So what happens if you want to buy a popcorn bucket with churros instead? You still get the popcorn. If you wanted the beer stein with soda, you just can’t get the beer stein. This is all about the price point than the drink. Complaining could help because they’re aware of it now, but typically there’s no substitution. They want to earn the same money that alcohol brings. What they actually did is make them pay the same price even though they won’t drink it.
The story said the person offered to pay the price for an alcoholic drink but was still denied. That’s even better for the company since they get to sell the alcohol for that drink twice.
Disney can and MUST do better for the very large number (and growing) of people who don’t drink alcohol. They claim to be inclusive, but do nonsense like this.
Honestly when I go to Disneyland it’s to enjoy the day with my grandkids, why would I want to spend all that money and then drink plus the fact you drink then get behind the wheel of a car even when I was younger I knew better than to consume alcohol go on roller-coaster that just intensifies the feeling then drive
This happened to me at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel. I just wanted the tiki mug but not the drink. The bartender said I would need to pay the same price without the drink which was fine with me. It’s sad they would not accommodate the person’s request. What if someone was in sobriety and the alcoholic drink tempts them to break their sobriety and drink? Where’s the kindness? I don’t like all these changes Disney has made to care more about politics and not people even young people.
If a person was in sobriety then they shouldn’t be going to a bar (or place that serves alcohol) to begin with. Sorry but Disney parks aren’t AA meetings and aren’t responsible to cater to every single person’s wish and whim.
It’s entirely possible to be sober for reasons other than alcoholism. Some don’t like the taste. For others it can be against their religion. Personally I have a medical issue that means I can no longer drink alcohol but I still love going to bars and drinking with friends.
That’s very fair. I myself rarely drink because I’d rather have a clear mind when I work with things. However that doesn’t mean I stand outside in the rain as I watch my friends have fun at karaoke bars.
Had the exact opposite situation multiple times at multiple bars including Sam’s. They happily filled my tiki mug up with soda. Just made me pay for mug and soda not the alcohol. Not sure where you got this BS about Disney caring more about politics than people… they care for people, you seem like you don’t like that they’ve included people you hate.
You’re really not going to like what I have to say. I believe it’s terrible that the parks serve alcohol. Disney parks should be “dry” like Walt intended. If the Disney’s were still alive; that would never happen. It’s ok to have bars at the resorts & stuff but putting booze into SOME people is just adding fuel to the fire. They get rude & obnoxious. That kind of behavior should not be around children. If you need a drink to have fun at Disney; I’d say you have major problems & you shouldn’t be hanging at the parks at all. Just go to a bar & enjoy yourself.
Same reason you get free liquor at gambling casinos. It makes you looser with decisions/cash/shopping.
And you’re right. I didn’t like what you chose to say.
I completely agree. Who thought it would be a good idea to serve alcohol? Are they that hard up for money? This is a horrible example for the kids not to mention too many people don’t know when to stop or how to behave. I was so disappointed in Disney when I saw this.
So I when to disney world last November for the 50th anniversary and while there we got reservations for Oga’s canteen. I am a huge fan of both disney, starwars and tiki stuff so when I saw they had a flight board and tiki mugs I had to go. The experience was great but when we got back we found the board shattered. We didn’t drop it and I held it the whole was back. We tried to call the customer service and it took 5 months to get a replacement and we the new one arrived it was unprotected and broke again. This was a 120ish item that was broke twice before ever being used.
We had the exact same experience. Offered to pay full price for the cup. Asked for a NA version of the drink. The CM said they would get in trouble if they gave us the drink with no liquor. It was really disappointing that if we wanted the cup, we had to take the alcohol and then throw it away. :/
I had the same experience aboard the Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser. In order to get one of the souvenir glasses, I had to get the alcoholic drink filled. I could neither get a non-alcoholic substitute, nor the empty souvenir glass.
Honestly, I don’t get all the fuss about Popcorn buckets and Souvenir cups. I think about 90% of all the cups and buckets I have purchased over the years have ended up being sent to the thrift store over time. They are often very bulky and clunky, and usually just get thrown into storage bins where they sit for years until… it’s time for the thrift store. There are better quality souvenirs you can spend your money on that will mean more to you, and will probably appreciate better price-wise over time.
I had the same issue with the Epcot Garden festival drink, although either they told you upfront or I heard from another guest no substitutions. One of booths had a themed/branded Mason jar that you HAD to get the alcohol version for the jar. The kicker was they sold a non alcoholic version of the same drink but not in the Mason jar. They wouldn’t let you get the non alcoholic version, or a different drink, or pay just for the jar.
So I arrived late for the VIP Fantasmic show at the Belle Terrace (stuck in web slingers) and I was refused entry despite my friend paying for my seat. I even called her to get me at the front as proof that wasn’t lying. Their stupid ass policy was that you had to be there for dinner in order to be seated at the venue despite being already paid for it. I told them that they better refund my spot cause of that stupid policy and they did.
