Fountain View Ice Cream closing in early April for Starbucks conversion

[Sped2424]

The pig cafe is starbucks... but unlike the choice Disney made with the mainstreet locations it offers more than just the basic starbucks (tho there was talk that the menu was pairing down).

People just camping out in seating is a problem at all disney table service. It's in part why they went to the escorted seating experiment at cosmic rays.

It was the first location, maybe after that upper management decided to nix seating in future Starbucks locations.

 

[Sped2424]

Try Dino-Bites at DAK, Hollywood Scoops at DHS, and Sleepy Hollow at MK.

sleepy hollow has the best cookie sandwhich's

 

[Figment82]

sleepy hollow has the best cookie sandwhich's

I totally agree, although my heart now belongs to the Nutella and fruit waffle sandwich.

 

[Bolna]

People just camping out in seating is a problem at all disney table service. It's in part why they went to the escorted seating experiment at cosmic rays.

I agree. And if camping out in seating is a problem and the solution is to not offer tables then WDW would end up with no seats at tables anywhere. Obviously if people want to have spaces to sit at, they ought to offer even more of them. I don't see why no seats instead of seats taken by others would make people more likely to buy a coffee.

I would love to be able to sit outside at the new Starbucks and watch the fountain while drinking a coffee. After all that place is called "Fountainview"! That would actually be something that would make be buy a coffee which I would not buy if I had to carry it around with me.

 

[Goofyernmost]

You've never had Starbucks?! Wow.

I haven't either and have lived to tell about it. Imagine that!

 

[Goofyernmost]

I agree. And if camping out in seating is a problem and the solution is to not offer tables then WDW would end up with no seats at tables anywhere. Obviously if people want to have spaces to sit at, they ought to offer even more of them. I don't see why no seats instead of seats taken by others would make people more likely to buy a coffee.

I would love to be able to sit outside at the new Starbucks and watch the fountain while drinking a coffee. After all that place is called "Fountainview"! That would actually be something that would make be buy a coffee which I would not buy if I had to carry it around with me.

If everyone just sits on the steps, before long there would be a place to sit otherwise.

 

[MinnieM123]

If everyone just sits on the steps, before long there would be a place to sit otherwise.

Loved your comment! We don't need to form a committee to resolve this blatant lack of seating dilemma--you've just proposed the best solution I've heard yet!

 

[Gabe1]

Here's what a CommuniCore restaurant ought to look like, from the way back machine when Disney build quality parks for demanding customers:

Nicely remembered. When I walk past that I still think of what it should be. I agree. If the parks of yesteryear were what they are today, there wouldn't be fan boards discussing WDW.

And here is one of the four buckses that you encounter on Orlando airport alone. Identical in style and content to what they offer you in today's Epcot.

Goodness. Same kinda food case and am I seeing correctly am I seeing teal blue walls? Doesn't the FountainView have the same look as the new designer McDonald's?

 

[Gabe1]

I couldn't agree more. I do however don't think we'll find anybody who would argue such a thing.

True. I haven't seen anyone say that, nor do I believe anyone would bring that comparison into the discussion.

 

[Gabe1]

No, I dislike the design. Which I think bland and uninspired. Fit for the departure hall of a small Midwest town airport.

lol. I live in the Midwest,Teeny Tiny Little Hamlet, in Illinois. Our Starbucks is Fabulous and fits right into our Historical District, themed with Gas Light fixtures outside. And even though by the time you sneeze you are gone from Hamlet our Starbucks has indoor and outdoor seating. Being in the Historical district the benches are historical and the ground is made of red brick. Starbucks can theme, our Hamlet made sure they did before the plans were approved. Disney could have also.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

The roof canopy is much more pronounced now, thereby emphasizing its roundness. The straight front does not necessarily take away from the curvy look.

The colours are lighter and brighter, and more modern, in a retro way (if that makes sense) compared to just plain outdated.

Not sure where the steps went, but it looks so much more uncluttered without them being immediately in front of the doors.

Again, overall, IMO, a big improvement.

I too think the plain Sbux is an improvement over the ugly ice cream parlour. Thus uplifting the Fountainview from plain ugly to mere plain. Still a far cry from the calm, harmonious style of the CommuniCore Plaza.


You may have a fair point about the squared entrance emphasising the round rooftop. I'd love to see this in person to judge.

In 94 the CommuniCore buildings were both cut in half midway and two squared corridors were added. This remains disastrous. I expect the squared Sbux to further dilute the plaza's architectural harmony in the same manner, but I'll bear your point in mind.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Goodness. Same kinda food case and am I seeing correctly am I seeing teal blue walls? Doesn't the FountainView have the same look as the new designer McDonald's?

Designer McDonald's...yes. What a good comparison!

I wouldn't be surprised if the design of the EPCOT Starbucks really was given to out-house designers whose experience consists of designer McDonald's and the like. The new Starbuckses, and NFL, feel like they were designed relatively competently, by outsiders, who did make an effort at being conscious of their surroundings, but who failed to develop any true mastery of theme park design.
It is all so bland and unfullfilling.

