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

[DisneyHead123]

That same Gallup survey now has consumption down to 54% of adults. That’s a nearly 13% drop over just two years and part of a large pattern of decreasing consumption.

U.S. Drinking Rate at New Low as Alcohol Concerns Surge

A record-low 54% of Americans say they drink alcohol, as a majority now believe moderate drinking is unhealthy.

news.gallup.com

I think it is dropping (probably because people have moved on to things that are worse for your brain but better for your liver, but that’s a discussion for another time.) That said, Disney’s customers are probably going to be the demographic that ranks highest in moderate alcohol consumption - and let’s be real, it’s not like this is some crazy shot in the dark for Disney. If they’re opening more lounges, it’s because they know cocktails sell.

The argument seems to be that a decrease in alcohol consumption couldn’t possibly correspond with a cultural shift in attitudes about drinking, and that just doesn’t logically follow. Maybe people saw drinking as a scourge when everyone partied their face off and now it’s something less common that your nice middle aged aunt does. Who knows, just saying a decrease in consumption and change in attitudes aren’t mutually exclusive.

 

[Figments Friend]

Alcohol is expensive.
Everything is more expensive now, and more people have less money to spend in some regards.
Understandable to see how consumption may have dropped a little.

I was under the impression it increased ten fold during the Covid Apocalypse a few years back.
Perhaps things have simmered down a bit…

-

 

[flyerjab]

That report really focuses in on what is deemed “moderate” consumption of alcohol, or one to two drinks a day. I wonder how that translates to people drinking on vacation. Also, of the number of MK guests on an average day, what percentage of that number could be served in this smallish lounge/bar? The percentage is very small because this location is in this enormous park with both a time and drink limit per person. Overall, it benefits the customer because it is another option for someplace to get out of the heat for a bit and experience an incredibly themed location, all while enjoying a drink and what amounts to an appetizer/snack. It also very much benefits Disney from a money perspective because they know people will want to go here.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That report really focuses in on what is deemed “moderate” consumption of alcohol, or one to two drinks a day. I wonder how that translates to people drinking on vacation. Also, of the number of MK guests on an average day, what percentage of that number could be served in this smallish lounge/bar? The percentage is very small because this location is in this enormous park with both a time and drink limit per person. Overall, it benefits the customer because it is another option for someplace to get out of the heat for a bit and experience an incredibly themed location, all while enjoying a drink and what amounts to an appetizer/snack. It also very much benefits Disney from a money perspective because they know people will want to go here.

So if MK is open from 9am to 11pm that is 14 hours or 840 minutes. Timeslots at Beak and Barrel are 45 minutes so that would mean 18.66 slots. The place can hold 154 guests so that means a total of 2,874.66 guests per day

Latest average daily attendance to MK i can find is for 2024 and is 48,548 meaning just under 6% of guests can get in on average

 

[Tha Realest]

I can’t find specific data, but unlikely that it is decreasing among Disney’s target audience, often college educated with relatively high incomes (because Disney ain’t cheap). Again, I don’t have comparative data over the decades, but drinking is more common with this group at this point in time. It’s declining among young people and teenagers in particular, which is great as no teenager in the US is of legal drinking age.

I hadn’t thought of the demographic changes and younger generations opting for other alternatives over drinking.

So, in my life time, we might see a Gummie Bears pop up and Vaping Talk with Crush.

 

[FutureCEO]

That same Gallup survey now has consumption down to 54% of adults. That’s a nearly 13% drop over just two years and part of a large pattern of decreasing consumption.

U.S. Drinking Rate at New Low as Alcohol Concerns Surge

A record-low 54% of Americans say they drink alcohol, as a majority now believe moderate drinking is unhealthy.

news.gallup.com

Everyone is too busy getting $7 drinks at Starbucks.

