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Tag Archives: Goofy’s Candy Company
Downtown Disney: 5 Snacks Worth a Visit
When I’m visiting Walt Disney World (WDW) one of my hobbies is snacking. (It’s my trip – I can call eating a hobby, right?) And WDW offers plenty of tasty Disney snacks to satisfy the rumbly in my tumbly.
Now, many guests think of the theme parks when the Disney snack attack hits. But Downtown Disney (DTD) has its own special treats, things that aren’t found anywhere else at WDW (although they may be found other places).
So, to avoid appearing like too much of a glutton, here are 5 snacks worth a visit to DTD – as if you need another reason!
Make-Your-Own Treat, Goofy’s Candy Company: While there are plenty of Goofy’s Candy Co. stations throughout WDW, the DTD location is where you can unleash your inner mad candy scientist with a made-to-order snack. Start by choosing a goodie (crisped rice treat, marshmallow, pretzel rod, apple, cookie) as your tasty treat foundation. Dip in caramel, dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Select toppings, like mini M & Ms or crushed Oreos, that are sweet snacks in themselves. Then watch your trusty assistants help bring your creation to life. Name it Frankencandy, and enjoy it….if you dare. (Bwa ha ha.)
Chip & Company identify the 5 Best Candy Stops at WDW.
“Doh-Bar,” Cookes of Dublin: How to describe this so-bad-it’s-good-for-you treat? Melted candy bars dipped in dough and then fried. Yep, that just about describes it. Sort of like state fair food, definitely a dining adventure, and even a bit scary. But oh-so-worth trying, even if just once, because there’s just something about fried food. It’ll definitely make you say Doh! (The candy bar may vary or contain nuts. I’ve tried a Snickers bar; it can be hard to tell.)
Ghirardelli Gold Rush sundae at Downtown Disney.
The Gold Rush sundae, Ghirardelli Ice Cream: With so much ice cream at WDW – and admit it, who doesn’t love a Mickey bar, why Ghirardelli? Well, I could tell you it’s the premium ice cream. That’s part of the reason. Or the rich toppings, like hot fudge, berries, caramel. That’s another good reason. The picture-perfect presentation of a whipped cream and a cherry? That, too. But the combination of all those things? Irresistible. And why the No Way, Jose? It’s almost a random selection, but vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and melted peanut butter. Great tastes that taste great together!
Read more about Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at DTD.
Cupcakes, BabyCakes NYC : Disney does well in working with guests who have dietary restrictions. So it makes perfect sense to me that BabyCakes NYC, a gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, casein-free, dairy-free refined sugar-free vegan bakery, would be welcomed at DTD. But what suprised me, who doesn’t regularly eat vegan but is devoted to exploring all Disney snackage, is the rich taste of the goodies.
For those who notice such things, BabyCakes NYC uses high-quality ingredients, which emphasizes the flavors. So if you’re looking to eat gluten-free while at Disney, or just to have a really fresh sweet, then BabyCakes NYC at DTD is a small slice of (cupcake, cookie, doughnut, brownie) heaven.
Chip and Company compares BabyCakes NYC and Starring Rolls.
Cinnamon Pretzel, Wetzel’s Pretzels: I know many Disney fans have a love affair with the stuffed cream-cheese pretzels found at Magic Kingdom (and other theme parks). They can be good, true – although I find them too sweet for my taste. For a subtler sweetness, a bit of spice, and a fresh pretzel, I far prefer those at the Wetzel Pretzels at DTD Marketplace and West Side. I’ve never thought of pretzels as melt-in-your-mouth good…until I had one served piping hot one morning.
These are some of my top treats for a Disney snack attack. But seeing as DT is big, I’m sure I’ve missed something. What’s your favorite snack at Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World?
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Snacking Around the World
When planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you hear a lot about the restaurants you can’t miss and the how important Advanced Dining Reservations are, but you don’t hear a lot about what to snack on in between those meals. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, snack credits are available in all of the packages. So, what are some of the best snacks around Walt Disney World? What can you use your snack credits on?
Here are some of my favorites:
Cupcakes
Disney has some of the most decadent cupcakes. Stop by Starring Rolls at Disney’s Hollywood Studios park for some of the best. Piled high with frosting and toppings, the cake is moist and there is no shortage of flavor in these baked goods!
Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
This has got to be my favorite way to use of snack credit! You can find these in the Magic Kingdom (Main Street Bakery or Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square), and they are massive. They take two large cookies and place three large scoops of fresh vanilla ice cream in between them. Wow! This is a great snack to share with others. You’ll need to eat it quickly though — the ice cream melts fast!
Dole Whip
Ah, the infamous dole whip. I’ve been traveling to Disney for years, but managed to skip over Aloha Isle in Adventure Land until just last year. I wish I had known about it much sooner! This is a great snack on a hot Florida day. Aloha Isle serves pineapple ice cream (known as dole whip), citrus flavored ice cream, and your standard vanilla. I suggest the dole whip float – pineapple ice cream over pineapple juice. Yum!
Mickey Premium Bar
Sometimes there isn’t anything better than a good ‘ole Mickey ice cream bar. The chocolate on the outside is rich and flavorful and the vanilla ice cream inside just oozes out. It’s sweet and simple!
Pastries from Main Street Bakery
While strolling down Main Street USA, the smell of fresh cinnamon buns and chocolate chip cookies will hit you right in the face – hard! Meander on in and you’ll find an array of tasty treats. They’re often so large that they almost require sharing, so this is a really great use of a snack credit, especially for breakfast!
World Showcase Treats
During the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot, you can use snack credits around the World Showcase, sampling food from the festival booths. But you don’t have to wait for the Food & Wine Festival — many of the countries have treats available year-round. My favorite spot is in France. They have really, really delicious crepes!
Goofy’s Candy Co.
It can be hard to plan out how you’re going to use all your snack credits, so if you have a few left at the end of your vacation, stop by Goofy’s Candy Co. at Downtown Disney. Here, you can customize your own snack and take it home with you! Do you want a pretzel dipped in white chocolate with some sprinkles and M&Ms on top? Or maybe an oreo dipped in chocolate and then covered in marshmallows? Done! The possibilities are endless!
These are just a few of my favorite snacks around the World. How do you use snack credits? What do you think is the best use of a snack credit? Let me know on Twitter at @A_Leo!
Related articles
- Top 10 Disneyworld Snacks – According to Jess (chipandco.com)
- Disney Dining: (Just) Disneyland Desserts (examiner.com)
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Guide to Downtown Disney – ‘Must Sees’ for Foodies
The Spice & Tea Exchange, Downtown Disney.
Regular readers of Chip & Company know that I enjoy exploring the various things to see and do Downtown Disney (DTD) at Walt Disney World. Part of the reason for my pleasure in the larger DTD area – the absence of Adventurers Club notwithstanding – is that the place offers different experiences for different people that can vary with the trip. Indeed, the “must sees” for a first-time visitor to DTD are different than for guests who are returning on their second, third or thirtieth trip.
While I’m not a hard-core Disney foodie, I do like my food, Disney and otherwise. And DTD offers a varied menu of tasty options for foodies. Here are few of my favorites to tempt you and whet your appetite for your next trip to the World.
Mickey’s Pantry
This store is the must-stop shopping destination for Disney foodies. This culinary haven in the DTD Marketplace area (near the Earl of Sandwich) offers a number of goods for the kitchen, from cookware and cookbooks to coffee mugs and cookie cutters. Oh, and pre-packaged Disney food to take home. The pantry is especially fun for those of us who enjoy a Mickey-themed kitchen in red, white and black.
The Spice & Tea Exchange
Located inside Mickey’s Pantry, The Spice & Tea Exchange promises to set noses aquiver in anticipation. As its name suggests, it features both spices and loose teas beautifully displayed in apothecary jars, as well as accessories. The ingredients are fresh, often organic, and preservative free. Guests are welcomed, indeed encouraged, to stop and smell the spices. Employees are on hand to help you explore your olfactory options.
On my recommended list? Try the Florida Grinder, one of its signature blends. It combines Brazilian Atlantic sea salt, lemon, lime, orange zest, mild green peppercorns, rose petals and ginger. Or for a true splurge, bring home one of the store’s more unusual offerings, like a Himalayan Mineral salt block.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
Oh, you know I’m a fan of the ice cream at Ghirardelli’s – or really of I’m a fan of any Disney ice cream. But foodies might want to stop by the chocolate shop area of the store. That’s where you can buy chocolate samplers and souvenirs as well as a counter for baked goodies and sinfully good hot chocolate. But before you decide what to purchase, be sure to savor for a free chocolate sample.
