Spring is almost here! By almost, I mean pretty much two months from now. But in Disney time that’s practically next Tuesday. Over at Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street at Disneyland Resort you can great ready for the season with a variety of clothing items. Let’s take a look.
Shirts, sweaters, spirit jerseys, leggings, and more await you.
Mickey giving the side eye. This is the look I give people when they say Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain is better than Disneyland’s. $36.99.
Here’s a classic Mickey pose on a long sleeve shirt ($49.99) along with the Disneyland logo down the sleeve.
This multi-color Disneyland hoodie can be yours for $59.99.
Castle leggings for $39.99.
This hooded shirt with a unique design is available for $44.99.
A nice spring Disneyland tumbler for $22.99.This mannequin is on display so you can get an idea of how cool you’ll decked out in all the spring colors.
Some really fun rainbow merchandise.
Lady gets her own Disneyland sweater.
His and her Haunted Mansion hitchhiking ghosts shirts. $24.99 each.
On Buena Vista Street the horticulture team is hard at work getting the land’s planters ready for the season.
A couple of more pieces of Lunar New Year merchandise have also arrived.
Before I wrap things up, let’s play a little game. Write in the comments where in Disney California Adventure these ropes are located.
We try to keep it real with you, dear reader. If something is great, we tell you. If it is not so great, we tell you that too. We try to reserve posting about single cupcakes for when a seasonal flavor is offered or for ones that are worthy of attention. The Bullseye Cupcake at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is worthy of such attention.
Artist’s Palette Counter Service at Saratoga Springs
Every Disney resort has at least one specialty cupcake on the menu. During holidays there may be additional specialty cupcakes on the menu. The Bullseye Cupcake is on the menu year-round at The Artist’s Palette. It is a Chocolate Cupcake filled with Peanut Butter Mousse, topped with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Buttercream, with a Bullseye White Chocolate decoration on top.
Bullseye Cupcake at Saratoga SpringsBullseye Cupcake at Saratoga Springs
So what makes this cupcake so great in our book? Well, first the cake itself is not dry. Our team has sampled plenty of chocolate cupcakes at Disney and sorry to say many of them have been dry. Thankfully that is not the case here. Plus the Peanut Butter Mousse is plentiful and truly fills the cake rather than just sitting at the surface like many of Disney’s cupcakes.
The Chocolate and Peanut Butter Buttercream frosting was thick and rich. We’re often disappointed by Disney’s frosting as it can be thin and sugary. The Bullseye Cupcake hits all the marks, and at the standard $5.99 price.
You can walk to Disney’s Saratoga Springs from Disney Springs. So even if you’re not staying there, if you have a craving for chocolate and peanut butter you may want to mobile order it and pop over.
What’s the best cupcake you’ve ever had at Walt Disney World?
I had a hard time getting excited about the announcement of Disney nuiMOs. Then I saw the pictures and the possibilities. And I saw the excitement that many Disney fans are expressing about these little dolls. Disney nuiMOs have arrived at Walt Disney World, and our team headed to World of Disney at Disney Springs to scope out the cuteness.
World of Disney Store at Disney Springs
What are Disney nuiMOs?
Admittedly I was ignorant as to what the word “nuiMO” means. Turns out “nuiMO” combines the Japanese words nuigurumi (“plush”) and moderu (“model”). Disney nuiMOs are small plush figures that you can pose. They are only about 4 inches tall, and their simplistic, cute style makes them adorable for any age.
Disney nuiMOs Display at World of DisneyDisney nuiMOs Stitch and Angel Display
Currently the Disney nuiMOs are available as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Stitch, and his love-interest Angel. Each plush nuiMO is $17.99. This is more than a standard plush doll that is larger than the nuiMO, but it is not posable and full of other spending opportunities by way of accessories. The accessories range from $12.99 – $19.99.
What’s the big deal with Disney nuiMOs?
First, they are super cute. Second, they are super, duper cute. But in all seriousness, the appeal is that they are small, travel-friendly, and you can accessorize them for days and days. One of the big draws is they are perfect for creating scenes and photos to post on social media, especially Instagram. Just do a search for #DisneynuiMOs on Instagram and you can see for yourself.
Disney nuiMOs Chinese Lunar New Year DisplayDisney nuiMOs Chinese Lunar New Year OutfitsDisney nuiMOs Outfits
Some people are taking their nuiMOs with them to the Disney theme parks. Others are creating cute scenes at home. The accessories mirror many of the most popular Disney merchandise items, like spirit jerseys, and teeny tiny Loungefly backpacks.
What do you think of Disney nuiMOs? Is it a cute trend that will stick for a while, or a passing fad?
Sometimes the combination of two indulgent foods sounds pretty awful, and yet can be a pleasant surprise. Take, for instance, the combination of nachos and an ice cream sundae. At Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Disney Springs such a combination exists. The combination is not all that literal, but it is a delicious concept nonetheless. Chrissy on our team, and our junior researcher, gave the Nacho Sundae and the Magical Sundae a try.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain Disney SpringsNacho Sundae at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain Disney Springs
The Nacho Sundae debuted in the summer of 2020 and does not get the attention it deserves. For $14.50 you decide which three flavors are to be hand scooped for your sundae. Then fried pita chips covered in cinnamon sugar surround the ice cream scoops. Ghirardelli’s signature hot fudge douses the entire mound with a crown of whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a cherry, of course. Delicious! Or, as Chrissy put it “best nachos this side of the Mexico Pavilion!”
