Starbucks Comes to Disneyland’s Main Street

Starbucks has arrived on Main Street USA in Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom, Disneyland. The new store opened quietly on Thursday, September 26. There was a brief ceremony for cast members before public hours began.

The new coffee shop is quite large by Disneyland standards, occupying all the space previously used for both the Market House and Disneyana. There are seven storefronts on Main Street USA that now access this single Starbucks. In 1955 the Yale and Towne Lock Shop, Ellen’s Gifts, a pen shop, and Swift’s Market House occupied the space.

There is a new “story” connected with this shop. It seems that Mr. Peavidy, a retired schoolteacher, always dreamed of running his own little coffee shop on Main Street. He also hoped to provide a little book nook for his dear wife. After collecting items from various sources, he achieved his goal. The book nook (or Book Rest, as the exterior signs say) is in the corner that was the entrance to Disneyana. Inside his coffee shop, Mr. Peavidy has arranged various cabinets and cupboards, along with everything needed to make and serve coffee.

Sharp-eyed visitors will find a few familiar items among the shop’s appointments. The pot-bellied stove that greeted visitors just inside the front door for 58 years has been moved around the corner into the Book Rest. The checkerboard resting on the barrel, along with two convenient chairs has been placed against a wall. Up in the ceiling, five original green-shaded light fixtures have been joined by six other varieties of lighting.

The 1890 “party line” phones may still be found in Starbucks. The folks on the other end of the line have finally started talking about something new, however. Rather than discussing the activity on Main Street, burning barns, and nosy neighbors, they now talk about the new coffee shop. (Many years ago, they used to talks about the wonders of Swift’s Premium Meats!)

And even a few pieces of the Market House décor have found a new home in Starbucks. A coffee canister and tea tin that once graced the shelves behind the checkout counter can now be found among the window displays. The largest item, by far, is a vintage coffee grinder, which is now placed near an exit that leads out through the door of the “Hotel Marceline.” Oddly, the door to the Hotel Marceline now opens directly into the coffee shop.

For those seeking Disney connections, there are not many obvious examples. Back in the book nook there is a bit of a treasure hunt, however. There are vintage prints of Peter Pan hanging on the walls. Mr. Peavidy’s private office door is back there, right next to a framed poem dedicated to his wife. Among the books on the shelves are a set of classic fairy tales, along with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Swiss Family Robinson. Figurines include bookends with Peter Pan figures, a sailing ship, and a coach worthy of any Disney Princess.

There is a well-hidden tribute to the original Market House. On the back of the exit signs, but visible from the street through clerestory windows, is an image of a horse and wagon. This is an adaptation of the small graphic that was used to identify Swift and Company on early Disneyland souvenirs.

The coffee served is the standard fare for Starbucks. The menu consists of “classic” items, rather than the new “La Boulange” that has been rolled out in most Starbucks in the area. Guests enter through the main door and are directed into a rather extensive queue line. There are two service counters, with full condiment counters on each side. Guests exiting to the left will find themselves at Center Street; guests exiting to the right have the option of heading into the book nook or exiting directly to Main Street.

[pics page="1"]

[pics page="2"]

[pics page="3"]

[pics page="4"]

[pics page="5"]

[pics page="6"]

[pics page="7"]

[pics page="8"]

[pics page="9"]

[pics page="10"]

-- Posted October 1, 2013 -- Text and Pictures by Doug Marsh except where noted