Feast Through the Decades: Your Guide to Disneyland 70th Nostalgic Eats
Calling all Disney foodies and nostalgia junkies! Get ready to embark on a delicious journey through the decades with the Disneyland 70th nostalgic eats! Celebrate with some seriously epic “Nostalgic Bites Inspired by Vintage Foods.” We’re talking about a limited-time feast that’s packed with new eats, classic throwbacks, and enough themed treats to make your taste buds sing “It’s a Small World.” If you’re anything like us, just thinking about those iconic Disneyland snacks brings back a flood of cherished memories from the Happiest Place on Earth.
Remember that time in the ’60s when you actually ordered a tuna sandwich from a pirate ship? Or maybe you were grooving at Videopolis in the ’80s, wondering if those futuristic fries were real (spoiler: they were!). And who could forget those ’90s dinners at Disneyland Park, with your mom expertly tucking in your napkin before a plate of Beef Stroganoff arrived?
With 70 years of magic, the culinary wizards at Disneyland Resort have gone full-on time travel, digging through old recipes and whipping up modern spins on classic dishes that are sure to unlock those core Disney memories. So, grab your stretchy pants and get ready for a guide to time-traveling the best way we know how, through Disney Eats!
Related – Why Disneyland 70th Anniversary Needs to be at the TOP of your Summer Travel List
First up, we’re tipping our hats to the man who started it all, Walt Disney himself! You know, the guy who’d tell you it all began with a mouse. To honor his legacy, the 70th-anniversary menu features a few of his faves. Get ready to snap a pic with the Mickey Hat Cookie at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe or Market House, it’s a chocolatey tribute to those classic Mickey Mouse Club ears. And speaking of Walt’s favorites, you can dive into the Chili Cheese Corn Dog at Corn Dog Castle. Inspired by Walt’s personal chili recipe (preserved since 1958!), this is the perfect vehicle for a hearty helping of his homestyle goodness.
If you’re more of a baked potato person, the W.E.D. Chili Cheese Baked Potato at Troubadour Tavern is calling your name. Named after Walt’s original company, WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering!), it’s the ultimate comfort food. And for dessert, the Lemon Chiffon Pretzel near Star Tours is a literal twist on Walt’s beloved lemon chiffon pie. Talk about a sweet way to enjoy Tomorrowland’s futuristic vibes!
Next, let’s talk about some brand-new bites inspired by the legendary Casa de Fritos! Back in 1955, this spot was all about that surreal, foodie fun with the Frito Kid and a chip vending mechanism. Located where Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante now stands, the 70th Celebration menu brings back two Casa de Frito classics with a modern flair. First up, the Fried Tamale Walking Taco at Rancho Del Zocalo Restaurante is a fusion of two old favorites: the “Ta-cup” and the Frito Chili Pie. This fried beef tamale with all the fixings is destined to be a hit. And brace yourselves for this one: the Mocha Cream Puff also at Rancho Del Zocalo Restaurante. Yes, you read that right, it’s a cream puff filled with cinnamon-mocha pastry cream topped with chocolate-covered corn chips. Sweet, savory, and totally mind-blowing!
If you’re craving some island vibes, prepare for some tropical nods to the Tahitian Terrace. This Adventureland hotspot, which opened in 1962, brought South Seas flavors and live entertainment to Disneyland. Guests used to enjoy dinner until midnight, watching water curtains and fire dancers! To remember this literal hot spot, swing by Carnation Café and Bengal Barbecue. You can raise a glass to the Tahitian Terrace with the Tropical Rum Cocktail at Carnation Café, a classic concoction that will transport you to a breezy, sun-drenched beach. And over at Bengal Barbecue, you’ll find the Grilled Tahitian Ribs, a succulent dish with pineapple and rice that echoes the original Tahitian Terrace menu. Aloha, deliciousness!
Of course, we can’t forget the nostalgic inspirations from Carnation. The Carnation Ice Cream Parlor opened its doors on July 17, 1955, offering creamy cool treats right on Main Street, U.S.A. Today, you can revisit some old favorites, both savory and sweet. Get ready for a blast from the past with the Beef Stroganoff at Carnation Café. If you remember this savory mountain of pasta and beef from the ’90s (think Darkwing Duck era!), you’re in for a treat. And for the ultimate sweet throwback, the Banana Split at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor is nearly identical to the Victorian Banana Split served at the original Carnation Ice Cream Parlor in 1955. It’s a sugary delight that will absolutely transport you back in time.
But wait, there’s more! The Banana Split Churro near Goofy’s Sky School at Disney California Adventure Park takes the classic banana split and marries it with a churro. It’s a modern, “ap-peeling” twist on a beloved dessert!
Let’s party like it’s 1955! The food scene during Disneyland’s opening year was all about adventure. The Disney chefs had a blast digging through those mid-century recipes to recreate some truly special bites. Get ready to set sail with the Hook’s Galley Tuna Melt at Red Rose Taverne. Back in August 1955, the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant (later Captain Hook’s Galley) in Fantasyland offered tuna sandwiches, and this delicious take on the classic is here to help you live out your swashbuckling dreams.
And for breakfast or anytime, the Apple Pancake Rolls at River Belle Terrace are a close double to the pancake roll-ups served at the Pancake House in 1955. These apple pie-topped, streusel-filled beauties are the perfect way to start your day, nearly 70 years later!
Finally, let’s take a trip to the totally tubular 1980s and beyond for some more retro treats! Remember when Disneyland opened Videopolis in Fantasyland, where Mouseketeers could moonwalk with the best of them? Guests would boogie down before fueling up with futuristic round fries at The Space Place or grabbing a burger in Frontierland. Now, you can revisit those righteous moments! Sip on the Dancing Shimmering Lights at Troubadour Tavern, a sweet berry lemonade inspired by Videopolis itself. With each sip, you can reflect on your dance moves (and hair choices!) from back in the day.
The Space Place Cottage Fries at Galactic Grill are a glorious return of the futuristic side dish from The Space Place restaurant in Tomorrowland (1977-1996). And if they’re coming back as an entrée, maybe Tomorrowland’s vision of the future was right all along! Last but not least, the Cowboy Fries at The Golden Horseshoe are a tribute to the classic burgers offered at Frontierland restaurants in decades past. Loaded with nacho cheese, ground beef, burger sauce, and pickles, it’s all the goodness of a burger, no bun required.
So, there you have it! The Disneyland 70th Nostalgic Eats Inspired by Vintage Foods are more than just snacks; they’re edible memories, a delicious dive into the rich history of the Happiest Place on Earth. Get ready to “celebrate happy” with your taste buds and create some new delicious memories that you’ll cherish for years to come!
Credit: Disney Parks
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