Food & Wine Festival - Drunkytown?

[Weather_Lady]

World Showcase has always been geared toward drinking. They serve beers in gigantic steins in Biergarten for example. They used to serve yards of beer in England. They have added new bars such as La Cava de Tequila and others. They encourage drinking and people on vacation don't need much encouragement. It is what it is. I happen to love it and have never encountered any problems with the so-called "drunks". Screaming children, roving mobs of Pop Warner attendees or Brazilian tour groups, yes. But I've never seen anything such as described on this thread.

I've never seen it either, except at evenings during F&W. There I DID see it. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

 

[Phonedave]

The first few times we went to F&W it was more about the food. Now everything seems to be draw to the wine aspect with detailed wine samplings.

Honestly, I blame the rise of the Food Network for this small step towards the apocalypse. Now everyone thinks they are a "foodie" when most people don't have the pallet needed to appreciate what a good wine paired with tasty food offerings is supposed to be like. People drink the wine to look the part as a connoisseur but only get drunk in the process. Its a little more than that.


Jimmy Thick- And Disney makes money hand over fist, its not going anywhere...

Honestly, I immediately discount the opinion of anyone who self-identifies as a 'foodie'.


-dave

 

[jkl2000]

World Showcase has always been geared toward drinking. They serve beers in gigantic steins in Biergarten for example. They used to serve yards of beer in England.

I've ALWAYS equated such things with college. My first year or so in college, I was pretty aghast at these kinds of things (despite growing up in NYC). I remember there was a bar that served full-size fishbowls filled with beer. Meant for individuals. Then they raised the drinking age to 21 and things like that went away, kind of showing it was the younger teenagers who it was aimed at.

I do think it's pretty weird to have things like those giant beers. And I THINK Epcot is the only amusement park I've ever been to that served alcohol, at least at that level. Of course, there was the small fair in Amsterdam where they served you drinks ON the ferris wheel, but that was Amsterdam...

Anyway, I know the last time I was in Epcot, all I had was a glass or two of wine with dinner. I'm not sure why that isn't enough. If I was interested in drinking more I'd probably go off property.

 

[xdan0920]

I've ALWAYS equated such things with college. My first year or so in college, I was pretty aghast at these kinds of things (despite growing up in NYC). I remember there was a bar that served full-size fishbowls filled with beer. Meant for individuals. Then they raised the drinking age to 21 and things like that went away, kind of showing it was the younger teenagers who it was aimed at.

I do think it's pretty weird to have things like those giant beers. And I THINK Epcot is the only amusement park I've ever been to that served alcohol, at least at that level. Of course, there was the small fair in Amsterdam where they served you drinks ON the ferris wheel, but that was Amsterdam...

Anyway, I know the last time I was in Epcot, all I had was a glass or two of wine with dinner. I'm not sure why that isn't enough. If I was interested in drinking more I'd probably go off property.

What is acceptable to some, may not be acceptable to others, and what is not acceptable to some, may be just fine with others. Beer in a large glass is very common in Germany, so it is served that way in "Germany". Not really a big deal. Also, essentially every theme/amusement park in the country serves alcohol.

 

[Pixie VaVoom]

What is acceptable to some, may not be acceptable to others, and what is not acceptable to some, may be just fine with others. Beer in a large glass is very common in Germany, so it is served that way in "Germany". Not really a big deal. Also, essentially every theme/amusement park in the country serves alcohol.

Please excuse me 'xdan' - but I have to say it...Just to be ornery...I'll bet they don't serve liquor at "The Holy Land Experience" !!! tee, hee...

 

[Rogue21]

Please excuse me 'xdan' - but I have to say it...Just to be ornery...I'll bet they don't serve liquor at "The Holy Land Experience" !!! tee, hee...

No, the vendors sell water; you have to have someone else turn it into wine.

 

[Pixie VaVoom]

No, the vendors sell water; you have to have someone else turn it into wine.

Haaa ha ha!! Now quit that...you made me snort up iced coffee !!!

 

[jkl2000]

What is acceptable to some, may not be acceptable to others, and what is not acceptable to some, may be just fine with others. Beer in a large glass is very common in Germany, so it is served that way in "Germany". Not really a big deal. Also, essentially every theme/amusement park in the country serves alcohol.

To be honest, the only amusement park I've been to in the past several years is Rye Playland, and I'm pretty sure they don't serve alcohol. Also been to Six Flags Great Adventure - I think back when I was there they didn't serve alcohol, but that's probably changed since they have an evil pricing structure now. The other is Coney Island, but that's in Brooklyn so all bets are off!

Anyway, I essentially can see both sides of the issue.

 

[xdan0920]

To be honest, the only amusement park I've been to in the past several years is Rye Playland, and I'm pretty sure they don't serve alcohol. Also been to Six Flags Great Adventure - I think back when I was there they didn't serve alcohol, but that's probably changed since they have an evil pricing structure now. The other is Coney Island, but that's in Brooklyn so all bets are off!

Anyway, I essentially can see both sides of the issue.

Six Flags sells booze, lots of it.

 

[Rogue21]

Haaa ha ha!! Now quit that...you made me snort up iced coffee !!!

Iced "Irish" Coffee??

