What Happened to EPCOT?

[Rgonzalez79]

That said I am always amazed at the DIS's ability to spot drunks where no one else sees them. And I am reminded of one DIS board member who once chewed out two CMs and a security CM because "those drunks are a bad influence on my kids" Finally security goes to deal with the drunks... all of whom were between 14 and 16, and SOBER! They were dancing to a band. When security CM told the "self appointed temperance patrol" that "they aren't drunk" she stormed off to file complaint at Guest Services about the Cast Members refusal to deal with drunks.

I don't think it's really fair to say that we go out looking for them when they essentially come right up to me and throw it in my face. The person you mentioned above would be an outlier, what I brought up involved folks who clearly had too much and were directly impacting my vacation and enjoyment of the park. I've said it a few times but this thread is getting rather long so in case it get lost in the shuffle; I'm not saying the park is overrun with drunks, the drunken population at Epcot is growing however and those that come in on a mission to get blitzed and everyone else be damned is growing also. If it hasn't impacted you or any of your trips then consider yourself sprinkled with pixie dust and I truly hope that it continues. I was impacted and I would expect Disney to minimize this behavior in a park marketed for children. That was it, I don't go out counting the drunks or looking for them, i go to Epcot to enjoy the rides, the flowers and eat some of that damned good quiche they make in France...with a creme brule on the side of course.

Seriously I will take the Epcot drunks over the MK stroller rammers and out of control kids ANYDAY! (No, your stroller running over people to clear a path is not a good idea. No, your child should not be allowed to throw food during a meal. No, it's not cute when you and your family break line because "we were up front but had to get out of line so junior could go to the bathroom and now 10 of us need to join my husband" LOL!)

To each his own, but if stroller rammers and line cutters annoy you, then why begrudge others speaking up about what annoys them and grinds their gears (in the words of the immortal Peter Griffin)?

I agree!

I have not personally noticed drunks all over Epcot. Maybe I'm too wrapped up in my own good time? (For the record, I don't drink.)

I get lost in the Magic of Disney practically every time I go to a park, but I can't do that if I have to watch and make sure my daughter won't get run over; or if someone is being obnoxious and screaming next to my wife's ear (drunk or otherwise). There is a significant different between someone getting rowdy in a good way (high fiving every guest they come across because they're just so damned happy) and someone who's just unaware of their surroundings and creating an issue for others (high fiving others and screaming FU** YEAH!! ANOTHER ROUND OF SHOTS BI****!! [I haven't actually seen this, just an example]).

The implication again that those of use who notice the behavior are incapable of letting go (yea, i quoted Elsa) and just appreciating the experience are missing the point I think. If I'm wrong and it's just a matter of empathizing with others then I apologize.

Again, I expect Disney to maintain a certain level of control in their parks because they market the parks towards children/families. Yes they serve alcohol, but nowhere in any Epcot brochure have I seen mention of "Families: 9AM - 5pm; All others: 5PM - Midnight". I hold the same expectation for Epcot as I do for MK, HS, and AK.

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

I agree!

I have not personally noticed drunks all over Epcot. Maybe I'm too wrapped up in my own good time? (For the record, I don't drink.)

I do recall seeing one very loud, very happy, very boisterous guest a couple trips ago... but since I didn't get close enough to smell his breath, I honestly couldn't tell you whether he was drunk or just had some sort of neurological issue. Either is possible. Heck, it could be both. Regardless, he was having a good time, and I surely don't begrudge him that!

I'd hate to accuse a perfect stranger of drinking irresponsibly, when he could just be being his own happy, bouncy, Tigger-self.

Or secret option number 3, the guy may have just been having a really great time at the happiest place on earth.

 

[Magpie]

Or secret option number 3, the guy may have just been having a really great time at the happiest place on earth.

Well, his functioning was definitely impaired. The only real question is whether it's chemical or neurological, and I'm not going to jump to any conclusions either way.

 

[Magpie]

I get lost in the Magic of Disney practically every time I go to a park, but I can't do that if I have to watch and make sure my daughter won't get run over; or if someone is being obnoxious and screaming next to my wife's ear (drunk or otherwise). There is a significant different between someone getting rowdy in a good way (high fiving every guest they come across because they're just so damned happy) and someone who's just unaware of their surroundings and creating an issue for others (high fiving others and screaming FU** YEAH!! ANOTHER ROUND OF SHOTS BI****!! [I haven't actually seen this, just an example]).

The implication again that those of use who notice the behavior are incapable of letting go (yea, i quoted Elsa) and just appreciating the experience are missing the point I think. If I'm wrong and it's just a matter of empathizing with others then I apologize.

Again, I expect Disney to maintain a certain level of control in their parks because they market the parks towards children/families. Yes they serve alcohol, but nowhere in any Epcot brochure have I seen mention of "Families: 9AM - 5pm; All others: 5PM - Midnight". I hold the same expectation for Epcot as I do for MK, HS, and AK.

