What Disney Food Was Popular The Year You Were Born
The House of the Mouse doesn't disappoint.
Disney Parks food is always popular, but have you ever wondered what kind of food was popular the year you were born? From the infamous turkey leg to the classic Dole Whip, Disney has been rolling out ever so delicious treats pretty much every year for the past 65 years. Even some parks like Epcot have annual food and wine festivals that leave us craving more year-round. What makes Disney food so popular? No real explanation can be found other than the fact that it's frankly all delicious and appeals to our inner child.
We've compiled a list of Disney foods that were popular the year you were born. While not every food will be on here, we're sure it has some heavy-hitters that might give you nostalgia.
Ice Cream, Pancakes, and Meats, 1955
When Disneyland first opened in 1955, they partnered with different well-established restaurants (like Red Robin) to create a culinary experience not often found in theme parks. They offered food like pancakes, ice cream, and even Monte Cristos for up to 8,000 guests per day.
Tonga Toast, 1970
Tonga Toast has been a staple at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort since its opening in 1970. Made with bananas and tons of powdered sugar, this breakfast will forever be popular in our hearts.
Citrus Swirl, 1971
Way back when, Disney World partnered with the Florida Citrus Commission to source orange juice to create the iconic Citrus Swirl. This ice cream treat even came with a mascot. The Orange Bird can be found at key locations within the park representing the original partnership.
Corn Dogs, 1978
This classic meal can be found at the Stage Door Cafe in Disneyland's Frontierland.
Mickey Funnel Cake, 1978
Another classic meal that can be found at the Stage Door Cafe is the Mickey Funnel Cake. Funnel cake topped with ice cream, chocolate sauce, and an Oreo cookie crumble = perfection.
Mickey Cinnamon Rolls, 1979
Cinnamon rolls have been around since Disney's inception, but it wasn't until 1979 that the idea of creating a Mickey-shaped treat took guests by storm.
Mickey Rice Krispie Treats, 1980
These adorable Rice Krispie treats were popular early on and still hold a certain charm for most Disney lovers. They're often dipped in chocolate and other fun ingredients, so it's no surprise they became an iconic food in the '80s.
Mickey Mouse Pretzel, 1981
The Germany pavilion at Epcot opened in 1982 and from that moment on, Mickey Mouse Pretzels ruled supreme. This fan-favorite is truly golden.
Mickey Waffles, 1982
You can find these bad boys literally everywhere! They first rose to prominence in the early '80s and have been satisfying children and adults alike ever since.
Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich, 1983
Unsurprisingly, macaron ice cream sandwiches were popular at Disney upon the opening of the French pavilion at Epcot.
Fish and Chips, 1984
Similarly, fish and chips got really popular when Epcot opened the United Kingdom Pavilion.
Mickey Premium Bars, 1985
Introduced to the parks in '85, the Mickey Ice Cream Bar became an immediate hit. Nowadays, you can find them at most grocery stores.
Churros, 1986
If you visit Disneyland, you have to check out the churros. They're notoriously sweet and delicious.
Dole Whip, 1987
Introduced to the parks in 1986, the Dole Whip soft serve treat quickly became one of the parks' most popular treats. You can even add some rum to yours at Animal Kingdom.
Margaritas, 1988
Authentic margaritas from the Mexico pavilion fascinated audiences in '88.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Milk Shake, 1989
When launched in 1989 at the 50’s Prime Time Café in Hollywood Studios, the Peanut Butter & Jelly Milk Shake became an instant hit.
Cobb Salad, 1989
The Brown Derby was a Hollywood chain of restaurants in the '20s and '30s that was supposedly responsible for the creation of the original Cobb Salad. In 1986, Disney entered a licensee agreement which allowed The Brown Derby to be at one of the parks in Orlando. Thus the Cobb Salad craze began.
Grapefruit Cake, 1989
Another dish that was popular because of The Brown Derby association was the Grapefruit Cake. Made with vanilla sponge cake, grapefruit syrup, grapefruit cheesecake, and grapefruit jam, this dish's popularity spiked super high at Disney.
Turkey Legs, 1990
The turkey leg at Disney is a must-have. It first launched in the late '80s in Magic Kingdom and it's gone on to maintain a reputation as something you've gotta try before you leave the parks.
Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches, 1991
These tasty little ice cream snacks became super popular in the early '90s. You can now buy them outside of the parks.
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