What Happened to EPCOT?

[Aerinha]

I think the problem is Disney doesn't have to worry too much about drunks driving after being over served like a normal bar would. All they need is someone to cause an accident or die of alcohol poisoning and the public outcry would shame them into behaving like a bar, but it shouldn't have to come to a tragedy first. Even guest paying oop should have to have their band or room card scanned so that it notes how many adult beverages they have had in a set amount of time and after lets say 4 drinks or whatever they are cut off for two hours, and no one will serve them. MB are really about Dis hoarding guest habit info, they could easily serve this purpose too as they already track what you buy if you use them to charge or for the DDP.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

Even guest paying oop should have to have their band or room card scanned so that it notes how many adult beverages they have had in a set amount of time and after lets say 4 drinks or whatever they are cut off for two hours, and no one will serve them.

never

 

[AngiTN]

I don't think it's a matter of my little one seeing anything, we've made the point here that you see this sort of behavior in places outside of Disney, it's a question of expectation. If I go into Chucky Cheese and see a few out of control rowdy teenagers, I'll leave 'cause I know my daughter won't have a good time in there. I went in there knowing this may well happen and if it does, we'll go elsewhere. I don't have this same expectation when going into a Disney park.

We don't completely shelter our little one from every naughty behavior in the world, but we avoid them whenever possible (I think most parents would if given the choice). Yes, we point out that that's not the way you behave when around others and if the person/party in question is creating an issue for you, politely bring it to their attention and if that doesn't work let someone in the park know and just move...but why should we have to move?? Why isn't there something already in place to have this person, who is creating an issue for us and others, be inconvenienced rather than me?

I don't hold this expectation in every aspect of life, but when I come to Disney I do. I said above that maybe it's my expectations that need to shift and not the park itself.

I wouldn't say your expectations are too high at all but I do think people in general care less what others think of them these days and as such, don't reign in their behavior like people once did. Coming to realize that does help, at least it does for me. Granted, I've never seen behavior so bad at Disney I felt we had to remove ourselves from the situation

Plus, DH and I were part of that Drinking Around the World group last December. It was a blast and we will do it again (I say sheepishly) on our next trip without DGD. While I don't hide drinking from her and we didn't get falling down drunk by any means, we don't feel it's responsible to drink to that degree while she is in our care

 

[epcotty]

I don't think it's a matter of my little one seeing anything, we've made the point here that you see this sort of behavior in places outside of Disney, it's a question of expectation. If I go into Chucky Cheese and see a few out of control rowdy teenagers, I'll leave 'cause I know my daughter won't have a good time in there. I went in there knowing this may well happen and if it does, we'll go elsewhere. I don't have this same expectation when going into a Disney park.

We don't completely shelter our little one from every naughty behavior in the world, but we avoid them whenever possible (I think most parents would if given the choice). Yes, we point out that that's not the way you behave when around others and if the person/party in question is creating an issue for you, politely bring it to their attention and if that doesn't work let someone in the park know and just move...but why should we have to move?? Why isn't there something already in place to have this person, who is creating an issue for us and others, be inconvenienced rather than me?

I don't hold this expectation in every aspect of life, but when I come to Disney I do. I said above that maybe it's my expectations that need to shift and not the park itself.

I also wouldn't say your expectations are too high, it is Disney and all the parks should be a place we can feel comfortable taking our kids to. For the whole day, especially with current prices

 

[jrmasm]

I've never noticed any drunks at Epcot. Maybe I was too busy enjoying my own drinks!

 

[Accident]

As I read this thread, I can only think when was epcot not like this. I don't remember when it wasn't like this and always wonder why it's so many peoples favorite and most visited park. It does seem a little more escalated at night and weekends, especially after pleasure island was closed but I honestly can't remember epcot not being like this and a major reason we skip it.

 

[kbelle8995]

I don't mind people having a drink. I really don't. I just don't know how Disney can control it. Those drinks are not cheap. Perhaps they should give guests alcohol in thimble size glasses or on the more serious end just restrict how many you get. But again how do you enforce it.

I think it has gotten out of hand a little bit. And I do agree with the person that once they get"Frozen" in WS, this is going to be a real interesting mix.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I agree with your point for the most part, but you can't really open up a new Frozen Ever After land, right next to a restaurant where you can meet 5 Disney Princesses and around the corner from where you can meet Donald Duck in full Mexican garb, and then say the park isn't supposed to be kid friendly.

That's a good point. I think the addition of Frozen to WS is going to be interesting in more ways than one.

As I read this thread, I can only think when was epcot not like this. I don't remember when it wasn't like this and always wonder why it's so many peoples favorite and most visited park. It does seem a little more escalated at night and weekends, especially after pleasure island was closed but I honestly can't remember epcot not being like this and a major reason we skip it.

It's our least favorite park in Orlando, if I never went again I would be fine with that. But maybe if I drank I would like it more?

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

....or on the more serious end just restrict how many you get.

If Disney ever did this, they would essentially be dealing a death blow to F&W. In practice, it's not possible to restrict in an efficient manner. A 6'6 300 lb man is capable of drinking much more than a 5'2, 120 lb young lady. It would be absurd for Disney to tell them both that they are each limited to 3 beers.

 

[crostorfer]

I don't mind people having a drink. I really don't. I just don't know how Disney can control it. Those drinks are not cheap. Perhaps they should give guests alcohol in thimble size glasses or on the more serious end just restrict how many you get. But again how do you enforce it.

I think it has gotten out of hand a little bit. And I do agree with the person that once they get"Frozen" in WS, this is going to be a real interesting mix.

