There are a lot of different types of food to choose from at Disney World, but choosing what your tastebuds are in the mood for is only half the battle!

We’re ALWAYS in the Mood For Bread Service at Sanaa!

That’s because while many foods at Disney World are delicious, they’re not all created equal!

You’ll be tempted by many tasty snackortunities™ throughout the Disney parks, but if you can hold off just a little longer for something better, we think you’ll be much happier with the results (we know we usually are!).

Here are upgrades we’ve come up with for some of Disney World’s most common snack culprits! Many are around the same cost, so why not have the VERY BEST version of something you can get on your vacation?! At least that’s our two cents!

What to Avoid: Plain Old Ice Cream

You’ll find ice cream at SO many locations around Disney World, but there are MANY more options than just boring vanilla and chocolate soft serve to choose from (unless you’re wild about plain soft serve, then YOU do YOU, boo!).

Womp Womp

If you’re at Magic Kingdom, or any of the other Disney parks, there’s probably a much better option not too far away!

What to Try Instead:

Dole Whip!

We’re talking TONS of specialty soft-serve flavors of Dole Whip, though some can come and go from time to time. We’ve seen Pineapple, Mango, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Raspberry, Strawberry, and even Coconut!

Pineapple Dole Whip

Look for these more unique soft-serves in Magic Kingdom at Storybook Treats, Aloha Isle, Sunshine Tree Terrace, Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies and at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s Pineapple Lanai! (You can also get regular pineapple Dole Whip at several other Disney resorts and at Disney Springs!) And don’t forget to use Mobile Order on the My Disney Experience app to help you breeze past the full line and get your treats FASTER. The lines for these joints tend to run a bit long!

Our DFB Readers Just Voted Aloha Isle’s Pineapple Dole Whip Their #1 Snack!

Beaches and Cream

Just a stone’s throw away from EPCOT, you’ll find Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort!

Beaches and Cream

This soda fountain-looking joint is known for cranking out a mean Kitchen Sink Sundae (that is ACTUALLY served in a SINK with more ice cream and toppings than you can shake a stick at!) along with another favorite of ours — the chocolate and peanut butter dreamboat known in these parts as the No Way Jose Sundae!

No Way Jose Sundae

You can’t go wrong with any of Beaches and Cream’s Extreme Milkshakes either — like the new Storm Along Shake that comes topped with its own donut life preserver! 

Storm Along Shake

Beaches and Cream has just been newly remodeled and expanded with additional seating but due to its popularity, Advance Dining Reservations are still highly recommended!

Click here to see our review of the newly reopened Beaches and Cream!

Other Spots to Look For Better Stuff

We have few other options we’d recommend to satisfy your ice cream cravings!

First up, L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France pavilion. This spot serves delicious Ice Cream Macaron Sandwiches, which they change out with the season, along with some SERIOUSLY good house-made ice cream and sorbet!

Strawberry Macaron

And don’t forget the Brioche Ice Cream Sandwiches! These are house-made brioche filled with ice cream and sauce and pressed into a little panini-like pocket of wonder! Deeeelicious.

L’Artisan des Glaces Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich with Pistachio Ice Cream and Raspberry Sauce

We also still love Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Scoops in Hollywood Studios when we’re looking for a cup or cone of creamy, cold goodness that isn’t your run-of-the-mill soft serve!

Click here to see how you can make some yummy Disney Sundaes at HOME!

What to Avoid: Mega-Crowded Character Meals

Since we’ve been known to recommend iconic character meals such as Chef Mickey’s, Crystal Palace, and Cinderella’s Royal Table to our readers (AND know we’re guilty of going to Chef Mickey’s most times we visit because KIDS!), we don’t want to send you any mixed messages. If characters are your goal, we totally recommend you try these spots at least once — especially if it’s your first time to Disney World — OR you already know your trip wouldn’t be the same without them!

Chef Mickey’s

That being said, there are some more-relaxed and (dare I say it…) more-enjoyable (and often easier to grab a reservation for!) character dining experiences out there — and you might even be surprised by how much more time you’ll get to spend with your favorite Disney character at these other spots!

What to Try Instead:

To get more face time with Disney characters without giving up food quality, check out one of these alternatives!

Garden Grill

This revolving restaurant (yes, it SPINS!) located in Epcot offers a great opportunity to meet with characters due to its smaller size! The food is brought right to your table and served family-style (so 🚫 buffet).

