Eat This – Not That in Walt Disney World

The Walt Disney World Resort is home to some incredible dining options, many of which have become so beloved for Guests that they are considered to be iconic. Food items like Dole Whips, Turkey Legs, Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bars, and more have become so popular, that no visit to the Disney Parks is complete without indulging in them.

While all of these wonderful bites are delicious, some of them are now so popular that they end up overshadowing other menu items that get overlooked. These other items are all wonderful in their own ways and pack some serious flavors that deserve their moment in the spotlight, too! Let’s check out some dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and see what items to enjoy, and which ones to save for another time.

Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe – Eat Norwegian Kringla – Not School Bread

The Norway Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase is home to Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, a wonderful quick service location that is well known for its delicious snacks. Guests can order from inside of a charming small building with lots of homey details and then enjoy their selections on an open air patio that offers up some great people watching views as well as a gentle breeze coming from World Showcase Lagoon.

One of the most iconic menu items at Kringla Bakeeri Og Kafe, as well as all of EPCOT, is School Bread. This baked treat features a sweet cardamom roll that is stuffed with a creamy vanilla custard and then topped with shredded coconut for a crunch. It’s the perfect combination of creamy and crunchy, but it does tend to overshadow other good options on the menu.

Instead of School Bread, Guests who find themselves at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe should opt to order another traditional treat instead. The Norwegian Kringla are pretzel-shaped pastries that are sweet and perfectly soft on the inside with a slight crunch on the outside. The sweet treats are topped with either almonds or chocolate, making them even more delicious, and they are the perfect alternative to School Bread while in EPCOT.

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Kona Café – Eat Macadamia Nut Pancakes – Not Tonga Toast

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort whisks Guests to the beauty and laid back atmosphere of the South Seas with white sand beaches that run along Seven Seas Lagoon and beautiful buildings with island touches like thatched roofing, wooden accents, and lots of tikis. The Disney Resort is home to Kona Café which is located on the upper level of the Great Ceremonial House and serves up traditional island flavors for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day.

Kona Café features an open air dining room that looks out large windows at the grounds below as well as into the main area of the Great Ceremonial House, and the restaurant is very well known for serving up Tonga Toast for breakfast each morning. This beloved entrée is a massive serving of French toast that is stuffed with bananas and smothered in cinnamon sugar and accompanied by strawberry compote and the choice of bacon, ham, or sausage. Tonga Toast is definitely a hearty and sweet breakfast item to enjoy, but it tends to overshadow other great options on the menu.

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Instead of Tonga Toast, Guests who dine at Kona Café for breakfast should opt for the Macadamia Nut Pancakes which start with a stack of perfectly fluffy and warm pancakes. They are then topped with a macadamia nut butter, pineapple sauce, and a side of ham, bacon, or sausage adding layers of sweet and tangy flavors plus a welcome crunch from the nuts. The Macadamia Nut Pancakes are the perfect menu option at Kona Café to enjoy a classic breakfast item infused with island flavors!

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Sleepy Hollow – Eat Hand-dipped Corn Dog – Not Waffles

One of the most popular quick service locations in the Magic Kingdom is Sleepy Hollow which can be found right over the bridge that connects Liberty Square and the main hub of Cinderella Castle. Sleepy Hollow is housed inside of a colonial brick building and serves up a limited menu of wonderful bites that Guests love to enjoy on a nearby open air patio that offers up great views of Cinderella Castle and its moat.

Sleepy Hollow has become very popular thanks to its array of freshly made waffles that are served up throughout each day in the Magic Kingdom. Guests can choose sweet options like the Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich which features a chocolate-hazelnut spread, strawberries, bananas, and blueberries, or a savory option in the afternoons and evenings with the Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich which features broccoli slaw and a honey-sriracha glaze.

