Hollywood Studios has a reputation as being the worst food park at Walt Disney World. We strongly disagree, as some of our favorite themed restaurants are here, as are treats that we love. This list of the best snacks at DHS shares the savory snacks and decadent desserts that you must-eat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Updated September 14, 2024.)
We scour Disney’s Hollywood Studios in search of the best snacks, and share with you both the sweets and heavier, shareable options that you can order in lieu of a proper counter service meal. Going this route half of the day and doing a sit-down meal at Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, 50’s Prime Time Cafe, or Hollywood Brown Derby is a pretty sound strategy.
One thing I should caution is that the menus at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are constantly in flux. In this park, menus change with the wind. That’s especially true in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where there are almost always new culinary concoctions, drinks, and other snack-worthy items…
Not to weave too much touring strategy into a snacking post, but we recommend starting your snacking in the late morning with a stop at Trolley Car Cafe (the park’s Starbucks), followed by other convenient locations, then doing a late table service lunch, followed by snacking in the afternoon and evening in lieu of dinner. This approach is ideal because crowds peak early and also leave early at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Meaning that if you can arrive for Early Entry and ‘ride the wave’ until an hour after rope drop, you can then take things a bit slower while wait times are at their highest, then turn back to rides in the late afternoon and evening, before enjoying Fantasmic. Filling the middle of the day with snacking and stage shows is a solid strategy to avoid long waits in lines!
With that said, here are the snacks we currently enjoy the most at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…
Bouncin’ Mini Churros – The newest addition to this list can be found back behind Star Tours on the way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at a stand called Ice Cold Hydraulics. This is basically a Coca-Cola spot–there are frozen slushies with and without alcohol, but all with Coke products–but it’s so much more.
These mini churros are topped with Coca-Cola and Bourbon Candied Bacon, Sriracha Aïoli, and Scallions. They’re the perfect mix of sweet and savory, and shockingly delicious. As with any churro stand at Walt Disney World, the risk you run here is one of freshness. If these have just been sitting around under the heat lamp for hours, they can be hard and dry.
Accordingly, we’d recommend getting these early in the day or when the stand is busy. This is one situation where a long line is actually a good thing. The Candy Painted Cinnamon Rolls (pictured at the top of this post) are also pretty tasty, but Walt Disney World does cinnamon rolls better elsewhere, so they don’t quite make the cut. With that said, if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, either of these items makes for a fantastic use of a snack credit.
Funnel Cakes – Over at Epic Eats, which is the easy-to-miss snack stand tucked around the corner from Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (hence the name of the stand), you’ll find two different decadent desserts: Funnel Cake with Strawberry Topping and Soft-serve Vanilla Ice Cream or Funnel Cake with Cookies ‘n Cream and Soft-serve Vanilla Ice Cream.
I’ll be honest with you: funnel cakes can be hit or miss. These are freshly made, but there’s still an element of luck involved with getting the proper prep and cook time. I recently had a fantastic experience with the cookies ‘n cream funnel cake here (pictured above) and it’s now something I crave.
Not only that, but these are among the Best Uses of a Snack Credit on the Disney Dining Plan. Due to each costing over $8, they are actually among the best uses of a DDP credit in DHS. So if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, it’s absolutely worth rolling the dice on one (or more!) of these funnel cakes. If you’re paying out of pocket, it’s a more YMMV thing.
Carrot Cake Whoopie Pie – One of the OGs of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios snack scene, this glorious treat predates half the attractions in the park (probably–I didn’t actually do a count). Previously a Disney fan hidden gem found at Writer’s Stop, it has since moved to the Trolley Car Cafe.
Like a fine wine, the Carrot Cake Cookie has gotten better with age. When it first moved to Trolley Car Cafe, it started being made with thicker cookies, which would’ve been an upgrade but for it throwing the ever-important cream cheese to cookie ratio all out of whack. It was the biggest controversy of its time, making stroller-gate look like a minor matter.
In a bold move, Walt Disney World invited distinguished scientists from all over the world to come and work on a solution. Fortunately, all of them showed up. Realizing the gravity of the situation, they worked round the clock, endeavoring to find a bold fix. They did, and the end result is thick, moist cookies with a generous layer of rich cream cheese that complements the sweetness of the carrot cake flavor perfectly. This is one of the few absolute must-order snacks at Walt Disney World, and you really need to taste it to believe it.
