MK to serve alcohol

[Tom Morrow]

Magic Kingdom to serve alcohol at Be Our Guest restaurant

Magic Kingdom to serve alcohol for the first time ever with opening of Be Our Guest restaurant Orlando Attractions Magazine For the first time in its history, alcohol will be served at the Magic Kingdom theme park during regular opening hours. But it will only be served at one location, the new Be Our Guest restaurant in New Fantasyland. The Be Our Guest restaurant opens on Nov. 19. It’s part of the Beauty and the Beast area of new Fantasyland. Information about how the beverage choices fit into the theme was posted to the Disney Parks Blog: — “As part of the overall theming, we wanted to offer wine that enhances the guest experience and complements the French-inspired cuisine,” says Stuart McGuire, Beverage Director, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “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,” says McGuire. “And, staying in the general region, we’ll also offer Belgian beers.” — Beer and wine will only be offered with dinner and won’t be available to go. by Matt Roseboom complete article

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Submitted by Ezra

[Ezra]

Whoa...the Be Our Guest Restaurant will, for the first time ever in the Magic Kingdom, be serving beer and wine! The beverage menu has been posted on the Walt Disney World website here.

I'll be interested to learn the result of this. Since Disneyland now has a resort-wide license, it may also begin some limited alcohol service beyond Club 33. I don't think many venues should serve alcohol, but I do think that the most upscale ones should. Blue Bayou, for example. I can imagine dining on the veranda of a plantation house looking out on the Bayou and enjoying a classic cocktail.

Jes' muddle up a couple a' mint leaves wit' The Bourbon... It's not a Mint Julep without The Bourbon.

[disneylover]

I don't like this idea at Disneyland. DCA and DTD are so close, if you really want a drink, you can head there. I've been very lucky to dine at Clubb 33 twice and it was neat to order a drink there. It made dining there even more special.

I can see how at WDW they would want to add this because as I understand it, the parks are so far apart. But I like the fact the DL doesn't serve alcohol still.

[Ezra]

I wouldn't put it anywhere that's walk-in service. I would only put where advance reservations are required. Which would be, what? Café Orléans and Blue Bayou. I'd even be reluctant to put it in Café Orléans, since on slow days, you can get in without a reservation. At Blue Bayou, it's simply impossible. And, unlike Café Orléans, it doesn't have any outdoor area at all; so it wouldn't look like public drinking. So... Blue Bayou and Club 33 would be it. ...if I were king of Disneyland.

[Wedbliss]

It's important to keep in mind that beer and wine will only be served during dinner hours and only for consumption in the restaurant. People will not be strolling around the park with alcohol as they do in DCA, Epcot, DHS and AK. In that way, it's not so different from alcohol being served at Club 33.

Another thing to consider is that no one is going to be able to have dinner at Be Our Guest without making reservations months in advance. It will not be possible to drop in and have a drink on a whim.

I can see Disney's point in saying that a French restaurant would not be complete without patrons being able to drink a glass of wine with their meal. But I think the real reason behind this is that alcohol sales are so incredibly profitable. One of the big differences between the way the parks are run now compared to how they were run in the past is that when Disney starts talking about "guest experience" I now become suspicious. How very convenient that guest demand usually results in greater revenue for Disney. Yes, I can be that cynical. I am sorry to say that spending so much time in the WDW parks, while having been fun, has also changed my point of view on a number of things and not for the better.

I would hope that anyone who is opposed to this would complain to Disney. On the other hand, I would think that Disney is prepared for a certain amount of backlash and will simply give polite responses until the din dies down and wine sales in Fantasyland are simply part of the scenery.

[disneylover]

I could see it Blue Bayou. I haven't eaten there in years. It was pretty pricey last time we dined there. But I agree, I don't like the idea of people strolling around holding beers Only in sit down service restaurants that require a reservation (although we have been able to make reservations the same day at BB, but that was 5+ years ago) Should be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Bloomin Cockroachers]

I'll be interested to learn the result of this. Since Disneyland now has a resort-wide license, it may also begin some limited alcohol service beyond Club 33. I don't think many venues should serve alcohol, but I do think that the most upscale ones should. Blue Bayou, for example. I can imagine dining on the veranda of a plantation house looking out on the Bayou and enjoying a classic cocktail.

Jes' muddle up a couple a' mint leaves wit' The Bourbon... It's not a Mint Julep without The Bourbon.

The BOURBON! Haha.

I have no problem with this since it is only available during table service. It's just beer and wine inside the restaurant. It's not people doing shots while on Dumbo. Wouldn't mind having it coming into Disneyland, as long as guests are not allowed to walk around with it.

[Executioner]

Gots ta have tha Bourbon!!!!!!!

I think it still is noce to not have the alcohol in Disneyland itself. Some traditions should be maintained and I think this is one that should.