Generic resort drinks - when did this happen?

[MarkTwain]

I was reading an article on Tom Bricker's website and came upon this passage:

We try to give a couple suggestions for each location so that you don’t have to order a random drink off what I “lovingly” prefer to as theGeneric DisneyParks® Drink Menu®. I loathe this menu of sugar-water and vibrantly color concoctions meant to appeal only to vacationers who don’t regularly drink. It is the epitome of what is wrong with the contemporary Disney theme parks: homogenization that has replaced unique experiences in the name of saving a few bucks because bean-counters either don’t understand the “Disney Difference,” or think most guests won’t notice, anyway. More importantly, if you’re someone who has the mental and physical fortitude to partake in a bar crawl, you will be largely unimpressed by these drinks. Plus, consuming more than a couple will make you sick to your stomach from an overdose of sugar.

It's so, so true, and touches upon something I noticed on a recent visit. A lady friend and I wanted to try our hand at drinking around the MK monorail hotels, and noticed that the drink menus seemed to be pretty well the same between all the hotels... which, really, makes you question the point of doing a monorail bar crawl in the first place (besides time to process drinks and than the change in atmosphere, I guess...)

So when did this happen? A long-time Disney bartender at an MK resort which shall remain unnamed claimed that he was unhappy with this change, and he still created custom drinks to serve at each hotel based on their original recipes (he let us try one... pretty cool). He claimed that this was done so that bartenders could easily pick up shifts at other locations or be transferred without having to be trained on new drinks at each location. He was a fantastic bartender that knew a lot about the history of the resort... told me things about the Golf Resort I didn't know.

So anyway, when exactly did this happen? Anyone else dislike this change? This seems like a pretty huge loss for the individuality and character of the WDW resorts, so I'm surprised I don't see it talked about more on here. Wouldn't it be neat if the Polynesian had a full list of Hawaiian islands-inspired drinks, or the Contemporary's Outer Rim lounge specialized in suave and sophisticated martinis? Your thoughts?

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I'm not old enough to drink and have only recently started visiting the pool bars for the non alcoholic stuff, but yes, I've noticed it's generic from pool bar to pool bar. But I do notice they change up the menu from year to year. Most people aren't allowed to pool hop, so I think, at least at the pool bars, they're hoping people won't notice. I think they're hoping to get you into World Showcase to drink some different stuff too. Or maybe they're discouraging getting drunk by limiting options. Who knows.

 

[PhotoDave219]

So anyway, when exactly did this happen? Anyone else dislike this change? This seems like a pretty huge loss for the individuality and character of the WDW resorts, so I'm surprised I don't see it talked about more on here. Wouldn't it be neat if the Polynesian had a full list of Hawaiian islands-inspired drinks, or the Contemporary's Outer Rim lounge specialized in suave and sophisticated martinis? Your thoughts?

There are plenty of blame to go around; the dining plan, increased/streamling profits, "guest research," death of disney night life in general.

But what seems to be missing from your quote is that each resort bar (like the Tambu Lounge or Outer Rim) still has several resort-specific drinks on their menu. You can still get a backscratcher & a lapu-lapu at Tambu. These signature drinks are still on the menu but you can now get the same insanely overpriced grand margarita everywhere.

Mizners lounge - which has a faithful following of drunks - has not adopted this as it is the Grand Floridian.

As usual, let your liver do the walking.

 

[bethymouse]

I didn't realize the drinks were all the same?

 

[luv]

My poor liver has to stay approximately 100 miles from alcohol so I will count on the OP to have one for me! But I think the real points in any "crawl" are to...

1. Get drunk
2. Spend time with someone you're interested in
3. Spend more time with someone you're interested in

I've never done any crawl with women. Always guys who want to do that. And they rarely ask other guys.

I could be wrong!

The idea of resort-specific drinks is appealing. Me, i like to stick to one type of drink, though. Had unfortunate consequences with mixing drinks when i was a young un. But, once you've poured enough booze down your throat, it really doesn't matter what you're drinking. Resort-specific, rock gut, no matter.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

I don't think that all bartenders have a "Drink" that they make and are known for and not every person necessarily knows what they want to order so having the Generic Drink menu offers both with a solution.

