So, I’m sure as you can imagine we pulled everything out of the house that could hurt her in any way. We take every precaution we can and watch everything she eats, constantly. Not only that, but she is constantly on the lookout for her predators.

She knows what can happen to her, so she takes extra precautions as well. So with that being said, we are very careful, EXTREMELY CAREFUL, when we go away from the house, especially out of town. We do not take our dining experiences away from home lightly, we take them very, very seriously!

How to Prepare for Food Allergies at Disney

We feel very secure when it comes to our Disney vacation and allergies.

Before we go on a Disney trip, before making any reservations we check the menus and make sure we are aware of everything that could be harmful to her. If you have ever made any reservations at Disney, I’m sure you are aware they ask you to checkmark anything that anyone may be allergic to at the time of your visit. When you arrive they check the allergies, when you are seated they double check and then send a chef to your table to even triple check!

How Disney Stepped Up Dealing with Food Allergies

Of all the years and times we have gone to Disney we have only had one problem with their system. Even though there were issues, they made it right. It can be very scary having allergies like that.

We use our best judgment for sure but, do feel more secure going to Disney knowing they put such effort into making everyone comfortable. We have definitely had more positive experiences than negative. If anything, my daughter thinks it is so cool that the chef comes to her table and talks to her. She finds that more exciting than seeing actual characters at her table.

One year when we were visiting Tusker House in the Animal Kingdom for lunch, there were not many desserts my daughter could eat, AT ALL. The chef was worried about cross contamination so he brought her a whole brown sandwich bag full of Gluten-Free, allergy-free packaged snacks and desserts (they didn’t sell or serve at Tusker House) that were safe for her to eat. He went over and beyond! We were grateful as well as my daughter, she for sure did not go without!

The quick service meals are a little tricky but with a little research, a little asking a cast member, and a little reading labels, it is possible. We have always had a great experience and will continue to keep going with my daughter’s allergies. We still use our best judgment and take her EpiPen, but we find comfort in knowing Disney takes such a big effort to make all of their visitors comfortable. If you have any questions or would like to bend my ear on the allergy system at Disney please feel free to ask.

For more information on Special Dietary Request take a tour here on the Disney site.

Special Dietary Requests/ Walt Disney World Resort

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

The post How to Prepare for Food Allergies at Disney appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

When putting together your Walt Disney World vacation, what is the first thing you start planning?  For me, I’m not spending time thinking about which hotel is best for my family, nor am I creating a list of must-do attractions; the first thing I want to plan is the snacks!  Snacks, snacks, glorious Disney snacks; I dream about the delicious, delectable, and unique snacks that only Disney can do right.  It is not uncommon for me to start thinking about which snacks I plan to purchase on my next Walt Disney World vacation while I am waiting in line to get a snack on my current trip.  In fact, I love the snacks at Walt Disney World so much that I have gone on entire vacations where I dined only on snacks instead of purchasing counter service meals.  I figure that if I love Disney snacks this much, there might also be others who feel the same way or who are curious to know which snacks are worth the money (or snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan).

Top 8 Snacks at The Magic Kingdom

Well, look no further because this self-proclaimed Disney Snack Queen is going to give you a whole series on the best snacks in each park and I will round the series off with a look at the top 10 from all of the parks and resorts combined.   For clarity sake, I have only included items that qualify as a snack on the Disney Dining Plan for this series.

To start off the Top Snacks in Walt Disney World series, let me take you to the very first place I ever experienced a Walt Disney World snack, The Magic Kingdom.

#8-Popcorn 

Popcorn, popcorn, get your popcorn!  Who doesn’t love the salty, buttery, yet crisp perfection of popcorn?  For some reason, it tastes even better when you can savor it while walking down Main Street.  My son always requests popcorn the minute we walk under the train station and my husband and I are happy to oblige…as long as he shares.  There is a kiosk located on the left-hand entrance close to Town Hall and you can smell the freshly popped popcorn as soon as you walk in the park.  Our family feels like The Magic Kingdom is made more magical if we are savoring a box (or specialty bucket!) of this timeless, salty snack as we walk down Main Street.

