Fans of the Gold Rush Peanut Butter Sundae at Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop in Downtown Disney Orlando (and fans of peanut butter in general — like me!), take note: Ghirardelli is no longer using peanut butter as an ingredient in any of their ice cream sundaes and chocolates, or as a choice for ice cream toppings.
Why the sudden change? Well, in actuality, it’s not so sudden.
You see, the Ghirardelli facilities began taking steps toward going peanut-free in 2013 in order to become more allergy-friendly for guests with allergy concerns. However, this didn’t affect the in-house sundaes, like the popular Gold Rush (vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, melted peanut butter, and whipped cream) until now, with their removal from the menus in Disney World over the recent weeks. (Please note this update: Disneyland guests can get the Gold Rush Sundae on the west coast — Cast Members there have confirmed that it is the only location where it is still available).
Guests who have allergies — as well as parents of those who have them — may find it helpful to know that, at this time, some products are still made with tree nuts, and
Cast Members can assist with further information.
While unconnected, this change corresponds with the roll out of the allergy-friendly menus at more than 100 restaurants in Disney World and Disneyland, in an attempt to make dining away from home less-stressful for those with food allergies and intolerances.
So while I’ll definitely miss my Gold Rush, I can understand. And for all you diehard peanut butter fans (have I mentioned myself?), don’t forget: there’s always the No Way Jose at Beaches & Cream and the All-American Sundae at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor to keep us more than happy :).
What do you think of the discontinuation of peanut butter use at Ghirardelli? Please let us know with a comment!
Sarah says
Disney is a place that caters to children and making the park safer for any number of them should be their priority over safisfying people’s sweet tooth. If you want a park to cater to sweet lovers, go to hershey park not disney
Danielle says
I started crying bc I’m so so so thankful!!!!
My sweet son has never been able to eat ice cream at an ice cream shop bc of cross contamination!!!
I’m saddened by the negative posts here.
Jeni says
This is great news! While I am a nonpracticing peanut butter lover, it can kill my daughter. (To the person who misunderstood the study regarding peanuts, I would just like to clarify that they can and do cause frequent hospitalizations for those who are allergic. The study was not in any way suggesting those with life threatening food allergies now start to eat them!)
Anywho…eliminating one of the most deadly allergens in it’s rather dangerous and sticky form at a location where residue can spread everywhere is certainly another step towards magic in my book.
Yes, I miss Reeses, but the life of my child or ANYONE’S child and any other adult with an allergy for that matter, far outweighs that absence.
Richard says
It doesn’t bother me either way but I do have a question for all of the complainers…
Are you just complaining here are have you also let Disney and Ghirardelli know your unhappy?
Think about it, how can the fix something if no one tells them they don’t like the change. Oh, and if you do please don’t go off on any wild rants, that will lessen the value of your argument.
James Hayes says
One — ONE — ice cream shop in both Disneyland and WDW have announced that they will not be serving peanut products and people are acting like it’s the end of the world, crying about political correctness, etc.
The daily average attendance at Disneyland is 40,000 people. If you assume that peanut allergies affect only 1% of the population, that means everyday there are 400 people in the park with allergies. Let’s assume only 1/2 of those have a life-threatening peanut allergy. That’s 200 people. Let’s assume half of those are children, that’s 100 children to whom eating a sundae made in restaurant that has peanuts is a potentially life-threatening proposition. This means they will now have one safe location where they can get an ice cream treat without placing themselves at significantly increased risk for exposure to a substance that could kill them or make them seriously ill. In other words they can safely experience some of the same joy everyone else is at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
And the trade off? Some people will have to go to a different stand or restaurant in the park to get peanuts or peanut butter with their sundae.
That may not seem like a lot to some people, but for those 100 kids PER DAY (want to calculate how many per year) and their parents, friends and families this is a big deal.
So stop your belly-aching.
Anna says
“Of course the same goes for gluten but Disney is also joining the “health” fad train by making everything gluten even though it doesn’t do anything for the 99.5% of the rest of us.”
