I think it's sad....

[Lemonademouth]

I don't care one way or another if Starbucks is in the Magic Kingdom or not. It always amuses me when someone says it's not what Walt wanted. Where is the quote of him saying please, let's never put Starbucks in the park?

This is how I feel. I don't drink caffeine in anyway outside of a unsweetened iced tea every blue moon, so I couldn't care less who is supplying MK, or any other establishment with their coffee. I've read other threads of people going on about Disney being in cahoots with coca cola too. "How dare they give me only one option of syrup sugar and whatever else they put into sodas these days". I don't care. Even when I did drink sodas I didn't care. If somewhere did not have 'my brand' I would drink water. It's better for you anyway... Or something with electrolytes. Ranting now.., sorry to hijack the thread to rant, but I just do not get the big deal. All the theme parks here in Va have Starbucks in them, and IMHO it does not ruin the magic or feel of Busch Gardens.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I'm not anti starbucks, I'm not anti coporation sponsorship. I just think that you should at least attempt to have some creative control over how that sponorship is developed. I think it's more of a nostalgia thing for me. My magic has dimmed a lot simply because I just don't see the "imagination" being developed. Basically IMO disney is simply rehasing old ideas.

One thing that makes me want to cry is the DTD area. It's a waste land pure and simple. pleasure island is simply a dump, there is no other way to describe it. empty warehouses, sound echoing as you walk through and the only thing they could think to add is a glorified bowling alley? really?

Test track upgrade is meh, I simply can't believe that this is the best that imagineers can do and don't even get me started on Captain EO. It was lame 30 years ago when it first came out.

New bakery in france. No detailing, nothing. you basically walk through a gift shop to stand in a cafeteria style cue. Use to be a time when you could at least pretend to be sitting in a Parisian cafe. Come on disney, your supposed to be the leaders in imagination. I've seen better stuff from kindergardeners.

So my concern is that this new starbucks is going to look exactly like the one in Philly, which looks like the one in Washington, which looks like the one in Seattle. Ooooh how original. If that's the case why close the old one. why not simply start selling the coffee and stick a mermaid in the window.

and to add: I was in the parks last week for spring break, could not find my cinnamon roll any where so that was sad. I was told there were in the new fantasy land but I couldn't find them in Gastons tavern or any where. boo-hoo.

The cinnamon rolls are sold in Gaston's Tavern. At least they were a few weeks ago. I assume you mean the huge ones from the Main Street Bakery. I didn't have one but while I was taking pictures at the fountain, I saw people coming out of Gastons with them.

 

[minniecarousel]

I do recall that Walt said he wanted to create a park that parents and kids could enjoy together. I also believe that his loathe of carnival-type games was well known. So putting the carnival games in the California Adventure Park seemed odd to us. We just skip that part - it doesn't interest us in the least.

As far as corporate sponsorship, I first went to Disneyland back in the 60's. There were so many attractions that were sponsored! Starkist Tuna Boat, UpJohn Pharmacy on Main Street, Dole pineapple & whip, Coke Corner...to name a few. That wasn't against Walt Disney's idea at all.

And I love my Starbucks! The coffee in Disneyland was always so bad.

 

[2girls4me]

We have no idea how Walt would feel about all this.

Change is good.

Should Disney make its own coffee and everything else? I mean it's Starbucks. Just coffee. Why is this a big deal?

And isn't the first rule of business not to invest your own money. Should the disneys remove all corporate sponsors from the parks?

 

[NHdisneylover]

as other's have pointed out--corporate sponsorship have been around since the get go. I don't see a big deal with that.

I agree that Walt was opposed to carnival game--but as truly a part of the theming in just one small part of one park, I feel that is probably still very much within his vision.

Probably the biggest departure from his original vision are all the coaster and other rides with minimum heights. In Walt's park, everyone could ride everything together (the Matterhorn did not have a minimum in the beginning). We all know he didn't want parents stuck sitting on a bench watching their kids--but I think it is fair to say he also did not want kids sitting in strollers while their parents did baby swaps to ride without their children.

I am not arguing that there should be no coasters or other "big" rides--but I DO think it is the BIGgest change from what Walt wanted and stated that he wanted for his parks to be.

 

[mhsjax]

I don't like the coffee they have now, but I don't think Starbucks is anything to write home about either. I don't care one way or another as long as they disguise it. I don't want it to look like a Starbucks.