#7-The Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich 

Ah, the walk down Main Street U.S.A. would not be complete on a hot day without a stop into The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor for an ice cream cookie sandwich.  This ice cream sandwich is far superior to those sold at the carts throughout Walt Disney World.  Why you may ask?  Well, because the cookies are freshly baked here AND you get to choose your favorite flavor of ice cream to go inside the fresh cookie sandwich.  It’s hard to beat a freshly baked cookie with hand-scooped ice cream nestled inside, so please don’t make the mistake of skipping this fabulous snack if you are visiting during the warm/hot weather months.

#6-The Frozen Raspberry Lemonade 

Do you know what else my family loves to purchase on hot, summer Disney days?  The Frozen Raspberry Lemonade!  This perfectly icy, tart treat can be found just a skip away from The Mad Tea Party ride in a quaint looking snack stand known as The Cheshire Café.  While most people flock here for the cake cups, I always have my eye that fantastic frozen lemonade.  On a hot Florida day, I much prefer the tangy, tartness of the frozen raspberry lemonade over the cake cups or even the traditional frozen lemonade.  This cold treat always hits the spot with just the right amount of sour and sweet, icy goodness and it’s always on tap at The Cheshire Café.

#5-The Cinnamon Roll 

Years ago, before Starbucks took over, you could follow the scent of warm cinnamon straight into The Main Street Bakery, where they sold large, perfectly iced cinnamon rolls.   However, if you are looking for the same cinnamon roll your parents ate years ago at Walt Disney World, you will now have to venture a little farther into the parks and head over to New Fantasyland.  Gaston’s Tavern is now the home to the classic Walt Disney World cinnamon roll.  Don’t let the name fool you though, this is not your run of the mill cinnamon roll; this thing is massive and so delicious.  It’s moist, but not mushy and it is quite literally bigger than my hand…heck, it might be bigger than my head.  This snack costs less than $5.00 (or one snack credit) and can be shared by a family of four as a snack or you can make a meal out of it for two people.  Now that’s a rare bargain at a theme park!

#4-The Premium Mickey Ice Cream Bar 

Everyone loves Mickey and I think it’s crucial to have at least one Mickey shaped treat on my snack list.  My personal favorite of the Mickey shaped items is the Premium Mickey Ice Cream Bar, which can be found at snack carts around The Magic Kingdom.  I love this little ice cream bar because it is the perfect combination of simple vanilla ice cream and crisp chocolate coating for a hot day at the parks.  I don’t think this snack is good enough to top the list, but this treat makes it to #4 for sheer sentimentality; it was the first snack I ever ate at Walt Disney World and so it will always hold a special place in my heart and in my snack budget.  If you have never had this ice cream treat, give it a try on your next trip and maybe even consider spreading a little magic by purchasing an extra to give to a child who looks like they need an ice cream break.  I can promise that you’ll make a memory neither of you is soon to forget.

#3-The Dole Whip 

Nestled behind the Magic Carpets of Aladdin is the new location for Aloha Isle.  This location only serves up one specialty, but it’s one of the most well-loved and popular snacks on property…the Dole Whip.  You can purchase this pineapple soft serve in a cup, but my family prefers to cut the super sweet taste of the pineapple ice cream by requesting the float version, which is made with refreshing pineapple juice.  At this point, you might be screaming at your screen saying, “#3, you put the Dole Whip at #3?!?!  The Dole Whip should always be #1!”  However, we will have to agree to disagree on this one.  To me, the Dole Whip is just a little too sweet for my tastes, especially now that they no longer offer the vanilla or orange swirl options.  It’s still a refreshing favorite, but it no longer tops my family’s list anymore.

