Another money grab...

[jarestel]

As others have said, if you don't want alcohol just don't buy it. Not sure why it would bother anyone if someone else decides to partake. Regarding the new lounge, it doesn't sound too appealing to me, but I'll wait to experience it before writing it off completely.

 

[Signu70]

Might I recommend, if you have problems with the availability of alcohol in the parks, don't buy any. You could also write a letter, conveying your concerns, to Disney. Or, if you feel that strongly about it, no longer frequent the parks. Disney is a business. If the addition of this bar actually hurts their profit margin, they'll change their stance. Just a thought. No more important than yours.

 

[maxiesmom]

I know...but they shouldn't be .

Your opinion and you are welcome to it. Many of us disagree, and resent your presenting it as a fact. It is not a fact, it is your opinion.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I think they should make it available everywhere! I would love to be able to not have to stand in 2 separate lines to get kids a Mickey bar and get myself an adult beverage!

 

[sponica]

Last year when I was in AK I had a delicious mango margarita purchased from a standalone kiosk and maybe I'm misremembering from all the tequila I consumed but I don't recall seeing roving bands of drunks upending strollers.

I won't lie my cupholder on my stroller held gran marnier slushies, and margaritas. But to be fair, it WAS the first time I had gone on vacation with my in laws.

 

[gatour]

With the new attractions Animal Kingdom attendance has gone up, more people equals more people wanting drinks thus the need for more lounges. I imagine that the overall percenatage of people in the park that are drinking has remained the same. Once Star Wars opens up at Disney Hollywood Studion the same will happen.

As someone said, if someone is having a drink in a lounge that means they are not riding attractions. Me and my wife are perfect examples of this, back when we were regularly visiting the parks. We would go into a park maybe ride a few rides, have a meal and then find a lounge/sitting area near a place for me to get drinks. We just wanted to soak up the atomsphere, people watch and read.

If being on vacation is not an appropriate time to have a drink, then when is? Especially at WDW, where many people are using Disney transportation and not driving.

You better not go to Europe, where it is common for parents allowing their kids to have a drink of wine with dinner.

 

[Garyjames220]

I don't understand the whole there shouldn't be mentality. Don't drink if you don't want to. Seems fairly easy.

Yeah me to. When I’m traveling all the way from UK and spending thousands, not to mention the stress of everyday life and work, I like to have a few drinks on holiday that’s for sure

 

[rentayenta]

Yeah me to. When I’m traveling all the way from UK and spending thousands, not to mention the stress of everyday life and work, I like to have a few drinks on holiday that’s for sure

Absolutely (pun intended). LOL! I like vodka based drinks.




From the tone of the original post and having lived in Utah 24 years (now back in CA), I wonder if there is some sort of religious component? Not that it matters but the *shouldn't be* sounds very familiar to the dominant culture/religious influence.

Carry on.........

 

[katmatry]

My only complaint is that there's no lounge in MK. I would love to see a lounge at Tom Sawyers Island where the quick service used to be. A cocktail and a few apps out there would be so relaxing.

 

[BrianL]

Alcohol is always a touchy subject for people, especially at Disney. I'm a non-drinker myself, but I don't really care that they serve alcohol at the parks. I haven't noticed people overindulging too often, and unless that becomes a problem and starts to affect the atmosphere, I don't think having one more bar is a big deal. Sure, there are the stories of things getting out of hand at the Food & Wine Festival, but really I think incidents are few and far between. Heck, the most drunk person I ever saw at Disney was actually in MK (where they didn't even have it at table service at the time), and all he was doing was loudly singing along with the Boo to You parade (he knew the words too!). I mean, so, whatever. It's not a problem as of now, and, hey, if people want to spend exorbitant Disney prices on some alcoholic beverages, that's fine with me.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I am curious why you equate no alcohol with being uptight or with drudgery. Many people live joyful and fulfilled lives and never drink. I don’t have a problem with others drinking responsibly whenever they choose to (key word being responsible- like don’t drink and drive). I personally choose not to drink because I have never acquired the taste for it (it just really tastes bad to me) and have not considered my life to be uptight or full of drudgery as a result. My family drinks socially (but not to excess) and I don’t feel like I have missed out by not participating. For decades there was no alcohol available in the parks and people came anyway. I don’t think alcohol should be a big deal so long as people aren’t so drunk that they can’t walk or are throwing up or passing out, but no one in my family would stay away from a venue just because there was no alcohol served.

I don’t think it’s a money grab either. I save that for things like charging overnight resort guests for parking.

