Food

by: guide4wdw – Collin

5 Snacks Under $5 at Walt Disney World – Our Top Budget Friendly Snack Recommendations!

As many of you may already know, the food at Walt Disney World is just as important as the attractions for so many reasons. At the same time, it’s also no secret that dining at Disney can get expensive. As a result, today I’m sharing our top 5 snacks under $5 at Disney World.

Would you rather listen than read? Check out this weeks podcast where we cover this topic in greater depth!

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Dining in the parks and on Disney property as a whole is all about knowing where to go, what to order, and how to make the most of every meal. This is especially true if you’re looking to save money. Some guests fall in the expensive dining preferences category while others are perfectly content eating at quick service locations or even quite possibly carrying their food with them into the parks (which I don’t necessarily recommend due to extra bags, etc.). When we travel to the parks, I like to think that we bridge the gap of both mindsets. It’s not out of the ordinary for us to eat one table service meal a day, but often times we’ll also skip a lunch or a dinner after a big table service meal earlier in the day. To us, a good meal can make all the difference in the flow of your day and how you feel throughout the day, especially during those hot summers that Florida has become synonymous with.

Obviously, when taking that mindset into consideration, we’re not necessarily the most frugal travelers, but at the same time we’re not spending hundreds of dollars a day on food simply because we’ve found ways to cut down on costs and only select the most expensive dining offerings for select occasions or one time per trip meals. Snacks fall into a similar frame of thought for us. In general, we don’t snack all that much in the parks, but we are notorious about picking up desserts at a bakery or late night ice-cream before heading back to our resort. I share that detail mostly because your idea of a snack could certainly differ from ours so it’s something you may want to be aware of along the way.

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Over the years, we’ve come to recognize that often times a snack can help you bridge the gap between a table service breakfast and an early dinner, or any other combination of possibilities simply because we’ve learned the hard way. No matter what your strategy for touring the parks is, a snack at Disney doesn’t have to be a $7 Mickey Pretzel (yep, that’s right… they’re $7 now!). Snacks come in all shapes and sizes at Disney but knowing what snacks are best and which ones wont brake the bank can really help you out and more importantly help out your budget along the way.

1. Mickey Beignets ($4.49)

Believe it or not, beignets at Walt Disney World are still one of the little known hidden gems of the dining realm. For just $4.49, you can grab 3 beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter at the Floatworks dining location. These beignets are, without a doubt, one of the very best snacks on property regardless of the cost. Additionally, at less than $5 they’re a must-try treat for every Disney Parks guest.

You wont find beignets in the Florida theme parks, but the short bus ride or drive over to Port Orleans is well worth it to get the chance to try this budget friendly snack. While you’re there. consider trying a fried catfish Po’ Boy to complete the experience and to enjoy one of the best all around budget friendly meals on Disney property at one of the most underrated resorts around.

2. Mousse au Chocolat ($4.50)

While this is essentially fancy wording for chocolate mousse, there’s nothing ordinary about this dessert/snack option. This particular Mousse au Chocolate is only sold at one location in the parks over at the France Pavilion in Epcot. France’s Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie quick service location is the best little tucked away bakery in nearly all of the parks and resorts. On top of that, it features one of the most budget friendly and best tasting dessert menus in all of Epcot.

The Chocolate Mousse is certainly a highlight of the experience, but it’s also good to note that nearly half of their expansive dessert lineup costs less than $5 as well. So, if mousse isn’t your thing, you have a huge variety of other pastries all with a little bit of french flair.

3. Side of Chicken Fried Rice ($4.25)

If you’ve every been to Animal Kingdom, you likely know how unique the food can be at times. If you’re like me, you may not be the most adventurous eater and that doesn’t always play in your favor. However, Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe somewhat solves that problem with a simple snack that will keep you relatively full, and appeals to a fairly broad audience, fried rice. I know simply stating fried rice sounds like the opposite of a fun snack, but in all reality this isn’t your local Chinese take-out spot’s fried rice. Instead, Yak and Yeti adds a variety of flavor to the seemingly simple dish that really sets it apart. If you’ve never tried the Local Foods Cafe or the table service restaurant next door, I highly recommend it. Not only do you get a quick break from the typical food you can find in other parks, but you also get a budget friendly snack that can tie you over until your next meal.