I asked the same thing!! I don’t drink but really wanted the beaker. They said I could order the drink and dump it out. So I just asked for the drink that comes in it but virgin and they said they can’t do it.
The policy has a good basis. And it has nothing to do with money. Restaurants outside of WDW do it too. For instance, If a glass beverage container means it has liquor and a plastic container means it doesn’t have liquor and that is a standard in the restaurant/park you cannot serve a Coke in a glass glass. Every employee knows that beverage container signifies this drink has liquor. If you serve a non alcoholic drink in a glass beverage container you make every staff member question. “Is that liquor in that glass?” But if you never serve NA beverages in glass it is a easy spot if a minor has alcohol. Not saying minors can’t switch glasses but that’s another topic. Good on that staff member for holding the policy under probably a difficult situation. This is about WDW doing everything it can to ensure they have a liquor license in the future.
Had a similar experience at Disney Springs over the weekend. We tried ordering the hot chocolate flight at Jock Lindsey’s Hanger without alcohol but they couldn’t do it. We figured it’s a premade bag mix so went with another drink however, it is odd that nonalcoholic/mocktails aren’t available at bars across Disney.
Something similar happened to me in Orlando at Black Spire Outpost. There is a drink there that I read about before my visit that reportedly causes a slight numbing effect in your mouth. I knew ahead of time it was a alcoholic drink. I waited in a short line and asked if the drink could be served alcohol free. They couldn’t provide me the experience without the alcohol. Bit of a bummer but understandable. I went about my day and still had a incredible time living out my nerd fantasy.
Comments for Disneyland Allegedly Forced Sober Guest to Purchase Alcohol to Have Same Experience as Others
PPop
So what happens if you want to buy a popcorn bucket with churros instead? You still get the popcorn. If you wanted the beer stein with soda, you just can’t get the beer stein. This is all about the price point than the drink. Complaining could help because they’re aware of it now, but typically there’s no substitution. They want to earn the same money that alcohol brings. What they actually did is make them pay the same price even though they won’t drink it.
Chris
Actually, you can tell them you don’t want the popcorn and there is no waste that way.
Turtle
The story said the person offered to pay the price for an alcoholic drink but was still denied. That’s even better for the company since they get to sell the alcohol for that drink twice.
Bob
If it’s true. I mean everything on Reddit is ALWAYS true right? Just like everything on the Internet.
Gary
They should know better to have alcohol in the first place it is against Walt’s orders for alcohol to be in his parks !
Chris
Disney can and MUST do better for the very large number (and growing) of people who don’t drink alcohol. They claim to be inclusive, but do nonsense like this.
Phil
Agreed. I’m epileptic and cannot drink because of my anti-seizure medication. Ummm… if they did it to me they would be talking to my lawyer!!!!
The Judge
Good luck finding a lawyer that would interpret this as “forced”. You don’t want it? Don’t buy it. Idiots.
Tisa
Honestly when I go to Disneyland it’s to enjoy the day with my grandkids, why would I want to spend all that money and then drink plus the fact you drink then get behind the wheel of a car even when I was younger I knew better than to consume alcohol go on roller-coaster that just intensifies the feeling then drive
Pocho Villa
This happened to me at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel. I just wanted the tiki mug but not the drink. The bartender said I would need to pay the same price without the drink which was fine with me. It’s sad they would not accommodate the person’s request. What if someone was in sobriety and the alcoholic drink tempts them to break their sobriety and drink? Where’s the kindness? I don’t like all these changes Disney has made to care more about politics and not people even young people.
Kevin
If a person was in sobriety then they shouldn’t be going to a bar (or place that serves alcohol) to begin with. Sorry but Disney parks aren’t AA meetings and aren’t responsible to cater to every single person’s wish and whim.
Heidi
It’s entirely possible to be sober for reasons other than alcoholism. Some don’t like the taste. For others it can be against their religion. Personally I have a medical issue that means I can no longer drink alcohol but I still love going to bars and drinking with friends.
Sora
That’s very fair. I myself rarely drink because I’d rather have a clear mind when I work with things. However that doesn’t mean I stand outside in the rain as I watch my friends have fun at karaoke bars.
Casandra D
Makes sense. You’d have to be intoxicated at Disneyland to be able to tolerate it.
Micki
Ummmm yes they were created for all and especially families maybe know your history before you make an idiotic statement
Dave
Had the exact opposite situation multiple times at multiple bars including Sam’s. They happily filled my tiki mug up with soda. Just made me pay for mug and soda not the alcohol. Not sure where you got this BS about Disney caring more about politics than people… they care for people, you seem like you don’t like that they’ve included people you hate.
