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Credit: Disney / edited by Inside the MagicThere was a time when EPCOT represented the pinnacle of Disney sophistication — a park built around imagination, world culture, and innovation. But lately, it’s been making headlines for something else entirely. What used to be a celebration of culture and creativity has taken a messy turn, with guests describing the once-elegant World Showcase as “The Drunkest Place on Earth.”
Disney’s famous theme park has always been about letting loose and having fun, but recent scenes are turning that freedom into a PR headache. From intoxicated guests stumbling between countries to others getting sick in public areas, EPCOT’s party culture has taken on a life of its own.
It’s reached the point where some fans are saying Disney’s clean-cut image is being tarnished right in front of Cinderella Castle’s distant reflection — and the company may finally be forced to intervene.
EPCOT—The Park That Changed Everything
When EPCOT opened in 1982, it was designed to be educational, inspiring, and even a little futuristic. Walt Disney originally envisioned it as a community of tomorrow — not a place where guests would “drink around the world.” Yet decades later, EPCOT evolved into a food-and-beverage paradise, offering some of the most diverse culinary experiences in all of Walt Disney World.
Guests can sip champagne in France, enjoy sake in Japan, and knock back margaritas in Mexico — all without leaving a few steps of the World Showcase Lagoon. Add in the park’s laid-back atmosphere and abundance of festivals, and you’ve got a perfect storm for overindulgence.
That’s not to say EPCOT isn’t magical. It still boasts must-see attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Frozen Ever After, and Spaceship Earth. Families continue to explore the park’s educational exhibits, scenic gardens, and global pavilions. However, in recent years, the park’s identity has undergone a shift. It’s not just about exploration anymore — it’s about celebration, sometimes to a fault.
Festivals Fuel the Fire
EPCOT’s festivals are legendary. From the International Food & Wine Festival to the Festival of the Arts and Flower & Garden Festival, there’s always something happening. Guests love them for their creative food booths, exclusive merchandise, and themed entertainment. But as many Disney veterans have noticed, these celebrations also bring something else — more alcohol, more crowds, and more chaos.
The Food & Wine Festival, in particular, has developed a reputation for being one big drinking spree. Lines for beer and wine often stretch longer than those for rides, and Disney’s relaxed policies about alcohol sales have allowed guests to hop from booth to booth with a drink in hand. For some, it’s harmless fun. For others, it’s ruining the experience entirely.
Families who once loved EPCOT’s peaceful strolls and cultural showcases now report seeing public intoxication regularly. What was once considered Disney’s most “grown-up” park is now being compared to New Orleans’ Bourbon Street — and not in a flattering way.
The Party Culture Problem
EPCOT’s “drink around the world” trend has become something of a badge of honor among some Disney fans. You can even find T-shirts and social media hashtags celebrating the idea. But for every guest who enjoys a few drinks responsibly, there are plenty who take it too far.
One visitor described the current situation bluntly: “The sheer amount of drunken behavior today was just insane. I saw three different adults vomiting, multiple people who tripped and fell in traffic, stumbling, swearing, and too many arguments to count. The stupid ‘Drunk at EPCOT is the best kind of drunk’ t-shirts are everywhere.”
Another guest shared their horror story: “Some scumbag was so drunk, he barfed into the garbage can about halfway through the queue. Looking at his clothes, he’d clearly been vomiting for a while.”
Social media threads are now filled with frustrated families and longtime Disney fans expressing disappointment. Many are calling EPCOT “unrecognizable,” saying it’s become less Disney and “increasingly like Bourbon Street.”
Guests Are Speaking Out
The growing frustration isn’t just online chatter — it’s showing up in vacation decisions, too. Some guests are actively avoiding EPCOT altogether. “While we enjoy the festivals, we avoid EPCOT on the weekends at all costs,” one visitor wrote. “It’s not the same place it used to be. The crowd behavior has gotten out of hand.”
Others have echoed that sentiment, saying they no longer feel comfortable bringing their children to EPCOT at night. Families who once ended their Disney days watching fireworks over the lagoon now opt for Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios instead.
The irony is that Disney has spent the last few years trying to make its parks more family-friendly again after the pandemic. Yet the ongoing issues at EPCOT are undermining those efforts. What was once a park celebrated for cultural appreciation and innovation is becoming known for hangovers and arguments.
What Disney Could Do Next
It’s no secret that Disney has a delicate balance to maintain. Alcohol sales generate significant revenue, and EPCOT’s global drink offerings are a major draw for adult visitors. However, if the chaos continues to escalate, Disney may have no choice but to implement changes.
Some fans have suggested limits on the number of alcoholic drinks per guest or stricter enforcement of intoxication rules. Others propose designated “alcohol zones,” similar to Universal Orlando Resort’s approach, where drinking is more contained. Disney could also ramp up security presence, especially during festival weekends, to better manage disruptive behavior.
There’s also the question of image. For a company that brands itself as the ultimate family destination, the sight of adults vomiting in trash cans or stumbling through World Showcase doesn’t precisely scream “magic.” EPCOT has always been unique, but it’s veering dangerously close to alienating a significant portion of its loyal base.
Restoring the Magic
No one’s saying guests shouldn’t enjoy themselves. EPCOT was built to celebrate the joy of discovery — and that includes good food and drink. But there’s a difference between having fun and losing control.
The problem isn’t the occasional glass of wine in Italy or a cold beer in Germany. It’s the pattern of behavior that’s turning a world showcase of culture into something more chaotic. EPCOT deserves better — and so do the families who still see it as a place for wonder, not wasted weekends.
Disney has weathered many image challenges over the years, but this one feels particularly jarring. As the company continues to push for a return to its family-focused roots, reining in EPCOT’s drinking culture might be the first step toward restoring the park’s reputation.
After all, guests come to Disney to make memories, not to clean up after someone else’s bad decisions. If EPCOT is going to remain a cornerstone of Walt Disney World, it’s time for Disney to take control of its wildest park — before the “magic” completely disappears.