#2-The Cream Cheese Filled Pretzel  

If you are still with me after reading that the quintessential favorite is not my #1, then you might be wondering what in the world could possibly be better than a Dole Whip.  Well, one of my favorites also happens to be a unique treat, but it can only be found in one place in The Magic Kingdom.  In Tomorrowland, the Lunching Pad serves up unique hot dogs and other quick treats, but the real treasure here is the cream cheese filled pretzel.  Now, you may have noticed by my list that I am a big fan of carbs and sugar (but not too much sugar) and this snack most certainly fits the bill.  The Lunching Pad has found the best balance with this pretzel by serving it up warm with a dusting of mildly spiced, soft breadcrumbs on the outside and piping the inside full of the most perfect cream cheese filling.  Let’s talk about the filling for just a moment, because this cream cheese is the stuff of dreams.  The cream cheese icing the Lunching Pad uses is barely sweet and has the robust and unique tang that a good cream cheese icing should always have and in fact, it’s almost exactly like the icing my mother-in-law makes for her famous red velvet cakes.  This is not the sickeningly sweet version found on most mass-produced baked goods, this is the real deal and it makes this snack an over the top hit for me.  Do not wait too late to grab one of these, because they often run out of this delicious snack early because I’m not the only one with a mild crush on this pretzel.

#1-Cake Pops 

You can find many treats that will surpass your expectations at The Main Street Confectionery, and the cake pop here is so delicious that I made it my #1 snack in The Magic Kingdom.   What’s so special about this snack?  Well, it may have something to do with the fact that they come in several adorable varieties or maybe it’s because the Mickey ears are made of white chocolate covered marshmallows and one bite instantly satisfies the need for something sweet.  Even the core of the cake pop is amazing and for me it’s the real star of this snack with its perfectly moist, dense cake center that is reminiscent of homemade raw cookie dough.  My family never misses the chance to get our hands on a cake pop and we have been known to visit The Main Street Confectionery more than once in a day to get our fix.  When it all comes down to it though, I think the cake pop earns the #1 spot because there is something quite magical about always having the same treat every time you go to The Magic Kingdom.  Oh gracious, now I’m salivating just thinking about it.  Who wants to bring a cake pop from Disney World?  No takers, huh?  Well, that must mean it’s time for us to plan our next trip so I can get my hands on one…or three.

So there you have it, my top five snacks at The Magic Kingdom.  Did I leave your favorite off the list?  If so, please leave a comment and let us know what snacks I should have added to the list.  Also, don’t forget to follow Walt Express and on Facebook to see how your top 5 and my top 5 snacks stack up against each other around the rest of the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts.  By following us, you can read the next installment of the series as soon as it comes out. Look for my Top 5 snacks to grab at Epcot two weeks from today.  Until next time, we hope that your days are filled with faith, trust and pixie dust.

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I’m baaaack and I am ready to snack around the world or at least the World Showcase.  Have no fear though, because while we are scouring all of Epcot for the best snacks around, we will stop in many areas throughout the park, not just the World Showcase.  I only kept one rule in mind while creating this list, every item must be an eligible snack on the Disney Dining Plan.   So, who is with me?  Are you ready to hear about my top 6 snacks at Epcot?

Top 6 Snacks at EPCOT

#6-Starbucks

Ok so you might be thinking that a mega-chain like Starbucks does not belong on the best of the best Epcot list of snacks, but it is super exciting for those of us who have been wanting decent coffee in the parks for years.  I can remember my very first trip to Disney World as a mother and I will never forget desperately looking for the elixir of life, better known to many as coffee.  When you have a child who hasn’t slept for more than a three-hour stretch at one time since birth, you sometimes wish that the family from Meet the Robinson’s really did invent those caffeine patches.  But nooooo, I couldn’t find a single one of those caffeine patches anywhere on Disney property, nor could I find any coffee in the theme parks that resembled the liquid gold that had been keeping me bright-eyed and bushy-tailed since my son’s birth.  So needless to say, getting a Starbucks in every theme park was a HUGE deal to me and I am sure that my husband would like to thank the people behind this decision as well.

Now I realize you probably didn’t need that soliloquy about my need for coffee, but the thing you do need to know about Starbucks is that you can basically get any latte or coffee on the menu for one snack credit AND you can even add an extra espresso shot to your drink of choice at no extra cost.  Now that is what I call maximizing a snack credit.  If you see me in Future World with my Starbucks cup, please note that it is now probably safe to approach me and give me a hug for this great tip.

