Alcohol No Longer a Fantasy At The Magic Kingdom
Be our guest indeed: The Magic Kingdom is preparing to serve its first adult beverage in its 41-year history.
No, they aren’t installing a tap room in “It’s A Small World” (though some parents might not object.) But Walt Disney Parks has announced that beer and wine will be served at the new Be Our Guest Restaurant. The French restaurant, scheduled to open mid-November, is part of Disney’s new Fantasyland.
From The Tampa Bay Times:
“Stuart McGuire, the beverage director for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, then added: ‘As part of the overall theming, we wanted to offer wine that enhances the guest experience and complements the French-inspired cuisine. The wines focus primarily on France’s famous wine-growing regions, including Champagne, Alsace, Loire, Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux. … We’ll also offer the leading French beer, Kronenbourg 1664. And, staying in the general region, we’ll also offer Belgian beers.’”
It’s a big shift for the Magic Kingdom, which, unlike its sister parks EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, has never sold alcohol (per Walt’s wishes). Why the change now? Maribeth Bisienere, vice president of food and beverage for Walt Disney Parks, told the Orlando Sun-Sentinel it was because of visitor feedback. Guests, it seems, want the option of an adult beverage as part of a fine meal. (But before you go getting any ideas, they will not provide to-go cups.)
Some Disney purists are up in arms, taking to Twitter and Disney message boards to discuss the change in policy. The supporters say, “finally!” while the detractors say, “It’s not what Walt would have wanted.”
We want to know what you think:
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Walt’s word should be the final say so. No alcohol at the Magic Kingdom!
Thanks for sharing, Chuck. It’s an issue that people seem to feel strongly about, and we appreciate your opinion.
My family & I are headed there next week it makes me sick to think my small grandchildren will have to witness alcohol being served at Magic Kingdom. As much as we all LOVE Disney, I will re-think my future plans.
Times are changing. I think if Walt were still alive, given the business man he was, he would allow it in the Magic Kingdom.
And Gina it won’t be served next week. Also don’t take them to be our guest and they won’t see it. Plus if they can see it at Chili’s or Hollywood Studios, why not Magic Kingdom.
It’s not like you can’t get drunk and walk into Magic Kingdom as it is. You can drink at the nearby resorts, then hop on the monorail. And the other parks have always allowed drinking. As long as it’s strictly controlled within the restaurant, it shouldn’t be an issue. Disney knows it has to keep up the illusion. Walt was all about the authenticity of the experience. I think he wouldn’t have a problem.
First they get the Alcohol Drinks in and in a few years they will try to get Adult Shows in so there goes the Family Fun Center of the world. By By MICKEY
@Charlie Roberts – Did wine at Catholic churches cause ‘Adult Shows’ there also?
I bet none of this would be happening if Barack HUSSEIN Obama wasn’t in office! looks like we’ll be going to six flags from now on!
If i can predict the problems this will cause you would not even consider serving alcohol. Mr. Disney is not there to tell you this is not going to be a family theme park anymore. Get your drinks at another place, please. Thanks!
Given the fact that alcohol is sold in grocery stores and convenience stores nationwide, I can’t understand why people are upset by this. And given the price of any beverage at Disney…who can afford to get drunk there ?