When Walt Disney created a theme park that would be the ultimate family-friendly destination, he had a particular vision of what visitors could and couldn't do once they stepped onto his Main Street, U.S.A.
Disney's rules were strict. Today, some of them seem almost quaint.
Take the rule about men's hair.
Men with beards and long hair were turned away from the parks in the earliest days, and cast members couldn't have facial hair, either. Those rules are no longer in place, but some of Walt's other ideas related to overall courtesy and conduct are mostly still in effect.
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You won't find chewing gum for sale inside any Disney theme parks, for example, because Mr. Disney didn't want sticky messes everywhere. Guests are not allowed to feed animals, including birds, lest they become a nuisance.
There are strict rules around smoking — not allowed in Disneyland at all and only in designated areas in Disney World — and alcohol.
Walt Disney also didn't want liquor in the parks because he believed it would bring a “rowdy” element to the parks that was at odds with his vision of a family-friendly atmosphere.
Walt Disney did not want alcohol served in Disney theme parks
But just like rules around facial hair have evolved over the years — even employee cast members are now allowed to have beards, neatly trimmed, of course — Disney's policy about alcohol has also changed over the years.
While beer, wine, and cocktails are easy to find at Disney World these days, including in the Magic Kingdom, and in Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, Disneyland has been slower to allow it. Only a handful of table-service restaurants in Disneyland serve alcohol, and guests cannot walk around the park with adult beverages.
Now, an announcement about a new “timed attraction” in Disney World's Magic Kingdom has people talking.
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Later this year, The Beak and Barrel, a stand-alone pirate-themed bar and lounge, will open in Adventureland, right next to one of the park's most iconic rides, Pirates of the Caribbean.
While the menu has not been made public yet, the Disney World website says the 45-minute pub experience will feature adult beverages, snacks, and storytelling.
Disney lore has it that The Beak and Barrel was founded by (fictional) Captain Meridian “Merry” Goldwyn and her trusty parrot sidekick, Rummy. Fans of the original Pirates ride may recognize Rummy — he's modeled after the classic Barker Bird that once greeted guests at the attraction entrance.
Inside, guests will find multiple rooms, including The Mess, a shipwreck-inspired communal space glowing with candlelight and anchored (literally) by nautical decor. The centerpiece is the bar itself, adorned with shipwreck scraps and watched over by a skull-shaped back bar that houses the lounge's collection of spirits.
The Beak and Barrel is a bar and lounge open to all ages
The Beak and Barrel also features an area called The Captain's Quarters, styled after a Spanish commander's living space, complete with a fireplace and glass-bottle ship displays.
The lounge's full menu hasn't yet been released, but guests can expect a lineup of cocktails and themed snacks in keeping with Disney's attention to detail.
The lounge will be open to guests of all ages, ensuring that the family focus remains intact, even as the offerings mature.
Walt Disney never could have imagined a cocktail bar inside one of his theme parks, but Disney has always figured out how to give people what they want, within limits. In this case, guests will be able to belly up to a bar, but there will be a strict two-drink limit.
Related: Iconic Disney World ride makes grand return with new look
