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starbucks

Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks Opens-West Side to Follow

19 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks

Today marked one of the first completed changes to the Downtown Disney Marketplace area, soon to be renamed Disney Springs, with this area being called The Landing. The Starbucks kiosk nested between the doors outside of World of Disney opened for business today. Cherry Tree Lane and Centerpiece are set to open inside the Marketplace Co-Op shops on June 6 and the more grand, flagship Starbucks store will open on the West Side on May 30.

Below are some photos of the newest Starbucks location on property. Unlike the Starbucks within the theme parks, this is a completely independent location and does not feature Disney decorated cups or any Disney bakery items. No annual pass or cast discounts available on drinks, but cast members are supposed to be able to get merchandise discounts. Stars may be earned using your registered Starbucks cards as well as redeemed, which is nice since the parks locations are unable to redeem rewards. Prices seem to be a bit steep compared to non-tourist location local Starbucks, but I guess that’s to be expected. Personally, I’m excited to have another “local” Starbucks to choose from, even if parking for this one may be a bit dicey for a while! (Click to enlarge photos – slideshow best viewed on a desktop)

Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Marketplace Starbucks menu
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Marketplace Starbucks queue
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks
Marketplace Starbucks and World of Disney
The opening crew of baristas, ready to craft your beverage!
I’m sensing a lot of these shots will be appearing on Instagram soon!

The West Side Starbucks location will be a flagship design, similar to the one recently opened in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. That location is gorgeous, so I’m even more excited to see ours open on May 30. The West Side Starbucks will feature 150 seats, which includes indoor and outdoor seating, It will be open from 9am to midnight, which is also a Godsend when you need a coffee late at night – that’s not just me, right?! This location will feature the regular Starbucks menu items both food and beverages, as well as the second and third Clover machines in the area  (a Winter Park location has one). The Clover machine coffee will feature a separate register and ordering area.

Currently, 40 Starbucks locations within the US are serving alcohol, and while the West Side store will not open with this option, they are going to begin testing this service in Orlando. If they do start serving beer and wine here, it will be after 4pm.

Downtown Disney West Side Starbucks
West Side Starbucks construction
West Side Starbucks construction
Downtown Disney West Side Starbucks
West Side Starbucks construction
Downtown Disney West Side Starbucks
Love the grass roof area
Downtown Disney West Side Starbucks
West Side Starbucks construction
Downtown Disney West Side Starbucks
View from atop Splitsville of the Starbucks construction

What do you think? I’m always excited for a new Starbucks, but the West Side location makes me very happy. Part of the fun of Starbucks is being able to relax and enjoy your drink, usually with a view, and maybe even get some work done too. I look forward to having a mobile office location there soon.

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Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disney News, Top Stories Tagged With: Clover machines, Disney Springs, Disney Starbucks, Downtown Disney, Downtown Disney Marketplace, Downtown Disney Starbucks, Marketplace Starbucks, starbucks, Starbucks alcohol, The Landing, West Side Starbucks

Confessions of a Former Barista: Thoughts on Starbucks in Disney Parks

14 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 15 Comments

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California Adventure StarbucksThose who know me online and off are aware of my established reputation as a coffee addict. If you checked my instagram and twitpic accounts, photos of me drinking coffee probably rank second only to castle photos, much to the dismay of those who follow my adventures and are tired of seeing my coffee shots, I’m sure.

I had my first cappuccino in Boston’s North End, the area known for its Italian residents and authentic restaurants and pastry shops. Growing up in New England, of course I was also brought up with a Dunkin Donuts on every corner. I had avoided Starbucks out of a panicked fear of what to order. That finally changed in 2004 when a friend wanted to meet me at a Starbucks. I looked at the menu board and almost passed out in confusion. I just told her to order me something, and she got me an iced peppermint white mocha. If any drink was the right one to start off my first Starbucks experience, that was it. It was SO good, a perfect mix of sweet and peppermint and coffee all in one. I was in heaven, and Starbucks had officially gained a new disciple.

Starbucks became my new friend, and whenever I was near one, I went in and tried something new. It wasn’t only the coffee itself, but the act of getting the coffee, the cup, the whole ritual. I am actually an enigma to the baristas wherever I go, because I do not have a regular drink. I like to switch it up and though I will go through phases, I don’t have any one favorite drink. Baristas like to know your drink order if you are a regular. Ideally, once they see you walk in, they grab a cup, write up your drink, and have your total before you can even reach the counter. And that is fostered and encouraged by management. So I’m messing with that system a little, but it’s okay. Despite the reputation Starbucks and its baristas sometimes have for being snobby, they really are just concerned with making great coffee and giving exceptional service. Sound like any other company we know?

