Where to get our morning coffee fix?

[earthboundfaerie]

Hi everyone,

Traveling with three little ones this weekend and we are going to try to make it to rope drop for the parks each day. My husband and I will probably need massive amounts of caffeine to make this happen so I want to make sure we get our coffee fix first thing in the morning.

A few questions:

1. How are the crowds at the Statbucks in downtown Disney before park opening? Are they fairly fast in getting your coffee made?

2. Do the parks allow outside Starbucks drinks?

3. For those who have stayed at Disneyland Hotel, any feedback on hotel coffee?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Geemo]

Star Bucks may have long lines BUT they have it figured out. I felt prices were reasonable too.
The line moves really fast, much better than the lines you'll experience later in the day.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...2. Do the parks allow outside Starbucks drinks?..

Yes, they do, but there is a Starbucks in each park (Market House on Main Street in DL and Fiddler, Fifer, & the Practical on Buena Vista Street in DCA), so you could get drinks there, too. You can also get coffee at Haagen Dazs and La Brea Bakery in DtD. And the lines at the DtD Starbucks do move pretty quickly most of the time.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

When were there last Nov, I found that if we made into the DTD Starbucks by 6:30am (for a 7 EMH), there was no line. By 6:35, there was a fairly long line. That said, they know how to expedite orders and even with a line, it never took more than a few minutes to get our food/drinks. I was impressed. And yes, you can take it into the park with you, although we usually just finished it in line waiting at the gates.

Although I've stayed at the DLH, I can't comment on their coffee. We bring the Via singles with us and just the machine in the room for hot water.

 

[bumbershoot]

There's also the espresso place at DLH isn't there?

I don't now how old your kids are, but I'll tell you one of my strongest memories from my first Disney trip as a kid with my mom. And it was room service. I felt like I was in heaven, getting silly scrambled eggs delivered to our room.

I bet it would have been just as cool if my mom had ordered a pot of coffee or three (serious coffee drinker) to be delivered each morning.

I think DLH has room service; doesn't it?

 

[McNs]

The in room coffee was barely adequate, but sometimes needs must... Don't know what time the coffee shop opens, Tangaroa Terrace also has coffee, once again not sure of hours. I like bumbershoot's idea of a pot of coffee delivered, we always have one morning or room service (not an early day) and remember that coffee being pretty good.

If you get one on the way there won't be an issue bringing it in to the parks, assuming it hasn't been drunk by then!

The early starts are TOTALLY worth the effort. It is tough on vacation getting up at 5:30am and trying to rouse kids, but once in the parks it is just magic.

 

[RKKUNK]

I just looked and the coffee house at DLH opens at 6:00 am. Tangaroa Terrace doesn't open until 7:00 am. You might just want to see how busy the coffee house is at the hotel is first, then depending on how busy it is, use that or not. We personally like Tangaroa Terrace because it is self service on the coffee and hot chocolate and we mix those two together to make a mocha-like drink. Good luck!! Edited to say:We thought the room service at the DLH was too expensive by the time the add the service fees and such.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I always bring packets of Starbucks Via instant coffee and my own disposable cups with lids. If the coffee at my hotel is bad or I don't have quick access to it, I can quickly make my own before walking to DL. Last week, we stayed at the Best Western across the street. The coffee at the breakfast buffet was fine, but one morning we wanted to head straight to DL and skipped it. I made my cup of Via and brought it with me on the walk. And yes, you can take drinks through security.

 

[tlovesdis]

I always bring packets of Starbucks Via instant coffee and my own disposable cups with lids. If the coffee at my hotel is bad or I don't have quick access to it, I can quickly make my own before walking to DL. Last week, we stayed at the Best Western across the street. The coffee at the breakfast buffet was fine, but one morning we wanted to head straight to DL and skipped it. I made my cup of Via and brought it with me on the walk. And yes, you can take drinks through security.

I am a coffee freak and Starbucks specifically! I always have my via in the hotel room and on the way to the parks, then hit up Starbucks in either DTD or the parks for another!

 

[Eighty8Keys]

If you're worried about long lines, I believe the DTD Starbucks is now offering the mobile order and pay option. We've been using it in Portland, OR since last December and it's wonderful. I'm looking forward to using it when we're at Disneyland next month. You order through the app, skip the line, and pick up your drink at the counter. We're staying at the Tropicana and like to head over to Starbucks each morning for coffee and people watching.

 

[tiffjoy]

The DIS Unplugged Podcast shared a secret I tucked away for my DH, who absolutely must have coffee twice in the morning. The Ghirardelli ice cream shop in DCA sells coffee,and since not many people want coffee that early in the morning, it's pretty empty.

 

[Abbey1]

I recommend stopping by Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express at least one morning for their chicory coffee and beignets. The perfect breakfast!

 

[Eighty8Keys]

The DIS Unplugged Podcast shared a secret I tucked away for my DH, who absolutely must have coffee twice in the morning. The Ghirardelli ice cream shop in DCA sells coffee,and since not many people want coffee that early in the morning, it's pretty empty.

Ooh, I forgot about that. They serve Peet's coffee, which I love. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[earthboundfaerie]

Thank you so much for all the awesome tips, you guys! We will most likely try and just get to Starbucks by 630am. The sooner we can get the kids out of the room, the better. ;p

 

[AustinTink]

We got our coffee at Ghirardelli in DCA. We were the only ones in the shop at the time, wasn't busy when we were there. They lattes were really good, too.

 

[earthboundfaerie]

The Ghirardelli shop & both Market House and Fiddler, Fifer & Practical are definitely going to be one of our stops while we're at the parks. I'm thinking we'll need caffeine for lining up and waiting for rope drop though. ;p

 

[AustinTink]

The Ghirardelli shop & both Market House and Fiddler, Fifer & Practical are definitely going to be one of our stops while we're at the parks. I'm thinking we'll need caffeine for lining up and waiting for rope drop though. ;p

Gotcha. We just powered through the 7-8am emh and got our coffee afterwards. It was tough, but doable. The extra few minutes of sleep in the morning was our coffee trade off.