Eating at a theme park can sometimes be as treacherous as riding a roller coaster. After waiting in line for a ride, you’re often hungry, tired, and not in the mood for a subpar snack. But not all theme park fare is a bad deal. Keep this list in mind when you hit a theme park this year, and you might feel better about your choices.
1. Butterbeer
Universal Studios
Butterbeer is a popular beverage mentioned in the “Harry Potter” series, and die-hard fans will quickly realize this is a find within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter inside Universal Studios. The brownish brew is described as having a vanilla and butterscotch flavor with a layer of marshmallow.
There’s also an array of Butterbeer-flavored items — including fudge and frozen Butterbeer — if you like the original.
2. Cinnamon Bread
Dollywood
This cinnamon bread is such a hit that it inspired copycat recipes online. Dolly Parton even released the official recipe so you can make it at home (thanks, Dolly!). If you’d rather get it at the Tennessee theme park, it’s $10 at the Grist Mill.
3. Smoked Turkey Legs
Disneyland and Disney World
If gnawing on a gigantic turkey leg appeals to you, you can grab one at several locations inside Disneyland and Disney World at dedicated turkey leg carts.
4. Jack Jack Cookie Num Num
Disney California Adventure
This is a thick chocolate chip cookie that you can also make at home. (If you’re feeling inspired, here are more Disney recipes you can make at home.) Located next to the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure, it’s a nice reward after a ride that often ends in a good spine-jangling.
5. Granny’s Apple Fries
Legoland
This decadent treat starts with basic Granny Smith apple slices, which then get a dusting of cinnamon sugar. It’s served with a side of vanilla-flavored whipped cream that fans say is crave-worthy.
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6. Dole Whip
Disneyland and Disney World
This pineapple soft serve is hard for most Disney visitors to resist. The good news is, they don’t have to: You can pick up a Dole Whip in plenty of locations in and around both Disney parks. Love Dole Whip but want something different? Head to Swirls on the Water in Disney Springs for a Dole Whip-themed menu.
7. Cheeseburger Bao
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Inside Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, there’s the quick service Satu’li Canteen. This is where you can find a cheeseburger bao with all the traditional fixings of a cheeseburger but in an Asian-inspired package. Diners say it holds together well, and one is a perfect quick snack.
8. Bacon Chocolate Apple
Six Flags Magic Mountain
You can grab this caramel apple at the park’s candy shop, where it’s understandably a huge hit. Chocolate plus bacon on top of caramel? Divine. Plus, there’s an apple under there, so you might get away with calling it healthy.
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9. Boysenberry Soft Serve
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s became famous for boysenberry treats and even has a boysenberry festival each year, but critics say a slice of the famed pie is too small for the price. Instead, enjoy the raspberry, loganberry, and blackberry hybrid with a soft serve. Get it at the ice cream shop just outside the Calico Saloon.
10. Monte Christo Sandwich
Disneyland
Head to Disneyland’s Cafe Orleans to try a deep-fried turkey, ham, and cheese sandwich with Cajun spice remoloude inside. A dusting of powdered sugar outside will warm you up to the salty-sweet mash-up.
11. Spring Rolls
Magic Kingdom
Find this snack at the Adventureland Spring Roll Cart near the entrance to Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, but don’t expect regular spring rolls. You can get cheeseburger or pizza flavors, and fans think it’s worth the $10 for two price tag.
12. The Big Pink
Universal Studios
The Simpsons-themed donut shop Lard Lad has doughnuts, but the star is the Big Pink. This enormous, sprinkled, pink-frosted donut is for anyone who skipped breakfast but still wants to share.
13. School Bread
Epcot
Get this sweet roll that’s full of custard and rolled in coconut at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, a Nordic-style bakery and sandwich shop at Epcot.
14. Ronto Wrap
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
These wraps — packed with pork, slaw, and peppercorn sauce — can be ordered at Ronto Roasters inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. There’s a vegan version and a breakfast version, too, both of which have been acclaimed by diners.
15. Chow Chow
Dollywood
Chow chow is a pickled condiment of tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and bell peppers that can be found throughout the South. But fans rave about the version at Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘N’ Beans, which you can get as a side on your next trip to Dollywood.
16. Pot Roast
Dollywood
While the meatloaf gets plenty of hype, visitors say the pit ham and the pot roast are actually better — and the meatloaf is still pretty darn good. Some do grumble about serving size, though.
17. Mrs. Knott’s Fried Chicken Dinner
Knott’s Berry Farm
While you can get barbecue chicken, rotisserie chicken, boysenberry chicken wings, and chicken tenders at this theme park, the original fried chicken has kept people coming since the 1920s. Head to Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant in the California Marketplace to get an authentic fried chicken dinner with biscuits, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. The recipe is the same as it was when Knott’s was just a restaurant, so you know it has to be worthwhile.
18. Smokehouse Sampler
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
While this isn’t an ideal pick for vegans, the smokehouse sampler gets rave reviews for offering a hefty portion of fall-off-the-bone meat plus fries, chicken baked beans, and Texas toast. Order it at Zambia Smokehouse.
19. Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs
Coney Island
Getting in line to order a Nathan’s Famous hot dog is part of the experience at Coney Island, though you can probably also pick up a package at your local grocery store. But enjoying one at the iconic hot dog stand, which has been open since 1916, is an experience of its own.
20. Skyline Chili
King’s Island
While Skyline chili is famous throughout Ohio, it isn’t known everywhere — which is all the more reason to try it at King’s Island. Those who love it, love it.
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21. Bacon Pretzel Fury
Busch Gardens in Florida offers the Bacon Pretzel Fury, a long, braided pretzel that surrounds a few slices of delectable bacon. Grab it at Twisted Tails, a nice pit stop if it rains while you’re there.
22. Funnel Cake Sundaes
Six Flags Great America near Chicago has given funnel cakes an upgrade by turning them into sundaes. You can get these cakes with powdered sugar, but then go the extra mile with fudge, soft serve ice cream, whipped cream, even more fudge, and a cherry.
