Main Street is no place for corporate branding

[Disney_Princess83]

You guys get Disney is a corporation right?

No way! I thought they were a charity! That's why entry is free and you don't have to pay for those autograph books or Mickey Toys..... oh wait.........

 

[Disney_Princess83]

They haven't changed their plans, this was always the plan. No offence to anyone on those boards, Disney doesn't care what people on the Dis think. We are a tiny tiny tiny minority of the people who actually visit in the parks on a yearly basis. Most people will either not notice the change, won't care or be ordering a Venti Coffee Frap.

There were never going to have a store front for Starbucks. If you check out DCA and the fact that they did a very expensive refurb of the outside early this year, it's fairly obvious it was always going to be MSB with Starbucks.

There's a big difference between a "sponsor" and a storefront. I am glad Disney listened to the uproar and has changed the plan from it being a storefront to it simply being served in the MSB. I feel that's totally different.

By sanctity, I wasn't inferring it was a place of "worship", sanctity merely meant that it should be respected and unchanged because of it's importance.

In my opinion, if they went ahead with the Starbucks storefront and opened that door, it would be a fine line being crossed and pave the way for other stores not in keeping with the Main Street "feel". I was imagining an AT&T store where you can charge your iphone and similar places that would completely ruin the purpose and design of Main Street. I am all for a decent cup of coffee at WDW, but not at the expense of theming.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

People on these boards really overestimate their importance. There never was going to be a Starbucks storefront.

How many times does that need to be said before people understand?

Just once more, as always

 

[declansdad]

They haven't changed their plans, this was always the plan. No offence to anyone on those boards, Disney doesn't care what people on the Dis think. We are a tiny tiny tiny minority of the people who actually visit in the parks on a yearly basis. Most people will either not notice the change, won't care or be ordering a Venti Coffee Frap.

Bite your tongue! As a member of the Dis Boards I know the management of Disney Corp is constantly looking to this group to approve their decisions.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Bite your tongue! As a member of the Dis Boards I know the management of Disney Corp is constantly looking to this group to approve their decisions.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

I know this may sound crazy but what if, just what if by luck EVERYONE that came to the MK just TOTALLY ignored Starbucks and just walked on by. If that infact really happened what would Disney do?

 

[Art 1]

I know this may sound crazy but what if, just what if by luck EVERYONE that came to the MK just TOTALLY ignored Starbucks and just walked on by. If that infact really happened what would Disney do?

They would eventually close it, of course. But that won't happen. For some reason the masses have to have coffee.

 

[WDSearcher]

I know this may sound crazy but what if, just what if by luck EVERYONE that came to the MK just TOTALLY ignored Starbucks and just walked on by. If that infact really happened what would Disney do?

There's no telling. That strategy certainly hasn't caused them to take out Stitch's Great Escape.

 

[msjprincess]

I know this may sound crazy but what if, just what if by luck EVERYONE that came to the MK just TOTALLY ignored Starbucks and just walked on by. If that infact really happened what would Disney do?

Why would that happen? The majority of WDW guests won't even realize that anything has changed.

 

[Planogirl]

I know this may sound crazy but what if, just what if by luck EVERYONE that came to the MK just TOTALLY ignored Starbucks and just walked on by. If that infact really happened what would Disney do?

Can I be the only one there if this happens? I won't pass by.

 

[cruisingkat]

I've tried to figure out why having Starbucks on Main Street bothers me more than other corporations, and it boils down to a couple things for me.

First, the "cult" of Starbucks. There are so many people I know for whom their morning Starbucks is a ritual. People act in a certain way inside a Starbucks (in my town, often hurriedly, rudely, blinders on to the rest of the world until they get their fix), they have their own culture (got the whole country to say 'Venti' instead of 'Large'). People seem proud of how complex and difficult their orders are, as though it's a badge of honor, and the company encourages this. My fear is that this corporate culture and the Starbucks "groupies" behavior will bleed into Main Street.

Second, because as someone above said, there's going to be an obnoxious line out the door first thing in the morning, crowding up the street right at a time when a lot of people are passing through.

(I have to admit to agreeing a tiny bit with the poster who says that it doesn't fit in with the turn-of-the-century theme, although it's true that this has never stopped Disney before.)

