[Chat] Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

[Steve DeGaetano]

Last year, MC'er Brenden posed a question about Walt's opinions regarding alcohol in Disneyland. That thread can be found here for reference:

http://micechat.com/forums/disneylan...s-opinion.html

No one could come up with a quote; in fact, several people suggested that unless a direct quote from Walt could be found, there was absolutely no basis for suggesting that the no alcohol policy was his--the massive amounts of circumstantial evidence notwithstanding. Quotes from people who knew and worked with Walt were even discounted.

Well, here is a quote, from Walt Disney himself, made to journalist Pete Martin for the Saturday Evening Post in the summer of 1956, when asked about how Disneyland was so different from other amusement parks:

No liquor, no beer, nothing. Because that brings in a rowdy element. That brings people that we don't want and I feel they don't need it. I feel when I go down to the park I don't need a drink. I work around that place all day and I don't have one. After I come out of a heavy day at the studio sometimes I want a drink to relax.

I trust this now settles the debate.

[penguinsoda]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

No, I'm pretty sure it will just start up the debate again as to why there is alcohol in DCA..... since Walt didn't want alcohol in "his park" and by extension, DCA is also Walt's park. :whistling:

[Mr Wiggins]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

^ No problem there -- DCA is Michael & Bob's park. The only thing "Walt" about it is the statue and BVS, both of which are there to sell Walt as a brand.

[phantasmic]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

I love beer, straight liquor, and cocktails as much as anyone, but I have ZERO problem with them not being anywhere inside a Disney theme park

Downtown Disney restaurants with bars is as far as I think it should go

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

I mean as long as it's not made into a event like Mad T Party....I would not be made seeing Wine or Beer in the parks....I understand the parties make more money but it feels...so un-Disney to me

[mickdaddy]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

I am ok with it in the other parks but to me it would ruin the feel of Disneyland to have alcohol there. Good find on the quote!

[brenden]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

Thanks for the followup!
There's always Trader Sam's! :thumbup:

[calsig31]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

I am far from being one of those Volsteaders involved with the Temperance Movement, but I am happy with the ban on alcohol in Disneyland. It was Walt's wish and one of the few things that Walt wanted that Disney still follows. By extension, I am also fine with them keeping it out of all Magic Kingdom style parks as they were built following his Disneyland model.

The other parks are different, on the other hand. Some of them stretch so far from Walt's vision that they seem like something else entirely. If Disney wants to put alcohol in those, I don't really have a problem with it.

[Erik Olson]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

I love a good drink - probably too often, actually - but I could do without liquor in any of the parks. My kids are to the point where they know when my wife and I are drinking and that what we're having is different from what they're having. And even though daddy really does like "a little helper" every once in a while, I prefer to be 100% in the family moment when I'm in the park atmosphere. Back at the hotel or in a Downtown Disney establishment, I have no such reservations.

[Stormy]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

Count me firmly in the no alcohol in Disneyland camp. For some reason, it just seems wrong, sorry. I like a nice adult beverage as much as the next gal, but it just wouldn't feel right. Disneyland is just so wrapped up in my childhood & the innocence of pure joy that it just wouldn't seem right to drink alcohol there. You know, in all the times I've been to DL (well over 100 over my lifetime), I don't think I've ever seen anyone who looked like they were drunk.

As far as DCA, for whatever reason, I have no problem with it there, as long as it's kept in designated areas. As I recall, you had to stay in a specific place, you couldn't just walk around with a drink in your hand. Maybe it has to do with it being sold there from day one. Maybe it's because I've only been to DCA a couple of times in the early 2000s & never observed any problem. I admit I don't have the emotional attachment to DCA that I do to DL.

I do have a question for our frequent DCA visitors or for Cast Members; have any of you ever seen any alcohol-related problems, ie intoxicated guests making fools or nuisances of themselves at DCA?

[explodingboy]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

No, I'm pretty sure it will just start up the debate again as to why there is alcohol in DCA..... since Walt didn't want alcohol in "his park" and by extension, DCA is also Walt's park. :whistling:

I would hardly consider DCA to be Walt's park.

[bayouguy]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

I am glad there's no alcohol in Disneyland (Club 33 only). And I'm not opposed to it being served in DCA.

[JMazz]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

Well, here is a quote, from Walt Disney himself, made to journalist Pete Martin for the Saturday Evening Post in the summer of 1956, when asked about how Disneyland was so different from other amusement parks:

No liquor, no beer, nothing. Because that brings in a rowdy element. That brings people that we don't want and I feel they don't need it. I feel when I go down to the park I don't need a drink. I work around that place all day and I don't have one. After I come out of a heavy day at the studio sometimes I want a drink to relax.

I trust this now settles the debate.

1. At MC, things are rarely settled, let alone a debate.
2. So what's up? Did Walt just randomly send in quotable quotes to the Saturday Evening Post? What was the question and context? It sounds very work related and not guest related.
3. Source? Cannot say something is settled w/out the source details.

JFTR, I feel DL doesn't need beer and wine. It was a success for 57 yrs w/out it. I am not even sure there was a noticeable debate in the past on MC.

[animagusurreal]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

I've never minded that they don't serve alchohol at Disneyland and I wouldn't mind if they ever added it.

I did once enjoy a drink at the Cove Bar while watching World of Color .

Regarding the quote, I wonder if Walt was trying to avoid Disneyland being associated with carnivals where alchohol might be served (something I don't think Disneyland has to worry about anymore).