The pours at F&W have gotten drastically smaller, I think in part for greed, but also to slow people down a bit. Its like, what, a 6oz pour now, for the price of a 12oz. And the beer flights are tiny.

 

[kbelle8995]

That's what I am saying. I just vaguely remember that when Busch was at Sea World they limited how many beers you got. However, this was at one location whereas at Epcot it is a vast area where you can get liquor. So I guess they are leaning towards thimble size so that you at least pay more for a smaller amount and don't get as much.

Putting a limit would be hard to do and easy to cheat.

 

[AngiTN]

I think the price is also an attempt to curtail over indulging. I can't imagine what the folks who are hammered have spent on alcohol to get to that point. Price alone have to keep many from getting that drunk.

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

I think the price is also an attempt to curtail over indulging. I can't imagine what the folks who are hammered have spent on alcohol to get to that point. Price alone have to keep many from getting that drunk.

Honestly most of the people who are that drunk probably pre game before coming into epcot.

 

[eliza61]

I think the price is also an attempt to curtail over indulging. I can't imagine what the folks who are hammered have spent on alcohol to get to that point. Price alone have to keep many from getting that drunk.

Have you been to a professional sporting event? LOL, seriously I am amazed at the amount of money my friends will drop at a Phillies game, to drink warm beer. hundreds of hundreds of dollars. draft beer is 8 bucks a cup and I think premium beer is 16 bucks a bottle. My husband wouldn't get drunk but him and a few of his coworkers would go to games after work, easy 200 bucks on beer and food. easy.

 

[AngiTN]

Have you been to a professional sporting event? LOL, seriously I am amazed at the amount of money my friends will drop at a Phillies game, to drink warm beer. hundreds of hundreds of dollars. draft beer is 8 bucks a cup and I think premium beer is 16 bucks a bottle. My husband wouldn't get drunk but him and a few of his coworkers would go to games after work, easy 200 bucks on beer and food. easy.

Numerous every season. We are season ticket holders.
I know they "pregame it", aka Tailgate, to reach a point where they are 2 sheets to the wind before the game starts. Doesn't take that much to reach the 3 sheets to the wind level.
I never thought of folks "tailgating" at Disney to get them started but I guess they probably do.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

I never thought of folks "tailgating" at Disney to get them started but I guess they probably do.

There is a reason why Disney is the happiest place on Earth and it's not because of Frozen.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Disney cut way back on entertainment, the rides have been neglected and are lame (Captain EO???), the shops have been selling the same stuff for 10 years...

Seriously all that's left is eating and drinking

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.

Or the person who seeing me with one beer LOUDLY announced "There's another drunk in Epcot" Hmmm.. I had taken about 2 sips of my first beer. I expect my blood alcohol limit was not within the "Drunk" range LOL!

If these same people see folks acting like idiots at MK it's fine, but at Epcot "They are drunk"

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!)

 

[Magpie]

Disney cut way back on entertainment, the rides have been neglected and are lame (Captain EO???), the shops have been selling the same stuff for 10 years...

Seriously all that's left is eating and drinking

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.

Or the person who seeing me with one beer LOUDLY announced "There's another drunk in Epcot" Hmmm.. I had taken about 2 sips of my first beer. I expect my blood alcohol limit was not within the "Drunk" range LOL!

If these same people see folks acting like idiots at MK it's fine, but at Epcot "They are drunk"

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!)

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.

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

What I find most interesting is that I have a vivid recollection from back in the 1900 and 80s of CMs being very serious about the rules regarding drinking...even the dumb ones. So, I'm going to tell a tale of how a cast member made me drunk.
I was there with my then GF, when World Showcase opened that day and in the France pavilion we ended up in Vins De France. We couldn't decide which of the two wines we wanted so, we got a glass of each. We realized that this was probably a bad idea on empty stomachs and wandered back towards the walkway thinking to grab a bite at the UK pavilion. We were stopped by a very stern woman who told us that we were not allowed to leave a pavilion with open alcohol. We explained that we just wanted to walk across the bridge before drinking our wine. Nope, we either had to pour it out or drink it. Seriously? What do you think two college kids are going to do? We quickly twofisted our wine and my tiny GF was decidedly unstable by the time we made it across the bridge. "Shorry, we're a liddle...dwunk. Itsh polishee r summin."

 

[jtowntoflorida]

All of our experiences at Epcot came during F&W up until our trip in December 2014. I was shocked at how different Epcot is when F&W is not going on. I'm no prude, and I drink. We look forward to drinking at Epcot when we go there and our kids do witness us drinking. That being said, I don't see how anyone here can possibly claim that Epcot's WS doesn't have a totally different vibe than the other parks, and doesn't cater to people drinking. On our second trip, we had a CM at our resort concierge desk actually warn us to stay away from Epcot in the evenings because it "isn't really a place for kids" and he claimed that Disney receives a lot of complaints of drunken behavior during F&W. Based on what we've witnessed during our trips, I can totally see that. And yes, by the time dinnertime rolls around, we're heading toward the exit (or at least toward Future World!). It isn't that I don't want my special snowflakes to witness bad behavior, it's that I just don't feel like it's that safe of an environment for them. They're little and people trip over them in crowded places on a good day. Add in a lot of alcohol and it gets even harder to make sure they're not being banged into, stumbled on, or spilled on. Is it going to really hurt them or scar them for life? No. But I don't feel the need to put my kids into a position where they're going to be stepped on while people are too busy trying to finish their 11 drinks. It's for this same reason that we don't leave MK with the masses after Wishes and why we prefer to either hang to the back of the RD crowd or get an early ADR so we're already in the park when it opens.

I also don't think the smaller portions were meant to curb people from getting out of control...I think it was a way to increase profitability.