Wawas
Disney Morons
Kevin
I call total BS on this “story”. This site just gets worse and worse with their one sided “reporting”
Captain Jack's Revenge
I call Bull $h!t on this one.
Carol
You’re really not going to like what I have to say. I believe it’s terrible that the parks serve alcohol. Disney parks should be “dry” like Walt intended. If the Disney’s were still alive; that would never happen. It’s ok to have bars at the resorts & stuff but putting booze into SOME people is just adding fuel to the fire. They get rude & obnoxious. That kind of behavior should not be around children. If you need a drink to have fun at Disney; I’d say you have major problems & you shouldn’t be hanging at the parks at all. Just go to a bar & enjoy yourself.
Marvin
Same reason you get free liquor at gambling casinos. It makes you looser with decisions/cash/shopping.
And you’re right. I didn’t like what you chose to say.
Karen
I completely agree. Who thought it would be a good idea to serve alcohol? Are they that hard up for money? This is a horrible example for the kids not to mention too many people don’t know when to stop or how to behave. I was so disappointed in Disney when I saw this.
Coleman
So I when to disney world last November for the 50th anniversary and while there we got reservations for Oga’s canteen. I am a huge fan of both disney, starwars and tiki stuff so when I saw they had a flight board and tiki mugs I had to go. The experience was great but when we got back we found the board shattered. We didn’t drop it and I held it the whole was back. We tried to call the customer service and it took 5 months to get a replacement and we the new one arrived it was unprotected and broke again. This was a 120ish item that was broke twice before ever being used.
MAP
We had the exact same experience. Offered to pay full price for the cup. Asked for a NA version of the drink. The CM said they would get in trouble if they gave us the drink with no liquor. It was really disappointing that if we wanted the cup, we had to take the alcohol and then throw it away. :/
Aaron
I had the same experience aboard the Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser. In order to get one of the souvenir glasses, I had to get the alcoholic drink filled. I could neither get a non-alcoholic substitute, nor the empty souvenir glass.
Vince Gonzales
Honestly, I don’t get all the fuss about Popcorn buckets and Souvenir cups. I think about 90% of all the cups and buckets I have purchased over the years have ended up being sent to the thrift store over time. They are often very bulky and clunky, and usually just get thrown into storage bins where they sit for years until… it’s time for the thrift store. There are better quality souvenirs you can spend your money on that will mean more to you, and will probably appreciate better price-wise over time.
B.Love
I had the same issue with the Epcot Garden festival drink, although either they told you upfront or I heard from another guest no substitutions. One of booths had a themed/branded Mason jar that you HAD to get the alcohol version for the jar. The kicker was they sold a non alcoholic version of the same drink but not in the Mason jar. They wouldn’t let you get the non alcoholic version, or a different drink, or pay just for the jar.
Jim S
Call your sponsor.
T-Rance
So I arrived late for the VIP Fantasmic show at the Belle Terrace (stuck in web slingers) and I was refused entry despite my friend paying for my seat. I even called her to get me at the front as proof that wasn’t lying. Their stupid ass policy was that you had to be there for dinner in order to be seated at the venue despite being already paid for it. I told them that they better refund my spot cause of that stupid policy and they did.
Katie
I asked the same thing!! I don’t drink but really wanted the beaker. They said I could order the drink and dump it out. So I just asked for the drink that comes in it but virgin and they said they can’t do it.
Christopher
The policy has a good basis. And it has nothing to do with money. Restaurants outside of WDW do it too. For instance, If a glass beverage container means it has liquor and a plastic container means it doesn’t have liquor and that is a standard in the restaurant/park you cannot serve a Coke in a glass glass. Every employee knows that beverage container signifies this drink has liquor. If you serve a non alcoholic drink in a glass beverage container you make every staff member question. “Is that liquor in that glass?” But if you never serve NA beverages in glass it is a easy spot if a minor has alcohol. Not saying minors can’t switch glasses but that’s another topic. Good on that staff member for holding the policy under probably a difficult situation. This is about WDW doing everything it can to ensure they have a liquor license in the future.
Kaitlin
Had a similar experience at Disney Springs over the weekend. We tried ordering the hot chocolate flight at Jock Lindsey’s Hanger without alcohol but they couldn’t do it. We figured it’s a premade bag mix so went with another drink however, it is odd that nonalcoholic/mocktails aren’t available at bars across Disney.
Stark
Something similar happened to me in Orlando at Black Spire Outpost. There is a drink there that I read about before my visit that reportedly causes a slight numbing effect in your mouth. I knew ahead of time it was a alcoholic drink. I waited in a short line and asked if the drink could be served alcohol free. They couldn’t provide me the experience without the alcohol. Bit of a bummer but understandable. I went about my day and still had a incredible time living out my nerd fantasy.
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