Disney Springs is known for restaurants, shopping and entertainment. It’s the perfect place to spend some time during your Walt Disney World vacation on a low-key, non-theme park day. My family usually visits on our arrival or departure day. We love checking out different restaurants and shops. Specifically, my kids like to visit the giant Disney store to pick out souvenirs. They also especially love Disney’s Candy Cauldron. And we can certainly all agree that Disney Springs is a great place to satisfy one’s sweet tooth. There are hundreds of dessert options available. With this in mind, let’s talk about some of the best locations offering sweet treats at Disney Springs. PS: We’ve also made a printable version of this list available here.
10. Vivoli il Gelato
The original Vivoli il Gelato opened in Florence Italy back in 1930. Their Disney Springs store is located in The Landing. They offer more than 20 flavors of authentic Italian gelato and sorbetto. They also have a custom-built bicycle cart in the Town Center that serves a more limited number of flavors.
9. Gideon’s Bakehouse
Gideon’s Bakehouse is known for its incredible made-from-scratch cookies. You’ll find Gideon’s Bakehouse in The Landing near Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (which is a seriously underrated Indiana Jones-themed bar that I highly recommend). But prepare to wait in line like it’s Black Friday to get into this popular shop. In addition to its famous “almost half-pound” cookies, Gideon’s serves cakes by the slice. They also offer a “Hot Cookie Hour” a couple of times each day where guests can enjoy their popular chocolate chip cookie served warm from the oven with a scoop of ice cream. Yum!
8. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC
Guests will find this allergy-friendly dessert mecca across from the Paddlefish restaurant in The Landing area of Disney Springs. Everything on the menu here is vegan-friendly. In fact, according to the Disney Springs website, “every single item is kosher and refined sugar-, gluten-, wheat-, soy-, dairy- and egg-free.” They serve individual treats like cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls and donuts. They also serve a variety of cakes by the slice.
7. Sunshine Churros
This kiosk is located in the Marketplace area near the amphitheater. They serve one of the most iconic and beloved Disney snacks with various flavor options. You can choose between traditional cinnamon, apple cinnamon, watermelon, fruity pebbles, salted caramel or rose gold. You can also have your churro dipped in Nutella or milk chocolate.
6. Salt & Straw
This ice cream shop is located on the West Side near the bowling alley Splitsville Luxury Lanes. Their menu is divided between seasonal and classic flavors of ice cream. They specialize in highly unique flavors that you won’t see anywhere else. For instance, have you ever seen Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper or Arbequina Olive Oil in the frozen section of your local supermarket? For those with less adventurous palates, they do offer more traditional flavors that have been elevated. These include Freckled Mint Chocolate Chip, Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Roasted Pineapple Coconut Sherbet.
5. Swirls on the Water
Dole Whip fans will certainly be able to satisfy their craving with a variety of desserts inspired by this classic Disney treat at Swirls on the Water. Located in the Marketplace area, their current specialty offering is the Dole Whip Sampler. This Pistachio and Purple Cheesecake soft serve is swirled with vanilla and also has pistachio nuts, a pineapple wedge, salted caramel soft serve and caramel pearls.
4. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew
You’ll find this donut shop in the West Side area of Disney Springs. Their menu includes both yeast and cake donuts with decadent toppings. Guests can also watch as these handcrafted donuts are prepared in the “working show kitchen”. Menu items include Peanut Butter Explosion and Maple Double Bacon. Lastly, don’t forget to wash it down with a cold brew.
3. Amorette’s Patisserie
This French bakery (whose name means “little love”) is located in the Town Center beside the Harley Davidson dealership. In addition to upscale pastries and cakes, they have a lunch and dinner menu featuring crepes and sandwiches. Their signature dessert is the Mickey Mousse. It’s an adorable dome of chocolate chiffon cake layered with chocolate and white chocolate mousse. And of course, it is decorated to look like Mickey, complete with a tiny little belt buckle and mouse ears.
Amorette’s Patisserie also offers full-size character cakes which can be ordered ahead of time for special celebrations. However, they typically have several of these masterpieces on display in the store.
2. Sprinkles
You’ll find this bright modern bakery in the Town Center area near the Pandora store. In addition to cupcakes, they serve cookies, brownies and ice cream. The menu includes signature favorites like the Salty Caramel Cupcake and the Dark Chocolate Cupcake. Additionally, several cupcake flavors are available with vegan, sugar-free, or gluten-free recipes. New seasonal cupcakes are rotated onto the menu each month. Sprinkles is also known for its cupcake ATM outside the shop.
1. Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
Ghirardelli is the place to be for chocolate and ice cream lovers. It’s located in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs across from the World of Disney store. They specialize in enormous shareable sundaes and specialty shakes in a variety of flavors. For example, we’re talking extreme banana splits and hot fudge sundaes with chocolate chip cookies and brownies. They also offer gourmet hot cocoas and customizable hot or frozen coffee drinks. You can order a Pumpkin Spice Latte at the right time of year.
Note that you can order from the Soda Fountain counter outside or from inside the shop. If you notice the Soda Fountain line is long, try ordering from inside the shop. We tried the Nob Hill Chill, a vanilla milkshake with a swirl of handmade hot fudge and topped with miniature chocolate chips.
Do you have a favorite dessert at Disney Springs? If so, let us know in the comments!
Sprinkles, lol….not even close to good, nor near the quality as Amorette’s.