A few times a year, my retired parents visit us from Atlanta for a few weeks. Our plans during their visit always include going to Downtown Disney one afternoon and enjoy a treat at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. We went back in March and recently we visited Ghirardelli’s during Memorial Day weekend.
After eating lunch at The Earl of Sandwich and shopping at the various stores throughout Downtown Disney, we stopped at Ghirardelli’s around 4:30 on Saturday afternoon Memorial Day weekend. Indoor seating is available and additional seating at bistro-type tables is located just outside Ghirardelli’s. Seating is also available across the walkway next to the water at tables with umbrellas. It was a busy, sunny day at Downtown Disney but after a short wait, we were able to find an outside table that was also in the shade.
Ghirardelli’s menu offers sundaes, various flavors of ice cream, shakes, and floats; chocolate treats like brownies, several chocolate drinks and fountain drinks. My Dad ordered “The Word Famous” Hot Fudge Sundae which includes two scoops of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, chopped almonds, and a cherry. My Mom ordered a “Mint Bliss Sundae” which is one scoop of mint chip ice cream, one scoop of chocolate ice cream, dark chocolate hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and a square of Mint Bliss Intense dark chocolate on top. I ordered one scoop of Cookies and Cream ice cream in a dish. The sundaes were $8.95 each and the ice cream scoop was $3.95. After paying for our order, the cashier gave us a numbered sign which we put on our table. When our order was ready, a cast member found our table number and brought our sundaes and ice cream to us along with plenty of napkins and spoons. The scoops of ice cream in the sundaes and in the dish were very generous-sized and the sundaes could easily be shared if you didn’t want to eat a lot in one sitting. The verdict was unanimous! Our treats were scrumptious and worth the price and the drive to Downtown Disney.
After we finished our delicious desserts, we went into Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Shop and purchased a jar of bittersweet chocolate fudge to take home to my husband and son. If you don’t have the appetite for something from the Soda Fountain when you happen to be in Downtown Disney, there are plenty of delicious chocolate items at the Chocolate Shop you can purchase to enjoy later or as souvenir gifts for friends and family.
Ghirardelli’s Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Downtown Disney is a great place for an afternoon treat or a nighttime indulgence. While it is not cheap to eat at Ghirardelli’s, the prices are consistent within Walt Disney World’s resort food pricing and it is definitely worth the price in regards to portion size and taste. The next time you are in the area, make plans to visit Ghirardelli’s and you’ll probably agree it is a sweet spot for a treat.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Downtown Disney – map & links
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Official website: http://www.ghirardelli.com/locations-events/ghirardelli-locations/orlando-fl
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Downtown Disney – photo gallery
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[sws_author_bio user=”MaureenDeal” size=”105″ authorposts=”More OI posts by Maureen” name_format=”About the author”] [/sws_author_bio]
Well written and informative. We have been there and everything we ordered has been pleasing to the eye as well as the palate.
Fancy from Fort Walton
Thanks Fancy!
Nicely written, Maureen! I would like to mention the free chocolate samples Ghirardelli hands out in their gift shop. Every time I have visited, an employee has been on hand to share a variety of their treats. Before buying their scrumptious bags of chocolate squares, they will gladly give you a sample of an entire square. The squares are fantastic dipped in Ghirardelli’s hot chocolate, which is an experience in itself on a chilly winter day in Florida.
Thanks for the tips Cathy! I’ll be sure and get some samples the next time I’m in Downtown Disney! 🙂
Great write up! And now I am seriously craving a sundae. Those look so good!