Marathons and healthy eating are rapidly growing in popularity. As we fill our days with lifestyle changes designed to promote smarter options and fitness strategies, it isn’t uncommon to feel guilty for even the slightest transgression. In moderation, dietary cheats can be forgiven, and on vacation, they’re expected. When you’re vacationing at the Walt Disney World Resort, edible indulgences are practically mandatory!
There’s no shortage of food choices at Walt Disney World – from smart to sinful. If you’re counting calories, you may want to make your indulgences truly worth it. These ten fiendishly fabulous temptations are the items most worth breaking your diet for.
1. Chocolate covered strawberries
If your conscience is weighing too heavily at the mere thought of a candy shop, consider easing your way into the inevitable surrender with chocolate-covered strawberries! After all, this is only a partial cheat – right?
Much like the gargantuan turkey legs that baffle the masses, these strawberries are super-sized! The bulk of your treat is pure, fresh fruit, softening the blow of your caloric breach, but as soon as your taste buds get involved, you discover just how rich that deceptively thin layer of chocolate truly is! White, milk, and dark chocolate varieties are available. Any choice is a winner, in combination with the exceptionally juicy berries. In-room dining at most on-site resorts also offers strawberries with chocolate dipping sauce, in a bowl made of chocolate. It doesn’t get better than that!
You can find chocolate-covered strawberries in most candy shops and bakeries throughout the parks, resorts, and Downtown Disney. Take it one step further at Karamell-Kuche in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion, where the strawberries include a lacing layer of caramel!
2. Werther’s caramel treats
Speaking of caramel – if this is your weakness, consider Karamell-Kuche your greatest challenge! This German bake shop features an assortment of Werther’s brand treats well beyond the hard candies they’ve become famous for.
Founded in Germany in 1903, Werther’s has extended their product line to include brownies, tarts, cheesecake, toffee, cookies, and more – all of which incorporate their signature caramel. That original ingredient puts an extraordinary spin on all of the traditional Disney favorites, and then some. The menu items change frequently. Although strawberries, apples, and a few other staples remain constant, clever new creations are always being introduced.
3. Candied apples
Werther’s original caramel is a noble complement to an apple, but don’t neglect the candied apples you’ll find in ample supply! Melt-in-your-mouth sugary sweetness is only part of the allure of the candied apple. When touched by a bit of Disney magic, they also become an irresistible work of art! If you can bring yourself to devour such a masterpiece, your appreciation will far outweigh your regret, just make sure you snap a photo first. This is one cheat worthy of documentation!
Candied apples are decorated to represent the vast array of Disney characters, attractions, shows, and more, so choose your favorite! When a dessert meshes so perfectly with your personality and interests, it’s as if fate has cast its blessing on your indulgence. Find these enchanting treats at most candy shops and bakeries on property. Many locations even provide demonstrations of the magic at work, where you can watch the decorating process first-hand.
4. Zeppole di Caterina
Keep in mind, there are plenty of delectable delights beyond the bakeries and candy shops. In fact, you can justify a lapse in caloric judgment by working a little harder to get to the rewards that are more limited in availability. Well, that might be a bit of a reach in rationale, but find a way to permit yourself the act of waistline sabotage that is Zeppole di Caterina.
The bigger challenge may be saving room for this authentic Italian treat. Zeppole can only be found at Epcot’s Italy Pavilion, at the Via Napoli restaurant, which boasts an entire menu of enticing entrees before you even consider dessert. Italian cuisine is notoriously filling and often rather heavy in nature. Zeppole is no exception. Essentially, an Italian donut, Zeppole consists primarily of dough, sugar and Ricotta cheese, served with whipped cream and chocolate sauce for your dipping pleasure. The good news? These little balls of yumminess are the perfect size for sharing… if you really want to.
5. Funnel cakes
Maybe the Ricotta cheese is a bit more than you are willing to walk off, but the thought of powdered sugar is dancing across your taste buds, and you need to act on this craving. Never fear – funnel cakes are here!
This traditional carnival classic has been a favorite since Medieval times, and Disney’s funnel cakes measure up to the standards of any generation. Carts and stand-alone counter service locations dedicated almost entirely to funnel cakes can be found at Epcot’s America Pavilion, Boardwalk Inn, Oasis Canteen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and in Liberty Square at Sleepy Hollow. Cheat a little with powdered sugar topping only, or go for the gold with options including ice cream, chocolate sauce, berries, and whipped cream. A mandatory warning – this larger-than-the-plate behemoth commands many napkins, a fork, and possibly a dining companion to share with!
6. Cupcakes
The growing popularity of dedicated cupcakeries speaks volumes about our love affair with these miniature confections. Stuffed, iced, topped – the possibilities are endless when it comes to cupcake styles and flavors. If you think you’ve seen them all, you haven’t thoroughly explored the Disney cupcake collection. This may be the single, most abundant food item at Walt Disney World.
