Beer and wine to be served at Be Our Guest

[Dulcee]

One of the reasons we didn't attempt BOG reservations was I assumed they wouldn't have a beer/wine list.

When on vacation I want a glass of wine with dinner.

I personally think this a change long overdue.

[Tigerinvestigator]

I was also wrong... My bad... Club 33 opened after Walt died...

But, regardless of that, alcohol is still served inside the park, in a high class restaurant.. While BOG won't be private or exclusive, it is being marketed as a higher class dining experience... Plus, wine and beer only will be served and only during dinner... It isn't like beer carts are popping up all over the park...

I have a serious question for everyone: Would your day at MK (or vacation even ) be ruined because wine and beer are being served in a place you may or may not dine in, providing you with a choice to order or not???

My problem is not that they will have a closed environment to serve alcoholic beverages, my problem is that you and everyone else know exactly what this means. Disney is dollar driven now and does anyone actually believe it will only be served at one location in the future? It will be served all over the MK in the near future. WHY? Because they have set precedent. I've been in law enforcement for twenty years and deal with alcohol related incidents multiple times per week. I would just prefer to not have to worry about that when I take my kids and one day grandkids to the MK. Is that too much to ask? Should I have to be worried about something that COULD potentially ruin my vacation because someone does something stupid.....and they will. If one person has their vacation messed up because the MK decides to allow alcoholic beverages in, then in my opinion it was not worth all the profits they will make. Just my opinion and it may not be popular, but I spend enough time as a dad watching out for drunks in World Showcase and DTD at night who bump into my kids or use profanity I would prefer they not hear on vacation. Just really really bad decisions on Disney's part. Maybe not so much with this one restaurant but just doing away with the ban in general!

[CajunDisneyDad]

Wine/Beer with dinner is fine.

Wine/Beer stands throughout the park is not fine. I definitely do not want that to start.

I just hope this isnt a slippery slope. I have no issue with wine with a meal, heck doesnt that ultra secret dinning club in MK at DL serve wine? Where I have an issue is when you have these drunken bafoons like you see in Epcot the later it gets. I know when I used to work in a casino, we were told that if a guest is appearing intoxicated, you cut them off... of course that doesnt stop him from going to a nother server, but that server should see the signs too and cut him or her off...

Ok sorry for the rant... I am ok with it as long as it just stays in BOG...

[BrerGnat]

You know what I haven't heard anyone mention?

The FACT that the availability of wine and beer at THIS particular restaurant is a THEMATICAL thing. Can't anyone else appreciate the fact that, perhaps, it was the Chef(s) who were given the task to make an "authentic" French restaurant, and part of that authenticity would be to offer wine, at least, with dinner?

Can't we maybe see this as Disney going in the direction of offering immersively themed, AUTHENTIC experiences throughout the new Fantasyland area? Is this such a bad thing?

And yeah, it's all about the money. It always has been, always will be. Don't we want Disney to make huge profits? Isn't that how we get more investment into the parks?

Just saying...

[#1donaldfan]

I have only skimmed through these posts, so if what I am to say has been said, oh well !!

The debate is whether or not have alcohol at the MK, right? There are many for it and many against it. For those of you for it, why ?? What purpose does alcohol being offered at one place in the MK, a park dedicated to the young and young at heart ?? Dinner can certainly be just as enjoyable without the alcohol. Does alcohol have to be introduced into every venue?? NO. There is no good reason for it in being offered. NONE. For those of us against it, for whatever reasonings you have, you can bet that down the road, there will be additional offerings. Why, Tortuga is a pirates strong hold, beer drinking, carousing, and untold mischief, why shouldn't they have beer too, as depicted on the movie. Double standards are standard now days. Before you say it, why not be able to belly up and get our burger and beer there, as well as sitting down having duck and wine at BOG ??? No continuity, double standards, no real debate actually.

[Tigerinvestigator]

You know what I haven't heard anyone mention?

The FACT that the availability of wine and beer at THIS particular restaurant is a THEMATICAL thing. Can't anyone else appreciate the fact that, perhaps, it was the Chef(s) who were given the task to make an "authentic" French restaurant, and part of that authenticity would be to offer wine, at least, with dinner?

Can't we maybe see this as Disney going in the direction of offering immersively themed, AUTHENTIC experiences throughout the new Fantasyland area? Is this such a bad thing?

And yeah, it's all about the money. It always has been, always will be. Don't we want Disney to make huge profits? Isn't that how we get more investment into the parks?

Just saying...

