It's official that Starbucks is coming to DCA

[jcarwash]

Not exactly... only one is currently planned for DL.

That is what I meant.

I edited my post for clarity. Now reads "...five more locations -- one inside Disneyland itself and one at each of the four Florida theme parks."

 

[Lucille1963]

I found the information about using the 1971 logo interesting. When I worked for Starbucks we were told that the logo changed because of complaints of it being offensive (the exposed chest and split tail). I think its amusing that when they partner with Disney, this is the logo they choose to use. I personally love the original logo, but I wonder how long it will go until someone complains about those issues.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I never even knew it was a mermaid until someone mentioned it to me just a little while ago. Personally, I like the Mouse Ears logo.

 

[SpaceMan5]

Starbucks

So much better than what they serve now

 

[MrsMears]

White Mocha Frap, add toffee nut, extra shot affogato - YAY!

 

[disneydreamer74]

I agree with PP's that bringing in outside brands is a concern. I love to be immersed in Disney when I visit. But,there are many brands already in the parks ..the ice cream vendors for one! I will got out of my way for Starbucks coffee, not the regular brew...but the Frappuccinos or macchiatos ..Yummo!!! If anything, maybe Disney will get rid of the horrid Nescafe brand they offer! My last visit in January I remember seeing people walking down Harbor towards the entrance. I went out of my way to ask them where they got the Starbucks they were drinking! I was dying for a good coffee drink! I think the FFC will get lots of business this summer!

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

This made my day when I heard the news. I have been wondering for YEARS why Starbucks was not present in the parks, or in downtown disney. It will be really intersting to see how the pricing is set up... if the AP discount will apply, or if they will accept starbucks gold cards and that rewards program...since I am a member of both, I would be happy with either one. I am sure there will be some sort of price increase, just like there is when there is a Sbux inside a hotel...anyway I can't wait to have my first Disneyland starbucks, I bet it will taste a million times better just being able to walk around the parks with one in hand makes me happy. I would LOVE DCA/DLR/SBUX merchandise...Just like they have the mugs of the different locations, I would love to have a travel disneyland starbucks mug.

 

[Canadiantinkerfairy]

I love that Starbucks is coming! Far overdue. Hasn't there been corp. sponsors in DL since the start? But I can totally understand the whole keep things the same argument.
I can't see the using their current or old cups.i bet they use a Disney authentic cup.

 

[Disneylandfan1]

Starbucks in Disneyland is very exciting news!
They might need offer a Fast Pass for those lines though.
Being able to get holiday drinks, like Pumpkin Spice Latte, will be sooo nice!

There's an article on Mouseplanet.com that explains a few more details, such as Starbucks will be included on the dining plan in WDW, and we will not be able to use gold cards rewards (no free syrups or soy). It was also mentioned that they would accept Starbucks cards. There's a lot of Starbucks restaurants that do not accept gift cards, like at ski resorts, so I would be surprised if they accepted them inside the parks, but that would be great. Here's the link:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9954/Starbucks_and_Disney_Behind_the_beans

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I'm glad to have the Starbucks option.

It should help to make it a little easier to avoid the Nescafe dreck.

 

[kayleigh83]

This sounds fantastic! I am not a straight coffee drinker but I enjoy many of their flavoured espresso drinks! I'm a little confused why so many people are upset about a large corporation making its presence known in Disneyland though - Coca Cola anyone? It's not like this is new!

 

[Huff]

This sounds fantastic! I am not a straight coffee drinker but I enjoy many of their flavoured espresso drinks! I'm a little confused why so many people are upset about a large corporation making its presence known in Disneyland though - Coca Cola anyone? It's not like this is new!

I assume you are referring to the Refreshment Corner hosted by Coca-Cola. Yes, there are sponsers all over the park, but thats all they are generally. In the Refreshment Counter most products are NOT Coca-Cola products. I'm not aware of any commercial enterprise entirely built around a common brand that you'd find outside the parks. There are restaurants in Disney owned and operated by popular corporations but their menus, theming etc. are completely different than you'd find elsewhere. If this Starbucks does not use their name, logo, theming or menu and simply supplies the base ingredients and operates it then it could work.

 

[kayleigh83]

I assume you are referring to the Refreshment Corner hosted by Coca-Cola. Yes, there are sponsers all over the park, but thats all they are generally. In the Refreshment Counter most products are NOT Coca-Cola products. I'm not aware of any commercial enterprise entirely built around a common brand that you'd find outside the parks. There are restaurants in Disney owned and operated by popular corporations but their menus, theming etc. are completely different than you'd find elsewhere. If this Starbucks does not use their name, logo, theming or menu and simply supplies the base ingredients and operates it then it could work.

I guess for me, corporate presence comes down to one thing - is the name and logo there or not. If it is, they have a presence - it doesn't really matter if they are there with their own products or not, they have gotten their logo into the park and thus into my mind therefore achieving their ends, which is to make me more aware of their brand. When I see a Coca-Cola commercial on TV a hand doesn't reach through the TV and hand me a Coke but I am more aware of the brand in that moment and the "seed" so to speak, has been planted in my mind.

