It’s usually HOT in Orlando, and sometimes you just want a nice, cold snack to help cool you down and boost your blood sugar.

We’re gonna dive DEEP into Disney World’s ice cream lineup and show you where you can find the best cold snacks during your vacation.

Florida is well known for its intense heat, meaning ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and all other types of frozen treats offer delicious waves of relief.

There are a TON of ice cream stops available at Disney World, so we’re going to give YOU the full scoop on these spots and where to find them!

EPCOT

L’Artisan des Glaces

EPCOT’s France pavilion is one of our required snack stops when we tour World Showcase, and L’Artisan des Glaces is usually the first spot we hit up on a hot day.

It offers a great selection of unique house-made ice creams and sorbets. Plus some unique ways to enjoy them, in a toasted Brioche bun, or in a martini glass swimming in your choice of liquor. The Croque Glace is a scoop of ice cream with your choice of sauce in a homemade brioche, pressed warm.

Or if your gelato cravings lean toward the more sophisticated side, you can also get an Ice Cream Martini.

You can also just get a normal cup of your choice of gelato flavor. There’s no wrong way to enjoy this cold treat! And scope out the menu as this spot often serves up seasonal creations, too.

Click here to see how to make your own Mickey Mouse ice cream in EPCOT!

Gelateria Toscana

Gelateria Toscana is right in front of the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT, so it’s hard to miss. And the truth is, this charming serves up some tasty ice cream (or gelato), but we’d love it a lot more if it wasn’t so expensive!

The little ornate details of the stand itself are both simple and classy. This kiosk blends in with its surroundings so nicely that it already feels like it’s been around forever and a day. But, really, the Affogato Espresso Gelato is simple but has some powerful flavors that just work well together, the bold Espresso, creamy vanilla gelato, and topped with crisp Amaretto cookies. What’s not to like?

The treats are creative and so tasty, but the portions are way too small for the prices we paid (again, in our opinion). So maybe you skip on the pricey gelato and opt for some delicious pizza instead!

Our Best Strategies for Saving On Breakfast at Disney World

Disney Springs

Haagen-Dazs Kiosk

With so many ice cream spots Disney Springs, it’s easy to forget about this Häagen–Dazs kiosk. We enjoy Haagen Dazs, and they have some scrumptious options — like the Dazzler sundaes.

But when we’re in Disney World, we’re really looking for something unique, and this spot just has pretty standard options you could probably find back home.

Perhaps you’re more in the mood for a Margarita? Learn about Dockside Margaritas at Disney Springs HERE!

Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill

Looking for gelato? Disney Springs has two gelato options, this one at Wolfgang Puck and over at Vivoli il Gelato (which we’ll get to)! When you approach Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill you’ll find their outdoor counter service option. The menu here has an awesome variety of gelato creations that are so different from other gelato combos we’ve tried.

One of our favorites is the Salted Caramel Banana Pudding. It’s made with banana pudding, banana chunks, vanilla wafers, and a scoop of salted caramel gelato. The pudding was smooth and rich and really went well with that gelato!

Menu offerings are seasonal, so be sure to check and see what they have available during your visit!

Click here to see more about Wolfgang Puck!

Vivoli il Gelato

Vivoli il Gelato is our next gelato stop (see, told ya we’d get here)! And thank goodness for the bright orange tables and umbrellas in front, because this spot can be easy to just walk right past as your stroll along by Wine Bar George and Joffrey’s corner coffee shop.

Vivoli offers some classic and some bold choices. On the classic side are the Bombolatos (gelato sandwiched inside a warm Italian donut) which are generally around $10, and are a surefire crowd-pleaser. But we’ve also seen bacon cannoli, and let’s just say that’s one of the snacks that bacon does not enhance.

We can always count on Vivoli for some creative flavors that they offer out for the season. One of our favorites was the Peanut Butter Explosion. Those change up, so make sure you stop by to see what flavors they have when you visit.

Like most of the gelato spots, some of these treats will end up costing you more than a standard ice cream sundae, so plan accordingly!

Click here to see one of our latest reviews of some items at Vivoli il Gelato!

Swirls on the Water

Swirls on the Water recently replaced another snack spot in Disney Springs, and here you can get classic Dole Whip as well as more unusual flavors, and even Dole Whip flights!

Swirls on the Water is located just behind Goofy’s Candy Company, and they feature Dole Whip treats like soft-serve swirls, specialty flavors, and floats. The 50th Celebration Cone comes with DOLE Whip Lemon and Cookie Dough soft-serve swirled together in a cone with EAR-idescent sprinkles and a white chocolate Mickey decoration. And best of all? It works!

