What do you think of the "drinking" t-shirts that people wear at Epcot?

[eMoneyBug]

I love cheesy lines, so I think I wanna see these shirts for the pure entertainment value of tipsy people watching attraction.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Las Vegas has billboards I have not seen in any other populous, sprawling city.

Not in the residential areas.

 

[Hikergirl]

I feel like there are two times when "tacky" gets a pass. I don't mean tacky in a vulgar way, more like wild, crazy, a little over the top fun.
1) Christmas decorations
2) When people dress up in Disney themed clothes at WDW. I've seen people in head to toe Disney characters plastered all over their clothes, and IMO that is way more tacky than some reference to alcohol on a shirt. But, it's all in good fun so who cares

I

 

[LSUmiss]

I've seen some awful behavior at Disney (in the parks and at the resorts) and ironically none related to visible drunkenness. I know some people have seen drunken behavior but you don't need a shirt to act like that lol.

The shirts don't bother me, I agree some are played out (but I would add things like "most expensive day ever, I work to afford my wife's Disney habit, etc etc" to that list personally), some are corny in a cute way and some are corny in an eye roll way.

I’m with you on all the unoriginal original shirts. Add something that contains the word “adulting” to the list foo!

 

[LSUmiss]

I don't mean to diminish your experience. But I think I'd be a lot more upset about it if World showcase were something other than a glorified internationally themed shopping mall/eatery you pay big bucks to get into and give the kid coloring to keep them occupied. DCA was like that too originally. But DCA got millions of dollars of upgrades. World Showcase got coloring books and food and wine. HAHAHA. Oh boy. A Brazilian chicken wing. I could eat 20 of em..... That will be $100 please. HAHAHA.

.
While I’m clearly in the minority, I find the endless festivals in Epcot annoying. I live in a city with endless festivals that are a lot more festive imo so all it does it clog up world showcase imo.

 

[luvflorida]

What is so hard to explain? I don't understand the desire to shelter kids from the fact that adults drink alcohol. Now witnessing their behavior when drinking is one thing if it is out of hand, but having a kid read a shirt like that? Just tell them the truth.

I personally would not wear one of those shirts at my age, but 20 years ago with a group of my friends out to have a good time, sure why not.

It doesn't bother me at all. Most of the ones I have seen are clever and have seemed to be a way for people to get into the Disney "act like a kid" spirit with a little twist that's fun for adults.

I also have never had an issue with my kids seeing adults with alcohol, so at least for me there would be no conflict and nothing to explain. I had actually never realized there were people so opposed to this until I joined the Dis. To me, it just seems like a normal part of life so it's shocking to me that some treat alcohol like pornography or something scandalous that children must never be exposed to.


My dad has a shirt like this and just thinks of it as a pun. My mom makes them several shirts each trip and that was just one she saw online and liked. He's not a big drinker (maybe one drink for a special occasion), so I guess that's why I don't make assumptions about people wearing these types of shirts being alcoholics or heavy drinkers.

I just want to clarify that I am not trying to shield kids/grandkids from the real world. They know adults drink. They understand that some things are for adults and not children, and I don't think it's hard to explain alcohol to kids. Maybe it's not so much the explaining of the shirts, but the fact that it made me a bit sad when my six-year old grandson asked me why a shirt said Drunk Story instead of Toy Story.

I know there are far worse things in this world than t-shirts with drinking puns on them! I was just curious if other people found the shirts a bit cringeworthy.

Doesn't bother me.... when I'm walking around, I'm usually not staring at other guests outfits.

I don't usually stare at other guests' outfits either, but it's kind of hard NOT to miss a group of ten or fifteen people walking toward you all wearing t-shirts that say Drinkerbell with a picture of Tinkerbell holding a wine bottle in one hand and a sloshing glass in the other!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Maybe it's not so much the explaining of the shirts, but the fact that it made me a bit sad when my six-year old grandson asked me why a shirt said Drunk Story instead of Toy Story.

