Disney Soda Fountain

[chttyangel]

Is the Disney Soda Fountain worth visiting? Whats the area like at night?

We arrive into LAX on 330 on Friday and can not visit the Parks until the next day. Growing up in CA I have done most things in LA but my son hasn't seen much outside of DL/DCA and Med Times. Was looking for something to do for a few hours. Thought about dinner at Pinks, explore Hollywood and ice cream at Disney Soda Fountain. I haven't been there in 10 years thou and DH reminded me how dirty/not the best area it was last time. So rethinking and looking into Queen Mary for dinner or Newport Beach.

 

[ImDMous]

The Disney Soda Fountain is now a Ghirardelli, so it's not quite the same thing. It's still attached to the El Capitan theater but it doesn't have all the same cool decor it used to, some is just normal Ghirardelli store stuff. Treats are just like a Ghirardelli anywhere, no more hot food although they do have the Pin Trader Sundae still. I would say skip it, I wouldn't want to be on Hollywood Blvd with kids at night anyway.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

The Disney Soda Fountain is now a Ghirardelli, so it's not quite the same thing. It's still attached to the El Capitan theater but it doesn't have all the same cool decor it used to, some is just normal Ghirardelli store stuff. Treats are just like a Ghirardelli anywhere, no more hot food although they do have the Pin Trader Sundae still. I would say skip it, I wouldn't want to be on Hollywood Blvd with kids at night anyway.

I agree with this! The Soda Fountain shop used to have more "Disney" in it. I went there a couple weeks ago and, to me, it looks like a Ghirardelli store that sells Disney items. Items you can purchase at a regular Disney Store. If you are interested in pin, and if you are in the area, I would stop by. They have pins specifically for the store. I believe they still have a special pin if you purchase a specific sundae there.

HTH,
Kriss

 

[jsanch2]

Yeah I would definitely say this is not the best area at night... Its unfortunate that they no longer have the little diner, but you can still get ice cream sundaes. If you are pin collectors order the Pin Trader's delight. You get a pin with a Disney character eating a sundae with purchase.

 

[chttyangel]

Thanks for all the replies. I was only going for the Disney aspect so I guess that is out. Too bad I missed it before the changes; the photos I have seen looked great. Ghirardelli has great ice cream but I can go there anytime.

I guess I will check-out the Queen Mary and Newport options. REALLY apperciate the feedback. You all saved me a trip!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hi Chttyangel If you are in Long Beach and your family are readers there is a wonderful one dollar bookstore that I'd highly recommend. http://theonedollarbookstore.com/locations.html The books are sectioned by topic but not in any order on the shelves. In the back there is a huge children's section, mostly paperbacks but there are some picture books, too and even Golden Books. I was there a week or so ago and they had two tables filled with Christmas books for kids. Fun place.

 

[samserena]

Did this change only happen last year?

*** I went in 2012 and it was cute and then went to go back last year and it was undergoing renovations