Waitstaff pushing alcohol

[Uncleromulus]

That's about how I see things. Alcohol is a "higher profit" add-on, so I would expect that it's sale would be encouraged in any restaurant.
But encouraged is not "pushed". I cannot recall in over a quarter century of WDW dining where alcohol has ever been pushed on us. Almost always it's just a polite question from the server, or once in awhile a mention of some "house specialty" drink.
Frankly, I'm more "offended" when I'm not asked if I want anything to drink--I get the idea the server is trying to rush things.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

We have been asked if we want a glass a wine at Narcoossee's, California Grill, and Le Cellier. We declined and never heard any more about it. I never thought they were pushing it on us. Although, I did get a mai tai at 'Ohana

 

[aubriee]

At the Italian place in Epcot and also at Coral Reef we had waiters that really pushed drinks. When we kept refusing both got really huffy and disappeared for the rest of the meal.

 

[hentob]

I feel more pressure to drink at Olive Garden and Chili's than anywhere in WDW! Seriously say no to the wine at Olive Garden and beware of vicious waitress wanting you out NOW! I always say no and yup I've complained to the manager after that incident--hello it's 1 pm and I have three kids with me--one in a stroller no Mama/Auntie can't get drunk until later--and never if she has driving detail!

I actually had an Olive Garden waitress say "Ah, come on...one won't hurt" when I said that I was driving and "No Thank You" to a glass of wine

 

[NMW]

It occurred to me that in the MK you cannot get alcohol....as such, if you start your vacation in the MK, it may not occur to you that you can get a drink in Disney other than at the hotel bar. So when the waiter says "can I get you something from the bar" he is not only suggestive selling, he may be giving some guests information that they don't have "we have a bar."

That's one of the reasons DH doesn't want to eat dinner in MK the nights we do the Christmas or Halloween parties. We usually eat at the POLY and get mixed tropical drinks.

I also think a lot of people at WDW (like us) don't drive a car. We use Disney transportation to get everywhere. This might encourage people to have an extra glass of wine or beer. The servers might suggest a drink thinking that people who usually don't drink and drive might take them up on a drink. Just a thought.

 

[maddhatir]

Quote:
Originally Posted by magicmouse2
I welcome anyone pushing alcohol on me on vacation I do like wine with an evening meal though but dh doesnt drink wine much.

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. I'm usually thinking "Where the heck is the waitress to take my drink order?!?" Mama needs a martini!

DITTO HERE!

DH and I took our niece to an EARLY Norway Princess breakfast- after the bus ride, trying to wait for the rope to drop to get in (and they didnt care we had ressies!) and running to be on time.........HER AUNT NEEDED A MIMOSA! and thank goodness our waiter was VERY happy to bring me one.......and one more......

 

[jennyf917]

Olive Garden always starts out with would you like to try such&such our wine special today, with the bottle in their hand. Certain restaraunts have competitions with pushing the "item of the day" amongst the waitstaff, whether it be a drink or food item.

I work at a restaurant (a chain) and we have contests every shift, we even play our version of bingo on the weekends (sell certain items to win). Usually the prize is dinner for free. We also get a lot of pressure from our managers and in corporate materials to try to suggestively sell appetizers and drinks and desserts to up the check total. So it may not be them "pushing" it on you as much as pressure from management.