Disney World's Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop

Imagine yourself in the largest Disney Store in the world. You roam from room to room taking in mouse ears on everything from hats to luggage to chip and dip bowls to candles to shoes and more. Your daughter is wandering wide eyed and mouth open through the princess room, three dresses worth a combined total of over $200 clutched in her little fist as she eyeballs the sparkling crowns. Your son has stuffed a treasure chest as full of pirate loot as it can stand and he is starting to get a gleam in his eye as he experiments with the Disney video games. Your husband has disappeared and you are starting to wonder how that diamond Mickey necklace would look with your little black dress. You shake your head and realize something.

It is seriously time for a snack.

Downtown Disney Marketplace, home to the World of Disney Store, is a fantastic place to spend a morning, afternoon, evening or entire day. There are plenty of places to shop combined with great activities and food choices ranging from table service down to kiosk snacks. And one store combined with decadent desserts is the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop.

Begin your experience in the right side of the store, where you can sample the famous Ghirardelli chocolate squares and fill your basket with all kinds of chocolately perfection. Ghirardelli, like a typical store, also stocks specialty items for holidays, so you can find those heart shaped chocolates and raspberry filled squares for Valentines Day or the eggnog white chocolate and peppermint bark squares for Christmas. Assortments are available, as well as buying multiples of your favorites. The store is permeated with the smell of chocolate and noise from the counter nearby on the left side of the shop. The side where they serve the ice cream

Ah...the ice cream. Sundaes, hand scooped malts and shakes, ice cream sodas, cones and dishes of the dairy delight can be found on a huge menu displayed on a podium in the line to order. This is one place where you almost want the line to be slow so you can spend some quality time deciding what you want. Is it a root beer float kind of day? Are you looking for fresh mint taste? Rich butterscotch? Classic hot fudge? You want it, they have it.

The ice cream flavors are abundant. Basic Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry complement more exotic flavors like Espresso Chip and Blueberry Cheesecake and many others. Toppings can be added to the ice cream to create your own one of a kind sundae or shake. And don't forget the whipped cream and cherry to top your creation.

But then there are the specialty sundaes...the ice cream sundae creations that make this a must stop on your Downtown Disney tour. Starting with the classic Banana Split, the flavors are pure indulgent sensation. The World Famous Hot Fudge sundae is vanilla ice cream, Ghirardelli hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry. Pure simplicity that equals utter perfection. The Berry Sundae is not as light and refreshing as the name implies. The combination of strawberries and blueberries served over cheesecake studded strawberry ice cream and blueberry ice cream, create a large rich creamy concoction. Other favorites include a brownie sundae, an espresso sundae for coffee lovers, and a delicious mint sundae with chocolate ice cream, mint chocolate chip and dark hot fudge sauce. Seasonal favorites also pop up with the holidays. A pink peppermint and chocolate sundae is a treat with the candy cane chocolate, found every year around Christmastime.

Seating inside the shop is set up in a very ice cream parlor setting, and additional seating can be found right outside and across the walkway near the river. After you order you are given a number and a server will bring your cool treats right to your table.

Prices range from $4 for a small cone to $25 for a huge 8 scoop sundae to share. Most signature sundaes run around $7.

Take the time to absorb the smells and tastes of the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. Enjoy a creamy and cold ice cream treat or order up some famous Ghirardelli hot chocolate or a mocha. The break will have you refreshed and ready to attack the enormous World of Disney again. Because your little princess needs a crown, your pirate needs a new game and what do you need?

Well...maybe that Mickey shaped chip and dip bowl is calling your name.