Starbucks Grand Opening at Downtown Disney Anaheim

"The Happiest Place on Earth" just got a little bit happier. Starbucks has pulled a trifecta at the Disneyland Resort this week with the opening of its new location in Downtown Disney. This new store, located next to World of Disney and now the largest Starbucks in the United States at 5,600 square feet will definitely need the space since the Starbucks in Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe in Disney California ranks third and the Market House store in Disneyland ranks second in sales for the coffee company. The downtown New York locations is the highest ranked store.

On March 10 at 8:30am, Starbucks opened its doors in a small ceremony

Bill Sleeth, Vice President of Starbucks Store Designs said, "We were inspired by the magic of Disney and wanted to show up in a way that was unique, plus show off our brand."

This location also features The Clover® Brewing System. This system is a reverse French Press coffee brewing system for the extreme pure coffee lover. They use the finest whole beans from around the world. To learn more about the innovative Clover® Brewing System, visit http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/learn/clover.








Another unique feature to this location is this interactive flat screen tv chalk board  which will take your picture and allow you to decorate your image and surroundings on the screen with its touch screen feature.












Also in attendance was the Chief Creative Officer and President of Global Innovation for Starbucks, Arthur Rubinfeld pictured in the middle.

Here is a 360 degree video from inside the store.

And unlike the other Starbucks locations inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, this one offers free wi-fi! You can be sure that this new location will soon become one of the most popular hangouts in Downtown Disney. Store hours have not been posted online yet, so check with http://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/search for an update.

Follow me on Twitter @big_bubba_b for Disneyland news, updates, trip reports, and food news. You can also catch me every now and then on Sorcerer Radio's (SRSounds.com) Disneyland Magic with your host William "Yetichaser" Hershey, airing Wednesdays at 5am pst/ 8am est for even more Disneyland news.

Captain America Meet-and-Greet at Disneyland

Since Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in late August of 2009, they have been trying to figure out how to introduce Marvel into their theme parks. Because Walt Disney World cannot have any Marvel themes in their resort due to Universal Studio's Island of Adventures contract with Marvel prior to Disney's acquisition   Sorry East Coasters  the Disneyland Resort won out.

I was present when Marvel made their big Disney debut at the D23 convention in 2011 when Joe Quesada, CCO of Marvel Entertainment, laid out plans and assured Disney fans that they would not be disappointed. And in my opinion, we have not. With new movies every couple of years, and the Avenger's television spin-off Marvel's Agents of Shield, it would seem that with a little Disney magic, Marvel is bringing fans young and old together and is stronger than ever. 

Hall Of Armor at Disneyland

As a result of Marvel's box office releases  and to rake in some of that monetary success as only Disney can  they have been adding Marvel themed attractions and meet-and-greets to entice current and future Marvel fans and pump them up for the next movie.

On April 13, 2013, the first Marvel attraction opened inside Disneyland's Innoventions and coincided with the release of Iron Man 3.

"Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries" gave guests a chance to not only view Tony Stark's Hall of Armor, but also virtually suit up and test the experimental Mark 42 suit.

Thor Meet-and-Greet

Last November, the first Marvel Meet-and-Greet opened next to the Stark Tech.

"Thor: Treasures Of Asgard," coincided with the release of Thor: The Dark World and gave guests a chance to travel through the Bi-Frost into the Throne Room and see rare Asgardian treasures actual props used by the actors in the movie. Once inside the Throne Room, Thor greets guests and gives a lucky "kid" a chance to pick up Mjölnir, Thor's Hammer.

Here is a promotional video from the Disney Parks Blogs starring yours truly.
(I didn't even know this existed, nor that I was in it until I started writing this blog.)

On April 4th, Marvel will release Captain America: Winter Solider in theaters. So therefore sticking with the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Disney is adding "Captain America: The Living Legend and Symbol Of Courage" to it's list of Marvel Meet-and-Greets.  

Although not open to the public until next week (March 7), I had the chance to get an early preview. This meet-and-greet is not nearly as big as Stark Tech or as detailed as Treasures of Asgard, which is a bit disappointing. However, it gives guests enough of a taste that they'll be running to the movie theater, and that's really the whole point isn't it? 

The entrance sign as guests enter the attraction

Guests line up against this wall as they enter the queue

Here are some of the sights guests will experience.

While in line, guests can view a brief timeline history of Captain America.

Also, guests will see a hologram picture of Steve Roger's body transformation into Captain America

The only prop from the movie is Captain America's World War II uniform. The plaque stated:

Steve Rodgers, better know as "Captain America," wore this original uniform while on active duty during World War II. Following Captain Rodger's revival in the present day, the uniform was redesigned into the high-tech suit Cap wears today.

As guests exit the meet-and-greet area, they can view the history of all the different shields used by Captain America. 

My wife Taylor, Me, and Captain America

My Experience:

The moment arrived when the cast-member escorted me into the room with the Cap himself. As he looked at me and stuck his hand out to shake my hand he said, "WOW! Thank you for the support. What's your name soldier?" I said "Bubba, Cap." Then he said, "For a man your size and strength Bubba, I'm gonna see what I can do to get you into the Avengers." I told him, "I'm more of a comedic sidekick, but you're the captain, Captain." He got a kick out of it. We took our pics and has he shook my hand for a final time, he reminded me that he would make a call to Nick Fury to see what he can do.

Dang, I'm good looking

"Captain America: The Living Legend and Symbol Of Courage" opens to all Marvel fans March 7th at Disneyland. My big question is will Disney do something for Guardians of the Galaxy which opens in theaters on August 1st of this year? Hopefully we'll find out in June...

If you want to hear me chat about this and other Disneyland news, listen to Sorcerer Radio this Wednesday during Disneyland Magic with your host Will "Yetichaser" Hershey at 8am est/ 5am pst or catch the replay at 7pm est/ 4pm pst. Go to SRSounds.com or download the free app on your Apple and Android devices to hear the #1 fan based Disney radio station on the internet.

This is Big Bubba, FUTURE AVENGER, saluting you and saying goodbye for now. BUBBA SMASH! 

Follow me on Twitter @big_bubba_b for Disneyland news, updates, trip reports, and food news. You can also catch me every now and then on Sorcerer Radio's (SRSounds.com) Disneyland Magic with your host William "Yetichaser" Hershey, airing Wednesdays at 5am pst/ 8am est for even more Disneyland news.