You can also get a Dole Whip flight if you can’t choose only one flavor! In the past, we tried the Habanero Lime, Pineapple and Vanilla Swirl, and Cookie Dough and Lemon Swirl (which is the same as the Celebration Cone).

This is also the new home for the DOLE Whip Nachos. The DOLE Whip Nachos are loaded with waffle cone chips topped with DOLE Whip, mango boba pearls, fresh pineapple, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and rainbow sprinkles. Such fun flavors in every bite!

Click here for our review of Swirls on the Water!

Marketplace Snacks

The Bubble Waffle that was previous housed at Aristocrepes has found a home at Disney Spring’s Marketplace Snacks!

There are five different Bubble Waffle sundaes available centered around the Fab Five themselves! If you want something tart and fruity, try the Donald Lemon & Blueberry Waffle Sundae, or if you want ALL of the chocolate, then grab the Mickey Cookie Waffle Sundae.

Each sundae is currently priced at $8.99, so no matter your taste buds, everyone can find a flavor here to enjoy — just be sure to grab some napkins!

9 of the Best Snacks Under $10 in Disney Springs

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop

You can’t help but be tempted into Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney Springs just for the scents alone. As soon as you start walking past the World of Disney gift shop, the sweet and warm aromas of Ghirardelli will waft past your nose, enticing you to come on in.

One absolute favorite is the Crissy Field Cookie Bits Sundae: vanilla and cookies-and-cream ice cream, a TON of homemade hot fudge, and big, soft, buttery, half-baked chocolate chip cookies crumbled up and topping the entire thing. Oh, and some whipped cream. 😉 

It’s beyond worth the stop when it’s available! Word of advice — be prepared for a bit of a wait at this ice cream spot. You’re not the only guest that’s going to be enticed by the smell of fresh-made waffle cones… .

You can see the NEW take on another Ghirardelli favorite HERE!

Salt & Straw

The newest, and maybe one of the best ice cream spots we love in Disney Springs is Salt & Straw! Salt & Straw just opened on the West Side of Disney Springs in April 2022, and it changed the way we think about ice cream.

Salt & Straw is known for SUPER unique ice cream flavors, made with handmade ice cream sourced with local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. We’ve tried flavors like Mathilde’s Hibiscus and Coconut Sherbet, Honey Lavender, Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper, and lots more unusual flavors!

Salt & Straw also features special monthly flavors available for limited time periods, and in June, we tried Cinnamon and Honey Fried Chicken and Deviled Egg Custard with Smoked Black Tea — and we enjoyed them! There ARE traditional ice cream flavors available at Salt & Straw, but why not step out of your comfort zone to try some of the more unusual flavors?

Check out our most recent Salt & Straw review here!

Magic Kingdom

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A. is the quintessential idea of Disney ice cream.

If you’ve been following DFB for a while now, you know that an old favorite of ours is the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich WITH peanut butter drizzle. Note that the peanut butter sauce no longer appears on the menu, but some of our team have been able to ask Cast Members there for some, and they’ve been able to get it. So it never hurts to ask!

Or you can get a traditional ice cream cookie sandwich with toppings like hot fudge or caramel. So. Much. Goodness. Plus, the outdoor seating around the Plaza gives you the most epic view of all — a view of Cinderella Castle.

Disney World’s Latest Character Ice Cream Cone Has a BOLD Flavor Combo!

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies serves up your standard soft-serve sundaes, cups, and floats. And the spot itself isn’t particularly memorable. You can’t even eat inside!

Because we love Auntie Gravity’s for its seasonal offerings! For a period of time, we even got to grab a 50th Anniversary treat here that was served IN a bathtub. Not sure if what part we loved more, the sundae or the tub — but it’s all GOOD.

We find ourselves often peeking in at this location just to see if there’s anything new on the menu, and you should, too!

Click here to see photos and reviews of the 50th Anniversary eats and treats in Disney World!

Sunshine Tree Terrace

If citrus flavors are your game, then you’ll want to head over to Adventureland in Magic Kingdom. Sunshine Tree Terrace is just ONE spot serving up citrusy cold treats!

It has a nice variety of soft-serve, DOLE Whip, and float options. Sunshine Tree Terrace is home to none other than the unique-to-Magic-Kingdom Citrus Swirl. In case you’re wondering, there is a difference between “Citrus Swirl” and orange DOLE Whip. Citrus Swirl is actual frozen orange juice, and orange DOLE Whip is… well, orange DOLE Whip.

This is the only spot to offer that famous Citrus Swirl, and it can sometimes be hit or miss on if you can find here, but check Mobile Order to see if it’s on the menu, and then you can save some time from waiting in line.

We were definitely surprised by the Powerade Mountain Berry Blast Float — Find out more about it HERE!

