Most of us have favorite treats that we simply must have when we visit Disneyland and DCA- mine include Dole Whip and Caramel Apples. On a recent trip to the parks, I stepped out of my comfort zone. Not only did I venture to try new treats, I volunteered to share my opinions with the EarzUp! community. The $6.00 (Dole Whip inspired) Pineapple Donut has been receiving a ton of buzz online.
Pineapple Donut
Part of the draw is that specialty donuts seem to have a limited run of a few months. Plus they only make a limited number each day and there’s no telling when they’ll sell out. I didn't hesitate when I spotted one in Disneyland at the Coffee Cart at the end of Main Street. The biggest surprise from this souped-up donut was the sweet pineapple filling had a little kick to it. It made my tongue burn just a little bit in the same way fresh pineapple does. On top there was a thin layer of pineapple icing and a large dollop of dense, marshmallow-y toasted meringue. I feel fortunate I had the opportunity to try this but I don’t feel like I need to order it again.
I came prepared with a list of things to do, see, and eat in the recently re-themed Pixar Pier area (formerly Paradise Pier). Topping my to-eat list was the $6 Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num which is more like a giant, palm-sized deep dish blondie.
Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num
It's served warm and best eaten with a fork. The Jack Jack Cookie Num Nums Stand can be found just as you exit the Incredicoaster (formerly California Screamin’). At one point during the ride, chocolate chip cookie scent is actually released, which might explain the long line of people at the cookie stand. I expected the Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num to taste similar to a refrigerator break and bake cookie. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite that good. There was an ample splattering of chocolate chunks in various sizes. However, the larger chunks had a runny consistency like chocolate syrup and the flavor was more sweet than chocolate. The cookie part lacked any hints of butter or salt giving it zero complexity. I’m glad I tried it. I’m glad I split it with four other people. I wouldn’t order it again.
Another highly anticipated Pixar Pier indulgence is Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats (formerly Paradise Pier Ice Cream Company).
It's Lemon! & It’s Vanilla!
I ordered a $3.79 It's Lemon! & It’s Vanilla! Swirled cone. I decided to swirl lemon and vanilla just in case the lemon had the fake lemon flavor that sometimes hints at Ajax. I was pleasantly surprised. The lemon tasted like one of those frozen lemonade cups but with a creamy texture. I would order this again but next time I would order straight lemon, no vanilla needed.
It's Snow-Capped Lemon! (left) and Pixar Pier Frosty Parfait (right)
My friend ordered the $4.99 It's Snow-Capped Lemon! This is just a large lemon soft-serve cone drizzled with white chocolate. The white chocolate was too thick to get a good bite and chunks of it wound up falling on the ground. None of us would order this again. My daughter ordered a $5.99 Pixar Pier Frosty Parfait, which is blue raspberry slushie sandwiched in a cup between lemon soft serve and topped with a maraschino cherry. It’s a generous size and you have to work your way through the top lemon layer in order to get to the blue raspberry. Although the flavors go nicely together, the blue raspberry is slightly overpowering. I could take it or leave it, but my daughter would order it again. With temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s, I was excited to try two fruity frozen treats I’ve been hearing about- Sandianada and Mangonada, both $7.99 and both at Clarabelles on Buena Vista Street in DCA.
Sandianada
The Sandianada was a generous serving of watermelon sorbet topped with watermelon chunks, tamarindo sauce, and chili-lime seasoning. The watermelon sorbet was icy and refreshing with the watermelon pieces incorporating into the sorbet with each bite. The tamarindo sauce added a saltiness that prevented the sorbet from being too sweet.
Mangonada
The Mangonada was an equally generous serving of mango sorbet, chamoy sauce, mango chunks, chili-lime seasoning, and lime juice. The mango sorbet was thick and creamy like gelato. The mango pieces had a good bite to them and went well with the earthy, spicy chamoy sauce. I couldn’t pick a favorite between the two, but the others in my party slightly preferred the Mangonada. We shared both between four people and we couldn’t quite finish them, although we all agreed they were both delicious and would order them again. My next visit to the parks is scheduled for October. By then the parks will be in full swing for Halloween. I suspect there will be new pumpkin flavored treats to try with plenty of spooky decorations. I can’t wait!