Drinking Around the World at EPCOT has become a bucket-list experience for countless Disney Parks fans, especially for adults looking to add a bit of flavor—and maybe a little adventure—to their day at Walt Disney World Resort. However, one guest recently amassed attention on TikTok after sharing her disappointment in the experience and calling it a “scam.”
“Drinking Around the World” is the well-known practice of sampling unique alcoholic drinks from each of EPCOT’s 11 World Showcase Pavilions, spanning Mexico to Canada. It’s a popular, albeit pricey, endeavor, with specialty cocktails often costing up to $20. Many Disney fans know to budget between $150 and $200 for this activity, or they opt for smaller samples during EPCOT’s seasonal festivals like the International Food & Wine Festival or Festival of the Arts.
However, TikToker @Kiarajaxn shared a hostile take on the experience after attending a bachelorette party at EPCOT inspired by social media. “Don’t let TikTok fool you into thinking that [it] would be fun because it’s not fun,” she began.
@kiarajaxn Dont let TikTok fool you!! #fyp #fypシ #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #disneyworld #epcot #disneyworldflorida #drinkaroundtheworld #scam #universalstudios
Among her complaints was EPCOT’s lack of a “free area” like Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk, where guests can drink without an entrance fee. While Walt Disney World Resort has a similar entertainment district in Disney Springs, it’s a bus ride away, and guests must pay theme park admission to access EPCOT’s World Showcase.
“Disney World’s EPCOT doesn’t have that, so you’re going to pay $164…just to get into the park to access the Drink Around the World,” she explained.
The TikToker also felt that EPCOT’s “kid-friendly” vibe didn’t justify the high price tag, despite the presence of popular thrill rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, and Mission: SPACE. “The rides at EPCOT are very kid-friendly…You’re paying $164 just to get access to Drink Around the World, and then you still have to pay for all the drinks,” she added. “…Already paid $170 for a park that doesn’t have the greatest rides, then you’re going to spend another $150 on drinks.”
The guest was also frustrated by the long walks between each pavilion. “I feel like that’s why people get so drunk,” she said, explaining that the distance between each pavilion encourages guests to consume more, especially when rides are “on the other half of the park” and not themed to the countries.
EPCOT offers a few attractions within the World Showcase, like Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France. Still, many of the park’s most popular rides are located in World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature, leaving guests to travel back and forth to access them.
The guest recalled starting the journey in Mexico, “I had that first drink, and I was like, ‘Immediately no.’…I already paid $170 to get into the park, and the first drink is nasty, and I’m supposed to spend $150 on drinks and these kiddie ass rides?”
The TikTok video quickly garnered thousands of comments, many of which criticized the guest for not researching the experience beforehand. Disney Parks fans came to the defense of EPCOT, pointing out the entertainment options outside the park. “Disney is not telling you to drink around the world,” one commenter wrote, while another pointed out, “Disney has Disney Springs. You should have done some research before you went.”
Others defended the costs, describing Drinking Around the World as a unique experience worth the splurge. “It’s an experience babe,” one user commented. “I love me some drinking and eating around the world. 😋 Our EPCOT days we do rides in the morning, resort, and then back to drink in the afternoon.”
Another added, “I had funnnnn 😂😂 who cares about the money. We went for experience. I even bought some perfume from the store in Italy.”
Is Drinking Around the World a scam? How to Disney would love to hear your opinion in the comments!
This is an interesting take on this event. I guess as a frequent flyer to Disney I am used to the prices. My struggle with drinking around the world is more about those who don’t do it responsibly and exhibit behavior that is irresponsible and obnoxious. With 11 countries… 11 drinks in just a couple of hours is a recipe for disaster.