September 2024
Take a photo tour around Epcot's latest treat location at the France Pavilion
16 ice cream and sorbet flavors and even a liquor shot can be had when the new L'Artisan des Glaces opens this summer
We really enjoyed our experience here in May! After dinner, we stopped for ice cream while waiting for Illuminations. The ice cream itself was delicious!!! Surprisingly good and much tastier than expected. However, I thought the prices were higher than I would have expected (even knowing we were going to be paying Disney prices!). We'll definitely go back though.
I grew up around the corner from a dairy, and we ate ice cream all year 'round. Over the years I think I tried every flavor. I often prefer ice cream to pastry, so when I saw that this shop was open, I made sure to go in and try it. The first time I went in, I asked the young man at the counter what he suggested. He said, "I am French, so I would have the profiterole." I had one scoop in a dish, and I thought it was good, but nothing to write home about. To me it tasted like very good Vanilla Fudge Swirl ice cream, with pieces of broken sugar cone in it. OK, next time I'll try something else, I thought. A few days later I went back, and tried the Caramel Fleur de Sel. OMG! It was absolutely wonderful! I was not on the dining plan, so yes, it was a little pricey. But it was only a little bit more than I pay at home. Everything in WDW costs a bit more than home, so I'm used to it. When I go back again, I will definately be going there!
Unfortunately L'Artisan des Glaces feels a bit like a money grabbing machine. It is high priced with small portion sizes, with only a slightly above average product. The ice cream is better than your typical WDW offering, but not at a premium level that you can find outside of WDW. It is a good option if you are not concerned about value, and it does offer the best ice cream in Epcot. As a local with other offsite options I would not return, but if I was a tourist I would check it out at least once.
I'm the resident ice cream aficionado and connoisseur in our family so when L'Artisan des Glaces opened we had to go in and give it a try. Gelato is different than ice cream in that it is contains more milk than cream, has little to no egg in it, and is churned slower so it contains less air and is creamier. Its also served at a higher temperature so its softer than your typical ice cream. The serve sorbet as well but we didn't give that a try. I had the profiterole flavor in a cone, it seemed very authentic, had a nice flavor, and had some bits of profiterole mixed in. As its gelato its very soft and melts quickly- a cup may be a better bet in the middle of the summer or for any little ones to avoid a big mess. I do however, feel that the cone is the better value since you get to eat it because both the cone and the cup are the same price. You have the choice of either one or two scoops. I feel that you get a quality product at L'Artisan des Glaces but it does come at a premium price. Its far better than Edy's or the soft serve at the African Outpost. As a local I can get better ice cream, custard or gelato elsewhere so I probably wouldn't bother going back or just stick with a Mickey bar. But if you're on vacation and want a decent gelato while in Epcot and aren't too concerned with the cost L'Artisan des Glaces is the place to go. So overall, it was good, tasted fresh but didn't blow my socks off.