I’m a veteran of both coasts (but sadly, not internationally), and I can say, without a doubt, one of the few things that Disney World adds to the famed Disneyland v. Disney World debate is food. In California, there are, quite literally, decent offerings in the food department a mere few feet from the Promenade there. You can walk out of Disneyland’s Mainstreet, take a good left and be out on Harbor in a few decent strides. Sure, there’s good stuff in both of the California sites, but this? This is a World sight.
And I love food. I really, really do.
I didn’t get this round overnight, ya know.
And all my inlaws are professional bakers. That should tell you where my priorities are when I got hitched!
The fact is, Disney World and environs offer a wealth of food. Some of it is truly part of the experience, as in EPCOT, and some of it is the mere fact that we’re surrounded with so many palates of varying abilities and tastes, it would make sense that a resort this size has to accommodate as much as it can. This list is an op-ed piece, and is certainly welcome to editing and add-ons. And there’s no wrong answers either, as long as the joy of food is also included.
Let’s not forget, there’s a terrific Food and Wine Festival EPCOT every year. I HIGHLY recommend attendance, if you get a chance. I’ll separate that out to a different column further on down the line, if I may. For now? I’ve chosen to focus on the four distinct parks and their offerings. I’m looking at what would be defined as snacks, here, folks. If you want to sit down and dine, that’s a different situation all together.
Since you’re probably going to be relaxing on vacation when you’re chowing down, I’ll go ahead and make sure that none of this is healthy.
I have also not taken into account the food plans that are so popular. I will freely admit, too, that I’ve not taken advantage to the plan, having not heard many benefits of the program. That, too, may be the content of another column.
MK:
Confetti/Party fudge—This is a seasonal item and worth it. It comes out when…well, I’m not sure. I’ve only encounted this beauty, a white chocolate fudge with jimmys sprinkled throughout, on the bottom shelf twice. If you’d like, see if you can request a sample, if it doesn’t sound like something you could stomach. Just don’t make a request when there’s a line forty people deep and don’t ask the college kid in training. Go when there’s no one there at the confectionary and jump right in.
The mac and cheeses in Fantasyland-back at the Friar’s Nook, they started selling three different kinds of mac and cheese. Overseas? These are seen as meal sized. For my dollar? Snack size, frankly. Now you have to understand the importance of Mac and cheese in such a place as Disney World. Have you seen the clientele? They’re all kids! And if you don’t think mac and cheese is in their vocabulary, you’ve never met an elementary kid. However, these mac and cheeses are crème de la crème. Bacon? Bleu cheese bits. Pure heaven! First up, a cheeseburger mac and cheese with ground beef, some lettuce leaves, tomato and bacon are the first to try. The fare is hearty, that’s for sure and can fill a person up with carbs and then make them maybe tour the parks a bit less. The second one is a terrific mix of flavors and the one I, personally, prefer-pungent bleu cheese hits up against the mild cheddar and there are green onions for texture. Nice combo. Keep experimenting Disney.
Egg rolls cart!—these are from me. I love egg rolls, which, when you think aobut it, have nothing to do with Adventureland, other than they are piping hot and even hotter in 100 degree weather. So eating them would be an adventure. They only make a limited amount and they do cook them in hot oil, even though they don’t have much in the way of meat. They’re just handed to you as well, so be aware to grab about 47 napkins. Maybe wave it around a bit before biting or you might lose your flesh on the roof of your mouth. The current flavors are a veggie option and a shrimp/pork option.
Corn dog bites—The worst part of these? Is there more great joy than getting food in a cup? Run over to the mustard dispenser and pour to your heart’s imploding delight. These, too, are served massively hot and can burn off your tongue. But, due to their smaller size, the flavor isn’t as strong as an actual corn dog, nor do they seem as sweet as I would have predicted.
Dole Whip-Being the Emperor of a Magic Kingdom is difficult, I have to tell you. I am constantly being hit up for advice and this and advice for that, but, sometimes, requested advice goes unheeded. I recommend this tasty treat in Adventureland whenever possible. It’s hard to find and can best be described as a pineapple flavored soft serve, where the flavor is light enough to suggest the tangy fruit, but strong enough to be present in any way it’s served. A very dear friend came for a visit, and, like most, ran to the Magic Kingdom and remembered my advice. But she wasn’t hungry. And she knew she’d be at EPCOT the next day. She figured she could get it there. Guess what she missed? I’ve only found it here in the Magic Kingdom and at Disneyland. Poor woman had to board the plane without knowing the joys. Don’t miss out, my friends. Don’t miss out at all.
Beignets—okay, here’s another rarity. I can only find these tasty morsels during the high seasons and only in the Tomorrowland Terrace. In the morning. So, good luck. No, they’re not as good as the servings you’d get at the Café du Monde in New Orleans, but these fried donuts are tasty suicides if ever there were—tons of powdered sugar, I’m telling you, seal the deal. But they are as rare as a Clarabelle walkaround character.
Joe Triggs-Smith
is an author, blogger, and journalist based out of Eustis, Florida. He's been reporting on entertainment since 1992, when someone showed him that others will read his work. While he's still composing his Great American Novel, he bides his time with his partner, his corgis, his writing, many movies and many park hopping trips. Peace!