As a side note, I adore that the packages are often themed to whatever holiday I’m pretending to celebrate when I buy a “gift” of the pre-packaged chocolate deliciousness.
Goofy's Candy Company, Downtown Disney.
Goofy’s Candy Company & Candy Cauldron
Let’s not candy coat this. I love candy – just see my recommended candy stops – and Ghirardelli’s chocolate is a melt-in-your-mouth taste sensation. But If you like your candy, and want to have a hand in its creation, stop by either Goofy’s Candy Company at DTD Marketplace or the Candy Cauldron at DTD West Side. Both places offer a sugar rush just in the heady aroma as you step through the doors. While I enjoy both stores, and really stop by whichever one is closer to my other destinations, I’d choose Goofy’s Candy Company generally for its customizable treats but give the slight edge to the Candy Cauldron for its made-to-order apples. Maybe it’s the Snow White’s Wicked Witch theming.
Raglan Road Gift Shop
A fan of Raglan Road’s Irish fare with flair? Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop attached to restaurant’s gift shop. There, in addition to buying other items imported from Ireland, you can purchase cookbooks featuring Raglan Road recipes and other cuisine developed by chef Kevin Dundon. Also available are Dundon Food Experience products, such as chutneys, relishes and jams. My recommendation? Try the apple chutney.
What about Disney foodies and the Downtown Disney restaurants?
I know, I know, Disney foodies are wondering about where to eat at DTD? Really, the challenge here is that choosing a snack or restaurant is such a matter of taste. For instance, although I’ve mentioned many sweet snacks above, primarily for the Disney foodie shopping experience, I’ve been known to curb my salt and savory cravings with Wetzel’s Pretzels (try the jalapeno cheese option).
But for a starter course on Disney restaurants, here’s what I recommend. For quick service, I don’t think you can go wrong with the gourmet pizzas at Wolfgang Puck Express or the fresh sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich. For table service, my favorite meals are found at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, starting with the to-die-for Irish soda bread all the way through to the bread pudding.
Still, don’t solely trust my taste buds. Tempt yourself with some Chip and Company’s Disney World Guide to restaurants and snacks found under the site’s “Planning” tab.
And Disney foodies…let’s help each other out! What are your favorite food and dining experiences at Downtown Disney?
Related articles
- Downtown Disney Dining – Is It Worth the Trip? (chipandco.com)
- Guide to Downtown Disney – ‘Must-Sees’ for First Timers (chipandco.com)
Guide to Downtown Disney – ‘Must-Sees’ for First Timers
The Art of Disney store, Downtown Disney.
As those who read Chip & Company know, I have a soft spot for Downtown Disney (DTD) in Walt Disney World. (And Disneyland, for that matter.) I think DTD is worth the trip.
If you’ve never been to DTD, I suggest making it part of your next trip. I like the relaxed pace I adopt there, the chance to see the Disney touches and creativity of outside businesses. Then there’s the variety of shopping and dining – it’s all very low-key, “Disney down time.”
But if you’ve never visited, where do you start? Here are my top suggestions, with alternates, for things to do for a first timer at DTD.
The Art of Disney, DTD Marketplace or D-Street, DTD West Side
If you’re into Disney collectibles, make sure you stop by The Art of Disney. On display, and for sale, are Disney collector items in 2- and 3-D. Sculptures, prints, cells, figurines, crystal, lithographs. There are straightforward Disney representations, and re-inventions of classic characters and icons by various artists working in different media.
Although it’s waaayyy on the other side of Market Place, D-Street earns my vote for a first-timer visit, especially if you like Vinylmation figures. It’s THE place for Vinylmation, and guests can customize their own figures. The store is filled with Disney details, including a hidden Goofy, and props from the closed-but-not-forgotten Adventurers Club, the interactive Disney experience at Pleasure Island.
Goofy’s Candy Company, DTD Marketplace
Goofy's Candy Company, Downtown Disney.