I actually don’t drink either! I don’t like the way it tastes or the way it makes me feel. I have traveled with people, though, that do see WDW as a place that has nothing geared for adults and, therefore, is drudgery. IMHO, WDW is coming up with things that have a more “adult” appeal to market to a broader base. I guess my point is, I don’t have a problem with it. If I can use Nomad as a lure to even get DH to go to AK, I’ll take it!

 

[cadien]

I am curious why you equate no alcohol with being uptight or with drudgery. Many people live joyful and fulfilled lives and never drink. I don’t have a problem with others drinking responsibly whenever they choose to (key word being responsible- like don’t drink and drive). I personally choose not to drink because I have never acquired the taste for it (it just really tastes bad to me) and have not considered my life to be uptight or full of drudgery as a result. My family drinks socially (but not to excess) and I don’t feel like I have missed out by not participating. For decades there was no alcohol available in the parks and people came anyway. I don’t think alcohol should be a big deal so long as people aren’t so drunk that they can’t walk or are throwing up or passing out, but no one in my family would stay away from a venue just because there was no alcohol served.

They did specify temperance as being uptight, not just no alcohol. It is the stance no one should be allowed alcohol because it's evil. As opposed to just personally non-drinking.

 

[RolloTomasi]

I won't lie my cupholder on my stroller held gran marnier slushies, and margaritas. But to be fair, it WAS the first time I had gone on vacation with my in laws.

Mmmm Grand Marnier slushies...

In seriousness though, the drinks are already available outside of table service. They’re available at carts, without having to sit down and order. AK hasn’t turned into Bourbon Street thus far so I think it’ll survive one more overpriced lounge.

 

[ShadeDK]

Thinking about this more - I really can't agree that this place is a money grab. You know what is a money grab? Imposing fees that make it more expensive to park at the resort and drink in my car than enjoy a cocktail at the new lounge.

Might I recommend, if you have problems with the availability of alcohol in the parks, don't buy any. You could also write a letter, conveying your concerns, to Disney.

I always see posts about people who contact Disney about complaints and then receive a response along with some sort of compensation/refund/etc. This is one where I could wholly get behind Disney expressing its regret about the complaint and then offering to treat the first round of drinks.

Still can't get too excited about this place. Although I'd change my mind in a split second if they ran with this concept and called it something like "Jock Lindsey's Outpost".

 

[FastPass Dad]

You sound like so much fun! We should get all banged up on margaritas together in Mexico and then go drunk driving on Test Track!

 

[BayouQueen]

Well, I do agree with the OP. The thing is, Disney parks have always been places where families and friends gather together and have Fun. Let’s face it...families are complex, as are groups of friends. All it takes is one person in the group who is very “booze focused,” and suddenly the day’s agenda changes, the time on attractions with the kids diminishes, the search for family-friendly snacks goes on the back burner, etc., etc.

I just think it’s a healthier, happier time if liquor isn’t around every corner. And I say this even though I’m a girl who very much enjoys an Old Fashioned.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I wouldn’t call it a money grab. To me, a money grab is increasing prices on something popular unnecessarily because they know people will still pay it. Like doubling the cost of a dessert party

...charging for nightly parking at one',s resort...

My only complaint is that there's no lounge in MK. I would love to see a lounge at Tom Sawyers Island where the quick service used to be. A cocktail and a few apps out there would be so relaxing.

Nope. Absolutely not. Blasphemy!!!

But seriously, Tom Sawyer Island has mobility access challenges. Too discriminatory.

 

[maxiesmom]

I also find it odd that some posters don't see that a "money grab" is not the same thing as "maximizing profits".

I also don't think that a place where family and friends gather necessarily means that has to be without alcohol.

 

[KenHutch]

As much time as Disney spends trying to find ways to take more of my money I really don't mind the alcohol thing. I freely admit I quit drinking years ago when I was given my first platoon. I was not going to be that Marine saying one thing to my troops and acting another. I have seen people drinking to much but in the parks they always seem to have it under control. For the 1st time this past June I saw openly drunk people in Disney Springs but after reading a lot on this and other sites I came to the conclusion that I just went there to late in the evening. Simple solution go earlier. After looking at some of the prices for the booze I really do wonder thou. Why it can cost a pretty penny to drink at Disney but to each his own.

 

[BayouQueen]

I also find it odd that some posters don't see that a "money grab" is not the same thing as "maximizing profits".

I also don't think that a place where family and friends gather necessarily means that has to be without alcohol.

Well, for instance, we have certain family members who are a little too attracted by alcohol and they shift the agenda in not a good way. We don’t invite them along anymore. I find it sad that they are excluded.

I recognize that the ship has sailed and adult beverages are going to be a steady part of the park equation, and we’ll all adjust to that, but I still think Walt Disney had it right in the first place. He was wise in so many ways. And so I understand OP’s point of view.