Savory Snack Attack

Mickey Mouse Pretzel

Disney Parks are an endless cornucopia of confectionary charms that satisfy sweet tooths. But some of us stroll the parks with a different craving on the tongue — less of a sweet tooth and more of a, well, salt tooth. Sweet tooths (sweet teeth?) relentlessly squabble over the churro and DOLE Whip, defending each as the Disneyland snack, but where does that leave those of us after something more savory? Sometimes, you can’t beat the classic Mickey Mouse Pretzel — with cheese dip, of course — a treat that’s more than just a snack, but a food legend that has earned a place in the hearts (and stomachs) of Disney fans young and old.

You’ll find this mouse-shaped morsel throughout Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, readily available at many stands and carts. The ordering process is simple: How many pretzels would you like, and with or without cheese sauce? Compared to the multitude of options when it comes to DOLE Whips and floats and ice cream sundaes and specialty churros carts with limited-edition flavors, the humble pretzel is a refreshingly simple acquisition. There’s no need for Mobile Order. There’s hardly ever a lengthy queue — but there’s always a friendly Cast Member ready to dish up the salty, golden-brown treat you crave.

Finished with a generous amount of coarse salt and served alongside the optional, but highly recommended, cheese sauce, the Mickey Mouse Pretzel is pure comfort food. The pretzel bread is far superior to what you'll find at a mall or a ballpark; it offers a satisfying crust and crunch on the exterior, but a soft and chewy interior. The salt levels are right in that Goldilocks zone: salty enough that you crave more, but not so salty that you can’t finish it all yourself.

I always opt for the cheese sauce. It may not have the culinary appeal of a fine, aged parmesan or lucious triple-creme brie, but on a long park day, that electric orange dip and its inexplicably delightful umami flavor are the perfect pairing to the piquant pretzel.