The place where dreams come true, Disney World is a favourite among the American people and a popular vacation spot for everyone around the world. It's got fun rides, cool characters, and best of all, delicious food. Disney's theme parks are known for selling tasty (and of course, expensive) treats that park-goers can enjoy as they explore the grounds. However, as with any theme park, there are definite overrated items and secret hidden gems yet to be discovered. Let's uncover 10 overrated foods you should skip the next time you visit, and 10 underrated foods you absolutely need to try.
1. Overrated: Turkey Leg
The iconic turkey leg at Disney parks is something you can see plastered everywhere on social media. To the majority of the public's eye, they're a must-have! But we're here to tell you, they're not all cracked up to be. They can be too salty, too bland, or worst case, too tough to eat. And honestly, they can be pretty annoying to lug around as you're exploring the park.
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2. Overrated: Dole Whip
As a fan favourite, the Dole Whip is often raved about online. It's a pineapple-flavoured soft serve that's rich and creamy. While it is delicious, we're here to say it's overrated given how much hype there is online. Despite its overwhelming popularity, it can be far too sweet, completely overshadowing any other flavours. There are other better sweet treats to try at Disney World!
Patrick Pelletier on Wikimedia Commons
3. Overrated: Cupcakes
Cupcakes are a sweet treat everyone loves to take a bite into. At Disney World, you won't be surprised to learn that their cupcakes are visually stunning. Unfortunately, appearances can only take you so far - these pretty-looking cupcakes often fall short when it comes to taste. They can be overly sweet with way too much frosting, but hey, they make for nice photos we suppose.
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4. Overrated: Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars
Although these ice cream treats are iconic thanks to their Mickey Mouse shape, these chocolate-covered bars are nothing more than standard. There's nothing really special about them! They taste pretty much like an ordinary ice cream bar you'd find in a grocery store, the only difference is the considerably more expensive price tag.
rickpilot_2000 on Wikimedia Commons
5. Overrated: Churros
A beloved sugary fried snack, churros are a hit no matter where they're sold. But at Disney World, though their churros are often praised, they can be a hit or miss. Sometimes, you get a perfectly crispy and sugary churro, while other times, you're stuck with a doughy stick that tastes more stale than fresh.
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6. Overrated: Popcorn
At the end of the day, popcorn is always just popcorn, no matter how much you spruce it up. While the popcorn at Disney World might get a lot of hype and attention, it's still essentially just regular popcorn. It is a good snack, but we'd advise you to just be wary of the price tag - there are probably better treats out there to explore!
Photo by Corina Rainer on Unsplash
7. Overrated: Caramel Apples
A beautifully decorated caramel apple is certainly a sight to behold...but how's the taste? More often than not, these sweet snacks look a lot better than they taste. They're just too hard to bite into!
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8. Overrated: LeFou's Brew
Found in the Magic Kingdom, LeFou's Brew is a common favourite. It's a frozen apple juice drink with a hint of marshmallow, topped off with passion fruit foam. It's definitely a more unique offering, but as you probably guessed, it tends to be overly sweet. In our opinion, it's simply overrated. We don't know how much sugar is in "marshmallow essence" but it sure tastes like a lot!
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9. Overrated: Mac and Cheese
Offered in various locations throughout the parks, the mac and cheese served at Disney World is typically praised. We mean, who doesn't love mac and cheese? However, as a whole, it's quite basic. For the price, it might be a better idea to try one of the park's more unique offerings that you can't just make at home.
HarshLight from San Jose, CA, USA on Wikimedia Commons
10. Overrated: Pretzels
Cute, right? The Mickey-shaped pretzels are a fan favourite and it's clear to see why. Just look at that adorable Mickey face! While these pretzels are definitely cute, unfortunately that's just about all there is to it. Flavour-wise, they're just average. And to make things worse, it can be hit or miss. Sometimes you'll be left with a stale pretzel that lacks the soft, chewy texture of a great one.
Josh Hallett on Wikimedia Commons
1. Underrated: School Bread from Norway Pavilion
Now onto some of the more underrated items you might never even have heard of before! Let's travel all the way to Epcot where you'll find this delicious treat at the Norway Pavilion. Despite it's confusing name, School Bread, this is a sweet cardamom bun that's filled with vanilla custard and topped with glazed and toasted coconut. It's absolutely delectable. It has a unique blend of flavours and textures that is surprisingly refreshing and worth every penny.