The problem is, not everyone agrees there's a problem that needs solving. Are we witnessing the same events and interpreting them differently? Did you get very unlucky with your guest interactions? Did I get very lucky?

I've never noticed a difference between the guests in any of the parks. I've been run over by guests in the Magic Kingdom, endured obnoxious screamers in Hollywood Studios, heard swearing and foul language in Animal Kingdom ( some folks just talk like that, I guess). I have never noticed anything unique about Epcot that would make it any more a wretched hive of scum and villainy than any of Disney's other parks.

Who's right, me or you? I have no idea. But I know I've been consistently impressed by the hard work and cheerfulness of almost every cast member I've ever met. Cast members are a big part of why we keep returning to Disney.

 

[Rgonzalez79]

The problem is, not everyone agrees there's a problem that needs solving. Are we witnessing the same events and interpreting them differently? Did you get very unlucky with your guest interactions? Did I get very lucky?

I've never noticed a difference between the guests in any of the parks. I've been run over by guests in the Magic Kingdom, endured obnoxious screamers in Hollywood Studios, heard swearing and foul language in Animal Kingdom ( some folks just talk like that, I guess). I have never noticed anything unique about Epcot that would make it any more a wretched hive of scum and villainy than any of Disney's other parks.

Who's right, me or you? I have no idea. But I know I've been consistently impressed by the hard work and cheerfulness of almost every cast member I've ever met. Cast members are a big part of why we keep returning to Disney.

This is completely your opinion, which you're more than entitled to, it does affect me and my experience based on the lack of this level of negative experiences in the other parks. I don't think anyone's right or wrong here, it's a difference in expectations when going to the park.

I completely agree that cast members are extremely hard working and can take a trip to whole new level with their awesomeness.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Again, I expect Disney to maintain a certain level of control in their parks because they market the parks towards children/families. Yes they serve alcohol, but nowhere in any Epcot brochure have I seen mention of "Families: 9AM - 5pm; All others: 5PM - Midnight". I hold the same expectation for Epcot as I do for MK, HS, and AK.

I think all you can do is not go anymore during those times when/where you perceive there to be a problem. I can't see Disney changing things.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

This is completely your opinion, which you're more than entitled to, it does affect me and my experience based on the lack of this level of negative experiences in the other parks. I don't think anyone's right or wrong here, it's a difference in expectations when going to the park.

I completely agree that cast members are extremely hard working and can take a trip to whole new level with their awesomeness.

Like I said in an earlier post, there are 4 Disney parks. 3 of them are essentially alcohol free (MK, AK, and DHS). The 4th park, Epcot, is alcohol free until about noon. And even then, the boozers really don't get started until about 5pm. Adults have a right to have adult fun just like children have a right to have kid fun. Not everything needs to be child proofed 100% of the time. It would seem to me that if adults want to get blitzed in what is essentially an adult zone, I don't really see what the issue is. The F&W is essentially an adult event and Disney absolutely wants people to buy food and drinks from as many countries as they possibly can. If people stumbling and boozing and acting all goofy (no pun intended) is concerning, I think one potential strategy could be to exit at around 5pm, at least on weekends and during F&W. MK, DHS, and AK offer some amazing evening opportunities for children.

 

[epcotty]

It's an adult event in a park that's supposed to be family friendly so it probably should be more controlled than it is. World Showcase is not supposed to be only for Adults. CMs should be able to use their discretion as to whether guests have drank too much as to whether to serve them more or not and stop them if they get too rowdy. People don't know every event the parks have going on, and not everyone gets park hoppers/APs so it's not like all the families can all leave then and consider it a full day

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

@DisneyPrince1982 DHS is definitely not a booze free zone. Even when it's not SWW (when temporary booze stands are put up every 40 ft), they still have a featured Drink at every quick service. Im particularly a fan of The Claw at Pizza Planet, myself....

AK also had permanent drink stands everywhere, we got a nice something fancy named that was Bacardi or something on the way to Flights of Wonder.

If I had to guess, World Showcase doesn't have attractions, so that becomes the entertainment, for some? Maybe that's why EP gets the worse rep when all the others have as many opportunities...

This will be my first F&W since 2008! Looking forward to it, as much as we enjoy F&G. I hope our Chase lounge is open!

 

[epcotty]

Yeah other parks are not as booze free as you might think. World Showcase has lots of attractions, but I guess people get sick of the movies about countries, the Gran Fiesta Tour Mexico boat ride, and the American Adventure

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Perhaps if they used the magic band technology to actually track the number of drinks a guest has had. Making sure to have the actual guest who is drinking the alcohol scan their band they could control it. Of course the financial losses on Disney's part make this scenario highly unlikely!

I thought about that, too. But don't many of us now have about 14 magic bands? Can they just be switched out? Or maybe tie drinks to tickets - limit number of drinks per park ticket for guests over 21- like Fastpasses.