AS far as their pastries, YUCK. Sorry, nothng good about those things. Ok well I do love their Lemon pound cake. I was once sold a piece of pumpkin bread that was "so good it will make you slap your grandma" Sorry my moms is way better. lol I do hope they keep the WDW pastries, even if for no other reason but, it is the way it has been in the past. It works. I don't see any need for Starbucks to toally invade WDW and as long as they don't I am fine. JUST DON"T CHANGE THE DECOR OF THAT BAKERY. Rant over.

 

[CaliBear]

Actually, Nescafe is more evil, because it is owned by Nestle.

Exactly! Nestle is one of the world's most profitable corporations and has a long history of controversy. How is replacing Nescafe with Starbucks becoming more corporate?

Besides, it will be so subtle. I've eaten at the Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical over at DCA, which serves Starbucks. It is delicious and seamless with the Disney theming, and no, it isn't just a transplanted Starbucks like some posters are saying Main Street Bakery will be.

On a less serious note:

Originally Posted by Sam81
I hope the entire thing burns to the ground. Walt must be rolling in his grave! I have written no less than 10 letters a day to Disney BEGGING to not allow Starbucks to invade Main Street!

What's next Coca-Cola? Kodak? Nestle? Visa? Where does it end? The magic is gone.

Sam, you are killing it in this thread!

 

[Sam81]

I was once sold a piece of pumpkin bread that was "so good it will make you slap your grandma" Sorry my moms is way better. lol

I thought your mom's was a little dry. But it was still good.

Any publicly traded company is pure evil! They should build a huge confession booth for those of you who partake in this Starbucks ritual. You will need to pray for your sins to Walt's vision.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Exactly! Nestle is one of the world's most profitable corporations and has a long history of controversy. How is replacing Nescafe with Starbucks becoming more corporate?

FYI, Disney is replacing NesCafe with Joffrey's everywhere else.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I do recall that Walt said he wanted to create a park that parents and kids could enjoy together. I also believe that his loathe of carnival-type games was well known. So putting the carnival games in the California Adventure Park seemed odd to us. We just skip that part - it doesn't interest us in the least.

As far as corporate sponsorship, I first went to Disneyland back in the 60's. There were so many attractions that were sponsored! Starkist Tuna Boat, UpJohn Pharmacy on Main Street, Dole pineapple & whip, Coke Corner...to name a few. That wasn't against Walt Disney's idea at all.

And I love my Starbucks! The coffee in Disneyland was always so bad.

Important thing to note: No corporate sponsorship means no Dole sponsorship. No Dole sponsorship means NO MORE DOLE WHIPS

We must be very careful what we wish for.

 

[manning]

McDonald's is not in any of the parks. They haven't been for years. Walt was a business man. There is no way to know if he would have made the same changes or not. The man has been dead for decades. Times have changed, and businesses have to make adjustments based on the needs and wants of their customers.

Totally with you on the Avatar thing. Dumbest idea ever.

Walt was the creative one. His brother Roy was the business man. If it wasn't for him a lot of that stuff would not have been built.

 

[mhsjax]

I thought your mom's was a little dry. But it was still good.

Any publicly traded company is pure evil! They should build a huge confession booth for those of you who partake in this Starbucks ritual. You will need to pray for your sins to Walt's vision.

Hey, don't you be talkin about my mamma YOu do have a great sense of humor.

My kids all partake in the Starbucks ritual, I will need a direct line to Walt confession booth.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Important thing to note: No corporate sponsorship means no Dole sponsorship. No Dole sponsorship means NO MORE DOLE WHIPS

Yay!

/the ice cream, they ruins it, my precious!

 

[CaliBear]

FYI, Disney is replacing NesCafe with Joffrey's everywhere else.

I'd never even heard of Joffrey's until this thread. I had to google. Tampa-based and the article I read said they were coming up with unique blends for the properties. I'd think people would be thrilled over this especially.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I started a thread years ago that asked "What would Walt have wanted?" One person said "Maybe Walt wouldn't have approved of some of the changes and add ons to Disneyland, but he would approve of all the happiness it brought to people." That's true. I think an expansion to Disneyland instead of California Adventure would have been better and more of what Walt would have wanted, but what's done is done.

