When the average person thinks of Disney World, chances are they don’t immediately think about booze.
Beer in Animal Kingdom
But in recent years, Disney World has become a hot spot for those looking to tie one on and have a drink or two, or just grab a beer while they’re waiting for their next Lightning Lane window to come around. Though alcohol isn’t necessarily new to the parks, we’re starting to see more offerings made available — especially in the once-dry Magic Kingdom. But with more cocktail and craft beer options on menus in Disney World, there’s a weird problem we’ve noticed — and it seems like Disney would want to do something about it!
Disney World has not been immune to the craft beer boom, and any beer aficionado will tell you that they are NOT all created equally. Sure, you’ve got your IPAs, stouts, pilsners, porters, lagers…and the list goes on. There are imperial drafts and nitro brews, but the ABV is arguably the most important variable you have to consider when drinking craft (or any) beers.
Lots of beer options
It’s so important, that chances are if you walk into your local craft brewery or take a look at the menu at your favorite watering hole you’ll see the ABV listed right there beside the no doubt pun-tastic name of the beer.
The ABV, or alcohol by volume, is just a quick way of describing how much of a beer’s (or wine’s, or liquor’s, etc.) total volume is made up of alcohol, and it’s measured in percentages. Seems like something important to know, right?
ABV listed on the BaseLine Tap House menu
But, Disney World doesn’t list the ABV for craft beers on most of its menus aside from a few beer-centric spots — and when you consider how many people frequent parks like EPCOT to “drink around the world,” that would seem like information Disney would want to provide its guests. It can be pretty easy to overindulge in the parks, and with a bar always within walking distance, guests are never to far from their next pour.
Grab a pint at Rose & Crown
Let’s look at a few of the craft beers available around Disney World. Over in Hollywood Studios, there’s only one spot you’ll want to stop for craft beer — BaseLine Tap House. This is one example where the ABV is listed on the menu, but it’s a rare case.
You’ll find the Golden Road Golden State Cerveza with an ABV of 4.8%, but there’s also the Stone Delicious IPA which is 7.7%. You might feel fine after two of the Golden State Cervezas, but after two IPAs you might feel really excited about being in Disney world.
BaseLine Tap House
Over in Animal Kingdom, at spots like Dawa Bar and Thirsty River Bar, you can get the Tampa Bay Brewing Company Old Elephant Foot IPA. There isn’t an ABV listed next to this beer on either menu, but the brewery’s website clocks it at 7%. The same can be said for the Kona Island Hanalei, which has 4.5% ABV.
Tap handle changes
And elsewhere in Animal Kingdom, you’ll find a few specialty craft beers at Pongu Pongu. Both the Hawkes’ Grog Ale and Mo’Ara High Country Ale are served here, but there is no ABV listed on the menu. Even at EPCOT festivals, where there is a heavy presence of craft beer, the ABV is missing from the menus.
EPCOT Festival menu
If you’re a craft beer fan and plan on indulging when you’re in the parks, keep in mind that some of these beers have pretty high alcohol content in them. It can be easy to think everything is copacetic only for a buzz to hit you out of nowhere, and you don’t want to find yourself feeling like you’ve had a little too much to drink in the Most Magical Place on Earth. You of course, know yourself and your limits.
Don’t Forget There are Special Beers Available during EPCOT Festivals too
Our rule of thumb is one cup or bottle of water per alcoholic beverage, and make sure you’re eating enough throughout the day — you can’t survive Disney World on a purely liquid diet (no, frozen hot chocolate martinis do not count as food!). We also recommend tossing some hydration packs like Liquid I.V. into your suitcase or park bag for extra hydration.
Staying hydrated is important!
In most cases, you should be able to ask your server or bartender if they know the ABV of the beer you want to order, and most widely distributed craft beers do have the ABV listed somewhere online.
Beer at Dawa Bar
At the end of the day, though, this does seem like information Disney would want to provide its guests on a consistent basis, and not just at a few restaurants and bars here or there. With more alcoholic options being offered in the parks, we could see Disney start modifying menus to include ABV, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Saugatuck Brewing Bonfire Beer
To learn more about drinking in Disney World, check out our posts below:
- Where You Can Buy Beer and Alcohol in Magic Kingdom
- The Official DFB Disney Springs Pub Crawl
- The Official DFB Skyliner Pub Crawl
- Top 16 Bars and Lounges in Disney World
Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest news and updates from around Disney World!
The ONE Drink You Should Get from Each EPCOT Pavilion
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Disney World and alcohol. It is a very big money maker for the parks. The availability is like a never ending water fall. This is not all good for Disney. When people get drunk they are more prone to get hurt on property . Tempers flare and violence erupts more often which can ruin this expensive trip for some families and people. If Disney wants a bunch of drunks on property they may find people avoiding visiting altogether.
Every time an article mentions alcohol at WDW, the pearl clutchers come out in full force. I see this will be no different. Perhaps those who can’t stand the thought of others being able to purchase alcohol around them should seek an alternate vacation spot. I’m going to guess Ark Encounter in Kentucky is a dry destination.