World of Chocolate in Orlando, Florida
Do you love indulging in high quality chocolate? Are you interested in learning more about he history of chocolate? Do you love unique/oddball attractions? Are you looking for something fun to do on a “non theme park day” in Orlando? If so, you will definitely want to plan an hour or so on your itinerary for a visit to the World of Chocolate. Although it is not located in the tourist Disney or Universal areas, this museum/tour is a must do for any chocoholics out there.
The Chocolate Tour
Each tour is 45 minutes long and available on a a walk in basis, daily from 1pm-5pm on the hour. Along the tour, your guide will take you through the history of the cacao plant via several exhibits. You will get to see all the different tools which were used to make chocolate. A few of the historic pieces of equipment on display:
You might even learn a few new facts. For instance, did you know that white chocolate is not actually chocolate? No wonder we all prefer the real stuff! You may also be running to get your hands on some cacao nibs. Did you know that these minimally processed cacao beans offer tremendous health benefits? Basically, you get all the benefits of high quality dark chocolate without the added sugars and fats. I highly recommend picking up some to sprinkle in smoothies, trail mx, oatmeal, etc. for an extra antioxidant boost.
Near the end of your tour, you will arrive at a lovely room comprised entirely of chocolate statues modeled after various national & world landmarks. Here you will be mesmerized by more than 2 dozen statues made entirely of chocolate. Everything from the Eiffel tower, to the Statue of Liberty, to the Washington Monument are on display. All of these pieces truly are impressive and the amount of detail & effort that went into creating each one is truly impressive. Interestingly enough, the artists made these sculptures specially for this unique Orlando museum.
Chocolate Art!
Take a look at a few of the impressive sculptures on site
Take a look at these cool antique chocolate molds, also on display in the sculpture room.
Chocolate Tasting
And now on to the best part of all. You will get to test a handful of high quality chocolates and a small cup of hot cocoa. If you like any of the chocolates or cocoa, you will receive a 10% discount in the gift shop/café. These are no ordinary chocolates. Some are flavored with fruit or espresso, and they vary in cocoa content, from milk chocolate to rich, decadent dark. The darker, the better in my opinion!
The Chocolate Cafe
Any of the chocolates you sample during your tour are available for purchase in the gift shop. Even better, there are delicious truffles, pastries, hot chocolate & drinking chocolate, and decadent desserts. Take a seat in the cozy café and indulge on some chocolate deliciousness. Everything looks so tempting, it’s hard to choose just one treat. Relax with a regular or dark chocolate hot cocoa at the very least. If anything, it will get you out of the heat for a bit longer. Wine tastings available for 20 bucks. Also, you can save a few bucks by purchasing a museum + wine tasting combo.
Location, Tour times, & Pricing
World of Chocolate is located at: 11701 International Dr suite 400, Orlando, FL 32821. Parking is free.
The cafe is open from 12pm-6pm. The first tour begins at 1pm. Tours run every hour until 5pm. First come, first served. Tickets are $17 per adult and $13 per senior, child.
Tip: Look on Groupon for special discounts.
For more info on non theme park attractions in Orlando, check out my article on the 17 best things to do in Orlando besides theme parks.