Wookiee Cookie – Along similar lines is the Wookiee Cookie over at Backlot Express, a counter service restaurant by Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. This is two Oatmeal Cookies with Vanilla Cream Filling garnished with a Milk Chocolate Sash on top.
Think of this like a fancy Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie. If that sounds appealing to you, this oversized and shareable snack is a great option. If it doesn’t, you should skip this. Personally, I think the Wookiee Cookie is a tad overrated with Star Wars fans because it looks cool, but it’s still pretty tasty. I just wouldn’t spend my limited snack budget (or stomach space!) on this unless I were really craving an Oatmeal Cream Pie (but “fancified”).
Peanut Butter & Jelly Milk Shake – Another classic Disney’s Hollywood Studios snacks that actually dates back to when this park was the Disney-MGM Studios. Available on the menu at 50’s Prime Time Cafe (and usually off-menu at Tune-In Lounge), this is one of our go-to desserts on hot days.
The normal version of this is the PB&J Milkshake. However, thanks to the miracles of modern technology, chocolate can be added to really up the ante. Both taste pretty much as described, which is to say, fantastic. I personally prefer the chocolate-added version, which is probably what it’d taste like if you blended vanilla ice cream, jelly, and Reese’s cups. Okay, perhaps that description doesn’t make it sound fantastic, but it is.
Ronto Wraps – While the duration of the first two snacks can be measured in decades, pretty much everything else on this list is only a few years old. There are several snacks in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that are arguably worthy of making this list. While we’d recommend giving both Blue and Green Milk a try (and sharing each of them before determining if they’re to your tastes), the Ronto Wraps are unquestionably the stars of the show–and items everyone should order.
These come in a couple of varieties. First up is the Ronto Morning Wrap, which contains scrambled eggs, grilled pork sausage, shredded cheddar, and peppercorn sauce wrapped in a pita. Next, is the regular Ronto Wrap, which is all of that minus egg and cheese, but with roasted pork. Finally, there’s the plant-based Triple Suns Breakfast Wrap.
The question here is “which one?” Personally, we think the Ronto Morning Wrap and regular Ronto Wrap are of equal quality–and both superior to the plant-based one, unsurprisingly. Consider getting one of each and sharing. These could be entree-sized, but with no sides, they’re more like a glorified hot dogs that are addictively good but not particularly filling.
Anything at Baseline Tap House – In typical Disney’s Hollywood Studios fashion, we pass the baton from the old guard to the new one. Baseline Tap House has an excellent selection of beer, a chill outdoor seating area, and a seriously underrated trio of food items.
Our favorites at Baseline Tap House are the Bavarian Pretzel (best pretzel at Walt Disney World), California Cheese and Charcuterie Plate (a great value and nice for snacking on while drinking), and the Coffee-rubbed Rib-eye Steak Puff with Olive Salad (somewhere between a snack and entree; it’s deliciously decadent).
I absolutely love the steak puff, and even though it’s on the smaller side, it definitely qualifies as a shareable counter service meal replacement (or at least part of one). This steak puff also gets removed from the menu from time to time, so don’t get your heart set on it.
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Served with Sourdough Bread toasted with Buffalo Chicken, Monterey, Provolone, Cheddar, and Cream Cheese served with a side of Buffalo Sauce and choice of side. This is available at ABC Commissary, a counter service restaurant that’s otherwise often overlooked.
The Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese is a gloriously gooey creation, with the four flavors of cheese balancing nicely with and “taming” the buffalo chicken. The toasted bread provides nice texture, and the dipping sauce can add a bit of kick–but it’s still pretty mild overall. It’s not spicy in any way whatsoever. We both absolutely loved this, and would highly recommend it as a shareable snack or a standalone counter service meal.
In fact, the Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich has become my go-to lunch at Disney’s Hollywood Studios while testing out Genie+ and Lightning Lane strategy. It’s filling, reasonably priced, and delicious. I like to order it and grab a seat in the corner to cool down in the air-conditioning for a bit.
