Guide to the Best Snacks at Universal Orlando

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When you think about theme park food, Disney’s probably the first and possibly only place that springs to mind.

Most other parks don’t have a stellar reputation in this field. However, Universal Orlando Resort has worked hard in recent years to change its reputation.

Here’s a guide to eight of the best snacks at Universal Orlando Resort.

Butterbeer

I’m not crazy about the restaurants at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. After a few disappointing outings, we stopped going. 

We still embrace the Potterverse flavors, though. The snacks available in this themed land are spectacular, and the featured item lives up to the hype.

Butterbeer matters because J.K. Rowling included it in the books from the beginning. It’s a drink that every wizard loves, and so the Universal version must be delicious.

Thankfully, the crafters at the park were up to the challenge. In its basic form, Butterbeer is a butterscotch concoction that packs a wallop. 

In fact, I don’t even like butterscotch, but I get a Butterbeer whenever I’m at the park. It’s reflexive. In fact, it’s one of two drinks that I always purchase.

The other is…

Flaming Moe

I’m a Simpsons superfan, which is why it breaks my heart to admit that my Krusty Burger experiences have been universally negative. 

Yes, I appreciate the irony of complaining about food whose lackluster quality is a running joke on the show.

I was still disappointed, though. Then, Moe’s Tavern saved the day, as I walked next door to order a Flaming Moe…and it was spectacular! 

Photo: Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

The Flaming Moe isn’t an alcoholic beverage. Really, it’s just an orange soda with a dry ice trick. 

However, it feels authentic and unique. And that’s all that a Simpsons lover can ask of it!

Moose Juice, Goose Juice

As a kid, I lived on Icees. These slushies remain a guilty pleasure to this day. 

I’m especially obsessed with Coke Icees, which I use as energy drinks.

Photo: BestofOrlando.com

At Universal, the Dr. Seuss themed land sells several themed snacks related to the characters. 

Many people love Cat in the Hat Cookies, but I head to Moose Juice, Goose Juice for an Icee instead. 

Photo: OrlandoInformer.com

The Seussian flavors available here are universally terrific. And an Icee feels like the perfect afternoon snack on a hot Florida day. 

The Brookie

Reese Cups once claimed one of the greatest marketing campaigns ever with its peanut butter/chocolate commercials. 

Photo: TouringPlans.com

The Brookie doesn’t possess that sort of media acclaim, but it’s a similarly brilliant combination of marvelous ideas.

Imagine a brownie with the middle part carved out. In that space, someone has placed a cookie. 

Yes, at Universal Studios, you don’t have to choose between two of the best desserts ever. Someone has stuck cookie dough on top of brownie batter and cooked the sucker.

Brookie in Universal Studios Hollywood tied with a gold bow. $4 pic.twitter.com/xzTlVeXqcm

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) May 11, 2019

The only way you could ever feel bad about eating it is if someone told you the calorie count. 

Chocolate Frogs

Again, this snack comes straight from the Harry Potter books. And the name tells the whole story, too.

You’re eating a giant slab of milk chocolate, only it’s in the shape of a frog. 

Photo: Universal

There’s no need to overthink this one. 

Kids love it because it makes them feel like Baby Yoda. 

Adults love it because it’s an oversized portion of chocolate. 

You want this. Also, you want to buy extras to take back to all your friends. It’ll make them equal parts happy and jealous of your vacation. 

Lard Lad Donuts

This article exists because we were sitting at a restaurant, waiting for our order, when one of my wife’s co-workers mentioned her favorite donuts.

Photo: Universal

Without missing a beat, the missus said, “I wish I had a Homer Simpson donut right now.” And she meant it, too. 

During our Universal Studios visits, we’ve determined that Lard Lad Donuts are the One True Snack. Seriously, they rival Dole Whips for us.

Photo: TouringPlans.com

I realize that others champion some of the other snacks I’m listing here. Still, that comically oversized donut brings us so much joy.

We will order one and then share it while we notice all the hidden gags at Springfield Land…of which there are many. I’ll probably compile a list one day.

I should add that the donut you want is The Big Pink. It’s the one that Homer always clutches in promotional illustrations. 

The name’s important, too. This donut is the size of several regular ones. So, you and some friends can share…well, as long as there’s not a pandemic. 

Voodoo Doughnuts

In May of 2020, Universal CityWalk Orlando became the first part of any major Florida theme park to reopen. 

On that first day, the longest lines were for…Voodoo Doughnuts. Seriously, there was a wait of more than an hour, which is a long time to delay a sugar rush.

Photo: OrlandoParkStop

Voodoo Doughnuts obviously isn’t exclusive to CityWalk, but the rebellious concoctions mean a lot to Orlando residents. 

Out of everything they could have done on day one, they went for these doughnuts. Even the online ordering system had a staggering wait-time.

Photo: MickeyTravels.com

While everyone has a favorite kind of Voodoo Doughnuts, I admire the daring of Oh Captain, My Captain. It’s a donut sprinkled with Captain Crunch…which is insane!

Mega-Milkshakes

The other place that you must visit at CityWalk is The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. 

Photo: Universal

Inspired by Willy Wonka, this restaurant serves dinner and dessert. 

Most people are hard-pressed to name the entrees they’ve eaten here. Nobody ever forgets the dessert, though. 

Photo: Universal

The creations here are staggering in their gluttony. For example, the restaurant sells a cupcake…that comes on top of a milkshake.

The cupcake’s not even the real dessert; the milkshake is. Imagine a cupcake as a garnish!

Photo: Universal

Like Voodoo Doughnuts, everyone has a preferred snack here, but they’re all sublime.

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