Looking for the best Disney snacks? If you want something salty, or sweet, or just an extravagant treat, I’ve got you covered!
I’ve talked about my love for Disney before, albeit in slightly rambling, pseudo-philosophical terms. Today, I return with tremendous news! Aaron and I have renewed our Walt Disney World annual passholder memberships. As we both received the COVID-19 vaccination a few weeks ago, and noticed the lessening of state (and national) restrictions, we began to feel that desire to return to the parks. A well-timed TikTok later and I was on the phone with customer service, delicately asking if we could renew our passes after letting them lapse last year during the pandemic.
Cut to a month later, and we received word that all systems are go! This morning, we returned to Disney Springs to reactivate our Magic Bands, in addition to general exploration and a stop for breakfast. Coincidentally enough, last night Disney announced that they would be dropping a majority of their mask requirements. As of this morning you can walk around maskless outdoors! Standing in line for and getting on rides requires a mask, as does standing on any indoor line, regardless of location within the park, but outside of that, you are free to move about the cabin!
Aaron and I went to Everglazed Donuts prior to heading to the Annual Passholder office, and hooo boy! Did we have something special. Everglazed is a new restaurant on the Disney Springs property, at which you can get both classic and elaborate flavors of donuts, coffees, specialty sandwiches, and more. It made me think of all the best snacks you can get at Disney World, and I thought I’d share what I’ve found in the past… four years, give or take, as an Annual Passholder. Grab a napkin… and your camera!
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Mickey Pretzel, all Disney locations.
You can’t go wrong with a soft pretzel in general, this is true. Salty, decently sized, and comes with a cheesy dipping sauce. You can skip the cheese sauce for a vegan snack as you traipse through the parks! If you’re on a weight loss journey, MyFitnessPal (a CiCo app) allows you to track a Mickey Pretzel. Not bad!
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Classic Poutine, Refreshment Port, EPCOT.
Oh, Canada! It’s cheese, fries, and a gravy sauce. Need I say more? If you’re strolling through the Canada section of EPCOT, head to the Refreshment Port, where you can get an ample sized serving of this Canadian classic. You can share with a friend… or keep it all to yourself. You’re going to want to keep it all to yourself. The poutine at Disney Springs (served at The Daily Poutine) is pretty delectable, too!
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Dole Whip, select parks and resorts.
I feel like this one is kind of sweeping the nation! Dole Whip became a topic of conversation in the past year. It’s pineapple soft serve! Creamy, citrusy, and it’s made with fruit so it’s practically just salad, right? You can also spike it with rum in certain places, if you’re feeling a little spicy! I believe that you can enjoy ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, slushies, really ALL frozen desserts any time of year, regardless of the temperature.
That said, there’s nothing like Dole Whip on a blazing hot day in Animal Kingdom. This treat is available in Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and occasionally EPCOT. You can also get it at the Polynesian Resort, Typhoon Lagoon, and the Boardwalk Resort, among others, but Animal Kingdom (Tamu Tamu Refreshments) and Magic Kingdom (Aloha Isle Refreshments) are guaranteed Dole Whip providers, 365 days a year! Side note: get the straight pineapple Dole Whip (no vanilla soft serve added) to keep this one dairy and cruelty free. -
Cinnamon Bun, Animal Kingdom.
I’ve gone to Animal Kingdom first thing in the morning just to get this bad boy for breakfast. At the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery, you can get a Mickey-shaped cinnamon bun the size of your head. It’s sweet, satisfying, and makes for a good level up to keep you on a sugar high as you power through a wait in the Safari queue and the undoubtedly long wait for Flight of Passage, the game-changing Pandora experience inspired by “Avatar.”
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Bubble Milk Tea, EPCOT.
You know you have a hit on your hands when you take it out of the seasonal pop-ups and put it in the year-round booth. My first experience with Boba Tea was in high school, when I was in the mood for ice cream but my friends wanted to get Boba first. I tried a sip of theirs and didn’t understand the hype. However, years later, I understood the hype.
