If you’re looking forward to enjoying some adult beverages on your next Disney World trip, there are some rules you’ll need to follow!
There’s definitely no shortage of delicious drinks at Disney World! Whether you’re planning a whole day at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival or stopping by Disney Springs for a quick cocktail, there are plenty of options! But of course, safety is always a priority for Disney, so there are some rules guests are expected to follow. Here are a few policies that might surprise you!
International Travelers Need Two Forms of I.D., Including A Passport, To Purchase Alcohol
While the legal drinking age varies internationally, in the United States, you must be 21 years of age or older to buy or consume alcohol. If you’re traveling from outside the United States, are not a US citizen, and plan to drink in Disney World, be sure to come prepared!
According to Disney World policy, Guests visiting from outside of the United States must show both a valid passport AND another form of government-issued photo ID.
Guests visiting from within the U.S. only need one valid form of I.D., but if you’re traveling internationally, be sure to pack accordingly! (Now, do Disney Cast Members actually require guests to show both forms of ID in practice? Let us know in the comments what your experience has been!)
Check out these 12 things you need to know before your trip to Disney World!
Guests are Often Limited to Two Drinks At A Time
This rule is fairly common at places like sporting events, concerts, and, of course, theme parks. Cast Members are trained to limit guests to no more than two alcoholic beverages per transaction at quick service locations (this often includes Epcot festival booths).
This policy is intended to both deter guests from becoming too intoxicated and limit the ability of guests to buy drinks for other people using their own I.D.
Cast Members are also trained to refuse drinks to guests who already appear intoxicated, regardless of whether they are at a quick service or table service location! So if you’re suspect, don’t be surprised if a Cast Member cuts you off!
Check out our top restaurant picks for Disney World first-timers!
You Can’t Take Open Containers Out Of A Park
Yep, you can purchase and wander with alcohol in Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but you can’t leave the park with it.
Many guests are intimately familiar with that “chug at the gate” policy. You won’t be allowed through the tapstiles to head back to your hotel, Disney transportation, or the parking lot if you have an open container. Drink up, or throw it away.
This seems to happen on the reg at the International Gateway in Epcot, where “drinking around the world” is a popular activity.
Click Here For Our Drink Around The World Recommendations (Both Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic!)
Guests Can Bring Their Own Alcohol to Resort Hotels
Disney security will not allow outside alcoholic beverages into any of the theme parks or water parks. But there are some places on property where guests can provide their own drinks!
Outside alcohol is allowed in the Disney Resort hotels as long as it isn’t carried or consumed by anyone under the age of 21, of course.
While you can drink at most locations around the Resort hotels, there are a few exceptions. Obviously, you can’t drink while operating a vehicle. But you’ll also need to be careful around the pool! There are no glass bottles allowed in the pool area for safety reasons (so many bare feet!). And you can’t bring your drink into the pool while you soak, so prepare to sip on a lounge chair from a safe distance!
Here are 6 things you DON’T need to pack for your Disney trip!
Guests Can Bring Their Own Wine to Some Disney Restaurants
Do you have a special bottle of wine that you’ve been saving for a special occasion? Well, you can enjoy it at select restaurants in Disney World!
Some table service restaurants outside the parks (can’t bring alcohol into any theme park, corked or not) allow guests to bring their own bottle of wine, although corkage fees may apply.
This policy varies by location and is subject to change, so be sure to check with the restaurant before you pack your bottle!
Click here to Read 13 Questions and Answers About What You Can and Can’t Bring Into The Disney Parks!
Magic Kingdom Is A Dry Park, Except For Table Service Restaurants
When Magic Kingdom was first opened in 1971, there was no alcohol sold anywhere within the park. In fact, it remained a dry park for over 40 years.
But, when Be Our Guest Restaurant opened in 2012, it became the first Magic Kingdom menu to include alcohol.