 

[FlightlessBird]

I think if Walt Disney were to come back from the dead today and see what his company had become he'd be happy! Just look how far it's gone, not everybody is always going to agree with the changes at any Disney park. To be honest, I've never took too much notice of the brands in Disney parks. There's probably less now than there was to begin with come to think of it. And as for starbucks coming to the parks, I don't think it will make too much difference, the theming was good at the fiddler fifer and practical cafe that if you didn't know it was there before you probably won't notice it (unless you look really hard lol) I prefer this over mcdonalds though.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I've been skimming through this thread, and read somewhere that someone doesn't like Downtown Disney. Heck, I LOVE THAT PLACE!!! Whenever I go to Disneyland with my family, we hang out there the first day before we start on the parks the next!!

 

[Lynne M]

I do recall that Walt said he wanted to create a park that parents and kids could enjoy together. I also believe that his loathe of carnival-type games was well known. So putting the carnival games in the California Adventure Park seemed odd to us. We just skip that part - it doesn't interest us in the least.

It wasn't the carnival games he didn't like, it was the carnival atmosphere.

In Walt's day, carnivals had a reputation of being, well, unsavory. Seedy. Kind of tawdry, with the freak shows, scantily clad dancers, etc. Carnival workers were seen as untrustworthy, many were transients, some were actually hiding from the law, easy to do as a carny because you're always moving from place to place. Games were often rigged, meant to separate you from your money.

That's what he was trying to provide an alternative to in creating Disneyland. A clean, safe place to visit with your kids for a day of fun.

 

[skylizard]

There is a mcdonald like kiosk in adventure land.
and they sell mcflurry's in epcot when you go to the right there's a kiosk by bathrooms near the lake...

Really? I'll have to look for that know

 

[Deb in IA]

I think it's sad that Walt Disney's original idea for Disney World is being changed just for more income.

He never wanted carnival games in his parks... But they put them in anyway in Animal Kingdom.

His first major oopsy was that he didn't control the area around the perimeter of DisneyLand, so other corporates could build so he bought more land for Disney World so that wouldn't happen. So what do Disney World owner or whoever makes the decisions do? They put other corps right into the parks. I know they have McDonald's in Magic kingdom and Epcot, in their own little stands but to change "Main Street" by putting in a Starbucks? The horror. Sure when I visit I will NOT step foot in or around Starbucks. That's my decision. Not that I drink coffee any way, but if i need a refreshment I will walk 10-20 feet away to somewhere else. Starbucks will NOT get my $$ or snack credits.

I think it is sad that the current President (or whoever makes these decisions) is losing the sight of what Walt Disney wanted for his parks. Yes I know he's not around any more but it seems like whoever makes the decisions is losing site of the magic and the meaning of what walking up Main Street means to people. I know when I'm in Magic Kingdom walking up Main Street I just feel the magic.

I just don't know any more. My site of the magic is getting dimmer and dimmer because of these changes that Disney never wanted in the first place.

Don't even get me going about Avatarland. I mean that's not Even Disney. Soon Disney World will be like Universal Studios... Not that i'm saying Universal Studios is a bad place but when you think of Disney World you think of all the magic and the good memories...not Starbucks..

I haven't read all of the replies, so I apologize if this was already discussed, but corporate presence/sponsorship has ALWAYS been a part of Disneyland/Disney World.

I remember entire attractions that prominently advertised their corporate sponsorship:

http://disneybiz.com/2010/sponsors/

In the early days of Walt Disney World, many attractions had sponsors. Space Mountain was originally sponsored by RCA, then FedEx. If You Had Wings was sponsored by Eastern Airlines, who mysteriously keeps coming up in my articles. After If You Had Wings closed, Delta sponsored the Delta Dreamflight. When EPCOT Center opened, every pavilion in Future World had a sponsor:

Spaceship Earth was sponsored by the Bell System, then AT&T
Exxon sponsored Universe of Energy
Horizons (which opened one year later) had General Electric for its sponsor
World of Motion, as Test Track is today, was brought to guests by General Motors.
Journey Into Imagination and its successors have all been presented by Kodak.
Kraft was the original sponsor of The Land
When The Living Seas and Wonders of Life opened years later, they both opened with their own sponsors (United Technologies and MetLife respectively). There are more examples, but it was a fact of Disney life that many attractions had sponsors.

