Thursday's Tip

Coffee lovers have long lamented the lack of good coffee throughout Walt Disney World. Sadly, Nescafe reigns supreme at most WDW eateries. (A few exceptions with "real" coffee: most of the coffee carts in the Parks; most of the kiosks in Epcot; The Writer's Stop and Starring Rolls Cafe--Studios; Crystal Palace--MK; Tusker House--AK; Boma and Jiko--AK Lodge; Coffee Bar and The Wave--Contemporary; Maya Grill and Pepper Market--Coronado Springs; several spots in the Grand Floridian; Artist Point and Trail's End--Ft. Wilderness; and my personal favorite, the Kona Cafe and Kona Coffee Bar at the Polynesian.) When in doubt, ask before ordering!

But if you're staying at one of the resorts that don't serve fresh brewed coffee, what are you to do to get your morning started? I've known some folks who took their own coffee pot and favorite coffee with them. (Moderate and Deluxe Resorts do have an in-room coffee pot, but Values are sadly lacking.) But now, thanks to the coffee shop on every corner, you have another option, which translates into our Thursday's Tip: pack some Starbucks Via.



Yes, it's still instant coffee. But when compared to the Nescafe served around the World, there really is no comparison. The Via are quite good, and they come in a variety of brews. Coupons for Starbucks Via are readily available also. They come in several sizes (packaged in individual servings), and I usually get them at a cost of around $.50 to $.75 per cup. Any restaurant in WDWwill give you a cup of hot water free. A cup of terrible Nescafe is going to set you back around $2 and up, so you're saving money AND getting better coffee--win/win!