Underage Drinking at EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival

[lazyboy97o]

That's not always the case. How many "cases" were there of guests bringing prohibited items into the parks in their bags before the heightened security measures were implemented? We know exactly when and why security was heightened. The point is, sometimes the simple knowledge of a potential problem is enough to implement a visual deterrence. No backpack bombs have gone off in a Disney park that I'm aware of, but security officers still check bags. Of course, this has no affect on items being carried on someone's person (body, pockets, etc.). So a visual security measure plays a role in security, especially when entering any WDW parks.



You're right, because I know exactly that I have one small piece of furniture that I'm dealing with. The point with F&W is that they don't know the prevalence of the "problem" (how much furniture they're dealing with) until they start actively carding people who appear to be young and in possession of an alcoholic beverage. Of course, I'm assuming that breaking the law is a "problem" whether the individual is visibly intoxicated or disruptive or not. Others might not consider "invisible underage drinking" to be a "problem."

You are making the huge leap to assume that Disney is unaware. Since Disneyland has opened critics have discussed the massive amount of control that Disney exerts on patrons of its various properties.

But I think that if Disney went on the record, they would have to agree that even one instance of underage drinking within their parks is a "problem" and would be dealt with if it became known to them. The question is, how much effort are they putting into "finding out"... We don't have a specific answer for that, it just appears to be much less than other parks/events.

Going on record saying it is acceptable to break the law is not connected to your observation of visible solutions or the views of others regarding underage drinking. Disney is all about image and control. Underage drinking would be bad for the desired image, as would a highly visible police presence inside the park.

 

[Timekeeper]

I personally think it's a non issue and the environment at F&W is so drastically different that it's a poor comparison to HHN.

That's true, the environment is drastically different. But that begs the question, how many "violations" do there need to be before it's no longer a non issue? Or, when does it become an issue? Where is the "line" between the drastically different F&W and HHN?

 

[Hakunamatata]

That's true, the environment is drastically different. But that begs the question, how many "violations" do there need to be before it's no longer a non issue? Or, when does it become an issue? Where is the "line" between the drastically different F&W and HHN?

I mean unless we have seen droves of offended guests flooding guest relations complaining about it as well as a flood of negative press about it, we likely won't know. I also don't see the issue showing up in hardly any trip reports here or other sites.

 

[Timekeeper]

You are making the huge leap to assume that Disney is unaware. Since Disneyland has opened critics have discussed the massive amount of control that Disney exerts on patrons of its various properties.

I never suggested that Disney is completely unaware. It just seems that Universal, for example, takes more noticeable steps to be aware.

Just because both companies are aware of liabilities for potential guest injuries doesn't mean that they will take identical safety measures. Some of us might think that Disney is more safety-conscious than Universal (whether that's true or not). Let's say that's true. Just because Disney has more noticeable safety measures doesn't mean that Universal is not aware of the same issue. We typically praise a park's implementation of increased safety, etc.

 

[maxairmike]

That's true, the environment is drastically different. But that begs the question, how many "violations" do there need to be before it's no longer a non issue? Or, when does it become an issue? Where is the "line" between the drastically different F&W and HHN?

I really don't get what axe you have to grind (that's really what seems to be an issue here).

Disney has a very, very firm grasp of the scope of any kind of "problem" as it regards underage drinking during F&W. The CMs get reminded regularly to keep an eye out for foreign families because of the difference in drinking ages. They know exactly who the "regular" offenders are, and if there was any sort of need for an increased presence, they would have it.

So here's your final answer: Disney knows its needs, and its needs are what they currently have. Despite what you may wish to believe or think you know, a greater security response isn't needed to this "problem" that you've tried to greatly exaggerate.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Maybe, as others have tried to point out, "Food & Wine" does not attract the "overindulge in alcohol" crowd which has been described as a problem at HHN. Doifferent crowds = different plans

Or maybe, as we will undoubtedly see, this whole thread is just a case of last-word-itis.

 

[Timekeeper]

So here's your final answer: Disney knows its needs, and its needs are what they currently have. Despite what you may wish to believe or think you know, a greater security response isn't needed to this "problem" that you've tried to greatly exaggerate.

I wouldn't want Disney to wait until someone actually falls out of Expedition Everest before installing lap bars.

Underage drinking is either a "problem" or it's not. I suppose that's subjective. What is objective, however, is that it (1) occurs, and (2) is a violation of the law. My guess (and I'll have to write to Disney to get an official response) is that Disney would agree that breaking any law on property would pose a "problem."

 

[Jakester]

As long as they I.D the buyer, Disney can't be at fault for someone underage drinking. Now if someone legal age bought the Alcoholic Beverage, and served it to a Minor, then its the person's fault, not Disneys. If Disney Sold it to a Minor, then they are at fault.

IMO, Walt Disney World (and all orlando parks), are best sober.

 

[dhoywdw20x]

Another alcohol thread? I don't even want to read this, because I know where it's going.

 

[maxairmike]

I wouldn't want Disney to wait until someone actually falls out of Expedition Everest before installing lap bars.

