Which park at Disney World has the best food? Between Magic Kingdom [1], Animal Kingdom [2], Epcot [3], and Hollywood Studios, it's tough to pick a favorite. For now, let's focus on the latter. The home of Tower of Terror and the Toy Story Mania!, Hollywood Studios' best attractions include these tasty foods and drinks.
Travel and expenses for the author were provided by Walt Disney World for the purpose of writing this story.
PBJ Shake ($6)
The Tune-In Lounge is worth a visit just to see all the retro kitchens (each table is decorated like a 1950s kitchen!). While everyone raves about the Sampling of Mom's Favorite Recipes, I stopped in to try the world-famous PBJ shake. It tastes just as the name promises, like a thick, creamy peanut butter milkshake with a hint of fruity sweetness from the jelly. I could not put this milkshake down and plan to have one of these every time I visit Disney World from here on out.
Where to find it: Tune-In Lounge [4] on Echo Lake
Chocolate Butterfinger Cupcake ($5)
This picture doesn't quite show the massive scale of the Butterfinger cupcake. It feels like it weighs several pounds, and the icing is stacked at least three inches high.
Where to find it: The Trolley Car Café [5] (Starbucks) on Hollywood Boulevard
Chocolate Butterfinger Cupcake ($5)
The cupcake is so big, you can cut it like pie pieces and divvy it up between your group. The chocolate cake is moist and cold, due to being refrigerated (a much-needed, refreshing touch in the heat of the day). It's stuffed with more chocolate frosting, a fun discovery upon cutting to the center. The Butterfinger shavings and vanilla frosting on top will send you into a sugar coma, and it's worth it.
Mickey Ice Cream ($5)
It's a classic staple for a reason. The slightly bitter, dark chocolate shell cracks open to reveal a sweet vanilla ice cream center. It's a $5 treat you can't resist.
Where to find it: Churro Cart next to The Great Movie Ride
Roll and Butter With Red Wine Salt (Free With Meal)
While many frequent Disney World visitors say the Cobb salad and the grapefruit cake are the things to order at the Brown Derby, they weren't my favorite. I found the salad to be wilted and the cake to be dry. That said, the beautiful interior design and lavish service are enough to bring me back through this restaurant's doors to try other entrées . . . that and the whipped butter with red wine salt served with warm, crispy rolls. You can't find better bread and butter than this.
Where to find it: The Hollywood Brown Derby [6] on Hollywood Boulevard
Mickey Pretzel ($5)
A day at Disney World doesn't get much better than blue skies and a fresh Mickey pretzel. That salty, doughy treat begs to be paired with something refreshing and sweet, like a PBJ milkshake!
Where to find it: Churro Cart next to The Great Movie Ride