One of the pleasures of vacationing at WDW is the food… specifically the sweet treats. The Banshee’s sweet tooth is always ready to party at Disney!!
Over the years, I have come to anticipate my favorite sweet treats as soon as we go under the welcome sign. These are my picks for must-have splurges. I am sure there are others that I have never tried that would make the list without doubt.
I should also point out that sometimes food associates with feelings and good memories and so a favorite may not be the most decadent or best tasting but evokes such good feelings that you need to come back again and again.
OVERALL FAVORITE: Gideon’s Bakehouse, Disney Springs
What can I say? Located in the Landing section of DIsney Springs, this place is a little piece of sugary heaven! My favorites are the Coffee Cake Cookie and the Peanut Butter Nitro Cold Brew. Perfection! Little Buster does not like coffee at all but always gets a cold brew here.
We get an assortment of cookies to last the week and share them all week long. Be aware that the cookies here are big and made to be shared. One cookie is practically a meal for Buster, Banshee and the little ones. They are rich, decadent and big! But Banshee gets her own coffee!
In addition to the Coffee Cake Cookie, try the Cookies and Cream Cookie or even the special “cookie of the month” if you want to spice things up.
l have a Gideon’s hoodie I love it so much. Just writing all of that makes me salivate!
Karamel Kuche, Germany Pavilion, Epcot
This is definitely the best smelling entry on the list! The hot Werthers caramel in the copper pots smells divine!
You really can’t go wrong here. Banshee’s favorites are the caramel squares, the boozy caramel, the caramel covered fruit and the caramel popcorn. In case you haven’t guessed, caramel is the name of the game here!
Maple Popcorn, Canada Pavilion, Epcot
I am a popcorn loving Banshee. Little Banshee also loves popcorn. While popcorn can be found throughout the parks, you can only find Maple Popcorn at the popcorn stand near the Canada pavilion.
This is our favorite popcorn in WDW and it is not really close. It is included in the refills with popcorn bucket which is a great deal. Little Banshee likes to munch on the regular popcorn in any of the parks so I always get a refillable bucket for the trip. The refills are under $3, and the Maple Popcorn is worth it in spades! Sweet but not overly so, and salty too.
Citrus Swirl, Sunshine Tree Terrace, Magic Kingdom
Banshee admission: I like the Orange Citrus Swirl better than Dole Whip. On a hot day at Magic Kingdom, this is a family go to. I think Little Buster would argue for the classic pineapple Dole Whip, but Mother Banshee knows best! Plus, Orange Bird is so darn cute!
If you are looking for a change of pace from the basic Dole Whip, be sure to check out this stand in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom.
Pongu Lumpia, Pandora, Animal Kingdom
Pongu Lumpia is a sweet fried spring roll filled with pineapple and cream cheese, found at the Pongu Pongu food stand in Pandora. Not only is it a tasty treat, but also a feeling and tradition for Banshee and Little Banshee.
Buster and I have to parent swap to ride Flight of Passage because Little Banshee cannot do this ride. Little Buster goes with each of us separately and the other waits with Little Banshee. The first time Banshee waited with Little Banshee outside ride we came across Pongu Pongu. Little Banshee was a bit hangry, so Banshee got a Pongu Lumpia to share in the shade.
We enjoyed it together. Laughing and smiling our way though the fried dough, pineapple and cream cheese, we were a bit of a mess by the end but had created a wonderful food memory. It has become a tradition that we repeat every time we find ourselves in Pandora!
Honorable Mentions
Cold Brew Black Caf, Kat Saka’s Kettle, Hollywood Studios
Carrot Cake Cookie, Trolley Car Café, Hollywood Studios
Peanut Butter Pie, Contempo Café, Contemporary Resort
Seven Layer Cake, Top of the World Lounge, Contemporary Resort (note: Top of the World Lounge is only accessible to eligible Disney Vacation Club members and their guests)
Black Cherry Hot Fudge Sundae, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Disney Springs
So many ways to spike your blood sugar, so little time!
If you have your own favorites that I should try, please leave a comment. I am always looking for more sweet treat ideas!
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