Starbucks barista
Me in barista form, circa 2007

Back in 2006, I found myself with some free time on my hands, as both of my oldest children were now in school. I had befriended a barista and she encouraged me to work with her part-time. So I did, and it was perhaps the best thing I’d done in a long, long time. Making coffee was actually fun and the customers who ordered it were seemingly just as excited about it as I was. I took pride in my position and in everything I made, and soon was tapped to be a trainer for the store.

There is a reason why Starbucks as a company has such a wonderful reputation, and why their service is always so amazing when you go there. They do not automatically hire someone just because they know how to pour a cup of coffee. They look for people, or partners, who are passionate about coffee and giving great service. Once on board, partners receive extensive training – before they even get near the coffee they learn where it comes from, why they roast it the way they do, and how it gets to the stores. Employees are also instantly stockholders in the company, making their success and the company’s success one in the same.

It was an honor to wear the green apron every day and go the extra mile whenever possible to make people’s days that much brighter. Until I’d worked at both Disney and Starbucks, I didn’t realize how similar they were, in the act of making people happy and ensuring needs and expectations are met and exceeded. Even now, I find myself still picking up trash I may see on the ground in the Parks, or helping out a guest with a question even though I haven’t worked there in 16 years. Similarly, I find myself defending Starbucks to strangers and friends, and educating them on what each drink contains and what they might like. What can I say? When you find your passions, they never really leave you.

Because of that love of coffee and knowledge of how Starbucks works, I was thrilled and excited to hear about their partnership with Disney Parks. I’d walk through the parks and think, “all that’s missing is a Starbucks” (okay and maybe Horizons and the original Journey into Imagination and World of Motion, while you’re at it). And now it’s finally happening. Would it be the same if another national coffee chain were brought into the parks? I don’t believe so. I truly feel that the training and allegiance Starbucks has to its product and its people is unparallelled. Dare I say, even greater than that of the Walt Disney Company. Starbucks took something as simple as coffee beans and water and elevated it just enough to make it an experience and a luxury rather than a necessity. It made coffee something the average person felt they had to have, pay more for, and come back again and again.

Fiddler Fifer and Practical Cafe
Look at the gorgeous Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe at Disney’s California Adventure. Photo ©TheDisneyResort

Starbucks, at least every store I’ve encountered, has well-trained, knowledgeable staff who are committed to making you exactly what you want. Granted, that level of training and service is concentrated into one niche and defined set of tasks versus the 60,000+ Cast Members who work in varied roles across Walt Disney World alone. That said, I do hope the devotion to training and service established by Starbucks is kept up by Disney. If anything, walking into a Starbucks at at Disney Park should be the ultimate guest service experience, given the reputation of both companies. The key here will be consistency and dedication to the products being served. I know it’s hard in some Food and Beverage roles to be passionate about slinging scrambled eggs or french fries for their entire shift. Making several hundred Frappuccinos a day is no different, but the reputation for hand-crafted drinks made to your specifications precedes the ‘hourly Cast Member working Food & Beverage’ stereotype that may exist.

I have now experienced the first Starbucks within a Disney Park (the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café at Disney California Adventure) several times, during two separate trips.  Apart from the drink choices and the competitive prices, it definitely did not feel like a regular Starbucks experience, due to the nature of the set-up. I had to actually seek out the “Starbucks” sign, it isn’t the focal point of the space, inside or out. The café features Disney theming first, and Starbucks products second. Because of the popularity when it first opened, cast members were stationed with digital ordering devices to expedite the vast line. My first visit was the longest time I’d ever waited for a drink, but I expected it, and because of my personal addiction to Starbucks, it was totally worth it to me. I’d have waited in the Radiator Springs Fastpass line to get an iced Caramel Macchiatto with no complaint. However, knowing what it takes time-wise to make each drink served on the menu, I couldn’t help but play armchair barista and wonder if there was a better way to get drinks out in a timely manner. Iced lattes are one of the easiest drinks to make and should not take more than a few minutes if you have a person dedicated to that type of drink vs. trying to create Frappuccinos, hot drinks, and iced drinks all at the same time.

By the very nature of a theme park location, the interactions and service will be different. With the exception of a few locals perhaps, there won’t be recognized regulars and because of the fast-paced busy location, the interaction between guest and barista will probably be minimal as a rule. However, that does not mean that the traditional Starbucks experience must be lost in the shuffle. My hope is that the Cast Members set in those roles and the Starbucks trainers that guide them, will share their passion with each cup that passes across the counter in a Disney Park, making it one of the best partnerships to date.

