Ghirardelli — Downtown Disney

Last week, I posted an article entitled “How I Write a Blog.” This week’s entry should be titled, “How I DON’T Write a Blog.” You see, life hit me with a few unexpected curve balls that ate up most of my week. Don’t worry. Everything is fine. However, these events put me a little behind in my blogging. So I rummaged through my old articles and found one from October, 2008. Hopefully, many of you haven’t already read it or if you have, don’t remember it. Unless some other unexpected events change my plans, I hope to be back next week with a blog about the Yacht & Beach Resort.

I used to live in San Francisco. My apartment was within easy walking distance of Ghirardelli Square. Occasionally, I would take the cable car home from work and stop by Ghirardelli for an ice cream cone before heading back to my apartment. Or walk over on a foggy Sunday morning for a steaming cup of hot chocolate. I have very pleasant memories of this place and this is definitely a “must see” location for tourists visiting The City.

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When I moved to Orlando I was happy that I wouldn’t have to go without these wonderful taste sensations, for located at Downtown Disney Marketplace is a branch store. Although not as extensive as their San Francisco site, you can still delight in their marvelous chocolate.

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But before we discuss this shop, we need to talk about pronunciation. It’s “Gear-ar-delly” NOT “Jeer-a-delly.” It’s a hard “G” NOT a soft “G.” Don’t believe me? Check out the sign on the side of their building. Many people have trouble with this name.

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The Ghirardelli building is divided into two sections, each with its own entrance. The smaller section is a shop that’s devoted to selling chocolate in all forms.

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A host or hostess is usually on hand to pass out samples. I always stop by, even when making a mad dash through the area, for a freebee.

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Ghirardelli is one of the few American manufacturers to oversee their chocolate making process from cocoa bean through to the finished product. They reject up to 40% of the beans they’re offered in order to assure that only the best are used in their product. They roast their beans in-house and remove the shells first to insure better temperature control. And finally, they grind their chocolate to 19 microns (a human hair is 100 microns in diameter) to ensure there is no grainy feel in their product.

Yum!

The larger half of the store is devoted to ice cream. Luscious ice cream. In my opinion, some of the best ice cream you’ll find anywhere.

This section was recently remodeled (2008) and I feel that the new arrangement facilitates better crowd control. Yes, there are still lines on a hot afternoon, but they seem move more quickly.

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Once you’ve ordered your Hot Fudge Sundae, Banana Split, or other tempting decadence, you are given a number to be placed on your table so your server can find you later.

When the weather is hot, the indoor seating area fills up quickly.

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Outdoors, you’ll find a covered seating area along the side of the building. When the weather is nice, this is an especially pleasant spot to sit and enjoy your dessert.

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The tables have also been redesigned to look like Ghirardelli chocolate wrappers.

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Additional seating is available across the promenade under Ghirardelli umbrellas.

Please remember to tip the host or hostess who brings you your ice cream. The way this entire operation is arranged, it’s easy to forget that these folks are serving you to some degree.

For more information about Ghirardelli, check out their web-site. You can order many of their products online.

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25 Replies to “Ghirardelli — Downtown Disney”

  1. Hey Jack,

    Your repeats are like left over Thanksgiving Food, even better the next time around! Thanks for the blog. I had not read this one so it was a great treat!

    “THE Disney Fanatic”

  2. Jack,

    I’d like to know how you were lucky enough to be there and snap pics in an empty store! I was there the same week. I went in to get a real coffee on Sunday 11/6 and it was JAMMED! Oh my! It is a wonderful place to visit, and I do each time I am there 🙂

    Jack’s Answer:

    I don’t like people in my pictures so I always arrive at opening (wherever I’m going) to take people-free photographs. Anyone can do it if they’re willing to get up and get going.

  3. Jack! For some reason I can’t find the blog you wrote on Liberty Tree Tavern pagers from a couple years back–I just wanted to let you know that we ate at Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch on Monday and didn’t receive a pager–we were called up with the old “Hear ye Hear ye” call!! Very excited to see they went back to doing this…

  4. Jack,

    What a wonderful article! All of your blogs are making me look so much more forward to our next disney trip in February when we will be taking our daughter for the first time! I can’t wait to take her to Ghirardelli and let her try the choclates and ice cream!! What a time it will be!!!

    Glad all is well with you and I am looking forward to your next blog about the Yacht & Beach Club!

    Mary

  5. Jack-
    I had grandparents in San Mateo, so every summer when I visited, we made the trip in to SFO. Gheriadelli was always MY favorite stop!
    Thanks for the blog!
    todd

  6. Thanks for covering this, it is my favourite place in Downtown Disney. I have friend who sends me Ghirardelli chocolate from time to time. This keeps me happy until I can get back there.

    I know on my next visit I will be stopping by for my freebie and to stock up for when I get home.

    Thanks for sharing Jack, interesting as usual!

    Take care

  7. Rumor has it the old Mision Tortilla factory at DCA is converting to Ghirardelli. I hope it will be set up in the same way the tortilla factory was, with free samples, that is.

  8. I’m so bummed that I’ve walked past this store and never stopped in! I’m a choco-holic too…what was I thinking?!!!!!! Next trip to disney I will be there for sure!

