I scream, you scream, Disneyland fans scream for ice cream! Sweltering summer days have arrived and it’s the perfect time of year to indulge in refreshing cool treats. Luckily, there’s no shortage of summer-friendly goodies at the Disneyland Resort!
To help you find the perfect frozen dessert, we’ve compiled a list of cold treats to cool you off on a hot Disneyland day. The only question is, which will you choose?!
Disneyland Park Ice Cream Locations
Whether you’re craving hand-scooped, soft-serve, shakes, or floats, Disneyland has something to hit the spot (though we think California Adventure takes the cake when it comes to quality and variety!)
Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street, U.S.A.
Perhaps the most well-known place to get a scoop at Disneyland Park (and my personal favorite) is Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor – and once you enter the longtime Main Street, U.S.A. fixture, you’re in vintage ice cream heaven! The menu includes hand scooped Dreyer’s ice cream in a variety of classic flavors, with sundaes, floats, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream bars to choose from (there’s also a plant-based option). Guests can choose from various toppings, and get their ice cream in a cup or a cone (I recommend the dipped waffle cone with nuts or sprinkles; it smells and tastes divine!)
For Pixar Fest, Gibson Girl also has an Eye Scream Cone inspired by “Monsters, Inc.” available through Aug. 4th, 2024.
The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland
If you mosey over to Frontierland and giddy on into The Golden Horseshoe, you’ll find some decadent desserts! In addition to seasonal offerings, the Golden Horseshoe serves delicious sundaes and floats. And the ambiance ain’t too bad either!
Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland
If you’re looking for something slightly lighter but equally refreshing, head to the Tiki Juice Bar at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room where you can choose between the classic Dole Whip Pineapple Soft Serve or (my favorite) the Dole Whip Float with pineapple juice.
Did you know Dole Whip is dairy free? And Dole Whip Day is July 18, 2024, which means even more pineapple-y offerings are on the way!
Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland
Head around the corner to the Jungle Cruise, and you can amp up your Dole Whip experience. Here, the variety of enticing flavor combinations along with additions like coconut, strawberry, ginger, mango, and Chamoy ensure a refreshing treat that’s anything but boring.
For Pixar Fest, Tropical Hideaway is also offering a Pineapple Coconut Float inspired by “Lava” available April 26 through Aug. 18.
Outdoor Vending Carts
For classic Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Ice Cream Sandwiches, visit the carts near Haunted Mansion, Plaza Point, small world Promenade, and Autopia.
Mickey-shaped treats can also be found at kiosks, and quick-service locations, including Troubadour Tavern, Alien Pizza Planet, Galactic Grill, and Hungry Bear Restaurant. Check the Disneyland app for more details. What’s your favorite Mickey-shaped Disneyland treat?
Additional ice cream offerings can be found at various Table Service locations like Blue Bayou Restaurant or Carnation Cafe, often in sundae or à la mode style.
Disney California Adventure Park Ice Cream Locations
It’s an ice cream wonderland at Disney California Adventure Park. DCA’s lineup is definitely more vast than Disneyland’s, with many quality options to choose from. That said, you won’t find the iconic Dole Whip at Disneyland’s sister park, but there are plenty of other frozen treats to make up for it. Let’s take a look at DCA’s ice cream offerings!
Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream on Buena Vista Street
You’ll find the park’s first ice vendor soon after you pass through the gates: Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream – located between the Trolley Treats candy shop and Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe (AKA Starbucks). Similar to Disneyland’s Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Clarabelle’s serves a variety of sundaes, scoops, and sips. There are also splits and float options (with or without alcohol).
Creative concoctions like The Oswald Sundae (vanilla and chocolate ice cream served in a waffle cup topped with whipped cream, hot fudge, chocolate morsels, cherries, and chocolate-dipped frozen bananas), specialties with novelties like the Mickey Mouse Ear Hat Bowl with Sundae, and custom hand-dipped ice cream bars are an even more compelling reason to choose Clarabelle’s.
For Pixar Fest, Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream is also offering the “Adventure is Out There!” Sundae inspired by “Up” available through Aug. 4.
Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land
Not only is Cozy Cone Motel one of the cutest little corners in Cars Land, but it’s also a great place to pick up yummy eats and treats. Pull into Cozy Cone 2, and choose vanilla soft-serve, chocolate soft-serve, or a combination of the two in twist form. Although you can get your sweet treat in a cup, when at the Cozy Cone, it seems silly not to opt for a ‘cone.’
If soft-serve isn’t your cup of tea, you can also order a classic root beer float here or head across the street to Flo’s V8 Cafe for a vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry shake topped with “Road Gravel”!
Check out Cozy Cone Motel’s mouthwatering ice cream cones below in a recent post from our partners at Get Away Today!
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Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats in Pixar Pier
Stroll over to Pixar Pier for even more tantalizing treats. Similar to Tropical Hideaway at Disneyland, Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats offers jazzed-up versions of soft serve (and it’s nondairy). Flavorful additions include lemon, mango, blue raspberry, and Chamoy. There are also plant-based and alcoholic concoctions.
Schmoozies! in Hollywood Land
In addition to satisfying smoothies, Schmoozies offers seasonal items, coffee, and fruit concoctions blended with ice cream. For a little extra richness, try the Make Mine Mocha (Cold Brew blended with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream) or opt for Pixar Fest’s Shake 2319 available April 26 through August 4 (vanilla, orange, guava, and pineapple shake with shaved coconut, whipped topping, and an orange cone). Schmoozies also serves alcoholic ice cream options like the Affogato with Irish Cream Liqueur (vanilla ice cream topped with Espresso and Irish Cream Liqueur).
