by Kristin Casagrand
Sorry for being MIA last week, y’all. Final exams got the best of me. In honor of summer and trying to beat the heat, this week will be a special on everybody’s favorite cold treat: ice cream. As I mentioned in my introductory post and as anyone I know would attest to, I have a huge sweet tooth. My go-to dessert is almost always ice cream, especially while in Walt Disney World, since there are so many delicious treats to pick from.
I will be focusing on my favorite sundaes from around Disney property. In terms of regular ice cream treats in the parks, honorable mention goes to the classic premium Mickey ears and the homemade cookie ice cream sandwiches on Main Street.
My absolute must “go to” place for dessert has always been Ghirardellis at Downtown Disney. After also visiting the original Ghirardellis in San Fransisco, I would have to claim Ghirardellis as possibly my favorite ice cream place of all time. It is worth the long, out-the-door lines and mass chaos of fighting through the crowd to get your order when it is called. I love the smell of chocolate and waffle cones and the old-time feel of watching the staff make my sundae. Here is my top five list of sundae choices and the components of each so you can make them at home!
- Mint Bliss Sundae- Dark chocolate lovers, you should be all over this one. It includes a scoop of mint chocolate chip, a scoop of chocolate, dark chocolate hot fudge, whipped cream, and topped off with a Ghirardellis intense dark chocolate square. By far my favorite.
- The Cable Car- This is their version of a rocky road sundae. Rocky road, chocolate chip, and chocolate ice cream. Topped with marshmallow cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, chopped almonds, and a Ghirardellis milk chocolate square. A while back, they used to top this sundae with a mini chocolate cable car and I always thought it was an awesome little touch.
- Treasure Island- Two scoops of vanilla with warm double brownie, hot fudge topping, whipped cream, and chopped almonds. You can never go wrong with a classic brownie sundae.
- The Gold Rush- Did I mention I also have an addiction to peanut butter? This sundae comes with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, melted peanut butter throughout, chopped almonds, and whipped cream.
- Sea Cliff- Vanilla cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and chopped almonds served on top of a massive warm chocolate chip cookie.
Located at the Beach Club Resort, Beaches and Cream is also a great choice for sweet treats. To take a break from the parks during the day or at night, my family will often catch the boat or walk from Epcot or Hollywood Studios. They have sundaes and milkshakes that certainly score high on my list.
Are you bringing a large party or the whole family? You might want to think about getting a family style sundae. There’s a few on property that I know of that have something for everyone.
- The Earthquake – Served at Ghirardellis. This sundae comes with 8 flavors and 8 toppings of your choice with bananas, whipped cream, chopped almonds, chocolate chips, and cherries.
- The Kitchen Sink – Served at Beaches and Cream. This sundae also has 8 ice cream scoops including coffee, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, and strawberry ice creams. It is topped with all kinds of toppings such as pineapple, strawberries, Oreos, hot fudge, snickers, and a whole can of whipped cream. Not to mention, it is literally served in a mini kitchen sink. I’ve witnessed my cousin (yes, singular, not “cousins”) attempt to eat the whole thing by himself. I think he was successful, but he regretted his decision shortly after….
I hope next time you are at WDW, you all will be able to try some of these sundaes! Or if your next trip isn’t for a while, I would highly suggest replicating these treats at home (not the same I know, but it will give you a small taste of Disney from home). Enjoy everyone! 🙂
*o*–Kristin
Kristin Casagrand is a student currently studying physical therapy at Bellarmine University. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Kristin has taken many a family vacations as a child driving 24 hrs, cramped in the back of the car and fighting with her sister to get to Disney (definitely worth it though). She looks forward to sharing “A taste of Disney” with everyone each week.
