If you’re taking your first trip to Disney World, you probably have a long list of must-dos … everything from popular rides to must-see shows to the best of the best dining options.
And of course, there are several snacks that everyone says you “have to” get on your first trip to the parks. But we’re here to tell you that some snacks absolutely scream “this is my first time at Disney World!”
Pineapple Dole Whip
Plenty of seasoned veterans love pineapple Dole Whip, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is arguably one of the most popular Disney snacks for first-timers. It’s a piece of advice we hear given to newcomers all the time — “make sure to try the Dole Whip!”
There are several places you can get Dole Whip in Disney World, and several flavors available, so we encourage you to not limit yourself to getting the plain ol’ pineapple at Aloha Isle. Try visiting Sunshine Tree Terrace to get orange or strawberry, or head over to Storybook Treats to try the lime flavor. Better yet, go to Disney Springs and get the Dole Whip Flight from Swirls on the Water!
Mickey Pretzel
We’re gonna level with you here — Mickey pretzels are probably some of the worst pretzels you can get in Disney World. Sure, they’ve got a fun shape, but they come with pre-packaged cheese and they’re usually a bit too dry.
For a more delicious pretzel experience, we recommend the jumbo pretzels from either BaseLine Tap House in Hollywood Studios or Pongu Pongu in Animal Kingdom. Both of these options are top tier and come with more delicious dipping options!
Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar or Sandwich
When you visit Disney World, you’ll see carts selling the ice cream novelties all OVER the place. The Mickey bars and ice cream sammies are classic treats we like to indulge in every once in a while, but they’re not the best ice cream available.
If you want some really yummy ice cream, there are several hand-scooped ice cream shops around Disney World. Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, L’Artisan des Glaces, and Hollywood Scoops are great options in the parks, but Salt & Straw in Disney Springs is the absolute cream of the crop — make sure to check them out!
Boring Ice Cream Sundaes and Floats
Many of the soft-serve ice cream spots in Disney World will serve basic versions of ice cream floats and sundaes. These are the treats you’ll find at places like Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies and Storybook Treats. But you don’t have to commit to the “boring” ice cream options!
For more leveled-up sundaes and floats, we recommend trying out places like Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Ghirardelli in Disney Springs, or Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Magic Kingdom. At these spots, you can get a variety of toppings and sauces.
Plain Popcorn
Popcorn is a staple of Disney World, but it’s not as common of a snack for returning guests, unless you’re a popcorn bucket owner. And while Disney World popcorn is actually quite good, there are other ways you can take things up a notch.
For instance, try heading to the Kernel Kitchen in the Main Street Confectionery to build your own bowl of loaded popcorn with chocolate, candy, and all kinds of other goodies. Or if you like unique flavors, EPCOT is home to both caramel popcorn (in the Germany Pavilion) and maple popcorn (in the Canada Pavilion).
Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie Treats are crowd-pleasers, but they’re also not the most exciting snack you can find in the parks. They usually come in some really cute seasonal designs and are great for pictures, but they’re also quite sugary and sometimes too much to eat in one sitting.
Instead of a Rice Krispie Treat, try reaching for one of the more unique snacks in a bakery case. In the past, we’ve seen everything from scones to bundt cakes to haystacks and more.
Candy or Caramel Apples
These are SO cute, but they’re so hard to eat! Disney used to offer to cut them up for you when you purchased one, but without that offering, it can be a pain to lug an apple around all day.
As we mentioned above for the Rice Krispie treats, we probably just recommend going for something in the bakery case that’s a little more unique or easy to eat.
Anything Prepackaged
You’ll find a LOT of prepackaged snacks in Disney World, from candy bars to chocolates to cookies to more Rice Krispie treats. And we promise — the prepackaged stuff is not nearly as good as the fresh-made goodies.
If you find yourself reaching for the bags of manufactured goodies in the parks, just keep walking to the next snack spot instead. Or if you want some classic bagged sweets, order your favorites through a grocery delivery service and have them dropped at your hotel — then you can just put them in your park bag for when you’re snacky. They’ll probably be cheaper anyway!
Giant Lollipops and Suckers
Speaking of the prepackaged goods, we’ve got to talk about those giant lollipops and suckers! We see first-time visitors getting these all the time for their kiddos and they’re messy and so big that they’re nearly impossible to finish!
Instead of the big suckers, we would suggest opting for a popsicle or ice cream treat instead! Many of the ice cream carts sell fruit bars that offer a similar experience to a lollipop but without the sticky leftovers.
Blue Milk
And last but not least, we’ve got to mention blue milk! This is a must for anyone visiting Galaxy’s Edge for the first time, and it’s a highly controversial treat.
If you want to be more adventurous, we recommend trying out the green milk or going for a more universally beloved Star Wars treat like the Ronto Wrap at Ronto Roasters. You could also continue the pipeline of controversial snacks and order the Outpost Mix popcorn at Kat Saka’s Kettle, which has divided many fans.
So there you have it — a list of the snacks that are a dead giveaway to other people on your first trip to Disney World! Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney World updates and tips for how to have a great vacation.
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What are your must-try snacks in Disney World for first-timers? Let us know in the comments!
After all the years of seeing those gorgeous Beaches and Cream shakes, I finally got one last year. It was the WORST shake I have ever had and it makes me upset thinking about it to this day. LOL After I did some digging, it looks like they use low fat basic grocery store ice cream there.