What's with the drink prices???

[Tarabra]

I'm sure this subject has come up before, but I usually am on the Cruise board so may have missed it.

I really think it is criminal to be charging between $8 - $9 for a margarita or daquiri. I'm not a big drinker, but it's always nice to have a drink while I'm out in the sun or sitting on my patio. I had my own beer, but would've definitely bought a drink or 2 or 3 over my stay had they not been priced so high. I can buy a whole gallon of margarita mix w/ the tequila in it for $10.99. The profit they are making is unimaginable. BUT...they would be making more of a profit if they cut their prices by about $3 per drink. As I mentioned, I would buy a couple, maybe even a couple in one day, but to spend nearly $20, well, let's say $20 w/ tips for 2 drinks is outrageous. You could pretty much rent a car to stock up on alchohol if you and your spouse had 2 drinks each. I understand that Disney is a family oriented place, so please don't flame, but is a decent price on a tropical drink too much to ask???? The bartenders would make more on tips too if more drinks are sold. They should do a drink of the day like they do on the cruise. The drink of the day is $3.95. I ALWAYS get a drink of the day. But guess what...DVC didn't get one cent of my money at the bar. If they want to make some extra cash, sell the drinks for $6.95 in a collectible plastic cup like they do on the first day of the cruise. At least you feel like you are getting something for your money. Unless the prices drop, I will continue to NOT purchase any drinks at the resort.

On a more positive note, we had a great time at the Boardwalk. I'm not going to let the drink prices deter me! I can live w/out a drink.

 

[Hollymom1229]

Actually I find Disney drinks to be on par with what I pay here in DC for alcoholic beverages, so it's never really ruffled my feathers. I'm actually more shocked when I go somewhere else and can a couple of beers for under $10 with tip, and a couple of mixed drinks for under $15 with tip.

 

[Kdisney]

I'm with you Hollymom, I live in the DC area as well and a martini at my favorite restaurant is $9. Definitely keeps me from drinking too much! Drinks in most metro areas are in the $7-12 range I've notice from my travels to DC-NY-Philly, etc.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

Thus the beauty of DVC. Had garden grocer deliver the booze, and we were able to make lovely drinks to bring down to the pool!

 

[zorro77]

Sorry to hear that the prices of drinks surprised you. Been to Packer/Vikes/Twin/Badger and other pro and college sports and prices are in line with Disney. I usually have a few beers in the room and a bottle to make a drink for the road. Spend many nights at Sosa cigar bar and drinks are pretty much even all over the areas except if you go out to a local bar. But, the drink are usually a good drink. Will be home in 7 days to OKW.

 

[delaneyc52]

I hear you. But I'm from NY and use to high prices and high taxes. I LOVE my "walk around World Showcase with my Margarita".......and I'll do that once or twice per trip. But like so many others, I buy off site or pack wine and just bring it with me for the room. But seriously...if they were offered for $5.00 I'd be a very happy person

 

[Pakey]

Thus the beauty of DVC. Had garden grocer deliver the booze, and we were able to make lovely drinks to bring down to the pool!

Ahhh yes, plus we enjoy our afternoon cocktail hour on the balcony.

 

[cogero]

Living in NYC albeit Queens I am always pleasantly surprised with how cheap the drinks are compared to at home. Just don't drink at a sporting event here in NYC

 

[crisi]

Yeah, I find drink prices to be "realistic" as well. Not necessarily "reasonable" but realistic.

We buy Jack and Coke down at the Screen Door - still highway robbery, and pour our own as well for at least a few. We've also been known to buy a bottle of wine in Germany or Italy and have that in our room.