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While the waffles at Sleepy Hollow are certainly delicious, they often result in Guests overlooking another great menu option that can actually be enjoyed on the go while exploring the Magic Kingdom. The Hand-dipped Corn Dog features a core hot dog that is dipped in batter and perfectly fried to reach a crunchy, yet soft texture and is served with house-made chips. The Hand-dipped Corn Dog is hearty, filling, and portable, so Guests should definitely opt to order it from the menu of Sleepy Hollow and continue wandering through nearby areas of the Magic Kingdom while eating!

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Woody’s Lunch Box – Eat BBQ Brisket Melt – Not “Totchos”

Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a great spot for Guests of all ages to explore as it shrinks them down to the size of toys and features several popular attractions in Andy’s backyard. Woody’s Lunch Box is the quick service location found in Toy Story Land that serves up childhood lunchtime favorites with elevated flavors and ingredients from inside of Andy’s old lunch box.

Woody’s Lunch Box features a menu of some amazing options throughout each day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the “Totchos” which have quickly achieved a spot on iconic Disney Park foods. The “Totchos” feature a base of potato barrels that are topped with beef and bean chili, shredded cheese, queso, tomatoes, corn chips, sour cream, and green onions for an updated and playful take on traditional nachos.

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Instead of ordering “Totchos,” Guests should instead check out other menu items at Woody’s Lunch Box including a hearty and comforting sandwich. The BBQ Brisket Melt puts an intense savory spin on the classic grilled cheese with grilled sourdough bread paired with shredded smoked brisket, pickles, barbecue sauce, and melted Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses. This sandwich is the perfect combination of smoky and savory brisket paired with melted cheese and crunchy bread, making it a fantastic choice to enjoy while dining at Woody’s Lunch Box.

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Pongu Pongu – Eat French Toast Sticks – Not Pongu Lumpia

Pandora – The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to the popular quick service Pongu Pongu, This convenient dining location is a small stand located in the rear of the land, right near the exit of Avatar Flight of Passage that features a very limited menu of items that can’t be found anywhere else in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Pongu Pongu is very well known for one snack in particular that serves up a unique take on a traditional snack. The Pongu Lumpia is a traditional spring roll that is fried to perfection, but stuffed with a pineapple cream cheese. The item is offered throughout the entire day at Pongu Pongu, and the tart and sweet filling translates well for any meal or snack period, plus it is handheld which makes it a great option to enjoy while exploring the beauty of Pandora – The World of Avatar.

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The Pongu Lumpia is definitely a wonderful snack or meal to enjoy, but Guests who visit Pongu Pongu during breakfast hours should instead opt for a traditional breakfast food that has been made portable. The French Toast Sticks are generously sized sticks that have been cooked to perfection with a soft interior and crispy exterior and then smothered in cinnamon sugar. Since they are in stick form, the French Toast Sticks can also be eaten while exploring Pandora – The World of Avatar and they are served with a small individual portion of maple syrup for easy and mess free dipping.

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Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ – Eat Thigh High Chicken Biscuits – Not Art’s Famous Fried Chicken

There are plenty of amazing dining locations to choose from while in Disney Springs, but one of the most popular is Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ which is located in The Landing area. Created by Chef Art Smith, the menu at the table service restaurant serves up southern comfort food favorites that have been updated with fresh flavors and ingredients from Florida, creating unique options that pack some delicious flavor profiles.

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is renowned for its fried chicken which is brined for twenty four hours and fried to crispy perfection, and Guests can enjoy the meal in several ways. The classic presentation is Art’s Famous Fried Chicken which is an entrée that serves up a large portion of fried chicken with mashed potatoes and a cheddar drop biscuit. Its comfort food packed into every bite, and Guests who enjoy Art’s Famous Fried Chicken are sure to love it.

While the fried chicken is delicious in that entrée form, Guests should instead opt to enjoy it in the Thigh High Chicken Biscuits appetizer instead. This presentation serves up three biscuits filled with perfectly fried chicken thighs, bread and butter pickles, and a drizzle of hot honey. The Thigh High Chicken Biscuits are so flavorful and allow Guests to still enjoy the fried chicken and biscuit that Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is known for, while being able to opt for an entirely different entrée all together to sample even more amazing menu options!

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