Best Spots for Ice Cream at Walt Disney World
As the summer temperatures soar at Disney World, you’ll be dreaming of a nice cold dessert! Whether you prefer ice cream, gelato, or Dole Whip, here are the best places to visit for a frozen treat other than a Mickey bar or ice cream sandwich at Walt Disney World.
In the Theme Parks
Aloha Isle
Almost as iconic as a Mickey waffle, Dole Whip is a classic Disney treat! In the Magic Kingdom, you can find Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Adventureland. You can choose from the classic pineapple Dole Whip or go for coconut or raspberry. There are also a few variations like a pineapple upside down cake topped with Dole Whip or a Dole Whip float.
L’Artisan des Glaces
Tucked away in the back of EPCOT’s France Pavilion just before Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie is L’Artisan des Glaces. This small ice cream shop offers handcrafted ice cream and sorbet with flavors like cinnamon caramel apple, candied peanuts with chocolate peanut fudge, caramel fleur de sel, and coconut white chocolate. You can also order specialties like an ice cream martini, macaron ice cream sandwich, or brioche ice cream sandwich.
Dino-Bites Snacks
If you love ice cream sandwiches, this spot in Animal Kingdom is for you! The ice cream cookie sandwich features vanilla ice cream between two freshly baked cookies. During holidays, you’ll also find fun variations of this sandwich. If you prefer a simple scoop of ice cream or a hot fudge sundae, Dino-Bites Snacks offers that too.
Hollywood Scoops
Right along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood Studios is Hollywood Scoops. This small shop serves hand-dipped ice cream and sundaes. It’s a great spot for guests with dietary restrictions since it offers plant-based vanilla and chocolate desserts and fat-free, no sugar added vanilla ice cream.
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is located right at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom. Here you’ll find classic hand-scooped ice cream and sundaes. Like Hollywood Scoops, this parlor offers plant-based and fat-free, no sugar added options. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a treat before enjoying a parade or fireworks.
At the Resorts
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
Probably the most well-known ice cream spot among the Disney resorts is Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at the Beach Club. This table service restaurant has lots of sundaes like the No Way José for peanut butter fans, a classic banana split, or the gigantic Kitchen Sink sundae that has several scoops of ice cream, every topping, and a whole can of whipped cream! If you can’t get a dining reservation here, there is also a to-go window.
BoardWalk Ice Cream
Across Crescent Lake from Beaches & Cream, you’ll find BoardWalk Ice Cream. The spot has a variety of ice cream and sundaes to go, such as a brownie à la mode, strawberry shortcake sundae, or Snickers sundae.
Pineapple Lanai
When you stay at the Polynesian, you don’t have to leave the resort to get your fix of Dole Whip! Head down to Pineapple Lanai on the ground level. You can get pineapple Dole Whip, vanilla soft serve, or a swirl. You can also get a Dole Whip float.
Vivoli Il Gelato
Guests at the Riviera can enjoy gelato poolside thanks to the Vivoli Il Gelato cart. The cart is located by the Riviera Pool and sells cups of gelato. Flavors include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, mango, and a seasonal flavor.
At Disney Springs
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Located in the Marketplace, Ghirardelli may be best known for its chocolate, but the ice cream, sundaes, and shakes are delicious too! Many of them are topped with their house-made hot fudge.
Salt & Straw
Over on the West Side of Disney Springs is this ice cream shop with truly unique flavors. The menu changes frequently with new seasonal flavors being created. Currently, these include flavors like jasmine milk tea stracciatella, pistachio with saffron & rose water, and the vegan hibiscus & coconut sherbet.
Swirls on the Water
Fans of Dole Whip will love this kiosk in the Marketplace since its menu consists of all sorts of Dole Whip offerings. Aside from cups or cones of Dole Whip, you can also get floats and dessert nachos. There’s even a sampler with lime Dole Whip swirled with habanero soft serve, lime and watermelon Dole Whip swirled together, and pineapple Dole Whip with vanilla soft serve.
Check out these ice cream spots at Walt Disney World on your next trip! Don’t have a vacation planned yet? It’s not too late to book a summer getaway to Walt Disney World! Browse some of the great confirmed reservations available.
