Main Street is no place for corporate branding

[mytripsandraces]

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.

I don't think they ever meant that it would be a Starbucks storefront. That's not how Disney works. They were very clear when Starbucks first came into the parks that they would have to fit into the existing theme.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

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.

It was never going to be a storefront and they haven't changed any plans.

 

[freshmanjs]

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.

hilarious. they didn't change the plan. they just corrected the ridiculous misinterpretation of the plan that a bunch of people had.

 

[MariDisney]

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.

I don't think they changed the plan this close to the closing/refurb. I'd bet the plan was made a long time ago and is just now being implemented. Also, if Starbucks was promised a storefront then contractually Disney would have to deliver it.

 

[larryz]

Now that would be a something I could handle.

Handle... mug... I see what you did there!

 

[Sammie]

hilarious. they didn't change the plan. they just corrected the ridiculous misinterpretation of the plan that a bunch of people had.

Exactly, where in print did Disney say they were going to completely change the look of the bakery and make it look like your neighborhood Starbucks.

I get almost all their announcements either on Facebook or Twitter and I saw no "official" announcement of that plan.

 

[msjprincess]

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.

Do you seriously think Disney and Starbuck's executives had an emergency meeting within the last few days and changed their minds because some people on the internet freaked out?


Obviously that was the plan all along. They just didn't say that in the original blog.

 

[freshmanjs]

Exactly, where in print did Disney say they were going to completely change the look of the bakery and make it look like your neighborhood Starbucks.

I get almost all their announcements either on Facebook or Twitter and I saw no "official" announcement of that plan.

ha ha ha. no, actually they were going to make a huge green sign normal starbucks like you'd have in manhattan (and completely different from what they did in dca) until they read the threads on disboards and changed their mind. they worked all night to come up with the new plan.

 

[Burnedout]

Do you seriously think Disney and Starbuck's executives had an emergency meeting within the last few days and changed their minds because some people on the internet freaked out?

Obviously that was the plan all along. They just didn't say that in the original blog.

You mean it wasn't the petition?

 

[mdsoccermom]

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?

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~I'm glad people complained. Disney was kind of enough to acknowledge their concerns with a prompt update that was clear & concise!

 

[WedgieSock]

I haven't read this whole thread but <snip>

Clearly, you hadn't read any of the thread.

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.

Wow. Its interesting how people view one another.

I have been going to Starbucks for almost 20 years London (where I'm from), the suburbs of England, City of Atlanta, and now the Atlanta suburbs. They all represent their environment. London (think New York) everyone had their own agenda .... suburbs of England friendly & quiet ... City of Atlanta buzzing, laughter but rushed because its busy .... and now Atlanta suburbs where my Starbucks is part of the community and I can sit and have a coffee in peace or chat with other customers and it gets involved with our schools.

So no, I don't think there is anything 'cultish' about Starbucks at all - its a reflection of its community.

 

[cjlvsccm]

Thank you, Dr.Girlfriend, for posting such good examples of the sponsorships as done by Disney. I've only read the last 5 pages of this thread, but I'm amazed at the number of people who seem to not even notice that the Main Street feel has always included outside corporate sponsors.

I wonder how many of those up in arms have read any thorough biographies on Mr. Walter Elias Disney. Our favorite theme park provider was a businessman who learned early that corporate sponsorship was the way to fund his vision of making families happy while making him money to do more of the same, bigger and better. Even his attractions at the 1964 World's Fair were partnered -- corporations providing the funding in exchange for labeling. It's how Walt Disney World got built!

Even as we chuckle about how every ride or show at the parks dumps out into a gift shop, we marvel at how effective the company is at making SO many people happy to line up and hand over their money. And those who can (self & hubby included ), just can't wait until our next chance to do it again!

I don't think for a minute that Disney is going to back off its fierce protection of its own brand. Meanwhile, I'm just amused at every uproar that comes along.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Do you seriously think Disney and Starbuck's executives had an emergency meeting within the last few days and changed their minds because some people on the internet freaked out?


Obviously that was the plan all along. They just didn't say that in the original blog.

People here have an inflated sense of their own importance sometimes. That's why you get the " I will never book another Disney trip again" threads. Newsflash, Disney doesn't care.

