Look, you’re on vacation. It’s one thing to make sure you eat healthy, visit the gym, and get those steps in when you’re living your daily life. But at Walt Disney World — the Vacation Kingdom! — it’s time to put away the fitness tracker and be a little guilty.
To put some perspective on it, most guests will walk nearly five miles in total during a day in the parks. On the day I hopped between all four parks, I wound up walking a total of 32,786 steps, or 17.3 miles. All of this is to say, you’ve earned the right to eat some delicious sweets, right?
And, lucky for anyone with a sweet tooth, Walt Disney World is one of the best places in the world to get amazing desserts. But, some sit heavier than others, some are more elaborate than others, and some simply aren’t substantial enough to really gave you that post-park pick-me-up.
What follows are the best desserts to have after a day exploring Disney’s parks, and which don’t require a special reservation or park admission to enjoy.
Ice Cream Flight — Ample Hills Creamery
Image: Dakota Gardner
I live in New York City and work exactly one block from an Ample Hills Creamery scoop shop. I have this ice cream regularly, both during particularly stressful work days and at home, while sitting on the couch watching TV. And yet, every time I go to Walt Disney World, I still make a special trip to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort in order to stop in to the Ample Hills Creamery on site.
That’s how good it is! With amazingly-inventive flavors, deliciously creamy ice cream, and a playful and relaxing atmosphere, Ample Hills serves what is plainly and clearly the best ice cream on Disney property.
With so many flavors to choose from, it can be hard to pick just one — especially when the shop makes a special flavor specifically for the Boardwalk location, which cannot be purchased anywhere else. For those who want it all, or those who simply can’t decide, Ample Hills offers a charming “ice cream flight,” letting you enjoy six flavors on one tray.
I recommend PB Wins the Cup, but you really can’t go wrong with anything.
Mini Mickey Sink — Beaches and Cream
Image: Disney
Beaches and Cream, itself, is an iconic Disney’s Beach Club eatery offering traditional American foods and fantastic ice cream sundaes. It’s signature item is called the Kitchen Sink, a massive sundae featuring nearly every ice cream flavor and topping in the store and big enough to serve four guests. To top it all off, it comes in a massive Kitchen Sink-themed bowl.
Unfortunately, the Kitchen Sink is only available on the sit-down menu at Beaches and Cream. That means, if you don’t have a reservation, you’re out of luck.
But, never ones to leave a dollar in your wallet, Disney also offers a to-go window at Beaches and Cream — serving delicious goodness to anyone walking by, even if they didn’t snag a clutch reservation. And, that to-go window includes a scaled-down version of the Kitchen Sink called the Mini Mickey Sink.
The Mini Mickey Sink also comes in a ridiculous bowl, but this one is a souvenir. Additionally, it includes a smaller selection of ice creams — vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry — and a slightly smaller heap of toppings. Still, it’s a massive sundae and probably too much for just one person. That is, unless you park hoppped that day — in which case, you may want to order two.
Hot Fudge Sundae — Ghirardelli Soda Shop
Image: Dakota Gardner
While Disney Springs is always a fun stop, going to the shopping and entertainment district after a day at the parks adds an energy to the experience that can make it seem even more fun. It’s a different kind of stimulation from the theme parks, one more familiar and normal. But, it still is fun and merry — and far more than a simple night out at a mall.
One reason for this is the massive selection of sweets on offer — most famously the Ghirardelli Soda Shop right in the heart of the Village section of the Springs. Even when it has a long line, the waits are never too long, and the ice cream tastes just like you remember ice cream tasting when you were a kid.
But, what makes Ghirardelli famous, of course, is the chocolate — and nothing is a more purified form of chocolate bliss than the incredible hot fudge used in the specialty sundaes. You can’t go wrong with any combination of ice creams, fudge, toppings, and mix ins — but definitely take a moment and pause while you eat the fudge, to appreciate just how great it tastes. After a day in the parks, it tastes even better.
Mickey Mousse – Amorette’s Patisserie
Image: Dakota Gardner
Let’s get this out of the way right up front: Yes, this particular pastry has the greatest name of any item on Walt Disney World property. And, importantly, it lives up to its name by being a decadent celebration of delicate cake, sweet mousse, and rich chocolate.
Amorette’s Patisserie is a relative newcomer to Walt Disney World, but it packs an absolute wallop by delivering astonishing cakes and impeccably crafted sweets. Each cake has its own theme, from a Mickey Bar-inspired offering to a Goofy cake. The full cakes are quite expensive, and meant mostly for special occasions, but the shop does offer smaller cakes and individual treats, like the Mickey Mousse.
It is a gorgeous combination of chocolate chiffon cake, chocolate mousse, and white chocolate mousse. It isn’t overly sweet, but it does have enough of a silky sweetness to it that it tastes almost like an elevated chocolate pudding. It’s amazing, and its name and shape make it the perfect cap to a magical day.
Vegan Cupcake – Erin McKenna’s
Image: Erin McKenna’s
Bear with me here, for a second. Yes, I know — it says “vegan.” But, there’s something of a misconception about veganism: Just because something is vegan doesn’t mean it tastes bad. Sugar is vegan! Strawberries are vegan! Chocolate can be vegan!
Are vegan foods ordinarily healthier than non-vegan foods? It depends — but you have every right to tell yourself they are when you bite into a delicious cupcake from the all-vegan bakery Erin McKenna’s at Disney Springs.
For those of you who are skeptical, I can assure you that these cupcakes taste absolutely divine, and are as moist and flavorful as any non-vegan treat. They are among the best cupcakes I’ve ever had, in part because they aren’t quite as sweet as many others you find at more famous cupcake bakeries. The frosting doesn’t get sickening, and it combines with the cake in a more elegant way than you might be used to with cupcakes.
That said, if you have one and still long for a non-vegan cupcake when you’re finished, Sprinkles is just down the block.
Ohana Bread Pudding – Tambu Lounge
Image: edrussell, Flickr (license)
Ohana’s bread pudding is among the most famous desserts in all of Walt Disney World. It has a passionate fan base that rivals even that of Disney’s films. But, since it’s offered at one of the most notoriously difficult restaurants to get into, it tends to be viewed as something of a special treat.
Well, here’s some good news: You don’t have to go to Ohana to actually get the bread pudding. If you head to the Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort after your day at the Magic Kingdom (or Epcot, if you’re really feeling adventurous), you can order this incredible dish without needing a reservation. It is, quite honestly, the best impulse buy on property.
This is, arguably, the heaviest dessert on this list, however, so do keep that in mind if you aren’t staying at the Polynesian. You won’t want to be running for a monorail or bus after a day at the parks and a massive order of this amazing bread pudding.
Dole Whip — Pineapple Lanai
Image: aloha75, Flickr (license)
Picture yourself sitting on the beach beside the Seven Seas Lagoon at night, looking out over the water at Disney’s Contemporary Resort glimmering in the distance, or at a dramatically-lit Cinderella’s Castle peeking out over the Main Street Railroad Station. Picture the cool evening air, the distant sound of Polynesian background music and chit chat floating across the slightly-too-humid air.
Imagine the sounds of water lapping up on the fenced-off beach, with tiki torches guiding a path back to your room. Think of your tired legs after exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Think of your sore muscles after a day at Typhoon Lagoon. Close your eyes, and remember how peaceful that setting can be.
It’s a nice image, right?
Now, add a Dole Whip from the Pineapple Lanai.
Yeah, I think it’s time to book another trip.