Tim, how ignorant. As someone with a sister who has Celiac disease, gluten-free food is NOT a fad. Celiac disease is an auto-immune disorder that is tested for genetically. While some people CHOOSE to eat a gluten-free diet, for some, it’s absolutely a medical requirement. When someone with Celiac eats gluten, their body literally attacks their own intestines. This leads to all sorts of serious health issues. It’s not something to be so apathetic about. Disney is improving their services to offer gluten-free OPTIONS. they aren’t taking away the many options you are blessed to be able to eat without issue.
Kim says
I am so happy they have done this. I never knew how effected a person could be just from peanuts being in the room until I developed an allergy last year at 51 years old. Yep ate peanut butter all of my life. Sad to be allergic but nice to know I won’t have to worry while on vacation. Well except my allergy is to all nuts….sad but I’ll have to be careful still.
Shannon says
Just had the Gold Rush at DCA yesterday! So glad I got one more in before the change!
Kristin says
Yay wonderful news!!!!!!!!
Dee says
Some of these comments make me wonder if people think that food allergic people demanded this change? Honestly, who cares? This isn’t a place I would go with an allergic child anyway. Like we want to take something away out of spite. To be honest I’m not even sure if the ice cream alone is safe for nut allergies so it may not be a big boon to allergic people.
Also, taking peanut butter out of a restaurant does not mean that we are at risk of limiting exposure to these foods for the non allergic and therefor adding to problem. This country is obsessed with peanut butter. It is everywhere. Ridiculous.
It would be nice to have safe cupcakes for those with peanut/tree nut allergies too. The cupcake bakery at Disney is not safe for all allergies as the flour they use is labeled for may contain nut products.
Meliss says
That is WONDERFUL NEWS ! Who people like me who suffer with peanut allergies.
Snowy says
Well thank you Disney. Since the Gold Rush was my favorite dessert to get, now I won’t have to stop by Ghirardelli spend money and gain weight. Sorry for people with food allergies.
Sally-Ann says
I don’t have life threatening allergies and love peanut butter and by preference don’t like chocolate or fudge sauce. BUT I am glad Ghiradellis’ have removed it. It must be so scary to be a parent of a child with allergies and to be constantly checking if things are safe to eat. So good on them and I will switch to toffee and butterscotch sauces and not even miss PB.
Madeline says
I think this is great! It creates a safe environment where a child with severe allergies can enjoy a treat they may not have ever gotten the chance to. There’s always the No Way Jose at Beaches n’ Cream! Those acting like they are being deprived should be thankful that they haven’t had to deal with the stress of having a severe nut allergy and hop on over to one of the many shops that sell a peanut butter ice cream!
Fiona says
I am very excited to hear that Ghiradelli is discontinuing the use of peanut products at Disneyland and Disneyworld. I am hoping tree nut products are next to be discontinued. My daughter has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy and it breaks my heart every time we are in the parks and there is not one sweet candy, ice cream, chocolate, cookie, cake -( not even the corn dogs are safe for her) that my daughter can purchase to enjoy and that means neither can our other daughter or myself or husband for fear of cross contamination!! She sees everyone enjoys sweet treats and she looks so sad in the Happiest place on Earth! Thank you Ghiradelli for your thoughtfulness !
Jenn says
We are planning our first Disney trip with our kids,to include one who has a life threatening allergy to peanuts. I choked up reading this. I would never expect that from any place that served food, so this is just touching to read. Kudos to being proactive in protecting those with allergies.
Oscar says
Kudos to Ghirardelli and kudos to Disney for being supportive of those with food allergies!
Part of this is economics… businesses are in business to make money; businesses need to consider what will grow their customer base. If each peanut-allergic person can safely be a customer, then it follows that each will likely bring not just one customer (themselves) but many more (their families and friends) to the restaurant. The U.S. has quite a large, growing segment of the population with peanut allergy; lots of them are kids, and lots of families go to the Disney parks… just connect the economic dots and you’ve got it.
I am not saying Ghirardelli and Disney are only concerned with making money. I am sure there are many with both businesses who hate the idea that certain foods, while typically beneficial to health, can accidentally harm or kill someone. This decision is likely a combination of both economics and love toward humankind.
