Snacking Around Walt Disney World: The Classics
The definition of a classic is something that can stand the test of time. There are classic novels, TV shows, films, and even classic Disney attractions that have been around for as long as most people can remember. (Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean anyone?). But there are also classic snacks; snacks that have comforted people for years and even decades. Some of them have become so entrenched into the Disney experiences that most Guests simply can’t consider their visit complete unless they enjoy one. Here are some of the best-known classics:
Turkey Leg
For those that have eaten the Jumbo Turkey Leg at WDW, it needs no explanation. To those who haven’t tried it, it’s a giant turkey leg from a tom (a male turkey) that is full of juicy goodness. Unlike your typical sweet treat, this salty snack has a distinctive smoky flavor. The Jumbo Turkey Leg has been served at WDW since the 1980s, with nearly 1.6 million of them being sold each year. The sales have also resulted in the Jumbo Turkey Leg having a cult following. There are magnets, air fresheners, and even dog toys that immortalize this classic Disney snack. Although it can be a bit messy, most Guest’s say that it’s a small price to pay for this hunk of turkey goodness. Mickey Pretzel: Pretzels are a delicious salty treat that can be found pretty much anywhere. In fact, there’s a fairly good chance that you ate one at the airport when you landed in Orlando. The ones served in Disney have a special twist (pun intended) as they share the likeness of the most famous mouse of all: Mickey. These pretzels are delicious and should not be overlooked. You can also buy them with cheese sauce for some extra goodness.
Mickey Rice Krispie Treat
In case you’ve never had a Rice Krispie treat before, it’s a combination of Rice Krispies cereal, marshmallows, and a little bit of butter. The ones served at WDW are extra special for two reasons: firstly, they are in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head and secondly, they are typically covered in chocolate (the ears anyway!). But that’s just the classic version. You’ll find many of different varieties throughout the parks. (A great place to find them is in the Confectionery on Main Street U.S.A.) Some come completely covered in chocolate and others come coated in candy. One is even made plain with no embellishments. You can even find a super-sized version! You’ll also find specially-themed treats throughout the year, celebrating everything from holidays to movies and everything in between. The Mickey Rice Krispie treat is a delicious snack at WDW, but maybe the reason it’s so popular is because it’s one that you can take home. If you buy one of these at a gift shop, they come packaged in plastic and are perfect for taking home, just in case you need to have a little taste of Disney later on.
Dole Whip
The Dole Whip is perhaps the most popular Disney snack of all, despite the fact that it can only be found in a few locations. You can buy this citrusy concoction at Aloha Isle in Adventureland, and the Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. (If you haven’t been to the Magic Kingdom in a while, you may expect to find Aloha Isle across from the Swiss Family Treehouse, but this is now the home of Sunshine Terrace, which serves up its own assortment of tropical refreshments. But don’t be alarmed; Aloha Isle is still there, off to the right of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.) But what is a Dole Whip? It’s a creamy soft-serve delight with a unique and delightfully tangy pineapple taste. For an extra special treat, try a Pineapple Float that combines the pineapple soft-serve with real pineapple juice. The Dole Whip was created by the Dole Food Company in 1986, and people have been thanking them ever since. Like the Turkey Leg, this snack has found its way into popular culture. In addition to the usual memorabilia (it’s interesting to know that these snacks have become such a part of Disney lore that you can actually collect snack-themed souvenirs!), the Dole Whip was also the mascot for two honorary teams in the 2016 March Magic Competition: The Adventureland Dole Whip (Disneyland) and The Adventureland Swirl (WDW). The annual March Magic Tournament coincides with college basketball’s March Madness tournament, and pits 32 Disney attractions against each other to compete for the title of ultimate Disney attraction. Even though the Dole Whip isn’t an attraction per se (though many say it IS a wild ride!), the citrusy confection is so popular that they were added as honorary participants.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a classic snack, not just in WDW, but throughout most of the world. That should come as no surprise since it’s been around for more than 5,000 years! Popcorn has recently become synonymous with movie theaters and entertainment, but when you step into WDW, it becomes a part of the whole Disney experience. You’ll find plenty of Guests snacking on popcorn while walking down Main Street U.S.A. or waiting for a parade or fireworks show. And why not? It’s delicious and salty, easy to share, and best of all; it’s the snack that keeps on giving. If you choose to splurge a little bit, you can opt to eat your popcorn out of a collectible bucket (or other fun shapes like Cinderella’s Carriage, Zero’s doghouse, and even one of the Seven Dwarf ’s minecarts). The bucket is yours to keep, so in addition to your delicious popcorn snack, you’ll also have a fun souvenir to take home. When you do get home, you’ll find that the bucket is great for storing things. (Such as Disney pins – I know this from experience!) While you can always get a bucket of classic salty popcorn, you can find lots of other flavors as well. If you go to the popcorn cart outside of Journey Into Imagination in Epcot, you can find gourmet popcorn flavors such as cheddar cheese, buffalo bleu cheese, and sour cream and chive. Just something to think about for all of you gourmets out there!
Churro
The Churro is one of the most famous desserts at WDW, and well it should be. They’re made out of a fried pastry dough coated in a layer of cinnamon sugar. The churro actually became quite popular in Disneyland and was brought over to Orlando. Curiously, despite their popularity, they’re surprisingly hard to find. A favorite location is the Frontierland Churro Cart, since it not only offers up delicious churros, but gives you the opportunity to enjoy them in a rootin’ tootin’ atmosphere that will greatly improve your churro eating experience. So, what are you waiting for? Saddle on up for this Disney classic!
Mickey Bar
If you’ve never eaten a Mickey Ice Cream Bar, you may wonder what all the fuss is about, and why it has become so famous and is considered a “must-do” for many WDW Guests. Those who have had the pleasure of eating one will say that it’s because the Mickey Bar is ubiquitous to Disney, and rightly so. But be careful, when talking about the Mickey Bar, you’ll need to be fairly specific when describing your favorite, because there have been many different variations throughout the years. If you visited Walt Disney World many many years ago, you may remember the Good Humor Mickey Parade Bars. These were in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head, mostly consisting of vanilla ice cream but with chocolate ice cream for the eyes, nose, and mouth. Additionally, the ears were dipped in chocolate. Eventually, these were phased out of the park (though if you waxed nostalgic you could buy versions of these bars from your local ice cream truck), and were replaced by the Nestle Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar. These bars are made up of vanilla ice cream covered in a creamy chocolate coating, all in the shape of a Mickey head. They are absolutely delicious and have become a veritable snacking staple at Disney, with over 3 million served every year. And of course, this is another snack that has become a prominent figure in pop culture and merchandising. That’s right. The love of the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar has lead to t-shirts, magnets, and even air fresheners (yep, you can enjoy that chocolaty aroma anytime you’d like!). Even though you might not be able to get a “Mickey Bar’ outside of WDW, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your love of it everywhere you go.
