Ice Cream Social????

[callaghan]

I love this board.
What?Where?When?Who(characters)?How(much)? I think I read about this in the Unofficial book, but I just lent it to a friend so she can decide which hotel she will be staying at for the FTP?
Any and all information is greatly appreciated. Thank you .
callie

 

[GlennandAnn]

Hi Callaghan- welcome to the DIS. The ice cream social takes place at the Garden Grill in Epcot. It is limited as far as time, I think it's between 2-3:30 in the afternoon. You have to make PS. You get to interact with Chip and Dale, Mickey, Pluto (that's all I remember right now) and take as many pictures as you want. The characters seem less rushed at the ice cream social than they do at some of the character meals. The ice cream is really good. It's a sundae, but prepared in a gourmet way with all kinds of chocolate curliques, different types of cookies, etc. We went with our then 2 y/o DS about 2 years ago and really enjoyed ourselves. We're going again with 4 y/o and 7 mo/old DS's in June. Hope this helps!

Ann

 

[diathoney]

We love the ice cream social! I totally agree with GlennandAnn that the characters are less rushed - they'll "play" with you a lot more. Dale tried to revive my DD'd "coonskin" cap she bought in Canada. It was hilarious. Chip flossed his teeth with her hair tie. They were just hanging out with us.

The ices cream sundaes are great and large. It's vanilla ice cream decorated. The kids seem to get a waffle cone on top and the adults get a more "adult" looking sundae, but the ingredients are similar. My kids did get gummy worms one time. I would recommend a priority seating.

 

[mkutch]

This sounds great!! Just out of curiousity how much $$ is it?

 

[patsal]

You should have a PS, they seat about 3:15 and 3:30, it costs $6.99 per person plus tax and tip, beverages are extra. We went in July 2002 and thought it was the biggest rip-off ever. We seem to be in the minority here, but the waitstaff is busy serving lunch, the characters were busy interacting withthe lunch patrons, and no lie, the ice cream we got was like one scoop of vanilla ice cream. Although the waffle cones were attractive they were not over $40.00 attractive--I'll take the kids to Beaches and Cream for a snack on Epcot day ( a short walk from the International Gateway) so I'll be sure the ice cream is good.

 

[diathoney]

I agree that $6.99 for a sundae is steep - but I think most food items at WDW are expensive. I don't remember there being a lot of people in the Garden Grill either time we went, but it may have been the time of year. We're FL Res. and don't usually go over the summer (too hot!). We did get sodas, but I don't think we paid extra for them. Our sundaes were big too. I don't think any of us finished them. We were there in 2001, maybe they've changed (I hope not!)?

Has anyone else been recently?

 

[DizC1288]

We were there in Jan 03. It was us with 2-15 year olds and a young couple in the whole resturant! The characters just keep coming around and being very playful with the 15 y/o girls!

I think if you just paying for 1 or 2 ice creams...its not so bad. But when you are paying more then that...it is expensive...but good!!

Will I go back again...probley...it was a nice, quite, relaxing hour that we were there

Good Luck deciding
Cyndi

 

[msdisney53]

We did the Ice Cream Social in April and I was terribly disappointed. We waited for awhile before the waitress even acknowledged our presence. The ice cream was so so and the character interaction was taking place at other tables(lunch patrons) but not ours. I would skip this one. Beaches and Cream is a MUCH better choice.

 

[jimmiej]

done this twice-excellent both times. character interaction was better than character meals.