Paula says
Sad for the peanut lovers, but so many places are starting to become peanut-free. Unless a person knows exactly where each ingredient is sourced from or that manufacturing lines and facilities do not switch/cross lines, I really don’t think there is a way of knowing exactly if an item is peanut-free in a public place. Ghirardelli must be making all their items on-site or coming in from one of their other sites that is peanut-free.
But I’m not sure how you can control the rest of the DL and WDW population who may have eaten peanuts prior to going to the park or had peanuts at another restaurant or have some peanuts in their bag or purse they’ve eaten and now decide to walk into Ghirardelli to eat and now are transferring from their hands onto a table or anywhere else in the park for that matter.
Christine Clifford says
Hooray for Ghiradelli and Disney!!!!! Yes, yes, to all you peanut lovers whose rights to a fabulous sundae have been trampled upon in the cruelest of ways. I understand the agony of not getting peanut butter or peanuts or ANY of your favorite foods to it because it isn’t available to you. I truly enjoy hot fudge and peanut butter sundaes and I will miss them.
BUT, it is important to note that any of one of us can suddenly develop a deathly food allergy to ANY food product. It happens ALL the time. Here is a typical scenario.
Take the family out to dinner, order the your child’s favorite meal, your child takes a bite and BAM —your previously healthy child is going anaphylactic and needs to be rushed to the hospital in order to save his or her life. That is how most people find out that they have a food allergy, initially through ingestion and then after the allergic reaction, a trip to the allergist and extensive allergy testing.
Disney is filled with children, most of whom are considered allergy free, that is good. Unfortunately, ALL have the potential to become allergic to something. Peanut allergy is very common and can be deadly. The rate of food allergies in children is unfortunately rising rapidly. I have identical twin sons, one is deadly allergic to peanut the other is allergic but not as severe. What a joy to bring them to the same restaurant and get a safe dessert!!!!!!
Ps. Disney and Ghiradelli “thank you”!
Lizzie Reynolds says
Awesome!!!
Kelly says
Bravo to Ghirardelli!!!! What a Huge relief. Well done in keeping all safe through inclusion rather than exclusion. Terrific news and great decision.
Paula says
Sorry this is stupid, yes its tough for the less than 10% affected but someone has already asked for pine nuts to be removed how many many more allergies are going to demand to be accomadated?
Angela says
My daughter is severely allergic to several fruits and has had anaphylaxis twice. I wonder will they get rid of all those next? I never thought to make a business cater to my child, instead opting for teaching her to avoid things that may be a potential risk and to always, ALWAYS ask questions about food if she was ever in doubt. I never wanted her to feel “safe” just because someone said they were xxxfree.
Amanda says
So so thankful to have one ice-cream shop in Disneyland and WDW to safely order sundaes as a family with our peanut allergic son. Ice cream shops are one of those really exciting experiences for kids and adults so it always made me a little sad that we couldn’t feel safe to experience that before, not just at Disney but anywhere. The anger that people are expressing about losing one ingredient in one ice cream shop goes to show how much people love this type of experience. It is a shame they can’t feel happy that many children who always have to miss out can now experience another one of life’s little pleasures. Thanks so much Disney and Ghirardelli! You have made the happiest place on earth that much happier for our family.
Mike says
I was just there yesterday and one of the supervisors there informed me that even though they no longer have the peanut butter topping, there is no guarantee at cross contamination due to the fact that the ice cream isn’t made in house. He said if we did have an allergy, he would recommend us not eating there. If that’s the case, it’s too bad they don’t keep the peanut butter topping around for those who still want to enjoy it. If there’s no guarantee, I won’t risk my son’s life so may as well let others enjoy!
Phil says
Anyone who complains they can’t have their Pb sundae now is a selfish nut. See what I did there? Your life won’t end if you don’t get peanut butter you selfish nutbars.
Dani says
As someone with complicated allergies, as well as someone with a sister who has a severe, life-threatening airborne nut allergy, I think this is welcome news. I do wish such a prominent and appealing ice cream-based location would also consider offering any sort of non-sorbet dairy free options, as dairy allergies and intolerances are just as common as nut allergies. It would be really nice to have soy/almond/coconut choices.
