More Booze in the MK!

[whiporee]

While I'm not a WWWD guy, but the reason WDW is in Florida and not Saint Louis is because of alcohol. The pitch was made the deals were about to be signed, and one of the Busch heirs got a little drunk at a reception and said that he couldn't trust a guy who would build an amusement park and not serve alcohol. Walt called the whole thing off that night and left.

I'd prefer them not to do it because I think the crowd density at MK does not mix well with drunk (or even slightly inebriated) people. There's enough tension int he air without adding a heightener to it -- especially around the parades and the fireworks shows. Nothing I can do about it, but this is one I wish they'd pass on.

 

[jhaig]

You can't pick and choose what from Walt's vision and design you deem untouchable. Walt intended for a dry park, sure. He also intended for ticket books and long lines.

Walt's vision never included all-inclusive ticketing, FP or Star Wars Land, but I don't hear ya'll worrying about Walt on those.

Exactly. No one knows what Walt would have wanted 50 years later. In fact if Walt were alive today the only thing he would be saying is "Somebody get me out of here - I can't breathe!"

Things change, always have and always will. Do I think MK needs alcohol? No not at all. It has been doing just fine so far without it. We'll see what happens.

 

[DatFan]

Thumbs down from our family and I believe a mistake by Disney. MK and alcohol do Not mix regardless what others are saying. Keep alcohol confined to DS and Epcot. Disney trying to increase their bottom line may well hurt business, and maybe families with children(which is the where the bulk of revenue comes) will choose to go elsewhere. If we wanted our kids to be around people drinking we would vacay on Bourbon Street. Not a prude by any means but not the proper setting. IMO.

 

[HopperFan]

All the more reason for MK to remain dry and continue to be a park that families can enjoy without worrying about it. Disney shouldn't worry about being like everyone else. They should continue to be different.

Again I don't think it's needed but this is completely wrong when you are now in a highly competitive market.

 

[Disneylover99]

Not me...burning sock sweat, remember? LOL

Well yes, not you.

But there are lots of people who actually do like to drink, who are against alcohol in the MK. Will they adapt the "if you can't beat them, join them" mentality and end up drinking in the MK or will they quietly choose to take a stand by abstaining at the MK?

 

[MoonFaerie]

I think the comments aren't reflective of what people think will happen directly from this but rather indirectly. We went from A to B with BOG, and now from B to C with this change. People are (probably rightfully so) concerned that point G is coming, and that is the kiosks with alcohol that would turn MK into a weekend F/W drunkfest and thus turn the last sacred family theme park into an inappropriate environment to take families. I don't think anyone cares about a couple glasses of wine during a TS dinner experience in MK.

False equivalence. HS and AK aren't "F/W Drunkfest" despite plentiful alcohol. It's not going to happen at MK unless they add something comparable to the various Epcot festivals, which there isn't a precedence for outside of Epcot.

 

[PetePanMan]

Time to get totally "rinsed" at MK!

Just kidding, I hope the booze stays in restaurants only and does not expand to epcot type carts leading to drinking around fantasyland.

 

[Allison]

If we wanted our kids to be around people drinking we would vacay on Bourbon Street.

Do you not visit AK, Epcot, Hollywood Studios or Disney Springs on your visits to Disney? Would you never consider a cruise? What about a vacation to the beach where others may have alcohol?

I'm just curious how difficult it is to find a vacation spot where you wouldn't be around alcohol. That could be a challenge.

 

[porschegrl]

Keep alcohol confined to DS and Epcot.

Are you saying you wish it were thus? Because it isn't, currently. Alcohol is also available at DHS, AK, and (I think) both water parks. It is available at all the resorts. And of course, it's been available at BOG dinner at MK for a while now.

 

[jhaig]

Again I don't think it's needed but this is completely wrong when you are now in a highly competitive market.

Then the great minds at Disney need to come up with better ways to improve their bottom line. Maybe not taking 7 years to build Pandora. In that time Universal could build a whole new park!

 

[SaintsManiac]

If we wanted our kids to be around people drinking we would vacay on Bourbon Street. Not a prude by any means but not the proper setting. IMO.

You just went to the most extreme opposite on that one. A couple of extremely overpriced alcoholic beverages does not equal vacationing on Bourbon St.

And I spent most of my early days partying on Bourbon, so I do know what I am talking about.

 

[Keels]

You just went to the most extreme opposite on that one. A couple of extremely overpriced alcoholic beverages does not equal vacationing on Bourbon St.

And I spent most of my early days partying on Bourbon, so I do know what I am talking about.

Poor Bourbon Street. Always gets such a bad rap.

Plus, it's pretty tame and lame when the sun is up.

 

[mckennarose]

All the more reason for MK to remain dry and continue to be a park that families can enjoy without worrying about it. Disney shouldn't worry about being like everyone else. They should continue to be different.

I'm failing to see what the "worry" is for families that would prevent them from enjoying their time? Is the worry about children seeing adults having a drink in the restaurants? Alcohol is everywhere in the rest of WDW and most restaurants around the country that are not fast food places. We're talking about a few restaurants with a cap of two drinks per person.

