Have you seen some of the holiday treats coming to Walt Disney World this year? Gingerbread milkshakes, chocolate-filled pastries, festive cupcakes… goodness, Disney certainly isn't making it easy to pick just one! 😂🎄
But here's what I love about holiday treats at Disney World: sometimes it's not just what you're eating. It's where you are when you're enjoying it.
A milkshake while Main Street sparkles with Christmas decorations. A festive cupcake before heading down Sunset Boulevard. A little something sweet after visiting Santa.
Those are the moments that make a Disney Christmas feel extra special.
And you don't need to turn your vacation into a food scavenger hunt to enjoy them!
Magic Kingdom knows how to make Christmas feel magical, especially when Main Street, U.S.A. is dressed for the holidays.
Beginning November 8, the Gingerbread Milkshake at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor brings a little extra holiday sweetness to Main Street. It's available during regular park hours as well as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Imagine finding a spot to enjoy your milkshake while the Christmas lights glow around you, or making it a sweet little stop before the evening fireworks.
You don't have to chase every treat on Disney's holiday menu. Sometimes picking one that fits naturally into a moment you're already looking forward to makes it even better.
Hollywood Studios has some delicious holiday fun of its own!
Over at Rosie's All-American Café on Sunset Boulevard, the Coquito Wreath Cupcake is a festive little beauty. It's the kind of treat that feels right at home among the Christmas decorations as you make your way toward the theater for Fantasmic!
And if Toy Story Land is on your list, Woody's Lunch Box has a Hot Cocoa Lunch Box Tart that sounds like a fun holiday twist on a familiar favorite.
Both treats begin November 7.
Here's a helpful little trick: open the My Disney Experience app, search for the restaurant by name, and tap its menu to see what's offered. If mobile ordering is available, you can select an arrival window and place your order right from your phone.
That can be especially helpful when you're trying to fit a treat into a park day without spending extra time standing in line.
Animal Kingdom has a little extra Christmas magic waiting this year, and Santa has a brand-new place to welcome families!
Beginning November 13, Santa's Holiday Grove opens near Theater in the Wild, across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
Follow a festive trail with holiday music and little flurries of snow on your way to meet Santa Claus himself.
And after sharing those Christmas wish lists, why not make the moment a little sweeter?
Right there at Santa's Holiday Grove, you'll find the Peppermint-Chocolate Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich, layered with double-chocolate peppermint cookie dough, vanilla ice cream, and fudgy brownie.
A visit with Santa, a little snowfall, and a delicious holiday treat? Now that's a Christmas memory worth making! 🎄
And don't forget Disney Springs, where you can enjoy a little holiday food fun without needing a theme park ticket.
At Swirls on the Water, the Gingerbread Mickey Cone arrives November 10, while Earl of Sandwich brings back its Holiday Turkey Sandwich for those who want something savory between all the sweets.
A little shopping, Christmas decorations, and a festive treat can make Disney Springs a lovely holiday outing all by itself.
Disney releases some wonderful holiday Foodie Guides, but those long lists can get overwhelming quickly.
My suggestion? Keep a little note on your phone with the two or three treats that really caught your attention and where they're sold.
Then, when you're planning your park day, use the Walt Disney World website or My Disney Experience app to look up the restaurant and browse its menu.
In the app, you can also look for Order Food to see participating mobile-order locations. Choose your restaurant, select an available pickup window, and follow the prompts to place your order. When you're ready to collect your food, follow the app's instructions for pickup.
For additional inspiration, Disney's holiday Foodie Guides on the Disney Parks Blog are a great way to see what's new across the resort.
And remember, some holiday treats are only offered on certain dates or during special events, so double-check the details before making a special trip for one.
No racing across Disney World for a cupcake.
Unless, of course, it's a cupcake you really, really want! 😂
If you're attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party or Disney Jollywood Nights, you'll have even more holiday treats to choose from!
At Magic Kingdom, party guests can look for special offerings such as the Very Merry Mickey Sundae at Storybook Treats and Gingerbread Cheesecake Beignets.
Over at Hollywood Studios, A TWIX on a Classic Pie at Fairfax Fare is one of the festive bites available during Jollywood Nights.
These treats are part of the party experience, but there's so much more to enjoy, from entertainment and character greetings to all those beautiful holiday details.
My advice? Pick one or two treats you're excited about and let them fit around the experiences that matter most to your family.
One of my favorite things about Disney at Christmas is how even the smallest moments can become special.
Maybe it's sharing a gingerbread milkshake while Main Street glows around you. Maybe it's discovering a new favorite dessert before a show. Or maybe it's watching your family smile after meeting Santa.
The food is the fun little extra.
The Disney moments surrounding it are what make it special.
And if Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party or Disney Jollywood Nights is part of your holiday plans, I've created two free printable party planners to help you organize your must-do experiences, favorite treats, and special moments before your party night.