We are back with some of our very best kept Disney Dining Secrets. And we want to share them with you!
Planning what you’re going to eat and drink at Walt Disney World is a big deal! I mean, it’s not cheap, is it? But then, will they have everything you need when you get there?
Today, I’m going to share a few secrets of what you CAN’T FIND on Disney World property that you might want to bring from home. We all have our favorites…or items we need for a special diet that we may or may not find at Disney World when we need them…and let’s be honest, you miss them when you can’t get them.
And if you like what you see here, be sure to check out the brand new, just released DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2019 Edition, where we have over 600 pages of tips and secrets to having the best Disney trip ever!
Let’s go!
What Must-Have Food Items Are Just Not Found at Disney World?
Walt Disney World is super awesome and has everything you need to be over-the-moon happy! Right? Um, sometimes not.
You’ll find the same brands of things over and over throughout Walt Disney World, sometimes with an alarming lack of diversity. And if you have any sort of brand loyalty at all, consider bringing some of your own favorites or purchasing them off-property.
Coca Cola is King at Disney
This is, of course, due in part to sourcing contracts. It may also have something to do with what’s available locally and regionally. Whatever the reason, if your favorites aren’t available, it’s good to know before you go so you can be prepared.
Pepsi
Are you a hard core Pepsi drinker? Then you for sure need to know that you will not find Pepsi anywhere at Walt Disney World. If you’re driving down for your visit, we suggest bringing a supply with you. Or you can, of course, hit up a WalMart, Target, or Publix before you hit the Maingate.
If you are flying, or just don’t want to be bothered with the hassle of shopping, you can have a case of your favorite drinks delivered straight to your hotel. We like services like GardenGrocer.com for grocery and beverage delivery, and we know lots of guests have good experiences with Amazon Prime delivery to their resorts.
No Pepsi Here.
Cheerios
People tend to be pretty passionate about their brand loyalty, and breakfast cereals are another area where you may find your favorite missing from the shelves. Plan to bring General Mills cereals with you, since they aren’t available in grab and go or sundries spots.
If You Love Your General Mills Cereals, Better Bring ‘Em With
If you have little ones, you know Cheerios can be a must-have item — so plan ahead.
Goldfish Crackers
Again, for those who have little ones in tow, this is a no-brainer. Even those of us who swore we’d never feed our kids processed food eventually give in to the Goldfish from time to time. (Oh, wait — that’s just me?)
Kids love them, and you WON’T find them anywhere in Disney World. You will find cheese crackers in other varieties, but if your kiddos are members of the Goldfish-only club, you’ll want to plan ahead!
Goldfish Crackers
Gum
And, of course, there’s no gum — chewing or bubble — to be found on property or even at the Orlando International Airport! If you want gum, you’ll need to buy it elsewhere, bring it with you, or send it ahead of your arrival.
Can’t find gum anywhere on property
Special Diet Needs
And while Disney has come a long way on the special diet and allergy-friendly front and now offers several snacks that suit many different diets (plus offers comprehensive menus at all restaurants and food stalls), you’re still bound by whatever snacks you can find. Whether you’re gluten-free, peanut-free, vegan, low carb, low salt, non-dairy, eating with diabetes, or anything else, bring a few treats with you that you can count on just in case Disney lets you down wherever you happen to be having a hunger meltdown. Do you have a favorite protein shake mix or bar, or is there a particular snack that suits your diet perfectly? Stash a few extra in your suitcase so that you won’t find yourself without a snack when your energy starts to wane.
Bring Your Better-For-You Snacks With!
And if you really prefer making your own food, be sure to check out the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining for even more information, like our best resources for ordering groceries ahead, contact info for local stores — and even where you’ll find picnic tables and grills on property!
Ready for All of Our Best Tips?
We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including lots more best kept secrets — in our big, bold 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining!
With more than 600 pages, The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining E-book!
So what are your favorites that you can’t find in Disney World? What do you always bring from home or buy when you’re off property? Let us know in the comments below!
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According to several websites, Disney World DOES sell Goldfish Crackers in the kids snack packs at many quick service restaurants. However, it comes with other items.
Hi, one way that we have found that works really well to have the foods we miss when we’re away is Amazon Pantry. You can order from them a few days before you are planning to arrive and have your items sent right to your hotel.
It’s easy, the last time we went our package was in our room with our luggage when we got there. You can also order things that are a little higher priced at the Parks and have them in your room which gives you more money to spend on other items and/or not have to use your snack credits on.
We love Garden Grocer. Fast. Perfect. Waiting for you. Skip the food court. Have a healthy breakfast in your room!
Chip & Dale Snack Company does have Tiny Treats that are like Goldfish but they are Mickeys. They sell them at all gift shops at the hotels. So that might also work if you need them.
We always have to buy pepsi, cheerios, and Yoplait yogurt. They do have Yoplait but it is hard to find One family member is pepsi drinker and one only eats cheerios so we stop at store on our way from airport.
Bret — Yes! We’ve shared them a time or two. Thank you! 🙂
If you really want your goldfish, WDW offers Chip and Dale brand Mickey Puffy Cheese Crackers in shops all over WDW. They are more expensive, of course, so I definitely recommend popping into Walmart or Target and stocking up on store brand snacks at a savings.
I guess we just aren’t picky people, because we drink the soda that’s available and eat the cereals in the food court. My husband jokes we should tote a couple of cases of Pepsi in our car trunk (we drive) and flog them to other guests to defray the cost of the trip.
We have also purchased the Tiny Treats that Bret mentioned; different shape but the taste and texture is similar to Goldfish.
The Speedway gas stations on property have most of the above, if you can’t make it off property.
Thank you so much for this article. I am a Pepsi girl and it’s good to know I won’t find any of it on property. We are staying for the first time on property this August and we’re excited but a little apprehensive as we are used to staying at Vistana and loved the freedom to buy our own groceries. I’m sure we will love it though!
Kelly — We’re so glad we could help! I hope you have a wonderful trip!
I think it’s also important to point out that in Central Florida Dr. Pepper is bottled by Pepsi so you won’t be able to find that anywhere at WDW either…
Plus, for those of you flying in from out of town, there’s a great supermarket right at the edge of Disney. At exit 68 on I-4, there’s Gooding’s in the Crossroads shopping center. It’s right across from the Hotel Plaza Blvd entrance to WDW. According to their website, they’re open 24 hours (so you can stop no matter what time your flight gets in) and they deliver to Disney!
Those Mickey puffy cheese crackers are yummy! Way better than Goldfish crackers, in my opinion. I usually bring some home for munching after my trip.
Chewing gum is not found at or allowed in any Disney Park because Walt Disney absolutely did not want gum getting stuck to people shoes etc. He equated gum at parks with the parks he saw as places he did not want to take his daughters to.
Here’s a tip for ya. Drink water.