Underage drinking is either a "problem" or it's not. I suppose that's subjective. What is objective, however, is that it (1) occurs, and (2) is a violation of the law. My guess (and I'll have to write to Disney to get an official response) is that Disney would agree that breaking any law on property would pose a "problem."

So you want Disney to have a large contingent of OCS on hand throughout F&W handing out tickets in full guest view and set up a processing facility because a few foreign families don't realize that it's illegal here for their 16 yr. old son to have a beer (or just don't really care?). That is honestly about the extent of the underage drinking. Yes, American kids come in and may get away with it some times, but there are no riots, no gang fights, no weapon pulling, no drunken brawls that I have witnessed...You want the heavy-handed security of HHN why?

 

[Timekeeper]

You want the heavy-handed security of HHN why?

No, I don't want HHN-level security. I just noticed a great discrepancy and opened a discussion as to why that might be, and whether Disney is really doing enough proactively. A lot of valid opinions have been expressed and I think they've all covered the obvious, common sense bases.

The common opinion here seems to be that underage drinking at F&W simply is not problematic enough to warrant procedures any different from those already in place. And that's all I was looking for, thoughts and opinions.

 

[Jakester]

The reason HHN is heavy security is because you have more young adults/adults visting this event.

Think about how high security was during WDW's Grad Nites.

 

[maxairmike]

No, I don't want HHN-level security. I just noticed a great discrepancy and opened a discussion as to why that might be, and whether Disney is really doing enough proactively. A lot of valid opinions have been expressed and I think they've all covered the obvious, common sense bases.

The common opinion here seems to be that underage drinking at F&W simply is not problematic enough to warrant procedures any different from those already in place. And that's all I was looking for, thoughts and opinions.

I guess I don't get why you kept on dragging it when you had the answer on page 1? :shrug:

It made it seem like you had an axe to grind and an issue with how they handle security.

 

[Timekeeper]

I guess I don't get why you kept on dragging it when you had the answer on page 1? :shrug:

Just to get a few more opinions. When someone posts anything that brings into question Disney's methods on these message boards, that poster is often stoned by the Disney disciples. So sometimes a little devil's advocate is necessary to get both sides of a discussion (which is often a one-sided discussion given the audience here).

Think about how high security was during WDW's Grad Nites.

Excellent point. :sohappy:

I've also heard that Night of Joy is - ironically - also a time for heavy security due to misbehaving guests.

 

[Jakester]

Just curious, does Security get higher on days like NYE ?? (Like higher than the busy christmas week since its New Years.)

Even though ive done 2nyes at magic kingdom, i never really have time to fully notice.

 

[jakeman]

I wouldn't want Disney to wait until someone actually falls out of Expedition Everest before installing lap bars.

Underage drinking is either a "problem" or it's not. I suppose that's subjective. What is objective, however, is that it (1) occurs, and (2) is a violation of the law. My guess (and I'll have to write to Disney to get an official response) is that Disney would agree that breaking any law on property would pose a "problem."

Dear Disney,

I am a concerned guest at your resort and I would like you to both acknowledge and enumerate the incidents since the inception of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival that have involved underage drinking.

I do expect a full list of all trespasses, both known and unknown.

My concern is that I have decided that underage drinking is an issue in the above said festival yet I cannot corroborate my theory because I have not observed nor been infringed upon by underage drinking.

Due to the obvious lack of my own evidence that this is an issue I am asking you kindly to please supply me with the facts you have plus an acknowledge that breaking the law is bad. Additionally, please take the steps necessary to ensure that you supply me with the information that I want rather than what you may or may not actually have compiled.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Fan.

 

[Master Yoda]

that's true, the environment is drastically different. But that begs the question, how many "violations" do there need to be before it's no longer a non issue? or, when does it become an issue? Where is the "line" between the drastically different f&w and hhn?

42.

 

[acishere]

Food & Wine: People wanting to try cultural cuisines and libations. Even if I got drunk off all the samples (which I probably would) I would still feel compelled to act in a calm and understated manner due to my surrounding. Security doesn't need a high profile when most are acting accordingly like this.

HHN: People looking for an adrenaline rush from getting frightened. Its an atmosphere similar to a rock concert and people are going for the cheap stuff because drinking makes the night that much more chaotic. That is what the patrons at a scare event is looking for. I'd acted a lot more rowdier and was much less reserved when I was at the HHN in Hollywood. So security needs to be more visible because a more obvious image of safety is needed.

That's it.

 

[ScoutN]

I still see no evidence of an underage individual. And if you "observe" an underage person then how do you know they are in fact underage. I appear 17/18 years of age but nowhere near that age in actuality. So would you call me an underage drinker because of your assumptions?

42.

I could have sworn it was 58. Oh wait, that is Crofton's age.

 

[Master Yoda]

I still see no evidence of an underage individual. And if you "observe" an underage person then how do you know they are in fact underage. I appear 17/18 years of age but nowhere near that age in actuality. So would you call me an underage drinker because of your assumptions?



I could have sworn it was 58. Oh wait, that is Crofton's age.

42 is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.