[Chat] Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

[Sorcerer's Apprentice]

Now, I know I've seen this discussed over the years. I am one that agrees with the current status. (beer at DCA, and only served at C33).

Recently I noticed someone concerned about the influence of adults walking around in Carsland and Bugsland carrying alcoholic beverages purchased inside the resort.

My questions are?

Should the consumption be eliminated in order to re-image DCA as a "family" park?
Should consumption be restricted to the vacinity in which the beverage is served?


Or is it just fine the way it is?

[Pinrar]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

I put other. I say alcohol requires a ticket scan so only limited amount of drinks per hour per person and only at select restaurants. This would solve the one concern walt had with booze and eliminate the rowdiness.

[Stormy]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

I voted to leave the status quo. I admit that I was surprised to see people walking around DCA with beer cups. I was under the impression that alcohol consumption was buy it here/drink it here/you can't walk around with it. I hadn't been to DCA since 2005 & it seems to me that was the way it was then. Am I wrong?

I don't recall seeing anyone 'the worse for wear' when we were there last month. Of course, the parks closed at 8pm & it was midweek. Might be different when they're open til midnight or have the Mad Tea Party going.

[fifthrider]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

Back when this was a topic on another thread I offered that I was personally familiar with friends who had smuggled their own booze into the park or arrived at the park drunk. I was concerned about admitting that because the "legalize everything" contingent on this board might latch onto that and point out that you might as well sell alcohol everywhere int he park because "everyone's doing it anyways". ( A terrible line of logic I hear used too often today. )

Regardless whether you're for it or against it, or somewhere in-between keep this example in mind. A common tool in law enforcement is to enforce quality of life issues to drive out the undesirable element and keep a place safe. If you can't be there to bust the drug dealers at the exact moment they make the deal ( before running off ) then at least go on the offensive for everything from jaywalking to spitting, etc. After a couple of weeks of that nitpicky level of enforcement the dangerous element finds themselves weeded out thanks to arrest warrants discovered, either that or they just move onto other places and leave only the law abiding behind. End result = problem is no longer there.

In reality you'll never keep alcohol related issues out of the park 100% but you sure can give it your best try and owe it to your paying public to do so. I've never seen a drunk person in a fight at Disneyland but I've sure read plenty of posts here by people who've seen that. ( I suppose if I saw that I'd think "What is this place? Magic Mountain?" ) Whether DL Allows it or just monitors it very heavily, I expect them to monitor quality-of-life issues as a means to find who's a problem and who's not. Some people can handle a half dozen drinks and never be a problem, some have one and turn into Mr. Hyde.

I wish the park luck on whatever it chooses to do and however they intend to handle it.

[clara]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

I've never seen a drunk person in a fight at Disneyland but I've sure read plenty of posts here by people who've seen that. ( I suppose if I saw that I'd think "What is this place? Magic Mountain?")

This made me laugh...

I've never seen a drunken brawl at DCA ever but what I have noticed is that security has increased at things such as the Mad T Party where alcohol is served and coupled with dancing (which imitates a club like environment).

From my experience, I say leave it the way it is. I know there is a 2 drink limit per person (please correct me if I'm wrong). It seems to be working fine.

[pushforth]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

I remember reading somewhere that Walt's reasoning for keeping Alchohol from being sold publicly in Disneyland Park is that he believed is separated the parent from the child. I agree.

I keep reading the argument that responsible adults should be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in the park. Some even go so far as to say it really really irritates them that they can't.

I am of the thinking that if you're that irritated about it, then maybe you should be at a bar, not at Disneyland. If you not being able to drink at Disneyland is so bothersome, then I don't really feel that you're all that responsible about it.

As for DCA selling alcohol - well - Walt Disney didn't have much to do with DCA, did he?

[Sunshine711]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

I am of the thinking that if you're that irritated about it, then maybe you should be at a bar, not at Disneyland. If you not being able to drink at Disneyland is so bothersome, then I don't really feel that you're all that responsible about it.

As for DCA selling alcohol - well - Walt Disney didn't have much to do with DCA, did he?

