Editor’s Note: The Cheshire Cake Cups have been discontinued as of late Summer 2015. We’ll update you if/when they’ll return (because there will be shouts of rejoicing.)
We’re back with another installment in The Best Thing I Ever Ate in Disney series!
Snacks are a big deal around here. Heck, we plan entire events and crawls around them! And it’s clear Disney thinks snacking is where it’s at, too. We’re seeing more and more small plates restaurants open. Spots like Tutto Gusto, Spice Road Table, and The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge cater to the grazing crowd.
Today, we’re talking about some of our favorite snacks that we enjoy nearly every time we visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Dig out your stretchy pants, or plan to do an extra lap on the treadmill, and let’s do this!
Cheshire Cake Cup
Who doesn’t love a ginormous cupcake? You know I’m a big fan of these edible works of art. But at the end of the day, I pretty much see them as frosting delivery systems. So you can imagine my delight when I got wind of Cake Cups at Magic Kingdom’s Cheshire Cafe!
Layers of alternating cake and frosting make a parfait-style dessert that’s hard to resist.
Cheshire Cake Cup at Cheshire Cafe
I know, I know. I talk about these a lot. But I figure if there’s something I NEVER miss when I’m at the Magic Kingdom, I should take every opportunity to suggest it so you don’t miss it either. 😉
Frosting!!
Two new, equally gorgeous varieties have recently made an appearance — White Rabbit and Queen of Hearts versions! Expanding the cake cup line? We are ALL IN.
White Chocolate Rabbit and Queen of Hearts Strawberry Shortcake Cake Cups
These are the closest snacks I’ve found to them just giving me a bowl of frosting and a spoon, soooooo, yeah.
Dole Whip
Next up is one of my favorite Disney snacks of all time, the classic Dole Whip.
Oh, sure, you have your cult classics. Your Turkey Legs. Your Mickey Bars. And they’re great. But if there’s one snack I must have every time I’m at either Disneyland (umbrellas and cherries!!!!) or Walt Disney World, it’s some variety of Dole Whip.
This creamy pineapple-flavored soft serve made news here on Disney Food Blog for a different reason last year, when we brought you word not of what it is — but what it isn’t! Seems that our favorite Disney chilly treat is now Vegan, Dairy Free, and Gluten Free!
Dole Whip Float at Disneyland’s Tiki Juice Bar — My Favorite!
So if you’re looking to indulge in a creamy, delicious snack, but you have reasons to watch what you eat — this is a great option! I personally go for a Dole Whip Float with straight Dole Whip every. Single. Time.
But others really prefer to temper the puckery goodness of pineapple with a hint of vanilla, and opt for the Vanilla Swirl.
Dole Whip at Captain Cook’s
And remember, you can skip the long lines at Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle in Walt Disney World by heading to the Polynesian Resort for your Dole Whip fix instead!
UPDATE: Dole Whip is no longer being served at Captain Cook’s, is no longer self-serve, and is no longer available 24 hours a day. You’ll now find Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai in Disney’s Polynesian Village in addition to Aloha Isle at the Magic Kingdom. You can also find Dole Whip available intermittently at Animal Kingdom’s Tamu Tamu Refreshments, and at Epcot during some special events. On the upside, you can also get a Dole Whip Float at Pineapple Lanai!
Waffle Sandwich
It’s a snack. No, it’s a meal. Well, I suppose it depends on how many people are fighting for a share, and how hungry you are.
Magic Kingdom is home to another one of my favorite places to score great snacks — Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. This cute little building with a fun backstory serves up several treats that are big enough to count as a meal. But some of the brightest menu stars are the Waffle Sandwiches.
And you have so many options spanning all the meals in a day! If you swing by here for breakfast (or lunch, or dinner), one of my favorites is the Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich. It’s huge. And supa yum.
Nutella and Fruit Waffle Sandwich
If you happen to visit a little later in the day, you can still get the Nutella version, but your Waffle Sandwich options expand to include more savory choices. I can’t get enough of the Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle.
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich at Sleepy Hollow
But the Swiss, Ham, and Prosciutto version has lots of fans, too!
Swiss Ham and Proscuitto Waffle Sandwich
Either way, bring help to eat these, or plan to count it as a meal. They’re delicious — and filling.
Carrot Cake Cookie
I try. Really. I try to spend a day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and not succumb to the temptation of a Carrot Cake Cookie from Writer’s Stop and Sweet Spells. But it just isn’t gonna happen, guys.