#5-School Bread

Tucked away into Norway is the Kringla Bakeri og Cafe where a foodie favorite is served to the masses daily.  School Bread is a treat that is recommended as one of the best snacks in Epcot on every message board, chat, or Facebook posts about snacks and I can understand why.  The basic sweet roll is filled with mild, not too sweet pudding and topped with a thin layer of icing and a bit of toasted, shaved coconut.  If you love pastries, this one is a real treat.  The only thing that kept it from falling closer to the top of my list is because it is served cold and to me that typically makes a pastry taste a bit stale.

#4-Specialty Popcorn

Y’all already know that my family has a thing for popcorn and Epcot really delivers by dishing up a specialty popcorn kiosk in the Imagination Pavilion right beside Journey Into the Imagination.  This snack cart offers up gourmet flavored popcorns that are bursting with flavor; these are not the standard prepackaged versions we have gotten throughout the parks, these are freshly popped and coated versions that are worth being on every park’s top 5 list.  There are three different flavors for your tasting pleasure: cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives, and buffalo and bleu cheese.  The cheddar cheese is coated in what resembles a sharp cheddar sauce, yet the popcorn has stayed nice and crunchy without getting soggy like it would with most coatings.  The sour cream and chives is even more robust and popping with flavor; it has the nice smoothness of the sour cream and the bite of the chives without being powdery or artificial tasting.  My favorite of the three flavors is the buffalo and bleu cheese.  I have always loved spicy foods and the buffalo and bleu cheese combo has always been one of my favorite profiles because it combines the salty goodness of the bleu cheese with the tangy, brightness of the vinegar based buffalo sauce.  No matter which one you think sounds like the perfect pick for you, I promise that you won’t regret this use of a snack credit.

#3-Creme Brulee

Les Halles Boulangerie and Patisserie in the French Pavilion is the home of some of the best snacks on property, but it really wouldn’t be fair to the competition to have the whole top 5 from the same location.  Some of the most amazing sweet snacks here include the creme puff, the chocolate eclair, and the napoleon.  However, my favorite sugary option here is the creme brulee.  The creme brulee here has the classic, crunchy, caramelized sugar crust and a smooth vanilla creme in the middle.  The thick caramelized crust is the star of this snack, so make sure you get an extra spoon (not for sharing this snack, but just in case the plastic spoon happens to break while you are cracking through that delectable, crunchy crust).

#2-Caramel Corn

Oh, the Karamell-Kuche in the German pavilion… Does it get much better than a place that is dedicated to caramel treats? Seriously, you can’t even walk by this place without smelling the heavenly aroma of Werther’s original caramel.  Y’all know my family loves popcorn, so I’m sure you are not surprised some type of popcorn has landed so high on my list. However, popcorn fanatic or not, I don’t know a single person that has tried the heavenly caramel corn at Karamell-Kuche and walked away without purchasing at least a small bag of this creamy, buttery caramel corn. Come to think of it, I know quite a few people who won’t eat popcorn anywhere else, yet end up eating over half of my bag of the crunchy and fresh caramel corn (I’m looking at you, hubby). The next time you are in the German pavilion, you must stop by and watch the cast members make this fresh and grab a bag to go(or two if you have someone with you who swears they don’t like popcorn).

#1-Croissant Doughnut (a.k.a. The Cronut)

Oh y’all!  I can’t even get that title typed out without salivating. Seriously, this croissant donut is just too good to even explain. Note that it would be very easy to miss, but every Disney food/snack lover should get out their park map and immediately mark the Refreshment Port as a must stop location. If you are headed into Canada, this snack spot is tucked away to the right before you reach Le Cellier. The menu changes a lot, but for well over two years they have been serving up what is lovingly known as the Cronut in most places, but because that term is trademarked Disney calls it the Croissant Doughnut. What makes this a family favorite is that it is always served up fresh out of the deep fryer and the flaky layers are buttery and soft but the exterior has the crunch of a good, homemade cinnamon and sugar toast.  It’s the perfect combination of incredible pastry and sugary sweetness. My mother prefers it served a la mode, but I don’t care for the added sweetness. No matter how sweet you prefer your snacks, do not miss the opportunity to try this unique and delicious snack. I think if Mary Poppins were allowed to stroll over to the Refreshment Port, she would agree with me when I say that this snack is “practically perfect in every way”.