Magical Sundae and Nacho Sundae at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain Disney SpringsMagical Sundae at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain Disney Springs
The serving of the Nacho Sundae is generous enough for two people. Bit, since Chrissy had a junior researcher along, she also ordered the Magical Sundae which is also relatively new. For $14.25 you’ll receive a heaping serving of vanilla ice cream with a generous serving of Ghirardelli’s signature hot fudge in multiple layers of the sundae. Then whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and chocolate-dipped waffle cone pieces top the sundae. The waffle cone pieces loosely resemble Mickey Mouse.
Of the two treats, our team leans toward the Nacho Sundae, but you will not be let down by either choice. Ghirardelli Soda Fountain has a 96% thumbs up rating from our readers and subscribers.
Have you ever stopped for a treat at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain? What did you think of it?
While restaurants such as Quick Service or Signature Dining venues are popular spots to dine at Walt Disney World, they’re not the only places to get food. If you’re on the go, need something quick, or have a hankering for something snacky, a food cart or stand may be just what you need.
A pop-up coffee cart in Magic Kingdom. A cart is not usually in this location, but was added during the holiday season. (Photo pre-pandemic.)
How many food carts and stands are there at Walt Disney World?
Um, a lot. Really there is no fixed number. Some food carts/stands have a permanent home. For example, the popcorn cart on the left as you enter Magic Kingdom is always there. But some carts pop up during busy times or for special events. Some move around a little due to construction or other park maintenance. In general, the busier the parks are, the more food carts you’ll see.
Where can you find food carts at Walt Disney World?
There are food stands and carts all over all four theme parks, both water parks (currently closed due to COVID), Disney Springs, and the Boardwalk recreation area. Unfortunately, most of these locations are not listed on the park maps. Regular visitors know that many carts have semi-permanent locations, but new guests may be in the dark about where to find certain items they may have heard of. When in doubt, ask a cast member for assistance.
There is always a popcorn cart near the red X, but it’s not on the maps.
Do the food cart have specific hours?
Food cart hours vary seasonally, with longer hours during busy seasons. You’ll also find variability based on what the cart sells. For example, a coffee stand will likely open early in the day, often prior to a park’s official opening time. A cart that sells primarily alcohol will typically wait until at least 11:00 a.m. to open. For food, the rule of thumb is that the carts that sell more savory items tend not to open until the lunch hour, but there are plenty of exceptions.
What do they sell at food carts?
The majority of food carts sell items like bottled soda, frozen treats, and popcorn. However, there are food carts and stands that sell substantial fare such as meat on a stick , egg rolls, or turkey legs. At Disney Springs there are a number of carts that just sell alcoholic beverages.
Is there any way to know in advance what my food cart options will be?
Things like popcorn cart menus are not available on the official Walt Disney World website, but they are available via the TouringPlans.com menu tool. For example, if you want popcorn at Magic Kingdom, put popcorn and Magic Kingdom into our search bar and you’ll see locations, including food carts, where this is available.
Food cart menus are available on the TouringPlans website.
What are the prices like at the Disney World food carts/stands?
They’re high. Like ridiculously high. Currently, a frozen Mickey bar costs $6.00, a 20 oz. bottle of Coke costs $4.50, and a single-serve Dasani water is $3.50. A quick snack for a family of four could easily run more than $40.00.
How can I pay for food at the carts? Do I need cash?
It’s been years since I encountered a food cart that only took cash. Today, virtually all sales points allow guests to pay with a variety of media including cash, credit/debit cards, Disney gift cards, MagicBands, ApplePay, and likely several others.
Can I use Disney Dining Plan credits at food carts and stands?
The Disney Dining Plan is currently paused, with no word when (or if) it will return. Prior to the pandemic, yes, you could use Dining Plan credits at most WDW food carts.
If I buy something at a food cart, where can I eat it?
Most food carts and stands have no specific seating area. You can stop to eat your food at any bench or outdoor seating area. For example, in Magic Kingdom there are picnic tables adjacent to Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square and cafe-style tables adjacent to Casey’s Corner on Main Street. You’re welcome to eat your food cart haul there, even though you didn’t purchase the food at that location.
Can I walk around while I eat my food cart snack?
Pre-pandemic, yes. However, during COVID times all food must be consumed while you are stationary, standing or sitting in one spot without moving around. Also during COVID, snacking in the attraction queues is prohibited. Something like a box of popcorn can take several minutes for a single person to eat. If you buy food from a cart, factor this time into your touring plan.
Are there alternatives to paying Disney’s crazy prices for snack items?
Yes. As controlling as Disney can be about some policies, they’re actually pretty decent in their rules about bringing food and beverages into the parks. You’re not allowed to bring alcohol or glass containers into the theme parks, but almost anything else is okay. You can feel free to get a case of water or soda at a local supermarket and bring that with you to the theme parks. Lots of folks bring things like granola bars, nuts, crackers, and other snack items that can take edge off hunger so they can avoid the carts.
Also remember that you can get a cup of ice water for free at any WDW quick service restaurant.
If you’re trying to budget, one easy way to economize is to reduce snacking. Maybe plan for one treat every few days, but lots of food cart snacks will make a big dent in your wallet.
Generally not. In addition to the general lack of dedicated nearby seating, the lack of mobile order capabilities is something that often distinguishes a food cart or stand from a quick-service restaurant. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference.
So why would I choose to eat at a food cart?
There are several reasons:
An iconic or favorite food is only available at a food cart.
You’re starving and it’s the closest food sales point.
You’re in the mood to splurge.
There are long waits for other dining options.
You don’t want a full meal, just something light or a snack.
Do you have a favorite food cart or a favorite tip for food cart dining? Let us know in the comments.
This multi-color Disneyland hoodie can be yours for $59.99.
A nice spring Disneyland tumbler for $22.99.
This mannequin is on display so you can get an idea of how cool you’ll decked out in all the spring colors.
On Buena Vista Street the horticulture team is hard at work getting the land’s planters ready for the season.
