Top 10 - Ice Cream Treats at Disney Parks

posted at the Disney Parks Blog on July 15th, 2011 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer

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Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month (so proclaimed by President Reagan in 1984)? And National Ice Cream Day is the third Sunday in July – the 17th this year. 

It’s the perfect opportunity to daydream about our favorite ice cream treats at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. And while we love the simple, choco-dip Mickey Mouse ice cream bar from a street cart, or a double-dip cone, these are the treats that go far, far beyond – decadent and worth every calorie.

1. Any list has to begin with the Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. So, you need a few pals to share, but it’s only eight scoops, every topping imaginable and a whole can of whipped cream.
2. Hands-down favorite shake is the peanut butter and jelly shake at 50’s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’ve been known to skip the meal and just sip a tall shake at the bar at the adjacent Tune-In Lounge.
3. At Epcot, we head to Fountain View Ice Cream for a classic hot fudge sundae – whipped cream and a cherry, served in an edible waffle bowl. Need we say more?
4. Scoops are an easy parade treat, but we go all out with the Original Banana Split at The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom park: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream topped with hot fudge, strawberry sauce, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts, whipped cream and a cherry. Yum!
5. When we’re shopping (or taking an intended detour) to Downtown Disney Marketplace, we make a beeline for Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop and order The Haight AshBerry Very Berry Sundae with strawberry cheesecake ice cream smothered with sliced strawberries under a layer of vanilla ice cream with blueberry topping, whipped cream, chocolate-covered blueberries and a chocolate dipped waffle roll. Well, at least there’s fruit.
6. The old-fashioned root beer float (we used to call it a “black cow”) quenches our thirst on a hot summer afternoon at Camp Soft Serve at Camp Mickey-Minnie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The smooth vanilla soft serve ice cream melds with the kicky root beer and takes us back to childhood.
7. In Disneyland park, we always stop at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor for the Firehouse Dalmatian Mint Sundae – two scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream served in a waffle cup and topped with whipped cream, chocolate chips and a cherry. Sometimes this is lunch!
8. At Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort, we love playing at ESPN Zone then ordering the chocolate chip cookie sundae – a Nestle Toll House cookie topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, caramel sauce and whipped cream. One more trip up the rock wall!
9. At PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, we eat light and then order the Splitsville Sundae with banana, three scoops of ice cream, caramel syrup (or you can choose chocolate), nuts or sprinkles. Plenty to share.
10. Our final pick, perhaps saving the best for last, is the Farmer’s Market Sundae at Catal at Downtown Disney District, an exquisite creation of balsamic ice cream with mint granita and mascarpone mousse. The sweet-tart ice cream, bracing granita and buttery mascarpone is a heavenly match.

Take a look at the video below to see how the world famous Kitchen Sink is done:

Imagineers talk about creating Disney Vacation Club resorts

For those with an insatiable sense of wanderlust, Disney Vacation Club^® offers Members an incredible roster of hot spots to explore. And if a love for Theme Parks rivals your adventuresome side, then you're in luck. Disney Imagineer Jim Durham sat down with the Insider to discuss some of the newest Resorts – and how unforgettable vacation experiences are created by mixing some of the world's most amazing Resort destinations with the magic of Disney.

Disney Vacation Club features numerous locations, but Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas' Kidani Village, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are all located at Walt Disney World Resort^® for unique getaways close to all your favorite Theme Park thrills. Jim mentions what goes into the planning phases. "First we select a theme that'll provide an immersive Guest experience. When we're building near an existing Disney hotel, the theme is already in place. So it's important for us to create an innovative environment that complements the Resort. If it's a freestanding area, then we have a blank canvas to develop a brand-new story."

The African-inspired architecture of Kidani Village reflects the vision of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Guests can view animals in a savanna-style habitat from walls of continuous windows and a large deck area. Again, it's the attention to detail, including African tribal symbols and authentic African art, that sets this popular Resort apart. Imagineers also added an interactive outdoor water play space, complete with a slide, pool, and wet play area.

Kidani Village

The Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are the perfect back-to-nature hideaways. There's access to shopping, restaurants, waterways, golf courses, and all the amenities of a full resort, but the environment is all about nature.

 

Treehouse Villas

Guests might not notice all the eco-friendly choices that went into rebuilding the Treehouse Villas. As Jim describes, "We were sensitive to the wetlands and didn't want to disturb nature. Each of the 60 units was prefabricated offsite, then lifted over the trees and 'dropped' into place with cranes – this allowed us to rebuild in a very difficult environment. But the best thing is that we were able to return approximately 70% of the land back to nature." Replenishable materials were used, recycling was key, and more energy-efficient systems were installed.

Aside from addressing environmental issues, the improvements made the interior living space feel more open and spacious. "We knew there was nostalgic value to those that have visited Walt Disney World for 30-plus years, which is why we kept the exterior designs close to the originals. Guests who stayed here as kids are returning with their own children and grandchildren," Jim continues.

Near Magic Kingdom Park, Bay Lake Tower boasts modern architecture blended with visual cues that reflect Disney's Contemporary Resort. "The team drew ideas from the Contemporary, which is an important landmark in Walt Disney World history. It's about what you do with the physical design, accommodations, and details within the space that make it an extension of the story."

Bay Lake Tower

Jim explains. "Even the artwork is filled with clues. There's a mural behind the Top of the World Lounge bar that was printed from a monorail drawing by Imagineer John Hench – it was one of his original concepts for Walt Disney World." Other hints of the Contemporary Resort Guests will find at Bay Lake Tower include the color palette, an emphasis on horizontal lines, an iconic element perched atop the building in a manner similar to that of the California Grill at the Contemporary, and the fact that it stands 15 stories high, making it Disney Vacation Club's first mid-rise destination. Having clear views into the Magic Kingdom – especially when watching the fireworks display – is a big hit with Guests.

According to Jim, learning what's behind details like these is part of the fun of a Disney Vacation Club stay. "Discovery is a great extension of the creative process, and it invites people to get involved. Cast Members can provide info or Guests can search for hidden Mickeys in carpet patterns, artwork, furniture, and even the architecture – everything's an extension of the theme. From a design standpoint, it's intriguing to know there's meaning behind every creative decision that's made." And when Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas in Ko Olina, Hawai'i, opens later this year, Guests can delve into Hawaiian art, culture, and customs for clues while enjoying a premiere tropical paradise.

When asked why he loves his job, Jim doesn't hesitate. "The best compliment is sitting in the lobby of a new Resort and watching the Guests' faces as they walk in – without saying a word, they're thinking 'wow!' They realize they're in a unique environment and have just escaped from their daily lives. We connect emotionally with our Guests – sometimes in ways we don't even understand."

Don't wait to live your dream ... check out Disney Vacation Club destinations and start packing your bags!

http://disney.go.com/disneyfans/insider/article/20110125