Is Food and Wine ruining Epcot for families?

[beer dave]

That may be so, but that's not exactly the OP's point! A family Disney park should not turn into a bar, and if so, should be treated like any bar, and the age requirement should be met - or at least not 'under' a certain age admitted.

And then the outrage of "My kids can't get into epcot? I want a refund!"

Parents are responsible for where and what their children are exposed to-- not a theme park. Take them in the afternoon. They are too tired by night time anyway.

 

[DebbieB]

I can tell you I've seen sexual activities at other parks that are definitely NOT family friendly. Including the MK where there isn't any alcohol.

People who act out like that, will do so, regardless of their environment. It is unfortunate, for everyone when that happens.

I was once at MK waiting for Spectro to start, we were by the Liberty Square entrance in front of the castle. A teen couple standing at the curb decided it was a good time to start kissing and pawing each other. The dad from a family next to me went over to them and told them to knock it off.

The last time I was at WDW for F & W (2010 I think), we arrived on a Saturday and went to Epcot that evening. It was so crowded and there were so many drunk & obnoxious people. The rest of the week was fine.

 

[Magpie]

So when children see drunk teens/young adults doing sexually provocative things to one another, it's ok?

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Define "sexually provocative". Not everyone's offended by the same things, and not everyone minds when other guests are loud and exuberant, regardless of whether they're drunk or not.

(Saw a fellow get on the monorail, flushed and weaving, who promptly vomited all over the place. Was he drunk? Oh wait, he was a preschooler! Guess not.)

The drunks and sexual acts are getting worse and worse. It has been for years and we feel we van no longer bring our grand kids to food and wine. Yes food and wine is for everyone and not just a drunk fest!

Sure every adult should be able to enjoy a few drinks and I do as well, but the falling down, weaving and urinating in the bushs, Groping your girl on a bench, that has got to stop!

AKK

I'm okay with public displays of affection, assuming no one's ripping each other's clothes off. And if you're on a bench, then at least I won't be tripping over you.

I usually think, "Aw, how sweet!" and move on, minding my own business.

I wouldn't be okay with urinating in the bushes, but thankfully I've never seen that at Disney, even during the F&W festival.

Are you saying that is should be only 21 and over during F and W?

Definitely, not! There are kids out there who would really enjoy trying foods from all around the world. As a parent, I would have been ticked to have my son locked out of the F&W, just because some people are freaked at the idea of their kids seeing a drunk person.

Seriously, it's not like your kid is going to spot one drunk guest and suddenly they'll decide this is life for them and become a drunk themselves. It doesn't work like that!

 

[LovemesomeDW]

Personally, I would never take my kids there in the evening because I know as the evening goes on, adults will get rowdy. It's a WINE festival for goodness sakes. Common sense would tell you that you will encounter some drunks. This past trip we stayed at BC and we would have my mother watch the kids at night while we walked over to the WS to enjoy some adult time. I really don't remember seeing much inappropriate behavior but I really didn't paid attention to what others were doing. There is still plenty of Epcot for families to enjoy without visiting the F&W booths. And if you really want to visit F&W, try doing it earlier in the afternoon. My oldest son (9) wanted to enjoy it too so one day we went right when the WS opened at 11 and the crowds were low and we had no problems.

 

[declansdad]

There are drunks at Disney every day of the year. There are people who sneak booze into the MK. During the summer when it is really hot, you will see a lot of angry, overheated drunks.

This is the same thread that comes up every year. You'd think people who have been to F&W before and who have been members here for years would know that the Friday/Saturday nights at F&W is not the place that young families will likely enjoy being at.

I think some people just like to complain.

 

[declansdad]

Definitely, not! There are kids out there who would really enjoy trying foods from all around the world. As a parent, I would have been ticked to have my son locked out of the F&W, just because some people are freaked at the idea of their kids seeing a drunk person.

Seriously, it's not like your kid is going to spot one drunk guest and suddenly they'll decide this is life for them and become a drunk themselves. It doesn't work like that!

I agree with you. I was wondering if that is what North of Mouse was saying.

