MEDIA RELEASE - GHIRARDELLI® CHOCOLATE COMPANY JOINS DISNEY'S EL CAPITAN THEATRE

GHIRARDELLI® CHOCOLATE COMPANY JOINS

DISNEY’s EL CAPITAN THEATRE

ON HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD

                                                                             

Grand Opening of New Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop

And all-new Disney Studio Store

Set For Friday, November 15

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. –September 15, 2013 – Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, America’s oldest operating chocolate manufacturer, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its newest soda fountain and chocolate shop on Friday, November 15th, joining The Walt Disney Studio’s El Capitan Theatre and Disney Studio Store on Hollywood Boulevard.  The shop—the first in Los Angeles—will give moviegoers, visitors and locals a chance to experience Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes, shakes, floats, and delicious assortment ofchocolates and beautifully wrapped gifts. Each guest will also enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli SQUARES® chocolate. The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and Disney Studio Store will be located next to the legendary El Capitan Theatre (6838 Hollywood Boulevard) and open seven days a week.

 “Ghirardelli Chocolate is honored to join The Walt Disney Company on Hollywood Boulevard to bring visitors and moviegoers an unforgettable experience,” said Marty Thompson, President and CEO of the Ghirardelli® Chocolate Company. “We have been bringing quality chocolate to the public for over 160 years, and this iconic location in the heart of Hollywood is the perfect place to continue the tradition.”

Ghirardelli Chocolate will partner with The Walt Disney Company to feature a specially created sundae treat for the opening of the new Disney animated movie “Frozen” this November.  In future months, Ghirardelli Chocolate will create original ice cream sundaes for select film releases, providing El Capitan moviegoers with a unique Ghirardelli experience. In continuing with this partnership, the new soda fountain and chocolate shop joins the existing Disney Studio Store which offers an assortment of classic Disney character souvenirs, merchandise from current film releases playing at El Capitan Theatre, highly sought after collectible pins, and a large selection of Blu-Ray and DVD home entertainment. 

“The El Capitan Theatre has always been about giving guests the ultimate entertainment experience. And now, with Ghirardelli, anextraordinary experience becomes even more unforgettable,” said Lylle Breier, senior vice president, Worldwide Special Events for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. “Families and movie lovers from all over can come to the El Capitan, see a great Disney movie, and enjoy a memorable, delicious after-movie treat. We’re thrilled to welcome Ghirardelli Chocolate to Hollywood, and to unveil our new Disney Studio Store. Ghirardelli chocolate and a Disney movie at the El Cap: How sweet it is!”

ABOUT THE GHIRARDELLI CHOCOLATE COMPANY

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products who recently celebrated 160 years of chocolate making. Incorporated in 1852, Ghirardelli has an incredibly rich American history.  As the country’s longest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer, Ghirardelli has established its position as America’s Premium Chocolate Company and one of few companies who control the entire bean to bar process.  Ghirardelli currently owns and operates 18 retail stores in five states, including the original Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop located in San Francisco’s historic Ghirardelli Square, and inside Disney’s California Adventure Park at Disneyland Resort.

Ghirardelli’s product line includes its signature SQUARES™ chocolate, Intense Dark™ chocolate, Gourmet Milk™ chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate and beverages.  These items are sold through select specialty stores, grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers and department stores.  In addition, Ghirardelli sells a line of premium chocolate, syrups and drinks for the Food Service channel. 

For more information about Ghirardelli, visit www.ghirardelli.com.

About El Capitan Theatre

Step into Hollywood’s glittering past at the legendary El Capitan Theatre, which made its debut on May 3, 1926 as Hollywood’s first home of Spoken Drama.  This grand theatre has been restored to its original elegance of Spanish Colonial exterior and boasts a colorful and lavish East Indian interior designed by renowned San Francisco architect G. Albert Lansburgh.  In 1941, Orsen Welles’ Academy Award® winning CITIZEN KANE made its World Premiere at the El Capitan.  As an exclusive first run theatre for Walt Disney Studios, today the El Capitan Theatre sets a new standard for World Premieres, live stage shows, Disney attractions, andother special events that have helped restore showmanship to Hollywood Boulevard.  For more information, visit www.elcapitantickets.com or call 1-800-DISNEY6.

 

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Now Open at Disney California Adventure Park

This morning, Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis and Disney California Adventure park Vice President Mary Niven joined Ernst Tanner, CEO, Lindt & Sprüngli AG, to officially open Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop at Disney California Adventure park. It was a sweet ceremony, complete with chocolate, sundaes, confetti and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse! Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly/MeM9fx

Check out the blog: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/disneyparks
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/disneyparksblog
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=disneyparks
Find more videos: http://www.youtube.com/disneyparks

First Look: Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop at Disney California Adventure Park

Will June 7th get here already?

Source: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/first-look-ghirardelli-soda-fountain-chocolate-shop-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

Ghirardelli is Coming to Disney California Adventure Park

Disneyland Resort today announced that Ghirardelli will open a new location inside Disney California Adventure park in late spring 2012. The soda fountain and chocolate shop will add yet another layer of traditional San Francisco flair to the Pacific Wharf area of the park.

“The addition of a world-renowned brand like Ghirardelli highlights our focus on providing quality, immersive experiences that transport our guests to a different place – in this case to San Francisco,” said Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure park. “With the culmination of our expansion only a few months away, it is an exciting time at Disney California Adventure and we look forward to partnering with Ghirardelli in bringing this delicious chocolate experience to our guests.”

The new location will feature Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and decadent chocolate products. Each guest will be able to enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli Squares® chocolate. The Disney California Adventure store follows the 13-year success of a similar location at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World.

“We are very excited to expand our successful relationship with Disney, particularly as we prepare to celebrate our 160th anniversary next year,” stated Martin Thompson, Ghirardelli president and CEO. “Our rich heritage, which began in California, combined with our premium brand of high-quality chocolate is a perfect fit with the quality experience Disney offers their guests.”

Ghirardelli joins Disney California Adventure as it completes an expansion that began in 2007. New attractions include the nighttime spectacular “World of Color” and a classic dark ride, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. The project’s culmination is the 12-acre Cars Land, which opens in summer 2012 along with the newly designed Buena Vista Street entrance to the park, the iconic Carthay Circle Theatre and the Red Car Trolley. The expansion builds upon the transformation of Disneyland Resort into the premier multi-day Southern California vacation destination.