Booth — with a hidden Mickey — at Garden Grill

This spot offers a great breakfast platter in the morning (with Sticky Buns!) and a platter of assorted meats and veggies for lunch and dinner. We think the food quality is really good here (all of the veggies and fruit are grown IN the Living With the Land attraction you’ll rotate past!), and you can ask for as much of it as you want! 

Sticky Bun Bake at Garden Grill

And you get to hang out with Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale clad in their farmer outfits.

Farmer Mickey is the cutest

But the best part about this restaurant (IMHO) is that it’s very small, so characters tend to come by your table several times during the meal. You don’t get the same “see-em-once-and-get-out” experience that you’ll find at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Chef Mickey’s. At those restaurants, we almost feel rushed since the tables are obviously seated in “waves,” and everyone has to get out so new folks can be seated for the next time the characters make the rounds.

The feeling is much more relaxed and chill at Garden Grill. And that makes a huge difference during a frantic Disney vacation.

Click here to see why we LOVE breakfast at Garden Grill!

Tusker House

You’ll get to meet Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy in safari-themed outfits at Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! This buffet situated in the heart of the Africa section of the park and serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Safari Mickey

The buffet features some really unique foods including some African specialties for more-adventurous eaters! Don’t worry– there are still plenty of old standby foods including as many Corn Dog Nuggets and as much mac and cheese as you could possibly want!

Click here to see when we ate breakfast AND lunch at Tusker House!

Or Check Out These Character Dining Locations:

Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort offers a character breakfast that costs about the same as Chef Mickey’s but has a much more chilled-out atmosphere — along with a STUNNING rooftop view! You’ll still get to spend time with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald who are all wearing outfits inspired by different artistic disciplines! As you can see, Daisy is a ballet dancer!

Topolino’s Terrace Breakfast a la Art Characters

Check out our full review WITH PHOTOS of Topolino’s Terrace’s character breakfast here!

Topolino’s is a plated meal (meaning it’s NOT all-you-can-eat like a buffet, which could sway your decision…so take that into consideration), and we think it looks and tastes better than many of the options at Chef Mickey’s — just don’t tell our pal Mickey that! 😉

Breakfast a la Art Entrees

Trattoria al Forno’s Bon Voyage Breakfast at Disney’s BoardWalk is also another unique option. The food is served plated and it’s also not all-you-can-eat, but the vibe is generally much less hectic.

Tower of Pancakes at Trattoria al Forno

Not only will you get to enjoy some really yummy food, but you’ll usually get the chance to see two Disney princesses who rarely meet: Rapunzel, and Ariel (with LEGS!) AND THEIR GUYS! Flynn Rider and Prince Eric are also normally making the rounds with the ladies.

Ariel

This is the ONLY spot you can currently meet these two gents, so if meeting a prince or two is on your wish list, consider heading to the BoardWalk!

Check out our FULL REVIEW of the Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno here!

The character breakfast at ‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort might also be a good option for you since this one IS all-you-can-eat (and served in a big skillet like at Garden Grill!).

‘Ohana Character Breakfast

It costs about the same as Topolino’s Terrace and Trattoria al Forno, but you can really load up on those Mickey Waffles before you hit the parks.

Say Aloha to Mickey and Friends at ‘Ohana for Breakfast

Thankfully, Magic Kingdom is only a short monorail ride away! You’ll meet Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch at this fun breakfast as well!

Read our full review of ‘Ohana’s character breakfast here!

What to Avoid: Basic Cheeseburger

Don’t just get a boring burger like you can get at any fast food restaurant back home — get a GOOD one! 

What to Try Instead:

The Boathouse

The Boathouse’s Gibson “Sandwich King” Burger is one of our favorite award-winning burgers at Disney World. It’s one seriously juicy, well-seasoned burger loaded with fried cherry peppers, jalapeño havarti, and spiced mayo! It’s incredible.

Gibsons “Sandwich King” Burger Hop Champion

You’ll likely need an Advance Dining Reservation to feast at this waterfront restaurant, but if you’re like us, once you get a taste of this thing, you’ll be rebooking this spot over and over again! OH, and don’t forget to grab those spicy firecracker shrimp, too! And the Key Lime Pie… .

Click here to see why we loved the burger at The Boathouse!