And, just a thought, it probably would also go over better with the general public if the peanut products were replaced with something similar, like a seed butter. It’s a barely noticeable difference and wouldn’t be alienating the people who just legitimately don’t understand how difficult it is for people with allergies.
(I understand that the people who run this blog don’t actually have any say, but maybe the powers that be might come across this and put it into consideration)
Jakl says
If they are banning harmful items then I also think they should not stop at peanuts. I am allergic to cigarette smoke. They need to ban it all together from the park. There is no avoiding it because not only are most smoking spots just off to the side of the pathway, many do not follow the rules and smoke anywhere they want. Second hand smoke harms everyone! Sarah commented that Disney is for kids and should be safe for all. What is more toxic then cigarette smoke.
alejandra says
Thank goodness…. we are planning a trip this summer and we will defintely eat there…my son will be estatic
Angela says
Amazing! We are taking my 4 year old peanut allergic son to Disney for the first time in a few weeks. I can’t believe there will be a safe place for him to have ice cream (he can never go to ice cream shops be the risk of cross contamination is too high)…. Thank you to Ghiradelli and Disney for this – you rock!!
Nicholas says
It’s so nice to see another company inconvenience the majority of their guests because of a problem faced by a minority. I’m sorry if you have a peanut allergy, that sucks, why is everyone else’s responsibility to make sure you or your child doesn’t eat something that they’re allergic to? It’s also interesting how the US is the only country in the world that is experiencing this peanut allergy “epidemic” while most other countries consider our reaction to it as “hysteria.” Are these kids going to go through their whole lives assuming that everyone around them is going to cater to their allergy? It’s going to be a harsh reality check when they eventually grow up and realize that their peanut allergy is their problem, not everyone else’s.
Tiffany says
I am so thrilled about this news. Disney World has always been a safe place for us to go, but my 7 year old has never, ever, ever gotten to go to an ice cream shop. Thus never have his brothers. What a special vacation it will be for us next time. I’m in tears right now. I love peanut butter too, but we can’t even have it in our home. I’m sorry this is so terrible for some of you, but you can go just about anywhere else and get peanut butter on a Sunday at anytime. I have no proof of this, but I have a feeling someone in ownership of these shops probably has a child with a peanut allergy. This will be a once in a lifetime treat for hundreds of children everyday!! So excited for my boys!!!!
Tiffany says
Dear Nicholas,
Do you think we WANT our son to have a DEADLY allergy to a product that is Everywhere. No it isn’t the worse thing in the world to have -there are children dying of cancer and starving all over the world right now, but he literally could and probably would DIE if he ate a peanut. We are used to it and deal with it daily. Our son doesn’t feel sorry for himself and is completly used to not getting to have cake at parties and not getting to attend things that put him in harms way. We never expect people to cater to him, but we can not do many normal everyday things that people enjoy. I’m not complaining, we have a wonderfully blessed life. But I want you to understand that we don’t desire this for our child. I would, in a second cut off my arm, if it would take this away from him. This one tiny shop in two places in the US are the only ice cream shops I’ve ever heard of to do this. I really think you will survive without your precious peanut butter and you probably can go to at least 20 other places on Disney property and get peanut butter on ice cream. I do hope that because of his allergy and other things that we work on daily to instill into our sons that they know they are not the only people on earth and that giving up one thing for another’s happiness is a joy and honor to do. I hope and pray that a lack of peanut butter on occasion is your only problem and that your children, friends children, or your future children never require you to live without something that is obviously so important to you. And just FYI we already worry about the future enough and have no idea how he’ll handle college, jobs, etc especially because people such as yourself seem to need to have peanuts at the ready at all times and could never give it up for even the time it takes to eat an ice cream. One day why don’t you go buy the shop and watch and see a child eating an ice cream sunday for the first time and they joy on their parents faces and see if you still feel the same way.
One more thing. Our allergist (who is Asian), as well as ourselves are completely and utterly perplexed as to why so many children have this allergy now. We don’t understand either. But it’s there and there is no denying it. Not understanding the reason for it doesn’t make it any less real!!!
Dan says
Wow, this thread exploded since I posted the other day.