4. Raspberry Lunch Box Tart ($3.29)

When this tasty treat was first announced as the details of theToy Story expansion slowly started to trickle out, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hesitant of how good it would be. It looks like a glorified Pop Tart and in essence that is exactly what it is! Perhaps a better explanation is that it’s everything a Pop Tart should be… I know that sounds like a stretch but the Raspberry Lunch Box Tart at Woody’s Lunch Box is a killer snack or breakfast item that exceeds expectations. The soft pie crust-esque texture coupled with the perfect amount of sweet and fruity filling topped off with the near perfect amount of icing is a treat that will exceed your expectations. I expected to be disappointed by this one and it is, without a doubt, officially on my list of “must-try” snacks at Walt Disney World irrelevant of the price. Speaking of price, it’s only $3.29 and is the cheapest item on our list today! If you’ve not tried one of these, run… don’t walk… to Woody’s Lunch Box next time you’re at Walt Disney World.

5. Churros in Mexico ($4.50)

There’s a slight caveat to this one because these churros are far more budget friendly than churros other places in the parks. The churros at La Cantina de San Angel are $4.50 opposed to the $6.25 churros other places. It’s a huge difference but in all fairness it is a different style of churro and a far different presentation. In my opinion, the churros of the Mexico pavilion are the best churros around and at nearly two dollars cheaper than all the others it is well worth a stop by the outdoor quick service area for a quick snack as you make your way around Epcot.

The churros here typically come in a small basket with a caramel sauce on the side. The churros themselves are small thin strips that have been curved into an oval shape (which makes them far easier to dip) and you get a few of them in your basket. Additionally, the sauce seems to be a little better than the sauce you typically get in theme parks and it features a thinner consistency. It’s the perfect amount of sweet to add to the classic snack.

While this list could literally go on and list 20+ more items around Walt Disney World, I’ll stop myself at 5 offerings for today. However, your list doesn’t have to stop there! Be sure to add your top picks under $5 in the comments on your favorite social media platform and we’ll consider adding a few of them to our next list of snack recommendations. Above all else, remember that a simple meal can create a story that you’ll remember for years on end. I’m a firm proponent of the fact that the simplest of moments yield the most memorable of moments in the parks. If you’ve not experienced it for yourself quite yet, expect the unexpected and enjoy every moment of your Disney vacation.

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Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!

Need My Help?

Feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or free-lance work at Guide4WDW@gmail.com. If you need a landscape or theme park photographer, feel free contact me with photo requests or contracts. All theme park writing and photos will be assessed on a case by case basis.

For anyone else looking to give me a shout or to have their questions answered by me, feel free to contact me anytime via that same email address! I never charge anyone to answer a question and I do answer all of my emails personally.

Need a Travel Planner?

If you want or simply need a little bit of planning help to make your Disney vacation dream a reality, check out the quote request form below this article for our friends over at Destinations to Travel. They’ll let you do as much or as little of the planning as you’d like and may even save you some money along the way! As always, thanks for supporting those who support us.

Ready to Plan?

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs – Late Night Dessert Is The Way to Go!

Disney Springs has changed drastically over the last several years. The once adult centric Downtown Disney has changed in ways that even the most avid Disney fans never could have imagined. If that change is good or bad is entirely up to personal interpretation. I personally love the changes for so many different reasons. Of course it does have it’s downsides and in my option they missed an opportunity to unveil a whole series of Disney specific retail locations or one off boutique style locations in favor of more mainstream luxury retailers. However, and at the same time, the decisions made helped develop an atmosphere that so many different audiences can enjoy and appreciate no matter what your age or particular stage in life may be. There really is something for everyone.

The Honest Bias Going Into the Reservation

Today’s article is perhaps the perfect example of all of this thrown into one particular dining location. Years ago, Planet Hollywood was far from the ideal place to eat at Downtown Disney. It was a hangout spot hinging on brand awareness and a prominent building that everyone wanted to see inside. Of course, that was never their marketing scheme but at the same time that’s essentially what the location became. It was a place to hold large crowds if the need presented itself and a pop culture reference in the heart of Walt Disney World. Today, that experience has been turned upside down in many ways and tends to embrace a different experience and different set of goals than it once did.