Thumbs down from our family and I believe a mistake by Disney. MK and alcohol do Not mix regardless what others are saying. Keep alcohol confined to DS and Epcot. Disney trying to increase their bottom line may well hurt business, and maybe families with children(which is the where the bulk of revenue comes) will choose to go elsewhere. If we wanted our kids to be around people drinking we would vacay on Bourbon Street. Not a prude by any means but not the proper setting. IMO.

You would be hard pressed to find anywhere to vacation without alcohol available. Even the Great Wolf Lodge serves alcohol. I'm taking it that you won't continue to vacation in WDW with this new change? I get what you're saying about a proper setting, but the comparison of a few restaurants serving beer and wine with a cap of two drinks is hardly equal to Bourbon St.

As far as MK and alcohol not mixing....I hope you realize that people come into the parks after having a drink at either another park or any of the resorts.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Poor Bourbon Street. Always gets such a bad rap.

Plus, it's pretty tame and lame when the sun is up.

Tame, but still a bit stinky

Does stumbling down the street while the sun rises count?

 

[Uncranky Donald]

Namaste reminder: This is not the apocalypse, all will be fine I'm just grateful Walt created a place at all.

Side note- It took me about 4 yrs to organically realize I could grab a drink at AK and HS (meaning w/o seeking out social media knowledge) and I was like "Oh, ok, I'll fox w/a margarita"
...I didn't even finish it cuz it's just too darn hot to get a buzz, too much effort.

2nd side note- Many times it's not alcohol behind your co-Disneyers' disturbing behavior...just sayin, again, all will be fine, I'm on both sides either way soooo everyone love,peace & Casey Corners' Corn Dog Grease

 

[HopperFan]

Then the great minds at Disney need to come up with better ways to improve their bottom line. Maybe not taking 7 years to build Pandora. In that time Universal could build a whole new park!

Well the great minds of Disney have made up their mind. They have opted to expand their menu. Guests can take it or leave it - there are plenty of other places to visit ... but you will be hard pressed to find something alcohol free. Again, I don't think the MK needs it but it's not about me.

Thumbs down from our family and I believe a mistake by Disney. If we wanted our kids to be around people drinking we would vacay on Bourbon Street. Not a prude by any means but not the proper setting. IMO.

You just went to the most extreme opposite on that one. A couple of extremely overpriced alcoholic beverages does not equal vacationing on Bourbon St.

And I spent most of my early days partying on Bourbon, so I do know what I am talking about.

Had some Bourbon St fun myself and this is a whole new level of dramatic. Opposite is putting it mildly. Disboards is becoming a very un-magical place .... MK with beer, wine and even liquor would be nicer than the rants .... over expanding something that is already there.

Again, vacations are precious priceless memories. Disney World is totally optional. If a destination no longer meets your expectations, find someplace that makes you happy.

 

[HopperFan]

Tame, but still a bit stinky

Does stumbling down the street while the sun rises count?

Beast mode

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Namaste reminder: This is not the apocalypse, all will be fine I'm just grateful Walt created a place at all.

Side note- It took me about 4 yrs to organically realize I could grab a drink at AK and HS (meaning w/o seeking out social media knowledge) and I was like "Oh, ok, I'll fox w/a margarita"
...I didn't even finish it cuz it's just too darn hot to get a buzz, too much effort.

2nd side note- Many times it's not alcohol behind your co-Disneyers' disturbing behavior...just sayin, again, all will be fine, I'm on both sides either way soooo everyone love,peace & Casey Corners' Corn Dog Grease

which would be that much better with a nice, cold beer

 

[CinderDuffy]

Thumbs down from our family and I believe a mistake by Disney. MK and alcohol do Not mix regardless what others are saying. Keep alcohol confined to DS and Epcot. Disney trying to increase their bottom line may well hurt business, and maybe families with children(which is the where the bulk of revenue comes) will choose to go elsewhere. If we wanted our kids to be around people drinking we would vacay on Bourbon Street. Not a prude by any means but not the proper setting. IMO.

It's been at BOG for years. Have you stopped going?

 

[ellie05]

"No liquor, no beer, nothing. Because that brings in a rowdy element. That brings people that we don't want and I feel they don't need it. I feel when I go down to the park I don't need a drink. I work around that place all day and I don't have one. After I come out of a heavy day at the studio sometimes I want a drink to relax." - Walt Disney to journalist Pete Martin for the Saturday Evening Post in the summer of 1956

http://disneybooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/walt-disney-talks-early-disneyland-by.html

I think times has change and honestly they have been trying so hard lately to squeeze every penny that I see this more of a money grab than anything. This was a much easier money grabs than dessert parties, private tents, etc.

Again I don't think it's needed but this is completely wrong when you are now in a highly competitive market.

I don't think offering alcohol is a make it or break it. It is just an easy money grab. I don't think I ever seen someone decided not to go to the MK because they couldn't have a drink. I think that the market has become much more competitive, but it has nothing to do with alcohol and everything to do with new rides, theming, customer service and overall experience. Universal hit it big with HP and now Nintendo.