The Ten Best Quick Snacks and Meals at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World can be an overwhelming place in many respects--the sheer number of rides, shows, and other diversions are enough to make even repeat visitors' heads spin. But what about food? Disney is equally diverse in its restaurants and quick-service meal counters. As someone who has eaten her way around the World many times, I'd like to share what I consider to be the ten best quick snacks and meals in the Disney parks and resorts. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list (there are many, many more than ten I could list here), these are the ones that, time and again, I tend to gravitate towards when it's time for a break.

1. DOLE WHIP (Aloha Isle, Adventureland, Magic Kingdom; Capt. Cook's, Polynesian Resort): Say what you will about pineapple soft serve ice cream. Some people hate it. I am not one of those people. Creamy and just sweet enough, and refreshing on a warm day (or even a cool one). For a real treat, try the Pineapple Float: a serving of pineapple juice with pineapple Dole Whip on top. Heaven. Captain Cook's, the quick-service restaurant at the Polynesian Resort, recently installed a Dole Whip machine (which makes me want to stay there even more often!) but alas, no pineapple juice for floats.

2. ALOHA PORK SANDWICH (Capt. Cook's, Polynesian Resort): I happened across this culinary wonder one evening, when some friends and I were turned away from the Kona Cafe upstairs (trying to get a table without a reservation...I should know better). Served warm on a crusty roll, it contains pulled pork with a tropical "barbecue sauce," crisp cucumbers, pineapple cole slaw, and Cheddar cheese. If you happen to be on this side of the Seven Seas Lagoon and are looking for something other than the traditional food court fare.

3. FIGARO FRIES (Pinocchio Village Haus, Magic Kingdom): French fries smothered in cheese sauce and bacon bits are pretty standard fare. Add lettuce, diced tomatoes, and Ranch dressing, and you have something special. While I'm not crazy about the atmosphere in this restaurant (which, except at odd times, is constantly frenetic and noisy), usually you can grab a table outside overlooking the Castle and carousel for a pleasant snack.

4. NACHOS (Cantina de San Angel, Mexico Pavilion, World Showcase, Epcot): These are not your run-of-the-mill theme park nachos. In addition to cheese, these are topped with ground beef, black beans, sour cream, and some potent jalapenos. The atmosphere at this quick-service spot (on the lagoon side of the World Showcase Promenade) is positively relaxing, and all the entrees, while not exactly "traditional" Mexican fare (for a more authentic meal, try the San Angel Inn inside the pyramid), are plentiful and tasty.

5. KAKI GORI (Japan Pavilion, World Showcase, Epcot): Remember the snow cones you ate as a kid? These are monster-sized versions, with more unique flavors, like honeydew melon and tangerine. They also have strawberry for the non-adventurous. And at less than $3, they won't break the bank, either.

6. BACON, EGG, AND CHEESE CROISSANT (Gasparilla Grill and Games, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa): These breakfast sandwiches are available at most quick-service locations at Disney resorts. However, the ones at the Grand Floridian top the rest, with crispier bacon and fluffier (and more plentiful) eggs. I ate one every morning of my stay there. That was three days in a row. Enough said.

7. REUBEN HOT DOG (Gasparilla Grill and Games, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa): Here's another vote for the cuisine at the Grand's quick-service spot (which, while small and with limited selection, consistently seems to have better food and better service than the other deluxe resorts--which you expect when paying $400 a night for a hotel room). This unique frankfurter is topped with sauerkraut, corned beef, and Thousand Island dressing. It sounds weird...but I dare you to try it.

8. FISH AND CHIPS (United Kingdom Pavilion, World Showcase, Epcot): The small quick-service window next to the wildly popular Rose & Crown Pub may be easily overlooked. Don't. They have some of the best fish and chips ever...even better, in my opinion, than the ones served in the restaurant next door (and cheaper too, and you don't have to leave a tip.) There is limited seating in an adjacent alcove overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon.

9. ZEBRA DOMES (The Mara, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge): These tasty little desserts (which are also available in All-You-Care-To-Eat form at the adjacent Boma buffet) are little puffs of deliciousness. A coffee-flavored mousse covered in chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate. You can usually find them in the Grab-and-Go case to the right of the hot food counters.

10. ICE CREAM SUNDAE (Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom): Sure, you can get an ice-cream sundae at home. But can you get it in an old-fashioned ice cream parlor overlooking a castle? Anchoring the Hub end of Main Street is this perennial favorite, where the scent of fresh waffle cones wafts out onto the sidewalk, enticing you inside. The shop tends to be busiest before parades and fireworks (especially the afternoon parade), but it is worth the wait. Grab a sundae, find a spot on the curb, and watch the floats go by. Get hot fudge on your face and be a kid again.

The author is a Disneyphile and annual passholder who spent most of her childhood, and much of her adulthood, exploring the Disney theme parks. She lives exactly 76 miles from the main gate of Walt Disney World, and is not embarassed to tell people!