The Disneyland Book of Secrets 2014: One Local's Unauthorized, Rapturous and Indispensable Guide to the Happiest Places on Earth (183 page)

Dulce Aventura
was a welcome addition to
Pacfic Wharf
, but the tiny shop couldn’t compete with or even complement the
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
once that sugary haven opened to the north.  With
Ghirardelli
on the wharf,
Dulce Aventura
had outlived its purpose; its green-and-orange-striped curtains were closed for the final time in 2012.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain
and Chocolate Shop
(S)

[
FastView:
 
If you have a sweet tooth, you must visit this ice cream and chocolate shop.  You’re sure to find a unique candy or sundae or shake that you never knew existed—and now can’t live without!
]

In the brick building that formerly housed the
Mission Tortilla Factory
tour, the
Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop and Soda Fountain
opened in June 2012.  This was bad news for fans of
Mission Tortilla Factory
(how cool were those little holographs,
and
the free tortillas,
and
the scale that told you your weight in tortillas?)  But for those of us with a chocolate monkey on our back, it’s a dream come true.

The first thing you notice as you approach this handsome structure is the crowd.  When
Mission
anchored it, this corner was often quiet and deserted.  Now it’s surrounded by Guests–Guests in line to enter the shop, Guests reading the menu posted outside the entrance, Guests seated at tables with their families and friends, devouring sundaes and shakes.  Even late at night this is a hot spot, as crowds of Guests queue and eat under the cheery glow of the popcorn lights that spell
Ghirardelli
.

As a chocoholic,
the author was ecstatic when the shop opened, visiting it frequently during the summer’s sneak preview events, and visiting with friends and family members (also chocoholics) on return visits.  My 60-something mother visited
Disneyland Resort
for the first time ever in October 2012.  As I outlined a detailed itinerary that ended at
Ghirardelli
, my mother’s face fell.  “What’s wrong?” I asked.  “Can’t we
start
with a sundae?” she suggested hopefully.  So we
began
the day with sundaes at
Ghirardelli
, and it was one of the best breakfasts I’ve every enjoyed at the resort.

As the shop’s name
(
Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
) promises, expect plenty of whimsical chocolate and soda concoctions.  There are candies, floats, ice creams, sundaes, toppings, milk shakes, frappes, espresso beverages (many themed to San Francisco and the Gold Rush)–if you love chocolate and sweets, it’s sheer heaven. 
Ghirardelli
is known for its premium chocolate and high-end ingredients.  Of course, that means pricey wares–you could be paying up to $15 per person for a treat–so plan your budget for this indulgent event in advance, have kids or light eaters share the rich dishes, and remember to present your pass for a discount if you’re an
Annual Passholder
.

W
ith so many good things on the menu, it can be difficult to decide what you want.  A word to the wise:  The moment you enter the shop, you are faced by an army of cash registers, and even when it’s crowded (which is most of the time), lines move fast.  So decide what you want outside the shop,
before
you queue to order, or you’ll find yourself being asked to place your order when you have no idea what you want.

There
’s a large menu posted just outside the entrance, and helpful Cast Members can lend you paper menus.  (Unfortunately, you must return the menus to a Cast Member when finished; the menus, with their mouthwatering descriptions and full-color dessert photos, are not souvenirs.)

Some of the highlights: 
The Cable Car
($10) a rocky-road sundae; a
Chocolate Filled Croissant
($4.65);
Espresso Escape
($8.95) an espresso sundae with dark hot fudge;
The Gold Rush
($9.45) a peanut-butter-and-hot-fudge sundae;
The Midnight Reverie
($8.95) dark chocolate sundae madness;
The Quake Shake
($7 - $9);
Sea Salt Caramel Hot Chocolate
($4.25 - $5.45);
The Strike It Rich
($8.95) a butterscotch-and-hot-fudge sundae; and
The Treasure Island Warm Brownie Sundae
($9.45).

And there are sugar and waffle cones from $
4.25 to $6.55 with specialty ice cream flavors like
Black Cherry Vanilla
and
Strawberry Cheesecake
as well as traditional flavors.  Topping are $1, and range from the standard (
Chocolate Syrup
) to the retro (
Crushed Pineapple
) to the decadent (
Crystalized Ginger
or
Warm Peanut Butter
, e.g.).

Kids have their own menu: 
Kid’s S’More Sundae
($6.95) or
Single Scoop Cone or Cup
($3.95).  The children’s sundae and ice cream are served with rainbow sprinkles and goodie bag.

Ghirardelli
also sells
Specialty Coffee Drinks
, including
Cappuccinos
,
Caramel Lattes
,
Espresso Shots
, and
White Chocolate Mochas
, from $4.95 to $5.95.  Because what we all need, with all that sugar, is a chaser of deliciously sweet caffeine!

And in case you
still
don’t have enough chocolate to choose from to satisfy your cravings, there are cookies, brownies, dipped strawberries, and other assorted treats priced from $4 to $5 each.

Is there
anything
light or healthy(ish) on this chocoholics’ menu?  Yes.  Yes there is.  Light options include
Lemon Fizz
($5.95), a
Lemon Sorbet Shake
($7), and a
Lemon Sorbet Sundae
($9).

Once you know what you want, enter the shop, where a cheery CM will give you an individually wrapped square of chocolate (this
is
a souvenir–enjoy!).  Queue at a register and when it’s your turn, place your order.  You’ll be given the number of the pick-up window where your treats will be delivered.  Proceed to the marble counter with its etched glass, and wait in line at your designated window.

