Let’s admit it — most of us don’t have time to grab a long, leisurely breakfast when we’re in Disney World. Usually it’s up-and-at-’em, throw some clothes on, grab the kids, and get over to rope drop for the park of the day!
But sometimes I like to take a few minutes to grab a classic Disney counter-service breakfast, and when that happens, these are my go-to options! I’d love to hear your favorite counter-service breakfasts — share your top choices in the comments section below!
Tonga Toast
This is one case where you can get one of the very best menu items at a table-service restaurant…but fast! Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s Tonga Toast is an icon of Disney food — sweet bananas all wrapped up in thick french toast and covered in cinnamon and sugar!
Disney's Polynesian Resort Tonga Toast
It’s an amazing treat, and you can get it for cheap at the Polynesian’s Captain Cook’s Snack Company counter-service restaurant. Only available in the mornings, it’s a great way to start your day!
Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll
You’d think that you would be able to eat a cinnamon roll on the go, but not one of these! The monstrous breakfast rolls are truly out of this world, and anyone who knows me knows that I’ll always ask for the extra scoop of frosting on top!
Disney World Cinnamon Roll
Stop into the Main Street Bakery in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for this awesome treat! Check out my review of other delicious Main Street Bakery breakfast items here!
Pop Century Waffle
My heart is torn between the fabulous Mickey Waffles that you can get at many counter-service locations for breakfast, and this one-of-a-kind Pop Century waffle!
Sheer uniqueness wins this time, as you really can’t get this anywhere but Disney’s Pop Century Resort! Served with strawberries on top, this is more of a dessert than a breakfast, but that seems to be the theme here, doesn’t it? 😉 Light, fluffy, and delicious — this will fill you up without weighing you down.
Strawberry Sauced Pop Century Waffle
If Protein’s Your Thing…
I agree that one cannot live on sugar alone, so I do have a protein-y runner-up in the counter-service breakfast race! I do love the simple breakfast platters served around Disney parks and resorts, but this croissant breakfast sandwich is quite amazing! You’ll find this one at the Main Street Bakery, too!
Ham, Egg, and Cheese Croissant Sandwich at Main Street Bakery
Thanks for taking a tour of fun counter-service breakfasts with me! I can’t wait to hear your favorites. Let me know what I’m forgetting by making a comment below!
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I haven’t had it for breakfast per se, but O..M…G the nutella and fruit belgian waffle at Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom is sooooooooo good!!
How about bobotie for breakfast at the Mara? It’s another one of those “yeah, you could go to the sit down restaurant and get it, but if you’re in a hurry or strapped for cash, you can get the same thing as grab and go” like Tonga Toast.
Elizabeth — OOoh!! Great idea!!! And they serve those all day, right?
JulFromMD — Love it! I had no idea you could get Bobotie at the Mara! Thanks for the tip!
My wife and I love to go the night before and grab a Ham and Cheese Croissant from Boulangerie Pâtisserie (the Bakery in the back or France) located in Frace at Epoct. We warm it up in the microwave in our suite on those days when we don’t want to get started too early. You know those nights when Magic Kingdom has Extra Magic Hours after 2am.
I’m seconding Elizabeth’s comment about the Sleepy Hollow waffle. I had that for breakfast on my last trip, and it really hit the spot!
Yes, families are on vacation. Yes, it is a “fun” time. But these “breakfasts” (and I am using that term in the loosest sense), are diabetes and heart disease poster boards! A day at the Disney parks is ATHLETIC! A family needs a hearty, healthy start, with protein, whole grains, fresh fruit, and low-fat dairy (if not allergic). Mickey could just as easily whip up a whole grain waffle, topped with sugar-free berry mash. (One idea.) This is a hot mess. The kids, and the adults, with be bouncing with a quick blood sugar high and then a hard crash. No wonder there are so many tantrum in line.
You named my three favorites. Never tried the waffle at POP, but the others are must does for me. Since I am staying the Poly in June Tonga Toast will be enjoyed almost daily.
There are carts they sell pastries. There is one in DAK at Asia and one over by the Universe of Energry. They have the best donuts
Thirding the Sleepy Hollow Nutella waffle… I had one a few weeks ago and want to get a waffle iron so I can make my own! Tip–be sure to grab extra napkins, and possibly, bring wet-naps with you. The chocolate mess is worth it.
I’ll admit it was a difficult task to walk past the Main St. Bakery and not stop to get a cinnamon roll. I got my folks hooked on those last October.
Thanks A.J.–I must say I love this blog and have been reading it every day for over a year! I’ve taken notes and built a personal “Disney Food Bucket List” that keeps growing despite my attempts to sample as much as I can when I’m at The World.
Mmmmm Tonga Toast..nothing better than having an early riser hubby who brings it back for me&the kids to enjoy in bed!
Oh and we also had “sugar donuts”(beignets)every morning too!We let the kids pick! Honest : )
I can’t wait to try the Nutella waffle, but I must say my favorite counter service waffle was at the Wilderness Lodge–it was three mini Mickey waffles with fresh strawberries and orange whipped cream. YUM!
My favorites:
1 Napoleon at Starring roles!!!!
2 Cinnamon Roll at the main street bakery!
3 A Roast beef sandwich and a Sticky Pecan roll at the broadwalk bakery!
I love sugar in the mornings…
They have a great mickey waffle at captain cooks at the polynesian and it is fantastic!!! By far my favorite breakfast at a counter service!
I think the Tonga Toast is just “ok.” I had it for the first time in October and found that the egg in the french toast part didn’t soak into the bread enough. The sugar content was way too high for me as well. It wasn’t bad, just overrated.
Pop! Century has my favorite food court breakfast. That’s why it’s the first place I try booking when I go. 🙂
My favorite counter service breakfast? A chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich from the Main Street Bakery (eaten at a table on East Center Street).
I’m with James although since it is breakfast I make mine an oatmeal raisin cookie ice cream sandwich or at Studios go for the carrot cake cookie!
I never did like the cinnamon roll. Tonga toast is great, but if i catch anyone putting on syrup and not the strawberry sauce… i’ll slap them! So, if you’re staying between may 13th – 20th, be on the look out for an angry 25 year old with a vengeance for syrup.
I made Tonga Toast for the first time this past weekend. I followed the recipe and video on the Taste of Disney website. Instead of deep frying, I fried in an electric fry pan. It came out great!
The Ham, Egg, and Cheese Croissant Sandwich at Main Street Bakery is an awesome way to start EMH at 8:00 in the MK. My wife and I dine on that bad boy on the way to ride Pirates, always the first ride of the day for us at the MK. It’s a must do everytime we go to WDW… we’ll be getting one in a few weeks! 😉
I usually get the bounty platter at Pop for breakfast. I’m going to have to try the waffles this year.
I really like the chocolate croissants at Main Street Bakery. I stock up and then have them for breakfast before I leave the room for the day. I’ve seen them on the menu at other places, but not sure if they are the same everywhere or not.