If you’ve stepped foot into Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you know it’s a wild place packed with an expedition of flavors.
Recently, guests got two new ways to satisfy their sweet tooth with offerings that combine some iconic Disney favorites: churros and DOLE Whip.
Behind two of these new creations is Chef Brad and his culinary team, who helped develop the delicious churro creations as part of a property wide competition known as the Churro-lympics.
Back in April, the competition challenged culinary teams from across Walt Disney World to reimagine the classic Disney churro in creative and unexpected ways, while also encouraging them to get innovative, creative, and showcase their talents and passion.
For Chef Brad, that meant creating flavors that feel globally inspired and full of discovery, just like the park itself.
The end result? The Churro-misu Cold Brew and the DOLE Whip Pineapple and Chili-Lime and Churro Sundae.
Working collaboratively to bring the concepts to life, Chef Brad and his team focused on layering familiar favorites with unexpected flavor combos that would surprise guests while fitting naturally within Animal Kingdom.
How Do You Take Your Coffee? With Churros, of Course
Rope dropping at Animal Kingdom? Start your day at Isle of Java with the Churro-misu Cold Brew.
“With the Churro-misu Cold Brew, we wanted the flavors of the classic tiramisu,” said Chef Brad. “We started off with our Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee that’s sweetened, and then we added a mascarpone cream on top and dusted with some cocoa powder to give that classic tiramisu flavor and look. The drink is finished off with a nice crunchy churro.”
The drink combines Joffrey’s rich coffee flavors with the sweetness of a classic churro, creating a treat that is both delicious, familiar, and uniquely Disney.
Sweet and Spicy Meets Crunchy
After taking in the sights and sounds along Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail or Maharajah Jungle Trek, guests looking for something refreshing can head to Warung Outpost, near Feathered Friends in Flight!, for the DOLE Whip Pineapple and Chili-Lime and Churro Sundae.
“For the DOLE Whip Pineapple and Chili-Lime and Churro Sundae, we wanted to bring together two iconic Walt Disney World snacks: the churro and the DOLE Whip,” said Chef Brad. “Together, we layered tropical flavors with Latin-inspired accents. With our chili-lime marinated pineapple, we’ve added some sweet heat, acidity, and with the warm cinnamon crunchy churro, it balances sweet, tart, spicy, creamy, and crunchy all in one fun tropical sundae!”
“So far, our guests are really enjoying the combination of two iconic Disney World snacks with a DOLE Whip Pineapple and Chili-Lime and Churro Sundae. Something that’s nice and cool for a hot day that they can walk around the park and enjoy,” said Chef Brad.
You Could Eat an Award-Winning Churro Creation
For the culinary team, these menu items are more than just a new snack. They showcase the creativity and collaboration that drives Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s culinary team forward.
Chef Brad said, “Both of these were gold medal-winning entries in the Walt Disney World Churro-lympics competition that represent our team’s ability to take classic flavors and iconic snacks and turn them into new, delicious, and exciting offerings for our guests.”
Creating new menu items is an important part of how the culinary team continues to enhance your experience throughout the park. By introducing fresh flavors and inventive new concepts, the team helps ensure every visit offers something new to discover.
“The flavors and cuisines that embody Animal Kingdom are all part of the story that the chef team gets to tell through our food offerings throughout the park,” explained Chef Brad. “It is important to consistently offer our guests new, trendy, and flavorful dishes to ensure every time they visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom they can partake in a culinary journey. There are so many unique flavors and cuisines that represent the regions of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we pride ourselves on being able to share that along with our creative vision with our cast and guests.”
