Popular Ice Cream Chain Ample Hills Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

[UNCgolf]

Ice cream shops go with the theme of Boardwalk similar to NJ Boardwalks.

I know. I didn't say there shouldn't be ice cream there -- as I said, the old sweet shop had ice cream, milkshakes, etc.

My point was that Ample Hills looked like a modern day random ice cream shop, whereas the old sweet shop was themed to look more like something from the turn of the century. I'd prefer whatever replaces it have the theming that Ample Hills lacked. I certainly won't be holding my breath for that, though.

 

[JusticeDisney]

This news is beyond disappointing. That place has the best ice cream I have ever tasted.

 

[UNCgolf]

This news is beyond disappointing. That place has the best ice cream I have ever tasted.

Go to Vivoli Il Gelato next time you're at Disney Springs. It's much better than Ample Hills (of course, I think gelato tends to be better than ice cream in general).

 

[JusticeDisney]

Go to Vivoli Il Gelato next time you're at Disney Springs. It's much better than Ample Hills (of course, I think gelato tends to be better than ice cream in general).

I’m not really a gelato fan, but I will try it out. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[UNCgolf]

I’m not really a gelato fan, but I will try it out. Thanks for the recommendation!

If it's still there after this is all over, of course.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I know. I didn't say there shouldn't be ice cream there -- as I said, the old sweet shop had ice cream, milkshakes, etc.

My point was that Ample Hills looked like a modern day random ice cream shop, whereas the old sweet shop was themed to look more like something from the turn of the century. I'd prefer whatever replaces it have the theming that Ample Hills lacked. I certainly won't be holding my breath for that, though.

I know what you mean. it would be really nice to have a working taffy shop with the machines in the window or something like that.

That place has the best ice cream I have ever tasted.

If we all survive this (parks included) be sure get salt and straw on your next visit to California. I’m a huge fan of ice cream and they were my favorite before they opened up in Anaheim.

 

[DisneyJeff]

I wouldn't mind seeing a Goofy's Candy Co. shop in that location and include ice cream sales.

 

[MrPromey]

I wouldn't mind seeing a Goofy's Candy Co. shop in that location and include ice cream sales.

When this resort reopens, they need to get something in there because it looks awful with an empty storefront sitting there.

I know Disney likes the guaranteed income of a tenant but selling ice cream isn't rocket sciences - they already have the place across the water, and I think branding it as a Goofy's Candy Co. place and selling that candy which they arelready have along with ice cream would be pretty easy.

It doesn't feel like a stretch to put a taffy stretcher in there, in the front window - even if it's just for theme, either.

This seems like something they could quickly replace when a tenant is found.

 

[UNCgolf]

I'd rather it be Seashore Sweets again, because I'm not a fan of the Mickey & Co. branding on the Boardwalk. Anything that was actually themed properly would be an improvement, though.

 

[Horizons '83]

If they are going the 3rd party route again, I'd love a Jeni's. There is something about their ice cream that is just incredible. They have no presence in Orlando, although one shop down the road in Tampa.

 

[Flynnwriter]

Disney, pss here’s a secret... you design, open and run your own ice cream parlor. If you’re daring, try theming it to the resort. (Remember when you used to do that?). PS: Don’t hire the team who ruined Beaches & Cream.

 

[UNCgolf]

Disney, pss here’s a secret... you design, open and run your own ice cream parlor. If you’re daring, try theming it to the resort. (Remember when you used to do that?). PS: Don’t hire the team who ruined Beaches & Cream.

Exactly what I've been saying! Ample Hills may have had good ice cream, but the theming was non-existent. Please bring back a ice cream parlor/milkshake shop with boardwalk theming. It can be a candy/taffy store too, if you want.

 

[Jon81uk]

Disney, pss here’s a secret... you design, open and run your own ice cream parlor. If you’re daring, try theming it to the resort. (Remember when you used to do that?). PS: Don’t hire the team who ruined Beaches & Cream.

This comes back to a question being asked in the restaurant forum, what drives you to choose a restaurant.
You are arguing here that theme is most important, but they would probably then just serve the same generic ice cream that is available all over WDW.

I would argue good quality food is more important, so Ample Hills was better as it is better ice cream than what is served elsewhere at WDW. Some people would also go out of their way to get that higher quality product.

 

[UNCgolf]

This comes back to a question being asked in the restaurant forum, what drives you to choose a restaurant.
You are arguing here that theme is most important, but they would probably then just serve the same generic ice cream that is available all over WDW.

I would argue good quality food is more important, so Ample Hills was better as it is better ice cream than what is served elsewhere at WDW. Some people would also go out of their way to get that higher quality product.

Why not both? They could have had an Ample Hills location that was actually themed correctly for the area rather than the generic one that existed.

At Disney, theme is (or at least should be) a major component. That doesn't mean it should top food quality, but I don't want to feel like I'm walking into a random place at a strip mall when I'm there.

 

[rangerbob]

Disney, pss here’s a secret... you design, open and run your own ice cream parlor. If you’re daring, try theming it to the resort. (Remember when you used to do that?). PS: Don’t hire the team who ruined Beaches & Cream.

They only know how to bring in mediocre ice cream from other companies unless if I missed it. I don't know if they know how to make ice cream.

 

[Skywise]

Disney, pss here’s a secret... you design, open and run your own ice cream parlor. If you’re daring, try theming it to the resort. (Remember when you used to do that?). PS: Don’t hire the team who ruined Beaches & Cream.

They’ve ruined Beaches and Cream?!

 

[JusticeDisney]

Disney, pss here’s a secret... you design, open and run your own ice cream parlor. If you’re daring, try theming it to the resort. (Remember when you used to do that?). PS: Don’t hire the team who ruined Beaches & Cream.

How has Beaches and Cream been ruined, in your opinion?

 

[cmarten]

Interesting breakdown of what happened to Ample Hills

 

[UNCgolf]

How has Beaches and Cream been ruined, in your opinion?

I know this is an old post, but it's definitely been ruined.

It has no sense of place anymore. The only reason to go in there was the 1950s style diner theming; now the whole place just looks generic. I would not recommend anyone go there post refurb, and I certainly have no interest in going now. It's like if they gutted the Sci-Fi Drive In to remove the theme and just filled it with random tables and booths while serving the exact same food -- who in the world would want to go there?

It's honestly one of the worst refurbs Disney has ever done in terms of demolishing the appeal of the place. My assumption (because it's the only thing that makes sense) is that they simply didn't understand the reason it was a popular spot. It wasn't because people absolutely loved the ice cream and other food.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Interesting breakdown of what happened to Ample Hills