Henri’s Starlite Scoops Opening Later This Year at Give Kids the World Village (Photos, Video)

Hi everyone!

We were invited to Give Kids the World Village last week to view the progress on Henri’s Starlite Scoops, the new ice cream parlor that is scheduled to open in November. The former (and very popular) Ice Cream Palace closed many months ago and both Disney and Universal are creative partners for Henri’s Starlite Scoops, in addition to other partners shown below in the press release. I first volunteered at Give Kids the World around 2002 and so much has changed since then! Back in 2014, there was an “Extreme Village Makeover” that updated quite a bit – both housing and some of the venues, and more has been built or updated since then. Henri’s Starlite Scoops is named and themed in honor of Give Kids the World Village founder Henri Landwirth, who managed the Starlite Motel in Cocoa Beach early on in the space program. We have a video, some photos and then the press release below.

Photo credit: Give Kids the World

Henri’s Starlite Scoops is just a few months from opening! The former Ice Cream Palace is gone, and construction is partly done on the new location.

Here is our video of Give Kids the World CEO Pam Landwirth talking about Henri’s Starlite Scoops.

Here is more concept art from our preview of Henri’s Starlite Scoops.

Buena Vista Construction Company has a construction sign up.

Ice cream flavors will be cookies & cream (which by far is the most popular flavor), mint chocolate chip, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. There is also a new special sundae coming called Henri’s Strawberry Saucer Delight, which is a Krispy Kreme donut topped with strawberry ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry.

Pam Landwirth answered questions about the upcoming location, and talked about how ice cream ended up being served for breakfast as well as the rest of the day. “Ice cream for breakfast” is a big thing at Give Kids the World.

We were able to make our own sundaes as well during the event.

Here is the press release.

KISSIMMEE, FLA. (August 8, 2019) – Give Kids The World Village, the Kissimmee-based nonprofit that fulfills wish vacations for critically ill children and their families, is building a $2 million ice cream parlor slated to open in late 2019, called Henri’s Starlite Scoops.

The new parlor wouldn’t be possible without the help of twelve community partners and countless individual donors who contributed specifically to this space-themed venue. Henri’s Starlite Scoops will be a nod to Give Kids The World Founder, Henri Landwirth, who managed the Starlite Motel in Cocoa Beach during the Apollo era prior to founding the nonprofit resort.

“The entire building is designed with our guests’ needs in mind,” said Michael Bausman, project manager at Give Kids The World. “One accommodation we’re particularly excited about is our accessible ice cream chest freezers. The traditional ice cream chest is 34 inches in height, making it difficult for children in wheelchairs to see in to pick out their ice cream. We custom-built ours at 28 inches so everyone can choose their flavor.”

Wheelchair accessibility is key at Give Kids The World Village, and this new venue will be no different. The countertops, ice cream freezers, and the building’s open floorplan will allow those in wheelchairs to easily navigate the venue and enjoy its immersive theming. Families will see a 30-foot UFO on top of the building and when inside, they’ll look through the windows out into “space.”

The nonprofit has built a legacy on unlimited ice cream, dating back to the Village opening its gates in 1989. According to Pamela Landwirth, president and CEO of Give Kids The World, the latest venue will mark a new era for their ice cream tradition and magical moments for wish families.

“Unlimited ice cream is an important part of giving wish families a week of ‘yes’ where they can forget the worries of critical illness,” said Landwirth, president and CEO of Give Kids The World. “Henri’s Starlite Scoops is our next chapter and we’re so grateful to the partners who are helping us turn this page.”

Give Kids The World is still seeking donations for operational support and added experiences. To donate to this project visit www.gktw.org.

Participating Partners:

AECOM – Architect, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing

WDW – Original Design Concept

Universal Creative – Creative input

BVCC – General Contractor

Ardaman and Associates – Original surveys and NESHASP

WCCI – Estimator

Kern Studios – Flying saucer

Cemex – All block and concrete

Lo-Temp – Donated HVAC Install, Freezer and Install

Peninsular Engineering – Updated mechanical design for HVAC

American Panel of Ocala – Freezer

Trimark Gill Group – Food Service Equipment

Western Florida Lighting Inc. – Donated light fixtures