If we want authentic themed French restaurants we go to World Showcase. Fantasyland is just that a fantasy. IMHO it's not the place for authenticity as much as a view of the world as it could/should be. Just don't think that argument holds up. Again just my opinion but as I stated before they have now set precendent and it is only a matter of time until like Sharkbait mentions, we see beer and wine carts around the MK because of the profit. I agree with CajunDisneyDad that this is a slippery slope. Also don't buy the argument that it doesn't matter because you can get drunk at the resorts and then go to MK. Those people still have to pass through security which at least gives hope they would be detained. I am more worried about the guy who starts drinking at 11am and stays for EMH being sloshed by the time the park closes. You know the guy who doesn't really want to be there anyway but thinks its hilarious to get drunk in the MK. Can he do that at the new restaurant? Probably not but he will when they start selling it everywhere. lol

[TinkerbellT421]

You know what I haven't heard anyone mention?

The FACT that the availability of wine and beer at THIS particular restaurant is a THEMATICAL thing. Can't anyone else appreciate the fact that, perhaps, it was the Chef(s) who were given the task to make an "authentic" French restaurant, and part of that authenticity would be to offer wine, at least, with dinner?

Can't we maybe see this as Disney going in the direction of offering immersively themed, AUTHENTIC experiences throughout the new Fantasyland area? Is this such a bad thing?

And yeah, it's all about the money. It always has been, always will be. Don't we want Disney to make huge profits? Isn't that how we get more investment into the parks?

Just saying...

And, all I know is when I enter Magic Kingdom in December I will be in and the thought will not even cross my mind that someone at sometime is probably having a nice expensive glass of wine with their dinner at BOG....I will enter the park look at the Castle and all my thoughts will be dreams that I have the opportunity to see the most beautiful thing in the world

[Brer_Fox]

Reading all of the thoughts so far it seems like the real issue at hand is "FEAR". Fear of the unknown based off of prior experiences.

Almost seems like because there is alcohol in the MK now we can expect the same things to happen at the F&WF to happen or to see drunk people running around. Assuming this or speculating that something will happen doesn't necessary mean it will. Cant tell you how many times I assumed something only for the opposite to be true.

I agree that this is Disney trying to make money. But I am sure this was not something that they just decided to to out of the blue. This topic had to be discussed fully before they made the decision. The decision that was made was also in a way smart being that you have to sit down and order dinner, no bar, no just walking up and asking for a beer. Alcohol is only offered at dinner. It seems that Disney was concerned about the thoughts about this and the implemented a way to try and control their decision as best as possible.

And what about people who get drunk before they enter MK? BoG shouldnt be held responsible for that, should they?

How do we know people arent showing up to the parks stoned out of there mind? We don't, to me that scares me more then BoG selling alcohol because this is the unknown.

Touching on traditions and principles again, Walt was a pioneer in everything he did. He was always ahead almost like he knew something was going to happen before it did. That was what mad Walt great. He knew when there was a need for change and that change was always for the better. Would Walt have changed his initial ideas to embrace something like this? I cant answer that question but from I know of Walt change was good and I believe that he would have allowed it for the better.

[Goofster]

I don't see a problem with it as long as it's limited to BOG. It's not like it's a beer tent with a keg in the middle of it.

[Brer_Fox]

I agree that this could "POTENTIALLY" open the door for other restaurants at MK. I do believe that they are going to see how the public takes to this and then decide if they want to expand it to other restaurants.

Disney could always decided not to sell alcohol at BoG in the future. Thats a possibility too.

What Disney needs to do, is instruct there CM's to call security when they encounter drunk people, disorderly people, etc to have them removed form the park. This is a solution to the issue.

[ChipNDale79]

Does alcohol have to be introduced into every venue?? NO. There is no good reason for it in being offered. NONE.

Actually there is a good reason, it's your opinion that there is no good reason, but food and wine/beer actually can be and will be paired to enhance the flavor of both the food and the drink. To some people this is a big part of eating at a place like this.

My DW and I both love the dining options that WDW offers, we love to try different things and sitting down around the table with loved ones and just relaxing for an hour or so. It's an experience in itself.

We don't typically order wine with our food, unless it's a special occasion or if we just really really want it. So we probably won't at BOG, but I think i should have the option, and yes we have kids.

We honeymooned at WDW, we arrived on a Sunday and decided we wanted to do a signature meal for our first meal together as a married couple. So we chose to eat at the Yachtsman, our steaks were paired with wine, the steak enhanced the wine and the wine enhanced the meat. This meal was amazing, and quite honestly I do believe the wine played a part in that.

