Best Places for Holiday Treats

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And here in Kissimmee, it’s time for friends, family, and, most importantly, treats! If you’ve got a sweet tooth, a savory spot, or love snacks a lot, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got something for everybody, and, of course, we’re more than happy to share. Here are a few of the best places to sample tasty treats this holiday season.

Build the Gingerbread House of Your Dreams

They say you shouldn’t play with your food, but we say play away — especially if you’re building a gingerbread house at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. As part of Christmas at Gaylord Palms, which runs November 17, 2023 through January 3, 2024, the Gingerbread Decorating Center is back! This is the perfect opportunity to let everybody in on holiday creativity while building your very own piece of confection perfection. Best of all? If you work up an appetite while building your delicious dream house, you can have a little snack. And when you’re done, be sure to say hello to Nutmeg, Gaylord Palms’ very own gingerbread man.

Stroll and Savor at Epcot

This year, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (Nov. 24 – Dec. 30, 2023) is tastier than ever! As part of this seasonal soiree, you can sample snacks from around the world on the Holiday Cookie Stroll. Grab your Festival Passport and pack your appetite as you walk the World Showcase in search of tasty cookies, sweets, and treats. There are five official stops on the 2022 Holiday Cookie Stroll, each with its own delicious delight: Yukon Holiday Kitchen, L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen, American Holiday Table, Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, and Holiday Hearth Desserts. Each stop offers a special decadent dessert just in time for the holidays. And, if you’re ready to sweeten the deal, present your Festival Passport with stamps from each of the five locations for a special bonus cookie. If you ask us, the only thing better than a cookie…is a complimentary cookie!

Things Are Getting Magical (and Delicious) at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is known for going all out during the holidays; this year is no exception!  From November 9 to December 22, the park will serve special treats that will put smiles on everyone’s faces. Over at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies, you can enjoy a Christmas Cookie Sundae or a Christmas Cookie Milkshake if you prefer to drink your cookies. The Golden Oak Outpost has Gingerbread Almond Cake Pops dipped in white chocolate, while Sleepy Hollow serves Ginger Apple Funnel Cake, complete with apple pie filling, ice cream, and caramel sauce. And is it really a Disney trip during the holidays without stopping by Main Street Bakery for an iconic Mickey Cinnamon Roll with red and green icing? Yum!

Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine

Minnie Mouse always cooks something special at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This season, she has a merry mealtime prepared for Minnie’s Holiday Dine. This dazzling dinner party is the only character meal that is fully themed for the holidays. You’ll see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Goofy — all dressed in their holiday best. And if that’s not enough of a holiday treat, remember, your meal comes with your choice of dessert. Sounds like a holiday meal to remember!

Elsewhere, be sure to sample the Holiday Brownie at carts throughout Hollywood Studios, the Holiday Minnie Mouse Bundt Cake at ABC Commissary, and the Melted Snowman Sugar at PizzeRizzo. Oh, and if it’s a warm beverage you’re after, order up a Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate while you’re here (we bet you’ll love it so much, you won’t want to “Let it go”).

Joy to the SeaWorld

SeaWorld Orlando is definitely making a holiday splash! During their SeaWorld Christmas Celebration (running from Nov. 11 through Jan. 3, 2024), there will be treats on hand for folks of all ages to sample and savor. Make your way through the park, and you’ll find S’mores Christmas Cheesecake, festive Funnel Cakes, Traditional Turkey Christmas Dinner Stacks, and plenty of chocolate-dipped items — from strawberries to bacon!

There are also drinks for everyone, like Peppermint Holiday Nog and Toasted Marshmallow Flavored Hot Chocolate, as well as seasonal specials just for adults, including beverages from Christmas Town, Santa’s Sleigh, and an assortment of seasonal craft brews.

Still, trying to figure out where to begin? SeaWorld makes it easy with their Christmas Celebration Tasting and Brew Sampler. This add-on allows you to taste-test any combination of SeaWorld’s Food & Brew Samples. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

Spreading Universal Joy

’Tis the season for snacks at Universal Resort Orlando, so be sure to arrive hungry now until Jan. 1. One of our favorite things about Universal is so many of their seasonal treats are available in one convenient location, The Holiday Tribute Store! You can find everything from Christmas Tree Cupcakes to Santa’s Boot Cake and Whoopie Pies to Jumbo Macaroons here. And don’t forget Earl’s Apples and Jar Cakes, all named after Universal’s holiday mascot — Earl the Squirrel.

Beyond the Tribute Store, there are plenty of yuletide treats waiting for you across the parks. At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you can sample the Nutella Cheesecake Reindeer Pop and the Vegan Brownie at the Croissant Moon Bakery, as well as the Grinch-themed Hot Chocolate Bomb at Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop. Then, mosey through Mistletoe Pines Village in Universal CityWalk, where you’ll find Cookie Dough Christmas Trees, Praline Holiday Bars, Coquito Mousse Snowballs, and plenty more. And for the adults, be sure to enjoy one of their signature nogs.

This Holiday Season, Treat Your “Elf”

Make your list, check it twice, and remember to pack your appetite! After all, there will surely be a lot of snacking this holiday season in Kissimmee! Have you tried a holiday treat this season that you loved? Be sure to share it with us on Facebook and Instagram using #ExperienceKissimmee. And to stay up to date with all the latest holiday news and happenings, subscribe to our newsletter.