 

[litaljohn]

to be short ( as i instead begin to rant) i don't see the attraction from resort bars because most are alike on purpose to begin. if you resort bar hop you'd likely be doing it for the entertainment more than the drinks, weather your going to see dueling pianos or catch the guy ( totally spacing on his name) that's at POR.

if you care about the drinks themselves your more likely to land in Epcot where the bars tend to all be amazing. ( the bar in Mexico sports like a hundred different types of tequila alone) add to Epcot the atmosphere around you with all the world showcase areas an throw in the various Epcot festivals ( I'm waiting patiently to get my hands on some dole whip with rum when I head down at Epcot)
I just don't see the attraction to resort bars outside of the non booze entertainment. heck even hopping aroun downtown Disney would sport you some interesting unique drinks and locales.
resort bars are alike because they overll try to cater to identical crowds. it doesn't make sense to specialize your bar when some may be totaly turned off by your speciality. by and large again outside designated events to draw in cash, their purpose is to just be there when you get back to your resort and aren't ready to call it a night but don't feel like the effort of going out. they make most money based on "might a well since we are back in the resort but ARE on vacation" it doesn't make sense to turn some of that away by specializing in different areas because when you deal with the "meh." crowd they aren't going to spend the same cash and go to other resorts, they are likely just to call it a night and go to bed.

 

[All Disney All The Time]

I'm not much for "specialty drinks", so to speak. A Bloody Mary made with Finlandia is my preference. I had a wonderful bartender (Hi Yvette!) at Planet Hollywood tell me that Finlandia was the favorite vodka in Puerto Rico, her home. If I can't get Finlandia, it's still vodka, ya know? And as long as there are different beers to be tried in WS and AK, it's all good.

 

[PhotoDave219]

to be short ( as i instead begin to rant) i don't see the attraction from resort bars because most are alike on purpose to begin. if you resort bar hop you'd likely be doing it for the entertainment more than the drinks, weather your going to see dueling pianos or catch the guy ( totally spacing on his name) that's at POR.

if you care about the drinks themselves your more likely to land in Epcot where the bars tend to all be amazing. ( the bar in Mexico sports like a hundred different types of tequila alone) add to Epcot the atmosphere around you with all the world showcase areas an throw in the various Epcot festivals ( I'm waiting patiently to get my hands on some dole whip with rum when I head down at Epcot)
I just don't see the attraction to resort bars outside of the non booze entertainment. heck even hopping aroun downtown Disney would sport you some interesting unique drinks and locales.
resort bars are alike because they overll try to cater to identical crowds. it doesn't make sense to specialize your bar when some may be totaly turned off by your speciality. by and large again outside designated events to draw in cash, their purpose is to just be there when you get back to your resort and aren't ready to call it a night but don't feel like the effort of going out. they make most money based on "might a well since we are back in the resort but ARE on vacation" it doesn't make sense to turn some of that away by specializing in different areas because when you deal with the "meh." crowd they aren't going to spend the same cash and go to other resorts, they are likely just to call it a night and go to bed.

The attraction? Because PI isnt there and its the only watering hole in sight.

 

[MarkTwain]

to be short ( as i instead begin to rant) i don't see the attraction from resort bars because most are alike on purpose to begin. if you resort bar hop you'd likely be doing it for the entertainment more than the drinks, weather your going to see dueling pianos or catch the guy ( totally spacing on his name) that's at POR.

...

I just don't see the attraction to resort bars outside of the non booze entertainment. heck even hopping aroun downtown Disney would sport you some interesting unique drinks and locales.

Hmmm. Except some resorts seem to me to be clearly designed to feed off of each other's entertainment options, like the 3 monorail resorts, and the Yacht & Beach/Boardwalk/Swan & Dolphin area (effectively having the potential to be giant entertainment/hotel districts). It seems like many of these hotels, at least, would go through the extra effort of diversifying their drink menus, creating more incentive for people to try out multiple bars within close proximity.

My poor liver has to stay approximately 100 miles from alcohol so I will count on the OP to have one for me! But I think the real points in any "crawl" are to...

1. Get drunk
2. Spend time with someone you're interested in
3. Spend more time with someone you're interested in

Hehehe well, I was leaving out the obvious benefits of bar-crawling with a lady you're interested in. I guess I just meant what's the practical of point changing hotels for different three bars as opposed to just getting three drinks at the same bar. Not that any night out is about being 100% practical.

There are plenty of blame to go around; the dining plan, increased/streamling profits, "guest research," death of disney night life in general.

But what seems to be missing from your quote is that each resort bar (like the Tambu Lounge or Outer Rim) still has several resort-specific drinks on their menu. You can still get a backscratcher & a lapu-lapu at Tambu. These signature drinks are still on the menu but you can now get the same insanely overpriced grand margarita everywhere.