So if people want to order wine or beer with their dinner (btw, we aren't talking about a Miller or a Bud), chances are it is NOT going to effect you. Will there be the occasional person that has too much? Maybe, but the chances are A LOT slimmer than they are at anywhere else on WDW property. The environment will be extremely controlled and I've got a feeling they aren't going to allow someone to have too much to drink.

To me the MK lacks quality sit down restaurants, it appears that not allowing alcohol in the parks might be a reason, if it is, then I've got no problem with this as long as more options for dinning are added to MK. I'm not talking about another burger place either.

I get the feeling that most of you believe that you are going to see a bunch of drunk people walking around MK like you would at a club, that's not going to happen. I would bet that just about any place you went for dinner sells alcohol, this is nothing new really.

[JerseyDad]

.....I've seen more than a handful of people "get their buzz on" in either their resort of another park before heading to the MK ....so I don't think the MK being completely "dry" was keeping "recreational drinkers" from being there.

...that said...I just had the opportunity to look at the sample menu's. Who in the world is this restaurant for? I think it's for the adults...personally. Some of the food looks very interesting ....but I'd be hard pressed to believe most kids will look that that menu at jump for joy.

....I think they needed alcohol on the menu for the parents to be able to deal with their kids after they say "I don't want to eat THAT" and they have laid out a nice sized chunk of change for the experience!!

....and look...the bottom line..IS the bottom line!! If the sale of alcohol at BOG proves to be a money maker ....then expect the trend to expand to other MK eateries.

[Disney Doll]

Finally read through all the posts, whew!

My initial thought before reading any of the opinions was, meh no big deal. I don't understand why MK is the sacred cow when you can drink everywhere else on property.

After reading the comments I am struck by how many people are making assumptions. It went from a limited offering with dinner to MK being painted as some sort of beer fest. Will this open the door for more venues in MK? Maybe. If it does will my vacation be ruined? Nope. In all my time at WDW I've only experienced obnoxiously drunk guests at EPCOT FWF and even then only a couple of times over multiple trips/days. Outside of festival times I've never noticed inappropriate behavior attributed to alcohol. I would expect the same if alcohol service becomes the norm at MK.

I don't like beer or wine so this really affects me not at all. However, I do enjoy a mango margarita every time I'm in EPCOT and (gasp) I drink it with my kids around. Honestly I would prefer my kids to experience an example of responsible consumption rather than have alcohol painted as some sort of illicit substance which we teach them nothing about.

[figgie]

Wow, so many views on this subject. I've read every one and my opinion keeps fluctuating as I read and concider each one. So far, well, yes, Disney wants to make more money and alcohol might just help them do that. It might surprise many to know that the cruiselines profit extensively from the alcohol they sell onboard, and, yes, that includes the Disney cruiseline. I really want WDW to make as much money as they can. The Florida economy needs it, it's been rough around here. More jobs, more visitors, more income, yes, all needed.

Fine dinning in MK, yes, that is needed also. We are people who, when looking for a fine dinning experience, never look at MK as a destination. It would be nice to be able to spend the day there and not leave to find good food. We also enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.

Have we run into people who have had too much to drink? Yes, Yes and YES! Local traditions now include, along with the bridal parties of the many weddings held on property every day, bachelor and batchelorette parties held at EPCOT just for the "Drink your way around the World" oportunities provided. Many people take in too much alcohol and show it as well. But I've also seen many people acting crazy who have not been drinking, between large "tour" groups, school groups and other, well, just crazy people, it happens. We try to turn these incidents around if kids in our group notice and say anything. It will then become a learning time where we ask them how they feel when they see people act like this or conversations like that.

Alcohol at MK? I really didn't think it would ever happen so I'm not sure how I feel about it. Wine with fine dinning, yes. Will it lead to more, possibly. Out of context at MK, got to say yes. For or against it...on the fence still...

[Terra]

Maybe I'm different on this point, but I've seen quite a few posts saying it's all about the money. Okay, but I don't have an issue with that. They are a for profit business. No some religious institution or non-profit charity organization. It's still fun, it's still family friendly much more so than many things out there.
More power to them for making money. I gladly spend mine there. My children love all 'toys' and so do I!

[javamama]

For me and my dh, we like to have some cocktails on vacation. We usually have a beer or two at the parks. It will seem odd initially, but I do think it's ultimately about the $, just like in other industries revenue is vital. If by adding beer and wine helps to keep costs the same I'm fine with it. I always like te fact MK is dry, but change happens.

[John]

Ok, time to move on and say buh bye to this thread. Those who violated my requests to keep things adult like and civil a few pages back may find their posting privledges suspended for a couple weeks as a time out.

That is all.