Universal attractions may be alcohol-fueled
By Sarah Hale
December 17, 2002
(ORLANDO SENTINEL) -- Some rides and attractions at Universal Orlando soon could be sponsored by alcoholic-beverage makers after area legislators voted Monday to approve a change in state laws that regulate promotion of alcohol at theme parks.
John McReynolds, vice president of government relations for Universal, told the Orange County Legislative Delegation, that the change would open new lines of revenue for the park.
Area legislators voted 8-7 for the change. A bill could go to state lawmakers for a vote in thespring.
Although McReynolds said the measure could help cross-promote Orlando and attract tourists to the market, critics -- particularly liquor wholesalers and distributors -- were less enthusiastic.
They said the move would weaken lawsthat enforce a separation of the three alcohol-industry tiers -- manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing -- which were enacted to prevent big brewers from controlling all aspects of liquor trade.
Under the state law, called the Tied-House Evil act, manufacturers and distributors are forbidden from engaging in cooperative advertising with retailers.
"I know we are focused on this particular vendor," said Mitch Rubin, executive director of the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association Inc. "But what about Disney, the hotels or other retailers, which could come with similar requests? What makes Universal so special?"
Nearly two years ago, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando backed a similar bill. At the time, Disney officials said they wanted to allow alcohol sponsorships at thePleasure Island entertainment complex and Wide World of Sports complex.
Rubin also told legislators that he feared the marketing agreements would impact product distribution on Universal property. For example, if a beer company sponsors an event, this could limit how many other types of beers are distributed.
Another local company also celebrated a small victory Monday, after legislators voted 10-5 for a change to the state's laws regulating the licensing permits for alcohol retailers, which would allow Church Street Station owner Robert Kling to have a master alcohol license.
Under the change, bars, restaurants and clubs on Church Street property -- but not owned or managed by Kling -- would be granted the equivalent of a standard liquor license.
Orange County issues a limited number of liquor licenses to bars, and the change would ensure that all the clubs in Church Street would be licensed.
Each owner would be individually responsible for adhering to state liquor laws, but all the owners would be listed under one license.
The measure was modeled after a 1980s decision that granted then-Church Street Station owner Bob Snow a master liquor license. At the time, Snow owned the bars and clubs within the property.
By Sarah Hale
December 17, 2002
(ORLANDO SENTINEL) -- Some rides and attractions at Universal Orlando soon could be sponsored by alcoholic-beverage makers after area legislators voted Monday to approve a change in state laws that regulate promotion of alcohol at theme parks.
John McReynolds, vice president of government relations for Universal, told the Orange County Legislative Delegation, that the change would open new lines of revenue for the park.
Area legislators voted 8-7 for the change. A bill could go to state lawmakers for a vote in thespring.
Although McReynolds said the measure could help cross-promote Orlando and attract tourists to the market, critics -- particularly liquor wholesalers and distributors -- were less enthusiastic.
They said the move would weaken lawsthat enforce a separation of the three alcohol-industry tiers -- manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing -- which were enacted to prevent big brewers from controlling all aspects of liquor trade.
Under the state law, called the Tied-House Evil act, manufacturers and distributors are forbidden from engaging in cooperative advertising with retailers.
"I know we are focused on this particular vendor," said Mitch Rubin, executive director of the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association Inc. "But what about Disney, the hotels or other retailers, which could come with similar requests? What makes Universal so special?"
Nearly two years ago, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando backed a similar bill. At the time, Disney officials said they wanted to allow alcohol sponsorships at thePleasure Island entertainment complex and Wide World of Sports complex.
Rubin also told legislators that he feared the marketing agreements would impact product distribution on Universal property. For example, if a beer company sponsors an event, this could limit how many other types of beers are distributed.
Another local company also celebrated a small victory Monday, after legislators voted 10-5 for a change to the state's laws regulating the licensing permits for alcohol retailers, which would allow Church Street Station owner Robert Kling to have a master alcohol license.
Under the change, bars, restaurants and clubs on Church Street property -- but not owned or managed by Kling -- would be granted the equivalent of a standard liquor license.
Orange County issues a limited number of liquor licenses to bars, and the change would ensure that all the clubs in Church Street would be licensed.
Each owner would be individually responsible for adhering to state liquor laws, but all the owners would be listed under one license.
The measure was modeled after a 1980s decision that granted then-Church Street Station owner Bob Snow a master liquor license. At the time, Snow owned the bars and clubs within the property.
