallet in the shops" stage, you'll be fine.

 

[Magpie]

WHAT??? Where did you hear that. Wy wife can out drink most men and she is only 120 lbs. It all depands on the tolerance of the person.

We were on POTC one time and some guy behind us was throwing up into the water almost the whole time. I was amazed he was allowed on the ride. After the ride, some CM's approached him to ask if he was ok and he just said "I think I got sea sick." The stupid CM's believed him and let him go on his way.

It's true, women do metabolize alcohol faster than men. From Time Magazine, 2001:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,153672,00.html

Also, New York Times, 2005:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/16/health/16real.html

Of course individual differences play into it - a woman who drinks frequently/heavily will likely have built up more tolerance than a man who never drinks.

 

[North of Mouse]

Meh. We just chalked it up to a teachable moment and moved on. It wasn't worth spending anytime getting upset over it. I tend to save that for situations where someone is putting other people in danger. He wasn't actually hurting or threatening anyone - he was just being a jack ***.

Sorry, but we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. I don't think anyone, let alone children, should be subjected to that type of behavior in a family park.

 

[Phatoomch]

Sorry, but we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. I don't think anyone, let alone children, should be subjected to that type of behavior in a family park.

We were there for MNSSHP last year and at the end of the night, whilst waiting for the ferry we had a giant perry the platypus standing in line next to us (awesome hand-made costume) and he was crying to his friend .... well, actually bawling, snot down face, making waaaaaaaaaaa noises ..... and carrying on about how his boyfriend had left him in the park, and he didn't know where the car was parked which meant he'd never get home, never see his cat again .....

It wasn't a pleasant experience and my daughter was very puzzled by the whole thing. There were hundreds of us waiting, we were right in the middle of the throng, and not one CM came up to defuse the situation - probably worried it would get worse!

 

[MHSweb79]

I'm pretty sure if I get drunk everyone around us would have a memorable time. Maybe a little annoyed, but they'd go home with a few extra laughs.

Please don't overestimate how "cute" your drunken behavior is to others. Sure, they sell alcohol and people drink it, but you should still plan to behave responsibly. As someone upthread said, there are a lot of little kids around! (Plus, I would not want to run into an angry dad strong enough to toss me in the bushes).

We attended F&W for the first time last year and pretty much visited during lunch times. I remember sitting on a bench waiting for my DH when a man plopped himself down right next to me and began chatting nonstop. He asked me a million questions, was super friendly, and I thought it was kind of weird the way he was talking to a perfect stranger. When he saw my DH approaching, he got up and left, waving cheerily and it was then I saw the collection of plastic cups hanging down his other side. Clearly he had enjoyed a sizeable liquid lunch and just thought he'd keep me company for a while. I didn't "have a few extra laughs" I just thought he was weird. I do hope he didn't move on and bother anyone with a jealous husband!

 

[DebbieB]

The last time I was there for F & W, we arrived on a Saturday afternoon and went to Epcot that night. There were alot of people very drunk and obnoxious. We went on the Mexico ride, we were in the front row and the people in the boat ahead of us were really loud, carrying on. Then when the boat docked, we saw the cm put an orange cone on it and let it go out empty. I assume someone threw up (or whatever).

I work for an insurance company and have concerns about people driving after they leave. Leaves Disney open for a huge Liquor Liability claim. When you have people sitting in a bar, the bartender can judge if they have had too much. With the booths, that would be difficult.

 

[Alesia]

We were there for MNSSHP last year and at the end of the night, whilst waiting for the ferry we had a giant perry the platypus standing in line next to us (awesome hand-made costume) and he was crying to his friend .... well, actually bawling, snot down face, making waaaaaaaaaaa noises ..... and carrying on about how his boyfriend had left him in the park, and he didn't know where the car was parked which meant he'd never get home, never see his cat again .....

It wasn't a pleasant experience and my daughter was very puzzled by the whole thing. There were hundreds of us waiting, we were right in the middle of the throng, and not one CM came up to defuse the situation - probably worried it would get worse!

I surprised that out of hundreds of people not one of them thought to find a CM who could help the poor man.

 

[MoonFaerie]

Please tell us you will be using Disney transportation and not driving. I often wonder about a few of the people I see and hope they either plan to use Disney transportation or have a designated driver who is NOT drinking .

Well let me reassure you that we never have a car at Disney. I may booze it up all week, but I never get past tipsy and rely on Disney transportation or cabs.

One year, after Cali Grill, the darn bus driver was all over the road like he was drunk. Really ruined my buzz.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I've been three times....and on two different visits, have seen people using the bushes for various purposes!!! One guy actually stood there, beer in hand, relieving himself!!! Granted, it was dark where he was, but you could still see what he was doing!!! Found it amazing that he never put that beer down!!

Does it happen often? Nope, but it does happen. There are always going to be those people that are excessive. Maybe opening weekend is different..perhaps the locals avoid that first weekend..don't know. But I do know I have seen some really bad behaviour on other weekends.

I have seen the drunks also, Diane, on most visits to Epcot, not just F&W. I think with the plethora of drinking venues, many walkup and open air, it certainly contributes to people trying to relive their youth while on vacation. When I see them, I always think they are trying to pretend they are are at an underage frat or sorority party.

We saw a man get tased once over by the buses at Epcot once. At first I thought he had been hit by a bus - but we were wrong - he was drunk and he was surronded by security and sherrifs.

Interesting. Personally I dont see the point of hanging out at a theme park completely wasted - but hey - it takes all kinds!

I don't either. I think, as I said above, they are trying to relive their youth when they were kids, drinking, to excess, and thought it was cool.

 

[PSUGuy]

First, congrats to the OP for finding a GF who can't hold her booze AND loves wine, nothing better than dating/marrying a cheap drunk. Second, if WDW tossed all guests who talked and laughed too loud, the place would be empty.

Bill From PA

 

[goofy4tink]

Sorry, but we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. I don't think anyone, let alone children, should be subjected to that type of behavior in a family park.

I have to agree with the previous poster....it's a great teaching moment. How is that going to harm your child??? Life is sometimes messy and not so pleasant. The really funny thing??? We had a surprise party at my home many years ago. The whole darn family was there. Well, I look off, towards the bushes that are a dividing barrier between my house and the neighbor. What do I see??? My 8 y/o nephew, peeing into the bushes, backside to us!!! Seems that's pretty common in Japan...where my sister-in-law if from. At least, that's what my brother told me!!!
My dd is going off to college next week. I know there will be drinking there. BUT...I told her to remain sober for awhile and watch what happens to girls who get drunk. It's really not so pretty. I figure if she can see what she may look like, drunk, she may be less liable to drink to excess!!! A teaching moment.

I have seen the drunks also, Diane, on most visits to Epcot, not just F&W. I think with the plethora of drinking venues, many walkup and open air, it certainly contributes to people trying to relive their youth while on vacation. When I see them, I always think they are trying to pretend they are are at an underage frat or sorority party.

I don't either. I think, as I said above, they are trying to relive their youth when they were kids, drinking, to excess, and thought it was cool.

Hi Dan!!! We've probably seen the same misbehaving guests on many occasions!!! Hope to see you in Dec!!!