[Steve DeGaetano]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

1. At MC, things are rarely settled, let alone a debate.

This debate is. Q.E.D.

2. So what's up? Did Walt just randomly send in quotable quotes to the Saturday Evening Post? What was the question and context? It sounds very work related and not guest related.

"Guest-related?" I have no idea what that means. And no, Walt didn't just "send quotable quotes" to a magazine. It was an interview, which--though not stated outright--was sort of implied by the "when asked..." phrase in my post.

Here's the question and answer in full:

Pete Martin: Let's talk a little about Disneyland and how it's so different from other amusement parks.

Walt: It really takes a person more than a day to see the park without exhausting themselves. And as I get these new things in, it's going to take more time. It's one of those things that people who come in here for the first time and everything's there and they sort of make a hog of themselves, you see? Well, a lot of people come back the third time and just like to sit and listen to the band, see the horses going around. I like to go down and sit by the river and watch the people. Chewing gum sticks up things so we don't sell it. And peanut shells. We sell the unshelled. But shelled peanuts, they just crumble them and throw them all over the place. And nothing with round sticks. People trip on them. The ice cream bars got flat sticks and I won't sell any of this spun candy because the kids get it and get it all over everything and people get it on their hands. No liquor, no beer, nothing. Because that brings in a rowdy element. That brings people that we don't want and I feel they don't need it. I feel when I go down to the park I don't need a drink. I work around that place all day and I don't have one. After I come out of a heavy day at the studio sometimes I want a drink to relax. When it comes to Disneyland, I feel I've given the public everything I can give them. My daughter, Diane, says that I spend too much time around the house talking about how I can give them more for their money when they come to the park. You've got to build. You've got to keep it clean. You don't want to walk in a dirty toilet. I won't have 'em. My toilets are spic and span. And you know another thing, I have to have police so there's no child molesters there. I've got plainclothesmen. They can leave their kids to run around and I have safety inspectors. It's run in a high class manner and I have a high class clientele. The people who go to the park are from all walks of life but they look like solid Americans. That's pretty high class.

3. Source? Cannot say something is settled w/out the source details.

I gave you the source.

[ShelbyH]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

Totally silly, but my first thought upon reading this thread title was that old anti-drug commercial, "This is alcohol. This is Walt on alcohol, at Disneyland. Any questions?" with a mental image of a drunk Walt staggering down MS.

It's been a long day, okay? :lol:

[Steve DeGaetano]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

You sound like you need a drink...

[explodingboy]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

1. At MC, things are rarely settled, let alone a debate.
2. So what's up? Did Walt just randomly send in quotable quotes to the Saturday Evening Post? What was the question and context? It sounds very work related and not guest related.
3. Source? Cannot say something is settled w/out the source details.

JFTR, I feel DL doesn't need beer and wine. It was a success for 57 yrs w/out it. I am not even sure there was a noticeable debate in the past on MC.

This debate is. Q.E.D.

"Guest-realeted?" I have no idea what that means. And no, Walt didn't just "send quotable quotes" to a magazine. It was an interview, which--though not stated outright--was sort of implied by the "when asked..." phrase in my post.

Here's the question and answer in full:

Pete Martin: Let's talk a little about Disneyland and how it's so different from other amusement parks.

Walt: It really takes a person more than a day to see the park without exhausting themselves. And as I get these new things in, it's going to take more time. It's one of those things that people who come in here for the first time and everything's there and they sort of make a hog of themselves, you see? Well, a lot of people come back the third time and just like to sit and listen to the band, see the horses going around. I like to go down and sit by the river and watch the people. Chewing gum sticks up things so we don't sell it. And peanut shells. We sell the unshelled. But shelled peanuts, they just crumble them and throw them all over the place. And nothing with round sticks. People trip on them. The ice cream bars got flat sticks and I won't sell any of this spun candy because the kids get it and get it all over everything and people get it on their hands. No liquor, no beer, nothing. Because that brings in a rowdy element. That brings people that we don't want and I feel they don't need it. I feel when I go down to the park I don't need a drink. I work around that place all day and I don't have one. After I come out of a heavy day at the studio sometimes I want a drink to relax. When it comes to Disneyland, I feel I've given the public everything I can give them. My daughter, Diane, says that I spend too much time around the house talking about how I can give them more for their money when they come to the park. You've got to build. You've got to keep it clean. You don't want to walk in a dirty toilet. I won't have 'em. My toilets are spic and span. And you know another thing, I have to have police so there's no child molesters there. I've got plainclothesmen. They can leave their kids to run around and I have safety inspectors. It's run in a high class manner and I have a high class clientele. The people who go to the park are from all walks of life but they look like solid Americans. That's pretty high class.

I gave you the source.

Game, set, match.

[Santoanderson]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

Well my opinion of alcohol at the Disney parks was cemented when I saw the video of that drunk dude hurling obscenities at passers-by in front of the Tower of Terror, while half a dozen twenty somethings egged him on as they slurped on beer...

[Steve DeGaetano]

Re: Walt on alcohol at Disneyland

Well my opinion of alcohol at the Disney parks was cemented when I saw the video of that drunk dude hurling obscenities at passers-by in front of the Tower of Terror, while half a dozen twenty somethings egged him on as they slurped on beer...

Because that brings in a rowdy element. That brings people that we don't want

Walt was right again--as usual...