 

[LSLS]

Where is this massive cultural shift that kids belong in bars? I’ve got all sorts of bars around me - college bars, dive bars, honky tonks, upscale bars - and children would be out of place in all of them. Where are the stats backing up the shift? All I see is that drinking is declining in the US. Where is the pop culture reflection of this shift? The TV shows or movies with child-friendly bars? I think of bars on TV, I think of Always Sunny, Simpsons, Family Guy - all inappropriate places for children, something addressed in the shows. Now, those are all older shows, so maybe there’s a wave of programs or films I’ve missed that depict child-friendly bars.

Posters keep talking about this massive cultural shift and I’m very willing to accept evidence but I don’t see much. Themed bars have proliferated ON CRUISE SHIPS and are now being moved into Disney theme parks as the company tries to build on their cruise ship model, but that seems to be a very specific evolution and not part of some broader national trend.

I think there are a lot of definitions of bars going around here. I'd agree with the ones you listed. BUT, go to a sports bar, or a brewery, and you will see tons of kids. Now, are those truly bars? That's where the debate is in my opinion, because people aren't going there just for the bar stuff. They are there for food, or games, etc.

I also think it's worth pointing out that while there has been somewhat of a shift of bars being built to be more for families, kids being around alcohol is FAR from a new thing, it's just a venue change. It used to be drinks at home and cocktail parties, now it's go out for them.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I hadn’t thought of the demographic changes and younger generations opting for other alternatives over drinking.

So, in my life time, we might see a Gummie Bears pop up and Vaping Talk with Crush.

Duuuuude, I just popped some edibles and I am mentally floating in the EAC already

 

[KDM31091]

I think it is dropping (probably because people have moved on to things that are worse for your brain but better for your liver, but that’s a discussion for another time.) That said, Disney’s customers are probably going to be the demographic that ranks highest in moderate alcohol consumption - and let’s be real, it’s not like this is some crazy shot in the dark for Disney. If they’re opening more lounges, it’s because they know cocktails sell.

The argument seems to be that a decrease in alcohol consumption couldn’t possibly correspond with a cultural shift in attitudes about drinking, and that just doesn’t logically follow. Maybe people saw drinking as a scourge when everyone partied their face off and now it’s something less common that your nice middle aged aunt does. Who knows, just saying a decrease in consumption and change in attitudes aren’t mutually exclusive.

This exactly. It is pretty obvious to me why it is dropping. People especially in the younger generation have switched to other things that have their own risks involved, but is perceived to be harmless. Which will also likely change over time as more long term effects are studied and realized. But that's another discussion.

This is partially why a lot of breweries/bars are pivoting some and offering THC drinks and whatnot. I do think there will need to be some changes to attract younger guests. The millennial/gen X Disney adults clearly like to drink (at least, most of them) and Disney knows that putting up new lounges will print money, at least for now. Down the road, as generations change, who knows.

 

[networkpro]

Animal welfare and ethical animal harvesting is not a "first world problem." It has massive global impacts.

But I'm willing to give you a cookie if you can show me where I said a single word about caring what the general public thinks of unethical animal farming. I said I find it icky. Me.

Either way, you're wrong. The intelligence of cephalopods and whether farming them is ethical is a current hot topic worldwide.

- Washington State banned octopus farming in March 2024, becoming the first government to do so.
- California passed a similar ban in October 2024, citing their intelligence.
-In Spain, proposed legislation aims to preemptively ban octopus farming following plans for a major farm in the Canary Islands.
-The "OCTOPUS Act" (bipartisan), has been introduced to the US Congress to prohibit commercial octopus farming nationwide.
- Legislation to ban the practice has also been introduced or considered in Hawaii, New Jersey, and Oregon.

Additionally, in 2021, the UK formally recognized octopuses and other cephalopods as sentient beings.

This isn't some niche opinion I'm parroting, it's becoming pretty mainstream. So, like I said, it certainly feels like a choice to include it on a new menu in 2025 in the busiest theme park in the world.

