The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook: 60+ Nostalgic Recipes and Stories of Yesteryear

by Julie Tremaine, Carly Caramanna

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 13, 2026

Reviews

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook: 60+ Nostalgic Recipes and Stories of Yesteryear by Julie Tremaine and Carly Caramanna (Oct. 2026) [reading in August]
272-page Hardcover

Genre: Cookbook, Cooking, Food, Entertainment & Pop Culture, Travel, History

Movie Rating Equivalent: PG

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🥙🧁🍹🍤🍍

Featuring: Praise, Forward by Bob Gurr, Introduction, Travel Journalists, Defunct Restaurants, Past-and-Present Disney Glossary, Historical Accounts, Full Color Photos, Recipes, The History of Fritos and Doritos, Disney Eras, Acknowledgments, Sources, Index

Live Status Updates: Page 95 of 272 Chapter 3 Growing Pains ~ An Era of Changing Parks and Evolving Tastes - This book is amazing I am totally in love.

Final Thoughts: The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook was very nostalgic for me, but not for the reason you might think. It quickly reminded me of being 8 years old, poring over an AAFES binder after my mom was TDY for a training. I read about AAFES-branded restaurants I had never seen before, like La Casa de Amigos and Sweet Reflections. I was able to eventually experience restaurants like Robin Hood before they were replaced by Subway. While AAFES exchanged their restaurants for name-brand franchises over the decades, Disney actually created original restaurants with food brands that were later replaced by Disney original restaurants. I wish someone would write about restaurants like Burger/Run-in Chef, which were already being replaced by Burger King by the time I came along.
​This book is a treat for any Disney fan. I had no idea Disney had a hand in creations like Doritos! It seems every brand that worked with them in the early years went on to do great things, although not all of them are still around today. I wouldn't try half these recipes personally, but I loved all of the photos and the historical stories were unmatched. I will be trying the Tahitian Terrace Punch, as I wonder if it is the punch they serve at the Concierge Lounge at Animal Kingdom that I got hooked on. I will also be making the Chicken Soup à la Reine for my mom.
​Earlier this year, I read Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from The Most Magical Place on Earth, and King Stefan's Banquet Hall was the first restaurant I recognized in The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook that I was semi-familiar with based on the reading of that book. So much of this information was completely new to me, so even if you are quite familiar with Disney's history, I think you'll find a lot of new stories here. I was completely shocked to discover the Spirit of Aloha had closed in 2020. I was aware it was no longer on my planning itinerary, as I chose to skip it in 2015 in lieu of a future real luau in Hawaii, but I didn't realize it was actually no longer an option. It seems COVID-19 caused a lot of restaurants to close and never resurface. I don't know if that's because Disney got the idea of rebranding during its downtime or if they were on their way out anyway, but I was very disappointed in how many losses happened just from that time period.
​It wasn't until we got to the Disney Golf Resort and the Trophy Room restaurant that it hit me that this book was completely different historically than Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories. There is some information that I don't remember getting previously in that book, but it was at this moment I realized what this book was missing that the other book had: photographs. This book has tons of full-color pictures of food, but it doesn't have any floor plans, menus, or actual pictures from the restaurants. It is disappointing, while the other book does have them. I'm not mad at it, I just noticed it at that moment. I think that's the difference between fan-made memorabilia—which I do love—and a Disney-made one.
​I really appreciate how the story went over all these defunct restaurants from the beginning to the most modern-day closures. There are so many restaurants that I did not realize were no longer options, like the Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar, which I thought I just somehow missed on my last trip. I was upset when Galactic Starcruiser closed. Although I feel like I kind of went there via YouTube, the description in this book didn't really capture the essence I felt when it was alive and well and all over YouTube. So, although I appreciate them giving the historical descriptions of other restaurants, that particular segment led me to understand that I truly won't know what it's like at these other restaurants no matter how descriptive the history is. Seeing it is a completely different experience, and I think it's because this book lacks the photos of the restaurants they spoke of.
​A lack of photos and menus of the restaurants and resorts this book talked about is why I couldn't give it the full five stars, although I appreciate reading about these places. It just hit me today that there was no mention of one of my favorite Disney Springs restaurants, Wolfgang Puck Express. I would have given this book five full stars if they had the recipe for the bacon-wrapped meatloaf with a port wine sauce.

​Recommend to others: Yes! If you are a Disney fan, this is a fantastic resource, especially if you want to try the drinks and meal recipes. But recipes aside, it's a pretty good historical account of Disney restaurants and partnerships.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Celebrate via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Books and Authors Mentioned: Meals You Can't Mess Up: 100+ Actually Easy Recipes for Big Flavor with Little Effort by Shay Spence, Growing Up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This is a fun book for Disney Parks fans. The authors looked up old menu items and recipes from Disneyland/Disney World resorts and recreated them here. Although all of these restaurants are gone or have changed, we still have an example of the foods they would serve. But we also get that restaurant's history and some fun tidbits as well.