Since then, alcohol has been added to the menu of all table service restaurants in the park. But as of right now, there is still no alcohol sold at any Quick Service locations in Magic Kingdom, and you cannot take alcohol outside of a table service restaurant (it must be consumed entirely at the table). This makes Magic Kingdom unique since guests can grab a drink at walk-up locations in all three of the other parks.
Check out our review of dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant!
There are definitely tons of unique and delicious drinks at Disney World! As much as we enjoy sipping on a cocktail while strolling through the parks, we understand that Disney has to enforce rules to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests. Just remember to abide by these policies and drink responsibly, and you’ll be in for a magical vacation! Cheers!
Have you heard about this awesome punch bowl drink you can find at Disney Springs??
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Do you know of any surprising rules at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Bill G says
The few times I’ve been asked for ID, I use a NEXUS card. I am a US resident — though there is no way to discern that from the NEXUS card. Have never been asked to show any secondary ID.
Spencer says
I’m from Ontario, Canada, and on my last trip, I had alcoholic beverages from Oga’s at DHS and Jock Lindsay’s at Disney Springs (also Moe’s Tavern at Universal and Bigfire in Citywalk), and I only had to show my Ontario Driver’s License, pointing out where the birth date was. Same with Trader Sam’s at Disneyland 2 years ago, and I asked if they needed the passport and they said no.
Natalie says
I’m from Australia and I didn’t know about the passport when I went to DCA so they didn’t accept my driver license. When I went to Disney World i carried my valid passport and that was fine, no need to show drivers license AND passport
Petra says
I’m not reading that as an International traveler you need 2 ID’s. That’s only if you have a copy of your passport. Its either show the original passport or a copy of the passport + a drivers licence. I wouldn’t feel save taking my passport into the park but no problem with a copy and my driver’s license.
Do you have more tips for International travelers? For example good dataplans, experiences, eats and drinks that are rare outside the US, are there perks/discounts only International travelers can get?
And I’m also a solo traveler and curious about the Disney Springs hotels. What are the procs and cons compared to staying on property.
Sara says
I’m Canadian and they ask me every time to show my passport. I just keep a scan on my phone which is acceptable so it isn’t that bad. That way you always have a copy and you don’t have to worry about losing it
Christine says
Im Canadian and I was only ever asked for my passport at the Mexico pavilion. Everywhere else in Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs I was never asked for anything more than my drivers license.
Nikki says
When I went, we took our passport into the park the first few days to be able to purchase alcohol. Everybody just checked our Belgian ID, though, so after a while we stopped taking the passports.
Then the last day we had a celebratory dinner at Cinderella’s castle, and suddenly the waiter absolutely refused to give us our drinks because we didn’t have our passports on us. We had been having alcoholic beverages with every dinner for 2 weeks and never had to show them! We were so annoyed that it was at our celebration that they stopped us from having a glass of wine. If it would have been at any other dinner, we would have been fine with it and brought it with us again the rest of the trip. But right at the last night?
In Belgium you pretty much never get ID’d for drinks unless you look like you’re 14, so it was weird for us either way since we’re 30 and haven’t been card checked in half our lives. I’ve seen people who looked like they could be my grandparents show their ID. I just found it weird.
Nicola says
I’m from the UK I was able to get an alcoholic drink at most places I wanted one by just showing my driver’s license except from d-luxe burger on the last day of my holiday where I couldn’t get one as I didn’t know the passport AND drivers licence rule. The lady said that you can take photos of your passport and show those so you don’t have to carry your passport around not sure if this is true or not as didn’t try it. I wouldn’t want to carry my passport around the parks in case I lost it xD
Becky says
We were in the Abracadabar at the Boardwalk in July 2019 and witnessed the bartender refuse to serve an entire international party, all easily over 35, because they didn’t have both passports and second form of ID. Things got heated and the party left finally, very upset.
Christina says
“According to Disney World policy, Guests visiting from outside of the United States must show both a valid passport AND another form of government-issued photo ID.”
