REVIEW: Move Over Mickey Bar, We Know Where We’re Grabbing Ice Cream in Disney World

I’m a self-proclaimed ice cream expert. I’ve tried hundreds of different ice creams in my day and seek out both the classics that fill you with nostalgia and the unique ones that have me amazed that ice cream can even do that. I’m going to tell you the truth—is this ice cream special enough for the Disney World price tag?

We’re going to BoardWalk Ice Cream at the BoardWalk Inn Resort, only a few steps away from the International Gateway entrance at EPCOT, to see if you should leave the parks for the best ice cream. Will these sundaes be better than a classic Mickey bar? Come on, let’s find out!

Background

At BoardWalk Ice Cream, you’re going to find tons of ice cream and not much else, which we’re totally fine with. It’s a quick-service restaurant with no reservations needed and home to milkshakes, sundaes, cones, scoops, and other styles of ice cream. You can also grab bottled soda and water, but for savory options, you’ll want to head to other restaurants along the BoardWalk.

They have a few different ice cream flavors, including vanilla, strawberry, cookie ‘n cream, rainbow sherbet, chocolate, butter pecan, mint chocolate chip, and coffee. They also have no sugar-added vanilla and plant-based soy options of chocolate and vanilla.

Atmosphere

Here, you’re going to order at the counter, and while there isn’t any indoor seating, there are tables along the BoardWalk where you can sit and enjoy the water while diving into your ice cream. It’s close to EPCOT, so you can walk here from the International Gateway or Skyliner, even if you’re not staying at one of the resorts in this area.

Food & Drinks

First up, we had the Thundering Surf Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sundae for $9.29. This sundae is a Peanut Butter and Hot Fudge delight featuring Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Morsels, Whipped Cream, and Cherry.

We had the option to choose different ice cream flavors, but wanted it in its traditional version, so we stuck with vanilla, and we think it was the perfect choice. You’re really going to want to like peanut butter to order this because that is the predominant flavor. The ice cream is well covered in peanut butter and chocolate fudge, and there were even peanut butter morsels (aka my favorite thing I can only ever find at Disney World) and chocolate chips. It wasn’t super sweet like other desserts because of the peanut butter, and we think this is a solid choice for families to grab.

We also had the Bayside Brownie à la Mode for $7.29, which is a Brownie topped with Hot Fudge, Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, Chocolate Sprinkles, and a Cherry.

You have the option to choose different ice cream flavors, but we stuck with vanilla for a classic taste. Chocolate lovers will want to add this to their list! The brownie had a nice level of softness, and the ice cream melted on top to soak into the brownie. There was a bunch of toppings, including whipped cream and hot fudge, and we think the brownie was a decent size, too. Is this the wildest dessert we’ve ever had? Nope, but sometimes you need something you know you’ll love, and this is the treat to do that.

For another option, we went with the Cookies ‘n Cream Caramel Milk Shake for $6.49.

This milkshake tasted just like cookies and cream ice cream, but in pure milkshake mode! It was super smooth and creamy, but oh so messy. They definitely give you your money’s worth and pack it to the very top, but it was difficult to carry around due to the spilling. Add in the melting whipped cream — well, make sure you bring some napkins. While this made it all a little difficult to eat, the flavors were there, and it had an Oreo and a cherry on top. We think kids or those who like the classics would really enjoy this one.

Finally, we had the Cherry Limeade for $ 5.59, which included Amerena Cherry, Cold-pressed Lime Juice, and Sparkling Water.

This was totally different than other cherry limeades we’ve had! This was mostly sparkling soda with a cherry flavor, but a very light one. It wasn’t overpowering but was refreshing with a hint of sourness. It’s not your typical soda, and we think it’s a fun one to try out.

Magic or Tragic?

You NEED to visit BoardWalk Ice Cream if…

• • You’re looking for classic and traditional ice cream dishes that the whole family will enjoy
  • You prefer a more affordable and shareable dessert
  • You are staying at the BoardWalk or the hotels nearby, or have finished dinner at a BoardWalk restaurant, and want a sweet treat

You’re probably okay to skip if…

• • You want more unique desserts that you can only find at Disney World
  • You want a sit-down experience with options outside of just ice cream, so everyone in the family can order different desserts
  • You aren’t staying nearby and don’t want to leave EPCOT to get a treat you can likely get elsewhere

Overall, BoardWalk Ice Cream is a solid choice with traditional and familiar flavors that the whole family can enjoy. It’s not going to be out of this world and likely not something your family will talk about for months later, but there’s something so lovely about going into a classic ice cream store and knowing you’re going to enjoy what you order. Disney World can be great for experimenting with new foods that you’d never try at home, especially at an EPCOT festival, but when you’re tired of having something new every time, head here for nostalgic ice cream.

In the meantime, while I’m planning my next ice cream adventure, make sure you keep following AllEars for more!

REVIEW: I’M BEGGING YOU TO TRY THIS MAGIC KINGDOM TREAT. TRUST ME.

Have you ever been to BoardWalk Ice Cream? Tell us about your experience in the comments. 

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