The book is broken down as follows: Disneyland, the Florida project era (Walt Disney World), growing pains, the Disney decade, and the modern mouse. Each one of those sections has several restaurants such as the Red Wagon Inn, Monorail Bar, King Stefan's Banquet Hall, Top of the World, Restaurant Marrakesh, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, and even the Galactic Starcruiser. Each restaurant has one recipe: this include spaghetti and meatball cupcakes, cheesburger mac handwich, Mark Twain cocktail, 20 layer chocolate cake, Top Of The World salad dressing, Walt's chili, and many more.

At the beginning of each section dates of operation of each of the restaurants is given. There are many restaurants listed: e.g., the Disneyland section has 11 restaurants, dating from 1955 to 1997. But the book has restaurants as late as the Galactic Starcruiser, which only shut down last year. For me, I greatly enjoyed the biography of the section but also the several pages dedicated to each restaurant. So many have come and gone at the two parks so it was a delight to be reminded of them again with their histories. My favorite was the Tahitian Terrace dinner show so it was fun to be able to make the drinks they served once again.

Each recipe has a large red title, information about the recipe (chef, history, etc.). prep/cook times and yield, ingredients in bold type and then numbered steps in appropriately sized paragraphs. Most but not all include a photograph. The recipes are on white pages while the restaurant info is on buff colored pages, making for easy referencing.

The design of the book is delightful - very retro and colorful in a mid century modern font and wing ding graphics. The book is very colorful and the graphics appropriate but not intrusive.

In all, this is definitely a 5-star read. For the history, for the recipes, and for the great amount of effort the authors went to in order to find these recipes so we could enjoy those nostalgic flavors once again. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a child, my father insisted that we watch Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (later renamed The Wonderful World of Disney) every Sunday night. I certainly didn’t mind — even though, of course, not having a color TV, it wasn’t in color for us. (We didn’t get a color TV until I was in junior high school.) It’s how I learned about the Magic Kingdom, Frontierland and, most amazing of all, Tomorrowland.

Now, I didn’t dare wish to go Disneyland in person. It was all the way in California, and my father put tires on buses for Trailways. Impossible! But I felt as if I had gone, thanks to Walt Disney promoting his park for those who had enough money to pay.

Since then, I’ve been to Disneyland once and Disney World so many times that I’ve lost count. But I still fondly remember those glimpses of Disneyland in the 1960s when it was as exotic to me as the savannahs, glaciers, forests and Wild West that also popped up on the show.

Authors Julie Tremaine and Carly Caramanna capture that nostalgic love affair with Disneyland, at least folks like me of a certain age. They couple more than 60 recipes with the history of Disneyland’s (and later Walt Disney World’s) many restaurants. I can still remember thinking how modern the Monorail and the Contemporary Resort were (although I preferred the Polynesian Village Resort. It was the age of tiki, remember?)

Even those Disney lovers who are more likely to think of Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Frog and Aladdin than of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Fantasia or Davy Crockett would enjoy some of these retro recipes and the perennial favorites. Five wishes upon a star!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Harper Celebrate in exchange for an honest review.

[Melanie Artis Wuertzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "Kingdom of Good Eating"- Walt Disney

Who knew he said that?? Apparently the authors did.

As a Disney aficionado, a WDW annual passholder, and an owner of 200+ Mickey ears, I was ecstatic to get an advanced reader copy of The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook. What I got was not just a cookbook, but also a time machine back into an era of Disney magic that even *I* was unaware of!

As a Southern gal at heart, it's pretty much a requirement that I like Fritos. Naturally, when I saw that there was a place called Casa de Fritos (yes, like the snack), I was like, "I need to see what recipes this place had." I must confess that I was slightly disappointed in the "ta cup" recipe but then again, I'm pretty used to making taco salads.

My husband got the *great idea* (wives,you know whats coming!) to make the Coffee Crunch Ice Cream. I'll let your imagination figure out what happened there. :)

About one third of the way through the book, they started getting into the era that I remember as a child. I actually do remember the Town Square Café, and yes, I definitely recall asking my father for a "wieners a la oscar." To this day I don't remember what it tasted like, but I remember the look of disgust on my mom's face which, come to think of it, is probably why I wanted it to begin with.

On the whole this is a fun cookbook, but you're not going to find anything earth shattering here. Disney collectors and beginning cooks will like this book, as most of the recipes are very simple.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for letting me review this book. #TheUnofficialDisneyParksRetroCookbook

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading cookbooks because, to me, they capture a moment in time marked by recipes that define an era. When a cookbook also includes delightful stories, inside scoops, and nostalgia that take me back to some of my favorite childhood and adult memories, it’s a winner!

My first trip to Disneyland was in 1956, and for many years, it was an annual destination for my family. My last trip was in December 2025, and believe me, there’s nothing so special as Christmas at Disneyland. So, when one of the first entries in this book was about Casa de Frito and the Frito Kid, I was hooked. My dad would give me a nickel and, after The Frito Kid said, “Send down a bag of Fritos to my friend,” whoosh came the bag down the chute. Next up was the tuna sandwich at the Chicken of the Sea boat. And it goes on from there. I loved reading about the restaurants (some I don’t remember) and the behind-the-scenes stories about their creation and replacements. While I now long for some of those long-ago restaurants, I’m so glad to have so many delicious recipes.