  9. All the times I’ve been lucky enough to visit WDW, I’ve never gone in to Ghirardelli! I’ll have to make a point to go next year. I’ll be in WDW for my honeymoon, and am looking to book the Beach Club. So I’ll be looking forward to your next blog, as always.

  10. Hi Jack,

    Repeats are always fine – what I remember most about reading this blog was finding out I was pronouncing the name wrong! This is a must do for us every trip. Since we are only a short boat ride away (we always stay at Riverside) it is always a treat we look forward to in DTD.

    Glad you are fine and I look forward to reading about Yacht and Beach club.

    Take care,
    Wendy

  11. Hi Jack!
    We never mind a rerun, when it’s one of your blogs! And I was shocked because either I missed this one the first time or have forgotten it because I LOVE Ghirardelli! I’ve bee to the one in San Francisco too, that one does have the best location and views. My favorite thing there is a chocolate milkshake, my husband knows when we are here we will be visiting the shop several times during our trip! We are at Disney right now and I have to admit I’ve already put a milkshake on my agenda for the day. Woohoo!!!!
    Wishing you a better week and some extra pixie dust **********
    Claire

  12. Yum,yum,yum! My husband and I are going to Disney in Jan. for our wedding anniversary. We have never been to Downtown Disney before, but Ghirardelli is now high on the list of things to do.

    Also, I love your blog and I read it all the time 🙂

  13. Ahhh, I cannot WAIT to read about the Yacht/Beach Clubs! YC is our Disney Home-Away-From-Home and I love reading different articles about Yacht/Beach.

    I remember always staying at Caribbean Beach–and loving every single minute–but wanting to stay at YC so bad. Finally we were able to and never looked back, thanks to AP rates.

    Can’t wait for your blog, thank you ahead of time!!

  14. It’s been too long since we have been to DTD. There have been several shop/restaurant changes that I am aware of. And I know they have done a lot of work with the park area, and Pleasure Island.

    Hopefully we can make it to DTD this summer.

  15. Hi Jack!
    Reruns are just fine! This place is a must do for my family. We normally visit in the summer and always go to DTD and this place is a MUST. I always sit across the promenade by the stage so we can watch Stitch up to no good!

  16. Jack,

    Thanks for the blog. I’m taking my family to Disney World over the holidays (Dec. 27-Jan. 1), and I’m wondering if you might suggest any other “under the radar” snack options during a day at the parks. I know how busy it will be during that week, so I’m hoping to find some pleasant ways to sit and relax when the lines and crowds become overwhelming.

    Thanks!

    Jack’s Answer:

    Unfortunately, you have picked the busiest week of the year to visit WDW. With the exception of some of the resort lounges mid-day, there are no “out of the way” places to escape during this time. Every facility will be stretched beyond capacity. This is a week I avoid. My only suggestion is to eat early (lunch between 11-11:30 and dinner 4-5). And make sure you have restaurant reservations. If you haven’t already made them, DO IT NOW.

  17. Jack,
    Maybe you should consider a run each week of one of your older blogs. A sort of “best of” if you know what I mean. There are so mnay great topics you have already covered and we always seem to enjoy them even if we have read them once before.

  18. I was in the San Francisco store 2 months ago and enjoyed the sample. They even open the top for you. I haven’t been in the WDW store in a long time and didn’t realize they also give out samples. Guess where I’ll be stopping by on my next visit? Thanks.

  19. Hi Jack, I love your blogs. They are always so good that a repeat is also a delight!! Keep up the great job. Thanks, Ava

  20. Hi Jack!!!
    Hope that everything is fine…

    Funny that you repeat this blog, specially when just a few days ago we were taking with my mom that of all the Downtown Disney restaurantes or “food stops” we must repeat Earl of Sandwich, and that we have never tried Ghirardelli, even if we want to try, because is always busy…this place has become in a karma, because for more that I want to try that what smell so yummy and sweet I never can =(

  21. Hi Jack! Glad everything in your life isok.I agree, repeats are fine here too. We are at 19 days and counting! I have to makea point to stop in there. Love ice cream but intolerant so I’ll have to NOT go to that side of the store for fear of breaking down and screaming “I want my ice cream”. Ok, it’s early and not enough sleep here but thanks again for the thoughts of chocolate.

  22. hey jack
    I had not yet read this blog so this was a real treat. My family and I always stop at Ghirardelli when we visit disney world and always come back home with a bag of chocolate that is if we do not eat all of it before we get home. can’t wait for your next blog and as always keep up the great work.

  23. Hi Jack! I totally remember reading this, but got just as much joy reading it a second time. Ghirardelli is a must on every trip to WDW. My husband and I almost always get a cafe mocha here. They are so rich and chocolatey, and the caffeine is a plus! This place not only has the best ice cream creations, but it also has the best coffee in Disney (besides the Kona blend at the Poly). Have a good day! 🙂

  24. Hi Jack,
    Great blog and I’m reading this at 7 AM so now
    I’m wanting chocolate! This is a stop we always make when we visit.
    Looking forward to your next blog on the Beach &Yacht Club.
    I hope you have a good week!

  25. Hey Jack,
    I don’t mind a rerun–not when it’s about chocolate. I’m so glad to know how to pronounce Ghirardelli! I was there on Labor Day Weekend and got to sample their pumpkin spice caramel squares. Fantastic!
    Diane