Theme parks know how to do treats. Everywhere you look there are ice cream cones, cotton candy, pretzels, and popcorn. While those are all perfectly acceptable snacks, they aren’t quite the drool-worthy treats you dream about at night, ya know?
This list of over-the-top treats will have you saying things like, “I can’t believe those milkshake toppings are not falling out of the glass,” and, “I had no idea you could deep fry a hunk of cheese that big!” No need to worry about how these snacks fit into your diet: walking around a theme park all day is basically exercise and definitely justifies the extra calories. Now, let’s dig in!
Toothsome Milkshake at Universal Studios, Orlando
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is just outside of Universal Orlando’s gates in the CityWalk shopping and dining district. Their milkshake menu boasts dreamy concoctions like Thrilla in Vanilla, Cookie Jar, and Marshmallow Crisp, each topped with whipped cream and full-size cookies, cupcakes, and other confections. Bring a friend and an extra-large appetite because these come sized to share.
Kitchen Sink Sundae at Walt Disney World
This massive sundae gives the term “Everything but the kitchen sink” a whole new meaning. It’s made with eight scoops of ice cream in various flavors and topped with cookies, cherries, sprinkles, whipped cream, and every other topping they have behind the counter. Oh, and it’s served in an actual silver kitchen sink. It’s made to serve four, but we won’t judge. Find it at Beaches & Cream in Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
The Big Pink at Universal Studios, Hollywood
The Simpsons vibes are so strong in the Springfield area of Universal Studios Hollywood that you’re likely to start drooling for donuts a la Homer Simpson. The Big Pink donut at Lard Lad Donuts will more than satisfy your craving. It’s a giant donut topped with a thick layer of creamy, pink frosting and a generous sprinkling of rainbow sprinkles. We can’t think of anything else to say, except, “Doh!”
Mickey Mouse Shake at Disneyland
Black Tap has long been known for their overflowing milkshakes, aptly dubbed “CrazyShakes,” so it’s only natural they created a shake that pays homage to Disney’s main mouse. The special edition shake, featuring our pal Mickey Mouse, is a strawberry shake topped with a Mickey Mouse-shaped marshmallow crispy treat, red and white rock candy, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry. They could have stopped there, but they also frost the rim of the cup and cover it in Mickey-shaped sprinkles. If you aren’t dining in, the restaurant has a dedicated CrazyShake window where you can get your shake to go.
Cinnamon Bread at Dollywood
If you catch a whiff of cinnamon in the air while visiting Dollywood, run, don’t walk, to the Grist Mill. Follow the scent trail inside the fully-operational mill, and you’ll find bakers crafting the park’s famous pull-apart cinnamon bread. This iconic theme park treat is served warm with a side of icing and apple butter. Along with Dollywood’s other Southern specialties, it’s the true definition of comfort food.
Fun Bun at Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm may sound like a strange name for a theme park, but Knott’s operated as the world’ first boysenberry farm long before it housed roller coasters and tasty treats. True to its roots, many of those treats incorporate the tangy berry, including this monster-sized Fun Bun. The name is a reference to this snack being a cross between a funnel cake and a cinnamon bun. It’s a funnel cake-battered, deep-fried cinnamon bun topped with creamy boysenberry frosting and a dash of powdered sugar. Look for it at Ghost Town Grub during the annual Boysenberry Festival.
Festive Flurry at Holiday World
There’s no theme park more festive than Holiday World, and their jolliest treat is the Festive Flurry. Flurries take everything that would be on a sundae and mix them in with the ice cream. Festive Flurries come in four fun flavors like Red Velvet Cupcake and Monster Cookie, and even though the toppings are blended in, you’ll still get a healthy swirl of whipped cream and cookies, cupcakes, or candy (depending on which flavor you order). Pick one up at Sugarplum Scoop Shoppe in the Christmas area of the park.
Bucket of Mini Donuts at HersheyPark
What’s better than one donut? An entire bucket of donuts! At the Mini Donuts truck in the Pioneer Frontier section of HersheyPark, sugar fiends can devour hot, fresh mini donuts in Cinnamon Sugar, Funnel Cake Style, and Sweet Glaze flavors. Seasonal flavors like Caramel Apple Pie and Hershey’s Loaded Cocoa also pop up on the menu from time to time. You can get a half dozen or dozen, too, but you should really never pass up the chance to say, “I’ll take one bucket of donuts, please.”
Cheese-on-a-Stick at Cedar Point
What looks like an innocent corn dog on the outside is actually hiding a delicious secret on the inside. OK, the secret is cheese, and it’s not really a secret because it’s called Cheese on a Stick. Cedar Point’s battered, deep-fried snack is warm and gooey on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside, and perfect when you’re craving something savory over something sweet. It’s one of Cedar Point’s signature menu items, so it’s available at locations all over the park.