For many of us, one of the most entertaining aspects of planning a trip to Disney World is deciding where and what to eat. With so many delicious options, it can sometimes be difficult to choose. Good thing you have MouseHouseNews.net to rely on for reviews!
While I enjoy trying new things, I definitely have a list of items I return to again and again. If you’ve been around MouseHouseNews.net for a while, you know I love sharing my favorites with you. I’ve compiled a list of my top snack picks from each theme park (with an honorable mention or two thrown in for good measure). Let’s get snacking!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
This theme park is a vibe. Honestly, my favorite time to visit is early in the morning, especially in August. Things are a bit quieter, the temperatures are cooler, the animals are more active, and there’s no need to rush. If you’ve never tried Early Theme Park Entry at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I highly recommend it. There’s plenty of time to accomplish a few things before it’s time to mobile order my first recommendation.
One of my favorite snacks to get at this park is the Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork from Flame Tree Barbecue. As the name implies, it’s made of baked macaroni & cheese piled high with smoked pulled pork. The deliciousness doesn’t stop there, however. It’s further topped with crispy onions, coleslaw, and a drizzle of barbecue sauce.
It may sound like there’s a lot going on, and admittedly there is. However, it all works well together! The macaroni & cheese is cheesy, creamy, and not dry (in other words, everything a macaroni & cheese lover like me wants). The pulled pork is tender with just the right sauce-to-meat ratio. Finally, the coleslaw and crispy onions provide contrasting textural elements. As I said in my review, this macaroni & cheese is definitely not a one-note dish!
If you want a refreshing way to cool off on a hot Animal Kingdom day, Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork may not be quite what you crave. My bonus suggestion from this theme park is actually right next door at Isle of Java. Try the Macaw Specialty Beverage! If you enjoy frozen slushies, you’ll love this one. It’s layers of frozen Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade, Fanta® Cherry, and Fanta® Blue Raspberry. Even if you don’t pick up one of these, be sure to hydrate in the parks!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
I dream about many snacks from Disney World. While there are many “good” snacks I enjoy, some of them end up being truly EPIC. That’s why you must head to Epic Eats at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for my next suggestion. For a massive, impressive, and over-the-top treat, I can’t recommend the Caramel-Apple Pie Funnel Cake highly enough. A picture is worth a thousand words. Just look at this thing! Everyone around me gasped when they saw it, and it’s no surprise why.
The Caramel-Apple Pie Funnel Cake is a funnel cake topped with apple pie filling, caramel drizzle, and vanilla soft-serve. The flavor reminds the MouseHouseNews.net team a lot of a warm apple fritter a la mode. I won’t judge you if you want to eat this for breakfast (I might do the same). You can get a Caramel-Apple Pie Funnel Cake all day long, and the price is extremely reasonable for the portion size (still only $8.99 as of publication).
My runner up is at nearby Backlot Express. The Wookiee Cookie gets a shoutout for fun presentation. The flavor is like eating a more substantial, grown-up oatmeal creme pie. It’s two oatmeal cookies with vanilla cream filling and a milk chocolate sash on top. Don’t be surprised if the Cast Member behind the counter requests your best Chewbacca impression when you’re ordering it. Ask me how I know…
EPCOT
There are many unique food and beverages offerings in EPCOT. World Showcase alone contains a treasure trove of options inspired by cuisine from around the world. I highly recommend you stop by the Popcorn Cart in the Canada Pavilion for one of my “must haves”. That’s right, I’m talking freshly-popped maple popcorn!
The delightful aroma of this delicious snack will entice you long before you get in line. You can purchase a single serving, a souvenir bucket, or refill your existing souvenir popcorn bucket. It’s quite addictive, so I recommend the souvenir bucket! The flavor reminds me of the glaze on cereals like Honey Smacks or Golden Crisp, but with an obvious maple twist. Personally, I always pack some zipper storage bags in my park bag so I can bring home extra maple popcorn! It’s just that good.
The honorable mention in this park is actually not one specific thing. Here, I’m going to recommend checking out menus for whichever EPCOT festival is happening during your visit. Disney chefs create numerous items for these rotating festivals, so there’s always something delectable to try.
However, if there isn’t a festival when you’re visiting, I have an alternative for you. Check out the kakigōri from Kabuki Cafe in the Japan Pavilion. Kakigōri is Japanese shaved ice dessert. Personally, I recommend getting the rainbow version and adding the optional sweetened condensed milk topping. Think of it as a leveled-up snow cone!
Magic Kingdom
Last but not least, let’s talk Magic Kingdom. If you’re celebrating your unbirthday in this most magical park, you should definitely start with a ride on Mad Tea Party. Just kidding! I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended). However, it’s a must-do attraction for me! Even if you don’t take a spin on the teacups, you should head to Cheshire Cafe for my top Magic Kingdom snack recommendation: the Cheshire Cat Tail Pastry.
A Cheshire Cat Tail is a flaky pastry with chocolate chips and a sweet filling topped with zigzags of pink and purple icing. It’s a simple yet satisfying treat, perfect for Fantasyland. My biggest tip for this location is to keep an eye on the operating hours. I would hate for you to miss out on one of my favorites due to Cheshire Cafe closing early!
The runner up is a bit of an elusive one. If you manage to catch it, the Citrus Swirl from Sunshine Tree Terrace is one of my favorite things. Citrus Swirl is frozen orange juice swirled with vanilla soft-serve. It’s the perfect contrast of tart citrus with sweet, creamy soft-serve. Note: it’s not the same as the Dole Whip Orange or Orange Cream that are also on Sunshine Tree Terrace’s menu. Don’t be fooled by imitators. That’s all I will say about that topic.
I honestly prefer Citrus Swirl even more than Dole Whip (gasp). Unfortunately, Citrus Swirl isn’t always on the menu. I have seen it sneak its way onto mobile order a couple of times. It’s worth checking in your My Disney Experience app just in case. Fingers crossed Disney World brings back this delicious item, so everyone may experience its splendor.
Parting Thoughts
Have I met a Disney World snack I didn’t love? Yes, unfortunately I have. Just as I pledge to bring you my favorites, I’ll also be sure to let you know when something falls short of expectations. After all, no one wants to waste time, money, or stomach space in Disney World! Stay tuned to MouseHouseNews.net for more honest reviews. We’ll also bring you more tips and suggestions you can use to plan the most magical trip ever. Check out the MouseHouseNewsNet YouTube channel for magical fun from around Disney World. We’ll see you real soon!