Here’s where things can get a bit slow.  For some reason, the resort excels at building beautiful restaurant environment
s with delicious food, but slow food prep and delivery.  Be prepared to be patient here.  The wait will be worth it (and how!).  And while you’re cooling your heels, feast your eyes on the shelves of candies in bright tins and shimmering wrappers, and the colorful, kinetic wall displays depicting the history of San Francisco and
Ghirardelli
.

Once you have your food and beverages, head outside where you’ll find the napkin/utensil/straw station to your left as you exit.  This area can be a bottleneck, and seating immediately surrounding
Ghirardelli
can be limited, so I suggest someone in your party snag and save a table while others are placing the orders, and someone else grabs napkins, spoons, and straws for the whole party.  Dividing these tasks gives everyone in your group something to do and makes the dining experience smoother.

Can’t find a table outside
Ghirardelli
?  Don’t despair.  Head past the napkin/utensil/straw station to
Pacific Wharf
’s main dining plaza, where you’ll find a sea of umbrella’d tables and chairs.  It’s a rare, unusually crowded day that you won’t find seating here.  Get your napkins ready–you’ll need them!–and dig into your delectable treat!

A few recommendations:  Decadent ice cream and chocolate make one thirsty, so order water with your treats. 
Complimentary cups of water are available.  Sundaes and frappes are usually large enough and rich enough to share–a possible penny-saver.  You can never, never,
never
have too many napkins.  And the
Nob Hill Chill
($7.95)–a blend of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and chocolate chips–is not only one of the most delicious offerings, it’s also one of the most reasonably priced!

Whether you start or end your resort visit at
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
, it will be one of your sweetest memories of
Disneyland
. 
Did You Know?
 
Ghirardelli
is an old-time San Francisco chocolate company that made it big over the years and went global.  Their full history is available at their “chocopedia”: 
http://ghirardelli.com/chocopedia/history.aspx
.  Their San Francisco pedigree makes them an appropriate as well as delicious addition to
DCA
’s
Pacific Wharf
district. 
Domingo Ghirardelli
’s original chocolate factory opened in San Francisco in 1852, during the golden age–literally–when so many San Francisco businesses launched successfully in the wake of the ’49 gold rush. 
Ghirardelli
also dealt with coffee and spices, but by 1900 had shifted its focus entirely to chocolate and (surprisingly) mustard.  Swiss company Lindt and Sprungli Chocolate acquired
Ghirardelli
98 years later, but even under foreign ownership,
Ghirardelli
and San Francisco remain almost synonymous;
Ghirardelli Square
is an official San Francisco landmark.  The famous
Ghirardelli
sign of
Ghirardelli Square
is echoed in the visual design of the
DCA
location.

Lucky Fortune Cookery
(L, D, S)

[
FastView:
 
Generous portions, good value, and plentiful seating.  Paper lanterns and neon lights enchant at night.
]

DCA
’s
Lucky Fortune Cookery
, the park’s sole Pacific Rim (Pan-Asian) restaurant, once occupied a picturesque wharf building in the southeast corner of
Pacific Wharf
, but was closed for years.  In June of 2009, the building finally re-opened, not as
Lucky Fortune Cookery
, but as the expanded and improved quarters of
Cocina Cucamonga
.

What
, then, was the fate of the seemingly unlucky
Lucky Fortune Cookery
?  It was moved across the
Pacific Wharf
courtyard to re-open in September of 2009 in the
Cocina
’s old digs.

Gone are the Mexican touches of the
Cocina
’s former space.  The building, which is adjacent to
Ghirardelli
(the former
Mission Tortilla Factory
), still looks like a refurbished fish cannery, including a faded sign advertising
Pescadero Brand Sardines
, but the eatery has been dressed with charming decorative elements, like colorful paper lanterns and a dragon motif.

California history is a tapestry of different cultures, and Asian immigrants have always contributed vital strands to California’s industry, transportation, art, architecture
, and cuisine.  It’s heartening to see California’s Asian traditions recognized once again in
DCA
, if only with a modest-sized
Pacific Wharf
eatery.

Guests queue at the counter to order.  Menu choices are limited
, but portions are large, tasty and filling. 
Asian Rice Bowls
are around $10 each and contain vegetables, steamed rice, and heaping servings of the meat and sauce of your choice.  Guests can select beef, chicken, or tofu for the protein, and
Mandarin Orange
,
Spicy Korean
,
Teriyaki
, or
Thai Coconut Curry
for the sauce.  Budget tip:  These bowls are big enough to be shared by kids or light eaters.

Just looking for a light snack? 
Edamame
, a chilled and salted soybean snack, is $3.19, and
Mango Slices
are $3.69.

Children can order the kid’s meal, a small serving of
Chicken and Brown Rice
with carrots, oranges, and beverage for $7.

Beverages offered are cocoa, coffee, juice, milk, soda,
tea, and water, priced from $2 to $3.50.  Adults of legal drinking age can order
Sapporo
, a Japanese beer, for around $6.50.  The Sapporo Brewery was launched in Sapporo, Japan in the late 1800’s by a Japanese brewer who’d been trained in German brewing techniques.  Sapporo is also known for being the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics. 
DCA
Guests can order up to two
Sapporo
’s each; a park-imposed limit on alcoholic beverage consumption keeps the
DCA
environment Guest-and-family-friendly.