 

[kastoney]

Agreeing with most others here, if you feel it has deteriorated then don't go. We went in September with our young daughter and felt it was very appropriate for her to be there. We're people drinking? Yes, including us. We're some people obnoxious? Yes, though if someone has a recipe for avoiding obnoxious people in life Id love to know. Do I know how to parent? Yes. If I felt something was going to be inappropriate for my daughter I wouldn't take her. But people drinking and the possibility of stupidity is not one of those things. If I took that tact we wouldn't go to sporting events, concerts, etc. We choose to live life, not avoid it, and not shield our daughter from unknown possibilities.

 

[beer dave]

Agreeing with most others here, if you feel it has deteriorated then don't go. We went in September with our young daughter and felt it was very appropriate for her to be there. We're people drinking? Yes, including us. We're some people obnoxious? Yes, though if someone has a recipe for avoiding obnoxious people in life Id love to know. Do I know how to parent? Yes. If I felt something was going to be inappropriate for my daughter I wouldn't take her. But people drinking and the possibility of stupidity is not one of those things. If I took that tact we wouldn't go to sporting events, concerts, etc. We choose to live life, not avoid it, and not shield our daughter from unknown possibilities.

 

[North of Mouse]

Are you saying that is should be only 21 and over during F and W?

Maybe you need to 'reread' the post you quoted. I didn't mention an age. The 'point' I was trying to make was that this IS a family park and not a (weekends especially) bar. Children are 'not' admitted to bars.

There are drunks at Disney every day of the year. There are people who sneak booze into the MK. During the summer when it is really hot, you will see a lot of angry, overheated drunks.

I have been going to Disney since 1971 and have never seen that type of behavior (F&W excepted - one visit) - not saying you haven't.

This is the same thread that comes up every year. You'd think people who have been to F&W before and who have been members here for years would know that the Friday/Saturday nights at F&W is not the place that young families will likely enjoy being at.

So? Sort of my point!

And then the outrage of "My kids can't get into epcot? I want a refund!"

Just like other outrages of 'some' parents - ie. being shut out of some rides because of height, etc.

It really amazes me how the majority of posters on here have literally been attacking the OP for 'asking' questions. We can 'all' have our opinions without being attacked. She was asking, for Pete's sake, not demanding you see her point of view.

Some people really need to grow up and learn to share opinions without trying to make it 'my' way or the highway! A little civility goes a long way.

My apologies to you OP




Parents are responsible for where and what their children are exposed to-- not a theme park. Take them in the afternoon. They are too tired by night time anyway.

 

[disneycrazi]

We have been every year for the last few and this year we just adjusted our plan for Food And Wine. We stayed at the Poly and DS really wanted to try the Neverland Club so we went to Future World with him in the morning then came back to the resort and he went to the Neverland Club for the evening while we went to Food and Wine.
It was nice to enjoy the festival without worrying about DS. Were there drunk folks? Yes. Were they staggering, and groping? Yes. But, we dodged it all and was just glad DS was not there to see it. He had a great time at the Neverland Club and didn't want to leave. Not saying this would work for everyone but it did for us. My BIG complaint or more of a concern is the parents pushing strollers with one or more kids in it, kids crying, parents both super drunk. That made me sad.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't think it's ruining Epcot, but yeah, I wouldn't take my kids there on certain nights. I don't really enjoy being around people who are drinking myself (I don't drink) so I can't imagine enjoying bringing my kids there on certain nights.

 

[WDSearcher]

So you are now no longer say it was a suggestion, but rather wanting to know why a question was asked?

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I think maybe what got to people was the leap between Allison's response and your follow-up question.

She said that no, she didn't think It was an issue. And you came back with a question that was pretty confrontative and assumed an awful lot.

Kind of like if someone had read your initial post and come back with, "So you think it's okay for Disney to discriminate against adults and only let families with kids into the parks?"

It was just a very quick leap from opinion to confrontation.

 

[Disneylover99]

I think maybe what got to people was the leap between Allison's response and your follow-up question.

She said that no, she didn't think It was an issue. And you came back with a question that was pretty confrontative and assumed an awful lot.

It was just a very quick leap from opinion to confrontation.

Yes, this!

