MK New Beak and Barrel - Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge

[doctornick]

It’s not a misstep, it’s the point. Disney is spending money to build themed bars that primarily sell alcohol because they really want guests to drink alcohol.

They have 8 non-alcoholic drinks at Oga's so your conclusion does not follow. I'm sure they are just as happy to sell overpriced food as well as alcohol.

 

[BrianLo]

You brought up cruises earlier and I should have noted - you’re spot on. The themed bars are a model Disney perfected and grew fond of on DCL. It will surprise no one that I think they’re almost as bad an idea there. I don’t think the proliferation of themed bars on cruise ships necessarily indicates sweeping changes in cultural attitudes at large to alcohol - it’s just a model Disney really wants to import to land for many reasons.

And I know this is exceedingly anecdotal. I find Canada is about 10 years ahead of major US societal shifts. Be it smoking bans, cannabis, gay marriage, etc. We also of course drink earlier.

I can see how depending on where people hail from this presents itself as a progressive maneuver. But kids around moderated alcohol consumption venues seems to have been socially acceptable for a generation now up here.

Like I’ve said, I’ve just never felt Disney are progressive when it comes to these type of things and it’s likely a fairly puritanical take to think this is stepping over much of a line. I can’t imagine a single peer who would blink at this as being a progressive North American venue.

 

[doctornick]

As to other locations that are dedicated bars that welcome children, many craft breweries are very welcoming of families - some I frequent even does special family events (we went to one recently that brought in a petting zoo and pony rides). Now some will serve food too but the primary source of revenue is alcohol

Our local vineyard - which the only thing they sell is wine - is extremely popular with families who come and picnic on the weekends (they have live music). And that involves a cover charge to get in.

And honestly brew pubs seems to be perfectly popular with families in the past couple of decades. There's one of them near us that lots of people with young kids go to that has food trucks. I guess I'm really confused as to why anyone would think Beak & Barrel is not clearly family friendly.

Heck, my kids get annoyed that Trader Sam's becomes adult only at night. We went there once but don't generally go since the time we would do so after the parks isn't available for them. And we'd want to visit as a family.

 

[plutofan15]

Urging corporate and personal responsibility are absolutely not incompatible. You can absolutely blame companies for deliberately encouraging destructive behavior. We certainly did it with Joe Camel and other attempts to push smoking on children. That DOESN’T mean that you should litigate against it and it DOESN’T mean people aren’t responsible for their own actions. Those are separate issues. It just means being part of a mega corporation doesn’t absolve you of that responsibility.

Also, criticizing a company for its actions on its own property is not “autocratic” in the least.

Except that Disney or Universal is not "deliberately encouraging destructive behavior" (again so very dramatic). Who are you or I to demand that something be removed or not allowed to happen or exist because we do not approve? Society from the Oval Office down to classroom has become one that always blames someone else if something bad or unwanted happens. It seems that nobody takes ownership of their actions or decisions any longer, always looking for someone to blame. If your opinion is that Disney should not be serving alcohol in their parks, fine good for you. But that doesn't mean that it shouldn't happen for the others who do want to properly enjoy a drink or two. If you do not like these bars/restaurants, just walk on by and let those who do like them enjoy their time there. No children are going to become raging alcoholics because Disney has themed bars in their parks.

 

[BrianLo]

As an aside, for some reason I thought there wasn’t actually food here with the way it is being discussed. But there are some interesting light bites. Shout out to Disney culinary doing something actually enticing for bland Magic Kingdom and serving octopus.

I’m not trying to overstep anyone else’s valid opinions, but from my purview this looks like a real home run. Which is quite forthcoming and honestly a childless Disney-Adult take. I have a conga line of peers I’ll go to WDW with for the next decade and this definitely will be on my short list if it’s any good. Along with Skipper Canteen that is about the only passable venue MK has.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Except that Disney or Universal is not "deliberately encouraging destructive behavior" (again so very dramatic). Who are you or I to demand that something be removed or not allowed to happen or exist because we do not approve? Society from the Oval Office down to classroom has become one that always blames someone else if something bad or unwanted happens. It seems that nobody takes ownership of their actions or decisions any longer, always looking for someone to blame. If your opinion is that Disney should not be serving alcohol in their parks, fine good for you. But that doesn't mean that it shouldn't happen for the others who do want to properly enjoy a drink or two. If you do not like these bars/restaurants, just walk on by and let those who do like them enjoy their time there. No children are going to become raging alcoholics because Disney has themed bars in their parks.

People are allowed to give opinions on things even if you disagree with them.

 

[doctornick]

This exactly. It has gotten to the point where I hate being in Epcot after mid afternoon or so. Besides wall to wall crowds in World Showcase, you have drunks and obnoxious people everywhere. People should absolutely have a drink and enjoy themselves if that's what they want to do. But the out of control behavior is getting old.

When I read things like this, I legitimately think I'm going to a different place than other posters. Because outside of rare occurrences, I haven't witnessed this type of behavior in World Showcase very often. I mean, I certainly see people drinking, but not in such a way or to an extent that it would affect any other guest.

 

[plutofan15]

People are allowed to give opinions on things even if you disagree with them.

Agree 100% and have never said otherwise. I am stating my opinion on the subject.