I agree with you on this pushforth, if you're only there for a few days, why do you need it? How will it make your experience any better? I know alot of my friends wanted to drink EVERYWHERE after we turned 21 (beer and pancakes at Denny's). I didn't think it was necessary, I also don't think it's necessary at a Disney park. Not that I'm condemning alcohol, but theres a time and a place.

[biggsworth]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

As I have always said I wouldn't mind it in the parks. People can get alcohol anywhere and wander into the parks makes no difference to me.

[Jerryp49]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

In DCA by the Cocina Cucamonga on the wharf, the beer truck there stunk real bad , like stale beer in the heat. Really takes something away.

[calsig31]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

I really hope the keep it out of Disneyland. This company has thrown so many of Walt's ideals out the window, it would be nice if they kept this one.

As to the argument that people can just smuggle in their own alcohol so Disney may as well sell it, people can also smuggle in their own weed but that doesn't mean Disney should open a pot clinic next to the Carnation Cafe.

[bisforbrittney]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

i say leave it as it is. i like that disneyland has stuck to walt's rule, and as a previous poster mentioned, walt really didn't have a say in dca's rules. though there are the pixar lands, i've always viewed dca as being aimed more towards older crowds, and so i think it fits.

as a young adult (just turned 22) with no kids, i can say, from my perspective, it's nice to have the option of alcohol at dca to take the edge off when there's kids/lines/my own family driving me nuts and i'm stuck waiting for two hours while the others do their thing. but again, from my own stand point, i'm not saying i'm getting trashed while i'm waiting either, so individual differences really play a role when considering alcohol.

also, i've never personally seen a fight break out due to alcohol, and for those who have, we never know if that's from alcohol they purchased at the park or that they snuck in.

[lnml]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

I am of the thinking that if you're that irritated about it, then maybe you should be at a bar, not at Disneyland. If you not being able to drink at Disneyland is so bothersome, then I don't really feel that you're all that responsible about it.

As for DCA selling alcohol - well - Walt Disney didn't have much to do with DCA, did he?

Personally, I'm all for things staying as they are (seems you are too), but I also want to address your quote above... I feel like it is possible, as an adult, to have nostalgic "rituals" that can be related to having a drink. For my husband and I, visiting Disneyland+DCA is totally a ritual, we have all these little things we do on each trip, it's just part of our enjoyment of the parks. Full disclosure: we don't have kids, and we probably won't. We don't mind other people's kids (I usually get a kick out of watching the kids, actually), but kids aren't what Disneyland is about for us.

One of our rituals, since DCA's been around, has been going to the Cove Bar and having a couple Bloody Marys at lunch time (it began after a truly heinous car trip, but led to such a fun and relaxing afternoon it become part of our Disney repertoire, plus, the Cove Bar BMs are amazing). Do we get drunk? Nope. Is it a totally fun tradition, and would I miss it—a lot—if alcohol were banned? Absolutely. A person could argue that we could come up with a new ritual, not involving alcohol, but I could use that argument for anyone missing anything taken off Disney property (favorite attractions, restaurants, etc).

I think for a lot of people what the anti-alcohol argument comes down to is whether Disney is for "kids first" or not, and if "kids first" is defined as adults second. I know I have experienced things at Dland where I've been made to feel like a second-class citizen (by other guests) for not having kids, or having my trip/enjoyment be about kids. I do think there's some lingering element of that in these questions about alcohol that could be discussed as well (and were brought up some in the last forum too, I think).

I don't mean to pick on you since your comment was made politely and in a totally reasonable way, I just saw the opportunity to explain "the other side" a bit... I can see the votes in the poll lean towards the status quo, but the comments seem to lean toward dry county.

[christianAdam]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

From my experience, I say leave it the way it is. I know there is a 2 drink limit per person (please correct me if I'm wrong). It seems to be working fine.

Definitely not a 2 drink limit. Trust me :whistling

[DARTH MAUL]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

It's fine as it is. It's regulated extremely well and it is a legal activity. Don't punish me cause a few people can't handle themselves maturely. Tell a CM and they'll deal with it very promptly. I say put it in both parks and pour me a glass.

