This dish was the star of the day for me. The bison was perfectly cooked to a juicy mid-rare, with a lovely char on the outside. Beneath the meat was a sweet, creamy butternut squash puree—a perfect complement to the rich, nutty, and umami-packed oyster mushrooms (I’m a sucker for mushrooms like these). The whole dish was balanced beautifully, with the brightness from the huckleberry gastrique cutting through the deep, savory notes. If you want a single dish to knock your socks off, if you wore them, this is it!

The pork was a touch overcooked—nothing tragic, but definitely noticeable. Luckily, the real hero of this plate was the apple slaw, which was crisp, tangy, sweet, and oh-so-juicy. It brought the perfect balance to the dryness of the pork. Even with the overcooked meat, this dish was still a win.

This dish was screaming that the fall season is here (though slightly concerning that it was “screaming”). The Brussels sprouts were beautifully roasted, with a caramelized, nutty flavor, and the crunchy nuts added some delightful texture. Everything about it conveyed cozy autumn, the kind of dish you crave on a crisp fall day. These characteristics earned my mom’s favorite bite of the day.

This drink’s name might be a bit misleading—it’s not the bright, refreshing apple cider you might expect. It leans more into the warmth of a traditional Old Fashioned, with hints of apple and cinnamon weaving through. I’d actually call it an Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned—the flavors are there, but it’s far more cozy than crisp.

I had doubts—it’s a theme park, after all. Heat lamps plus lobster seems like a recipe for a rubbery dry bite. But my mom insisted, and I’m glad she did! The lobster was perfectly cooked, and that herbed butter? Divine. If you’re well acquainted with lobster, this might not be a wow dish for you, but for anyone less seasoned in seafood, it’s a treat.

Meh. The slider was overcooked and lacked punch. Definitely a “you’ll need a sip after each bite” situation. With so many amazing options I’d suggest skipping this one unless you have a picky eater with a soft spot for burgers

Okay, this is a chef’s kiss moment. The savory beef, tangy beer cheese, and pickled onions hit all the right notes. Sure, the chips get soggy, but that’s a minor quibble when the flavors are this good. The symphony of flavors made this tied for my dad’s favorite bite of the day.

These fries were crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and came with a cilantro aioli that made them shine. Without the aioli, they’d have been a bit bland, but with it? Delightful!

My kids loved the sweet potato casserole fries with the fluffy marshmallow topping. The BBQ bacon fries? Over-seasoned and missing any actual bacon (to me they were Cajun fries in disguise). The truffle fries, however, were solid—a steakhouse side dish done right.

My husband’s top pick! Umami beef, creamy mayo, and pickled veggies wrapped in seaweed—though the seaweed got a little sad after sitting. Even when resorting to a fork, the flavors were still worth it. My other half inhaled most of this before he knew what he was doing!

Ah, the superior form of fried pickles! Disney nailed the crispy breading, keeping the pickle inside juicy and flavorful. Honestly, I didn’t even need the dilly sauce—the breading had enough flavor to carry the dish all on its own. It was crispy, crunchy, and didn’t overwhelm the pickle goodness beneath. Perfection.

I nearly bought stock in 3 Daughters Brewery after this one. Light, refreshing, and with a perfect balance of cucumber and brine—not just dill heavy “pickle” flavor, like most gimmicky drinks. I’m absolutely going back just for this.

These were your classic samosas, done absolutely right. The fry was on point—crisp and light, and the filling inside tasted fresh and well-balanced. But let me tell you, the sauce made this dish. A tangy yogurt sauce brightened up the starchy filling and tied everything together in a delightful bite.

A tried-and-true classic! This dish hit all the right notes: the chicken was tender, the sauce was earthy and flavorful with a little zing, and the rice was perfectly cooked. It wasn’t too spicy, making it a safe choice for someone dipping their toes into Indian cuisine but still flavorful enough for the more adventurous.

Rich, creamy, and oh-so-decadent, this dessert was mostly the mousse, with a cookie bottom that added a nice crunch. But I will say, that cookie was a bit of a challenge to break through with a fork. Still, for mousse and and chocolate lovers alike, this one’s a winner.

The piece of filet mignon we received was unfortunately thin and cooked to well-done, which took away from the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth experience that filet is known for. But to be fair, expecting a filet cooked less than well-done at a festival booth is almost unheard of. Despite that, the flavors of the accompanying mushrooms, potatoes, and truffle butter really elevated the dish. My kids especially loved this one, and it’s easy to see why—the rich, earthy flavors really made the plate shine, even if the beef itself didn’t quite hit the mark.

This fan-favorite has had staying power for a reason. Even in the middle of a Florida heat advisory, I couldn’t resist the cheesy goodness. The soup was perfectly balanced—smooth, creamy, with just the right amount of sharp cheddar. And the pretzel roll? Absolute heaven for dipping. Each bite was packed with bits of bacon and corn that added a fun texture to an already indulgent dish. Making it my dad’s tie for favorite bite and my absolute honorable mention.

I didn’t even manage to snap a picture before it vanished from the plate. The cheese was funky in all the right ways, crisp and melty over tender potatoes and gherkins (my favorite part!). The baguette slices? A little too generous, but my kids happily took care of those.