11 Must-Try Potato Dishes At Disney Parks Around The World
Potatoes, in their many delightful forms, are a widely loved food, and Disney parks are known for their extraordinary charm. The conjunction of the two creates a uniquely enjoyable culinary experience. Disney parks, with their extensive collection of dining options, offer a variety of potato dishes that are skillfully integrated into menus.
Whether it's an elegantly plated side dish accompanying a main course in a sit-down restaurant, an indispensable part of a meal at quick service locations, or a tantalizingly crispy snack available at kiosks and window counters scattered throughout the park, potatoes play a starring role in the delicious journey one embarks on at Disney parks.
Between potatoes that have been fried, baked, mashed, or whipped, there is a whole slew of different ways potatoes can be delicious offerings at Disney parks. Whether prepared in traditional styles or innovative recipes, potatoes invariably enhance the dining experience at Disney parks. They become a key ingredient in weaving the magical culinary tales that leave an indelible impression on park visitors.
Toledo's Olive Oil-Potato Purée (Disney World)
Perched atop the Disney Vacation Club Tower at the Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World, you will find the somewhat underappreciated gem, Toledo. While this restaurant may not offer character dining experiences or reside within a theme park, it compensates with extraordinary meals and a breathtaking panoramic view. From here, you can gaze upon miles of Florida's diverse landscape, with the glimmering lights of distant Disney properties as part of the scenery.
While every main course at Toledo promises a culinary delight worthy of a postcard back home, one of our favorite items on the menu is surprisingly a side dish. Known as the olive oil- potato purée, this is no ordinary mash. Served in a generous portion, these potatoes are whipped to perfection that borders on culinary artistry. Infused with a delicate hint of olive oil, the flavor is subtle and tantalizing, creating what many would describe as the epitome of mashed potatoes.
These potatoes pair wonderfully with a variety of main courses, but one of our go-to meals at Toledo is scallops. Combining the delicate, buttery scallops with the silky-smooth potato purée and a side of remarkable Brussels sprouts, which are cooked to perfection, creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. This trifecta of deliciousness results in a meal that is more than just food; it's an immersive dining experience that truly exemplifies the magic of Disney.
Roundup Rodeo's Married Spuds (Disney World)
While Disney World is renowned for many things, its food offerings certainly stand out and deserve their fame. Even amidst the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, you can indulge in a culinary journey like no other. Sure, you can find quick comfort food options like hamburgers and hot dogs, but there are also plenty of more adventurous, delectable delights to explore. Roundup Rodeo at Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios epitomizes Disney's knack for blending innovative theming with superb dining, elevating the experience to an entirely new level.
At this restaurant, designed to reflect a rodeo arranged by Pixar's beloved character Andy himself, your meal is served family-style. You get to select a range of side dishes for your table, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy, and the menu is filled with delightful surprises.
A standout among the selections is the tater tot dish humorously named Married Spuds. This enticing potato barrel side dish arrives at your table generously smothered in creamy cheese and a vibrant green goddess dressing. A sprinkling of barbecue spices tops off these tater tots, adding a smoky depth to their cheesy goodness. While these tots might not be the go-to choice for children who prefer their tater tots sans sauce, adventurous palates will likely find them unforgettable. Regardless, we've been dreaming of these buds ever since we had them.
Fairfax Fare's Korean Barbecued Pork Belly Bowl (Disney World)
For yet another delightful potato-centric treat within Hollywood Studios, head to Fairfax Fair. This food service window, conveniently situated near popular attractions like the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror, doesn't open until lunchtime. This scheduling gives you plenty of time to enjoy various park attractions before satisfying your hunger with its delicious offerings.
Fairfax Fair operates as a walk-up window where you can order without reservations. One standout on its menu are the mashed potato bowls, providing a hearty, mouthwatering meal. Among these options, the Korean Barbecue Pork Belly Bowl particularly shines. This dish boasts a generous serving of flavorful Korean barbecued meat, refreshing coleslaw, and vibrant green onions, all beautifully layered over creamy mashed potatoes. The entire dish is presented in a sweet waffle bowl, adding a delightful twist as you polish off your lunch.
If Korean barbecue doesn't strike your fancy, worry not, for Fairfax Fair offers other tantalizing choices like the BBQ Beef Brisket Bowl and the Buffalo Chicken Bowl. Both these dishes are also served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, maintaining the theme. The portion size is generous, ensuring a satisfying meal that doesn't skimp on flavor or quantity. Plus, the self-contained nature of these bowls makes them a perfect, easy-to-handle choice for park-goers.