Based on Disney’s own statement, this is not correct. You need to have EITHER your original passport OR a photo of it plus another official form of ID. Or a Nexus card. I’ve also, as others have noted, had considerable success with just my driver’s licence. You might want to change that first point so it reads correctly, DFB!
Lauren says
I worked food and beverage as a Cast Member and was not trained to require 2 forms of ID for international travelers.
Siobhan says
It definitely varied for me!! I’m from the UK, was 27 at the time, this was October 2018. We stayed at Pop Century and I needed 2 forms for the bar there and at the kiosk by Rock n Rollercoaster but when I got a Lychee cocktail in Animal Kingdom, the cast member only asked for 1 and honestly, I don’t think she would asked had I not said, I have ID!!
Molly says
I’m from Ireland and have always used just my passport at both Disney World and Disneyland Resort with no issue. My friend tried to use her U.K. driving license once and was turned away so we always just carry the passports now when we know we’re going to get a drink somewhere.
Maryse says
I’m Canadian and well over the legal drinking age (29). We were in WDW in Sept. of 2019 and the only place I was asked to show my passport was at Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge. Quite disappointing really as it was our last day in the parks and I wasn’t aware of the rule until then. I don’t know anyone who carries their passport with them on vacation as it is too important a document to potentially lose during a park day. Unfortunately I didn’t get to try the Fuzzy Tauntaun I had been looking forward to on this trip.
Dean says
I’m Canadian and I use my NEXUS card if I get asked. I have seen a fellow Canadian turned away with just his driver’s license.
Emma says
I’m from the UK (30YO) and have had different experiences all over Disney. At typhoon lagoon I used my passport for ID . The lady serving me said this was the best form of Identification to use. We went to Sanaa for dinner and the server there said my passport wasn’t good enough and if I had anything else. Showed my UK driving license and that was accepted?! However at Epcot world showcase driving license wasn’t accepted but passport was? All very confusing.
Samantha Blackburn says
I’m from the UK and we stayed at Disney world for nearly 3 weeks in 2019. We were only asked for I.D twice in the whole trip and one of those was at Universal. The other one was Yak and Yeti counter service and they were happy with my UK driving license. I’m shocked that other people have had trouble. Maybe I just look old though.
Anitra says
I like the suggestion of scanning your passport with your cell phone – I believe that is acceptable, but do double check to be sure. I don’t like walking around with my passport either but scanning seems to be a great idea.
Tony says
Question? What sort of exotic, unusual or hard to find adult beverages are there to be had at DW or DL? Also are there any interesting drinking experiences to seek out?
TW says
I have a friend from Canada that was carded in Epcot and was turned away after she only had one id. She was close to 40 and highly annoyed. Her husband (who doesn’t drink) went up and bought her drink instead.
Jade says
I recently booked a firework cruise and I found out some new policies regarding alcohol. Since you are no longer allowed to purchase alcohol for the cruises, you are allowed to bring your own as long as it’s not in glass containers. You are also allowed to bring on open containers, for example, you can get a cocktail from the resort and drink it on the cruise!
Jamie says
I’m Canadian. I find it’s been hit or miss. For the longest time they accepted my driver’s license, then suddenly they started asking for my passport 5 or 6 years ago. I don’t like carrying it around in case it gets wet, damaged or lost, so I carried around a photocopy and my driver’s license instead. Most places took that, but I’d run into the occasional problem. Now I just carry around my Nexus card.
Jack says
If you’re travelling from outside the US you can actually use a picture of your passport and another form of ID, I’m 23 and they accepted a photo of my passport on my phone and my drivers licence
Beer Snobs says
That is a fair rule I guess. If you’re going to be drinking a glass or two in a theme park aimed at kids, they will be enforcing stricter policies. Though I never tried it before, maybe on our next Disney World trip, I might just order a cocktail to celebrate being able to travel again.