Starbucks coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort

[Mendelson]

A long time ago, in a galaxy called "Washington, DC," I managed a Starbucks store that was very high volume - over 1000 transactions in a 14-hour day.

As some of you have maybe experienced, Starbucks does not run well when it's churning out Frappuccino after Frappuccino. My weekday customers flew in and out of the store and on the weekends - when it was mostly tourists - things ground to a halt. Thus, I anticipate very long lines and long waits. Though perhaps nothing different than at any other quick-service type place in the parks.

As for the coffee, it certainly is not for everyone. The "burnt" taste people complain about is a result of Starbucks sourcing very high quality beans that quite simply reach their peak flavor at a darker roasting point. Just like with, say Guinness, it's an acquired taste.

For even those who hate it, however, I can't imagine it being worse than the awful, sour, stale-tasting, weak stuff everywhere else on property.

Now all that said, I HATE the idea of bringing a big brand like Starbucks into Disney...I see Starbucks and I'm reminded of the outside world, which I seek to escape in the parks.

[MyPastelHeart]

I am jumping up and down in excitement...I have waited 7 years for this!!!

[Hammer]

I just sent a link to this information to my sister. She will be sooo happy! Heck, I'm happy I can get a nice Java Chip non-fat frappuccino on a hot day at Disney!

Really not that excited about this. I'm more of a DD guy...

See, I (and the rest of my family) are not real DD fans. Just do not like the taste of their coffee !

[Gator]

I'm not a coffee fan, but I do like mochas and stuff like that. HOWEVER, everything from Char-bucks tastes like it's been run through a BBQ grill filter. I like BBQ flavor on meat and all, but mochas and hot chocolates?

Another thing - Starbucks are expensive outside of the parks. What's it gonna be like inside?

[Mrs Bus Driver]

I don't mind a brand name in the parks, it is no worse then when they sold McDonalds french frys at DL. There was no way I was going to stop for frys when I was at the park but some people just love them. Frankly I won't mind being able to get a latte when I'm at a park in the morning. Think it's a great way to start the day. BTW I also hate nescafe coffee and always bring my own coffee for in the room.

[CuteAsMinnie]

The more I think about this the more I dislike. Could this be the first of a national chain to open up residency at the WDW parks?


I would much rather see something like Poly's Kona Coffe sprout a couple of shops throughout the World.

[AmandaChan]

while it is hard finding good coffee on site, i do not even want to know how much a triple shot mocha (my usual) will cost a park. it's already like $4.65.... i can imagine it will be at least $6 for a latte...

my new favorite is the little lattes they have at the bakery. i dono why i liked them so much, but they hit the spot on the mornings we were at MK last trip.

and also i agree with pp. the thought of starbucks at a wdw park seems kind of disheartening. why do they have to invite chains into their parks?

[AmandaChan]

The more I think about this the more I dislike. Could this be the first of a national chain to open up residency at the WDW parks?


I would much rather see something like Poly's Kona Coffe sprout a couple of shops throughout the World.

does mcdonalds count? although they're not there anymore.

[AmandaChan]

I'm not a coffee fan, but I do like mochas and stuff like that. HOWEVER, everything from Char-bucks tastes like it's been run through a BBQ grill filter. I like BBQ flavor on meat and all, but mochas and hot chocolates?

haha, that actually made me chuckle a little bit. so true. i do like the mochas though, that's the only thing I get there. and i might find a craving for it one day. but i think they will definitely make their $$ considering how many people visit the parks, and how many people drink coffee and already consume starbucks. regardless of price.

[mickeyman42]

Wi-fi and now starbucks everywhere? Wow welcome to the year 2000 WDW! Seriously though this is awesome, no offsite trips just to get a decent coffee!

[darthmacho]

MMM just what I want, expensive mud for coffee. lol. I hate Starbucks.

I agree. I much prefer Green Mountain Coffee, Newman's Own, or Dunkin' Donuts. I've never cared for Starbucks or Seattle's Best.

Nevertheless, if WDW was going to bring in a coffee contract, I suppose Starbucks makes sense business-wise, and at least it should be an improvement from the stuff they have now.

[BoardwalkDweller]

That so called "burned" taste is what "COFFEE" tastes like! All those DD and GM coffees add syrup to their beans giving it that "Americanized everything must taste like candy canes" flavor!

I am super psyched for some proper "COFFEE" and Starbucks does it best!!!

Welcome aboard, Starbucks!!!

[Jeff]

Great news!