Friar's Nook's Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Tots (Disney World)
Another exceptional self-contained meal can be found within the magical confines of the Magic Kingdom at the Friar's Nook in Walt Disney World. Amid the vibrant atmosphere of Fantasyland, you'll discover a towering blend of creamy macaroni and cheese, crispy tater tots, smoky bacon, and tangy sour cream. The generous portion size is quite ample, providing a hearty meal that could easily be split between two people.
If you find your stomach rumbling before lunchtime, this location also offers an appetizing alternative: tater tots lavishly topped with rich sausage gravy. While these are undeniably delicious, we highly recommend holding out for the macaroni and cheese tater tots if you can, as they are truly worth the wait.
Given its popularity, Fantasyland can get busy around lunchtime as everyone hunts for the perfect meal for their family. To sidestep the midday rush, we strongly advise using the My Disney Experience app to place your order in advance. Not only will this save you from navigating a bustling crowd to place your order, but it also ensures a seamless pickup experience. You'll simply be notified when your meal is ready for collection.
Troubadour Tavern's Pridelands Potato (Disneyland)
At Disneyland Resort, dining transcends beyond just good food. Rather, it's a holistic experience that combines delectable treats with engaging entertainment, elevating every meal into a delightful affair. A stellar example of this unique offering is the Fantasyland Theater, where patrons can indulge in mouth-watering snacks while being enraptured by spectacular performances. Among the variety of snacks offered, one that particularly captures the attention is the Pridelands Potato from the Troubadour Tavern.
This baked potato is a gastronomic treasure trove, generously laden with tempting ingredients like rich cheese, creamy butter, crispy bacon, fresh green onions, and a dollop of tangy sour cream. The Pridelands Potato goes beyond being just a snack: It's a complete, hearty meal that promises to satiate your hunger and tantalize your taste buds in the best way possible.
What sets this baked potato apart from its peers is the immaculate execution of its consistency. The culinary team at Disneyland achieves the perfect balance between the crispy outer skin and the soft, flavorful insides. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the potato fuses seamlessly with the diverse toppings, creating an irresistible medley of tastes and textures. The colossal size of the Pridelands Potato ensures that it's not just a quick snack but a filling, satisfying treat that can easily become the highlight of your meal. And the magic doesn't end there. You get to enjoy this sumptuous treat while enjoyig stage shows like "The Lion King."
Troubadour Tavern's Asante Sana Sambusa (Disneyland)
While the traditional, well-crafted baked potato is a universal comfort food, there are moments when culinary adventure calls. During such times, the Asante Sana Sambusa from Disneyland's Troubadour Tavern comes as a delightful deviation from the norm. This vegan-friendly snack is a delicately fried pocket filled with potato and vegetables, providing a unique experience of flavor and texture that's not only satisfying but also adheres to specific dietary requirements.
Upon biting into the crispy shell of the sambusa, you're immediately met with a savory concoction of curry-seasoned potato and tiny green peas, contributing to the dish's visual and flavor appeal. The spice from the curry is then expertly balanced with a sweet and tangy mango chutney, served on the side. While the sambusa does pack a mildly spicy punch, the mango chutney serves as a pleasant counterbalance, ensuring a rounded and layered taste experience.
This dish may not be suitable for everyone, especially those sensitive to spicy foods, but it certainly offers an adventurous twist for those craving something different from their Disneyland dining experience. One of the highlights of this dish is the beautifully contrasting textures. The juxtaposition of the gooey, flavorful filling and the perfectly fried, crunchy exterior is reminiscent of the texture play in a loaded baked potato, ensuring each bite is a delight.
Carnation Cafe's Baked Potato Soup (Disneyland)
If your Disney experience is primarily based on Walt Disney World, imagining a chilly day exploring a Disney theme park might seem a bit foreign. However, Disneyland often experiences days where a winter coat is essential. On such chilly days, there's nothing more comforting than ordering the Loaded Baked Potato Soup from the Carnation Cafe.
This soup could very well be the perfect appetizer to commence your meal at the Carnation Cafe. You're served a small crock of this thick, hearty soup, generously topped with an array of ingredients. It boasts crispy fried potatoes, a duo of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, tangy sour cream, aromatic chives, and smoky bacon. Even with all these extras, the soup base itself doesn't lose its charm.
The soup has a thick, chowder-like consistency, with the cheese on top further enhancing its creaminess. Its savory, home-cooked flavor exudes a comforting feel usually associated with the most soothing of soups, and this one undoubtedly lives up to that standard. It's almost as if they've transformed the loaded baked potato from Troubadour Tavern into a soup. Depending on the day's weather and temperature during your visit to Disneyland, you may choose to warm up with this sumptuous bowl of soup or savor a crispy, fully-loaded potato over at the Troubadour Tavern. Either way, you're in for a treat.