After a recent visit to Planet Hollywood, after putting it off for years on end in favor of other new dining locations without a “history,” we caved and gave Planet Hollywood Observatory another shot. It is certainly worth mentioning that this is not the same restaurant it once was and, to be quite honest, it appears as if the only thing that hasn’t changed is the dome shaped structure itself (which is a good thing). The cast is excellent, the decor is far more modern and upscale than it once was, and now it looks like a fun and inviting dining location rather than a tourist trap.

All of this is fine and good, but I know the real question you’re likely asking at this point, “How’s the food?”

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The Desserts Themselves

If I’m being completely honest, I had one desire to go back to Planet Hollywood and it was to try the borderline ludicrous desserts on the menu. The towering Super Nova shakes are piled high with candies and various toppings accompanying select flavors, and they truly are an impressive sight to say the least. Another show stopping option is the Brownie Sundae Martini. Truthfully, the sundae alone is the reason I’m writing this article! I’m sure the other dessert items (including a Banana Pudding Star Jar, a Brownie Cheesecake Star Jar, a Key lime Pie Star Jar, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and a few others) are incredible as well, but the Brownie Sundae stole the show and gathered a crowd when it arrived at our table.

(Please excuse the lower quality images than usual. I couldn’t get to my DSLR at the table.)

I know that sounds like an over reaction, but we literally had the table next to us ask if they could take a picture of it. It’s that absurd… in all the right ways. Just to put the description on paper it includes twelve brownie chunks, 6 scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, caramel and chocolate sauce, and what looks like an entire bottle of whipped cream. I’m not sure if it would beat the Kitchen Sink dessert over at the Beach Club in size but I have to say this thing is quite the presentation when it’s brought to the table.

In our case, we only went to Planet Hollywood Observatory for dessert, and ate our actual meal a little earlier in the day. However, this dessert easily fed four us and we still couldn’t manage to finish the concoction. Our server even mentioned that the only group she had seen completely finish it was a sports team that all shared the colossal dessert.

To accompany the Brownie Sundae, we felt obligated to try at least one of the Supernova shakes (you know… for research purposes of course) and I have to say it was one of the best milkshakes I’ve personally tried. It was incredibly rich and while obviously your milkshake preferences and mine may vary, it is quite an impressive dessert on its own.

Long story made short, the desserts alone are worth the visit. If you are concerned about your budget, this may not be your best option. The massive Brownie Sundae is $19.99. It is the most expensive dessert on the menu but the majority of desserts range from $9 to $14. At first, that does sound quite pricey and the overall menu is quite expensive as well, but the portion sizes are unbelievably large. Everything we tried or saw being served around us could have easily been split among multiple guests which would theoretically shrink the cost of the meal.

The Atmosphere

The atmosphere is one of those things you’re either going to love it or hate it. It’s an upbeat, loud, and quite exciting environment for lack of a better word. The music is piped in, a sing along isn’t out of the ordinary, and the DJ on stage this particular night even pulled out all the stops and wore a construction hat to mimic the Village People as the entire dining area sang YMCA. It’s not a place you go for a quiet get away style meal but it’s not in any way designed to be. Additionally, while it is kid friendly, it is worth noting that pop culture references and music are unmistakably present and I do know some parents may or may not agree with every music video that is being shown on the massive screen encompassing the majority of the dining area. In my opinion, it’s just a fun environment. Of course, I am 22 years old so that is something that you should and likely will take into consideration.

In the end, we had a blast and while Caitlin and I were joined by our parents, they did enjoy the experience for the most part as well. Again, it’s going to be one of those love it our hate environments. Considering all of this, if you want an over the top experience to accompany your Disney Vacation or trip to Central Florida in general, I do highly recommend Planet Hollywood Observatory. In my opinion, the ideal plan here is to snag a later nighttime reservation (ours was at 9:45pm), order some desserts, and then return another day for the full dining experience. It not only gives you the opportunity to try the dessert on its own but also allows you to get a feel for the atmosphere before committing to a full meal if you’re at all concerned about that aspect of the experience.

As always, in the nature of full disclosure, we were not paid to write this review and paid for everything we ordered out of pocket. In all honesty I didn’t expect this to be a positive review but I must say it was well worth the money and time spent.

Your Thoughts

Ready to Plan?

Need help planning your vacation? Let our friends over at Destinations to Travel (FREE – no obligation quote request form below) help you out at no additional cost to you! Their services are free and a great way for you to help out the site at no extra cost to you! Here’s a closer look at why I recommend an Authorized Disney Travel Planner!

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.
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