Alcohol at MK?

[theBIGyowski]

Is it really a core value when DLR had been serving to people who wanted to pay a lot more money?

spot on

MK was a "dry" park only because Disneyland was a dry park. But...Disneyland wasn't really a dry park because Club 33 has been serving alcohol from the beginning. I would dare say alcohol was probably served to VIP guests at events at Disneyland back in the 1950s and 1960s if they were tied to a sponsor giving Walt money.

so the fact that MK has been dry all these years was really just because "it has always been that way"...which doesn't even really make sense when you think about Club 33

Well I guess that would be a discussion whether "private clubs" on property are the same as a sit down restaurant open to all. If Walt was drinking a scotch every night above Main Street I wouldn't consider that the same as a bar sitting on Main Street. In the same way, I wouldn't consider Club 33 that same as the Blue Bayou.

Club 33 is something now that is far from its roots, but is still a private club. I don't think comparing that to Be Our Guest is an apt comparison.

As a beer geek/snob and avid homebrewer seeing some fine Belgian and French offerings didn't offend some deep-rooted puritan instinct in my Bay Stater core or something- I just still think it was a core value. Those private sponsorship suites/clubs they have hidden in attractions and a sitdown restaurant open to all guests are very different in my opinion.

I think we're on the same page...but it's important to remember this is not a bar...and you can only have wine and beer...and only at dinner...and only while you are seated at your table. So as that goes...even Club 33 offers more alcohol options than Be Our Guest...all day long. Of course hardly anyone will ever go to Club 33 compared to everyone being able to dine and drink at Be Our Guest as long as you have a dinner ADR. I just don't see the problem people have with the way Disney is offering alcohol in MK now. Plus if I had to guess...most people eating dinner at Be Our Guest don't order the overpriced wine and beer anyway.

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

Yeah I'm not even sure I have a problem with it. I guess my concern is more about where it could lead in terms of them being like "Wellllll....we never allowed alcohol before but let's do it at at a single sit down..." and then later furthering the erosion of certain values.

[dstrawn9889]

Yeah I'm not even sure I have a problem with it. I guess my concern is more about where it could lead in terms of them being like "Wellllll....we never allowed alcohol before but let's do it at at a single sit down..." and then later furthering the erosion of certain values.

wouldnt say values as such, because you can get liquerd up on property. that is not a value so much as a choice. they chose not to serve alcohol in MK for a while, but now with a new restaurant, and a menu that pairs well with certain libations, that they have made another choice. to make more money (DDP+wine)

[Wizzard419]

Yeah I'm not even sure I have a problem with it. I guess my concern is more about where it could lead in terms of them being like "Wellllll....we never allowed alcohol before but let's do it at at a single sit down..." and then later furthering the erosion of certain values.

But it isn't a value change since they have always had the stance of treating guests based upon how much they spend. Club 33 admission, for example, isn't based on anything other than being willing and able to pay. Unlike other clubs where you might need to be a specific gender, political affiliation, work in a specific industry, etc. So if you want to have a drink in DLR, you simply have to pay for it, just like everywhere else.

I wouldn't expect MK (or any other park) to get a straight up bar because they wouldn't make enough money. Even if they served all day, the revenue wouldn't be strong. Additionally, a hard liquor service license is harder to get than a beer and wine one, and there would be a kitchen requirement as most do not allow you to just serve booze. Then there is the really important thing, liability, since the servers are responsible for what happens to their patrons after they leave, it becomes a huge risk.

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

Yeah I'm not even sure I have a problem with it. I guess my concern is more about where it could lead in terms of them being like "Wellllll....we never allowed alcohol before but let's do it at at a single sit down..." and then later furthering the erosion of certain values.

But it isn't a value change since they have always had the stance of treating guests based upon how much they spend. Club 33 admission, for example, isn't based on anything other than being willing and able to pay. Unlike other clubs where you might need to be a specific gender, political affiliation, work in a specific industry, etc. So if you want to have a drink in DLR, you simply have to pay for it, just like everywhere else.

I wouldn't expect MK (or any other park) to get a straight up bar because they wouldn't make enough money. Even if they served all day, the revenue wouldn't be strong. Additionally, a hard liquor service license is harder to get than a beer and wine one, and there would be a kitchen requirement as most do not allow you to just serve booze. Then there is the really important thing, liability, since the servers are responsible for what happens to their patrons after they leave, it becomes a huge risk.

Well, you could say that Club 33's current system (though I don't know much about it- I thought there was a specific waiting list + cost associated with becoming a member aside fom just straight cash). Club 33 WAS a specific club for the 33 original investors that helped fund DLR. I guess you could say they paid for their seats too, but I think that's a little different. Though I suppose at $10k a year + dues you could almost say they're still investors in the company

[Wizzard419]

Investors have a chance of a return.

Pretty much, the only criteria to be a member are that you are reachable by the time your name comes up on the list and you have the money to pay. One good thing, I guess, is that you also can't will your membership (unlike a normal club) to a family member. So, like iTunes, once you're dead, all your purchases go away and cannot be transferred. I do wonder if there are people who registered as teenager to become members? From what I heard the wait is well over 10 years now.

[Sharonofwindham]

Nothing to see here.

Alcohol is only being served with meals and I'm sure the server/manager can stop serving alcohol to any guest if they feel that guest has had enough to drink. There is nothing wrong with that and I applaud the move to serve drinks that will complement the meals being prepared.

Remember that Club 33 has been serving alcohol for decades...so there's that.

I agree...it's not like it's being served everywhere in MK. I think any nice full serve restaurant in the parks should be able to serve beer & wine. I can say for myself that even at EPCOT I rarely drink alcohol since it can make me sleepy . And if I had my way, I would NEVER sleep during a WDW vacation . I feel like I'm wasting precious time

[Wizzard419]

The concierge at the hotel can help you with that, just make sure to also request a room with a glass table.

[Goofyfan]

After walking around in extreme temperatures, I enjoy stopping for a nice cold beer. With the patrons at the Disney parks, you are not catering to the young bar crowd. You are usualy catering to a family based population who are not out to get plastered. Don't see the big deal.

[Belle1082]

Kind of off topic - but I'm wondering if anyone has been able to do walk up for dinner for Be Our Guest? I know reservations are tough to get ahead of time - but just wondering if it is worth trying to get reservations day of...??

[Wizzard419]

With the new changes coming to make all sit-down places require a deposit per seat, you might start being able to get same day reservations.

[CURRYAUDIO]

Changing with the times. It was bound to happen eventually. Money talks!

[knedeau]

You also have to take into consideration the plethora of people from Europe that visit WDW MK, most with whom alcohol is part of their daily culture. I think it's a smart business move on the part of WDW. I believe it's up to individual on whether they choose to drink or not. Disney is also good at escorting "trouble makers" who choose to overdo it off property.

[Sharonofwindham]

You also have to take into consideration the plethora of people from Europe that visit WDW MK, most with whom alcohol is part of their daily culture. I think it's a smart business move on the part of WDW. I believe it's up to individual on whether they choose to drink or not. Disney is also good at escorting "trouble makers" who choose to overdo it off property.

Also, is there really a difference between someone having a few drinks at one of the resorts that the monorail services, and then heading into the park for the evening? Seems to me that there would be more alcohol consumed there than in a themed restaurant in the park.

[Wizzard419]

The usually response from the butt-hurt brigade is "Walt wanted it that way", by which they mean he's fine with alcohol in the parks as long as there is enough money going into the company's account.