Jack-Jack’s Num Num Cookie – Served at the Market in Pixar Plaza near the entrance to Toy Story Land, this is incredibly popular among Walt Disney World fans. For good reason–they’re absolutely massive, filling, and satisfying.
They’re also simple and sweet. That’s neither a bad nor good thing, it is what it is. We point this out because, if you’re after a “special” snack that you can only find at Walt Disney World, look elsewhere. These are really good chocolate chip cookies that are thick, gooey on the inside, and packed with chocolate chips…but you’ve had a similar version of this dish before, and can probably find it done just as well at home. So while the Jack-Jack’s Num Num Cookie is a sweet treat that never misses, it also doesn’t soar to the same heights as a lot of iconic Walt Disney World snacks.
Mashed Potato Bowls – Yes, really. Admittedly, these mashed potato bowls at Fairfax Fare can be an acquired taste (and execution is hit or miss), but in our view, they’re the most interesting and indulgent savory snack at Sunset Ranch Market. You get a big bowl of mashed potatoes topped with brisket, pork belly, or chicken.
These bowls are super weird, using the same sweet waffle cones that you’d find in an ice cream sundae, filling that with addictively-good mashed potatoes, and then topping that off with meat. And yet, the brisket and pork belly options are somehow, against all odds, shockingly delicious. We highly recommend both of those…and absolutely nothing else at Sunset Ranch Market.
Cannoli – PizzeRizzo is not known for “food” that is “edible” but it’s often been a standout location for desserts.
That’s once again true with the Cannoli. This crisp but flaky shell is perhaps a bit too sturdy, but offers a nice crunch and contrast to the rich filling. It’s on the sweet side and a tad artificial tasting, but still very good. We’re especially partial to the seasonal varieties often served at Halloween and Christmas–the Pumpkin Cheesecake one is divine. In any case, it’s one of the better desserts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Leave the “pizza,” take the Cannoli.
Lunch Box Tart – You’ll also find this Pop Art-esque treat at Woody’s Lunch Box, and it’s one of the best snack values at Walt Disney World. The flavors change from time-to-time (and seasonally), but we’ve found that they’re all worth trying.
The pastry here is clearly of a higher, flakier quality and the spread inside is always tasty. It could use about 10000% more bacon on top (better yet, just serve it with a pound of bacon on the side), but that’s a minor quibble for an otherwise excellent dessert.
Totchos – Another item at Woody’s Lunch Box, and another thing that Disney views as an entree, but you should not. These are potato barrels covered with beef and slathered with bean chili, shredded cheese and signature queso with tomatoes, corn chips, sour cream, and a sprinkle of green onions.
Delicious and healthy…or not. These are a bit like the savory version of the Kitchen Sink over at Beaches & Cream, except smaller and with all of the flavors working in concert. One of the more sizable snacks on this list, this is one to split between a couple people if you’re starting to get hungry but still have a few hours until your dinner Advance Dining Reservation.
Butterfinger Cupcake (Temporarily? Unavailable) – This had been another mainstay of the Walt Disney World snack scene for as long as we’ve been visiting Walt Disney World as adults. It was originally a gigantic cupcake at Starring Rolls, and eating it alone was almost a herculean challenge. More recently, it had appeared at the Trolley Car Cafe Starbucks.
Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the Butterfinger Cupcake in a couple of years, so it’s possibly gone for good. However, it previously disappeared for a few years before making a surprising reappearance at Starbucks, so who knows. It was our #1 snack (by far) at DHS, so maybe its appearance on this list will prompt people to ask about it, which in turn will prompt Walt Disney World to bring it back (again). Probably wishful thinking, but stranger things have happeend!
That covers it for our recommended snacks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a short list (for now), but it packs a powerful punch. A few of the items are iconic, must-order treats, rather than a sea of ‘good but not amazing’ items you might find elsewhere.
That’s pretty consistent with Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in general. There aren’t a ton of attractions, but the top-tier headliners are among the best in all of Walt Disney World. So here’s hoping this list helps you kill time between rides on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway!
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Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with our favorite snacks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Have any others you think deserve to make the list? Anything we’ve included that you would not recommend? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
