Walt Disney rolling over in his grave

[perdidochas]

Just came back from WDW & was HORRIFIED to see that guests are now not only allowed but ENCOURAGED to walk around the parks (assuming MK is exception) with beers. A guest who was having a beer w/ his lunch & didn't want to walk w/ it was almost clubbed over the head by a CM to take a cup. Even that guest was stunned & none too pleased.

I distinctly remember Mr. Disney talking about one of his inspirations for Disneyland being the overwhelming smell of beer at the parks to which he took his children for outings. That's why you couldn't get alcohol in the parks for so long.

When did THIS start? It was just disgusting and I hope Disney rethinks this policy.

You mainly see it at World Showcase (I can't recall seeing it anywhere else). I don't see the big deal. I've never seen anybody that scared me there. I first went to Epcot in the 1980s, and beer was available there at that time.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would much rather see someone enjoying a beer or glass of wine then puffing on a cigarette in Epcot. As long as they are not drunk and bothering me let them spend the money. If they are drunk and out of hand then they get reported and kicked out. no big deal

I have never noticed any behavior that offended me. I cannot say the same for some TS restaurants I have visited at home.

 

[fairfax]

Yikes! I have an AP and go to the parks a lot, and most frequently Epcot. I can't remember EVER seeing anyone drunk there, or at any Disney park for that matter. I've never felt that the parks smell of beer or have even noticed a lot of people drinking. I've had a beer at Epcot on occasion and it is so expensive, who can afford to have more than one?

 

[Ashes8380]

The only place I have ever seen people visibly drunk or smelling of beer was at Pleasure Island. and even then, it didn't start until quite late at night, and we were mostly in and around the dance clubs. I have no problem with it there, as I feel that is somewhat the point of PI -- having a place for "grown ups" to socialize in their normal ways.

The only places I've really noticed people drinking other than that are at WS in EPCOT, and by hotel pools. The pools thing is mostly just at night too - I met some of the nicest people while hanging out at the poolside bar at Pop, we ended up meeting there nightly for most the week.

My feelings are that Disney does a good job at keeping it under control, and an excellent job of checking IDs, so no underage trouble. Some people don't like drinking, but that's no reason for everyone else to abstain. I don't see how people taking a walk with a beer in hand could damage someone else's vacation, unless they were confronted by that person in some way. Even so, I've met some unpleasant people at WDW who were plenty sober too! I just choose to focus on the great people I've met there, and would recommend anyone bothered by drinking to do the same.

 

[parmtoo]

One of the reasons for us going to WDW is the freedom of alcohol, except the MK. Alcoholic beverages are served everywhere except the MK, and everywhere it is. Pool bars, interior lounges, meals its everywhere. We enjoy going down to our pool and taking our small cooler with a few beverages, nothing glass and enjoying the sun and Disney. Popping over to FW to Crocketts Tavern for pitchers of beer and pizza is a ritual for us. I usually pop for a couple of beers while the wife and grown children do RNR and TOT in MGM, I sit in the Farmers Market and chug down a couple to cool off.

I feel there is nothing wrong with the way Disney handles their alcohol sales, its a huge money making position, in my honest opinion patrolled quite well. I've seen a few have a huge good time but never obnoxious. I've seen worse behavior from people who weren't even drinking. As for the smells, ain't any, just the pleasant aroma of foods and Disney in the air.

My suggestion is to not try to change the world but go with it, Disney is a go as you please and I don't believe Walt would be turning in person or his grave.

I agree! I myself am not a drinker, but DH loves to have a few beers , especially on vacation. I don't think there's to much drinking going on in WDW at all. We've never seen any one drunk, even at PI.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've had a beer at Epcot on occasion and it is so expensive, who can afford to have more than one?

The price does certainly go a long ways to keeping the lid on it for the most part.