Storybook Treats

Over in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, Storybook Treats sells a few standard soft serve ice cream treats. But sometimes, this quick service location comes up with an exclusive flavor or float themed around our favorite Disney characters. For the 50th Celebration, we’ve seen some Seven Dwarfs inspired goodies here, and more are on the way!

Right now, you can also grab the Snow White Cone (made with DOLE Whip lemon!) is one we could eat EVERY DAY.

Perfect spot to hit up after you ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train!

Play *This or That: Fantasyland Edition* with us HERE!

Aloha Isle

THIS is the OG DOLE Whip spot in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland!

Aloha Isle is colorful, tropical, and an all-around nice little quick service stop for all your DOLE Whip needs.

But this spot serves so much more than the classic Pineapple DOLE Whip and DOLE Whip Float. The Tropical Serenade features Pineapple-Orange-Guava Juice (a.k.a. the famous POG juice), Coconut Soft-serve, and an Upside-down Pineapple Cake Pop.

Tropical POG juice flavors + coconut soft serve = parade in the middle of a hot Florida day. Not gonna lie, hope this becomes a permanent feature on the Aloha Isle menu!

Mmmm…Read about the DOLE Whip Swirl of our dreams HERE!

Disney Resorts

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

Looking to step back in time to a classic soda fountain shop of the 50s? Then we present to you, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort!

This is a CLASSIC ice cream stop for Disney guests who are staying on (or off) the Beach Club property. If you have a reservation, you can eat inside, but if you don’t, there’s a walk-up window to pick up mobile orders or place a to-go order.

The No Way Jose Sundae has long been one of our favorite sundaes on Disney property. It is made with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, peanut butter(!!), hot fudge, peanut butter and chocolate morsels, whipped cream, and (of course!) a cherry on top.

It’s a hefty sundae, for sure, but it’s not NEARLY as big as the famous Kitchen Sink that serves FOUR people for $35! The classic Kitchen Sink has scoops of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies and cream, and mint chocolate chip ice cream; then, it’s smothered in basically every topping you can get at Beaches and Cream. 

It’s definitely a crowd-pleaser and a WHOLE bunch of fun. Oh! AND you can get it in a Chocolate Lovers or Neapolitan version, if your group prefers! (Yep, you’ll need the whole crew to tackle it!)

DIG IN to a Kitchen Sink — click here to learn more!

The Fountain

If you don’t have reservations at Beaches & Cream, but still want to experience that 50s soda fountain shop vibe, hit up Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts to dine at The Fountain, .

The Fountain offers a great variety of shakes and sundaes from your classic vanilla… to the Grasshopper with Minty Chip Ice Cream, Bailey’s, Creme de Cocoa, Whipped Cream, Creme de Menthe, and a grasshopper cookie on top!

How about sundaes? Yep, they’ve got plenty of those, too! The Caramel Apple Sundae is an absolute star.

You know how we love Beaches and Cream around here (yep, we haven’t forgotten it on our list!), but The Fountain is a more-than-solid option all its own, and quite a hidden gem!

Learn about the other Swan and Dolphin Restaurants HERE!

BoardWalk Ice Cream

If you want to do an ice cream crawl around the EPCOT area resorts, then this one will be on your list. BoardWalk Ice Cream is located at — can you guess? — Disney World’s BoardWalk Inn.

We’ve enjoyed our experiences at BoardWalk Ice Cream well enough, but again, it’s mostly standard ice cream options. The Kids’ Mickey Mouse Sundae, priced at $4.99, comes with a scoop of your choice of ice cream, chocolate cookies (Oreos), and a cherry. (AND It looks like Mickey, so it does earn a few extra points for that!)

Our favorite offering at this location is easily the Thundering Surf Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sundae, which has chocolate and vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and chocolate chips, whipped cream, and a cherry for $7.99.

(But that might just be because we’re HUGE peanut butter fans around here… .) Overall this spot is good, but nothing that’ll knock your socks off.

Click here to read our FULL review of BoardWalk Ice Cream!

Pineapple Lanai

Pineapple Lanai is a quick service location right outside the Great Ceremonial House (AKA: the lobby) of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

In addition to serving up the classic pineapple DOLE Whip, Pineapple Lanai also gets creative and offers some seasonal treats. One of our favorites is the fun Stitch version served one-day only, on “Stitch Day,” June 26th (for Experiment 626)!

There’s just something about eating a DOLE Whip at the Polynesian that makes it all the more enjoyable.

And we especially love that there’s a constant stream of limited edition Dole Whip flavors & creations that pop up here! Who knows what they might come up with next?

Disney RECIPE: Make Pineapple DOLE Whip At Home!

Hollywood Studios

Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction

If you’re still in Hollywood Studios yearning for something cool, then look no further than Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction on Echo Lake.

