THE FIVE BEST EATS AT DISNEY WORLD

What better way to start off a new blogging year than to write a post about two of my favorite nouns: food and Disney World!  It's easy to think that Disney is just like any other amusement park franchise in the food category;  however, you can find so much more than just run-of-the-mill hamburgers and popcorn in all of the parks.

On our recent Disney trip, my family and I made a point to try some of the most interesting snacks available in the four parks--needless to say, we weren't disappointed (although we may have felt a little bloated). Without further ado, here's a roundup of the best and most unique snacks we tried during our stay, sans popcorn and hamburgers.

1. Macarons

Where:  Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, Epcot's France Pavilion

Beautiful packaging aside, these classic macarons were a tasty treat and (an added bonus) easy to carry throughout the park.  Plus, if you're a blogger, it's pretty difficult to resist colorful cookies prepped for a photo opportunity.

2. Dole Whip Float

Where:  Aloha Isle, Adventureland in Magic Kingdom

After investigating all of the hype placed on this iconic treat, I was eager to try one for myself.  After standing in an everlasting line, I finally got my chance--and yes, this float is worth all of the hype.  The pineapple ice cream (or "whip") was creamy and delicious. If you don't think you'll be a fan of drinking the plain pineapple juice that accompanies it in the float, however, I would stick with the basic Dole Whip option.

3. Berry Cream Puff (along with every other pastry in the Norway Pavilion)

Where:  Kringla og Bakeri, Epcot's Norway Pavilion

I, like many others, assumed that Epcot's France Pavilion has the best pastry options in the entire park (when in France, right?).  However, the three pastries shown above proved to me that Norway's culinary options are just as delicious as those found in France.  The cream puff (middle left) contained enough cream to fill five pastries (my favorite amount);  the Norwegian schoolbread (middle) was deliciously unique, brimming with rosemary;  lastly, the cream horn was divine.  Give this bakery a try the next time you're in Epcot.

4. Lobster Roll

Where:  Columbia Harbour House, Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom

Although the line into the restaurant was somewhat stifling, this quintessential Maine snack more than made up for it.  The lobster was fresh, and the mayonnaise dressing was none too shabby, either.  It's definitely worth trying if you want something a bit different than the stereotypical pretzels or hamburgers served in the parks.

5. Croissant Donut

Where:  The Refreshment Port in Epcot's World Showcase

After years of yearning, I finally had the opportunity to try the famed "cronut" for myself.  It was a lovely snack, but be forewarned:  you'll be finding cinnamon sugar in the strangest of places for at least an hour after initially eating.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.  From ice cream martinis to St. Louis-style ribs, there is truly a plethora of dishes to sample at Disney.  While it would be impossible to sample them all in a weeks' time, this list is a great tool for narrowing down the selection.  Happy eating!

What are some of your favorite Disney World foods?

Love,

Tori