That said, it's hard to compare Starbucks and Coca-Cola in this instance (apples and oranges, kind of) - Coca-Cola sells pre-bottled drinks. The Refreshment Corner DOES sell several Coke-brand beverages, and the rest of the park also serves only Coca-Cola brand drinks - no Pepsi to be had. Unless they wanted to have vending machines or a shop where they ONLY sold drinks, they couldn't really have a standalone store in the parks even if they wanted to - with their products it wouldn't make sense. But Starbucks does have products that make having a full store make sense, so for them, they could have a Starbucks themed store in the parks and it could sell their usual menu (which according to most people in this thread would be welcomed!). They have that option that Coke doesn't really have.

I think the thing here is that we start to just not notice Coke - it's everywhere, in real life and in the parks. So is Starbucks (for the former at this point) but it's newer, still more "controversial" in some ways for lack of a better term, and less intergrated with our consciousness. We half expect to see Coca-Cola EVERYWHERE we go, and we will in DL too, whenever we buy a bottle of water or pop, but it hardly registers anymore. That brand presence is already there just as strongly as Starbucks will be in a couple months.

*whew* Anyways, didn't mean to go on and on like that! LOL! But I guess overall my point is that there is advertising and brand presence already in the parks, well established for many years, so having one more brand there (and according to the Disney blog, Starbucks locations in the park will be themed to fit in with its surroundings) won't really hurt the feel of the park or harm the magic! It's too strong for that!

 

[kailuagirl]

I am a Starbucks fan, but I hope they keep the "Disneyland" hot cocoa carts and such. We love love love their hot cocoa!!

 

[Huff]

What if's:

What if Pizza Port was a Pizza Hut?
What if Taste Pilots was McD's complete with McRibs?
What if Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta was Fazzoli's?
What if Cucina Cucamonga was Taco Bell?
What if Lucky Fortune Cookery was Panda Express?
What if Gibson Girl Ice Cream was Dairy Queen?

Sorry but count me as someone who does not wish to see much that takes away from the uniqueness that Disney has always been. I don't want the same counter service restaurants I find at my local mall food court. When I walk through the gates I want to escape the world of reality and have a very unique overall experience. I for one am glad the McFry wagon is gone even though I like McFries!

If Starbucks operates a non-branded coffee house with a unique menu then it would be on par with many other eateries around the parks and would be fine.

 

[kayleigh83]

I don't think that just because we see one brand come into the parks (in a category that was admittedly lacking) that we're going to see a chain reaction of brands in Disneyland. That's taking it a little far, what ifs are exactly what they are - what ifs, not real. Like I said, Coca-Cola has had a very strong brand presence in DL for decades and it's done nothing to detract from the mood.

And if they keep their promise of making the SBs look like they fit in then I hope this will be the same! And I'm hoping that includes the interiors of the cafes... I would hate to see a New Orleans Square themed exterior (for example) but walk inside and see what looks like a Starbucks you could find anywhere in the world. It would be nice to see it totally immersed in the atmosphere of its surroundings, with just the name Starbucks and the menu items to remind you it was something else - exactly like the Coca-Cola presence now. I think Disney is protective enough of its own image however that it is likely this is how it will happen. And I think considering the fact that Starbucks has well trained baristas and a great atmosphere as far as customer service goes, that the two will be a really nice blending.

I'm also really hoping they're gonna teach all their baristas how to make some Mickey Mouse latte art!

 

[Huff]

That's taking it a little far, what ifs are exactly what they are - what ifs, not real. Like I said, Coca-Cola has had a very strong brand presence in DL for decades and it's done nothing to detract from the mood.

Selling Coke beverages inside most restaurants at Disney is not the same thing as having a Starbucks coffee shop inside the parks. Serving Starbucks brand coffee instead of Nescafe in the various restaurants would be a fair comparison. The latter would be more than welcome!!

 

[CrazyDuck]

What if's:

What if Taste Pilots was McD's complete with McRibs?

Actually McD's was in DL and DCA... It didn't go over too well... With the amount of money they charge for tickets I think they should remove all branding! No Chevron's Autopia, No Dole's Whip, No National Car Rental's Mains St Vehicles, No Sparkle's Gadgets Go Coaster...

I can see it now... Main St. Restrooms Presented by Taco Bell... or Disneyland Baby Center Presented by Trojans Condoms!

 

[Huff]

Actually McD's was in DL and DCA... It didn't go over too well..

I never went to Burger Invasion as everyone in our party always wanted something better. The McDonalds at WDW in Downtown Disney also closed awhile ago.

 

[dismom73]

I don't think people are giving Disney enough credit...it has been stated that the Starbucks will "blend in with their surroundings". Which to me means that Disney is not going to start opening up traditional looking Starbucks on every corner. They will keep the character of the location it is in. I think Disney has a pretty good idea what they are doing, after all they have all of my families money and vacation time....