Why is only The Magic Kingdom Dry?

[havoc315]

Because Walt died before the other parks were built.

Seriously, that's the short answer. He was often quoted as saying that he felt that the presence of drunks ruined most "carnival" experiences for families, and that was the reason why he wanted his theme parks dry. (He was NOT a teetotaler by any means, nor did he feel anyone else should be, he just thought that drinking tended to get out of hand at "amusement" parks and that he didn't want that marring the experience at his.)

Had he lived to see the construction of the other parks he almost surely would have insisted on keeping alcohol severely restricted there as well.

The middle paragraph is true. He was building a brand, he was re-defining "amusement parks." Why would people trek across the country to Anaheim or swamp land in Florida if they had local amusement parks? Because the local amusement parks were seedy affairs. So these redefined parks... the point was to make them as clean-cut as possible. To distinguish them from the carnivals of the time. This was strictly a business decision, a marketing decision.

By the 1980s, when Epcot was opening, the American view of an Amusement Park had changed. Walt had no objection to serving alcohol -- even Disney Land has/had a club where alcohol was served. Customers no longer needed to be sold that Disney Parks were family friendly. People trusted that Disney Parks were family friendly, even if the French restaurant in Epcot served French wine!

And Walt Disney --- His greatest consistent motive, was profit. He was a pure American capitalist. Alcohol is highly profitable. Thus, if he could now make profits from alcohol, all while preserving the family friendly image of Disney parks? He'd be all over it!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Epcot is the only park where I have seen drunks, on a consistent basis. Not overwhelming, but every visit.

Wow, I guess we've been lucky then! We have not seen a drunk the past 3 years we have gone. It seems like when we went for F&W in 2008 I saw a few people that seemed borderline drunk. We'll see what this year brings!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Considering how much it costs, it is kind of difficult to get drunk in Disney. I must say dry MK is a bit overkill imo, I know it was Walt wish and I respect it but what about TS places, they are building new one. I prefer to have a glass of wine in restaurant with my meal, I am adult after all, so why not.

I agree! I wish Tony's served wine.

 

[TDC Nala]

Depends on how you define "drunks," assuming nobody is talking about a breathalyzer test or legal intoxication levels or anything like that. I'm in Epcot a lot and by no means do I see "drunks" every visit or even on a consistent basis. Once in awhile, sure. I see people drinking every visit, but they are minding their own business. Unless as "drunks" you count a big bunch of people laughing too loudly in La Cava or Tutto Gusto or the Rose and Crown pub. In that case one of them is probably me.

 

[Bob NC]

Epcot is the only park where I have seen drunks, on a consistent basis. Not overwhelming, but every visit.

In just MY experience, if you want to see drunks on a consistent basis in Epcot you really have to be LOOKING for them and WANTING to find them.

 

[KellyNY]

In just MY experience, if you want to see drunks on a consistent basis in Epcot you really have to be LOOKING for them and WANTING to find them.

Or just have one in your party!

 

[Bonniec]

Epcot is the only park where I have seen drunks, on a consistent basis. Not overwhelming, but every visit.

I don't see it all the time there, but it was pretty consisten during the F&W last year. It angered me to see it. I like a good glass of wine myself, but some people just can't control themselves.

 

[KellyNY]

I don't see it all the time there, but it was pretty consisten during the F&W last year. It angered me to see it. I like a good glass of wine myself, but some people just can't control themselves.

It is sad, but I think it can do a lot with heat. it is not that they cannot contol themselves but do not realize that with heat it will get them much faster then usual.

 

[lustergirl]

Depends on how you define "drunks," assuming nobody is talking about a breathalyzer test or legal intoxication levels or anything like that. I'm in Epcot a lot and by no means do I see "drunks" every visit or even on a consistent basis. Once in awhile, sure. I see people drinking every visit, but they are minding their own business. Unless as "drunks" you count a big bunch of people laughing too loudly in La Cava or Tutto Gusto or the Rose and Crown pub. In that case one of them is probably me.

Yea, that tequila will do it to you. Looking forward to my "shots" this coming December

 

[LBIJim]

Considering how much it costs, it is kind of difficult to get drunk in Disney. I must say dry MK is a bit overkill imo, I know it was Walt wish and I respect it but what about TS places, they are building new one. I prefer to have a glass of wine in restaurant with my meal, I am adult after all, so why not.

I've occasionally seen drunks, but not often. The high cost of the booze and the high cover charge before you can even buy that first drink seems to be a deterrent.

I like the fact that MK is dry, but there's no real reason for the ban other than respecting Walt's original policy.

Jim

 

[disnut8]

Epcot is the only park where I have seen drunks, on a consistent basis. Not overwhelming, but every visit.

Well, you should have stopped and introduced yourself!

If I have one beer while on vacation, which I think I can handle since I'm not driving but taking Disney transportation, I am considered legally drunk.

The word "drunk" is so subjective. If I take that one drink, you would never know I had it but my BAC will show it. I wouldn't be upchucking in the bushes or staggering but I would be "drunk".

The dangers of being a small woman.

 

[Patrickprincess]

And yet it's turned into some posters leaving their personal remarks on the boards.

