. . . But First Coffee | A Packing List For Coffee Drinkers
There are two main issues that coffee drinkers run into when they travel. The first is enjoying coffee right as they roll out of bed and the second is finding what they consider to be a “good” cup of coffee. All my coffee drinkers out there know exactly what I’m talking about. . . . don’t you!? Whether you’re traveling to Walt Disney World or anywhere else on this great big beautiful planet, this seems to be an issue. Either you’re starting your day without a hot cup of coffee in your hand or you’re choking down something you consider to be undrinkable.
Today, we talk about solutions to that problem!
Now, before we get right into the things that I think you might want to bring to Disney with you, let’s take a second to talk about what exactly will be waiting for you when you arrive. In the current era, it’s pretty much common knowledge that most people need to feed the beast at least one serving of caffeinated beverage before being let loose on the world. The good folks at Disney know this and so most every room at Walt Disney World Resort hotels are equipped with some variety of a coffee maker. The style and size of the coffee maker will vary depending on the resort or room you’re in. Some rooms have smaller coffee makers, similar to a Keurig, that uses pods. Others have a standard drip coffee maker with a basket filter. We’ve noticed that DVC resorts tend to have a full size coffee maker, whereas other resorts will have a smaller option. However, this may change as more rooms are renovated and updated.
You’ll also find that your Resort hotel room is equipped with a few servings of coffee for you to enjoy during your stay. Usually, this includes both caffeinated and decaf coffee as well as some tea and packets with sugar and powdered milk. The coffee available in the Resort hotel rooms is more often than not Joffrey’s, the official brand of coffee for the Walt Disney World Resorts and theme parks. In other words, unless you’re buying from a Starbucks location in the parks, you’re going to be drinking Joffrey’s. Personally, we think that Joffrey’s is good, but we know that it’s not for everyone.
With most rooms equipped with a coffee maker and some coffee, guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resort will have at least one cup of coffee locked, loaded and ready to go for their first magical day. Unfortunately, this usually isn’t enough fuel to sustain you for the duration of your trip. If you’re not the type to need a coffee before leaving your room each morning, the quick service location at your Resort hotel might be your next best option for a cup-a-joe. The only downside to relying on your Resort hotel’s quick service location for coffee is your proximity to it. Though it’s not the case for all of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, some are so spread out that walking to the lobby area [where the quick service location is usually located] is quite the hike. For example, during our last stay at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, it was a half-mile walk from our room to the quick service location. . . . one way. If you’re stay is going to consist of mostly resort days where you are strolling and enjoying the scenery, that’s one thing. If you’re planning on visiting the parks, an extra mile before you get your day started is quite another.
👻 Attention Ghouls: Prior to the new health and safety guidelines that have been put in place at the Walt Disney World Resort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, guests who received regular visits from housekeeping would have their coffee stash replenished daily. DVC Resort guests, who did not receive daily housekeeping would get their coffee replenished every couple of days during trash or cleaning service. Currently, guests are not receiving daily visits from housekeeping. With this being the case, we anticipate that coffee is not being replenished. We’re unsure as to whether you’re able to request more coffee or if you will be directed to your Resort hotel’s gift shop where you can purchase more. We will let you know more about this if the information becomes available.
Purchasing coffee every day from a quick service location can also be another downside, especially for those of you who are on a tight budget. If you’re still wanting to buy your coffee from the quick service location, but still want to save some money, I strongly recommend checking out the refillable mugs at your Resort hotel. These are mugs that can be purchased for somewhere around $20.00 each and have free refills [at WDW Resort hotels] for the duration of your stay. This can be used for fountain drinks, coffee and tea. With fountain drinks usually coming in at around $4.00 to $5.00 each, these mugs aren’t a bad deal at all. In one day alone you can get your money’s worth, plus they’re a great souvenir you can take home with you.
We’ve established that there are ways to get your coffee fix at the Walt Disney World Resort hotel you’ll be calling “home” during your vacation, but what if neither of these options float your Jungle Cruise boat? Whether you’re picky about what you fill your mug with each morning or want to stick to your tight budget, we’ve got a few suggestions for you!
☕Bring Your Own - Look, I recognize that this seems like a ridiculous suggestion to start with, but you’d be surprised by how many people don’t consider this when packing for their Walt Disney World vacation. Bringing your own personal favorite brand of coffee is the absolute easiest way to make sure that you have exactly what you want [or even need] each morning when you wake up. Better yet, buying it at home and taking advantage of deals at your favorite stores will cut the cost. This is very helpful if you’re trying to stick to a budget.
☕Ask About The Coffee Maker - If you’re going the route of bringing your own coffee, be sure to contact the Walt Disney World Resort hotel you’ll be staying at ahead of time to find out what sort of coffee maker your room will be equipped with. Knowing this is important, because it will help you purchase the right filters and/or pods for the coffee maker in your room.
☕Reusable K-Cup - Some of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels are equipped with a pod style coffee maker [similar to a Keurig] rather than a good-old-fashioned drip coffee maker. If this has you grumpy because your go-to coffee brand doesn’t come in a k-cup. . . . worry not! There are reusable k-cups or coffee pods that can be loaded up with your coffee of choice. These come in at around $5.00 each, which isn’t too bad, and are fairly easy to use. Of course, don’t forget to ask about the coffee maker in your room so that you know that the reusable k-cup/pod you purchase will work with the machine available to you.
☕Don’t Forget The Cream & Sugar - Unless you enjoy your coffee black, bringing along cream and sugar is another item you might want to add to your coffee lover’s packing list. What exactly you reach for here is going to depend on your preferences and, most certainly, your budget. Grocery and department stores often have coffee creamer singles for those who like cream with a little bit of flavor added to their morning coffee. Those who prefer milk, but don’t want to pay the high prices on property, might want to consider powdered milk as it’s much easier to transport and very affordable. You can also purchase sugar packets, cubes or a bag of sugar if that’s more your style. Personally, we like to stick to packets or cubes, because they make less of a mess and are easier to transport.
☕Consider Instant - For most coffee drinkers out there, instant coffee isn’t on the radar. . . . and I get it. However, if you’re going to be traveling and wanting to enjoy coffee without any fuss, instant coffee can be a great alternative. It’s affordable, travels well and easy to make. It’s also a major time saver! It’s also a great option if you’re traveling with someone who has a different taste in coffee than you do. You can both get whatever suits your needs without having to brew 2 separate pots of coffee. Very convenient.
👻 Attention Ghouls: We will be talking more about instant coffee later this week, so be sure to hurry baaaaaack! We’ll be waiting for you!
There’s nothing quite like having that familiar cup of coffee to start your day whether you’re at the Happiest Place on Earth or any other destination you might end up along the way. Hopefully you’ll find some of these suggestions useful in fueling up for your next trip!
If you’re a coffee drinker, what are some of the items you bring along when you travel? Also, let us know what you think of the coffee situation at the Walt Disney World Resort. Share your thoughts with fellow happy haunts in the comments below!