Mizners lounge - which has a faithful following of drunks - has not adopted this as it is the Grand Floridian.

As usual, let your liver do the walking.

Good to know about the resort-specific drinks. I guess we were always so quick to ask for the drink menu that we didn't think to ask about specials.

 

[AndyS2992]

When I read the title of this thread I assumed you were announcing that Disney stopped stocking Coca-cola products and replaced them with cheap generic 'Mickey Mouse Cola' or something

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I noticed this too on the last trip. The first page (inside front cover) has that particular resort's "specialties" while the rest is all the same. The actual book (cover) itself is also unique to each resort... A faux leather bound book with the name embossed.

I can see why they did this (as you said, so bartenders can float and guests know what to expect). You can still order and have made whatever you want though.

My gripe was that last call was at 11:45pm, universally.

 

[Bethypoo]

I'm not much for "specialty drinks", so to speak. A Bloody Mary made with Finlandia is my preference. I had a wonderful bartender (Hi Yvette!) at Planet Hollywood tell me that Finlandia was the favorite vodka in Puerto Rico, her home. If I can't get Finlandia, it's still vodka, ya know? And as long as there are different beers to be tried in WS and AK, it's all good.

I used to live in Puerto Rico and Finlandia was everywhere-and so inexpensive. They used to have a cranberry flavor which was my favorite vodka ever. I don't think they make it anymore.

 

[dreamfinder]

I want to say some places point back to the Millenium as when it really started. Back when they started making to Glowtini. And it just kinda snowballed from there. To add to the list of different drinks, I believe that Sanaa still has a few as 2 trips ago my wife got one that came with a bracelet made of sustainably harvested nuts or something.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

LOL - "souvenir glow cube." Charge me $2 less for the drink and keep it.

Here's food for thought. Did you notice that NONE of the drinks have prices listed?

I have to say, one day I dropped some serious coin at Tambu and by rights I should've been snookered. I saw what the barkeep was dropping in there... But nope. My advice? Get a fancy drink but switch to "known quantities" after that (e.g. beer, wine, shots).

 

[All Disney All The Time]

I used to live in Puerto Rico and Finlandia was everywhere-and so inexpensive. They used to have a cranberry flavor which was my favorite vodka ever. I don't think they make it anymore.

You got to live there!?! I am sooooooo jealous now.

 

[bgraham34]

I was reading an article on Tom Bricker's website and came upon this passage:



It's so, so true, and touches upon something I noticed on a recent visit. A lady friend and I wanted to try our hand at drinking around the MK monorail hotels, and noticed that the drink menus seemed to be pretty well the same between all the hotels... which, really, makes you question the point of doing a monorail bar crawl in the first place (besides time to process drinks and than the change in atmosphere, I guess...)

So when did this happen? A long-time Disney bartender at an MK resort which shall remain unnamed claimed that he was unhappy with this change, and he still created custom drinks to serve at each hotel based on their original recipes (he let us try one... pretty cool). He claimed that this was done so that bartenders could easily pick up shifts at other locations or be transferred without having to be trained on new drinks at each location. He was a fantastic bartender that knew a lot about the history of the resort... told me things about the Golf Resort I didn't know.

So anyway, when exactly did this happen? Anyone else dislike this change? This seems like a pretty huge loss for the individuality and character of the WDW resorts, so I'm surprised I don't see it talked about more on here. Wouldn't it be neat if the Polynesian had a full list of Hawaiian islands-inspired drinks, or the Contemporary's Outer Rim lounge specialized in suave and sophisticated martinis? Your thoughts?

I have heard this from a resort bartender as well a year or so ago. Its a Disney loves to be so Generic.

 

[Brickcity Pauly]

When I read the title of this thread I assumed you were announcing that Disney stopped stocking Coca-cola products and replaced them with cheap generic 'Mickey Mouse Cola' or something

Hahaha...I was wondering the same thing!
I'm boring. I typicall only drink beer or screwdrivers, so, this doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Plus as a single Dad, I'm always there with my daughter. So not alot of drinking for me.

 

[All Disney All The Time]

I have heard this from a resort bartender as well a year or so ago. Its a Disney loves to be so Generic.

We can add "DLTBSG" to the abbreviation list. Well done.

 

[All Disney All The Time]

Hahaha...I was wondering the same thing!
I'm boring. I typicall only drink beer or screwdrivers, so, this doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Plus as a single Dad, I'm always there with my daughter. So not alot of drinking for me.

When I feel the need for some added Vitamin C a screwdriver is a good choice.