 

[Tarabra]

I guess just getting off Disney Cruise Line, it seems excessive. Like I mentioned, you can get a drink of the day for $3.95. I did bring beer with me, and could've brought mixer, but just thought while sitting around the pool instead of going in to get a beverage, it would be nice to just walk up to the bar. I live in Ohio, so our drink prices aren't nearly that high. Yes, you can get a martini for that price, but it's not all mix. I just think they'd have a lot less people bringing it in from the outside. I was on the bus w/ a guy staying at the Swan and he was going to WALK to the Hess station to get beer because he didn't want to pay $6/bottle. I really don't think $6 would break him and even he wasn't willing to pay it. I'll pay $5 - $6 for a drink, but not $8 - 9.

 

[Dean]

Just had one of our hospital nurses get back from a cruise where supposedly they spent $1400 for a week for 2 people for booze. I can't even imagine drinking that much, even an expensive bottle of wine daily wouldn't be that much. That's just crazy, I can go on a week's cruise for little more than that total for 2.

 

[twinklebug]

From one who never goes out to drink and rarely drinks at home, I found Disney's prices to be in line with what I'd expect for a tourist destination. Mind you Walt didn't want alcohol in his parks... I think he'd have more to say about that than the prices

 

[katmittens]

I live in Pa and the prices of drinks at a good restaurant are about 7.00, I do think the prices at Disney are a little high. I now have DS who is of drinking age and DD, luckily DD does not like to drink alcohol. I don't drink at home, only in the summer by our pool on occassion. I do like to have a drink at Disney by the pool and at Epcot. It has become quite expensive, when three of us are drinking. Three grey goose slushes, please, 30.00, thank you. This trip we are cutting back on expensive dinners, but I figure it will be warm in May, so I won't be cutting back on that.

We will take some wine with us and maybe beer as we drive to the world. This way we can have what we want when in our room. This past Jan we were at VWL and took our bottle of wine and sat by the fireplace in the lobby, it was great. Thanks for the idea of taking and making my own mixed drinks for the pool. That will come in handy.

 

[jbrowna]

So, according to the OP, if Disney cuts their prices on drinks, people would drink more, possibly making more money for Disney, but also putting more alcohol out in the Disney-going populace. So then, instead of just the occasional obnoxious person, we would have the more frequent, drunk, obnoxious person? I guess if higher prices means a person will consume one drink instead of three or four, I vote they keep the prices higher. But perhaps that's just me....

 

[alanapapa]

The drink prices everywhere except in Las Vegas are all outrageous. Most bars operate on a 95% or higher margin, which is why you get "Free" appetizers during Happy Hour. Think about how much a fifth (pr 750 ml) costs wholesale and then how many portions at 1 ounce each there are per bottle. These drinks usually have a food cost of $1.00 or less.

 

[alanapapa]

So, according to the OP, if Disney cuts their prices on drinks, people would drink more, possibly making more money for Disney, but also putting more alcohol out in the Disney-going populace. So then, instead of just the occasional obnoxious person, we would have the more frequent, drunk, obnoxious person? I guess if higher prices means a person will consume one drink instead of three or four, I vote they keep the prices higher. But perhaps that's just me....

I do not think that even with cutting the prices in half more people would consume substantially more. Yes there would be some, but I don't think it would be noticeable. You might see more Disney Security around though.

 

[disneynutz]

TIW card gets you 20% off on the price of your drinks and food.

Another way to save is use a Owners Locker stocked with your favorite adult drinks.

Bill

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Just got back from our stay.....enjoyed White Russians by the pool most days.....$8.75 per drink!! Expensive? Yup! Worth every sip? You betchya!

 

[L8blumr2]

I do not think that even with cutting the prices in half more people would consume substantially more. Yes there would be some, but I don't think it would be noticeable. You might see more Disney Security around though.

I just had to share the recent WSJ article on the drinking problem in the UK, contributed to, in part, by cheap booze.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704588404575123691166554882.html

Margaritas at our favorite restaurant here in the DC suburbs cost $8-12. A beer at Nationals Park is $7.50!!

 

[Cee]

I'm in the DC area too and it's $8 for a BEER at the ballpark. Sheesh.....