EPCOT... UGH!!! DOUBLE UGH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Klayfish]

We don't go in the World Showcase a ton, so thankfully we haven't run into the issue.

However, I would take what I'm sure is a very unpopular view in the eyes of most... I see zero reason alcohol should be sold in Epcot, or any of the parks. Sorry, I just don't. In my eyes, Disney is a family oriented "magical" land and alcohol just has no place in it. I don't begrudge those who like a casual drink, but sadly it sounds like there are too many who take it too far. To me, Disney Springs is the perfect place to allow drinks. It's not a kid centered place anyway, so it would be the perfect spot, and maybe some of the hotel bars.

I know it's a very unpopular view and I know it would never happen, but I just don't see the need for alcohol in the parks.

 

[GaryDis]

I'm no prude, I have my drinks on he weekend and when we go out but if you need to drink mid afternoon(to get drunk), especially in a place that is 80% families with children, you have a problem. Many of these people weren't unruly, but they were the obnoxious drunk type, commenting on people, cursing, walking into people, especially several bridal parties.

I'm going to suggest that you're not doing a very effective job of describing the bothersome behavior. There's nothing in your original post describing behavior any different from your having drinks on weekends, just that it was more people. Here you wrote "need to drink mid afternoon (to get drunk)". Why not write "need to get drunk mid-afternoon" if that's what you meant? Most people distinguish between drinking and getting drunk, but the way you've been writing doesn't.

It comes across as though you're afraid to say what they actually did, so you're using euphemisms such as "they were drinking a lot". Maybe there really was disruptive behavior deserving of criticism. But I'm not reading it yet.

 

[Jhondy210]

Many of these people weren't unruly, but they were the obnoxious drunk type, commenting on people, cursing, walking into people, especially several bridal parties.

Wait, I curse and comment on people on a daily basis and I have walked into people before and even fell when walking…but I don't drink yet, apparently, I somehow act like an obnoxious drunk. I'm talented.

 

[Boopuff]

This is what drives me crazy: Just try to find a seat somewhere in the Rose and Crown pub...oh wait there are kids on the bar stools! Same at Cave de Tequila... really? I think there need to be places at WDW where adults can go and sit, relax and have a beverage. Let's also not forget that alcohol=$$ and even though Disney loves families it also loves $$

 

[BigAlsGal]

I Love having a few drinks at Epcot. Sorry.

 

[Btc0078]

Can't wait to get obliterated at world showcase during food and wine.

 

[Missyrose]

I Love having a few drinks at Epcot. Sorry.

Don't apologize, at all. You're on vacation, you don't have to answer to anyone.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Sorry, disagree - the FQ is a great place to visit during the day - the OP would thoroughly enjoy it during the day, just like our families do.

I've been bringing my child to the FQ since she was an infant. However, if OP thinks EPCOT is bad, they may want to stay away from the FQ. (hint this is supposed to be humorous)

I see you left out the part about sarcasm in my post. Thanks for beating my puerile attempt at humor down to nothing. Good job.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I'm one you would UGH at. I don't bother anyone else, but yes... I make it a point to have several drinks at Epcot.

MG

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

OP said weekends outside of F+W have now become a "drunk fest," clearly referencing their weekend Epcot experience.

Sorry I should've clarified, the op did not give any specific instances of what made it a drunk fest outside of a lot people having drinks around World Showcase and pub crawl shirts etc. When I think drunk fest I think people puking in bushes, wet t shirt contests, rowdiness/fighting, lewd behavior etc but than I realize everyone probably has a different tolerance as to what constitutes a "drunk fest"

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

I agree with the OP- to an extent. I have no issue with responsible enjoyment of beverages, however the last time we were in Epcot there was a lot less "responsibility" on display than I expected at WDW. And yes, the drunks most definitely affected our visit as they were having very lewd and very loud conversations around other guests. Our party had to leave the area due to the obscene conversations taking place. Not just for the kids, but *I* don't even want to hear that nonsense. I also saw several groups of college age people, clearly past their buzz limit, staggering around WS and bumping into other guests. This was this past January, not even F&W.

If WDW is going to CATER TO FAMILIES by putting Frozen Ever After and character Meet and Greets in WS then they need to get a handle on the drunks in Epcot.

