Epcot’s Holidays Around the World celebration features holiday customs and flavors from across the globe. Each country’s Pavilion in World Showcase offers a treat reflecting a bit of traditional holiday cuisine in the represented culture.
Last week we took you around to see most of the yummy additions, but…we had to give these awesome holiday waffles their own post!
Let’s head to Promenade Refreshments!
Even if you are familiar with Epcot, you may be less so with Promenade Refreshments. Located at the entrance to World Showcase from Future World (it’s closer to Canada than Mexico), it may be best known as the Desserts & Champagne Booth during the Food and Wine Festival, or the spot that doled out Spiced Rum Dole Whips (see what I did there? 😉 ) during the Flower and Garden Festival.
Promenade Refreshments has received another festive menu makeover. Take a look!
Okay, so there are a few traditional treats on the menu… hot cocoa, apple cider, and mint tea, to name a few. Even with those, however, there is an option to add a twist. We’ll get back to that in a little bit.
For now, let’s focus on a couple of traditional holiday flavors presented in a very non-traditional way: the Savory Seasonal Waffle and the Sweet Potato Casserole Waffle! Then, we’ll head over to the bevvies!
Sweet Potato Casserole Waffle
Um…kudos to the chefs who think these things up! Let’s chat about — the Sweet Potato Casserole Waffle! YUM! Look at that thing!
The difference here lies in the batter: it’s made of sweet potato. The flavor combo of the batter along with the more-than-ample toppings of marshmallow, pecan, and caramel sauce was absolutely terrific.
And I thought it still looked great even after I “opened up” the waffle!
I’d anticipated something way more gooey (I think I was expecting more of a marshmallow “fluff” topping), but this was much easier to handle. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. While I liked both waffles, the Sweet Potato Casserole Waffle was the winner.
Just a note: be prepared to wait a few minutes (maybe four or five) for your waffle, because they are made per order. I didn’t mind the wait, because it meant each waffle came to me fresh and hot.
But if savory is more your thing…
Savory Seasonal Waffle
The Savory Seasonal Waffle brings together elements of a traditional American holiday feast: turkey, gravy, and cranberry, all together on a waffle made of…wait for it…stuffing batter!
Stuffing! Batter! This is not Thanksgiving ingredients on your standard waffle. The stuffing batter is what elevated this dish for me; I am not typically a fan of all of my holiday meal components smashed together, because it makes everything too mushy for my tastes.
But here, the stuffing crisped up nicely as a waffle, so it retained its flavor, yet had a pretty good crunch. The textures of the ingredients balanced each other well. My other favorite component was the cranberry relish.
And if you still have room in your belly for a holiday extra, let’s check out some of the drinks!
Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa and More Holiday Drinks
Clearly, you’re going to need something to wash these down ;).
If cider is what you crave, you can have a traditional cider or change it up a bit by adding toasted marshmallow, hazelnut, or (for a little kick) Frangelico. Chai is served regular or pumpkin spiced.
And you can add one of the following flavors to your hot cocoa: toasted marshmallow, salted caramel, or peanut butter.
Yep, I said it: Peanut Butter! The picture below is deceptively simple. It does little to convey the pure awesomeness that is Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa!
The cocoa smells like only peanut butter – it’s almost strange to wrap your head around it. I could smell it from several feet away while it was being poured!
But when it comes to drinking, it’s that perfect blend of salty-and-sweet that the combination of peanut butter and chocolate is famous for. It’s like drinking a Peanut Butter Cup… which I realize sounds kind of gross, but in actuality is Totally. Awesome.
I drank every single drop… and it was 85 degrees outside.
Huzzah to you, Promenade Refreshments! We’re glad you’re spreading your unique brand of holiday cheer with us this year!
Sweet or savory – what’s your choice? Please let us know with a comment!
Kristen says
We tried the stuffing waffle last week also. It was very good. I thought the cranberries were the best part as it needed some sweet to balance the savory out.
Jenny says
The savory waffle would be something that I would try. That and a nice cup of hot coco. yumm
🙂
Sue says
The waffles make me think that the chefs have been hanging out on Pinterest where everything can be put in a waffle iron. Still, if I were there right now I’d be ordering both of them with a peanut butter hot cocoa to wash it down. I’m a sucker for seasonal offerings.
Wendy Snelgrove says
I’m really confused about why I never thought of peanut butter hot chocolate myself. Sounds awesome.
Leslie says
I’ll be in Epcot on 12/21, and even though I have a 4:30 reservation at Via Napoli for the Candelight Processional package, and I will just have to find some room for a sweet potato waffle and a pb hot cocoa! Yum! Thanks for the great find! So excited!
Sandy says
Holy moly! That all sounds incredible. Pb hot chocolate?! Amazing!
JM says
Oh my…I WANT that savory waffle!
Melissa says
I tried the Marshamllow Apple Cider a few weeks ago (I think it was their first day selling the seasonal offerings) – and I thought it was delicious. Very similar flavoring to LeFou’s Brew…
Angelina says
I wish i had heard about the savory waffle sandwich before i used up all my thanksgiving leftovers!!!
Lori says
Stuffing waffle? It’s so simple yet so brilliant. How have I lived this long without stuffing waffles?
Essie says
I think both of the waffles sound wonderful. I’d really like to try both of them, but I think I’d like the sweet waffle even better if they used a few big marshmallows and toasted them for you. Yum. I would also like to try all 3 of the hot chocolates; they all sound so good. Oh my, I have to be so patient to wait for my next holiday trip!
Janna says
Yum, yum, yum! I think I need both of those waffles.
That’s it…my family is just going to have to start a new tradition – Disney in December EVERY year!
Patricia says
The Sweet Potato Casserole Waffle looks ridiculously good. I’m headed down this weekend and can’t wait to try this with Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate – I imagine both will be a big hit!
Patty says
do these carry over into January at all? or will they be gone before I get there on the 9th?
Chrysty says
Thanks for the great review & photos. My tummy is rumbling just looking at them. I heard someone mention on a podcast that they tried these during Wine & Dine marathon weekend last month. I really hope they have them again next year – that’s the time of year we’ll be there!
Jen says
I’m going to Disney next week, are these waffle delights still available?
Wendy says
Hi, Jen! I believe they were only available during “Holidays Around the World” (and maybe just a few days after). That event officially wrapped on Dec 30th. We’ll be checking out Promenade Refreshments again soon to see what’s new :). Hope you have an awesome trip!!
Sandy says
Where can I check to know the available period for this seasonal offerings?
I’m planning to visit Disney in June or July this year, thank you.
D.J. says
Always hard to wrap my head around the “hot” drinks when it’s 85 degrees out!