You can’t miss it! The giant dinosaur near the front of the park? Yep, that’s our ole pal, Gertie. She’s been serving up classic soft serve treats and Mickey Ice Cream Bars for a while. And we love her for it. But we love her MORE for the unique history she brings to Disney’s Hollywood Studios along with those ice cream treats!

Take it from us, ice cream tastes better when it is served from a giant dinosaur! 🦕 This place can be closed sometimes, so just be sure to check and see if it’s available during your trip.

Click Here to Read All About the Story Behind Dinosaur Gertie’s!

Hollywood Scoops

Your family forced you on the Tower of Terror — and you survived! So, what better way to reward yourself than with a hand-scooped ice cream cone from Hollywood Scoops. Sounds pretty perfect, right?

BUT! You can also order sundaes OR a not-so-little seasonal shake from this spot. The shakes vary in terms of flavors but are usually topped with something extravagant like a mini-bundt cake or donut (or both!) for $9.49.

When fellow guests see you walking around with this decadent ice cream concoction, you may find that you’ll have your own paparazzi as inquiring minds ask where you got this! What a way to wrap up a Hollywood Studios day, right?

Click here to see our FULL review of the explosion shake!

Animal Kingdom

Dino-Bite Snacks

This little nook in DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom has wormed its way into our hearts. Because we really adore Dino-Bite Snacks!

We love its quirky retro facade and its small selection of sundaes, floats, and ice cream scoops. But what we REALLY love are those ice cream cookie sandwiches. Freshly baked cookies and creamy vanilla ice cream… . Can’t go wrong there!

But Dino-Bites really stands out thanks to the Seasonal Ice Cream Sandwiches that go well beyond the norm. And it might be called Dino-Bites, but these beauties are small meals! Make sure you don’t order one right before your reservation at Tiffins or Yak and Yeti, or you might find yourself too full for your dinner!

Click HERE to learn ALL of the Dinoland U.S.A. secrets!

Anandapur Ice Cream Truck

If you evaded the infamous Yeti that lingers on the Expedition Everest attraction, then it might be time for a soft-serve ice cream from Anandapur Ice Cream Truck in Animal Kingdom’s Asia. Did you ever think that you’d be ordering ice cream out of a work of art like this snack bus?

The usual vanilla and chocolate soft-serve flavors at Anandapur are interspersed with especially fun seasonal treats like that Yeti Sundae with chocolate soft-serve topped with vanilla soft-serve, blue cake crumbs, sugar, sweet snowflakes, and a chocolate Yeti Image.

While the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck’s traditional menu can be very standard, it’s those specials you’ll want to keep a special eye out for!

Click here to see our rankings of the lands in Animal Kingdom by their snacks!

Tamu Tamu Refreshments

In Animal Kingdom’s Africa, you’ll find a little snack shop that has a tucked-away courtyard where you can enjoy your treat of choice.

Tamu Tamu Refreshments has specialty DOLE Whip floats (that can be spiked with coconut rum)! Our must-have at this location is the Simba Sunset made with pineapple DOLE Whip and topped with watermelon, strawberry, and coconut-flavored syrup.

When we’ve ordered a Simba Sunset at Tamu Tamu in the past, we’ve received it in the same-sized cup typically used for a float — meaning you get more DOLE Whip at a price that’d normally get you a smaller DOLE Whip serving at other locations around Disney World!

Ready to work out AND watch The Lion King at the same time? Then click HERE!

Water Parks

Happy Landings/ I.C. Expeditions/Snack Shack

We’re grouping the ice cream stops from Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach together since Happy Landings and I.C. Expeditions both sell very similar options, including that MASSIVE Sand Pail Sundae.

This signature sundae has chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream, waffle pieces, sprinkles, cookie pieces, hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top — all served in a GIANT bucket with a shovel!

Ice cream AND a beach toy!? Sounds like a win to us! Sure, the shareable concoction gets a little soupy toward the end, but you gotta give it points for the massive quantity and added souvenir. Aside from the Sand Pail Sundae, both locations serve tasty hot fudge brownie sundaes, ice cream in waffle cones, and some other limited items.

And we have to give a VERY special shout out to Snack Shack at Typhoon Lagoon. When Typhoon Lagoon is open, be on the look out for the the Hei Hei Cone or…

…try the beautiful Motunui Island Twist…

If you’re at Typhoon Lagoon and looking for a fun DOLE Whip treat, THIS is the place to go.

Click Here to Learn More About Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park!

Are you craving ice cream yet? Hopefully, this list helped make up your mind about which place — or places! — to choose the next time you’re in Disney World and are craving a sweet, cold, and refreshing treat. 🍨

Click Here to Get Our Full List of Disney World Pizza Rankings!

Which ice cream spot is your favorite on this list? Let us know in the comments!