Ice cream is as synonymous a treat gets with Disney theme parks. From Dole Whips to the iconic Mickey Premium Bar, few snacks outside of waffles speak Disney more than ice cream, on both the United States East and West coasts. But while everyone knows of the famous ones, what about when you aren’t in the parks?
Salt and Straw
Set in California’s Downtown Disney, Salt and Straw is immediately recognizable around property by its distinct hand-scooped ice cream. It has a rotation of limited flavors, some must-try spins on classics like sea salt cookie dough and some more unusual choices like black olive and goat cheese. There are a handful of other locations near the coast, a testament of just how in-demand the ice cream is everywhere. It’s perfect for a quick run back to the hotel for a break in the middle of the day, or a short detour when changing parks. Its premium quality and inventiveness makes it the top ice cream spot in Disney’s California parks.
Ample Hills Creamery
Ample Hills has a similar setup to Salt and Straw: premium ice cream and a small amount of locations across the country. Where Ample Hills tops all others is in its atmosphere, set in the unbeatable air of the Boardwalk. It is one of Disney’s best relaxation spots stateside, so sitting down with one of their overwhelming ice cream combinations is a great way to cool down the evening after a long day in the parks.
Sprinkles
I know what you’re thinking. Yes, Sprinkles is a cupcake place, and a pretty good one, too. But it also has ice cream, a secret hidden by nothing other than its small, iced cakes. There are some classic flavors and one that usually cycles seasonally, but what you really need to know about is the cap’n crunch flavor. It is the perfect melding of that ever-elusive cereal-milk flavor, a nostalgic trip through childhood that makes it one of the best individual ice cream flavors across any location on property. The flavor makes it worth the trip out to its side of Disney Springs alone, but it’s also a great excuse to get some shopping and dining in while you’re there.