I know Disney wants as much money as possible, but they have a reputation to protect. What happens when a drunk seriously harms or kills someone because he was served too much at WDW? There are court cases on this where bars can be sued for over-serving someone. I imagine Disney has considered that, but so far they've determined the benefit of allowing people to purchase as much alcohol as they want outweighs the cost. For now.

 

[ladyjulia]

I have only seen this Saturday F&W. Other days are usually fine.

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

So the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow used to be my favorite park at the World, I loved the food, the rides were great, Illuminations was awesome, people generally weren't racing around at Magic Kingdom pace to see everything, I just enjoyed this park above the others. Until recently that is, I noticed it last year but more so now that we've come here during the summer. EPCOT has become a bit of a drunkard's paradise with no real control/oversight by CMs or managers.

I'm an adult and I can enjoy a drink or two (or three or four) and have no issues with anyone else doing the same, but there is a line between enjoying a few tasty beverages and getting wasted in a theme park full of kids. My issue comes when people are spilling over themselves or being loud and intolerable during shows or knocking over my child because they can't see where they're going, things like this.

My larger concern is that CM's seem to have no control over the problem or have just accepted it as part of the EPCOT experience.

A few "visual" aids

1) While waiting by the American pavilion for Illuminations, there are three college kids by the funnel cake stand making a bunch of noise and having a good time. I get it, it's summer and school's out and they're having a good time. Until one of the says, "I dare you!" and one of the young ladies proceeds to a full body dive into the bushes behind the railing. her friends were rolling on the floor laughing and she eventually climbs out, covered in scratches and repeatedly saying "holy ****, holy ****, that hurt" while a CM walks by and just shakes her head. This is completely acceptable behavior if I was at my neighborhood bar and we were outside getting some air, but this is not something I expect to see at a Disney Park. These folks were obviously drunk and not behaving in an acceptable manner in a park filled with children (never mind they fact that the girl could've been seriously injured), but security never came by, no senior CMs came by, nothing.

Once Illuminations got started they rolled up and proceeded to scream and yell profanities and my wife (who has a much shorter fuse than I do) turns and tells them to quiet down, there are children around. They laughed and kept yelling and I had to calm her and try to get her to ignore them because we didn't want things getting out of control. Ruined the show for us.

2) Walking through the giant store in the Japan pavilion and we get to the saki bar area. A guy my age who's clearly had too much is there with his family and he starts mocking the folks behind the register in a horrible Japanese accent. He keeps pointing and saying "how much for the happy ending!". His family is trying to get him to stop but he keeps going and says "we're just havin' fun". There are a bunch of CMs around but they go about they're business, no security comes over, nothing. The issue here is that they kept serving the guy even though he was obviously already gone. No controls in place or a lack of training on when to stop serving someone alcohol.

3) Heading towards Mexico and there's a group of about 5 college dudes walking towards us and again they're already drunk and they're pushing and shoving each other and acting like normal college kids do when they're hanging out at a bar. One of them almost bumps into my daughter and I have to push him to keep him from knocking her over. Nothing happened but we exchanged some glances, I can take care of myself but I'd have hated to have my little one have to see that it had anything escalated. Right after that, they jump to that drink stand outside and order another round of margaritas. Again, they're already drunk and belligerently pestering the server but that doesn't stop them from being served. Where is the control? We keep walking and the guys start yelling again and I share a look with the CM manning one of the merchandise stands by Africa (I think) and he says, "sun's going down, time's about right for this" as if it's expected and acceptable behavior at this point.

These are just 3 incidents that occurred, this post would get way too long if I listed every red-eyed or stumbling guest I came across. I understand that margins on alcohol sales are huge, and Disney is a corporation that has to answer to shareholders, but when is enough, enough.

The experience at EPCOT has transformed from a cultural haven where we go to get a glimpse of life on other countries and cultures outside of our own to that of "how many can I have before I hurl or pass out from the heat?". Not everyone is the same, I've seen people complete Drinks Around the World, get a buzz, and enjoy themselves without becoming a nuisance to other guests. But if this is what EPCOT is about these days, if this is what Disney is allowing the city of tomorrow to become (an outdoor bar with no means of crowd control) then....well there's not much we can do is there?

Is it just me who feels this way? Anyone else out there not enjoy this park as much as they used to because of this?

It is truly unfortunate that you had to deal with that type of situation. But I can see how easy it is to get carried away. We always stay on property, NEVER having to DRIVE anywhere. When I go out with my wife and kids to dinner I will have one drink with my meal. My wife does not drink, but something could always happen that could put me behind the wheel for the drive home. So I make sure I am sober to drive even when my wife is my designated driver, I'm just that uptight. Last time we were in EPCOT having dinner at the Seas, I had a drink while we waited for our food to be served and one with my meal and then had a cordial with desert. I did this because I did not have to drive. I am obviously someone who likes to remain in control but I think others out there who feel that If I don't have to drive I am not putting others in harms way I can really let go, to heck with the hangover. NO excuse but I can see how a normally responsible person can get a little carried away with their drink when they don't have to drive. AGAIN NO EXCUSE.