Disney is enhancing its theme park dining experience by drawing on artistry, trends, real-world experiences, and inspiration from its classic films. This effort is aimed at setting new standards in the culinary offerings across its parks.
During a demonstration at Walt Disney World held on Tuesday, food and beverage directors introduced the concept of evolving from “Mickey bars to Michelin stars.” While the iconic character-shaped ice cream bars remain popular, there is a clear recognition of guests’ demand for more sophisticated culinary options.
The food and beverage options throughout Walt Disney World are designed to cater to a wide range of tastes, from sweet treats to uniquely savory offerings. Despite efforts to keep new dishes under wraps, word of mouth within the community often leads to increased popularity.
Chef Stefan Riemer, the Pastry Culinary Director at Walt Disney World, discussed the development of “The Grey Stuff,” a dessert inspired by the 1991 Disney film “Beauty and the Beast.” Initially, Riemer intended to keep it a surprise to stir curiosity among guests. “The Grey Stuff” is available as part of a dessert trio at the Be Our Guest restaurant in Magic Kingdom and can also be found atop a cupcake at Gaston’s Tavern within the park.
Disney’s chefs are reinventing well-known dishes, offering creations such as the Cheeseburger Spring Roll available at the Spring Roll Snack Cart in Magic Kingdom and the Korean Barbecue Mushroom Bao Bun found at Tiffins in Animal Kingdom.
Visitors do not need park admission to enjoy Disney’s culinary offerings, as many are available at resort dining locations and Disney Springs. This expansion comes as Disney works to recover from lower attendance figures in the company’s most recent quarter, affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Riemer highlighted that food and drinks serve a purpose beyond taste, with presentation being a crucial final component. “It’s all about exploring and connecting,” he commented. “I only get you to return if you liked it.”
Furthermore, Walt Disney World provides popular on-the-go food options, having served over 35.3 million quick-service meals, more than 3.7 million Mickey ice cream bars, and over 3 million Mickey pretzels, according to the company’s reports.