Always Coca-Cola

There is a rather large rift amongst the American, if not global, population. While not everyone allows themselves to be drawn into the fray, those that do choose to take sides know that there is only one right answer, theirs. The cut and dry war I speak of can only be the divisive beverage battle between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Of course, currently Coke is served within Walt Disney World. As if to emphasize this point, All-Star Sports features a super, super sized cup of Coca-Cola that would make the gallon sized buckets available at movie theaters very envious.

Coke may be the soda company of choice around property, but it wasn’t always this way. In the early years of the Vacation Kingdom, both Pepsi and Coca-Cola were served throughout the parks and resorts. So, what changed?

Well, if you’re one to believe in rumor, the story is as follows. When Walt Disney World opened, Pepsi was the only product served within the Magic Kingdom and resorts. A few weeks after the October 1, 1971 opening the park ran dry of the syrup needed to serve carbonated beverages to guests. Of course, this would have happened on a weekend. In this tale, Pepsi was unable to meet the weekend rush request, but Coca-Cola called in drivers to make a delivery on Sunday. This dedication to customer service from Coke is, they say, the reason Coca-Cola was able to swipe the rights to the parks and resorts away from Pepsi.

This story is an absolute work of fiction.

Just as both beverages were served in Disneyland, both were able to be purchased in Walt Disney World when the Florida resort opened. In 1985, Coca-Cola signed an exclusive global marketing deal with Disney, thereby securing their supremacy inside not only Walt Disney World, but Disney destinations the world over.

Whether you are a Pepsi purist or a Coke devotee, of which I am one, Coca-Cola’s presence in the parks and resorts is impossible to overlook. Coke is present at every meal and snack stop and towers over guests at All-Star Sports.