Disney Patrons Will Be Able to Get Their Starbucks Fix

April 28, 2012— -- The Mouse is about to get culturally caffeinated.

The first of six Starbucks cafes will open in June at Disney California Adventure.

For Disney, which has often been criticized for the limited food and beverage choices at its parks, this is a huge move forward. For Starbucks, which is running out of ways to expand in the U.S., this is a slam-dunk move in a captive market ripe for growth.

"I don't expect to see Mickey drinking coffee any time soon," says Ron Paul, president of the research firm Technomic. "But from a marketing perspective, you have two iconic brands coming together, which has to be a positive."

While the full size and scope of the deal was not revealed, the logical extension is for Starbucks to ultimately open in all Disney Parks inside and outside the U.S. For now, however, it plans to open at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

"We know food and beverage offerings are an important part of the memories our guests make at Disney Parks," says Maribeth Bisienere, vice president, food and beverage line of business for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "Many of our guests have shared their passion for Starbucks with us."

At Disney California Adventure, Starbucks will be located in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café on Buena Vista Street, a place that transports guests to 1920s Los Angeles, when Walt Disney arrived in California and a cup of coffee was the perfect way to jump-start a busy day. The store's location plays off the Spanish/Mexican architecture of the period, and baristas will wear 1920s-inspired attire.

The café will serve Starbucks items including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino blended beverages, and breakfast sandwiches and pastries.

The move could nudge some folks to come to Disney parks a bit earlier — for that Starbucks cup o' joe — or even stay later, says Paul. That is precisely what Disney wants, of course.

Starbucks is not completely new to Disney. In June 2009, the company opened a store in Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, which has been a hit.

"Starbucks and Disney have many things in common," says Arthur Rubinfeld, president, global development, for Starbucks. "We share a passion that every experience with our brand exceeds our customers' expectations." He says Starbucks customers have asked for a Disney park tie-in through MyStarbucksIdea.com since the consumer site launched more than four years ago.

No word on any Disney Parks planning to open inside Starbucks stores.