Ok friends, now you have my carb loaded list of my top 6 snacks in Epcot. How does it compare to your favorites in and around the World Showcase? Did I leave off your favorite or did you read this and need to wipe the drool off of your keyboard?  Please chime in and let us know what you think. We can’t wait to hear what your favorites are because we will be using guest comments and our current lists to create our Grand Finale Top 10 snacks in all of Walt Disney World post at the end of the series.  Stay tuned for the top snack list for Hollywood Studios coming up in 2 weeks on Walt Express. Until next time, I hope your days are filled with faith, trust and pixie dust.

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

Don’t forget to check out: Top 8 Must-Have Snacks at the Magic Kingdom

The post Top 6 Snacks at Epcot You Don’t Want to Miss! appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

The Top 6 Quick Service Restaurants in Disney World’s EPCOT

Eating at Walt Disney World is an experience in and of itself. In my opinion, EPCOT is the holy grail for park food. There is no other park that has so many choices with so much variety. You might be a little overwhelmed by all the choices, so we have created a list of our favorites to help you narrow things down. Here are The Top 6 Quick Service Restaurants in EPCOT.

6) Electric Umbrella

This quick service restaurant makes the top 6 list because of it’s location and classic menu. Located in the Innoventions East area makes it a perfect stop for those in hanging out in Future World. There is a huge seating area both inside and out which is another thing this place has going for it. The food isn’t anything spectacular, but it does fit the bill for picky eaters and hot and tired tourists. This location is open for both lunch and dinner. Check out the full menu HERE.

5)La Cantina de San Angel

Located in the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase, this one is always a winner when we are hungry for Mexican fare. We love the nachos, guacamole, and empanada here. We also think the view is beautiful when we can snag a spot to eat overlooking the water! The margarita aren’t too bad either. Find the full menu HERE.

4) Yorkshire Fish Shoppe

 Trot over to the United Kingdom pavilion in the World Showcase. Here you will find some of the best fish and chips on property! The menu is very simple; they literally only serve one meal (fish and chips) and a dessert. You can also get a great beer here, if you like that with your fish and chips. My family loves this place because it is a great value for one credit. The portions here are large (two big pieces of perfectly fried fish). Don’t buy a meal for everyone; instead split each plate between two people. You can find the menu HERE if you want to know which choices are available for beverages and dessert. 

3)Tangierine Café

Morocco’s pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase plays host to a sweet little secret. Most people don’t even know about it, but the Tangierine Café has some really unique and incredible food options for quick service. You can dine on authentic shawarma platters (oh that hummus!), rotisserie chicken, and there are two great vegetarian options too. The thing we really like is that they have both hamburgers and chicken tenders on the children’s menu. However, we would love to see at least one smaller version of the adult menu as a kid’s option for those children who are not picky. Check out the menu HERE and don’t forget about the wonderful pastries available.

2)Les Halles Boulangerie-Patissierie

This traditional style bakery in the France section of the World Showcase will have you drooling before you get into the door. The smell of all that amazing French food, especially pastries, hits you in the face and it’s like heaven. I mean, is there really a better aroma than that of freshly baked pastries?! Savor sandwiches like jambon beurre, soups and bisques, and do NOT forget the desserts.

Our family loves to grab three items that qualify as snacks and exchange those for one quick service credit. I will admit that more times than not those three items are desserts. Hey, we are on vacation and if I want dessert for every meal, then by golly I’ll have dessert every meal. If you want dessert for breakfast, you will be happy to know that this quick service restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can find the whole menu to salivate over HERE.

1) Sunshine Seasons

For my family, Sunshine Seasons wins the best quick service restaurant at EPCOT. Why? For one, the location is hard to beat.It’s located near Soarin’, in the downstairs section of Living with the Land. That location is perfect for breakfast or lunch because we always seem to be in that area around those times. Also, it’s very close to the entrance to World Showcase.