Because every so often you need a break from cupcakes, right? I mean, I guess. Yes. Definitely.
Stopping by the little unassuming coffee shop back between Tatooine and the Streets of America is also a nice way to slow down and escape the crowds for just a bit. And while you’re at it, you may as well get a serving of veggies. (Because Carrot Cake Cookies totally count.)
Carrot Cake Cookie
And the spicy, cakey cookies are the perfect excuse for consuming that incredible cream cheese frosting.
Peanut Butter Sandwich
Don’t you love when a snack has a name like it’s a real food, but then it turns out to be a spectacular sweet?
The Peanut Butter Sandwich fits that bill. This is basically an open face Peanut Butter Graham Cracker Sandwich, smothered in Chocolate and drizzled in more Chocolate.
In other words, it’s salty-sweet perfection.
Peanut Butter Sandwich in Disneyland
And that Peanut Butter Filling isn’t just PB right out of the jar — it’s that yummy, sugary sweet version that’s just this side of Peanut Butter Fudge.
Inside the Fabled Peanut Butter Sandwich
And did I mention the Chocolate?
Sadly you won’t find this one in Disney World anymore; it’s a Disneyland exclusive these days. Pick yours up at Candy Palace to Trolley Treats (and sometimes Pooh Corner).
Cheesecake on a Stick
When is Cheesecake a Popsicle? When you put a stick in it and serve it frozen, that’s when.
Ok, so I totally get that you may not think that Frozen Cheesecake on a Stick from the Gelato Bars Kiosk in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney sounds all that great. I mean, will it be so hard you can’t eat it? Will it make a mess? Would it still taste as rich and completely awesome as the regular stuff?
No. No. And Yes.
Seriously — I only found this amazing treat a little while back, and it’s already a tried and true favorite! It’s surprisingly soft — owing to lots of amazing butterfat, no doubt! — and the flavor is incredible.
Disneyland’s Frozen Cheesecake on a Stick!
I don’t know what kind of magic they’ve got happening here, but it’s definitely produced a keeper!
Nudel Gratin at Sommerfest
Here’s another snack that borders on a meal. But since it could sorta be considered a side dish, it’s makin’ the list.
Just when we didn’t think that Disney could make another incredible version of Macaroni and Cheese, they went and proved us wrong with the Nudel Gratin at Epcot’s Sommerfest.
The extra, over-the-top, super cheesy baked version appeared on the menu at this Germany Pavilion counter service stop a while back, and it’s quickly become one of our favorite all-time dishes!
Nudel Gratin at Sommerfest
It’s filling and at less than $4, it’s an incredible bargain, too! Wanna make at home? No problem. Here’s the recipe.
There are so many truly incredible snacks at Disney, but that wraps up my list of the Best of the Best…for this installment. The best part of Disney is that they keep introducing new classics. Can’t wait till Volume III!
So let’s hear from you now — what’s the Best Thing YOU Ever Ate in Disney when it comes to snacks? Don’t be shy — sound off in comments below!
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Mickey Premium Bar for me!! I could eat them all day long and what makes them extra special, it’s shaped like Mickey!
My best snack memory was the “gone but not forgotten” babycakes NYC bakery in Downtown Disney. My daughter has food allergies and I will never forget the look on her face when we told her she could have anything she wanted in the shop. Babycakes was the place she had her first doughnut.
I would love to try the cake cups, but I am not a fan of THAT much vanilla cake/frosting. Maybe when I have someone with me at the park we can split one. The other flavor available when I was there last week as mocha and I had to pass on that one too. Where’s the straight up chocolate?
I use to go for the straight Dole Whip in the float, but the last time I had one, I got the swirl and that is definitely how I will be placing my order in the future. Pineapple is awesome, but that little bit of vanilla hit the spot.
I ALWAYS eat lunch at Be Out Guest when at the Magic Kingdom, but I decided to give Sleepy Hollow a try yesterday. I went with the sweet and spicy waffle sandwich and thought it was pretty tasty. I wouldn’t be my first choice above BOG, and you were right about the long wait time for the sandwich, but it was a nice alternative. I would like to try the ham version, but it took me 7 month of park visits to skip BOG, so we’ll see how that goes.
