Ice Cream Social

[Robin's Mom]

Has anyone ever attended the Ice Cream Social at The Land in EPCOT?

There is nothing my family likes more than ice cream and I thought it would be a great way to beat the heat, get a mid-afternoon snack and see some characters.

 

[bengalbelle]

Has anyone ever attended the Ice Cream Social at The Land in EPCOT?

There is nothing my family likes more than ice cream and I thought it would be a great way to beat the heat, get a mid-afternoon snack and see some characters.

We have and it's wonderful, but I don't know when/if they're going to have it again. Someone posted on here a few days ago that Garden Grill is closed indefinately. I sure hope it's not true because we'd love to go back. Hopefully someone more "in the know" than me will be able to help you with that part.

BTW, the picture in my signature is from the Ice Cream Social.

 

[jenr812]

I've never been but was really hoping to go during our July trip. However, as the previous poster mentioned, it is closed indefinitely according to the CMs. I've talked to 4 different CMs while making my PSs for my trip and each one said the same thing

 

[Robin's Mom]

Boo Hoo - I was really looking forward to it.

Does anyone have any alernatives?

Going April 30th!!! Just in time for the Celebration!!

 

[SueEllen]

Last reopening I heard for the Garden Grill was early July.

The ice cream social was definitely not worth the cost in my opinion. Our character interaction was minimal (didn't even see 2 of them) and we felt rushed. The ice cream was way overpriced (it is in a cone with some sprinkles and gummy worms on the side) and it's attached to the plate on a chocolate chip cookie that is "glued" to the plate with chocolate. You cannot get the cookie off of the plate to eat it.

It definitely is one event that I will not go back to for the cost!
Sue Ellen

 

[gw_lit]

I too heard that the Garden Grill would re-open on July 7, but I haven't heard if the Ice Cream Social will be back at that point.

We had a completely different experience than SueEllen with the Ice Cream Social. We had the best character interaction there than we had with any of our other character meals (Breakfastosaurus, Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys). The ice cream was fairly pricey, but I think it was about par for the course when you consider Disney food prices. That being said it was only a couple dollars more per person than if you'd have a creation like that at a local ice cream shop, plus you get characters. (Well, we have characters locally... just not the same kind as Disney )

Ice Cream Social is still the character meal my kids talk about the most, that alone makes it worth it in my book!

 

[bengalbelle]

I too heard that the Garden Grill would re-open on July 7, but I haven't heard if the Ice Cream Social will be back at that point.

We had a completely different experience than SueEllen with the Ice Cream Social. We had the best character interaction there than we had with any of our other character meals (Breakfastosaurus, Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys). The ice cream was fairly pricey, but I think it was about par for the course when you consider Disney food prices. That being said it was only a couple dollars more per person than if you'd have a creation like that at a local ice cream shop, plus you get characters. (Well, we have characters locally... just not the same kind as Disney )

Ice Cream Social is still the character meal my kids talk about the most, that alone makes it worth it in my book!

Our experience was wonderful as well. We were there in early December so maybe the time of year has something to do with it.
I can't say it was the best character interaction we've ever had because we had a breakfast at 1900 Park Fare that was outstanding as far as character interaction. I will say it was way above average for us. We saw all of the characters (some multiple times) and we had a lot of interaction with Chip and Mickey. We told Chip that he was DS's favorite so he gave DS lots of attention. DS asked Mickey where Minnie was and Mickey sat down and wrote us notes on the paper placemat telling us Minnie was at Toontown and we could see her there in the afternoon (MK) parade. They all signed autographs and posed for multiple pictures.
We also loved the presentation of the ice cream. SueEllen's right about that cookie! That's the part DS wanted the most (well, besides the gummy worms). We had to pry it off with the knife, I think.

ETA: I really hope they bring this back, either at Garden Grill or another place. We'd really miss it if they didn't.
I can't think of anything that is comparable to it right now.

 

[jenr812]

I had originally heard the July 7th opening and was hoping against hope that it was true, since we'll be there July 2-8 but when I called to make the PS, that's what they told me SEveral others have reported the same thing. I'm still hoping, though, and will likely call 30 days out to try again *crossing fingers*

 

[patsal]

I had the same experience as Sueellen. For us Never again. Just not worth the money for so very little (both ice cream and character interaction).

 

[Chickkypoo]

We had a wonderful time in November when we went. There was tons of character interaction. Pretty much as soon as one character left, another one was there. We had a great time with Dale, he was stealing my boyfriend's sunglasses, and was playing with my sister's hair. It made for some great pictures. As for the ice cream, we found that there was too much, and we weren't able to finish it. I didn't find it to be that badly priced. It was around $45 for the 5 of us, (4 adults, 1 child) and that was with drinks. Believe me, the character interaction was worth the $. We'd definitely do this again in the future if it's available.