Another reason we adore this location is because of the sheer variety and plethora of healthier options. I mean seriously, where else can you get an Uncrustable Peanut Butter and Jelly, salmon, or a chicken wrap for the kids? For the adults, you can choose from Mongolian Beef, fish tacos, salmon, a power salad with kale and other superfood, and so many other options. They even have a great selection of vegan, gluten free, low-carb and other special dietary options. Read up on your options HERE.

There is simply no other quick service restaurant in EPCOT or any other park that offers this much variety. It’s sure to be a win in anyone’s dining book! Oh, and you can even order your meal on your phone and reduce your wait time.

The Top 6 Quick Service Restaurants in Disney World’s EPCOT

Raise your hand if that list has left you feeling hungry. We love Disney food and we know you do too. Tell us about your favorite quick service restaurants at EPCOT in the comments and join us in the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

If you are wanting more food choices at EPCOT, check out the following blogs:

The Top 6 Snacks at EPCOT You Don’t Want to Miss!

Best Restaurants for 1st Timers at Disney World

Garden Grill: A Disney World Dining Review

photo credit: Chris Benseler Epcot via photopin (license)

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6 Snacks You Cannot Miss at Hollywood Studios!

6 Snacks You Cannot Miss at Hollywood Studios! is here for your viewing pleasure. Hello my faithful snack-loving friends! The self-proclaimed Snack Queen is back to delve into even more mouth-watering morsels.  This time, our focus will be on Hollywood Studios, where there is never a shortage of snacks to satisfy even the most persnickety palate.  All of these snacks qualify as a snack credit. That is a real steal because this list if full of some really gigantic snacks.  So, let’s not waste anymore time and let’s head straight down Hollywood Boulevard to a snack cart for our first item on the list.

#6-Churros

Churros are a soft, slightly sweet dough that is piped into a long, stick-like shape and deep-fried.  When the churro comes out of the fryer, it is rolled in a cinnamon sugar mixture and served in paper to keep the messy goodness from escaping.  If you are lucky, you might time it just right and get one that is super fresh and that is when this snack becomes special.  When they are fresh, they are slightly crunchy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside.  Churros at Walt Disney World can be found at quite a few snack carts, but our favorite cart to get our cinnamon sugar fix is at The Great Movie Ride Pretzel Cart, which can be found close to…you guessed it, The Great Movie Ride on Hollywood Boulevard.

#5-Butterfinger Cupcake

The Butterfinger cupcake tops a ton of snack lists around the web. It certainly earns that spot with its awesome blend of chocolate cake, vanilla frosting, and a chocolate coating.  Of course all of this is topped off with what looks like an entire crushed Butterfinger candy bar.  Just like the other cupcakes that you find at Walt Disney World, this thing is big enough to share and you can find it only at Starring Rolls.  If you love candy, this is the cupcake for you!

#4-Funnel Cake with Ice Cream and other Toppings

The Oasis Canteen is located next to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. It only offers a few items but it plays hosts to one of the best dining plan snack values in all of Walt Disney World.  For $8.19 or one snack credit, you can purchase a fresh funnel cake with soft serve vanilla ice cream and strawberry topping!  Now this is an incredible deal for one snack credit because this thing is so massive that it could easily be shared among a group of people.  It’s a fairly standard funnel cake, but the toppings really make it a bit more unique and let’s face it…when one snack credit can get your family through an afternoon, that makes it a sweet deal.

#3-Darth Vader cupcake

The Darth Vader cupcake has been around for a few years now, but could only be found during Star Wars Weekends.  However, now that Star Wars Weekends are a thing of the past and the park is adding plenty of new Star Wars attractions and events throughout the year, it looks like this Dark Side treat might just strike back and hold a spot on several menus throughout the year.

What makes this cupcake so special?  Well, for one, it’s Star Wars themed, but quite honestly what isn’t these days with the new installment The Force Awakens release.  Really what makes this cupcake a top pick is the combination of flavors.  Who doesn’t love a moist, yet rich chocolate cake topped with smooth, creamy peanut butter frosting?  To add to that perfect medley of flavors, they top this treat with even more chocolate; chocolate sprinkles, chocolate shavings, and a perfect chocolate mold of the one and only Darth Vader.  Now if this cupcake doesn’t leave you thinking Darth is the mack daddy of cupcakes, well then I guess you better make room in your belly for #2 on the list….

