Teens drinking at Epcot

[jjarman]

I know I should know better than to post this but here goes. Some background: DH and I drink occasionally at home or in a restaurant. We don't get drunk, we aren't alcoholics, and we are pretty good parents. DS is almost 16 and will be 16 on our next trip. Occasionally when I make a special drink at home say a marguerita or pina colada I will let him have a taste. That is all. We do not let our 16 year old drink. Our last trip to WDW when we ate at San Angel Inn I got a marguerita and let him have some. Not a lot but a couple of tastes. When we go on family vacations (with all the aunts, uncles and cousins) to the beach we will let the older teens have a small drink of wine or a pina colada with just a little alcohol.

Here is the flame alert. Do any of you allow your teen to have a drink in Epcot? I know he is going to ask and I think I know my answer but wanted to see what others do.

 

[Jennifer_Jayhawk]

My short answer would be no. When you are in a public setting compared to the privacy of your home I do think it is different. Restaurant and bar owners have a responsibility not to allow underage drinking--and parents should not encourage it, even if it is a taste.

 

[OKW Lover]

Disney will not serve alcohol to your 16 year old. What you do with your child is up to you, but please don't put Disney in a technical violation of Florida's laws by letting him drink on Disney property.

 

[ReggieB]

I am from UK originally, like continental Europe our attitudes towards drink are a bit more lax than here in the US (not that means that they are any better, just different) I used to have little sips too. It was quite the norm at special occasions for me to have a tiny amount of wine in a glass. However this was always at home.

At Disney you are on their premises, and they have to uphold the drinking laws, or face stiff penalties. I wouldn't want to get into major trouble with a Disney employee who caught my teen drinking, even a sip. It probably wouldn't happen, but I'd try and avoid that one! The mortification of being banned from Disney for letting my kid have a sip of beer would be too much!! I'm probably being overly dramatic here.. DS is only 5, so I don't think I shall be worrying about that one for a bit.

 

[mattsdragon]

It is technically against the law, but as long as you're not buying one for your kid, and his sips are not overt, I don't think anyone is going to say anything.

If they catch you, they may throw you out of the park, but sitting at a table, eating, and allowing a "taste" should go under the RADAR.

 

[Evil Queen]

I won't flame you, because I did that as my oldest son grew up on occasions, at home or relatives houses.

But even I think I would be uncomfortable trying it at any of the parks.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you are at home, I have no problem allowing a child to 'taste' what you are drinking. I know that my mom used to give my dd 'finger dips' of her wine. Took a lot of the mystery out of it for dd. However, I wouldn't let my underage child partake of any alcohol outside of the home. Let your ds have his soda and you have your adult beverage of choice. Share in the privacy of your own home.

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I grew up that way and even got my first buzz at my godmother's daughter's graduation party. My mom was there and allowed me to drink and my sister thought it was hilarious. Now I'm not saying everybody should allow their teens to drink but b/c my family didn't make it into a big deal when I got to college I didn't go crazy for drinking like a lot of my fellow students. I saw a lot of students go wild with independence and not do so well and I was thankful I had a better attitude towards drinking. I don't agree with letting your teen have a few sips with you in public but I think you letting him experiment with alcohol at home or private family functions is a good thing.

Laurie

 

[AllyCatTapia]

It's not very nice to put Disney/your waiter/other diners in that position. We are frequent travellers out of the US and realize teh US can be a wee bit backwards about stupid things, but we're here, and we have to at least LOOK like we respect their laws in public.

 

[Bev J]

He is old enough to understand that having a sip of wine or something at home with Mom and Dad is one thing. Asking for a sip in public is inviting problems. If he wants a special drink then order something fun that is non-A.

Bev

 

[scouthawkk]

Here is the flame alert. Do any of you allow your teen to have a drink in Epcot? I know he is going to ask and I think I know my answer but wanted to see what others do.

No flame here, either. This is exactly how I was raised, and how DH and I intend to raise our son. My mom raised me mostly on her own, and taught me to respect alcohol. When we were at home, or out and about, she would let me have a few sips of whatever she was drinking. Saw no problem with it. Always told me that if I ever wanted to drink or smoke, that was fine with her, just don't hide it. Never drive anywhere if I have had even a single sip of something with alcohol, and never get in a car with anyone else that had been drinking. Even if I had to call my aunt or grandmother at 3am to come pick me up somewhere (Mom was legally blind and had to stop driving shortly after I started the 5th grade), or just spend the night. As long as she knew where I was. And that was the same with all of my friends' parents.

