A Radical Gen Z Drinking Trend Is Taking Over Disney World Restaurants

Move over, Gen X and Millennials, Gen Z is TAKING over Disney World.

Flounder of Reason Colada

Yes, that means we’re seeing a lot of changing trends, and NEW trends happening at the parks. For example, Gen Z tends to prioritize flexibility in their travel over other generations. Gen Z is also prioritizing quick service/fast food and takeout over table service restaurants. However, there’s another way Gen Z is changing Disney World, and, over the past few years, we’ve seen Disney World respond to this new trend.

In 2022, a study showed that Gen Z is drinking less alcoholic beverages than previous generations. (Now you might immediately think, “Not all Gen Z is of drinking age” but the study looked at percentages and took that into account!) The difference between Gen Z and previous generations is significant: 38% of Gen Z surveyed said they planned to drink more non-alcoholic drinks in 2022 than the year before. Their reasoning was mostly for health, as well as the “sober curious” movement, which focuses on mindful consumption of alcohol (think “Dry January”).

Gen Z is drinking less alcohol

That might be a good thing for Gen Z, but it’s taking a toll on restaurants, including restaurants at Disney World. Restaurants typically make about 30% of their profits from alcohol sales, so, thanks to Gen Z, they’re taking a big hit. However, restaurants at Disney World are starting to respond to this Gen Z trend by offering more mocktails on menus.

Mocktails at Narcoossee’s

Now, Disney World already has a decent selection of non-alcoholic beverages (that aren’t soda) that are already pretty popular with visitors, like the Frozen Mint Tea at the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT, LeFou’s Brew from Gaston’s Tavern, the Night Blossom at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and more. However, many restaurants are adding more non-alcoholic specialties to their menus than ever before targeted specifically at adults.

LeFou’s Brew

For example, The BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs recently added four new mocktails to their menu, including the Tart Cherry Limeade, the Mint Berry Wave, the Blueberry Lavender Fizz, and the Redbull Punch. As you can tell, many of these drinks would appeal more to adults than kids.

Redbull Punch ©Boathouse

The Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar in Disney Springs currently has a robust mocktail menu that even includes a mocktail flight where you can try three of the mocktails available there. A mocktail flight, y’all!

©Disney

At Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, there’s a separate section on the menu for two non-alcoholic mocktails, the Pink London Spritzer and the Agave Garden. We’re starting to see more restaurant menus actually list non-alcoholic beverages like this under “Mocktails” or under “Zero Proof” on the menu.

©Disney

One of our favorite restaurants, Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, also has a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks that are targeted more at adults than kids. Think of these as your grown-up non-alcoholic drinks! This is something we’re also seeing coming to more bars and lounges in Disney World.

©Disney

The trend is continuing, and we expect to see even more mocktails added to Disney World menus. These new thoughtfully-crafted cocktail menus should appeal to Gen Z, while also recouping some of the cost that Disney World is losing in alcohol sales due to their higher price points than other non-alcoholic beverages.

We’ll keep an eye out for more menu changes and mocktail additions to Disney World menus, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

The Best Drinks at Disney World (Both Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic)

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Do you tend to drink mocktails at Disney World when they’re readily available? Let us know in the comments!