To all of those complaining about “catering to 1% of people with allergies” and making other callous comments, please note:
At Disney, probably over 95% of the sweet treats are unsafe for people with nut allergies. Most desserts and breads are made using shared bakery facilities, and many of the ice cream treats have cross contamination warnings.
For me, as a 39 year old guy with a nut allergy, it doesn’t bother me much because I don’t need the sweets. But for a child, immersed in the magic of Disney, it would much harder to see all of the delicious treats everywhere, knowing that they cannot have one.
So please, try to remember that you have an entire resort full of bakeries, ice cream parlors, candy stores and restaurants from which you can enjoy tasty treats. Let the peanut allergic kids have something to enjoy as well.
Kim says
I have a peanut allergy so i think it’s great that there won’t be a cross-contamination of peanut products in my ice cream. How severe one’s allergy to peanuts is different. I never had a problem with eating foods made in the same place where there are peanuts. As long as my food doesn’t touch it directly I’m okay.
I guess as an alternative, Ghiradelli could have have peanuts/ pb in a separate package that guests could add themselves, eliminating cross-contamination by the employees and in the kitchen.
Or just have a separate kitchen for allergies.
Gabby says
Two of my son’s and I have wheat, peanut, & tree nut allergies so this is absolutely wonderful to hear!!
April says
Anytime peanuts or pb are removed from a public place it makes me happy. This is not about having a safe ice cream parlor(because there’s still no way I would take my anaphylactic to peanuts and some tree nuts food allergy kiddo there) but rather about eliminating the risk of cross contamination in some small way. To all the haters: you can still cram as much pb down your mouth as you want to at anytime of the day. I don’t understand why many people can’t place your own selfish desires aside and consider others before yourself. Try to place yourself in the shoes of a parent with a child who has life threatening food allergies. Every surface is potentially contaminated, we constantly wipe down rides, tables, chairs, seats at movies, ect… We usually never eat out and we are on the phone constantly with food manufacturers making sure the I gradients we purchase are safe. Just think about how much your life would change for your child. Now does it seem like an inconvenience for ONE place to stop serving peanuts? Everyone just calm down. Think about the greater good here. That sundae is not going to be life changing for you, but eliminating that sundae from the park will be one less contamination for those of us allergy Moms who never let our guard down and sleep with one eye open!
Trish says
There are many other shops that do carry peanut products so no harm in ONE changing to peanut free. That’s totally reasonable. However, I hope this isn’t the start of a full on food allergy scare at Disney. Gluten-free free. Ug. Considering the fact only very very few are truly allergic to gluten, I’d hate to see Disney jump on the gluten free bandwagon. FYI pasta isn’t the only thing with gluten! (beer)
DeeDee says
So, so happy to hear this news. Was at Disney World last year and went in there, just on the off chance I might find some type of nut-free product, but no luck (wasn’t really surprised). My daughter is highly allergic to peanuts and we avoid tree nuts, as they are generally cross-contaminated. Can’t wait to return and check it out. Thank you GhIrardelli and Disney.
SK says
Disney is AWESOME with allergies! That is why we go. Thank you Disney!!
donna says
Wow I am shocked at some of the comments here. Why do some people not understand that this is a life threatening for children with allergies. My daughter does have many allergies and we have always told her if she cant see the label then she cant eat it.
She never throws a fit and she understands that it is bad news for her to eat foods with nuts. She does not expect the world to be peanut free or nut free. She does not expect others to cater to her.
She is happy when a place is nut free and so am I. I can breathe as she eats.
Be thankful if you do not have allergies, be understanding to those that do.
Cat says
Peanut products removed from Ghiradelli ; will Peanut Butter and other Peanut products be removed from Disney Parks altogether ? Will they remove things like Peanut Butter Sandwich treat found in and around the parks, for example? Thanks!
AJ says
Cat — Remember that Ghirardelli is a completely separate company from Disney, so their actions don’t tie into what Disney’s choices will be. 🙂
Cat says
Thanks, AJ:
I was just thinking that Disney might be more connected because of the Allergy menus being announced and released in park restaurants. I don’t have a nut allergy, but I can pass it on to those I know who do, and I’ll just wait and see what else Disney says and does to release further information. Thanks, again!