Also been to Six Flags Great Adventure - I think back when I was there they didn't serve alcohol, but that's probably changed since they have an evil pricing structure now.

Was at Great Adventure last summer and they do sell alcohol. I did notice that they carded everyone and refused alcohol to anyone who could not provide proper ID. (My 48 yr old sis was a bit upset she was the only adult in the group not enjoying a brew at lunch -- had to leave her license to get the Flash Pass.)

 

[BuddyThomas]

I've ALWAYS equated such things with college. My first year or so in college, I was pretty aghast at these kinds of things (despite growing up in NYC). I remember there was a bar that served full-size fishbowls filled with beer. Meant for individuals. Then they raised the drinking age to 21 and things like that went away, kind of showing it was the younger teenagers who it was aimed at.

I do think it's pretty weird to have things like those giant beers. And I THINK Epcot is the only amusement park I've ever been to that served alcohol, at least at that level. Of course, there was the small fair in Amsterdam where they served you drinks ON the ferris wheel, but that was Amsterdam...

Anyway, I know the last time I was in Epcot, all I had was a glass or two of wine with dinner. I'm not sure why that isn't enough. If I was interested in drinking more I'd probably go off property.

Two glasses of wine? Ha! For us, that's an appetizer! But seriously, what difference does it make to your world if someone wants a giant German beer or two, as long as they control themselves? Why go off property when they are encouraging you to stay there?

And every theme park I have ever been to, except Dollywood, serves alcohol. So do most county fairs and many carnivals. It's part of the culture, like it or not, and if not, don't drink, and if any "drunks" disturb your trip, just report them. Easy solution.

 

[Hot Lava]

But here's the crunch. It makes $$$ so it'll be milked for all its worth. Shame on park management. Shame on TDO. They used to have an island for doing this

If it's as bad as people say, it's going to bite Disney in the a**. Yes, individuals are responsible for how much they drink, but in law Disney could be liable for serving someone who is intoxicated and then hurts himself or others. I can't believe Disney's legal team hasn't warned them about this.

WDW will keep this up until the liability outweighs the profit. FL has fairly liberal Dram Shop laws, so if something happens (with a person who got loaded at WDW) outside the parks, it would be hard to sue Disney. So I am sure the lawyers know, but the profits far outweigh any potential liability at this point. Until someone gets very hurt or killed due to someone getting hammered at F&W, WDW will keep doing it. Even then, WDW would probably fight it tooth and nail and only tighten up regulations, not completely discontinue.

 

[rael ramone]

I wonder how many 'festivalgoers' have ever been to a real wine-tasting event. Real winetastings they taste, slurp, etc the wine, then spit it out. You know, to actually taste the different wines (and remember it the next day).

A person wants to taste an Argentinean merlot and see how it pairs with Grilled Steak w/ Chimichurri & Mashed Boniato in the early evening and they wonder if the person next to them is going to throw up on them.

The idea that if alcohol is made available that you are expected to tolerate public drunkenness...

 

[jkl2000]

Two glasses of wine? Ha! For us, that's an appetizer!

Well, I've never been to WDW without kids, or without being a kid.

 

[hellowonderland]

Two glasses of wine? Ha! For us, that's an appetizer! But seriously, what difference does it make to your world if someone wants a giant German beer or two, as long as they control themselves? Why go off property when they are encouraging you to stay there?

And every theme park I have ever been to, except Dollywood, serves alcohol. So do most county fairs and many carnivals. It's part of the culture, like it or not, and if not, don't drink, and if any "drunks" disturb your trip, just report them. Easy solution.

Here, here! For us too. I wouldn't say I get hammered at Epcot, but part of the fun for me is trying the different wines, martinis, margaritas... well, you get the picture. I was probably a little tipsy most nights of the honeymoon. It's an experience in and of itself, and I doubt I scared any children in the process. At least, I hope not.

 

[jkl2000]

I'll bet people are reacting more to the crowds than to the "drunkenness" of the people. I could see that.

 

[luv]

I'll bet people are reacting more to the crowds than to the "drunkenness" of the people. I could see that.

It's the poor behavior of the drunks, not the crowdedness. They all need to be strollered out to the far corners of the parking lot and left to sleep it off!

 

[Astro Blaster]

I've been shooting to run the F&W Half Marathon one day and at this point, I'll save my money.

I did that last year and it was actually pretty awesome.

It's also great as a "beginner's" half-marathon. The focus is more on fun than running.

 

[alissafalco]

Ok, so i'm here now at F&W and i have not seen anything at all of what you are describing. Ive actually seen a lot of families and old people. Granted its a thursday and we'll see how tomorrow and saturday goes but today was great. The Pointer Sisters were really good too yes there were lines at the kiosks but they moved very quickly.

 

[Dubman]

The Food & Wine Festival used to be extraordinary.. Following picture was taken 10/9/2005 which was a Sunday afternoon on Columbus Day weekend. Picture was taken at 2:30pm according to time stamp. Notice 2 things.. The beer tasting sponsored by Inbev which was free( 4-12 oz beers ).. And the lack of people in the background.. Oh how things have changed...

Next picture is from 7/7/2006... Do the math.. Almost exactly 9 months. May have been a few Kungalooshes and some Hooplas' mixed in there too on that trip...