D-Luxe Burger

Although Disney Springs’ D-Luxe Burger is a quick-service spot, you can actually order your burger cooked to the temperature you want just like at a fancy sit-down joint!

Dubliner Burger

D-Luxe Burger also uses a signature meat blend and offers many uniquely themed burgers. There’s usually a seasonal burger that’s changed out every few months! Our favorite is still their Pepperoni Pizza Burger (it’s SO GOOD!).

Click here to see one of our favorite D-Luxe burgers, the Pepperoni Pizza Burger!

Grand Floridian Cafe

The Lobster Thermidor Burger at Grand Floridian Cafe is also a wonderful sammie to enjoy at Disney World! It comes fully-loaded with fresh lobster, a cheese crisp, and a rich, creamy sauce!

Lobster Thermidor Burger at Grand Floridian Cafe

This thing is the ultimate surf and turf indulgence! You can pop over to the Grand Floridian for lunch really easily from Magic Kingdom. Not only is the food outstanding, but the atmosphere is much more relaxed than the mid-day meal time frenzy at the parks! 

Click here to see why the Lobster Thermidor Burger is a “catch!”

What to Avoid: Plain Old Potato Chips 

Yikes! We never want you to waste any of your Disney Dining Plan snack credits on ordinary stuff like bottled water, soda, or a bag of potato chips you can buy in any grocery store! In fact, we work hard on our DFB Guides to prevent such a travesty from occurring! 😉

What to Try Instead:

Disney makes their own homemade potato chips and they’re waaay fresher and tastier than the prepackaged stuff! These are more like thick-cut kettle-style chips, often sprinkled generously with sea salt. 

Housemade Chips

Look for them available as a side to get with your meal, or purchase them separately at many fast-food restaurants throughout Disney World! Many fast food locations, especially at resorts, offer these tasty chips!

Here are our top snacks to get at Disney World in 2020 with your Disney Dining Plan snack credits!

And if you’re looking for something even fancier than “just chips” at Disney World, there are a lot of kicked-up-a-notch options! Try the Buffalo Chicken Chips at Trilo-Bites in Disney’s Animal Kingdom or the Watchos at Rix Sports Bar in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (which are like nachos made with Waffle Fries instead!).

Watchos at Rix Sports Bar

And even Woody’s Lunch Box in Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land is serving up Totchos (basically tots loaded with yummy toppings!). These are similar to the Bacon Mac and Cheese Tots you’ll find at The Friar’s Nook in Magic Kingdom!

Creamy Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Tots at The Friar’s Nook

If you’re really hankering for a “bag of chips,” stop by Pepe in Disney Springs and get the Patatas Bravas. These beauties are fresh made chips covered in a tomatoey sauce and a garlicy aioli! — YUM! 

Patatas Bravas at Pepe

José Andrés is a James Beard award-winning chef, so expect a higher-caliber than your regular Frito-Lays here! 😉

Click here to see our full review of the yum Patatas Bravas at Pepe here! 

What to Avoid: Regular Fast Food Pizza or Getting a Pizza Delivered to Your Hotel

While you can get a standard pre-made pizza all over Disney World, there are much better ‘za options out there!

What to Try Instead:

If you can help it, avoid getting regular pizzas like you can order at home delivered to your Disney World resort and stay away from pizza joints like PizzeRizzo at Hollywood Studios or Pizzafari at Animal Kingdom. Even though they look impressive on the outside, with a few exceptions, they all serve the same standard “too much dough, not enough toppings” pizzas that are pre-made and honestly, not that great!

PizzeRizzo Pizza is Standard Pizza

Instead, we suggest you seek out more authentic spots that make their crust from scratch and fire them to order! Via Napoli in Epcot’s World Showcase or Disney Springs’ Pizza Ponte have some of the best, freshest pizzas around. 

Via Napoli

These restaurants are part of the Pantina Group (the same folks who’ll be running Space 220 Restaurant when it blasts off!), and source their flour and water from the most authentic places possible to ensure you’re getting some TOP NOTCH ‘za.

Click here to see why we love the pizza at Via Napoli!

Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza in Disney Springs is also a tastier option than Disney World’s mass-produced pizza pies. It’s a build-your-own pizza joint with a HUGE local following that’s turning out some quality pies!

Building a Blaze Pizza

Even though Blaze Pizza is a chain restaurant, the pizzas are hot, fresh, and not very expensive! If you don’t have a Blaze Pizza back home, give them a try!

