We talk a lot around here about Disney’s sweet snacks — and with good reason: nothing says indulgence like a bit of Disney ice cream or a monster cupcake.
But everyone knows that sweet snacks are even better with a salty chaser! 😉
Salty indulgences abound at Disney World, too! And we think it’s time to give them their day in the spotlight!
So without further adieu, we’d like to take a brief look at some of our favorites in our salute to the Top 12 Salty Snacks in Walt Disney World!
Disney Popcorn
Alrighty, folks, we have to start with the obvious one: Popcorn.
How can you discuss Disney World salty snacks and not mention it? In fact, how can you go to a Disney park and not end up munching on this snack favorite?
We love popcorn in all its personalities — from the standard (refillable!) bucket you buy as soon as you walk into Magic Kingdom to caramel corn at Big Top Treats or Karamell-Küche. And when popcorn started popping up on Disney menus a while back, we were all for it!
But the best version remains that classic Disney popcorn box full of buttery (flavored) yellow kernels of fluffy goodness. Do yourself a favor and don’t leave without trying a box.
Chicken Waffle Sandwich
Over at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, you’ll find a lovely little assortment of waffles to satisfy your salt craving.
What? You ask. Waffles = salt? When they’re in the form of waffle sandwiches — they sure can be!
And my favorite when I’m satisfying a savory craving is the Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Sweet/spicy chicken with a touch of coleslaw offers a treat with complicated flavors, but a sure comfort food factor.
The perfect combo of sweet, salty, and slightly spicy, this sandwich will leave you full, happy, and ready to tackle the rest of those Disney miles! Just know that this thing can be uber messy, so bring lots of napkins!
Nachos
I dearly love a plate of nachos, don’t you? And when I’m in the mood for this Tex-Mex treat, I head to La Cantina de San Angel in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot.
The salty trifecta of chips, plastic cheese, and seasoned ground beef is perfection! And if you’re looking to add to it — try washing them down with a margarita, of course!
Want some less-fussy nachos? We’re also fans of the versions at Big River Grill and ESPN Club on the Boadwalk. Where do you find your favorite nachos in Disney World?
Tomato Basil Soup
If you’re in the mood for a good bowl of soup (fitting during the relatively cold Orlando days this past weekend), then head to Pinocchio Village Haus for their completely amazing Tomato Basil Soup.
Sure, this bustling little counter service spot in “original” Fantasyland isn’t much of a Mecca for foodies. But this soup is a hidden gem and well worth the trek there to have some. Don’t forget to grab a table upstairs and away from the crowds to enjoy in peace!
Mickey Pretzels
When we got wind that Mickey-shaped pretzels had been spotted in Disney World, I’m not gonna lie to you…I did a little happy dance. These had long been a super favorite snack of Disneyland goers, and the fact that they were crossing to the other coast was big news!
When you need your salt fix, nothing beats a pretzel; and if it’s soft, and chewy, and in the shape of a giant Mickey head — well, so much the better! But how do you top this awesomeness? With a little plastic cheese, of course!
Like your salty snack with a little kick? If so, there’s the Pepper Jack Pretzel, too! Find this at The Lunching Pad in Magic Kingdom (and occasionally in other Disney World locations!).
Cheesy Pesto Bread
I know, I know. I keep talking about this, but the Cheesy Pesto Bread really was the find of a century for me! Pick it up at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in the Landscape of Flavors Food Court for a super-value price!
Made to order with savory pesto and melty cheese, it’s the perfect mini-meal and only costs a Disney Dining Plan snack credit!
Chicken Fried Rice
I love when Disney counter-service restaurants offer snacks that can function as meals, and this one definitely does. Head over to Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes in Animal Kingdom for a taste of this filling treat.
Studded with chicken, scrambled egg, and vegetables, this fried rice is a substantial snack with a little price tag. Condiments abound here, so you can dress your rice up with as much flavor as you like! And it’s a nice alternative to traditional side items, like fries or salad.
Egg Rolls
Egg Rolls are another terrific way to answer the call for something savory that you can nosh while strolling. With layers of vegetables and/or meat, they’ll also beat back the hunger pangs for one more ride on Expedition Everest or Splash Mountain.