Not just a candy store, this is a candy factory! At Goofy’s Candy Company guests get in on the action and create their own confections. You can customize an apple, rice krispie treats, gingerbread or fudge cookies, marshmallows, or pretzel rods. Or order up a Goofy’s glacier with a customized cup.
And, because it offers such a variety of sugar-rush sweetness, be sure to pick out a back or two to take home. Maybe by creating your own mix of candies.
LEGO Imagination Center, DTD Marketplace
Lego Imagination Center, Downtown Disney. Diana Zalucky / Disney.
The LEGO Imagination Center, which just re-opened in DTD after a substantial remodeling and expansion, is a hands-on creative center for LEGOs in addition to a store for LEGO building bricks, kits and related merchandise. There’s an outdoor play area for kids, which includes some racing tracks, and play and design areas inside the store. A new room will offer LEGO classes and house parties.
The new Center now features even more cool LEGO models in addition to its water serpent that emerges from Village Lake and the tourist family. Look for Disney scenes such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the “Sleeping Beauty” dragon, and Buzz and Woody from “Toy Story.”
Raglan Road, Pleasure Island/Hyperion Wharf or Earl of Sandwich, DTD Marketplace
As DTD is as much a dining destination in its current state as a shopping one, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. And dare I say it? The food at DTD restaurants, especially quick service, is as good if not better than many Disney counterparts.
For table-service, I’m a fan of Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. Not only does Raglan Road serve Irish Whiskey (they offer both Irish and Protestant brands, yay!) and beer as a proper pub does, but some fine food as well. The soda bread and dipping sauce is a favorite starter, and the menu offers contemporary takes on Irish fare that elevates the dishes. Then there’s the live entertainment, with Irish music and dance that invites diners to join in the fun.
For a first-timer’s quick service option, try Earl of Sandwich. It’s earned a loyal Disney guest following for its fresh food and generous portions for the low prices. And I can personally vouch that it’s chocolate brownies are better than those found Disney counter service. (Extensive taste testing for research purposes, you know.)
World of Disney, DTD Marketplace
World of Disney is the flagship character store for DTD, the one that anchors the area as a destination for Disney merchandise. Inside, you’ll find just a little bit of everything, including t-shirts and other apparel, mugs and food, pins, toys, watches, collectibles. It’s also the home to DTD’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
As with other Disney stores, “look up, look down and look around” is a good rule of thumb for World of Disney and its details. The exterior, for example, features a Stitch icon that squirts water and has many sculptures for photo opportunities, from princesses to pirate skeletons. Inside, guests can check out the famous Disney characters that are on display near the ceiling. And one of my favorite areas in World of Disney is the Villains Room, where watches, jewelry and collectibles are sold.
Recommendations for a First Timer at Downtown Disney?
These are just some of my idiosyncratic choices for a first visit, as compared to Allie’s “To Downtown Disney or Not?” And I’m appalled – appalled, I tell you – at how I left off Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba,” DisneyQuest, “Characters in Flight” balloon ride (because of the extra ticket/admission fees), other specialty stores (e.g. Disney’s Days of Christmas store, Magic Masters, Trend-D), and the varied snack and dining options.
Of course, if you’d like to conduct a more extensive exploration of DTD, you might try enjoy “Spending the Day at Downtown Disney.”
When I first asked Chip and Company readers, and we tended to agree that how you visit DTD depends on who you’re with. It’s a different experience for different groups. So look for future articles covering DTD for different people.
In the meantime, I again turn to other DTD fans. What are your recommendations for the Downtown Disney first-time guest?
Related articles
- Spending the Day at Downtown Disney (chipandco.com)
- Downtown Disney Dining – Is It Worth the Trip? (chipandco.com)
Downtown Disney: Create-Your-Own & Customizable Souvenirs and Gifts
One reason I enjoy visiting Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World is the shopping opportunities. But it’s not the standard Mickey t-shirt, which is certainly available, that draws me to Downtown Disney. It’s that many stores offer merchandise to customize and personalize.
Custom and Personalized Gifts at Downtown Disney Marketplace
At Arribas Brothers, guests can watch crystal items being made by glass artists and select from a number of items that can be etched with a personal message. Popular items include Mickey figures and a small Cinderella glass slipper. Engraving for metal jewelry and wooden keepsake boxes is also available.