Click to see our review of Blaze Pizza in Disney Springs!

What to Avoid: Grocery Store Beer

Put that ol’ familiar bottle down! Disney has SO MUCH to offer in the realm of craft beers beyond just the “standard” grocery store options you’re used to back home!

What to Try Instead:

Be adventurous and try something local! Disney World features lots of local Central Florida microbreweries that you probably can’t find back home (unless you’re a Florida resident!). City Works in Disney Springs is a great place to get the party started! (Note that while we don’t necessarily recommend City Works for their food, we can def get behind their beer menu.) Just look at how many beers they’ve got on tap:

City Works

City Works features Florida brewers on a large number of their taps. You may find your new favorite “vacation” beer you’ve never heard of before here!

Check out our review of City Works Eatery & Pour House here!

In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you can find a number of beers EXCLUSIVE to Disney World! Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale can be found at Nomad Lounge and Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks.

Over in Pandora, you’ll find a couple unique beers to this location — Hawke’s Grog and Mo’ara Ale! Leave it to the land of Avatar to serve a signature beer that’s GREEN!

Mo’ara High Country Ale

Over in Epcot’s World Showcase, you’ll find imported beers from all over the globe in each of the pavilions! And look for even more micro beers and ciders anytime there’s a festival going on!

Click here to see one of the many beer flights at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival this year!

What to Avoid: Be Our Guest Breakfast — If  You’re NOT on a Disney Dining Plan!

You might think you’re saving some money dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant for breakfast, but many of the basic “eggs and bacon” entrees aren’t worth the $29 price tag per entree! A Fried Croissant Donut costs almost as much as a nice dinner entree somewhere else! For a donut!

We think breakfast here is way overpriced and not even that delicious. So skip it unless you can’t get into BOG for lunch AND you’re using the Disney Dining Plan!

Breakfast at Be Our Guest

We absolutely love dining in the beautiful ballroom or better yet, the spooky West Wing! But while the atmosphere is totally magical, we think there’s a better way to see inside the castle… .

Click here to see our breakfast review of Be Our Guest!

What to Try Instead:

Eat here for LUNCH! Lunch is a much better value at Be Our Guest Restaurant! It’s still a little pricey for fast casual food, but you’ll get a much higher quality spread and bang-for-your-buck than you would with breakfast!

Lunch for the Table

And believe it or not, most of the lunch menu is actually CHEAPER than breakfast! You’ll get a sit-down quality meal for slightly more than the cost of a regular fast-food meal! Of course, there’s no harm in going all out for dinner at Be Our Guest either, but then you’ll be shelling out some serious cash-olla!

Click here to see our latest review of lunch at Be Our Guest!

What to Avoid: Name Brand Prepackaged Candy and Baked Goods

Last but not least, let’s talk about one of our favorite things to get at the Disney parks — CANDY!

Stitch Mike and Ike’s candy

But just like everything we’ve already closely examined, save your sweet tooth for the BEST stuff!

What to Try Instead:

Don’t reach for the packaged stuff that’s been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long. Go somewhere that’s making their stuff fresh as can be! Karamell-Küche, Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, and Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in Epcot’s World Showcase all serve freshly made-in-house sweets!

Karamelle Kuche Sweets

And over at Magic Kingdom, you’ll find the fresh stuff at Big Top Treats and Main Street Confectionery. They’ve got lots to choose from including candy apples, brownies, cake pops, and more!

Main Street Confectionery

Even Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, Sprinkles, and Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs are cranking out made-by-hand confections on the reg! (And don’t forget — Erin McKenna’s serves exclusively gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan yummies!)

Blondie Cupcake

Disney World’s resorts are also full of many unique temptations. Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is known for its Peanut Butter Pie and cupcakes; while many of the Value Resorts, like Disney’s Pop Century Resort, have exclusive fan-favorite treats like their Tie-Dye Cheesecake!

Tie-Dye Cheesecake

Swing by your resort’s fast-food location and see what goodies are hiding in their cases!

Click here to see some of our FAVORITE treats you can get freshly made in Epcot!

There’s enough food at Disney World to eat over many lifetimes, but since life is short (and you only get to go around once!), make sure you make time to eat the BEST stuff at Disney World! We hope we’ve helped you with saving your dollars and Disney Dining Plan snack credits for what matters the most — DELICIOUSNESS!

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Which foods are you most excited to try on your next trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!

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