There are a few places to score egg rolls at Disney World, but we love Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes in Animal Kingdom, as well as the little cart in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, where you’ll find Pork and Shrimp Egg Rolls!
Chili
Amble into Casey’s Corner on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street U.S.A. when it’s chili you’re after.
I’ve always loved this special hearty soup, and even if you don’t get a hot dog or fries to go with it, you’ll find your hunger handily dealt with by this tasty dish that’s full of meat, beans, and spices.
French Fries
Even though Figaro Fries have been gone for a while from Pinocchio Village Haus’s menu (sigh…) there are still delicious fries to be had! Our suggestion? Head to one of Disney’s counter service spots like Cosmic Ray’s or back to Casey’s Corner for a special treat: fries with condiments!
We especially heart the Chili Cheese Fries at Cosmic Ray’s. This is french fry heaven for sure.
Whether you stop at ketchup and plastic cheese, or get inventive with extras like ranch, lettuce, or salsa, you’re only limited by your imagination.
And for the ultimate Pulled Pork French Fries, head to Animal Kingdom’s Flametree Barbecue!
Turkey Legs
When nothing but the saltiest, smokiest will do, we humbly suggest that you head straight for a Turkey Leg!
These gargantuan treats — and they really are turkey, we promise — come with a hefty calorie and sodium pricetag, but hey, it’s Disney, right? Those things don’t count here.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
For a salty snack that eats like a meal, head to Eight Spoons Cafe in Animal Kingdom for Baked Macaroni and Cheese! These ooey gooey snacks are served straight up or topped with pulled pork or sweet chili shrimp!
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What’s Your Favorite Salty Snack in Disney World?
We know there are SO many more awesome options than what we’ve listed here, so now it’s your turn! Please let us know what your salty craving is in Disney World and where you go to satisfy it! 🙂
When you want a savory treat at Disney, what’s your salty snack of choice? Leave a comment with your suggestions! I always love to check out your finds on my next trip!
Don’t Miss Out on the ALL the Best Snacks Walt Disney World Has to Offer!
Get four awesome e-Books FULL of Disney park dining advice, bundled for 30% off the already discounted price! Yep, we’ve scoured the parks to find any and all snack choices — from the mundane to the spectacular — and we tell you all about them (with full-color pictures!) in our snack guides! These are updated every year, so you know your guide will be perfect for your upcoming trip, and they’re bundled with our DFB Guide to WDW Dining!
This money-saving bundle includes all of the following:
- The 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining
- The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks
- The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks
- The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks
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With this Bundle of e-books you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips to plan the best Disney World vacation ever. And with our handy e-book format, you can download the Guides to all of your electronic devices and take them with you wherever you go!
And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose?
Want to find more awesome snacks in Disney World?? Check out our DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks and our DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks e-Books!
Dawn says
A note to Tracy B and Agingdiscoqueen – don’t know if you’ll see this years later, but the Potato Volcanor was THE best. I had it once in the fall of 2000 and I still crave it to this day…hence I’m googling now in 2017 to see if I can find a “copycat” recipe of sorts for that darn thing, and happened upon your comments. 🙂
We were at the Pandora Passholder preview last week, and as we were exploring all there was to explore, my husband looks at a menu and says, “Oh my gosh. They brought back the potato volcano.” It’s a long-running joke in our family. 🙂
My take on what happened: the volcanos were being sold at a snack booth in October 2000. The 9/11 World Trade Center attacks happened in 2001, and overall attendance was down when we went back to Animal Kingdom in October 2001. Lots of the portable carts were gone and the free-standing snack booths were shuttered because the smaller crowds didn’t warrant their operation. In later years, those carts came back and the booths opened back up, but the potato volcano never returned to the menu.
That theory is the basis of another joke (with no disrespect meant for the victims of 9/11.) Everytime we walk by the erstwhile potato volcano booth, we look at each other and sigh, “Thanks, bin Laden.” (Or the name of another “bad guy” currently in the news.}