I would say maybe it's time to rewatch a bunch of Disney and Pixar movies (Toy Story included).

Most of that is going to bounce off a 6 year old's mind though. I'm guessing a t-shirt will too. Of course as you age you understand things more..and you get more references. But in all honesty shirts are the such a small portion of that. The movies themselves have things in them that if you really think about it..well you know.

I think maybe the issue could be because it's related to alcohol. But there's 'adult' things elsewhere and def. within the movies. Alcohol may be your line in the sand.

 

[dish rag]

I don’t like much that glorifies drinking and getting drunk.

 

[Moliphino]

I thoroughly enjoy cocktails, especially at Trader Sam's. I drink by the pool especially when we rent a cabana. I usually drink at dinner. If I were able to travel to WDW during the time when "drinking around the world" takes place, I would probably participate.

Drinking around the world takes place whenever you want it to. Get a group of friends/family and go for it! Matching/coordinating shirts are not required, but can be fun. We like to write our drinks in Sharpie on the back as we go.

 

[mousefan73]

I know that the International Food and Wine Festival is going on now at Epcot and I know that many, many guests enjoy drinking throughout the World Showcase. I understand all that and I have no problem with it. What I AM finding cringe-worthy are the various t-shirts with drinking slogans that seem to be all over Epcot. I've seen many large groups all wearing t-shirts with matching slogans.

I've noticed these shirts more this year than in previous years, so I'm wondering if the trend is growing. We are annual passholders, so go frequently to the Parks, and I'm seeing more and more guests wearing t-shirts with slogans like the following:

I'm trashed (with a picture of Forky flat out on the ground)
Mickey Bar (with a picture of various types of alcoholic beverages lined up)
Drunk Story (picture from Toy Story)
Drinkerbelle (with a pic of, you guessed it, Tinkerbelle)
Walt Whiskey (can't remember what the accompanying pic was)

I know the shirts are meant to be humorous, but I find them a bit embarrassing and awkward, especially when you have a young child/grandchild with the ability to read the shirts and then ask what they mean.

Does anyone else find these t-shirts cringe-worthy? I wonder what Walt Disney would think of seeing the Walt Whiskey t-shirt. Not very family-friendly!

No, actually it’s funny. If it were vulgar that’s different. If my kids were little I’d have no issue stating those shirts are for adults who are drinking and that some go overboard which is not healthy and laugh it off by stating let’s hope they have a headache tomorrow and leave more room for us in the parks. I have no issue discussing drinking with my kids.

 

[declansdad]

Does anyone else find these t-shirts cringe-worthy? I wonder what Walt Disney would think of seeing the Walt Whiskey t-shirt. Not very family-friendly!

No

 

[mousefan73]

Well, I wore one that said, “Epcot mom, like regular mom, just tipsy”

So I guess they don’t bother me.

Oh I want one!

 

[smiths02]

I don't care for the drunk, stoned, zombie, or overtly sexualized looking Disney characters on shirts at Disneyworld. Seems to diminish the brand a little. I also don't like shirts that specifically say "drunk."

Malt Whisky in Disney font, tipsy Epcot mom, drink around the world checklist, Mickey ears on a beer mug, etc. I don't see any problem. There is a whole "food and wine" festival.

 

[mousefan73]

He only allowed drinking at the private club and at the bar at the Disneyland hotel stop. On certain occasions, like opening day, he had bars in back stage areas for the press and VIPS. So obviously he did not want a carnie atmosphere in the parks but was not opposed to drinking in general. Given that, I don't think he'd want drinking around the world.

I could care less on what “walt” wants. He’s not a God. Disney should focus on what the guests want. Which seems to be happening less lately.

 

[TAX GUY]

Good grief! Some of you must be a blast at parties!