 

[FigmentFan82]

Everything about this place looks just fantastic! I’m a big fan of trader Sam’s so this is right up my alley! Excited to see what the first public reactions are once they officially open and see how people’s experiences are with it

 

[KDM31091]

When I read things like this, I legitimately think I'm going to a different place than other posters. Because outside of rare occurrences, I haven't witnessed this type of behavior in World Showcase very often. I mean, I certainly see people drinking, but not in such a way or to an extent that it would affect any other guest.

Well, the packed and hard to walk part has been true almost any night I've been there. The level of drunken / unruly guests fluctuates but has definitely been an issue before, enough that I don't love being in the area at night.

 

[doctornick]

As an aside, for some reason I thought there wasn’t actually food here with the way it is being discussed. But there are some interesting light bites. Shout out to Disney culinary doing something actually enticing for bland Magic Kingdom and serving octopus.

I thought the food at Oga's was actually interesting and tasty (though overpriced for what you get). And as I check the menu, I see that they expanded the offerings and now have four different plates (it was only two originally). So perhaps we might see some expansion of the menu (with either food or non-alcoholic drinks) at Beak & Barrel too in the future.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

All 2 of them?

You only have 2 hands, how many more drinks are you enjoying at one time?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Is this something Disney is planning on doing?

Disney had said they wouldn’t get into gambling until they decided to get into gambling with ESPN Bet. They also claimed they wouldn’t build dedicated alcohol venues at Magic Kingdom, that Be Our Guest was a one off to match culinary expectations.

 

[doctornick]

No children are going to become raging alcoholics because Disney has themed bars in their parks.

The irony being that I think being permissive with children in drinking environments is actually helpful to prevent them from become alcoholics. Being able to witness that alcohol use is something that responsible adults can do without it being some weird "forbidden fruit" tends to lessen the fascination with drinking and getting drunk once kids are able to get access. I always find it interesting when travelling in Europe where it's just a nothing burger to have teens/young adults drink and my impression in that you don't see the destructive behavior you can find in college aged students in the USA.

 

[Chi84]

None of this answers my question. I don’t think Disney will build a casino in their parks either. But would you oppose it?

After all, someone who overindulges in gambling in a theme park casino is much, much less likely to negatively impact the experience of other guests then someone who overindulges in alcohol. We have several posters pointing out how booze has hurt EPCOT, and I suspect many of us have experience with that.

I’m sorry. No I wouldn’t oppose it.

I’m not good with hypotheticals for the same reason I don’t like board games.

They waste your time and ultimately have no point.

Again, only my opinion.

 

[plutofan15]

The irony being that I think being permissive with children in drinking environments is actually helpful to prevent them from become alcoholics. Being able to witness that alcohol use is something that responsible adults can do without it being some weird "forbidden fruit" tends to lessen the fascination with drinking and getting drunk once kids are able to get access. I always find it interesting when travelling in Europe where it's just a nothing burger to have teens/young adults drink and my impression in that you don't see the destructive behavior you can find in college aged students in the USA.

Absolutely agree. Was going to post something similar myself.

 

[easyrowrdw]

I doubt there will ever be in park gambling. But for now the company has drawn a line at their cruise ships and broader resort. Though it is a very thin line when major family friendly cruise operators like RCL have and will continue to offer casinos. I assume this will fall at some point (ignoring that I don’t know gambling state rules in Florida).

Disney had said they wouldn’t get into gambling until they decided to get into gambling with ESPN Bet. They also claimed they wouldn’t build dedicated alcohol venues at Magic Kingdom, that Be Our Guest was a one off to match culinary expectations.

I think these are two good points. Disney has the option for gambling on cruises and has chosen not to go that direction. On the other hand, they've done it in other ways. Legal issues in Florida aside, gambling is proliferating across the country so maybe Disney would do it. I dunno. They've done a lot of things I wouldn't have expected.

 

[DisneyHead123]

I think this is kind of my point. The symbol - 67 - is a mark of group identification and symbolizes emotion without evoking it. Things like this have always existed, but they are becoming a dominant cultural mode.

The only thing I disagree a bit on is that I would say they almost entirely embody an emotion, without symbolizing anything. Other than that, yeah, I think we agree. It's like a generation embodying that exchange from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, lol:

"Why is everything here completely pointless?"
"Candy doesn't have to have a point. That's why it's candy".

 

[Casper Gutman]

The irony being that I think being permissive with children in drinking environments is actually helpful to prevent them from become alcoholics. Being able to witness that alcohol use is something that responsible adults can do without it being some weird "forbidden fruit" tends to lessen the fascination with drinking and getting drunk once kids are able to get access. I always find it interesting when travelling in Europe where it's just a nothing burger to have teens/young adults drink and my impression in that you don't see the destructive behavior you can find in college aged students in the USA.

A quick glance seems to show that the UK has a significantly higher alcohol disorder rate than the US (12% to 8%). The rates of alcoholism in the US and France are nearly identical but France has a much higher rate of alcohol-related deaths.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think these are two good points. Disney has the option for gambling on cruises and has chosen not to go that direction. On the other hand, they've done it in other ways. Legal issues in Florida aside, gambling is proliferating across the country so maybe Disney would do it. I dunno. They've done a lot of things I wouldn't have expected.

I’d be a lot more okay with a casino on a ship than ESPN Bet. These online gambling platforms do target minors and bad/problem gamblers. At some point the subsequent rise in bankruptcies and other problems in their new markets is no longer just an odd correlation.

I also do not believe for a second that the continued lack of casinos is anything other than Disney Cruise Line being a premier brand that does get better returns on the floor space a casino would occupy.