Is Disney Springs THE place to be these days in Disney World?! Between giant cookies, humongous donuts, tons of shops, awesome entertainment, and all kinds of new things to see and try, there’s certainly plenty to enjoy here — and all without a park ticket!
As if all of that wasn’t reason enough to stop by Disney Springs, a NEW ice cream shop is about to open in Disney World, and we were lucky enough to get a SNEAK PEEK!
It’s almost time to welcome Salt & Straw to Disney World! The shop officially opens tomorrow, April 20th, but we got a sneak peek today, April 19th!
This fun ice cream shop is known for creating unique flavors of ice cream made with local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. There is already a well-established Salt & Straw location in Downtown Disney in Disneyland, so we’re already pretty familiar with the shop’s delicious reputation.
The NEW Disney World Salt & Straw shop is located over in the West Side of Disney Springs, closer to the AMC. On the outside, you’ll spot the Salt & Straw sign and notice a waffle cone-type design all along the side.
Note that for now there are some white signs up on the doors, but those should be removed, so part of this area will look a little different when the ice cream shop officially opens on the 20th.
When you step inside, you’ll find a long counter, behind which all kinds of ice cream treats are waiting for you!
In terms of design and colors, there’s a lot of wood and brown colors throughout, making it feel a little like you’ve stepped right into an ice cream cone. YUM.
First look!
Salt and Straw officially opens its doors tomorrow at Disney Springs
Who’s excited for funky ice cream? #saltandstraw #hosted @saltandstraw pic.twitter.com/49iPyKCCYY
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 19, 2022
There are also pops of color here and there, and some inspirational signs we can totally get behind.
…classic flavors and last chance scoops (last chance scoops are flavors from previous months and this is essentially what has been left over)…
…as well as other specifics like waffles cones and sprinkles.
One of the big things about Salt & Straw is that they do have those limited edition flavors which change monthly. From ice cream flavors inspired by kids’ stories to TURKEY ice cream (themed to Thanksgiving, of course), there is a LOT to pick from as the seasons come and go (and lots of reasons to stop by again and again). These typically change on the first Friday of the month. Next month, Kim noted that flowers will be incorporated into the themes of the ice cream flavors because, as they say, April showers bring…May flowers!
There are about 12 flavors that they carry year-round though, and you’ll find that some of their flavors are more classic and traditional, while others are more “out there” — so there’s a little something for everyone.
A bit of background: Salt & Straw is a family-run business. Cousins Kim and Tyler Malek are actually the creators of this spot. During our time at Salt & Straw’s sneak peek tonight, we actually got to hear from Kim herself — the ice cream queen!
Kim shared that she had a dream to open an ice cream shop from WAYYYY back in the mid-90s, but she shelved it for a long time until about 2009, when she moved back to Portland. Kim noted that at the time her cousin Tyler was in China studying business and he came back due to a death in the family and started cooking to help people ease the pain. That then led Tyler to changing his dream to becoming a chef!
Kim was getting the company off the ground at that time and needed someone to help make ice cream, and the stars just aligned! Tyler started by making ice cream in Kim’s kitchen (while living in her basement!) and then a few years later was listed in Forbes’ 30 under 30 for changing the way people eat.
They started with one shop and then things just started to grow and grow! They shared that the city they’re in puts an imprint on their flavors and how they like to partner with local groups or individuals to collaborate and create some unique flavors.
Next, it was time for some SAMPLES!!! Get those stretchy pants on folks and get ready to feel those stomachs grumble. First up, we got to check out Chocolate Gooey Brownie, Sea Salt Caramel Ribbon, Coffee, and Cookie Dough.
For the chocolate gooey brownie, they actually make homemade brownies and a homemade marshmallow fluff to create a sort-of fudge-like situation. I’m sorry. I know we said it before. But can we just all say it together right now? YUMMMMMMMMMMMM.
They also explained how they met with a salt master, Mark Bitterman, owner of The Meadow, for the sea salt caramel ribbon flavor.
For the coffee ice cream, Salt & Straw has actually partnered with Panther Coffee, a coffee maker in Miami.
For Salt & Straw, ice cream is a platform for storytelling, and it really shows in the level of detail put into these flavors.
According to the folks we heard from at Salt & Straw, cookie dough is actually their most popular flavor!
Which of these would you most want to try?
First round of samples @saltandstraw
Chocolate Gooey Brownie
Sea Salt Caramel Ribbon
Coffee
Cookie Dough #saltandstraw #hosted pic.twitter.com/ib83GrbKbx— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 19, 2022
…Honey Lavender…
…Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper (which features no artificial flavors — instead they use an old Italian trick of dipping berries in balsamic with pepper to flavor them)…
…and the Salty Donut Guava and Cheese (for which they partnered with the Salty Donut donut shop).
There are so many flavors to try!
Next round of flavors @saltandstraw
Cinnamon Snickerdoodle
Honey Lavender
Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper
Salty Donut Guava + Cheese #saltandstraw #hosted pic.twitter.com/GA9NzFxEbH— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 19, 2022
Drum roll please!
Last but not least, the seasonal ice creams @saltandstraw
Arbequina Olive Oil
Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip
Bottomless Limes!
Adventurous LlamanautThese change out every four weeks!#saltandstraw #hosted pic.twitter.com/4Hg2Ye4t9K
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 19, 2022
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REVIEW: Uh, Does this NEW Spot Have the BEST Fries in Disney World?!
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The post PHOTOS & VIDEOS: Go INSIDE the New Salt & Straw Ice Cream Shop in Disney Springs! first appeared on the disney food blog.