Don’t snooze on Schmoozies, we love this place!
Additional ice cream offerings can be found at various Table Service locations like Carthay Circle Lounge, and Lamplight Lounge, often sundae or à la mode style! In addition, seasonal offerings like specialty shakes can be found at Quick Service locations like Smokejumpers Grill.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in San Fransokyo Square
Well, friends, we’ve finally arrived at my all-time favorite place in DCA to satisfy a sweet tooth at the Disneyland Resort. When at DCA, it’s my family’s tradition to end the night with an Ocean Beach Sea Salt Caramel Sundae. Super rich, yet oh so satisfying, it comes with caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream (which you can switch for the flavor of your choice), handmade milk or dark chocolate hot fudge topped with whipped cream, sea salt, and a milk or dark sea salt caramel square.
This is just one of the many sweet treats you can get at Ghirardelli (like shakes, hot cocoa, frozen coffees, and more) – and although I admit, the prices are steep, the quality makes it worth your dime.
Downtown Disney District Ice Cream Locations
We definitely can’t count out Downtown Disney for great ice cream options.
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes / CrazyShake Window by Black Tap
A frosty shake is the perfect treat for a stroll through Downtown Disney, and Black Tap offers delicious options in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, coffee, black cherry, strawberry, Nutella, peanut butter, cookie, Orea cookies and cream, brownie batter, and Funfetti cake batter. Or go whole hog with specialty shakes featuring fun additions such as Fruity Pebbles, rock candy, slices of cake, Mickey crispy treats, and more. Be sure you’re hungry if you order the latter because this place doesn’t skimp (see photo below for proof).
California Churro
If you love the combination of hot and cold like me, head to California Churro where you can choose from various churro flavors with a side of vanilla ice cream. Just be forewarned that the ice cream portion is small and is served in a small sauce container (see the Instagram post below for an example). You can also choose from flavors like Grandma’s Homemade Apple Pie, Cookie Butter, Thin Mint (with Mint Chip Ice Cream), and White Chocolate Mocha.
California Churro, Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, and Sunshine Churros (in Disney Springs) are all owned by Working To Give. I love contributing to this business. For more about the inspiring company, click HERE.
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Salt & Straw
To be honest, I wasn’t always a fan of this one. When this ice cream shop first opened, I thought it was overpriced and overrated, but was won over by the innovative flavor combinations and quality of their ice cream.
My personal favorite is the Peanut Butter Brittle Caramel Fudge (creamy coconut vanilla ice cream drizzled with a house-made semi-sweet caramel fudge swirl and flecked with shards of crispy, crackly brittle studded with peanut butter).
It’s also fun to sample some of the funky flavors, and no matter what their ingredients, they always seem to work! Interesting flavor combinations like Honey Lavender, Pear and Blue Cheese, and Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper are sure to pique your interest. Have you tried an even crazier flavor? Let us know in the comments!
Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio also offers menu items with ice cream, so be sure to check the dessert and drink menus if you’re eating there for lunch or dinner.
Disneyland Resort Hotels Ice Cream Locations
Believe it or not, there are awesome ice cream options in the Disneyland Resort hotels!
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill in Disneyland Hotel
If you’re craving pineapple soft-serve but aren’t heading into the park, don’t panic! You can pick up a Dole Whip, Dole Whip Float (with or without a splash of rum) at Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill at the Disneyland Hotel. Be advised, these are only available at the patio bar. You can also find Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Ice Cream Sandwiches here.
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in Disneyland Hotel
Although unlisted online, Trader Sam’s often offers Dole Whip concoctions. Speaking of which, don’t forget that Trader Sam’s is also serving the Coconut-Pineapple Dole Whip topped with coconut shavings mixed with silver and blue edible glitter and served in a Matterhorn Cup in honor of the ride’s 65th anniversary, which was on June 14th.
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If you’re enjoying a meal at the Palm Breeze Bar at the Villas at Disneyland Hotel and are craving something cool and sweet, top it off with a chocolate chip cookie sandwich!
GCH Craftsman Grill / GCH Craftsman Bar in Disney’s Grand Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
A perhaps somewhat lesser-known spot for yummy fare is the Craftsman Grill at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. In addition to fan-favorite foodie options, there are a couple of ice cream offerings on the menu, including a classic sundae with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, Chantilly cream, and toasted almonds topped with a cherry. Or, try the Apple Galette with caramel ice cream, vanilla sauce, and powdered sugar. The prices are affordable too, which is always a plus when we’re talkin’ Disney Parks! Am I right?
Small Bytes in Pixar Place Hotel
A recent addition, Small Bytes, opened in the Pixar Place Hotel this year. Located on the pool deck, the Beverage Bar has a couple of sips that are sure to cool you off on a hot day. Order the Frozen Refreshments which are signature mini floats with big flavors, or the Hard Reboot which are alcoholic floats for adults.
Although the temperatures can get quite warm this time of year at The Happiest Place on Earth, there are tried and true ways to beat the heat. If you’re heading to the parks this summer, look for some of these refreshing offerings to help cool you off! Whether at Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney, or even the hotels, there are ice cream options around every corner!
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Let’s Hear From You!
What are your favorite ice cream and frozen treats at the Disneyland Resort? Let us know in the comments below!