The Definitive Coffee and Tea Guide at Disney World
To tackle Disney’s marathon days, caffeine is your best ally. Discover the must-have brews and what to skip if you're passionate about your coffee and tea.
TL;DR:
When battling the sweltering heat and bustling crowds, iced coffee is a lifesaver. Beware, though: Joffrey’s “iced coffee” at Disney isn’t what you’re after—it’s overly sweet, like melted coffee ice cream. Avoid it.
Need a reliable brew? Starbucks offers consistency, with a location in every park. For a genuine iced coffee experience, this is your go-to.
- Pro tip: Grab a caffeine fix at small coffee spots near the monorail stations at Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and the Transportation and Ticket Center before you hit the parks.
Top choice for tea:
Royal Anandpur Tea Company boasts an impressive selection of teas, from four distinct green tea options to a delicately low-caffeine Silver Needle white. Critic Bill Addison enjoyed his ti kwan yin oolong so much that he took it on a roller coaster and still had his cup intact when he disembarked. For a unique treat, try the frozen chai topped with Mickey-shaped whipped cream for something cold, sweet, and fun.
Top coffee choice:
Experience 100% Kona coffee, hailing from Hawaii’s Big Island, at Kona Cafe within Disney’s Polynesian resort. A French press pot for two is available for $7.99.
Essential Starbucks info:
Main Street Bakery.
Every Disney park features a Starbucks, though they’re cleverly disguised with unique branding. For example, Magic Kingdom's Main Street Bakery, Epcot’s Fountain View, Animal Kingdom’s Creature Comforts (where a portion of each flat white sale supports conservation efforts), and Hollywood Studios’ Trolley Car Cafe. It’s a recent addition, but Starbucks is definitely the go-to for a dependable cup of coffee.
Caffeine included with your Epcot admission:
Club Cool in Epcot's Future World lets you taste eight unusual Coca Cola sodas from around the globe. Only one, Inka Cola from Peru, has caffeine—and it tastes like bubblegum.
Notable mentions:
Kenyan press pot coffee can be found at Animal Kingdom’s Sanaa, Jiko (which also offers a variety of specialty teas), and Boma.
For strong Cuban coffee with steamed milk, visit Bongos Cuban Cafe in Disney Springs.
Moorish coffee (spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg) and Moroccan mint tea are available at Tangierine Cafe in Epcot's Morocco pavilion.
The Joy of Tea stand in Epcot's China offers an excellent selection of hot and iced teas.
Les Halles in Epcot's France pavilion serves a commendable espresso and opens at 9 a.m., ahead of most World Showcase venues.
Trattoria al Forno on the BoardWalk is a great stop for coffee with options for northern, central, and southern Italian espresso styles.
Joffrey's Tea Traders Cafe features an extensive array of loose-leaf teas along with select iced, frozen, and boozy varieties. A 'master tea smith' is available for inquiries and demonstrations.
For a luxurious coffee experience, visit Victoria and Albert’s for vacuum-press brews.
- For an upscale tea experience, try the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. Options range from the children’s Mrs. Potts tea ($13) to the Yorkshire service ($175 for two, featuring caviar and Champagne). Teas are brewed by the pot with a broad selection, and the sandwiches, scones, and pastries are quite delightful.
Skip this one.
- The Belgium pavilion's iced coffee enhanced with Godiva chocolate liqueur.
- Joffrey's offers pre-sweetened iced coffees that resemble more of a liquid dessert than actual coffee.
- Tea Traders Cafe's 'signature' frozen matcha drink, enriched with a splash of Baileys.
- Fruity teas available throughout the park. Look for the genuine, loose leaf variety.
Places to find decent caffeinated alcohol:
Joy of Tea's 'tipsy ducks in love,' a blend of coffee, tea, bourbon, and chocolate, crowned with whipped cream.
Viking coffee at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in Norway features Baileys and Kamora coffee liqueur.
- Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant in Disney Springs's The Landing serves traditional, iced, and frozen Irish coffee variations.
- Jiko offers a selection of caffeinated after-dinner cocktails, including the Cape Town, which combines South African tangerine liqueur, Kahlua, dark creme de cacao, and coffee.
Evaluation :
5/5