It may seem trite to push cupcakes so vigorously, but one simple Web search will put this all in perspective. “Disney cupcake” search results reveal a cluster of fans devoted to the enticing treats – so much so, that you’ll find endless lists of recommendations, as well as guides to “cupcake crawls”… to eat your way through the resort, one cupcake at a time. Put simply, these aren’t your standard cupcakes. They’re huge, moist, extravagantly flavorful, and they look almost as impressive as they taste. The only drawback to the Disney cupcake is trying to narrow down your choices to one. This may seem like an impossible feat when staring down the selections, but it’s certainly safer than attempting to devour them all! Not preferable, mind you, but safer.
7. Zebra Domes
The Zebra Dome is a Disney-original. In fact, this creation came to life at one of Walt Disney World’s most elaborate resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is still the only place on property where you’ll find them.
So… what is a Zebra Dome? The name describes the appearance, but there are no words that do justice to the taste. This clever little two-bite concoction consists of white cake, topped with a fluffy chocolate-espresso mousse, enclosed in a white chocolate ganache with chocolate drizzle. The secret ingredient is Amarula Cream Liqeur, made from the native African marula tree. Hands-down, this is one of the most beloved of Disney desserts. Find them on the buffet at Boma – Flavors of Africa, or grab a to-go package from The Mara. Don’t feel too sheepish if you make a special trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge just for a Zebra Dome fix. It’s perfectly justifiable, and a more common occurrence than you’d think.
8. Kitchen Sink
Gather your diet-ditchers and your competitive eaters – the Kitchen Sink is the mother of all edible challenges at the Walt Disney World Resort. Be forewarned, this one may not only curb your diet… it’s likely to derail it for quite some time, but rest assured – it’s worth it! This is pure gluttony at its finest, and there’s no way to subdue the accompanying guilt.
The Kitchen Sink concept is not exactly new. Many ice cream parlors offer some variation of this dessert extravaganza, but what’s behind the Disney version? Eight scoops of ice cream in five flavors, a half-cup each of warmed peanut butter, butterscotch, and fudge toppings, chocolate syrup, marshmallow creme, strawberry and pineapple toppings, a banana, two quartered cupcakes, a brownie, a candy bar, 4 cookies, a slew of crushed and chopped toppings, sprinkles, cherries, and an entire can of whipped topping – all served up in (you guessed it) a kitchen sink. Yes, this one is quite a sight to see, and all heads will turn when this glorious monument to tastiness makes its way from the kitchen to your table. It’s delivered with great fanfare, complete with flashing lights, and cheers.
The Kitchen Sink is obviously made to share. It is recommended for parties of four, but can easily appease a couple more. You’ll find the original Kitchen Sink at the Beaches and Cream ice cream shop and cafe at the Beach Club Resort. Scaled-down versions are also available at The Plaza Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom. This three-scoop treat is served up in a smaller “sink” designed to look like Mickey’s signature red shorts, which doubles as a take-home souvenir commemorating you attempt to tackle this giant among Disney desserts.
9. Doh Bars
If unique is what you seek, a Doh Bar fits the bill! This direct-from-Ireland snack can only be found at Cookes of Dublin at Downtown Disney. The menu at Cookes is chock full of tantalizing selections, but you may forget all about the entrees when you discover the Doh Bar – a Snickers bar, deep fried in donut batter, topped with a blanket of powdered sugar. It shouldn’t take much convincing to cave in to this beautiful combination of gooey and crunchy goodness, and Downtown Disney is the perfect place to walk off the inevitable guilt.
10. Cocktails and dessert beverages
A beverage that doubles as a dessert has undeniable merit. Even if you’re not the type to close down the bars at sunrise, Disney has an assortment of specialty cocktails and dessert beverages worthy of the dual indulgence infraction. Not everything alcohol-based packs the punch of the Tequila Flight in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion, which may find you stumbling your way around the “world”. Throughout the resort, you’ll discover a wide variety of drink options, even for those in the “lightweight” category. Just a few of the highlights…
The simplistic, go-to favorite is the Pina Colava. No, that’s not a typo. It’s a Pina Colada, with “lava” (Raspberry Rum and puree) enhancement. When all else fails, this is the safest drink, available almost anywhere blended, alcoholic beverages are served.
If you’re seeking something a tad more potent, the Fiesta Margarita at Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion has a nice little kick to it. The outdoor Margarita cart offers three flavor options: lime, strawberry, and mango. OR, go for the Fiesta Margarita, which layers all three. Si, por favor!
The AMC Dine-In Theaters at Downtown Disney offers the ultimate in sinful delight – the Oreo Mudslide. Combine an Oreo milkshake with a Mudslide, and there you have it. What more convincing could you possibly need?
The food and drink offerings at Walt Disney World are an ever-evolving showcase of creativity. As much as Space Mountain, Mickey Mouse, parades, and long lines are a mandatory aspect of any Disney vacation, so, too is the consumption of diet-crashing food and drink. Leave your guilty conscience at home, and indulge – it’s worth it!
