Day drinkers at Epcot upset about relocation of a trash can

The_Orient_of_Express:

Yes. Many times, but always with my family.

Not labeling anyone as anything, but I see this mentioned a lot. It seems to infer that "but I'm with my family" means "the parents can't consume alcohol".

I actually think it's a point of pride that we have modeled how to consume alcohol in a responsible way to our kids, whether at home, or at Cedar Point, or EPCOT, or my in-laws.

I'm sure people get knackered pretty much everywhere it's available, but yes, I think the price tag at places like amusement parks limits that to a significant degree.

There has not been a time in my life where adults didn't drink around kids. My mom would exaggerate the effects of one glass of wine for attention.

As an adult, my kid hasn't seen us really ****-faced, but he understands what it is and how it affects you. It's like swearing, I've never not done that in front of him either. I'd rather he got all this from me and not elsewhere.

Regardless, the notion that one doesn't drink because of "family" has a very different one from me. Furthermore, consuming alcohol is not inherently done with the intent of getting drunk.

Alcohol is different things to different people, and I’m a little fascinated with the observation. I’m not the one who has to drink wherever I go, but I’ve been know to tip a couple (a few?) in public. Our EPCOT visit to Drink Around the World will be long-remembered.
I guess I have two main concerns when drinking. How obnoxious or embarrassing will I be and (most important) am I driving? So often I’m the DD because drinking isn’t high on my list these days. Gone are the days when I would pound down the beers at Cedar Point or Kings Island then blink my eyes behind the wheel all the way home. Thank goodness.
We were at a big comedy concert the other night and had great seats in an arena setting. We Uber-rode and still, I had a soft drink. There was this couple right in front of us and after the three opening acts were done and the $$$ headliner that everyone was waiting for came out the gentleman decided he needed to stand up, fiddle with his jacket, then make his way across the row so he could leave and go get another 17 dollar draft beer. Some minutes later he came back all smiles, clearly living his best life. I know I’d be a better person for not judging this guy’s behavior but I couldn’t help but shake my head. When Nate finally hit the stage my view of his entrance was blocked by a jackass who needed a beer and I was far from happy.

RCMAC:

Alcohol is different things to different people

You can say that again. Fingers crossed, I'll have six years of sobriety early next month. My relationship with alcohol is either "there isn't one" or "more"--there is no middle ground for me, and I've tried.

But I watch other people order a glass of wine for dinner, sip at it, and leave part of it behind. I cannot wrap my head around that, in the same way that many of my family members could not understand what it was like for me.

Yeah. I am lucky to not have that problem. I know when to stop and it's usually well before I am anywhere near a problem. I will happily have 2 beers and a brewery and be done. What I do have is a bit of a pavlov's dogs response to certain situations. I have a hard time not stopping at Duff's when walking by or if I am on vacation skiing I am stopping somewhere warm and enjoying a beer.

RCMAC:

I guess I have two main concerns when drinking.

This to me is basic being an adult (addiction issues not withstanding).

I tend to be very aware of what I consume, because of a history of addiction and alcoholism on one side of the family. And I'm not going to lie, I like having a little buzz, because it makes socialization easier, and I know as I track my challenges with anxiety, ADHD and autism, it turns off the part of my brain that causes me to be so exhausted a lot of the time. (Side bar: There are other ways toward this as well, like lorazepam and probably the best option, medical level marijuana dosage.) But this is balanced against the fact that I'm not a college kid, and my body gets kind of pissed about being pissed. I won't even have a glass of wine during the week.

All that to say that I deeply appreciate people who choose sobriety. I feel like I dodged a bullet genetically, because I do know moderation most of the time, and I'm not super interested the rest of the time. I do enjoy the hobby of mixology, but I'm a sipper. So hats off to anyone who recognizes alcohol as a quality of life problem and can do something about it. I've known a lot of people who could not, and most are either dead or not likely to lead long lives.

Brian Noble, congratulations and may your recovery and sobriety last a lifetime. I’ll be rooting for you.
I have similar challenges to you, but with food. Like so many other Boomers, I wouldn’t dream of leaving a drop on a plate and it’s a problem. The chickens have definitely come home to roost with that one, but that’s a confession for another day.

