What Disney Food Was Popular The Year You Were Born

Disney Parks food is always popular, but have you ever wondered what kind of food was popular the year you were born? From the infamous turkey leg to the classic Dole Whip, Disney has been rolling out ever so delicious treats pretty much every year for the past 65 years. Even some parks like Epcot have annual food and wine festivals that leave us craving more year-round. What makes Disney food so popular? No real explanation can be found other than the fact that it's frankly all delicious and appeals to our inner child.

We've compiled a list of Disney foods that were popular the year you were born. While not every food will be on here, we're sure it has some heavy-hitters that might give you nostalgia.

When Disneyland first opened in 1955, they partnered with different well-established restaurants (like Red Robin) to create a culinary experience not often found in theme parks. They offered food like pancakes, ice cream, and even Monte Cristos for up to 8,000 guests per day.

Tonga Toast has been a staple at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort since its opening in 1970. Made with bananas and tons of powdered sugar, this breakfast will forever be popular in our hearts.

Way back when, Disney World partnered with the Florida Citrus Commission to source orange juice to create the iconic Citrus Swirl. This ice cream treat even came with a mascot. The Orange Bird can be found at key locations within the park representing the original partnership.

This classic meal can be found at the Stage Door Cafe in Disneyland's Frontierland.

Another classic meal that can be found at the Stage Door Cafe is the Mickey Funnel Cake. Funnel cake topped with ice cream, chocolate sauce, and an Oreo cookie crumble = perfection.

Cinnamon rolls have been around since Disney's inception, but it wasn't until 1979 that the idea of creating a Mickey-shaped treat took guests by storm.

These adorable Rice Krispie treats were popular early on and still hold a certain charm for most Disney lovers. They're often dipped in chocolate and other fun ingredients, so it's no surprise they became an iconic food in the '80s.

The Germany pavilion at Epcot opened in 1982 and from that moment on, Mickey Mouse Pretzels ruled supreme. This fan-favorite is truly golden.

You can find these bad boys literally everywhere! They first rose to prominence in the early '80s and have been satisfying children and adults alike ever since.

Unsurprisingly, macaron ice cream sandwiches were popular at Disney upon the opening of the French pavilion at Epcot.

Similarly, fish and chips got really popular when Epcot opened the United Kingdom Pavilion.

Introduced to the parks in '85, the Mickey Ice Cream Bar became an immediate hit. Nowadays, you can find them at most grocery stores.

If you visit Disneyland, you have to check out the churros. They're notoriously sweet and delicious.

Introduced to the parks in 1986, the Dole Whip soft serve treat quickly became one of the parks' most popular treats. You can even add some rum to yours at Animal Kingdom.

Authentic margaritas from the Mexico pavilion fascinated audiences in '88.

When launched in 1989 at the 50’s Prime Time Café in Hollywood Studios, the Peanut Butter & Jelly Milk Shake became an instant hit.

The Brown Derby was a Hollywood chain of restaurants in the '20s and '30s that was supposedly responsible for the creation of the original Cobb Salad. In 1986, Disney entered a licensee agreement which allowed The Brown Derby to be at one of the parks in Orlando. Thus the Cobb Salad craze began.

Another dish that was popular because of The Brown Derby association was the Grapefruit Cake. Made with vanilla sponge cake, grapefruit syrup, grapefruit cheesecake, and grapefruit jam, this dish's popularity spiked super high at Disney.

The turkey leg at Disney is a must-have. It first launched in the late '80s in Magic Kingdom and it's gone on to maintain a reputation as something you've gotta try before you leave the parks.

These tasty little ice cream snacks became super popular in the early '90s. You can now buy them outside of the parks.

Originally at a little shop called The Writer's Stop (#TBT!), the Carrot Cake Sandwich was all the rage in the '90s.

Known as Skolebrød in Norway, this sweet roll was introduced with the expansion of the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. You can find it and the Troll Horn at the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe.

Shaved ice with flavored syrup and condensed milk made this treat popular during the Heian period in ancient Japan. Disney used the same recipe at its Japan Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase.

Hot dawg! These Chili-Cheese All-Beef Hot Dogs from Casey's Corner at Magic Kingdom were a favorite in '95.

This adorable appetizer became popular when the California Grill opened at Disney's Contemporary Resort, but it really became a crowd favorite in 1995.

Disney's Candy Cauldron first opened in 1997 and since then, it's become a staple stop for park-goers every Halloween. At the Cauldron, you can get literally every type of candy apple and watch them make it right in front of you.

Have a cold one next time you're at Animal Kingdom.

Located at a tiny cart in Adventureland next to Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the House-Made Spring Rolls are necessary snacking. Next time you're in Magic Kingdom, check it out.

Fashioned after the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, Cheshire Cat Tails are chocolate Danish twists with a whole bunch of colored icing that can be found at Cheshire Cafe.

Ice Cream Tacos were super popular right around the turn of the century.

Made popular at Disney's Beach Club Resort's Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, the Kitchen Sink consists of more scoops of ice cream than we can count, honestly!

This classic little morsel was rebranded during Hollywood Studio's Star Wars Weekends, which lasted from 1997 to 2015.

Apparently, waffle sandwiches were also a thing in the early 2000s. This one came with fresh strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and a hazelnut spread.

Even though bubble waffles were already a thing back in the, well, '50s, Disney made it popular again by having it at shops like AristoCrepes in Disney Springs.

Who can resist fried Californian pickles?

The cupcake craze hit America in the 2000s and Disney was not immune. Creative cupcakes appeared in places like Be Our Guest and more.

Another millennial craze, cake pops are still popular at most major Disney eateries (are you surprised??).

First found at Disney's Pop Century Resort in 2003, the Tie Dye Cheesecake is a swirly bite of fun we still adore today.

Two of the best things about eating in Sanaa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is the view (you get to eat right next to zebras and giraffes!!) and their bread service. It wasn't until 2010 that people started noticing just how delicious this appetizer was.

How are adorable are these Mickey Beignets?

This delectable cookies & cream concoction can be found at the Be Our Guest restaurant in Magic Kingdom. It first made its way into our hearts in 2012 and since has become a favorite to many a guest.

This little fella put Epcot on the map in 2013. Half-donut, half-croissant and 100 percent deliciousness.

Made to accompany the now-defunct Star Wars Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Darth Vader Cupcake brought all of us to the dark side.