Today, the sponsorships seem to have diminished. Future World is the most noticeable area:

Spaceship Earth went without a sponsor when AT&T pulled out in 2003 until Siemens took over in 2005.
Exxon ended its sponsorship of Universe of Energy in 2004
Horizons lost General Electric in 1993; the pavilion languished in seasonal operation until it was closed for good in 1999. Mission: SPACE does have Hewlett-Packard as a sponsor, however.
Nestle sponsored The Land after Kraft, but the agreement ended in 2009.
The Living Seas lost its sponsor in 2001 and never had another.
MetLife pulled out of Wonders of Life in 2001; the pavilion was eventually demoted to seasonal operation from 2004 until it closed in 2007.
Many companies are still sponsors in Walt Disney World. The two most prominent are Kodak and Coca-Cola. Kodak, in addition to the Imagination pavilion, sponsors the park maps, “Picture Spots” throughout the parks, MuppetVision 3D, and the photo centers in the parks. Coca-Cola presents Club Cool with its beverages from around the world as well as Casey’s Corner and other eateries. However, sponsorships are more scarce than they were in the early days of Walt Disney World, especially in the two newer parks. Only Kodak is listed as a sponsor of Duka la Filimu, a camera center, in the Animal Kingdom park map.

Why are companies more hesitant to sponsor attractions today than they were years ago? I have a few theories.

First, Disney sponsorships are not easy to fit into a marketing budget. The AT&T Spaceship Earth contract was a $50 million deal in 1992; not small change even today, despite that millions of guests saw and heard AT&T’s name with every trip aboard Spaceship Earth. For reference, the Siemens contract is worth $100 million, but I believe it also includes Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

Second, even though a company’s name is on the attraction’s marquee, announced to the guests during the ride, and printed in the park map, how can a company be certain the advertising is helping? Unlike, for example, a television commercial that runs for a short length of time, this long-term agreement is more difficult to measure. With all that goes on in Walt Disney World, how can a company tell that its message isn’t being lost in the noise?

Also, does Disney really need attraction sponsors anymore? Does Disney make enough money to not have to worry itself with sponsors? Probably so, but selling $50-100 million contracts in return for putting a company’s name on a sign and in park maps and tailor the attraction’s message to that company is a pretty good deal for Disney. Many of the attraction sponsors brought us welcome changes. The 1993 AT&T contract for Spaceship Earth gave us the Jeremy Irons narration, and the 2005 contract with Siemens sparked an extensive refurbishment of Spaceship Earth’s animatronics as well as the magic wand’s demolition. Of course, some attraction changes were a catastrophe, such as Kodak’s 1999 Journey into Your Imagination debacle.

As I page through a Walt Disney World pictorial souvenir book circa 1991, the attraction sponsors are even mentioned in this book. It’s obvious to me Walt Disney World would not be the vacation destination it is today without the help of sponsors. I do think sponsorships are still worthwhile and help to maintain the attractions. Perhaps Animal Kingdom would be better off with a few sponsors.

Here are current corporate sponsors:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/list-of-disney-sponsors.33241/

AAA - American Automobile Association
Hospitality Desk in the Magic Kingdom at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Also, has an office at the Car Care Center.

Acushnet Company
Provides golf balls to Walt Disney World.

American Farm Bureau
Exhibitor at the Innovention's attraction at Epcot.

Alamo/National Car Rental
Sponsors Main Street Vehicles at the Magic Kingdom at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Also, has a rental office located at the Car Care Center. National provides all the fleet and company vehicles for Walt Disney World.

Bally Retail
Bally of Swizerland is located in the Grand Floridian carrying fine men's and women's accessories: Handbags, scarves, wallets, luggage, briefcases, shoes, belts, neckties, and a wide variety of gift items.

Banfi S.p.A
Almond Garden Shop located in the Italy pavilion carries Italian chocolates, candies, wine tasting, and accessories.

Bass Beer
Pub in the United Kingdom Pavilion

Brauerei Beck GMBH & Co.
Beer Garden in the Germany Pavilion

Brunswick Marine Power
Provides boats and motors, Roadmaster bikes, and Zebco fishing gear

Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma
Malt Beverage in the Mexico Pavilion

Coachmen
"Official Recreational Vehicle of Fort Wilderness Resort and Disney Wide World of Sports".

Coca Cola
Provides softdrinks, water and juices to Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort. Also hosts Electric Umbrella, Cosmic Rays, Casey's Corner, Backlot Epxress, and Studio Catering. Dasani water also sponsors the Full and Half Marathon.