 

[DebbieB]

http://www.disneydining.com/7-things-walt-disney-world-insiders-love-about-drinking-around-epcot/

I'm not sure what you are going to write to Disney about. Unless the people were falling down drunk, I don't know what you want them to do.

 

[dnkmmw]

I agree with the OP- to an extent. I have no issue with responsible enjoyment of beverages, however the last time we were in Epcot there was a lot less "responsibility" on display than I expected at WDW. And yes, the drunks most definitely affected our visit as they were having very lewd and very loud conversations around other guests. Our party had to leave the area due to the obscene conversations taking place. Not just for the kids, but *I* don't even want to hear that nonsense. I also saw several groups of college age people, clearly past their buzz limit, staggering around WS and bumping into other guests. This was this past January, not even F&W.

If WDW is going to CATER TO FAMILIES by putting Frozen Ever After and character Meet and Greets in WS then they need to get a handle on the drunks in Epcot.

Sorry, my quote got messed up, my reply is a few posts down.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I will be there in a couple of weeks, and our designated day for Epcot is Saturday. I had planned on doing most of FW by 2, getting FEA done by 2:30 and heading back to the room for r-n-r. My thought was to go back in the evening to stroll through WS and check out a few F&W booths, but I was fearing running into groups who had imbibed too much (DH doesn't drink, and I've had experience with being the sober one while others around me were drunk - it's not as funny to me as it is to them). However, I can always hop over to somewhere else if I don't care for the atmosphere. A few tipsy people probably won't bother me too much, as I will not be with children. If my 2 DGDs were with me, it would only bother me if foul language was being used. My thought was to book a table at Monsieur Paul so we would be there during Illuminations; but I really want to check out the F&W since I have the opportunity. I guess I'll have to just wait and see.

 

[CAS239]

There's not an over run problem of drunks in the WS. If there was, something would be done. There's tons of families, bunch of people drinking, quite a few pretty drunk, and only a handful out of control and being loud. It's not an issue. The issue is created by a few people who blow it out of proportion and act like everyone is drinking to just blackout or create scenes. Then in turn, people who have never even been in the WS or have never witnessed anyone there drunk, get it in their mind that they have to avoid the WS because it's just a big drunk free for all.

I mean someone in this thread said they really don't go to the WS and hasn't experienced any of these issues, but it "sounds" like there are many who take it too far.

 

[pearlieq]

I don't exactly disagree with the OP either. I avoid WS on weekend nights, especially during F&W. The "party" atmosphere means it tends to get clogged up with bunches of people and, as the night wears on, we've found some tend to get loud and obnoxious. That being said, the solution is simple. I just enjoy it during the day or on weeknights. I don't begrudge people who want to enjoy the various libations on offer, I just choose to be elsewhere.

 

[merrick]

I drink alcohol. Quite enjoy it, in fact. While I don't choose to drink much at an amusement park (I get tired and would need to go to bed if I did) I absolutely would protest against those who feel it shouldn't be available.

I don't think alcohol is bad and my kids will see people using it responsibly...and less responsibly. That is life. These situations give us a chance to talk about what they have observed.

Bottom line...no one wants to see things get out of hand. if I was unhappy with something I have seen, I would bring it yo cast member's attention at the time.

 

[CAS239]

I love seeing the brides with their bridesmaids, the creative drinking around the world shirts, the people having CM's sign their shirts off after going through that country, etc

We go about once every 1.5-2 months and always go through the WS, yet we have never seen anyone puking out in the open, fighting, making a scene, etc.. I don't have doubts it happens from time to time, but it's not an issue and certainly shouldn't make people avoid the world showcase. However if it ever is an issue someone sees first hand, then find the nearest cm and bring it to their attention then

 

[dnkmmw]

What I'd be interested in knowing is what exactly makes a "family". Several people have mentioned it being a "family" place. My Disney trips are usually my husband and I, sometimes my 50 year old cousin comes with. Are we not a family? Even outside of Epcot, we've been known to be at High Octane at HS at opening time. We are on vacation, not driving and not disturbing anyone so what's the issue?

For the record, I think Disney makes far too much money for there to be any changes at all. If anything, it seems like they are adding places that serve alcohol.

Dawn

 

[GaryDis]

quite a few pretty drunk, and only a handful out of control and being loud. It's not an issue.

If "quite a few" isn't an issue, how many does it have to be before it is an issue? Or is it possible that it is an issue, but not as big an issue as some people make it?