#2-Carrot Cake Cookie

Update on April 22, 2016: Writer’s Stop is no longer serving up these cookies, but you can now find them at Sweet Spells inside the Beverly Sunset store on Sunset Boulevard.

In a little nook near the Sci-Fi Dinner is an unassuming book shop called Writer’s Stop.  It’s a fantastic spot to grab an iced coffee and a treat and for a bookstore their bakery selections are quite nice.  Even better, if you look closely at the menu you will find a few hidden gems that are served nowhere else on Walt Disney World property.  One of those unique items is the carrot cake cookie.  Now, you all know that my heart and my fluffy tummy are owed in part to my love for carbs and cream cheese and #2 has both in spades.

The carrot cake cookie is large, soft and crumbly and the cream cheese is heaped inside in generous amounts.  The cream cheese in this cookie is more like frosting (super sweet), so if you are only a fan of the tangy cream cheese icing found on red velvet cakes then you might not appreciate this cookie quite as much as those of us who love sugar.  My family likes to break this apart by sliding a plastic knife gently through the frosting and sharing it, because it is very sweet.  If you love carrot cake, this snack will quickly skyrocket to the top of your list.

#1-Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake

Oh my stars, let’s talk some more about cream cheese!!!  Starring Rolls is the home of the very first specialty cupcake I ever tried and I had no idea it would start an obsession.  Thus I think it rather fitting that this cupcake makes the top of my favorite snacks at Hollywood Studios.  This confection combines so many of my favorite things; cupcakes, red velvet cake, and cheesecake.  Oh and did I mention it has candy crumbles on top that I am almost certain are crushed Butterfinger?  Lord have mercy, they are trying to make me gain weight just talking about this delicious cupcake.

What I love most about this cupcake is that it is always moist and it is absolutely HUGE.  I always share this and it still is almost too much food and even better, it counts as a snack credit.  So use your credits wisely and grab one of these cupcakes and enjoy the moist red velvet cake with the cream cheese icing and large dollop of cheesecake in the middle of the icing.  This thing is close to heaven for those of us who love red velvet cake.

Tips for Hollywood Studios Snacks

A few words of caution concerning this cupcake and any other options from Starring Rolls: 1) If cupcakes from Starring Rolls are on your list, make sure to stop by early in the day.  They often close in the afternoon hours, which will leave a lot of people disappointed if they don’t plan accordingly.  2) Always give your cupcake a little time to thaw, because the display cases are refrigerated.  Allowing 15-30 minutes for the cupcake to get to room temperature greatly enhances the flavors and texture of these sweet treats.

Now that our Hollywood Studios list is complete, do you feel like these items are worthy of their own star on the Walk of Fame or should they be exiled to hostile lands?  Please chime in and let us know what you think. We can’t wait to hear what your favorites are because we will be using guest comments and our current lists to create our Grand Finale of Top 10 snacks in all of Walt Disney World post at the end of the series.   Stay tuned for the top snack list for Animal Kingdom coming soon to Walt Express.  Until next time, I hope your days are filled with faith, trust and pixie dust.

Don’t forget to check out :

Top 8 Must-Have Snacks at the Magic Kingdom

Top 6 Snacks at Epcot You Don’t Want to Miss! 

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This review is pretty short, sweet and to the point, but Pizza Planet speaks for itself! Pizza Planet is an excellent counter service restaurant located in Hollywood Studios. Do you have a Toy Story fan in your house and/or do they like pizza? Well, this is the place for you! All of my kids are Toy Story fans so we cannot miss going to Pizza Planet while we visit Hollywood Studios. There are tables outside as well as inside with all of the games and such. Honestly, we don’t go for the games, Minnie Mouse just likes knowing we are dining where Andy ate in the movie.

Like I said before, this is a counter/quick service meal, so you can use the dining plan while dining here.

You get your own personal pizza, with a caesar salad, a dessert and a drink. The pizza is not bad but, we go for the “atmosphere” more than anything!

Let me just say, that cupcake was gooooooood!

What do you think of the Pizza Planet?

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