The two treats I almost always enjoy is LeFou’s Brew (without the foam) at MK and a brioche ice cream sandwich (with caramel ice cream and chocolate sauce) at EPCOT. The classic Mickey bar is always a favorite. I recently went to the Main Street ice cream parlor for the first time (could that place smell any more heavenly?!?!) and that may soon become a regular treat during my visits. Another recent first was a Goofy Glacier at Downtown Disney and boy, oh boy was it delicious. I tried the grape and loved it. I was so surprised by how it held up in the FL heat.
I’m with you on the Dole Whip thing. The stampede by my husband, daughter and me to Aloha Isle is almost comical. Now I have to try the cheesecake popsicle! Looks amazing!
I’m in love with the napoleon at Starring Rolls Café. That Nudel Gratin looks crazy good though – it will have to get added to my ambitious list for September.
I also love the Nudel Gratin at Sommerfest! So, so good! We’re also big fans of the All American Sundae from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. Hot fudge and peanut butter? YES please!!
keylime pie and mushroom ravioli from Trex in Downtown Disney!!!!
The fruit and cream cheese wanton dessert at Yak & Yeti restaurant! Also the chocolate covered caramel at Karamel Kuche in the Germany pavilion.
My husband and I went for the first time two weeks ago…the best thing: The Minnie Mouse Chocolate Caramel Apples!!! We had two while we were there. We got them from the Confectionery in Magic Kingdom, but they are also available at the Evil Queen store in Hollywood Studios.
Those cake cups look awesome (I’m with you – frosting is the best part)! Unfortunately these weren’t around during my last trip a couple years ago. My favorite snacks from that trip were the Mickey soft pretzels and the peppermint ice cream with chocolate chip cookie sandwich from Sleepy Hollow.
Oh, I can’t wait until I go on my next trip in Sept. of 2015! I really want to try the Nutella Waffles from Sleepy Hollow; the fruit and chicken versions look marvelous. I think my favorites have been: my own custom made caramel apples (unfortunately I can’t get them anymore as they no longer make their own fudge 🙁 ); Cappacinno cupcakes from DHS Pizza Planet (and some other wonderful cupcakes); Cinnamon Roll from Main St. Bakery (also gone 🙁 ); frozen cokes, crispy treats; Shortbread Caramel Bars and crunchy (outside) salty soft pretzels.
The jalapeno cheese pretzel is my current favorite snack. And now I’m really looking forward to trying the Nudel Gratin at Sommerfest. Thanks for posting this! 🙂
Joyce – I’m right there with you on the Yak and Yeti wontons! They are incredible!!
For me it’s got to be School Bread from La Kringla at Norway. I’ve only had it once but I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Following that it’s dole whip everytime. I am gonna have a straight pineapple this time and also a vanilla. And probably a citrus swirl. Why not? Also, nothing beats cold juicy fresh pineapple fingers from Harambe Fruit Market in Animal Kingdom when walking through the sweltering heat!
Butterfinger cupcake at Starring Rolls Cafe!
I heard about it and was looking forward to getting one for months as our trip approached. Got to SRC after 4pm when they closed. Cast member saw our anniversary pins and the sad look on my face and got one for me anyway!
On our way out of the park, I went to guest relations to share about how the cast member made my day.
Sorry, but if the best thing you’ve eaten at Disney is a cupcake, that is sad. Sorry, I just don’t get the whole cupcake thing. Must be showing my age. 🙂
Mark — Please check our other “Best Thing I Ever Ate at Disney” posts; this one is JUST for snacks only. We also have posts featuring breakfast, lunch/dinner, appetizers, drinks, desserts, and more! 🙂
Oh Chris UK I am SO with you!! School Bread is my absolute favourite treat and I dream about those when I’m away from the world 🙂 I also love the All-American Sundae from the Plaza (it’s a good one to share though, because it’s pretty sweet!)
And I’d have to add a good old-fashioned Mickey krispie! (I know, how boring!!) But honestly, they are the best 🙂
I have so many favorites that I can’t have at least one of each on every trip. I love the sweet cheese filled pretzels but I had to skip them last time because I had to make room for the brioche ice cream sandwich. I also skipped the Napolean in France because one can only eat so many rich deserts in a day! On my next trip I’m trying to figure out how many of the cocktails I’ve been reading about I can try without landing on my face.
We’re literally here right now and there are no cake cups at Cheshire. The cake cups are a lie. /sadpanda
Jennifer — Thanks for the update! Yep — they’ve recently been discontinued. We’ll let you know if they are brought back in the future.