MomtoMase says
Wonderful news! I am without words! To all the haters… haters gonna hate! Children with deadly food allergies DO NOT expect hand outs or people to cater to them. It is quite the opposite, they trust no one, they worry about any food they eat outside their home, they feel isolated at school… this is just ONE place that will be a treat for these kiddos!
Did you ever see the look on a child’s face when the waiter asks if there will be desert and the parents say, “No thank you?” Disney has such beautiful desserts and they are so appealing. But to a child with a peanut allergy, they are torture…. now we can say, “Let’s go Downtown for some ice cream.” THANK YOU!!!
Teri says
THANK YOU Ghirardelli and Disney!! Our 16-year-old son is ecstatic he can now eat at Ghirardelli! We’ve had 30+ visits in which we go from one kiosk or fast food place to another with no desserts what-so-ever that are safe for him. Now there’s one delicious place with many choices to make him happy! We’ll be visiting every single trip!
For those throwing a fit — “How about showing a bit of personal responsibility…” — my son has to do this EVERY SINGLE DAY of his ENTIRE life, just to remain alive.
“Stop punishing the rest of us because of a extreme minority” “Why should we have to suffer because of a minority…” — How is taking away peanuts from 1 of 100+ different places punishing you? Causing you to suffer? Really?!? You can’t get mangos there, or avocados, or a bowl of cereal. Is that punishment too?
Someone who likes peanuts has hundreds, no, probably thousands, of dessert choices at Disney. And it’s wrong/overkill/absurd because Ghirardelli wants to make a slight menu alteration to accommodate peanut allergy sufferers? It’s not overkill — it’s called excellent, and progressive, customer service. Bravo! Can’t wait for our next visit!
Nicholas says
“To all the haters… haters gonna hate! Children with deadly food allergies DO NOT expect hand outs or people to cater to them.”
It’s convenient then that people and businesses are doing just that… catering to them.
“She is happy when a place is nut free and so am I. I can breathe as she eats.” & “…my son has to do this EVERY SINGLE DAY of his ENTIRE life, just to remain alive.”
Hyperbole much?
Where does this kind of trend stop? Should Disney, or other companies, remove all sugar products because of diabetes? Or does that particular issue fall within the realm of self-responsibility. I’m sorry your kids have a “deadly” allergy. I’m also sorry that we live in a world of over diagnosis and over reaction that border on mass psychogenic illness. It’s amazing how countless generations survived on this planet eating peanuts when it’s become such a deadly epidemic. “Epidemic” being a generous word, sort of like how Ebola was epidemic last year.
Diana Edgar says
My son has a peanut allergy and he has never had ice cream in a shop. He’ll be so excited to be able to go in and have an ice cream!
Christine says
The removal of peanut butter may be a moot point because the menu still contains a peanut warning.
Now for my demands. I have lived my entire life with a anaphylactic life threatening shellfish allergy. I would like shellfish removed from all menus and all Red Lobsters closed because I’m tired of avoiding it on my own. I should be able to walk safely in the world without being confronted with my deadly enemy on almost every restaurant menu. My life has been a living hell.
I was diagnosed as a young child and I’ve never known the joy of a clam bake or a lobster roll. I’ve never had a cheddar bay biscuit. Just thinking of this deprivation makes me want to plunge off a bridge into the abyss. Why? Why? Why? I should have known I could’ve just demanded society accommodate my needs. I’m sure people will be fine giving up their crab legs and their oysters and calamari. Peanut Butter has always been there for me though. Oh, wait, it’s not going to be there.
Emma Trasatti says
As someone with allergies, I am very happy about this change. What some people fail to realize is that people with allergies are not asking that peanuts be completely removed from the park, this is just a small step in the right direction to accomodate the increasing number of people with peanut allergies. If there is one ice cream shop in WDW that is peanut-free, it will not kill you to live without your sundae. You have the ability and the option to go elsewear, whereas for the thousands of kids with allergies, this may be their only option. As someone who avoids stores completely because of my allergy, it is nice to have ONE place that I know will be okay, and for the kids who come to this magical place to be able to enjoy a special treat that they most likely have to avoid at all times.