Create Your Own Ear Hat, a small area located between the shopping spaces for Disney Design-A-Tee and The Art of Disney, offers the custom Disney item. Guests design a personalized set of the iconic Mickey ears. Just select the hat base from several colors, designs and styles, choose some ears, and add some patches and embroidery, and let the Cast Members construct the final product.
Hanes sponsors Disney Design-a-Tee, where guests personalize a t-shirt. Using a touch-screen kiosk, guests select the shirt’s size and color, then choose images from one of the offered themes (e.g. Princesses, Disney Characters, Pixar, Films) and add ready-to-use or custom text. In addition to a personalized souvenir or gift, Design-a-Tee offers an easy way to create matching shirts for your Walt Disney World vacation. Shirts take about a half-hour to make after orders are completed.
Looking for a Christmas ornament that will reflects the spirit of Disney and the holidays? Disney’s Days of Christmas celebrates all year round with its seasonal merchandise, and some ornaments can be personalized.
At the sports-oriented Team Disney, guests can get a custom-made baseball bat (mini or full size) laser engraved with a name, signature or logo. The store can also customize baseballs, helmets, or display cases.
Customized Shopping Experiences At Downtown Disney West Side
For additional creative, customizable fun, visit Ridemakerz and D-Street at Downtown Disney West Side. Both these stores offer shopping as interactive, immersive experiences.
D-Street is the home to the popular and collectible Vinylmation figurines. It’s also the spot for guests to show off their artistic flair at the Vinylmation Creation Station, a table with hundreds of decorated 3” figures for inspiration. Guests can take a blank Vinylmation figure and decorate it with markers, eyes, stickers and small accessories. Artists: Don’t forget to sign your masterpiece.
At Ridemakerz, guests can customize racing cars and other autos, from a slick Corvette to a sturdy ambulance, tricking them out in various ways. After selecting the vehicle type, guests select various add-ons, including wheels and rims, stickers, bumpers and lights. Perhaps the main appeal of the Ridemakerz experience? Adding the remote-control option.
Customized Toys for Kids at Downtown Disney
Generations of families know Legos to be interactive fun. That sense of play exists the Lego Imagination Center, where guests can fill up buckets of mix-and-match Legos to create their own personal set.
Once Upon a Toy Shop is another toy lovers’ must-stop shop. Guests can create their own sets of classic toys, such as choosing a box full of body parts for Mr. Potato Head or a make-your-own Lincoln Log collection. A “Build Your Own Lightsaber” option allows “Star Wars” fans to take the Force home with them.
At the World of Disney, children (and kids at heart) can fill up a treasure chest of pirate’s booty in the Adventure Room. Pretty princesses can make their own tiaras and wands or fill jewelry boxes in The Princess Room.
T-Rex, the themed restaurant, offers a Build-a-Dino, related to the Build-a-Bear franchise, during which kids create a cute pre-historic plush.
More Downtown Disney Create-Your-Own Fun
Adults might like creating their own spice blends at The Spice & Tea Exchange, located inside Mickey’s Pantry, or order custom scents at Basin, the shop for homemade personal beauty products. These store are found at Downtown Disney Marketplace.
For inexpensive create-your-own souvenirs, seek out the Disney pressed penny machines that can be found around Downtown Disney. For $.51 each (one penny, plus two quarters), guests can squash a penny and impress upon it a Disney design. A very portable memento, there’s something about collecting pressed pennies that brings out your inner 10-year-old.
In the mood for tasty concoctions to please your taste buds? Guests can make their own snacks at Goofy’s Candy Co. Apples, Rice Krispie treats, cookies, pretzel rods, or marshmallows serve as the base for assorted toppings. At Disney’s Candy Cauldron, guests can have candy apples made to order by choosing a coating and a topping.
And that’s just a partial list of personalized merchandise at Downtown Disney. Guests can, among other things, have their silhouette captured or caricature created; visit the Hands Arts Memories booth for hand-painted handprints; and get custom jewelry designed at Pick-a-Pearl and other kiosks.
While some of the same customizable items can be found at Disney theme parks, the concentration of such experiences at Downtown Disney helps me focus on shopping as its own creative pleasure. It’s these kinds of souvenirs and gifts that are fun to make, creating Walt Disney World memories that matches the merchandise.
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