Knox

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I do not drink at all. Haven't had a drink since before I was pregnant with my son. He is now 14. But I have no issues with people who drink within reason. They could walk wherever they want as long as they don't get rude drunk. I say rude drunk, because I have seen people who are actually nicer drunk than they are sober. lol

I have however read many people say they have seen people very drunk and rude in World Showcase. So I don't think disney controls it as well as some people say. Especially at the Food and Wine Festival. But I, personally, have never had any problems in our 4 visits. Two of which were during the food and wine.

 

[LilGMom]

I have never noticed any behavior that offended me. I cannot say the same for some TS restaurants I have visited at home.

Ditto what you said!

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

I don't really have a problem with it either, while I don't partake in any of it, it doesn't bother me. It seems that the carrying it around is pretty much limited to WS at EPCOT anyway. At least, if it's not, then I haven't even noticed it at MGM or AK.

 

[Jaymie]

As a commoner, I enjoy having a dirty, smelly beer or two while strolling around Epcot for a little evening romance with my stinky husband.

Hey, I have one of those too!! But I can't complain, he takes me to WDW every year.

 

[Dopey420]

Some people NEED alcohol just to handle WDW!

/Not me, I just need caramel apples and Mickey marshmallow, caramel and chocolate squares from the Main Street Confectionary!

 

[Lawshark]

Well...if it is so offensive to some...there are alternative entertainment venues that might be more up their alley. They can spend money there!

http://www.creationmuseum.org/

http://www.livingbiblemuseum.org/

 

[Karnak]

My family and I appreciate the family, i.e. non-beer, section of the ballpark and would like to think WDW is the same. Drink if you must, just don't slosh it around all over me and my kids.

Well, I'll drink to that. I've enjoyed many a cold one at King's Island, and spent some time at two of the Red's ballparks in Cincinnati as well. I don't think there's a section at that ballpark where beer is not welcome.

As for Walt Disney World. All I have to say about that is ... IT'S A RESORT!

Of course people have drinks there. I can't imagine a resort without drinks. LOL

And, I know Russell, Kentucky is dry. I used to live there myself.

Have a great day.

Karnak.

 

[Lawshark]

And, I know Russell, Kentucky is dry. I used to live there myself.

Karnak.

Well...some parts of the state don't sell alcohol...but those folks who live there sure do have a habit of finding their way to the counties that do sell it! I'm from the Cincinnati area originally and was connected to the beer industry there...one of the busiest spot for beer sales...bigger than almost every grocery, drive thru, etc...was a little convenience store located in Aberdeen, Ohio. Aberdeen is a little river town in the middle of nowhere. BUT...it was across the bridge from Maysville, Kentucky...and the area north of town was dry.

Go figure!

 

[Mrsjvb]

Ahh yes, Aberdeen. Grandparents live in Manchester, also on the River. but we always went IN to Maysville..for Transparent Pies...


really can't say I saw too much alcohol wandering around the parks during the day. We, personally don't do it while there for the dehydration factor..I drink at night at dinner when our park hopping is done.

there's no reason to be mortally offended though. You have a choice..stick to MK and avoid it altogether, or accept the fact that others don't believe or behave as you do and roll with the punches. .

 

[rosiep]

In theory, I don't like the idea of drinking at any Disney park...but then I get there and I realize it makes not one iota of difference to me nor does it lessen my enjoyment of the parks...so it seems to me that the "idea" of drinking around children bothers me..but when I see it practiced by responsible adults I realize my black and white picture of such things should be tempered with grey.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Have you ever been to WDW before?

 

[boomhauer]

Are you sure they were drunk and not just a Brazilian tour group?

 

[JohnZ46]

What grave?

I thought Walt was cryogenically frozen and stored under Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland?

 

[Puncek]

I've seen sober fights waiting to get on a bus for the Value Resorts, I would hate to see this exacerbated by Disney fans who drink too much alcohol. I guess dollar signs rule in this case as well, as long as people are willing to shell out the money for the alcohol, Disney is willing to refill their glasses, again and again.