Walt Disney World has an overabundant amount of great rides, attractions, and of course dining options to choose from when visiting the parks and resorts. Depending on how you like to plan your dining, you have a lot of choices to make about where and when you like to eat your meals. For all of those in-between times, or if you prefer to pick up quick bites throughout the day, snacks will be your best bet. The food inside Disney World is, in a word, AWESOME. Even though most people think that EPCOT is the “food” park in Disney, you can find incredible snacking everywhere. Whether you are grabbing a simple soft serve ice cream in the Magic Kingdom to noshing on some sticky ribs at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs, we will lay out the best snacks at Disney World.
The 5 Best Snacks At Disney World
If you have read any of our other “best of” articles, you know that we love snacks. So writing an article about the best Walt Disney World snacks is one that we could not pass up. However, trying to narrow down “the best snacks” for the entire Walt Disney World Resort is not an easy task, and, of course, everyone’s taste and value preferences are very different. The great thing about Disney World is that many of their best snacks can be found all over the Resort, not just in one park. In this article, let’s look at our top 5 “must-have” Disney snacks (and a few honorable mentions). So, without further adieu, here are our top selections for best snacks in all of Walt Disney World.
Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
Do you like fresh Chocolate Chip Cookies? Do you love delicious Edy’s Ice Cream? If the answer to those questions is YES (and even if it isn’t) you need to run to the Plaza Ice Cream Shop inside the Magic Kingdom and order a Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich. Located at the end of Main St. USA, the Plaza Ice Cream Shop provides guests with the most delicious ice cream in the Magic Kingdom. This sweet and delectable treat is HUGE. Start with two fresh chocolate chip cookies and smash your choice of ice cream in between them and you have a winner. It is big enough to share, but believe me, you won’t want to. We like to enjoy this treat at the end of the night while watching Happily Ever After. It is the perfect end to what is always the perfect day in Magic Kingdom.
Dole Whip
Another Magic Kingdom staple, the Dole Whip is number two on our list of must have snacks. This pineapple flavored, non-dairy soft serve can be found at Aloha Isle in the Adventureland area of Magic Kingdom. Outside of a couple of snack items listed below, the Dole Whip could be the most iconic treat in all of Disney World. They make tee shirts specifically showcasing this cup of pineapple goodness. And not only can you get the Dole Whip in a cup by itself, you can get it as a float with pineapple juice, but also on top of pineapple upside down cake. So, if you are in the mood for pineapple, head over to Aloha Isle and get your fill. Also, if you do not happen to be in the Magic Kingdom, you can find Dole Whip at the Polynesian Resort and at times, in select locations at the other Disney World theme parks.
The Mickey Pretzel
As we mentioned before, Disney is well known for a couple of very beloved snack items that guests of all ages will enjoy while visiting the parks. Another of these items is the Mickey Pretzel. This soft, dinner-plate-sized pretzel is easily one of the most popular snacks in the parks. Along with the accompanying cheese sauce, the Mickey pretzel can stand alone as a one-person snack, or be shared among multiple people in your group. Outside of its fabulous taste, another perk to the Mickey Pretzel is that it is available in many locations throughout each park. So, no matter where you are, most snack carts throughout the parks carry the pretzels and they are always warm and ready to serve.
If you are looking for a more “grown-up” pretzel, be sure to check out the Bavarian Pretzel at the Baseline Tap House in Disney’s Hollywood Studios or the GIANT pretzel in the food cart within the Germany pavilion in EPCOT. They both go great with any of the brews and beverages offered.
Popcorn in a Souvenir Bucket
One of the most loved Disney World snacks, Disney Street Cart Popcorn is greatly sought after by guests in every Disney Park. The salty, buttery flavored snack is favored by most everyone as a staple item to have while walking around and enjoying all that Disney has to offer. It is an easily portable snack that is highly addictive. We are not always popcorn eaters, but when it comes to Disney popcorn, there is just something that makes you want to eat more and more. I think it might be pixie dust!!
