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Florida and Chocolate: The Odd Couple!

Florida and chocolate seem like the most unlikely couple. In fact, this strange duo seems more like an oxymoron! After all, Florida is known for its hot (and oftentimes humid) weather… the absolute worst thing for chocolate delicacies! On more than one occasion I’ve encountered a big messy blob when chocolate was accidentally left in my car, even for a short amount of time. Once, my beloved homemade chocolate Easter eggs were ruined after melting in the Florida heat.

So what in the world were the creators of the Chocolate Museum and Cafe thinking when they opened their doors in Orlando Florida? That was my first thought when I realized this place existed in The City Beautiful. But as illogical and contradictory as it sounds, after visiting and touring the Chocolate Museum it all makes perfect sense. Come along as I review this unique Florida experience.

Hubby and I were staying at our Marriott villa in Orlando for the week with our grandson. (Side note: If you have kids and have never been to Marriott Harbour Lake, you must check it out!) Since we’re local, we go to the Orlando Marriott Vacation Club Resorts every chance we get, usually 3-4 times a year. One tradition we have is taking our grandson, Apollo, to the villa every year the week before school starts. And since we’ve already been to the Disney theme parks countless times when he was smaller, we’re always looking for new little day-trips or outings for him to enjoy.

It was a typical Central Florida day in August… high 90s, quite humid, with a big chance of afternoon thunderstorms! That left us searching for something cool and refreshing to do, and definitely indoors. Someone had recently told us about the Chocolate Museum, and since it was mere minutes from the villa, we decided to give it a go.

The Chocolate Museum and Cafe is located at 11701 International Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida. Visit their website at wocorlando.com for hours of operation, ticket prices, cafe menu, private events, etc.

Chocolate Museum Guided Tour

We arrived at noon, right when they were opening (Hours: Everyday 12 noon – 6 pm; Last tour 5:00) and had the place to ourselves. Apollo the chocoholic was immediately drawn to the display case with all the chocolate goodies. Within seconds, he gave the place two thumbs up! We hadn’t even toured or tasted anything yet, but he was a happy camper.

We purchased the guided tour along with a custom candy bar for Apollo. (Customize your bar by choosing milk, white, or dark chocolate; Select 3 mix-ins; Add a personalized name.)

Since this was a spur-of-the-moment visit for us, we didn’t research any discounted ticket options. I’ve since learned that Groupon offers discounted deals. Always check them out before you go. The deals vary, but they almost always offer the guided tour and chocolate tasting for around $12, in comparison to the full price of $19/adult. It’s a nice little savings, especially if you have multiple family members. (Children 3 and under are free.) Here’s the Groupon deals for the World of Chocolate Museum, as of this writing. (*7,900 satisfied customers rating them 4.7 stars on Groupon.)

The guided tour was an immersive journey into the fascinating world of chocolate. If chocolate can come to life, this is the place it happens! We discovered the rich history, intricate processes, and various flavors that make chocolate such a global sensation. The tour began with a video presentation (bench seating provided) that did a deep dive into the origin and history of cacao – all the way from the bean to the bar!

The video was followed by a hands-on walking tour through various vignettes illustrating exactly what the video taught. We got to see some antique equipment and learned the techniques used in chocolate making. One of several highlights was the chocolate art – 25 chocolate sculptures of famous landmarks from around the world. We also enjoyed tasting various types of chocolate during the tour. Each one had a different quality and flavor. One special moment for Apollo was playing the marshmallow slingshot game!

Chocolate Museum Gets Two Thumbs Up!

The tour truly was as educational as it was indulgent! This one-of-a-kind tour will impress any authentic chocolate connoisseur, but the tour guides make it fun enough for little curious minds as well. In my opinion, it’s a great choice for any kindergarten-aged child or older. Children under 5 may find it somewhat boring, as the tour lasts 45-60 minutes, most of it standing. (Tours begin at the top of every hour, from 12-5pm.) For older adults, or anyone with mobility issues, a small foldable chair may be offered upon request.

Hubby and I were pleasantly surprised with the quality of this tour. As Florida residents for nearly 25 years we love discovering little gems like this one. Oftentimes we have visiting family or friends that prefer not to do the Orlando theme parks. The Chocolate Museum and Cafe definitely gets our vote as a really fun and delicious diversion from the typical crowded Orlando attractions.

The chocolate tour is perfect for a rainy afternoon, hiding from the Florida heat and humidity, filling in extra time before heading to the airport, or even school class trips for local Floridians. Additionally, if you’re part of a larger group, private tours are available by special request. And what would be better for an afternoon date than a chocolate and wine pairing experience? I was so impressed with this little tour that it’s now included in my list of Unique Gift Ideas for Florida Residents! Like my grandson, I highly recommend it and give the Chocolate Museum and Cafe two thumbs up!

6 Tips for First-time Visitors

• Go early when it’s less busy
• Check Groupon for discounted tickets
• Have a panini or light lunch before leaving (Cafe Menu)
• Stop in for some chocolates, gourmet coffee drinks, pastries, gelato, etc. even if not taking the tour (complimentary WiFi)
• Wine Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 4:00-6:00
• Please be courteous and generously tip your tour guide!

Please let us know in the comments if you’ve been to the Chocolate Museum & Cafe in Orlando. Also, we’d love to know about your favorite finds in the Central Florida area, outside of the iconic theme parks!