Magic Kingdom No Longer Dry Park Will Serve Wine Beer

[Nayan]

My thought on it is I like it. My other thought, which will sound very harsh, is if you don't like it then stay home and don't go. Simple as that. Don't want your kids around booze then don't go to the parks anymore.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

Very disappointing news. Coming from where a family where no one drinks alcohol, I just don't see the need to have alcohol at MK. If you need alcohol to "have fun" something is VERY wrong!

I don't eat beef, so I don't think they should sell it at the Magic Kingdom. (My point is, that just because I don't use a product, why would I care if others do?)

As far as needing a drink to have fun, I don't think you can lump all people who have a drink into that category. I don't **NEED** to ride Space Mountain, but I sure do enjoy it, and I'd hate to have to give it up because some families don't ride roller coasters, so they decide all roller coasters should be banned. Am I addicted to roller coasters? No. Do I enjoy them? Yes. Does my enjoyment of roller coasters compromise anyone else's enjoyment of the parks? Not that I know of.

 

[damo]

I think having a glass of wine with a nice dinner is very reasonable and complements the meal. I had no idea I was turning my dinner table into a "non-family" environment by having a glass of wine in the evenings! I am confused by the notion of alcohol being somehow "anti-family." Isn't it the abuse of alcohol that is harmful? And can't that happen anywhere at all, as others have mentioned?

I am curious why people view alcohol as being somehow opposed to family values, that the mere sight or smell of it will corrupt their children. I don't get that, and would be genuinely open to hearing some reasons for that assumption.

Yup. There are lots of things that go on at the parks that can be dangerous if taken to excess. That doesn't mean we should cut them out.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I am of two minds about this situation. For one, it has taken a restaurant I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to spend my time visiting the next time I go to WDW and turned it into a "must do". I do not see any connection between being able to enjoy a nice glass of wine or beer with dinner and drinking to excess (usually on hard liquor) at the Epcot WS. However, at the same time, I respected the decision that was made way back at the formation of the parks to keep the MK dry. I understand that the idea was to keep families focused on enjoying time with one another, not with enjoying traditionally "adult" activities. I respected that decision. I had no problem with not being able to get an alcoholic beverage in the MK, and had I ever felt the pressing need for one, I knew that I could slake my thirst a short monorail trip away. I guess I'm kind of sad that the MK is now (only very slightly) less kid oriented. But at the same time, I don't think the impact of having a nice wine selection at one premiere restaurant within the park will really change the tempo of the park that much.

 

[Magpie]

Did you "smell" alcohol on him?

I can't say, I was holding my breath!

I've since learned however that I should have been sniffing to conclusively ascertain the smell of alcohol on that obviously drunken small child and then prayed for his soul, instead of just praying the monorail would get to the next stop ASAP!

For the record, I am a complete non-drinker. Never got into it, and am possibly intolerant/allergic. But I shudder to think what people thought of me that morning many years ago when I was a few weeks pregnant (not yet showing) and had a sudden and unexpected bout of morning sickness that left me sitting on a park bench, barfing on my shoes.

I guess they were all walking past me thinking, "What an irresponsible, disgusting lush! Drunk at this hour of the morning!"

(Okay, the disgusting part would have been completely fair...) ::

 

[ghtx]

I just don't think this is a sign of our society's decaying moral fibre, nor do I think Walt would be "rolling in his grave". Actually, if he could come back for a day, I imagine he'd be absolutely thrilled by how successful his company has become, and completely floored by the new ride technology and immersive theming. I think he'd be a very happy man.

He'd probably have a drink!

 

[KellyNY]

Very disappointing news. Coming from where a family where no one drinks alcohol, I just don't see the need to have alcohol at MK. If you need alcohol to "have fun" something is VERY wrong!

Lets not picture people who have one or few drinks on vacation as alcoholics.

 

[Magpie]

No one ever needs a turkey leg, either.

Meat contributes to obesity and heart disease and the commercial meat industry is a horrible blight on the planet.

So maybe the Magic Kingdom should go vegetarian... If you need meat to "have fun" something is VERY wrong!