Hilarious how some people think that Disney executives listened to a boatload of whining, and decided to change the plan.

 

[declansdad]

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.

As had been pointed out numerous times, Main Street has changed many times and a poster also pointed out that Walt Disney himself said Main Street would never be finished.

 

[TowMater92]

OK so no corporate branding on Main Street but can we make the Castle into a White Castle? I don't have them in the NW and I always wanted to try one?

 

[Sammie]

People here have an inflated sense of their own importance sometimes. That's why you get the " I will never book another Disney trip again" threads. Newsflash, Disney doesn't care.

Hilarious how some people think that Disney executives listened to a boatload of whining, and decided to change the plan.

Exactly; in fact Disney makes very few changes without extensive marketing research before they make a decision.

This takes months and months, so no, there were no changes made to any decisions after the " main street sky is falling" group complained.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I respect your view and am pleased to see that finally someone can identify the reason "why" they're actually against having Starbucks into Main St and WDW in general. Most people are just saying "because....." or "my cinnamon rolls...."

I'm hit Starbucks at least 4-6 times a week and I've never seen fellow patrons like the ones you describe. Unfortunately rude people are everywhere and I have no doubt there are people getting Starbucks because they saw Miley Cyrus or something other celeb running around with a Starbucks cup.

Main St Bakery always had a line out the door of a morning (at least it does in my experience) so I see the line staying the same or getting a little worse. This is one of the reasons I was hoping it would be a different location so it would at least divide the morning coffee and breakfast crowd. That being said, I'm so happy Starbucks is coming, they could have put it in the castle and I would have said Alright maybe not the castle but....

Rude people are always present at WDW, I've encountered many on our trips, this won't be specific to the MSB/Starbucks. I think it will be different then in the real world as people are on holidays so I wouldn't necessarily be expecting the same "coffee rush" you'll get at your local SB at 8:50am.

I can see why people are concerned about the theme of the MSB/Starbucks. However, whether we all like it or not Main St no longer really feels like a town in the early 1900's. The stores have iPhone and iPad covers, people are walking around with their mobiles, iPads, Video Cameras, cameras. As long as it's done tastefully outside, I'm 100% for Starbucks coming into the parks. Having been to the DCA location, I'm excited to see the new store.

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.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Nestle Company c1905
Edy's Ice Cream c1928
Coca Cola c1886


Starbucks c1971

Which one doesn't belong?

I'm guessing Nestle since they're the only company on there (to the best of my knowledge) that have clear Human Rights violations against them?

I guess so..but one could make the argument that 1971 was the same year WDW was founded.

Oh my god! We should get rid of WDW and just put an amusement park in place with Nestle, Coca Cola and Edy's!

I would imagine Disney didn't think bringing in a new coffee provider and more ways to use your snack credits would be met with such frantic over-reaction.

I'm imagining getting my Venti Latte for free if we get free dining............. Wonder if there is any chance of that happening!

 

[Disney_Princess83]

While it would be nice to keep the parks the same, that's not possible. The Magic Kingdom you walk into now is not exactly the same as the one that was there in 2000, or 1995, or 1985 or 1975. Things change, things get updated/upgraded. There are additions (look at the New Fantasyland!) The memories will always remain because if WDW was completed bulldozed down tomorrow, the memories wouldn't disappear with the park.

I thought i'd jump in here for a second, even though I haven't spoken yet.
I also believe in keeping the sanctity of main street. By this I don't mean that Disney is in any way my religion or Disney World is holy ground. I believe in it keeping with it's theming.
And so what if people would like it to stay the same. Is that so wrong? Why can't main street be a sacred thing for some people? I know my mother walks into the park, and remembers her grandfather, now passed, taking her to Disney for the first time when she was a child. And that's a cherished memory. There are many memories there, and I can understand perfectly why somebody wouldn't want main street to be changed.
Main street sets the stage for the entire park. You go in, and you're supposed to be transported into the magic (so to speak). Starbucks isn't exactly magical in any sort of way. On on top of that Main street bakery is quite beloved. And, yes, they say they will keep some old favourites, but not all of them.
Personally, i'd like to see things stay the same.