I'm in a different fellowship, but I can definitely appreciate 6 years of sobriety. Congrats! Whenever I get sad about the things I have to eliminate from my own life that other people don't seem to have trouble with, I remember that I can have a drink, eat a burger, play a slot machine, or charge something to my credit card and walk away. I'm working on focusing on the things I can enjoy instead of fixating on the things I can't.

Perspective is a very powerful thing.

"Drinking Around the World" has been a thing at Epcot for a long time, though heightened by the festivals. We were doing that, and calling it that, in '92 when I was on the College Program. It explains why I came back from the WDWCP in debt. Well, Pleasure Island didn't help either.

wahoo skipper:

Pleasure Island

Kungaloosh!

I spent WAY too much time in the Adventurer's Club. Most of the performers knew me by name. If I wasn't in the Adventurer's Club I was in the small arcade playing Addams Family Pinball. The pinball was a lot more affordable than the drinks.

I was at most a social drinker, mostly with friends or family occasionally, or having a few after quitting time with the owner of the pipe organ company I worked part time for. I had an acute appendicitis on Halloween morning 1999. I spent a week in the hospital with IV's in both arms. About three days later the doctor told me that I had been within minutes of not making it. When I got out, I found that I could no longer tolerate any kind or amount of alcohol. I don't miss it.

Interesting thread. It feels like it turned into impromptu AA meeting.

I’ve always been just a social drinker. I never really deeply loved the taste of alcohol. Congrats to anyone that has overcome and conquered their alcohol demons.

I drank a few times in my life, but it never really appealed to me. Friends and family tell me that I'd lighten up and be more social if I'd drink or toke a little. I've even gone as far as to secretly pour out my beer and put some Pepsi in the can, then act like I'm buzzed, just to fit in.

I don't know why I don't have any interest in drinking. I grew up with responsible social drinking in my family, and never had a bad experience with it. It's not for religious reasons or anything. I'm guess I'm wired different.

No judgement towards y'all though. Almost everyone I know drinks.

LostKause:

I don't know why I don't have any interest in drinking. I grew up with responsible social drinking in my family, and never had a bad experience with it. It's not for religious reasons or anything. I'm guess I'm wired different.

To this day, I still don’t know why I never tried any drugs or smoked cigarettes ever?

growing up my entire family smoked, but I always hated the smell and how it would get into my clothes. I had alot of friends around who did drugs. I was tempted and offered, but never tried.

Same. Never smoked either. I guess the "war on drugs" nonsense (which had a lot of unintended consequences) sunk in to some degree. I didn't have a drink until I was 20. I have tried medical dose edibles though, and I'm thinking that's gonna be my go-to to treat insomnia and anxiety.

It's interesting to hear the different reasons and intent for consuming alcohol. Perceptions and cultural views seem to play a lot into it. Beer seems to be associated with getting college drunk. Wine is a sophisticated thing for use with dinner. Cider, malts, alcoholic sodas are linked to a certain demographic for social situations (White Girl Claw). Mixed cocktails are having more of a moment, across vacations, travel, entertaining, craft presentation.

I can't really drink beer anymore. It pisses off my GI. I've been really into mixology for a few years, which is an expensive hobby and makes you look like you have a problem. I can't do that as much either because I feel lousy the next day if I have too much. I'd be sad though if I couldn't have it, not because of the "feels," but because I enjoy making stuff, as it's the closest thing that I get to cooking.

I enjoy drinking, but I'm one of those people that often avoids it because of the cost. I would rather spend $50 on a really good meal than spend $25 on an average meal and another $25 on drinks. (I know you can prioritize both. I'm just cheap like that.) My favorite booze is free booze. Most of my liquor at home were gifts and I can make a 12 pack of beer last awhile, not to mention how long I can get by on leftovers that friends leave behind.

Jeff:

because I enjoy making stuff, as it's the closest thing that I get to cooking.

We bought my son this zero-alcohol beverage book for Christmas (he is a foodie/mixologist). He made a couple of things out of it before he went back home, and they were non-trivial effort but awesome. Like you probably want to own a sous vide levels of effort, but we also bought him one of those.

https://www.theaviarybooks....lic-drinks

I am well past the stage of drinking to feel the effects (except for coffee). I drink now because I like certain drinks. I've really come to enjoy different types of beer and wine, and a cocktail if I'm out and about. Now, the beer I drank in college? I'd be happy to never touch it again.