The general opinion is because Walt didn't want alcohol at the Magic Kingdom, those wishes are honored today.

My opinion is that once 1982 rolled around and Epcot was opened, it would have been extremely difficult to not serve alcohol in the countries. And then things were more relaxed when the Studios opened in 1985 and even further relaxed in 1998 when Animal Kingdom opened.

First let me say i do drink. There are some people who for what ever reasons do not drink. Walt was trying to give families a place where they could forget about every day life if only for a few hours. I argree with the op. In some countries children grow up drinking. I just want to say that it's nice to have a place where it's dry drink wise.

 

[bytheblood]

Epcot is the only park where I have seen drunks, on a consistent basis. Not overwhelming, but every visit.

We see that, too, on every trip. We always go in December. They are generally 21ish - 28ish year olds hanging out in the American and UK pavillions. The only other place we ever see this is the resorts themselves.

 

[larryz]

Or just have one in your party!

Or BE the one in your party...

 

[Phatoomch]

I love the fact MK is dry. I am from the UK where drinking is part of our life - watch any one of our regular TV shows and they all center around a pub. It is a huge part of our culture - in order to have a good time, you have to have a drink.

I gave up drinking when I was 21 (trust me, you'll thank me) and haven't had a drop since. I think MK shows that you do not need alcohol to have a good time That said, I do not have a problem with it being served elsewhere, its just nice that there is at least one dry park

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

That is the reason DW was not built in St Louis............Walt was actually upset that Bud was trying t force beer into the DW to be built there.

The part of keeping the Mk dry started with DL back in 55, long before this meeting.

AKK

~Thanks Tonka! This makes a lot of sense. In terms of alcohol, MK sort of follows the same model, with the exception of Club 33, of course. The Magic Kingdom was dry, but drinks were just a monorail or boat ride away, at the Contemporary and Polynesian.

~Prior to that awful encounter with Busch, Walt already had plenty of experience with people and beer, so he was fully aware of what the public wanted from his parks.

~It appears that while Walt did not make alcohol available in Disneyland, at one point he took this into consideration by serving beer in "Holidayland" which was at Disneyland from 1957 to 1961.

~According to many sources, people HATED "Holidayland" and demanded more "Disney." So, "Holidayland" closed to make room for "The Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Haunted Mansion", located in what is now named "New Orleans Square", and this is where Walt made his final official public appearance at Disneyland.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

~Thanks Tonka! This makes a lot of sense. In terms of alcohol, MK sort of follows the same model, with the exception of Club 33, of course. The Magic Kingdom was dry, but drinks were just a monorail or boat ride away, at the Contemporary and Polynesian.

~Prior to that awful encounter with Busch, Walt already had plenty of experience with people and beer, so he was fully aware of what the public wanted from his parks.

~It appears that while Walt did not make alcohol available in Disneyland, at one point he took this into consideration by serving beer in "Holidayland" which was at Disneyland from 1957 to 1961.

~According to many sources, people HATED "Holidayland" and demanded more "Disney." So, "Holidayland" closed to make room for "The Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Haunted Mansion", located in what is now named "New Orleans Square", and this is where Walt made his final official public appearance at Disneyland.

Doc, your a bad as I am with Walt trivia.!

You are correct that was his last appearance at DL. He love wondering the place, especially at night.

That is how the light in the firehouse window started.....it was kind of a signal. When ever Walt was in the park at night, the light in the window was turned on (It is my understanding this was with his approval).

One story was he was walking down Main street and noticed the iron horse tie ups were looking shabby. He got hold of the painting foreman (there is painting going on 24 hours a day at all the parks) and told him he wanted them all redone. The foreman said he would have it put next on the list.
Well Walt was not happy about that......told him to call in anyone he needed.............NOW, and have the old paint scrapped off and repainted.*THAT NIGHT*.

Another fun story was before his face became to well known, he would wander the parks and go on the attractions. One CM reported that a lady and her son were next to go on the natures wonderland train, and she pleased the CM if Mr. Disney is ever in the park???...........seems before the CM could as anything.the man standing behind her, commented in that now well known voice,that he got there when ever he could.........

He was very protective of his attraction as well..a story still told is about a CM boat driver in the jungle cruise. Walt was sitting in stern and was not happy with the fast..rushing though ride he got. He got out of the boat and called the lad over to the side..........told the lCM he put a lot of money and time into giving the folks a fun adventure and not to...DON'T RUSH THOUGH IT.

We came back a hour later and was very happy of the ride he had with the CM.

Legend is that a month or so later he returned and the CM was back to the rush though........it was the CM's last day at DL as a CM.


AKK

 

[Fjobe]

I never even noticed that MK was a dry park. I live in a dry county, so I guess that's my usual atmosphere. It is interesting, though.

 

[Murron]

I'm happy MK is dry. It is after all, the true kids park. But honestly by 3 pm I'm outta that place and heading to Epcot!

 

[micknpluto]

I'm all for alcohol I have a passion for beer (yummmy)

but I kinda like the way it is, the way walt wanted it to be. I hope they always keep the MK dry plus (that helps me save money- on the days Im at MK) LOL