If you love popcorn and enjoy eating it at the parks, here are some tips to get the best value for your popcorn dollar during your stay. When you arrive at your first Disney Park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios), purchase a Souvenir Bucket of popcorn early in the day ($10.00 cost). Refills for the popcorn are only $2.00 each time you fill up your bucket. The amount of popcorn that you receive each time is a great snack to share with other members of your group or family. The popcorn buckets can then be taken from park to park, with refills remaining at the $2.00 price point. Using the souvenir bucket can be cost-effective and provide a cheaper way for you to enjoy more snacks in the parks. You can use a snack credit for refills if you like, but you might want to save those credits for other more expensive treats you come across later. Also, Disney comes out with “specialty” popcorn buckets all of the time. These popcorn buckets are generally more expensive (around $25), but they provide not only a vessel for the delicious popcorn, but a great souvenir to take home after your trip.
Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar
Ice Cream in the park is a great choice for a cool treat, especially in Florida. At Walt Disney World, the Mickey Premium Bar has become one of the most iconic Disney World snacks for children (and adults) of all ages. There really is something about the chocolate coating on the extra creamy vanilla ice cream that has guests continuously coming back for this treat at every visit. Disney began selling the novelties in grocery stores, but guests and fans know that the premium bars sold in the parks are bigger, and taste even better while strolling one of the parks. If you like ice cream, a Mickey Premium Bar is a must try snack on every visit to Disney. Get a Mickey Premium Bar at the cart right outside of the Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT and watch the nighttime spectacular. A “premium” way to end the day
While we are on the subject, for great ice cream elsewhere in Disney World, you can visit “Beaches and Cream” at Disney’s Beach Club Resort or the “Ample Hills Creamery” at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, right outside of EPCOT’s International Gateway. Both of these places have an incredible selection of ice cream treats to choose from, “Ample Hills” specializing in cones or dishes of hand-dipped flavors and “Beaches and Cream” noted for their famous Kitchen Sink sundae.
Honorable Mention
Grey Stuff
This cookies and cream flavored whipped treat is served only during dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant inside the Magic Kingdom. So, if you believe the dishes, head over to Be Our Guest and get some Grey Stuff!
Cinnamon Roll
Cinnamon Rolls are offered just about everywhere around Disney. It is another staple Disney World food item. It is, however, served in a few shapes and sizes, and not all are created equal. Our favorite is from Gaston’s Tavern in the Fantasyland section of Magic Kingdom. Getting one warm with that creamy icing is a great way to start the day.
Nutella Waffle
How this didn’t make the top 5, I just don’t know. Maybe because it is more of a meal than a snack. The folks over at Sleepy Hollow at the entrance to Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom have come up with a flavor combination that is among the top out of all Disney Food. Get ready for this – a warm, freshly cooked waffle is smeared with gooey, creamy Nutella and then topped with a combo of banana, strawberry, and blueberry (to make it healthy, ya know). Another snack that is easily shareable, but after one bite you will be fending everyone off with your fork, as you will want each and every bit for yourself.
Funnel Cake
This treat, more well known as being fair food, can be found all over Disney. For an extra special treat, try the funnel cake with ice cream and chocolate sauce from the funnel cake booth in the American Pavilion in EPCOT.
Conclusion
As you can see, Disney World food is good, and overall, there are many different options for snacks throughout the resort. Whether you are in Disney Springs, Hollywood Studios, the Polynesian Resort or EPCOT, be sure to check out the kiosks and carts as you pass by them on your way to each ride and attraction. There are also a lot of hidden gems that Disney likes to offer that may not be as noticeable but are definitely worth checking out if you have the opportunity.
If you liked this article, be sure to check out our other blogs including our Best Tips For Your First Trip To Disney World, Ultimate Disney World Packing List or Best Stroller For Disney World Options. Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media and check out the Capture The Magic podcast network.
