Starbucks Trolley Car Cafe on Hollywood Blvd at Disney's Hollywood Studios?

[MarkTwain]

What was this building before it was Starbucks? Just curious!

A really ugly store.

I never liked the store that occupied the space before Starbucks. Hollywood Blvd was always the most elegant of all the four front entry complexes across the resort; the streamlined art deco architecture and smartly-dressed cast members seemed to indicate an era of real sophistication. For that reason I never felt like the weird backlot-warehouse-store at the end of the street was a good fit.

It's a shame they left the ceiling exposed like they did, because it still feels like an odd fit with the beautiful Keystone Clothiers across the way. Some simple wood paneling would have done wonders. But otherwise it's an improvement.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Tbh, I actually like the design choice they went with for this Starbucks, but that's just me.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

Tbh, I actually like the design choice they went with for this Starbucks, but that's just me.

No, it's not just you. I think it looks cool and fits the name.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Had no idea this was anywhere close to opening... (due to the outdated thread title )

 

[wdwmagic]

Looks alright. The big question is: will there be some kind of seating (either indoor or outdoor)?

Neither

 

[NeXuS1000]

Neither

Sounds like a wasted opportunity. Do you know why?

 

[wdwmagic]

Sounds like a wasted opportunity. Do you know why?

I was hoping for seating, but for some reason they seem to think that the park locations should not have seats. The MK, Epcot, and now the Studios are all seatless. I believe it goes with the notion that they believe guests just want to queue, buy, and leave - drinking on the go to ride their first FastPass+.

The DAK location will also be seatless I assume.

 

[tirian]

I was hoping for seating, but for some reason they seem to think that the park locations should not have seats. The MK, Epcot, and now the Studios are all seatless. I believe it goes with the notion that they believe guests just want to queue, buy, and leave - drinking on the go to ride their first FastPass+.

The DAK location will also be seatless I assume.

The DCA location has ample seating that is rarely used except for peak times. Most Guests get their coffee and walk out the door.

 

[wdwmagic]

The DCA location has ample seating that is rarely used except for peak times. Most Guests get their coffee and walk out the door.

That's probably the reason right there then.

 

[roj2323]

A really ugly store.

It's a shame they left the ceiling exposed like they did, because it still feels like an odd fit with the beautiful Keystone Clothiers across the way. Some simple wood paneling would have done wonders. But otherwise it's an improvement.

It's obvious you don't understand the theming. A trolley car building would never have a finished ceiling as it would be a waste of money. The theming on this new Starbucks is extremely well done and my only complaint is it is too clean. They should have made it dirty and rusty looking.

 

[WDWtraveler]

Interior photo update as of Sunday, Feb 1. Still in training and with limited customer opening. The apparent theme is a trolley maintenance / engineering facility, with storage and electrical control panels in the mezzanine, hence the exposed structural ceiling. On one wall is a lighted track/switch diagram for the fictitious trolley system. Some interesting vintage trolley photographs on the wall behind the serving area. No seating, two queues. There are two indoor condiment stations on the left and right sides in the corners of the building. The cast member costumes appear newly created for this venue.

 

[NeXuS1000]

I was hoping for seating, but for some reason they seem to think that the park locations should not have seats. The MK, Epcot, and now the Studios are all seatless. I believe it goes with the notion that they believe guests just want to queue, buy, and leave - drinking on the go to ride their first FastPass+.

The DAK location will also be seatless I assume.

Well, you could argue that space is limited at MK, but here they have a decent amount of space outside, which could definitely be a nice place to sit and chill.

Of course a lot of people just want to grab coffee and go, but there's plenty of other cafe's on property (like Starring Rolls) that shows some people will want to sit, and it's also never bad for business to have people sitting, enjoying your products, right in front of everyone else

But if they're not going to use it for seating, any clue what the outside "porch" will be used for?

 

[roj2323]

Well, you could argue that space is limited at MK, but here they have a decent amount of space outside, which could definitely be a nice place to sit and chill.

Of course a lot of people just want to grab coffee and go, but there's plenty of other cafe's on property (like Starring Rolls) that shows some people will want to sit, and it's also never bad for business to have people sitting, enjoying your products, right in front of everyone else

But if they're not going to use it for seating, any clue what the outside "porch" will be used for?

There is a nice long bench behind the building in the form of a planter. There's also room for one or two tables on the porch so perhaps like fountainview they will add a few later on.

 

[flynnibus]

The DCA location has ample seating that is rarely used except for peak times. Most Guests get their coffee and walk out the door.

Would the changing of the menus and narrowing the food options have anything to do with that?

 

[tirian]

Would the changing of the menus and narrowing the food options have anything to do with that?

You mean you don't like pre-made, squashed sandwiches?

 

[flynnibus]

You mean you don't like pre-made, squashed sandwiches?

Just when I was there last, the place was pretty busy and was at least functional for a lunch cafe. We went in for food, not coffee per say. But I understand they neutered the menu and I could see how doing so would nuke the lunch crowd and the need for seating.

 

[tirian]

Just when I was there last, the place was pretty busy and was at least functional for a lunch cafe. We went in for food, not coffee per say. But I understand they neutered the menu and I could see how doing so would nuke the lunch crowd and the need for seating.

Since the WDW locations don't serve the questionable sandwiches, the seating isn't "needed"; I beg to differ for the MSB.

 

[MarkTwain]

It's obvious you don't understand the theming. A trolley car building would never have a finished ceiling as it would be a waste of money. The theming on this new Starbucks is extremely well done and my only complaint is it is too clean. They should have made it dirty and rusty looking.

True, and maybe they pulled it off because they were able to tie in a believable story. But it also seems likely they came up with a backstory to explain why the theme is bare-bones (a la Dino-Rama), allowing them to not not have to alter the space much, rather than create a more comfortable and well-themed eating atmosphere and then come up with a backstory to match.

Perhaps it would work better if there were an actual streetcar outside; as it is, I wonder how many guests will just see it as a bare-bones Starbucks and wonder why it's not any prettier.

But yes, it's fine. The backstory works and it's better than it was before, and there's finally a place to pick up some quick breakfast when going into DHS, so I'm happy about that.

 

[articos]

I was hoping for seating, but for some reason they seem to think that the park locations should not have seats. The MK, Epcot, and now the Studios are all seatless. I believe it goes with the notion that they believe guests just want to queue, buy, and leave - drinking on the go to ride their first FastPass+.

The DAK location will also be seatless I assume.

Epcot has seating on the patio on both sides of the exterior of Fountainview. They are definitely discouraging guests from lingering inside once served with the lack of interior seating, though.

 

[roj2323]

True, and maybe they pulled it off because they were able to tie in a believable story. But it also seems likely they came up with a backstory to explain why the theme is bare-bones (a la Dino-Rama), allowing them to not not have to alter the space much, rather than create a more comfortable and well-themed eating atmosphere and then come up with a backstory to match.

Perhaps it would work better if there were an actual streetcar outside; as it is, I wonder how many guests will just see it as a bare-bones Starbucks and wonder why it's not any prettier.

But yes, it's fine. The backstory works and it's better than it was before, and there's finally a place to pick up some quick breakfast when going into DHS, so I'm happy about that.

Well the track is there on sunset street and they might do something to tie it in when they do the BIG park remodel to add a track curving up to the door but I think it makes sense for now as is.