As we’ve mentioned in our Magic Kingdom Dining Guide, the adult beverage situation is very different at MK than the other Disney World theme parks. While wine, beer, and alcoholic cocktails are readily available at all restaurants as well as kiosks throughout those parks, getting a buzz at Magic Kingdom has always been a different proposition. The alcohol situation at WDW’s most family friendly theme park is about to change — in a very Magic Kingdom way.
Tip of the hat to Blog Mickey.
What’s the deal with alcohol and Magic Kingdom?
Magic Kingdom used to be a completely dry theme park, meaning that they did not sell alcohol anywhere inside the park. This was a continuation of a tradition at Disneyland, where only the elusive Club 33 served adult beverages. The reasoning behind this prohibition inside Magic Kingdom and Disneyland is widely believed to help preserve a family friendly atmosphere.
This changed when Be Our Guest opened with New Fantasyland in late 2012. It became the first Magic Kingdom restaurant to serve alcohol, offering dinner guests a menu of wine and beer to accompany their table service meal. The same policy has since spread to all Magic Kingdom table service restaurants. These are the only locations where you can purchase alcoholic beverages.
Magic Kingdom seems to try to hit a balance between guest demand for alcoholic beverages and not wanting to ruin the family vibe of the park. Anyone who has been to a crowded evening at EPCOT during the Food & Wine Festival knows that it can get a little rowdy. Magic Kingdom keeps its alcoholic beverages limited to table service meals, where it is very easy to not over-serve a guest.
The cocktails coming to three Magic Kingdom restaurants.
Up until this point, you would not be able to find anything with hard liquor in it offered at Magic Kingdom. That is changing at three restaurants: Skipper Canteen, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Golden Horseshoe. So, in Magic Kingdom fashion, you still will have to dine at a table service meal in order to enjoy a cocktail.
Here are the cocktails that will be available, starting September 13.
Skipper Canteen
- Jungle Bird Cocktail: Gosling Black Rum, Campari, Cane Syrup, with Pineapple and Lime Juices
- Golden Haze Margarita: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier, Agave Syrup, Lime Juice, and Smoked Chili Bitters
Liberty Tree Tavern
- Gold Rush: Elijah Craig Bourbon, Lemon Juice, and Honey garnished with crystalized Ginger
- Magical Beacon Cocktail: Empress 1908 Gin, Bols Blue Curacao, Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, Orgeat (Almond), Lemon, Hibiscus Grenadine, and souvenir Glow Cube
The Diamond Horseshoe
- Gold Rush: Elijah Craig Bourbon, Lemon Juice, and Honey garnished with crystalized Ginger
- Magical Beacon Cocktail: Empress 1908 Gin, Bols Blue Curacao, Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, Orgeat (Almond), Lemon, Hibiscus Grenadine, and souvenir Glow Cube
We want to hear from you!
What do you think about this change to Magic Kingdom’s alcoholic offerings? Do you think they should expand adult beverages to be like the three other theme parks at Disney World, or do you think they should go back to how it was before and not serve alcohol at all? Let me know in the comments below!
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