ETA: Next we can get rid of sugared pop and fruit drinks, which cause diabetes.

 

[domiii]

Personally, I like it. When we dined in CRT, I had a lovely meal and thought a nice glass of wine would have complimented the dinner perfectly. I do agree it should to stay at BOG or TS only.

 

[larryz]

ETA: Next we can get rid of sugared pop and fruit drinks, which cause diabetes.

And then we'll get rid of forums, which cause arguments and high blood pressure...

 

[bookgirl2632]

you must be a lot of fun at parties.

 

[KellyNY]

No one ever needs a turkey leg, either.

Meat contributes to obesity and heart disease and the commercial meat industry is a horrible blight on the planet.

So maybe the Magic Kingdom should go vegetarian... If you need meat to "have fun" something is VERY wrong!

ETA: Next we can get rid of sugared pop and fruit drinks, which cause diabetes.

Lets just move into caves, simple life, simple pleasures.

 

[larryz]

Lets just move into caves, simple life, simple pleasures.

Can I still eat meat and drink red wine?

 

[KellyNY]

Can I still eat meat and drink red wine?

Only if you hunt it. I will definitely start a little winery.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

Who during this discussion has said that Disney is offering alcohol at this ONE restaurant because people need alcohol to have fun? As you've previously said, you don't drink. So how can you possibly judge someone who would enjoy a beer or a glass of wine during what is sure to be an expensive meal?

I snipped the post to just address this part.

I've seen more than one comment on the various threads regarding this issue where people have clearly stated they NEED a drink to deal with their whiny kids, kids in general, crowds, rude people, etc.

If anyone, in any situation, NEEDS a drink for ANY reason (to have fun, cope, etc.), they have a problem.

I used to drink in moderation. Moderation=one nice drink with rum (tequila makes me mean enough to go bear hunting with a switch) and then I would switch to soda.

I have no problems with anyone enjoying a glass of wine or a nice beer...or a Grey Goose Slushie. I'm telling you, if my meds didn't prevent me from having alcohol, that would be on my list to try. My boys will both be old enough to drink the next trip and they are looking forward to "drinking around the world." If they act stupid, I'll tell them.

That said, I still wish they had left MK alone. For traditions sake.

 

[JimmyV]

No one ever needs a turkey leg, either.

True. But we DO need Mickey Bars!

 

[mill4023]

.........I will be complaining and I expect most Disney fan will be as well!

AKK

Change that to "most hardcore purist nostalgic Disney fans" and I still don't think you can say "most". For the average Disney fan? No way. 90% of the visitors are going to either not care or be thrilled that they can now sit and have a beer or glass of wine in the MK. I suspect that ADR's for BOG are going to become more difficult to get than CRT was a few years ago.

I'm one of those nostalgic Disney fans and I did think MK being dry was a nice tradition they were holding onto. But I certainly don't think it's a horrible thing and I'm not going to complain.

I've personally never experienced any drunken unruly behavior at any of the parks. If it's not a big problem at DHS or AK or Epcot, I don't see why anyone would think it's going to become a big problem at MK, even if they started selling it everywhere.

 

[larryz]

True. But we DO need Mickey Bars!

Anyone who can't have a good time without a Mickey Bar is in serious trouble! (like me!)

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

ETA: Next we can get rid of sugared pop and fruit drinks, which cause diabetes.

Don't laugh..they just did this in NYC. Well, not eliminated, but reduced. You can no longer buy a fountain drink over 16 ounces.

If anyone, in any situation, NEEDS a drink for ANY reason (to have fun, cope, etc.), they have a problem.


That said, I still wish they had left MK alone. For traditions sake.

How about VERY STRONGLY DESIRES a drink. Is that ok?

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Wow...can't believe the # of people that genuinely think offering a glass of wine/beer to an adult at a TS restaurant will in any way impact WDW. I feel like the mom from Stephen King's "Carrie" wrote some of these posts?!

I'll log back on tonight and reread this....with a glass of wine... maybe I'll understand it better then.