Who cares? I don't care what you wear, you shouldn't care what I wear. Reminds me of a stay we had at the Grand Floridian when a group/family all dressed alike turned their noses down, and even commented out loud at what my teen son and his friend were wearing.... basketball shorts and t-shirts. I assume everyone should have been dressed in khaki shorts and polo shirts with boat shoes, like them. Some of the replies here, remind me of those folks.

Anyway, speaking of what Walt would want, how do you think he would feel about banning smoking in the parks? He was a smoker (look into the reason why CM use two fingers when directing guests) so I'm sure he wanted to allow smoking. Lets not pretend his visions would still apply today. Times change as do people. Disney is a business and is run like one. They will target as many audiences as they can, in an effort to make a profit. I would think there are bigger, more important things to be worried about, other than t shirts.

 

[tzolkin]

I don't care for the drunk, stoned, zombie, or overtly sexualized looking Disney characters on shirts at Disneyworld. Seems too diminish the brand a little. I also don't like shirts that specifically say "drunk."

Malt Whisky in Disney font, tipsy Epcot mom, drink around the world checklist, Mickey ears on a beer mug, etc. I don't see any problem. There is a whole "food and wine" festival.

This is about where I'm at too. I like the clever shirts (which is really all I have ever seen people wearing in the parks).

I see absolutely nothing wrong with them and it's a very easy explanation if your kids do ask. "You know how we like to try different foods and snacks all around the world at Epcot? Well, some adults enjoy trying different drinks. They think it's fun to do together so they made a shirt about it, just like how you have shirts with funny sayings related to things you like about Disney."

I just want to clarify that I am not trying to shield kids/grandkids from the real world. They know adults drink. They understand that some things are for adults and not children, and I don't think it's hard to explain alcohol to kids. Maybe it's not so much the explaining of the shirts, but the fact that it made me a bit sad when my six-year old grandson asked me why a shirt said Drunk Story instead of Toy Story.

I have never seen shirts that were explicitly inappropriate, but I think I would handle it the same way you would handle any (non-Disney) shirt that your kid sees someone wearing (sex, drugs, profanity). Some people are idiots and some people don't know how to behave appropriately in public. Kids are going to discover this fact at some point in their lives, so I think a shirt that has the word "drunk" at Disney is a relatively mild incident where you can share your feelings on the subject with your child. "I don't find it funny and I think it's inappropriate to wear a shirt like that, but that's what that man has chosen to wear."

 

[Moliphino]

I was far more bothered by the guy I saw in MK with a shirt saying "Spare me the debate, I'll stick to my guns" than any of the drinking shirts.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Generally speaking I don't pay attention to what other guests are wearing.

 

[DisneyKoyote]

Off topic, but what about "I Pooped Today" t-shirts. I've seen them for sale for quite a long time at a kiosk in the mall, and I've seen 1 or 2 people actually wearing them. What's up with that?!

I have one of those! hahaha, but mine was from an anime convention so it was supporting individual artists. I just thought it was cute- had a happy smiling turd/person saying "i had a good poop today". My bf got a matching one that said "couldn't poop today" with a sad slouched over character

 

[Park Pirate]

I can see multiple sides to this issue. I do not have a strong feeling one way or the other, except for the extreme of something being blatantly profane, vulgar, or tasteless.

I am ignorant about the copyright laws and have a question. I thought Disney was extremely protective and had people actively looking for use of their characters without their permission. For example, I have heard stories about Disney telling a school group that they can not use Mickey's likeness. If people are not selling the shirts but using the image, does Disney have any legal right to have the shirts removed (from a copyright standpoint, obviously Disney can remove anyone from their property for a number of reasons)?

Again, I know that would be extremely difficult to enforce and may backfire on them - especially since there are thousands of people every day wearing family vacation shirts with Mickey, Buzz, etc... But you would think that Disney could step-in and have the shirts removed or covered-up if they thought the characters were being used inappropriately. I know they try to enforce this type of thing with adults wearing character costumes in the parks.

I am not suggesting they do this, I just am wondering about the policy.