Starbucks California Adventure
Just Got Happier!

There may be grumblings about Starbucks going into the Main Street Bakery, but as was pointed out in the Disney Parks Blog update, the items folks were concerned about being missing are available in other areas of the Magic Kingdom, and the Bakery will keep its name. Walt Disney’s first park, Disneyland, was founded with partnerships like Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Carnation, as were all the additional theme parks. Starbucks is a logical choice for a stable, established partner with a bevy of loyal and addicted fans. And have you seen their baked goods and treats?? I am ridiculously excited to be able to walk around multiple Disney Parks holding a delicious, fresh espresso drink. I’m also curious to see how the Starbucks concept fits into the Future World of Epcot in Fountain View Ice Cream, since the other two locations are set in a vintage time period. And if by chance you are not a coffee fan, Starbucks has some fabulous non-coffee drinks as well like iced teas, green tea options, and non-coffee Frappuccinos and hot chocolates too.  My passions are aligning, and I like it. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Starbucks partnership, let me know what you think in the comments below.

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Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disney News, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: coffee addict, coffee shops, coffees, Disney, Disney California Adventure, Disney coffee, Disney parks, Disney Starbucks, Disneyland, dunkin donuts, Epcot, Fiddler Fifer Practical Cafe, Fountain View Ice Cream, lattes, Magic Kingdom, Main Street Bakery, starbucks, Walt Disney World

The Thanks For Reading ZannaLand Giveaway!

30 March 2010 by Suzannah Otis 76 Comments

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zannaland.comThose of you on my personal facebook page may have noticed my update about the milestone my little corner of the internet is about to reach. When I posted it, I thought I’d just say it there, and move on, not making a big deal about it. The more I thought about it all day, the more I realized I should be celebrating this achievement. After all, this site is devoted to Disney, and who does celebrations better than Disney, right? Also, the whole reason this milestone is happening is because of you, the readers, so I figured I should definitely be giving back to the very people that brought me here to begin with. So are you ready to celebrate??

There are 2 days left in March, including today – ZannaLand.com is really really close to getting 10,000 page views for the month of March. I’m so amazed by this – I remember when I started I was excited that the site had 10 views a day. Certainly a LOT has happened both on the site and in my life since that time, and I am so grateful for the exciting changes that have taken place.




vinylmation
These are just some of the Vinylmation figures out there - you could win a brand new one!




I would not be here without the wonderful community of readers about which I’m always raving, and although I may not have the budget of Disney, what I’d do in real life is take you out for a coffee and thank you. Since for most readers, I can’t do that without involving airlines and lots of miles, I thought I’d give away 3 gift cards {of various mystery amounts}  for a coffee on me {or tea or whatever else you might like to drink at Starbucks}.

In addition, I’m giving  away a couple of fun surprises – 2 unopened Vinylmation figures! So that’s 5 separate chances to win.  However,  we have to reach that goal first – which means I need your help getting the word out about this giveaway!


To enter the giveaway:

  • Comment on this entry.
  • If you want some extra entries you can also:

  • Tweet about this giveaway and comment here with the url of that tweet.
  • Post on facebook or anywhere else you’d like to spread the word and let me know here!

I will then add all the entries into random.org and pick the winners there. I can’t wait to see who wins!

Disclosure: I am providing these prizes out-of-pocket and am not being sponsored by Starbucks, Walt Disney World or anyone else for this giveaway. Each comment meeting the above guidelines will be entered to win one of five prizes. Contest ends at midnight PST on March 31st and winners will be announced on April 1st. Good luck! 🙂

…

UPDATE: If you did not read on twitter, we surpassed 10,000 views after midnight on March 30th, so we definitely hit our goal and then some by the 31st! Thanks so much!! The winners have been picked at random.org:

$5 Starbucks gift card goes to – Jacqueline Hudson!

$10 Starbucks gift card goes to – icitea!

$15 Starbucks gift card goes to – Stephanie (VertigoDawn)!

1st Vinylmation goes to –Vader’s Mom!!

2nd Vinylmation goes to – Jon (disneylovndad)!!

Congratulations! I will get your prizes mailed out as soon as possible!

Thank you ALL for the amazing participation, for reading, and for spreading the word about ZannaLand. I promise this will not be the last fun giveaway!!

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: celebrations, Giveaways, starbucks, vinylmation, zannaland

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