Purchasing Alcohol In World Showcase

[MICKEY1024]

We are planing our next trip and can not remember the policy about purchasing alcohol from the countries, and how to get it back home. Are you able to ship alcohol from Epcot or does it have to be in our checked luggage when we fly home? Last trip we purchased Vodka from Norway, and I know there is wine for purchase in France. What other types of alcohol are avaiable for purchase and which country? Any recommendations?? Thanks!!

 

[GAN]

That's a good question. I know wines in Italy are available for purchase -honestly, don't know about the other countries. Sake in Japan -maybe? As far as I remember -most of the bottles were readily available at a local wine/liquor store ...nothing really extraordinary. But I can understand wanting to bring home a little something. I'd be willing to bet Disney will not offer shipping because of all the different laws from state to state.

We do a good amount of travel to different wine regions and always bring wine home with us. If we have just a few bottles, we usually bubble wrap them and put them in our checked luggage. Sometimes we bring along an extra bag just for this purpose. They also make wine skins that are bottle shaped bubble wrap that can be sealed in the event a bottle pops ...it's happened to a friend of ours!

 

[bumbershoot]

Shipping alcohol is tricky business. I would assume it cannot be shipped, and be prepared. Buy some "wine diapers" or even a WineCheck bag if you're planning on many bottles.

 

[jimandami]

I'm not sure about the shipping part, but be aware that you cannot purchase a bottle and carry it around the park. It must be sent to the front of the park, which takes around 4 hours I think. Just something to think about regarding the timing of your purchase.

 

[JimmyV]

Shipping alcohol is tricky business. I would assume it cannot be shipped, and be prepared.

Note that I have not asked about shipping or tried to ship at Epcot, so I have no idea how it will turn out. That said, a seller of alcohol who has a shipping license can ship to your home, provided that your home state allows for the importation of alcohol. So as bumbershoot notes, it is tricky business. As big as Disney is, I would think that they would have a shipping license, but as I say, I've never asked. If they do not, then you would need to be prepared to wrap your purchase and place it in your checked bags. Placing bottles in the center of the suitcase wrapped in towels and clothes is sufficient. But bubble wrap can be added if you are skittish. There are "wine diapers" on the market, but I don't find that they add anything that a beach towel cannot do for you. As far as having the purchase sent to the front of the park, that seems to be the norm, but I have purchased bottles at the Food And Wine pavilion (the old Wonders of Life) and been allowed to walk out with them. We did our own "drink around the world" by getting food at various booths and simply pouring (discreetly) from our bottle into plastic cups. But the last time I did that was 5 years ago, so maybe they don't allow that any more.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

While I don't know about the shipping part. I will say that we have purchased bottles of wine and brought them home in our checked bags. I do wrap them and stick them in those extra large zip lock bags just in case. We have NEVER had to send wine to the front of the park. We just buy it and go on our way.

 

[rwdavis2]

I doubt they will ship. They would need up to 50 different licenses although some states ban the shipping of alcohol. Just pack it carefully in your checked bags.

On the other hand, most of the wines there are just OK at best and you could probably do better in quality and price at home. Depending on where you live. Just note the country, grape, and type of wine.

I get the urge to buy it if you like because there are too many wines to try them all.

 

[jimandami]

While I don't know about the shipping part. I will say that we have purchased bottles of wine and brought them home in our checked bags. I do wrap them and stick them in those extra large zip lock bags just in case. We have NEVER had to send wine to the front of the park. We just buy it and go on our way.

Our last trip (Oct 2014) was the first time we were told this. We tried to buy a bottle of Rose Regale and they wouldn't let us carry it out of the store and we didn't have 4 more hours in the park so we couldn't purchase it. Previously, we were also able to buy a bottle and walk out so I don't know when they started this new policy.