 

[articos]

I don't think the doors have moved, nor have the steps, just the way the picture is taken.

Doors are the same and have not moved. The curve was taken out and the corners pushed out, thereby giving more room in the interior. I agree with Empress that they should have kept the curvature, but they made a cost-based decision - it would have been more expensive to open the room more but still do a custom curve in the curtain wall, because that roof is structurally complex.

I believe the stairs are new/redone, however.

 

[TP2000]

I was thinking, "A Starbucks in Flo's V-8 Cafe? But they already have one on BVS!"

Ooh. It's a good thing Flo isn't on these boards to hear you say that! She'd kick you in the mufflers.

 

[TP2000]

It was the first location, maybe after that upper management decided to nix seating in future Starbucks locations.

Apparently not. The Disneyland location that opens on Main Street USA in a few weeks will have indoor seating. They made a point of mentioning that on the Disney Parks Blog and in the Starbucks preview in the Blue Sky Cellar. (Yes, there is a preview center for Starbucks at Disneyland.)

Here's the schematic drawing of the Disneyland Main Street seating area inside the new Starbucks, from the Blue Sky Cellar preview center at Disneyland Resort.

The Disneyland location won't have as much seating as the Starbucks in DCA, but it will have about 32 seats around tables and wall booths according to that schematic drawing. Plus some chairs around the old pot-belly stove they are saving from the old location.

Not sure why they went so big with indoor/outdoor seating at Starbucks in Disneyland/DCA, but appear to have nixed it entirely from the Starbucks in WDW? Baffling how the Disney company works sometimes, especially between Florida and California.

Indoor Seating at FF&P Starbucks on Buena Vista Street at California Adventure

And outdoor seating along the Buena Vista Street sidewalk in front of Starbucks

 

[Sped2424]

Apparently not. The Disneyland location that opens on Main Street USA in a few weeks will have indoor seating. They made a point of mentioning that on the Disney Parks Blog and in the Starbucks preview in the Blue Sky Cellar. (Yes, there is a preview center for Starbucks at Disneyland.)

Here's the schematic drawing of the Disneyland Main Street seating area inside the new Starbucks, from the Blue Sky Cellar preview center at Disneyland Resort.

The Disneyland location won't have as much seating as the Starbucks in DCA, but it will have about 32 seats around tables and wall booths according to that schematic drawing. Plus some chairs around the old pot-belly stove they are saving from the old location.

Not sure why they went so big with indoor/outdoor seating at Starbucks in Disneyland/DCA, but appear to have nixed it entirely from the Starbucks in WDW? Baffling how the Disney company works sometimes, especially between Florida and California.

Indoor Seating at FF&P Starbucks on Buena Vista Street at California Adventure

And outdoor seating along the Buena Vista Street sidewalk in front of Starbucks

Well We all know how TDO and TDA like to operate on different business methods.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I don't like coffee or tea, but their non-coffee fruit drinks are pretty good, as are their hot chocolates and hot apple cider. Not items I'd have to get often, but nice options to have available, especially if you're with a group of coffee lovers and want something to drink as well.

When at the MK I tried the hot chocolate because I don't like coffee. I really just wanted to see the inside of the "new" bakery and see how their service was.

 

[Gabe1]

lol. I live in the Midwest,Teeny Tiny Little Hamlet, in Illinois. Our Starbucks is Fabulous and fits right into our Historical District, themed with Gas Light fixtures outside. And even though by the time you sneeze you are gone from Hamlet our Starbucks has indoor and outdoor seating. Being in the Historical district the benches are historical and the ground is made of red brick. Starbucks can theme, our Hamlet made sure they did before the plans were approved. Disney could have also.

doodoodoodoodoo

I just past our local Starbucks and the pretty red brick parking lot is in a 10 foot tall pile. Fixing a water line break. That is what I get for talk'n 'bout it.

 

[TP2000]

I just past our local Starbucks and the pretty red brick parking lot is in a 10 foot tall pile. Fixing a water line break. That is what I get for talk'n 'bout it.

Don't worry, they'll replace the brick. Starbucks tries hard to be a good neighbor. My little local Starbucks is in an old historical neighborhood as well, and they went to great lengths to fix up a dilapidated 100 year old building tucked in a corner and keep it looking period-specific but still fresh and clean. The city council and nearby businesses were thrilled to see this forgotten little corner of the town square spring to life again with the arrival of Starbucks.

TP2000's local Starbucks when out running errands

Starbucks can apparently do a great job with interior design when the location calls for it for whatever reason. Here's a new Starbucks in a historical old building in Mumbai, India.

Maybe TDO should have let the Starbucks designers from Seattle go wild with the Epcot FountainView location? Instead of WDI?

 

[JimboJones123]

I went to the Fountain View today.

Tasted like Starbucks.