Ice Cream Social @ Epcot - Worth it?

[ILuvWDWorld]

I've read mixed reviews about this event - either very good or very bad, no in between. We're considering doing this on our next visit, but I had a few ?'s. First, what are the sundaes like? Is there a lot of character interaction compared to other character meals? Is it worth $6.99 for ice cream? And finally, I've read reviews by some that the ice cream was brought to them melted - is there any truth to that?

Thanks so much for your input.

 

[DVC Jen]

I think it is a great way to experience a "Character meal" without having to pay a character meal price.

We have done it twice and will probably do it again at some point.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

Unfortunately you will not be able to go if your countdown is correct. The Garden Grille will be closed for the Land rehab from Jan 2 until April.

We thought the social was great. The character interaction is wonderful, better than most buffets we have been to and the ice cream is good. Our ice cream was in perfect shape and I would expect to pay $4-$5 for the ice cream alone.

 

[ohMom]

I had no problems with the price for the sundae, it was done nicely and considering WDW pricing it seemed reasonable. We went last December, value season, first week of Dec and i recall only seeing two other tables occupied. There were quick stop by of Chip and Dale and then I literally had to ask the server to please send out more characters for my DDs were getting a bit antsy. It seemed like a long lull between character visits for such an uncrowded time. I was disappointed in that but the ice cream was good. This was also my first experience with the "WDW water" that I read about. They served us all water, kids got souvenir cups which was very nice; but the water was awful.

 

[donaldduck1967]

We just did this for the 1st time in October. It's definately worth it considering the characters are there

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We went the first week of August this year with a large group doing a Magical Gathering. Even though the parks were packed, this event was totally empty! The characters were walking around in circles at the restaraunt looking for something to do, so I agree about what the OP says about the long lull between characters. We had several ps's made during our trip so that our group could be together but not have to hang around the parks with all 16 of us, and this was the only one I was really disappointed in.

 

[babslittleones]

We have gone to the Ice Cream Social twice now. We went in September of 2001 and September of 2003. We had a great time on both occasions.

We sat in the upper level during our first visit. We had a table to sit at instead of a booth. It was nice on top level because you could see more and see what was happening at the lower level also. We did notice the characters came up to the upper level to take a small break or to go in and out of the kitchen aread so they were always passing our table. The character interaction was superb during this visit. Our kids had a good time watching the characters interact with all the other families. Our ice cream was very good. Your ice cream comes in a wafer type of cone that is stuck into a big chocolate chip cookie. The kids ice cream came differently. It was also in a big wafer type of cone but put on the plate upside down the cone pointed up and it was also on a chocolate chip cookie. The kids also got a few gummy worms with theirs.

Our second visit was different. They sat us in a booth on the lower level this time. I didn't quite care for this. The booth had high sides on it so you couldn't see what was happening anywhere else. All we could basically see was what was happening right around our booth. It also seemed like the bottom level was alot busier than the upper level. There were always people walking past to enter or leave the reastaurant. It was harder for the characters to get around. All in all, it was alot more congested on the lower level. We didn't see the characters quite as much this time but I think it was due to where we were seated. The ice cream was just the same and just as good.

All in all, I think it is an excellent value especially considering you get to see the characters. It isn't very crowded at all. We all the thought the water tasted just fine. The kids did get cute little cups to keep also.

This is always a must on our list when we visit Epcot.

Beth