Don't Pay A Premium On Overrated Food
It should come as no surprise that Disney food, like everything about the resorts, is extremely upcharged. Many visitors take it as a given that they're paying a premium for the Disney brand, spending their money on overpriced treats that don't taste half as good as they look. Maybe these choices are controversial, but here are some iconic Disney foods that aren't worth the price (and some that are).
1. Mickey Pretzel
One of Disney's greatest marketing feats is slapping Mickey's grinning visage on all manner of mediocre treats and watching as people pay out the nose for them. Mickey pretzels are better props than they are snacks. Prices vary throughout the parks, but a Mickey Pretzel at Liberty Square Market will set you back $7.99.
2. Turkey Leg
If we started swinging right out of the gate, we may as well continue. The ultra-salty jumbo turkey legs are a beloved snack for cavemen-at-heart, but they're a pain to carry around in the hot sun. They also $13.49, which is almost half the price of a whole Thanksgiving bird!
3. Seasonal Cupcakes
We know, these cupcakes are so cute and there are so many for different characters and events. They're also mostly frosting and $6.00 for one! Just for one! You can get a dozen cupcakes of the same quality at your local grocery store for that price.
4. Ghiradelli Sundae
Do not be lured in by the tantalizing aroma at the Ghiradelli Soda Fountain. Not only are you paying a premium for the Disney zipcode, but there's the added Ghiradelli brand recognition. The cheapest "regular"-sized sundae costs $17.25; yes it's shareable, but so are many other cheaper ice cream treats.
5. Mickey Bars
You know 'em, you love 'em, and you're paying far too much. A simple chocolate-dipped vanilla Mickey ice cream bar sells for $6.29 at various snack carts. If you're just placating crying little ones in the heat, buy them literally any other ice cream treat available.
6. Churros
Like a lot of the snack hut faves on this list, churros vary in price based on location and flavors offered. That said, your classic, no-nonsense cinnamon sugar churro is $6.25. The worst part is that they aren't even good: guests complain about the stale, cardboard-y texture.
7. Pre-Packaged Snacks
We can't give one singular price for all pre-packaged snacks, but whatever the Mouse expects you to pay, it's far too much. These snacks are cheap and full of preservatives that Disney tries to excuse with their branding. Save your money and pack ziplock bags or containers with your own snacks.
Theme Park Tourist on Wikimedia
8. Blue & Green Milk
The blue & green milks may seem worth it just for the novelty, but trust us, they aren't. Blue milk is fruity while green milk is tropical, both come in relatively small cups for $9.29 each. You're really going to pay almost $10 for a small cup of milk you might not even like?
9. Souvenir Drinks
Realistically, what will happen to that souvenir cup once you get back home? It will most likely sit at the back of a cupboard for years before decaying in a landfill for even longer. Souvenir drinks are about $10, cannot be alcoholic, and don't come with free or discounting refills, defeating the whole purpose of the reusable cup!
10. Cheeseburger Spring Rolls
Of all the items on this list, this may get us the most flack. Yes, the cheeseburger spring rolls taste exactly like a Big Mac; yes, they normally come with one seasonal flavor; no, they still aren't worth it. Spring rolls cost $9.75 for two, and you'll probably be hungry in an hour.
Now that we've covered some treats that, frankly, aren't worth the money, let's dig into some that are!
1. Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel
Look at the size of this thing; it could feed an entire Bavarian village. The Bavarian pretzel costs $10, but it's oven-baked and of a much higher caliber than the mickey offerings. The BaseLine Tap House in Hollywood Studios serves theirs with beer-cheese fondue and spicy mustard.
2. Orange Soft-Serve
I bet you thought that we were going to call the Dole Whip overpriced, but we're not, and we aren't here to talk about it. Instead, avoid the lines and head to the Sunshine Tree Terrace for some delectable citrus soft-serve. Both the orange Dole Whip and orange cream soft-serve cost $5.79 and are entirely worth it.
Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on Wikimedia
3. Waffle Sandwiches
We're willing to give the Mickey-shaped waffle sandwiches some grace because they aren't just a mouse-shaped waffle, they at least have toppings. The waffles at Sleepy Hollow come with your choice of Nutella-banana-berries-whipped-cream or berries-powered-sugar-whipped-cream. The former is $9.49 and the later $8.49; either way it's a pretty hearty breakfast.
4. Pulled Pork Nachos
Capt. Cook's at the Polynesian Resort may be a little out of the way, but if you're in the area you have to get the pulled pork nachos. The chips are made in-house and topped with cheese, spicy mayo, Pico de Gallo, pineapple salsa, and, of course, pulled pork. At $9.99 they work as a shareable snack or a light lunch.
5. Refillable Popcorn
Throughout your visit, you will see scores of popcorn stands which are not worth your money. What is worth your money is the souvenier bucket at the aptly named Popcorn in Canada stand is. The souvenir bucket is $14.25 which seems pricy but, unlike the souvenir cups, you can get refills for $2.25 throughout your stay! (For the record, a normal popcorn is about $5.50)
6. Lobster Bisque
We hesitated including this item on the list since sometime in the past three weeks it has mysteriously vanished from the France pavillion. Nonetheless, we're including it with hope that the lobster bisque will make a triumphant comeback. Served in a bread bowl, the lobster bisque costs $5.95 and could easily be a light lunch.
7. Pongu Lumpia
Located in the Pandora section of Animal Kingdom, the pongu lumpia are a great (sweet) alternative to the cheeseburger spring rolls. Pineapple-cream cheese spring rolls are $3.79 for one and are available all day.
8. Marinated Chicken Flatbread
Most Disney meals are big bucks for meager portions; the marinated chicken flatbread at Animal Kingdom is a great deal for a great portion. The open-faced sandwich comes topped with cucumber tomato salad, tahini, and greens, along with a side of chips. It's a filling portion for just $10.49.
9. Frozen Bananas
Admittedly, the snack cart frozen bananas are nothing special, but they're still a bargain compared to your baseline Mickey bar. Frozen bananas cost $5.75 and will help keep you cool while also giving you a somewhat nutritious serving of fruit, albeit covered in chocolate and peanuts.
10. Full Baguette
The full baguette in Les Halles bakery is the best-kept secret in Epcot. You get the whole thing fresh from the oven for $4.95—less than a Mickey bar! There isn't much difference between carrying around a massive turkey leg and carrying around a full baguette, but when in France...
