Creature Comforts at Disney's Animal Kingdom to become Starbucks

[dreamfinder]

Plus, the drinks have no lids.

Being environmentally friendly and all.....

Though it will probably end up being stupid Starbucks I personally would like to see vegetarian only full service restaurant!

I give them props for adding some veggie friendly dishes that are more than just afterthoughts at a few of the CS/cart locations in AK. The tofu curry was a nice switch from the same veggie burger/grilled veggie panini available everywhere.

 

[doctornick]

most likely starbucks, as their will be a new counter service in avatar. too bad they aren't doing a super cool avatar table service too, how about up inside the floating mountains with a view down onto avatarland.

I'm under the impression that the main dining in Pandora will be a "flex" place like BOG -- counter service lunch, table service for dinner.

 

[Rob562]

I am not so sure there will be a lot of space between Avatar and Africa. A recent permits indicates that a central energy plant is going to be built on the southern part of the land behind Rainforest which would tend to push Avatar further north. Also, if the Soarin' ride that was in the leaked plans is built, it will take up a lot of space.

Is that actually an energy plant (meaning power generation)? Or just a power substation? The Avatar land will definitely require a lot more power than Camp Minnie-Mickey ever did. It would stand to reason they'd have to install a new substation for it (which doesn't take up a huge amount of space)

-Rob

 

[danlb_2000]

Is that actually an energy plant (meaning power generation)? Or just a power substation? The Avatar land will definitely require a lot more power than Camp Minnie-Mickey ever did. It would stand to reason they'd have to install a new substation for it (which doesn't take up a huge amount of space)

-Rob

The permit calls it "Central Energy Plant". We discussed it in the Avatar thread and the consensus was that it is probably just a substation and likely a chiller plant.

 

[epcot2004]

Yeah another Starbucks, I guess I am the only person on earth who hates Starbucks and the horrible smell of all that strong nasty coffee.

Love those Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes! Not at WDW though as I am still mad at them for ruining my escape from the real world and Main Street Bakery. Back on topic, the shops are never that busy when we go so maybe they are just adjusting to guest demand. Would love to see them add a decent breakfast option other than Rainforest (which is not decent).

 

[Tiggerish]

Yeah another Starbucks, I guess I am the only person on earth who hates Starbucks and the horrible smell of all that strong nasty coffee.

You're not.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

I'm under the impression that the main dining in Pandora will be a "flex" place like BOG -- counter service lunch, table service for dinner.

That would be cool. Hopefully they don't do that "no standby line" thing they tried at BOG.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

I give them props for adding some veggie friendly dishes that are more than just afterthoughts at a few of the CS/cart locations in AK.

I agree! I have also found some items around the parks CS restaurants that certainly could make up a full meal or a nice snack while wandering around the park. Bradley Falls as well as Tamu Tamu come to mind! I have always said that it would be nice to see a vegetarian restaurant on Discovery Island since there are carnofriendly places like Flame Tree.

 

[Philharmagically]

Creature Comforts. As in the show by the guys who made Wallace & Gromit that was stock motion animal vox pop?

 

[danlb_2000]

Creature Comforts. As in the show by the guys who made Wallace & Gromit that was stock motion animal vox pop?

No, it's a merchandise shop in Animal Kingdom.

 

[danlb_2000]

There was a permit filed today for "Creature Comforts Kiosk Installation" located right at the corner of the existing Creature Comforts building. I wonder if this is going to carry some of the current merchandise while the rest is turned into the quick service location.

 

[ford91exploder]

Cut stores... the new Disney approach to increasing revenue.

To be fair it works for a few quarters as OPEX falls due to the cut in CM's needed to operate the park...

 

[RSoxNo1]

To be fair it works for a few quarters as OPEX falls due to the cut in CM's needed to operate the park...

I'm guessing this wasn't a high performing store, but if it wasn't turning a profit at all it would have been gone regardless.

 

[ford91exploder]

I'm guessing this wasn't a high performing store, but if it wasn't turning a profit at all it would have been gone regardless.

Every little bit helps Just look at the all the recent earnings calls they all are some variation of "Growth in P&R revenues have been due to price increases, and operational efficiencies (what we call cuts)"

 

[Figments Friend]

I found Creature Comforts to be a nice shop, but most of the goods sold in there could be found in the other shops at DAK.
As much as i liked the design work done for the interior of the shop, and the roomy size, it is no surprise to see Disney converting this into a QS location instead.

It will be interesting to see what the end result will be.

 

[Kman101]

Considering the size, this has to be a Starbucks location imo

 

[Horizons1]

I found Creature Comforts to be a nice shop, but most of the goods sold in there could be found in the other shops at DAK.
As much as i liked the design work done for the interior of the shop, and the roomy size, it is no surprise to see Disney converting this into a QS location instead.

It will be interesting to see what the end result will be.

That's how Disney works. Most things you can find in any gift shop anywhere you go. Didn't get Johnny that t-shirt on Main Street? No worries, mom! You can pick it up in the jungle!

 

[danlb_2000]

Considering the size, this has to be a Starbucks location imo

The name that is used on the permit is one that Disney doesn't use often, but it has used it for the other Starbucks conversions which would lead me to believe that there is a good chance this will be a Starbucks.

 

[Figments Friend]

That's how Disney works. Most things you can find in any gift shop anywhere you go. Didn't get Johnny that t-shirt on Main Street? No worries, mom! You can pick it up in the jungle!

Very true...i am well aware of that.
One of the disapointing aspects of 'Today's Disney'.

I remember when MK's Main Street shops were more then just one big 'Disney Mall'.
Each shop has specific themed merchandise and really felt like you were shopping in a turn-of-the-century town.
Not today. Not by a long shot.
Thank the Tiki Gods we still have Disneyland's Main Street.

I remember when EPCOT Center had some stunning merchandise offerings...and not just in World Showcase.
Both 'lands' had fabulous selections.
Futuristic and themed gifts in Future World, country and culture specific merchandise in World Showcase.
Disney Characters, with the exception of EPCOT Center Attraction specific characters, were hard to come by here.
Not today. They have invaded and Epcot today is another 'Disney Mall'.

I remember when the ol' Disney/MGM Studios shops on 'Hollywood Blvd.' all has specific themed merchandise.
And some decent merch for film fans to boot.
Not today. All the same merch everywhere for the most part, with a few exceptions.


DAK has some nice things still...but you have to know where to look.
Some nice culturally neat items can still be had in Africa and Asia.
I like looking in two spots in DAK as i always find interesting, non-Disney emblazoned items.

I don't think today's Park Management at WDW understands the importantance of 'themed merchandise'.
It really does add a lot of character and appeal to a location you are visiting.
Your typical WDW visitor today however seems to have convinced them that all they want to buy is the same generically 'Disney Brand' junk they can get at Wal-Mart or the Disney Store at home.

A pity.
Part of the fun of traveling is bringing back unique 'souvenirs'.
At WDW these days, it seems the farthest you have to travel to find the same goods is your local Toys R' Us.

 

[djkidkaz]

I think a very high majority of people who visit all those shops in the world showcase never buy a thing. If I'm going to WDW and I have x amount of souvenir dollars I'm probably spending it on something that, you know, actually says WDW on it. Not a hand carved stick from an Africa hut. While those things are nice and I'm glad they have that stuff, the majority of merchandise has to be stuff people actually will buy.