Coffee is more than simply bean juice, it is a lifeline. Coffee is a way of life. Coffee is joy and happiness in a mug.

Starbucks coffee specifically holds a special place in our hearts. Since Starbucks infiltrated the Disney World parks, we have become huge fans. Yes, there are Joffrey’s coffee stands in Disney, which are also great options, but we mostly find ourselves frequenting the Starbucks locations. And as we visit, we often wonder how are these Starbucks shops costing us more in the parks? 

As much as we love Starbucks, we will be the first to admit that our habit is not overly economical. Our goodies often cost us $5 or more, depending on what we get and how many. Starbucks is not necessarily “cheap” anywhere, but how does getting your coffee fix at a Disney park Starbucks cost you more than at home? Here are just a few ways!

May Literally Cost You More

We noticed that Starbucks changes their prices for their items depending on the location. This is not only true in Disney World, but nearly everywhere.

Our writers at DFB live around the country, and we noticed that the prices of the same Starbucks drink vary based on where we live. For example, a Grande Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refresher in Pennsylvania costs more ($5.25) than the same drink in the central part of the country ($4.75).

This trend continues in Disney World. Interestingly, the same Mango Dragonfruit Refresher in Magic Kingdom at the Main Street Bakery costs just a little bit more than in Pennsylvania at $5.29. But over in Disney Springs the grande Mango Dragonfruit refresher is $4.75. And in Memphis, TN, you’ll be paying $5.75 for the same drink.

So depending on where you’re from or even where you’re at in Disney World, your Starbucks drinks may literally cost you more.

You Can’t Use a Reusable Mug in the Parks

Starbucks just rolled out their new reusable mug policy in almost all their stores! Now, when you bring in a clean reusable mug to use for your drink you’ll get 10 cents off your drink and 25 bonus stars. This can be used in-store, in the drive-thru, or even through mobile order — but not in the Disney World parks.

You cannot use your own mugs in the parks. There goes the 10 cents you would have saved, the 25 bonus stars, and all our money. You can use your own mug at Disney Springs, though! So if you like to save the environment one plastic cup at a time and get rewarded for it, grab your coffee at the Springs location.

You Can’t Redeem Your Stars in the Parks

Unfortunately, all those stars you’ve been saving up to redeem for free coffee cannot be used at a Starbucks in a Disney World park.

You can earn stars in the parks for each purchase if you’re a Starbucks rewards member, but you can’t use them there. But an exception to earning stars in the parks is that you can’t earn bonus stars there, only the ones you’ve paid full price for. If you’re hoping to redeem your stars, we recommend heading to Flamingo Crossing or Disney Springs!

Ease of Access/Peer Pressure

While the last few ways Starbucks will cost you more in the parks have been direct, there are a couple of indirect ways that could cost you more than at home, as well. Since we walk right by every Starbucks in each park every day, we are more likely to pick it up than if we were just hanging out at home.

It’s so hard to walk past the shops, smell all the yummy smells, and see everyone else with their cups of joy and NOT get one! The ease of access and peer pressure really get to us and make us spend all our money.

Waiting in Line Might Make You Buy More

A small inconvenience about Starbucks in the Disney World parks is that you can’t use Mobile Order at them. While a lot of dining locations let you order ahead, Starbucks currently does not (in either the Starbucks app or the Disney World app).

So how does not using Mobile Ordering cost you more money? Have you found yourself standing in line waiting to order and see all the delicious treats, baked goods, and drinks and realize you need all of them? Yes, us too. When we end up standing in line, we tend to grab things we didn’t think we needed, and therefore, end up spending more money. It’s a vicious cycle.

Starbucks is how we make it through a Disney World day. We power through all the early mornings and miles of walking with our fancy Starbucks coffee, even if it does cost us a small fortune (but we’ll never admit we have a problem). Regardless, if you’re like us and need your coffee fix, you may want to set a specific coffee budget for your trips!

If you’re hoping to save a little money, check out the Starbucks locations at Disney Springs or Flaming Crossing. And for more Disney news and tips, keep following DFB!

WEIRD Things That Happen When You Try To Get Starbucks in Disney World

Do you go to Starbucks on your Disney World trips? Let us know in the comments!