 

[DOOM1001]

Over the last 10-15 years I probably have spent well over 100 nights in Epcot for F&W and in all those visits the amount of over the top drunk people I've seen has been so negligible compared to the amount of happy people enjoying the festival it's not even worth worrying about it.I think the subject of drunk people in Epcot for F&W is overblown.If you're worried about possibly seeing someone drunk,go on a weekday at opening.

 

[readytogo]

We just got back too. As we hop, we spent a lot of time at F & W over the course of the week or so that we were there, both on weekend and week nights. While the crowds were quite large, we saw nothing that suggested to us that the atmosphere was inappropriate for anybody. Just an energetic bunch of people having fun. We see people 'drinking around the world' all year round and there are just more people doing it during F & W.

I also think that people's definition of 'inappropriate behavior' varies widely and if the atmosphere at F & W isn't appropriate for you or your family, then simply don't go. There are way too many other things to do at WDW.

One night we were at Magic Kingdom between the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes. The crowds were so bad that nobody could move. Panic started to set in for some (especially those with young children and strollers) when they realized that they were helpless and couldn't move. Then the lights went out for Wishes I heard more colorful language and witnessed some incredibly bad behavior that could have been considered way more inappropriate than anything that may happen at F & W.

Long live the F & W festival!

 

[ftballfan7]

There is nothing wrong with a venue at WDW where an adult can be an adult. Are there some occurences of irresponsible behavior? Yes (probably more so since they closed Pleasure Island), but it isn't that bad. If you don't want your kids in a particular atmosphere than remove them from it, but others (including myself), enjoy F&W and am thankful for an oppurtunity for a little diversity of experiences.

If your children witness some people acting inappropriately you could take the oppurtunity to discuss proper behavior, and self respect. Granted these discussions are age/maturity dependant but their entire lives are part of the learning experience.

 

[beer dave]

Over the last 10-15 years I probably have spent well over 100 nights in Epcot for F&W and in all those visits the amount of over the top drunk people I've seen has been so negligible compared to the amount of happy people enjoying the festival it's not even worth worrying about it.I think the subject of drunk people in Epcot for F&W is overblown.If you're worried about possibly seeing someone drunk,go on a weekday at opening.

I agree, but I think I got in trouble for saying it-- the quote of my post was greatly distorted or added to and I can't understand the connotation.

 

[disnut8]

I think the subject of drunk people in Epcot for F&W is overblown.

I agree. I have seen drunks at Disney World all through the year, not just during the Food & Wine Festival. I have seen public displays of affection at Disney World all through the year, not just during the Food & wine Festival. And when I say Disney World, I mean all four parks, not just Epcot (and yes, Magic Kingdom included).

And I agree with a PP who said that "objectionable" behavior is subjective. Even in my own small family, we don't always agree on what is "objectionable". My daughter-in-law (who is 37 years old) emailed me (I'm 51) a photo of a shirt she and my son are going to get my granddaughter (she's 15) for Christmas. I liked it and showed it to my husband (who is 53). He gagged and said something about undergarments showing through the shirt. So, to him, that shirt was "objectionable". To this rest of us, various degrees.

 

[samnbilly]

What time are we talking about re: these drunk & inappropriate people? We were in Epcot every night for dinner this week & didn't encounter any inappropriate ppl.

That's not to say at "last call for alcohol" that wasn't the case.

Why would kids want to hang around at a bunch of food & wine booths while they could go on attractions with basically NO lines? Or perhaps a late closing @ MK?

I saw more crying kids, melting down over being exhausted at dinner or on LATE busses than any public drunkenness.

Sometimes it has nothing to do with Disney, it has to do with parenting & what you feel is appropriate or not & yes, I have 2 teens with me, one that is 14.

 

[Allison]

I think maybe what got to people was the leap between Allison's response and your follow-up question.

She said that no, she didn't think It was an issue. And you came back with a question that was pretty confrontative and assumed an awful lot.

Kind of like if someone had read your initial post and come back with, "So you think it's okay for Disney to discriminate against adults and only let families with kids into the parks?"

It was just a very quick leap from opinion to confrontation.

Yes it was.

Thank you.