[DonaldDuckUSA]

As long as Disney doesn't start looking like City Walk I'll be fine.

[Main Street Jim]

"Here you leave the world of today, and visit the lands of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy."

Or something like that.

Guess not any more :\

Thought the whole idea behind the Disney theme parks, according to Walt, was to leave the outside world behind.

*Sigh*.

Disney can hardly do anything on their own any more - even a cup of coffee.

[joonyer]

"Here you leave the world of today, and visit the lands of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy."

Or something like that.

Guess not any more :\

Thought the whole idea behind the Disney theme parks, according to Walt, was to leave the outside world behind.

*Sigh*.

Disney can hardly do anything on their own any more - even a cup of coffee.

We've always seen the Coca-Cola brand in every Disney theme park eatery, so I don't see a brand name of coffee really being much different as far as bringing the outside world into the parks. Starbucks may not be everyone's "cup of tea", but anything is better than Nescafe. That's not even real coffee.

[Jared]

"Here you leave the world of today, and visit the lands of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy."

Or something like that.

Guess not any more :\

Thought the whole idea behind the Disney theme parks, according to Walt, was to leave the outside world behind.

*Sigh*.

Disney can hardly do anything on their own any more - even a cup of coffee.

Come on now, Jim. You're enough of a Disney historian to write a post like that. The Disney theme parks -- and Walt Disney World in particular -- were built on partnerships like this. National chains have had a presence in Disney parks from the beginning. Only now have the hardcore fans decided this is somehow sacrilege.

There is a giant Coca-Cola advertisement on every sign for Cosmic Ray's. The cookies at the Main Street Bakery come from Nestle. The ice cream next door is Edy's -- the same junk you can find in any supermarket freezer. The Dole Whip -- every Disney fan's beloved treat -- is sold in several locations in Hawaii because it is made by the Dole Food Company.

Heck, the Orange Bird, the stupid little creature that has set the Disney fan community ablaze with enthusiasm and excitement, was an advertising mascot for the freaking Florida Citrus Growers.

By all accounts, Disney's coffee (also called Nescafe, a national brand) is horrendous. People like Starbucks. As long as the Starbucks locations in the parks are appropriately themed -- and we have no reason to believe they won't be -- there is no downside to this. I don't want green aprons taking over the Main Street Bakery. That won't happen.

We have reached a point in the Disney fan community that people will find a reason to complain about everything. This is nothing new. In fact, there would be no Walt Disney World if not for deals like this.

[joonyer]

Come on now, Jim. You're enough of a Disney historian to write a post like that. The Disney theme parks -- and Walt Disney World in particular -- were built on partnerships like this. National chains have had a presence in Disney parks from the beginning. Only now have the hardcore fans decided this is somehow sacrilege.

There is a giant Coca-Cola advertisement on every sign for Cosmic Ray's. The cookies at the Main Street Bakery come from Nestle. The ice cream next door is Edy's -- the same junk you can find in any supermarket freezer. The Dole Whip -- every Disney fan's beloved treat -- is sold in several locations in Hawaii because it is made by the Dole Food Company.

Heck, the Orange Bird, the stupid little creature that has set the Disney fan community ablaze with enthusiasm and excitement, was an advertising mascot for the freaking Florida Citrus Growers.

By all accounts, Disney's coffee (also called Nescafe, a national brand) is horrendous. People like Starbucks. As long as the Starbucks locations in the parks are appropriately themed -- and we have no reason to believe they won't be -- there is no downside to this. I don't want green aprons taking over the Main Street Bakery. That won't happen.

We have reached a point in the Disney fan community that people will find a reason to complain about everything. This is nothing new. In fact, there would be no Walt Disney World if not for deals like this.

You said much better than I did.

[CuteAsMinnie]

[QUOTE=AmandaChan;2260163]
my new favorite is the little lattes they have at the bakery. i dono why i liked them so much, but they hit the spot on the mornings we were at MK last trip.

Frozen Lattes at the Main Street Bakery

[CuteAsMinnie]

A long time ago, in a galaxy called "Washington, DC," I managed a Starbucks store that was very high volume - over 1000 transactions in a 14-hour day.

As some of you have maybe experienced, Starbucks does not run well when it's churning out Frappuccino after Frappuccino. My weekday customers flew in and out of the store and on the weekends - when it was mostly tourists - things ground to a halt. Thus, I anticipate very long lines and long waits.

Nah, guests will be able to pre-order their triple shot half caf while waiting in line at Splash Mountain via the new X-Pass!!