As Disney fans, we all know the best foods in the Disney Parks. Food is one of the most important things to the Disney Parks brand, which is why the types and quality have become so special in the minds of fans like us.
Take this list as a request. These are experiences that are almost required on the first trip to Disneyland to understand the culinary culture the park has to show.
As noted previously, this list is only going to detail some quick snacks at the Disneyland Park, but eventually we’ll delve into the other parks under the Disney name and their food offerings.
Be sure to check these snacks out on your next trip to Disneyland, and enjoy!
5.) Mint Julep and Mickey Beignets — New Orleans Square
To start the list, we mention a Disneyland cult classic. Sure they may not be the most interesting snacks available, but are defined as a cornerstone in the minds of Disneyland fans.
As guests move through the detailed backstreets of New Orleans Square, they’ll happen upon the quaint Mint Julep Bar, sporting only a few small tables tucked in next to the New Orleans Square Railroad Station.
While not a visual spectacle, the bar touts some of the simplest delicacies in the Disney Parks. The Mickey shaped Beignets, which are basically fried dough dusted with a gracious serving of powdered sugar, allow for both a mobile experience with handheld travel, as well as a relaxed option, enjoying the scenery of New Orleans Square.
These bite-sized Mickey snacks are best paired with the Mint Julep, which is a non-alcoholic cup of club soda and mint (basically), really encapsulates the feeling that NOS aims to deliver.
Delicious, cheap, and hidden away from the crowds. Perfect for a crowded day at Disneyland.
4.) Corn Dog — Main Street U.S.A.
Here we have a classic to fans young and hold. Diehard fanatics and families alike have cemented this option as a cornerstone during trips to Disneyland.
Found in the Main Street Corn Dog Trolley Cart at Disneyland, near the Plaza Inn, guests can dine upon one of these theme park classics. Battered in a gracious amount of dough and deep fried to perfection. Even reading about it makes the mouth water!
Often, when you ask Disneyland regulars, they’ll let you know that it’s much cheaper to ask for the corn dog by itself than to get the chips with it. If you take the chips or fruit away, the price drops from $8.75 to $6.50, which makes the hefty price tolerable.
The corn dog is the perfect snack to pair with people-watching on a bench in Main Street, offering a relaxed experience in an often hectic park.
3.) Plaza Inn Fried Chicken — Main Street U.S.A.
Okay, so any Disneyland fan knows that the servings at the Plaza Inn are not for the faint of heart, but hear me out.
The Plaza Inn offers a blend between quick service and buffet style dining in order to allow for increased traffic while maintaining a consistent supply of incredible food. This dining option offers a diverse selection of food, yet many only choose one option, that being the famous fried chicken.
At $17.49, this is the most expensive quick service option on this list. For the price you get 3 pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables (often green beans), and a biscuit. I should note that the biscuit is genuinely awful, mirroring that of school lunches, but that doesn’t’ weigh down an already fantastic meal.
Tip: Once you’ve purchased your box of greasy deliciousness, move away from the Plaza Inn, as it is often crowded when people stake out spots for that night’s fireworks. Moving to Tomorrowland by the former Innoventions building allows for open space during the later hours at the park and a relaxed experience while enjoying your delicious meal. There are multiple seating areas in the near the entrance to Autopia/the monorail station.
While quick service is often touted as the cheap option, the price of this meal is well worth it.
2.) Steak Gumbo — New Orleans Square
New Orleans Square offers some of the best dining options in Disneyland from cheap quick service options to fantastic sit-down restaurants. The most important in my opinion is the steak gumbo, offering a hearty and creamy serving of New Orleans culture.
When guests arrive at New Orleans Square, they can see a small quick service counter near the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean. While it looks like nothing special, the $11 gumbo housed within the small counter service option is absolutely magnificent.
The gumbo is spiced perfectly, housed in a breadbowl filled to the brim with delicious soup and intense servings of meat, all while you’re surrounded with fantastic music and culture.
Truly, there’s not much to say about the gumbo. Once you’ve had it, the experience is unexplainable. Something comes over you, something that reminds you of hot soup in a cold day, even when you’re basking in the dry heat of California.
The only gripe I can hold is that New Orleans Square is a bustling and tight location that is difficult to maneuver while holding a hot soup, and seating is often difficult to find.
The Gumbo is delicious, making the hustle and bustle of New Orleans Square well worth it!
1.) Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Sandwiches — Main Street U.S.A.
Oh man, these sandwiches.
On the opposite side of Main Street to that of the Plaza Inn, the Jolly Holiday Bakery offers treats both big and small, from the macaroon sandwiches to a Matterhorn mountain treat. This cafe offers some of the most unique options to the guests of the park when it comes to quick service.
If I could point you in any direction, I would say that the sandwiches at Jolly Holiday are an experience you can’t miss out on. My personal favorites are the Turkey on Ciabatta as well as the Roast Beef and Cheddar on a Roll, but the options are so plentiful that they’ll definitely have something perfect for your specific likings.
The seating area is often empty, but it’s also seated right near the bustling crowds of Main Street, offering the perfect spot to take in the crowds, the music, the sights, and the culture of Disneyland.
With some of the best sandwiches in any Disney Park, the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe dining options are both cheap, quick, stress-free, and perfect for anybody’s day at Disneyland.
So what did you think? Do you have any other Disneyland snacks that you love but weren’t mentioned?
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Thanks for reading!
Ryan Dorman is a Columnist and the Content Director for the Boardwalk Times. You can find him on Twitter at @OpentheDorman, and on the Boardwalk Times podcast, “Boardwalk Talk.”