Lamplight Lounge's Potato Skins (Disney California Adventure Park)
For another exceptional potato-based appetizer, venture over to Pixar Pier in Disney's California Adventure. Find your way to the Lamplight Lounge and once you're comfortably seated, don't hesitate to order the signature Potato Skins. Even if you're not typically a fan of traditional potato skins due to their resemblance to small baked potatoes, we strongly recommend giving these a try; they offer a completely unique experience.
Upon the arrival of your Potato Skins, the first thing you'll notice is the stunning presentation of the dish. The skins are crafted from Yukon Gold potatoes that have been carefully smashed to retain the crispy exterior while still offering a generous amount of potato flesh on each piece. Encircling the platter, you'll find several dipping options to accompany your potato skins. There's a rich brown butter caper yogurt, a smoky paprika aioli, and a tangy Manchego cheese. We highly recommend sampling each one separately, as well as combining them for a comprehensive flavor experience.
Not only are these potatoes expertly fried, but their seasoning perfectly complements the accompanying dips. After finishing your plate, it wouldn't be surprising if you found yourself yearning for more. And we certainly won't judge if you and your table decide to order a second, or even third, helping of this enticing dish.
Refreshment Station's Demi Glace Potato Churro (Tokyo DisneySea)
American Disney parks may be famous for their selection of culinary delights, but they're certainly not the only ones. Tokyo DisneySea, in particular, offers its own unique take on a popular snack: the Demi Glace Potato Churro. A creative and somewhat surprising variation on the typical sweet churro, this dish is an intriguing fusion of flavors and textures that shouldn't be missed.
Located at the Refreshment Station, the Demi Glace Potato Churro straddles the line between French fries and simple churros. Instead of the expected dusting of cinnamon sugar, this version offers a savory treat that challenges your palate in the most delightful way. The churro itself tastes like a delicious fusion of pastry dough and creamy mashed potatoes, invoking a flavor reminiscent of comforting potato bread.
What sets this apart from other theme park food is its innovative blend of familiar components into a unique, flavor-packed snack. The rich, savory filling of brown demi glace sauce, reminiscent of a hearty stew, gives this churro its unique personality. Despite the distinct flavor profile, it maintains the traditional churro's portable nature, making it an ideal snack to enjoy while exploring the attractions. Moreover, the Demi Glace Potato Churro illustrates the ingenuity of Disney's culinary offerings at its international parks. It marries a popular Western snack with the Asian love for intriguing flavor combinations, resulting in a satisfying and unique dish that caters to both local and foreign visitors.
Hollywood Catering Food Truck's French Fries (Disneyland Paris)
French Fries might seem like an overly simplistic choice to savor while visiting a Disney park, but the fries from the Hollywood Catering Truck in Disneyland Paris could potentially alter your perspective. This food cart stands in a spot where Studio Catering Co. once did, and aside from the fries, this is also a great place to pick up a refreshing beverage. These fries come in an ultra-convenient carry cone, making them the ideal snack to munch on as you explore the park. The cone can also be switched out to celebrate different theatrical releases and celebrations.
For those who can't imagine savoring fries without a dipping sauce, rest assured, you have an array of choices here. You can opt for the classic ketchup or mayonnaise, or venture into more distinctive flavors with firecracker sauce or even a tangy mustard.
Regardless of how simple they may seem, the Hollywood Catering Truck's fries encapsulate the Disney culinary philosophy perfectly: Even the most straightforward dishes are prepared with such care and attention to detail that they transform into memorable dining experiences. Plus, the often chilly weather at Disneyland Paris makes these fries a welcome snack to enjoy between meals.
Bauernmarkt's Potato Pancakes (Disney World)
Epcot is renowned for its cultural showcases, particularly during its various festivals where each represented country offers a taste of its unique culinary heritage. During the spring to early summer Flower and Garden Festival, the German kitchen sets up a delightful stop called Bauernmarkt. Here, visitors can explore a variety of regional beer and wine offerings, alongside a mouthwatering assortment of food. One standout dish that's been stealing the spotlight for the past few years is a beloved potato offering at Walt Disney World: potato pancakes.
These potato pancakes are served in two delicious styles, catering to a range of dietary preferences. For the vegetarian guest, the pancakes come with freshly made apple sauce, offering a sweet and tangy complement to the savory pancake. On the other hand, meat lovers can enjoy theirs garnished with a hearty helping of ham, onions, and a drizzle of sour cream. Most times, you'll actually get two pancakes to enjoy, but if they are being made extra large on a particular day, you may be handed only one.
While the sour cream option provides a creamy balance to the savory toppings, the house-made apple sauce option is a true standout. It offers a refreshing, sweet contrast to the potato pancake, making it an instant favorite amongst parkgoers.