Most people prefer eating vertebrate and invertebrate sourced protein. There are other options available for those that choose other dietary plans. It's not Spain, California, the United Kingdom, or Oregon so including thier regulations is a pointless excercise.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Covert attraction gift shops to bars. Every ride drops you off in a bar with a 2 drink minimum.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇]

Covert attraction gift shops to bars. Every ride drops you off in a bar with a 2 drink minimum.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Tiana's? But make it a critter speakeasy. Lari the Armadillo is the barkeep.

 

[Bocabear]

The exit queue should have had the restaurant and a QS window with Beignets and Cafe Au Lait...It is a little cramped back there though...they would need to open up the area behind those buildings to accomodate....

 

[Figments Friend]

I may need to bring this guy I bought at Disneyland’s ‘Pieces of Eight’ shop with me to Beak n’ Barrel.
Might add to the fun a bit…

Wonder if Disney will bring these babies back to Florida….
He is a beautifully made, detailed plush!

 

[𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇]

I may need to bring this guy I bought at Disneyland’s ‘Pieces of Eight’ shop with me to Beak n’ Barrel.
Might add to the fun a bit…

Wonder if Disney will bring these babies back to Florida….
He is a beautifully made, detailed plush!

View attachment 879517

With the lounge being nestled between the attraction and gift shop I could see it getting some Beak and Barrel merch soon. Plushies would be a hit for sure. I wouldn't mind purchasing a interactive Rummy puppet in the style of those Banshee toys.

 

[Chester&Hester Enthusiast]

Most people prefer eating vertebrate and invertebrate sourced protein. There are other options available for those that choose other dietary plans. It's not Spain, California, the United Kingdom, or Oregon so including thier regulations is a pointless excercise.

My guy, you claimed the general public doesn’t care about this issue. I responded with multiple examples from just the last year or so showing a clear global trend away from octopus farming. As in, the public opinion is clearly shifting at a quick pace on this specific topic. At no point did I suggest importing regulations from other states or nations into Florida dining. You do understand how trends spread, though, right? They all start somewhere.

…and I can't help but notice you skipped over my mention of the OCTOPUS Act, which was introduced to Congress in June and would apply nationwide in the US.

 

[DisneyHead123]

My guy, you claimed the general public doesn’t care about this issue. I responded with multiple examples from just the last year or so showing a clear global trend away from octopus farming. As in, the public opinion is clearly shifting at a quick pace on this specific topic. At no point did I suggest importing regulations from other states or nations into Florida dining. You do understand how trends spread, though, right? They all start somewhere.

…and I can't help but notice you skipped over my mention of the OCTOPUS Act, which was introduced to Congress in June and would apply nationwide in the US.

Fwiw I do wish octopus and pig were removed as food sources from the park. I’ll cite nothing but my own personal feelings on that one.

 

[DisneyLeo18]

Yeah, if Disney built a Circa Resort like in vegas they could probably sell me on DVC

 

[networkpro]

My guy, you claimed the general public doesn’t care about this issue. I responded with multiple examples from just the last year or so showing a clear global trend away from octopus farming. As in, the public opinion is clearly shifting at a quick pace on this specific topic. At no point did I suggest importing regulations from other states or nations into Florida dining. You do understand how trends spread, though, right? They all start somewhere.

…and I can't help but notice you skipped over my mention of the OCTOPUS Act, which was introduced to Congress in June and would apply nationwide in the US.

Don't care. I didnt mention that act as its just one of what's on average 10,000 proposed every year. Social diseases also spread unwanted across state lines There are not any commercial octopus farms in the US in 2025 so it's all wild caught or imported.

So octopus is still on many menus in spite of whatever ethical concern you thought to interject. You can choose to eat it or not. I've played the Dandy Don Meredith "ifs and buts" game too long in this thread. PETA to me is "People Eating Tasty Animals."

 

[SpectroMagician]

That video is embarrassingly bad. Remember folks this is a bar for people 21+, and they made the video as if it were a game for elementary schoolers. Does Disney really their their target audience are all losers who never grew up?