Eden, Janine and Jim from New York City on Wikimedia Commons
2. Underrated: Shawarma at Avengers Campus
Avengers, assemble! A nod to the famous end credit scene in the Avengers movies, this shawarma delivers on all levels. It's super flavourful, filling, and satisfying. It's just what you want to keep you energized as you traverse through the theme park! Available at Disney's Avengers Campus, you'll get perfectly seasoned meat with a delicious array of accompaniments, making it a must-try to all visitors.
Jeremy Thompson from Los Angeles, California on Wikimedia Commons
3. Underrated: Pulled Pork Nachos from Captain Cook’s
For a hearty, savory snack, we recommend you try the pulled pork nachos at Captain Cook's in the Polynesian Village Resort. Who doesn't love a good bowl of nachos anyway? The combination of pulled pork, cheese, and pineapple salsa is to die for, leaving you full and satisfied for the rest of the day ahead.
Arnold Gatilao from Oakland, CA, USA on Wikimedia Commons
4. Underrated: Spice Road Table's Small Plates
Let's head back to Epcot at the Morocco Pavilion for some more underrated items. This time, we're recommending you a whole restaurant! Here you'll be able to visit Spice Road Table, a Mediterranean-themed restaurant that serves surprisingly delicious Mediterranean small plates. Each dish here, from the lamb sliders to the hummus fries, is packed with flavour and so so tasty. It's often overlooked by park-goers, so don't miss it!
ShashiBellamkonda on Wikimedia Commons
5. Underrated: Lumpia at Pongu Pongu in Pandora – The World of Avatar
Everyone loves a deep fried treat, but the lumpia found at Pongu Pongu in Disney's Animal Kingdom's Pandora (The World of Avatar) just hits different. These crispy spring rolls are an explosion of flavor, filled with a sweet and tangy combination of cream cheese and pineapple. No, this isn't traditional, but it's a unique combination that works! It's an unexpectedly delicious find that might just become your new favourite.
Photo by Budi Puspa Wijaya on Unsplash
6. Underrated: Chimichangas at Disney
Available at various locations across Disney parks, the chimichangas are a hidden gem that don't get enough recognition. These deep-fried burritos, filled with a savory mixture of meat and cheese, are the perfect handheld snack as you continue to explore the rest of the park. It's often overshadowed by more famous park foods, but we're telling you, these offer a satisfying crunch that'll beat out any of the other handheld options.
7. Underrated: Jack Jack Num Num Cookies
Nothing beats a delicious, warm, ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie just baked fresh out of the oven. The Jack Jack Num Num Cookies, inspired by "The Incredibles," are exactly that. Found in Disney's Pixar Pier area, these deep-dish cookies are everything you're looking for in the perfect sweet snack. They've got an amazing blend of crisp edges, a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center, and loads of melty chocolate chips throughout.
8. Underrated: Peter Pan Float at Storybook Treats
Skip the Dole Whip and try something different the next time you visit the Magic Kingdom - try the Peter Pan Float! Available at Storybook Treats, this float is a whimsical and refreshing treat that's sure to tick off all the boxes. It features lime soft-serve ice cream that's topped with sprite, and finished with a feather-shaped chocolate piece. Because hey, why not? It's not just visually appealing, it also provides you with a nice balance of sweet and tart flavours.
HarshLight from San Jose, CA, USA on Wikimedia Commons
9. Underrated: Cheeseburger Spring Rolls at Magic Kingdom
Found at a small cart near Adventureland in Magic Kingdom, these cheeseburger spring rolls are a pleasant surprise. Combining American and Asian flavours into one crispy wrapper, these make for a great, crunchy snack that'll please the whole family. Great for on the go eating too!
Photo by Thomas Kelley on Unsplash
10. Underrated: Cream Cheese Pretzel at The Lunching Pad
Instead of grabbing the plain Mickey-shaped pretzel, you definitely need to try this often-overlooked alternative: the cream cheese pretzel. Found at Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, this has a fun twist on the classic: it's filled with cream cheese! Far more unique than the original, it's perfect for a quick bite that will also fill you up and keep you energized.
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