I will say, by the time I went away to college, I never understood why other kids had to hide drinking and parties from their parents. And while the kids of strict no drinking of any kind parents were out every night getting drunk, throwing up all over their dorm, and failing classes because of it, I was still able to get up in the morning and go to class, not hung over like all of them. I still to this day do not understand drinking that much at any given time. And I owe that to my mom for teaching me to respect it all.

So yes, if my son wants to try a sip or two of something DH or I are drinking, I will allow it. Would I buy him his very own drink while out? No, that is a bit overboard until he is legal. Would I allow a drink or a glass of wine in the privacy of our own home? Yes, if that is what he wishes. Will I be angry at him if he drinks at a party? That depends, did he try to hide the fact that he would be drinking, or was he truthful with me...if I know in advanced that he plans to drink, or he calls for a ride home if he drank without letting me know, no, I would not be angry, and he would not be punished. I don't think there is a problem with that, and am not ashamed to admit that.

(By the way, I still will not drive if I have has so much as a sip of alcohol. DH and I take turns driving, and agree ahead of time who will be responsible for doing so.)

 

[penguin087]

I don't have a problem with a taste in the privacy of your home. It curbs their curiosity. In public is another story. Those around you have no way of knowing you are only giving the child a taste. It is illegal and the resturant can refuse to serve you if they see you pass your drink to an under age person.

I have also heard that Disney is strict about this and will escort you from the park if they see it. Anyone else heard that?

 

[MzDiz]

I let my two teens have a sip of my ice wine at Le Cellier (shhh). I told them to be careful about it though. I also pour them a small glass of wine on holidays and let them have a wine cooler at get-togethers and such. The way I see it, kids are going to be introduced to alcohol eventually. I'd rather have it be me that does the introduction - my way.
At Epcot, like any other public place, you're taking your chances.

 

[eliza61]

I have also heard that Disney is strict about this and will escort you from the park if they see it. Anyone else heard that?

I have also heard (from cast members) of disney escorting underage drinkers & their party off the property, mainly at TI/DTD with the bars & night clubs. I remember for my sweet 16 finally, finally being allowed to have a glass of champagne (I think the "sophistication" of drinking from a flute glass was more of an allure than the actually alcohol. LOL) and my children were allowed their first taste of wine at dinner around 15/16 but never in a restaurant. I'm with the other Dis'er, save it for special occasions at home.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I don't see anything wrong with allowing him to have a drink/taste at home.

I do agree that it might not be a good idea at Disney though. I'm not sure what their procedures are for someone that is caught doing that (escorted from the parks? how embarrassing). However, if you are comfortable with the risks, then go ahead and let him try a drink or two.

 

[TSR6]

Even a sip - Disney can technically remove you from the park.

 

[colonels cruisers]

No flaming here

You are the parent so you make the choices you deem best. We all do it different.

That being said my only fear would be that maybe the CM (server) might get into trouble. Where I live they get a heavy fine (and usually fired) and sipping counts as serving.

 

[JRawkSteady]

It's not against the law for someone to have a few sips of alcohol. If it were my family would be breaking the law every year on Passover. It is tradition to have a glass of wine with the meal (as every Jewish family knows). Yes some people substitute with grape juice, but when it comes to tradition...wine.

Now, it IS however illegal to sell alcohol to minors. But I strongly believe that America is way too uptight. A few sips cannot hurt anyone, and sometimes those drinks taste darn good! I say it's okay...he's 16...better he's drinking with you than out with his friends right?

 

[MdmMim]

Even a sip - Disney can technically remove you from the park.

There are signs at the pool bars stating they will remove you "from the premises."

 

[jjarman]

I grew up that way and even got my first buzz at my godmother's daughter's graduation party. My mom was there and allowed me to drink and my sister thought it was hilarious. Now I'm not saying everybody should allow their teens to drink but b/c my family didn't make it into a big deal when I got to college I didn't go crazy for drinking like a lot of my fellow students. I saw a lot of students go wild with independence and not do so well and I was thankful I had a better attitude towards drinking. I don't agree with letting your teen have a few sips with you in public but I think you letting him experiment with alcohol at home or private family functions is a good thing.

Laurie

Your examples of friends who suddenly got the freedom to drink and could not handle it is the reason we let DS have a taste or two at home. Gee, we teach our kids to drive, balance a check book, do laundry but for some reason some parents don't want to teach them to drink responsibly. Granted, some people don't want their kids to ever drink that I would love it if my son never drank but since we drink I know he will too. But like your parents did with you we are taking the mystery out of it.