[Erik Olson]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

Grew up at Disneyland in the 70s, now take my kids to WDW annually. I drink plenty when I'm at home. It's not a problem. Really. But a beer or two or cocktail or three when we have friends over isn't at all uncommon. I'm no teetotaler.

Although I do occasionally drink one or two beverages with meals in WDW parks, I think I could easily skip consumption in the parks altogether if it wasn't accessible. Alcohol doesn't add anything to the family experience in the parks. Maybe some parents use in-park libation to take that late-day edge off with a drink and maybe that "little helper" works for some when it comes to keeping the peace.

If I went to WDW for my 5/6 day package and could only drink in resort hotels or off-property, that would be just fine. I don't need booze so much that I'd smuggle it in like Don Draper because I prefer that over a sober family experience. Voted to leave it status quo because I'm a liberal fellow who doesn't like to ruin it for everyone else.

[Poisonedapples]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

Now, I know I've seen this discussed over the years. I am one that agrees with the current status. (beer at DCA, and only served at C33).

Recently I noticed someone concerned about the influence of adults walking around in Carsland and Bugsland carrying alcoholic beverages purchased inside the resort.

My questions are?

Should the consumption be eliminated in order to re-image DCA as a "family" park?
Should consumption be restricted to the vacinity in which the beverage is served?


Or is it just fine the way it is?

why? why are you concerned about what other people are doing at the parks??? why you so concerned with a adult who is of legal drinking age carrying a beer around and enjoying it while strolling through bugs land??

If an adult wants to enjoy his or her time at DCA and have a glass of wine while waiting for RSR so be it!! They are enjoying themselves.. and so i say leave the alcohol at DCA the way it is. it's fine. no need to go fixing something that isn't broken

---------- Post added 10-11-2012 at 04:02 PM ----------

I put other. I say alcohol requires a ticket scan so only limited amount of drinks per hour per person and only at select restaurants. This would solve the one concern walt had with booze and eliminate the rowdiness.

People are only allowed 2 per person per hour.. so i think that is pretty much regulated just fine. and i never see rowdiness..

---------- Post added 10-11-2012 at 04:07 PM ----------

I voted to leave the status quo. I admit that I was surprised to see people walking around DCA with beer cups. I was under the impression that alcohol consumption was buy it here/drink it here/you can't walk around with it. I hadn't been to DCA since 2005 & it seems to me that was the way it was then. Am I wrong?

I don't recall seeing anyone 'the worse for wear' when we were there last month. Of course, the parks closed at 8pm & it was midweek. Might be different when they're open til midnight or have the Mad Tea Party going.

it's always been walk around the park anywhere in the park with a alcoholic beverage..and DCA is not open till midnight and i never have seen Mad T get out of hand

[Monorail Man]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

Ever since the bars opened at DCA, and the dance parties have started up, Security has gotten really good about knowing when someone is just having a good time not bothering anyone, and when they have had too much. Plainclothes are throughout the park now, in much more density than before.

As long there is such an awesome Security team at Disneyland, I would leave it as it is. They do a really good job, are super helpful, and keep things under control quite well. As for leaving it out of general days at Disneyland, I totally agree. The D23 anniversary event (hard ticket) had drinks in Fantasyland (Beer and Wine) and that felt a little classy.

[GhostHostJeff]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

I think its funny that although you cannot drink in Disneyland there are a number of attractions that feature characters drinking such as POTC, HM, and Toad.

[Pinrar]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

People are only allowed 2 per person per hour.. so i think that is pretty much regulated just fine. and i never see rowdiness..

-

Thanks I didn't know they already did this. But I can see them being more strict at DL with scanning tickets.

[KellyMcG86]

Re: Alcoholic beverages at the Disneyland Resort

People are only allowed 2 per person per hour.. so i think that is pretty much regulated just fine. and i never see rowdiness..

I agree with your points/opinions, but I'm curious about the 2 drinks/hour minimum. I know it's two drinks per person per order, but I don't see how they can limit per hour? There's no tracking system that I am aware of, and I know we have broken that "rule". Does anyone know if and how this is enforced? Or if it even is an actual rule?

Again, not trying to argue with ya! Just curious!