Walt Disney World isn't messing around with its 50th Anniversary Celebration. Festivities are planned to last a staggering 18 months (yes, really!) and are already going strong since the event's kickoff on October 1, 2021. Since then, all four parks have been dressed up for the anniversary in ear-idescent hues of purple, blue, and gold.
This long-running birthday bash features new rides, fireworks, celebrations—and most importantly—new food. We sent our theme park connoisseur, Adriana, to the party to scope out the best eats.
Best Cocktail: Magical Beacon, $17
This limited-edition cocktail is served at table-service restaurants, lounges, and pool bars around the property, making it one of the more accessible items on our list. Boasting a bright blue hue and light-up ice cube, the drink is light and refreshing, like an herbal lemonade. The main ingredients you'll taste are gin, blue Curaçao, lemonade, and hibiscus grenadine. (There's also an almond syrup in the mix, but it's undetectable to us amid the other flavors.)
Runner Up: Blackberry Lightnin', $15
This cocktail isn't part of the 50th celebration but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention it. Over at Crockett's Tavern in Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (did you know you can camp at Disney World?!) you can find some of the best moonshine-infused cocktails. We tried the Blackberry Lightnin', which is super simple blend of Ole Smoky blackberry moonshine, lemonade, and fresh blackberries. It's tart, fresh, and most importantly, strong. If you're paying nearly $20 for a cocktail, chances are you want to taste some booze!
Fun fact: Pioneer Hall, one of the settlements at Fort Wilderness, is older than the Magic Kingdom itself. Before the park opened in 1971, Pioneer Hall was where workers came for lunch. (The hall officially opened to the public in 1974.)
Best Appetizer: Dumbo Churros, $7
You can find these at snack carts around Magic Kingdom, often with a line going down a block. The price for two churros is a bit steep, but their fantastic flavor still won us over. Covered in sugar and dusted in peanut powder, the peanut flavor is light but perfect alongside the rich, warm chocolate dipping sauce.
Best Meal: The Wild Toad Brat Burger, $12.99
In Fantasy Land at the Friar's Nook, you can try a brat burger that's an ode to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Disneyland. The Wild Toad Brat Burger tastes like a breakfast burger with a smoky pork flavor, and the American cheese gives it that classic fast food taste we hate to admit we crave. The pickle resembles a tongue while olives resemble eyes, making it slightly haunted looking yet slightly adorable. The novelty factor on its own makes this burger worth it.
Best Dessert: Happy Haunts Milkshake, $7
There are a lot of lines at Disney, but when there's a line for the food... you know it's good. At the midpoint between Fantasyland and Liberty Square, you can find Columbia Harbor House and this milkshake. Inspired by the Haunted Mansion, the blackberry milkshake comes with a purple-chocolate glazed donut on top and tons of sprinkles. With a vanilla base, the milkshake is richer and creamier than others with absolutely no ice chunks. The bottom of the donut sits in the milkshake, making the caky donut even more moist. We highly recommend dipping your donut into the milkshake... you will not regret it.
Best Budget Item: 50th Celebration Tart, $5.49
Over at the Beach Club Marketplace in Disney's Yacht Club Resort, we found our best budget item. The 50th Celebration Tart is a sight to be seen, featuring a royal blue globe filled with confetti cake-inspired birthday cake mousse with edible gold speckles. Beneath it is a light, fluffy milk chocolate mousse with a rich, shortbread shell.
Best for Sharing: Cheers to 50 Years! Sundae, $32
Big celebrations mean even bigger ice cream. Get this massive, four-person ice cream sundae at the Plaza Restaurant when you first enter Magic Kingdom. Previously, it was served with a Mickey Pretzel according to Disney Food Blog, but that part has been discontinued. Instead, it's accompanied by two softball-sized chocolate chip cookies that mimic Mickey Mouse ears and is served in a comically large martini glass.
Nearly every bite gives you a different flavor combination: sweet and salty thanks to the caramel popcorn and pretzel rods; creamy and chocolatey courtesy of brownie melting in the chocolate and vanilla ice cream; tart and fruity from the bright strawberry topping. There's truly something for everyone.
Watch season three of Iconic Eats on YouTube now.
Julia is the director of video at Delish. Previously, she worked on Food Network's Snapchat team as their "try" girl: trying new products and bizarre diets on the market. Currently she oversees the video team where content lives on YouTube, TikTok, onsite, Snapchat, and Facebook. She's also previously a host of the hit series "Julia Tries Everything" where she goes to top chain restaurants in America and finds her favorite menu items.
