The Disney theme parks are known for snacks—like cotton candy, popcorn and churros—but the chefs at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure park have several new options to tempt your sweet tooth this summer.
Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue introduces three new desserts today. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Starting today, the Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue introduces a new dessert menu. The restaurant has replaced its “cone cakes,” chocolate ganache cake, and the seasonal pie with new ice-cream based treats, perfect for summer, plus a new diet-friendly chocolate dessert.
Old Fashioned Ice Cream Float was created to meet guest demand. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
According to Chef de Cuisine Sean Layne, customers have requested root beer floats since the Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue reopened two years ago. Now diners have their choice of old-fashioned ice cream floats with root beer, orange soda or Coca-Cola, each topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with crushed hard candies, served with a licorice “straw.”
Ranch Hand Sundaes are available with vanilla or mint chip ice cream. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Ice cream lovers can also order Ranch Hand Sundaes, with a choice of vanilla bean or mint chocolate chip ice cream, served in a fresh waffle bowl and topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and Mickey sprinkles.
A new gluten-free, no-sugar-added cake is on the menu at Big Thunder BBQ. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The last dessert is the BBQ's offering for guests who want a slightly less-guilty pleasure, or for those with special dietary needs. The Chocolate Flourless Mickey Cake is a gluten-free cake is layered with a no-sugar-added mousse and topped with a no-sugar-added chocolate ganache. Served with whipped cream on the side (you can ask for it to be omitted entirely) and garnished with a fresh berry.
All of the new desserts are $5.99, plus tax, and can be ordered with your meal. Due to the popularity of the restaurant, dessert-only reservations are generally not available.
The ice cream-topped chocolate chip “cookie bake,” which Chef Layne says is the best-selling dessert at the restaurant, will remain on the menu as will the warm individual and family-sized cobblers. Diners can also order a fresh fruit plate for dessert.
Duffy treat cups are available with ice cream or cookies from two DCA locations. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Two DCA locations are offering a Duffy Treat Cup, a plastic souvenir dish with a removable hat. Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream offers a Duffy Sundae (choice of one scoop of ice cream, topped with sprinkles) for $9.45, tax included. Right next door at Baker's Field Bakery, the cup comes with a package of chocolate chip cookies for $9.65, tax included. Baker's Field Bakery also offers a Little Mermaid cupcake for $4.99 plus tax, a pineapple cupcake topped with guava frosting, and decorated with a white chocolate disc featuring Ariel.
Baker's Field Bakery has a Little Mermaid cupcake to commemorate DCA's new ride. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Red Rocket's Pizza Port and the Tomorrowland Terrace offer an R2-D2 souvenir dessert cup for $11.49 plus tax. The 9″ tall R2 figure has a hinged top and a handle, and can be used as a mug once you get home. Disneyland sells it with a chocolate parfait, which comes in a separate plastic container so you don't need to worry about washing R2 after your meal.
The new R2-D2 dessert cup comes with chocolate parfait, but can be used as a beverage container at home. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Three Disneyland popcorn carts also sell an R2-D2 popcorn bucket for $15, tax included. The bucket is about 12″ tall, and has a removable lid.
Three Disneyland popcorn carts sell a souvenir R2-D2 bucket. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
New Orleans Square is the place to find Pirates of the Caribbean items. The French Market currently offers a Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides supper cup; an insulated plastic cup with a handle and straw for $4.79 plus tax with your choice of fountain beverage.
The popcorn cart outside the Haunted Mansion has a souvenir popcorn bucket with the same Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides artwork for $5.75, tax included.
The Plaza Inn's red velvet cupcake is easily big enough to share. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Finally, Disney chefs have created a Soundsational cupcake in honor of Disneyland's new parade. The multi-color confection is made from three different batters (vanilla, coconut, raspberry), and topped with a rainbow swirl of icing. The cupcake will be available at the Blue Ribbon Bakery and Plaza Inn starting next week. Until then, check out the red velvet cupcake dessert at the Plaza Inn. This oversized cupcake is $4.99 plus tax, is served on a plate with extra frosting, and is large enough to share.