Dole Fresh Fruit Company
Hosts Aloha Isle Juice Bar at Magic Kingdom, Tiki Room and Juice Bar at Disneyland.

Energizer
"The Official Batteries/Flashlights of the Walt Disney World Resort". Also, sponsors Star Tours at both Walt Diseny World and Disneyland Resort.

First USA Bank
Exclusive issuer of the Disney Co-branded credit card. Includes all of the Bank One ATM machines across the Walt Disney World property.

Florida Hospital
Operates the Centre Care facility in Lake Buena Vista and provides health information to cast members.

Footlocker
Sponsors the Walt Disney World Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, Family Fun Run, 10K Classic, and the Cross Country Classic.

Frito Lay
Provides all salty snacks at both the Walt Disney Resort and the Disneyland Resort. Also, sponsors Typhoon Lagoon and named the baseball stadium at the Walt Disney Wide World Sports Complex, Cracker Jack Field.

General Motors
"The Official Vehicle of the Walt Disney World Resort". Also, sponsors the Epcot attraction, Test Track.

Georges Duboeuf
Les Vins de France shop in the France pavilion carries wines and accessories. Wine tasting is also available.

Guerlain, Inc.
La Signature shop located in the France pavilion carries personal accessories, make-up and perfumes.

Haagen-Dazs
Provides various ice cream products across Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.

Hasbro
"Official Toy & Game Company at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort." This includes a Hasbro Toy Store, "Once Upon a Toy", located at Downtown Disney. Also, sponsors all of the children's centers across Walt Disney World property and is represented with giant icons at the new Disney's Pop Century Resort.

Hewlett-Packard
Sponsors Mission: Space at Epcot and the Fireworks display at Disneyland.

Hunt-Wesson
"The Official Popcorn of Walt Disney World and Disneyland."

International Business Machines (IBM)
Exhibitor, "Networked Living", at Innoventions West at Epcot.

International Motor Speedway (IMS)
Sponsors the Tomorrowland Speedway at the Magic Kingdom.

J.M. Smucker Company
Displayes product in the windows of the Yankee Trader and in the Main Street Merchandise windows. Sponsors the Character Breakfast at the Soundstage Restaurant at Disney's MGM Studios and the Cape May Restaurant at the Beach Club Resort.

Kellogg's
"The Official Sponsor of breakfast at the WDW Resort".

Kirin Brewery Company
Provides the malt beverage in the Japan Pavilion.

Kodak
Official Imaging Sponsor of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Also, sponsors the Imagination Pavilion, the Fantasyland Theater at Disneyland and all the camera shops and kiosks throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, including the Theme Park guidebooks.

Lutron
Exhibitor, "The Ultimate Home Theater Experience" at Innoventions West at Epcot.

McDonald's
Sponsors DinoLand at the Animal Kingdom and hosts fry cart throughout the parks at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort. Also, operates restaurants at Downtown Disney and near the All - Star Resorts.

Miller Imports (Giuseppe Armani)
Sponsors merchandise shop, Sculpture D'Arte, in the Italy Pavilion.

National Fluid Milk "Got Milk?"
Sponsors the field house, "Milk House" at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
Sponsors Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon.

Nestle
Sponsors the Land Pavilion at Epcot and the stroller, pet care and baby care locations throughout the Walt Disney World property and Disneyland. Nestle also has presence in many of the food and beverage locations throughout those properties.

P.J. Valkenberg
Hosts the wine shop, Weinkeller, in the Germany Pavilion.

Roots Canada
Provides Roots brand Canadian clothing, headwear, accessoriesn and cologne in Northwest Merchantile Store in Canada Pavilion.

R. Twinings & Company Limited
The Tea Caddy shop in the United Kingdom pavilion carries specialty tea items, china, candy and snacks.

Schering Plough Healthcare Products (Coppertone)
Sponsors Mickey's Mart at the Magic Kingdom and Singapore Sal's at Typhoon Lagoon.

Society of Plastics Industry
Exhibitor at the Innoventions attraction at Epcot.

Tappi
Exhibitor, "Forests for our Future", at Innoventions East at Epcot.

Toro
Sponsors "The Towne Green" special events area at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Underwriters Laboratories
Exhibitor at the Innoventions attraction at Epcot.

Visa USA
The Official credit card of Disney.

Whirlpool
Exhibitor at the Innoventions attraction at Epcot.

So, what's the big deal about a Starbucks?