I could be wrong on all counts. I so hope I am.

I don't know where you live, but at our local Starbucks, but the atmosphere in our local Starbucks is completely different than what you describe. We are greeted by name, regulars talk to each other and ask about family, people wait patiently for their drinks. With their comfy chairs and tables, you can sit and have coffee while catching up on email. Students meet for study groups. It is a very homey atmosphere. And no one laughs or ridicules you if you say large instead of venti.
I have encountered many rude people at Disney - even at Main Street Bakery - you can experience rude people everywhere - it is not just a Starbucks thing. (Maybe getting a decent cup of coffee might help relieve some of that rudeness )
As far as ordering specialty drink combinations, it is great to be able to have your coffee or coffee drink made exactly the way you like it instead of one cup fits all. Actually if you stop to think, Starbucks has changed the way other fast food chains serve coffee - for example Dunkin Donuts and even McDonalds offer flavored coffees now.

 

[cruisingkat]

They haven't changed their plans, this was always the plan. No offence to anyone on those boards, Disney doesn't care what people on the Dis think. We are a tiny tiny tiny minority of the people who actually visit in the parks on a yearly basis. Most people will either not notice the change, won't care or be ordering a Venti Coffee Frap.

There were never going to have a store front for Starbucks. If you check out DCA and the fact that they did a very expensive refurb of the outside early this year, it's fairly obvious it was always going to be MSB with Starbucks.

Have to agree with you that they never planned to have Starbucks storefronts- this is the original announcement from Starbucks back in April. Note the part of the announcements that they will still carry Disney favorites (bolding of that part is mine)

SEATTLE & LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 23, 2012 - Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts today announced that Starbucks will soon be available at all Disney theme parks at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., and Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

This summer, the first of six Starbucks cafés will open at Disney California Adventure. The additional stores are planned for Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World Resort, including locations at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

“Starbucks and Disney have many things in common,” said Arthur Rubinfeld, president, Global Development, for Starbucks. “We share a passion for providing excellent customer service, delivering high quality in everything we do, and ensuring that every experience with our brand exceeds our customers’ expectations. This is something our customers and partners (employees) have asked for through MyStarbucksIdea.com since the site launched more than four years ago, so we are pleased to bring this idea to life.”

Starbucks is not completely new to Disney. In June 2009, the company opened a store in Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, which has become a guest favorite.

At Disney California Adventure, Starbucks will be located in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café on Buena Vista Street, a place that transports guests to 1920s Los Angeles when Walt Disney arrived in California and a cup of coffee was the perfect way to jumpstart a busy day. The store’s location plays off the Spanish/Mexican architecture of the period, and baristas will wear 1920s-inspired attire.

The café will serve Starbucks items including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and signature breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Guests also will have their choice of Disney favorites, including signature sandwiches and other items, as well as delicious desserts and sweet treats.“We know food and beverage offerings are an important part of the memories our guests make at Disney Parks and now they will be able to enjoy their favorite Starbucks® beverage as part of their experience,” said Maribeth Bisienere, vice president, food and beverage line of business for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Many of our guests have shared their passion for Starbucks with us, and we look forward to making their feedback a reality as we debut the first location at Disney California Adventure.”

And here is the quote from the Disney Parks blog from April (again the bolding is mine)

Today, we’re excited to officially announce plans to bring your favorite Starbucks drinks and food items to all of our theme parks at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

In June, the first of six planned Starbucks locations is scheduled to open at Disney California Adventure park. And more locations are planned at Disneyland park and Walt Disney World Resort (Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom).

The Starbucks locations inside our parks will be designed to fit the theme of their surroundings. At Disney California Adventure park, Starbucks will be located in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café on Buena Vista Street, a place that transports guests to 1920s Los Angeles, when Walt Disney arrived in California and a cup of coffee was the perfect way to jumpstart a busy day. The store’s location plays off the Spanish/Mexican architecture of the period, and baristas will wear 1920s-inspired attire.

The café will serve Starbucks items, including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and signature breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Guests also will have their choice of Disney favorites, including signature sandwiches and other items, as well as delicious desserts and sweet treats.