I would eagerly look forward to the seasonal festivals at EPCOT, just so I could go to the China booth and get the Boba! However, last year I realized that two festivals had passed without Boba being at the China pavilion. What gives? Turns out, you can get it year-round at the Joy of Tea! This is great if you’re new to Boba, like I was. I like a good Taro bubble tea, but the peach flavored Black Milk Tea here is my favorite flavor so far. -
Mickey Ice Cream Bar… Everywhere?
Listen listen listen listen. Of all the best Disney snacks, I always come back to this one. This guy is a classic. Vanilla ice cream, covered in a chocolate shell, shaped like the mouse himself. Boxes of Mickey ice cream bars are also available in certain regional grocery stores, so you may even be able to enjoy this treat if your nearest Disney Park is beyond the laughing sky, second star to the right and straight on ’til morning.
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The Kitchen Sink, Erin McKenna’s.
Something that Disney has made great strides on is expanding their menus to suit different allergy and dietary preferences. I think one of their best steps is adding Erin Mckenna’s Bakery to their shops at Disney Springs. This place makes treats that are all gluten free AND dairy free. You can get cookies, whoopie pies, cake slices, whole cakes, donuts, brownies, and even ice cream, on occasion!
The variety here is vast. Their primary focus is on the sweet stuff, but they also offer breads and bagels. Their focaccia pizza is QUITE good. However, this is Disney, where we go hard or go home, and since you’re always at home at Disney, you have no choice but to go hard. The Kitchen Sink, as the eponymous expression implies, consists of a coffee cup filled to the brim with all the treats the staff can fit. Maybe you’ll get ten donuts. Maybe you’ll get two donuts, three brownies, and pineapple upside-down cake. It truly depends on the day! Grab one and astound passerbys as you enjoy a cruelty free mountain of baked goods. It’s fun! -
Lefou’s Brew, Magic Kingdom.
Disney sees you, Universal Studios, and your Harry Potter butterbeer, and raises you Lefou’s Brew. In a newer section of Fantasyland, you can visit Gaston’s Tavern and enjoy this frozen treat. Where butterbeer has cream soda, Lefou’s Brew has apple juice. It’s vegan and diabetic friendly (no sugar added! You could never tell!). In other words, you can bring the whole family and sing a tune about how great you are in the massive chair dedicated to the bad guy himself.
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Blue Milk, Hollywood Studios.
Did you not get time to go to Tosche Station to get some new power converters? Drown your sorrows in some blue milk! This is a Star Wars reference. Galaxy’s Edge offers those traveling from far, far away (or, you know, like forty minutes away) the chance to try this blink-and-you-miss drink seen in Episode 4 and Episode 8. It’s sweet, creamy and a little fruity. In addition, yup, you guessed it, it’s gluten free and vegan! Get it in classic blue or green. May the force be with you, rebel scum!
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Gideon’s Bakehouse, Disney Springs.
Okay, you got me, this is a snack shoppe, not a specific snack. Just give me a minute! Considering Disney is one of the biggest corporations in the world (if not the biggest… :sounds of a Hamburglar in the distance:), it’s pretty cool that Disney Springs gives room for local vendors to expand their audience. Gideon’s Bakehouse started out with a single storefront in 2016, serving up massive chocolate chip cookies and cake slices. As a result of their out-the-door line on a regular basis status, they recently opened a second location on the Disney property!
It only opened a few months ago but it’s quickly becoming a favorite, with lines up to seven hours long just to get a cookie! I’ve only been once, but I must recommend the original chocolate chip cookie and the cookies and cream. They serve a peanut butter cold-brew coffee that is to die for, too! In addition, they also have seasonal flavors, like orange pecan, cherry and cayenne, and coconut white chocolate! Don’t miss out on this new favorite.
This list just scratches the surface of the yummy deliciousness at Disney. People will joke that calories don’t count here, and I think that’s an understatement about what I love most about Disney World. While CDC guidelines may be a palpable indicator that the real world exists outside of the Resort limits, Disney is a place where everyone can indulge in their childlike sense of wonder. Whether that’s the magic of a fireworks show or a massive ice cream sundae, Disney World is a place where families can have fun and experience adventures together. Disney has that power to bring people together. Clearly, because we’re all so eager to go back! I know I am. I’ve got a mask in one hand and a Magic Band around the other. Brace for impact, guys. I’m coming home.