I’ve never been to Walt Disney World, but I found those chapters to be just as interesting and, yes, delicious. Except for the 20-layer chocolate cake (way beyond my capabilities), all the recipes are easy to follow, and the ingredients can be found in any grocery store. While the e-book was a little wonky, I can’t wait to get the hard copy, and I’ll also be giving copies to my kids, who over the years have made their own memories. Thank you, Julie Tremaine and Carly Caramanna for this delightful book. Thanks, too, to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the eARC. My review is my unbiased opinion.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook is pure magic for anyone who has ever wandered through a Disney park and wished they could bottle the flavours, the memories, and the feeling of being there. This book doesn’t just recreate recipes — it resurrects entire eras of Disney dining, from long‑lost restaurants to cult‑favourite snacks that disappeared far too soon.

The authors, Carly Caramanna and Julie Tremaine, clearly adore Disney history, and their passion shines through every page. Each recipe comes with a slice of behind‑the‑scenes storytelling: forgotten eateries, quirky menu items, and the kind of fun trivia that makes you feel like you’re rediscovering the parks all over again. It’s part cookbook, part time machine.

The range is fantastic — from classics like Walt’s own chilli to the iconic Handwich, from EPCOT favourites to the wonderfully odd (and beloved) Iced Felucian Blue Shrimp Cocktail. Whether you’re after nostalgic comfort food, retro cocktails, or desserts that taste like childhood holidays, there’s something here to spark joy.

The recipes are approachable, clearly written, and genuinely fun to make. Even better, they capture the spirit of the originals without feeling overly complicated or precious.

This is a perfect gift for Disney fans, home cooks, or anyone who wants to bring a little Main Street, U.S.A. magic into their kitchen. Warm, whimsical, and packed with flavour — a cookbook that truly delivers on its promise of nostalgia.

With thanks to the authors, publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Lynnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A combination history book and cookbook, the Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook is a fun read for any Disney fan. There's a lot of nostalgia in the pages of this cookbook no matter what decade of Disney, or which park is your favorite, with stories and recipes covering almost every park from the beginning of the Disney story. Authors Julie Tremaine and Carly Caramanna clearly did their research.

The variety of recipes is impressive considering it's all theme park food, but in its pages you'll find cocktails, burgers, desserts, soup, and more. I was surprised by the number of drinks listed. One thing to keep in mind, for a 200+ page book, you're only getting about 60 recipes, most of which (as the title tells you), are not actual Disney recipes. Many are inspired by, or similar to, in the spirit of or is just made with ingredients that the authors seem to think will taste better. They might be right, but the final product connects these recipes to the House of Mouse with the thinnest of threads. The bulk of this book is spent on storytelling.

Still, the stories are entertaining and the recipes look tasty - I have several bookmarked to try (hello Black Truffle Macaroni and Cheese!).

The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook will be published on October 13, 2026. Thanks to Harper Celebrate, NetGalley, and authors Julie Tremaine and Carly Caramanna for the advance review copy.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Craving the legendary Handwich from the Eisner Era? The monorail cocktails you never got to try from the Monorail Club Car at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? Some of Walt Disney’s personal favorites, like his legendary chili or his cocktail of choice, the Scotch Mist? Learn the stories behind long-gone restaurants and the dishes they served—and relive your own delicious memories of recently-closed restaurants like Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel or Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano in the Muppets Courtyard."

This was a super fun cookbook! I've only been to Disneyland and Disney World as an adult, so I don't have any childhood attachment to particular restaurants or dishes, so it was fun to look at these fresh! The recipes are easy to read and follow, and the added history of the dishes and restaurants they were attached to gives them depth.

You don't have to be a Disney fanatic to enjoy this book. It's a nice bit of history as well as yummy.

I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Shilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a professional chef or even a good cook, but I liked this cookbook. First, as someone who grew up in Orlando and spent much of her childhood at Disney, I love the nostalgic look at the Disney Parks,

But also, I loved the recipes. This cookbook would be worth it alone for the Disney factoids, but the recipes range from simple to more complex, and are great. I can't wait to get a copy and make some of the soups in the fall. The chili was the best chili I have made and my family loved it (it is not a super creative recipe, but a simple, timeless one that can be adapted to any taste). I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC. This did not influence my review. I love nostalgic Disney and this book did not disappoint. My only complaint would be there are drinks with alcohol in them, and I don't drink. Maybe because I was a child when I used to go, but I don't associate Disney with alcohol, but a lot of people do drink, so this may not be a downside for some of you!

[OutlawPoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the ARC of this cookbook, I immediately pre-ordered a physical copy - this is so much fun!

Now, I should tell you that my family and I are Disney parks fans. We have passes and enjoy the food and the nostalgia factor in the parks. And this book gives you the best of both worlds.

The book mixes Disney history with recipes from days gone by. It's a lot of fun to try the foods that left the park before I was ever born - things I've never had the chance to eat in the parks. And the best part is that the author provides the stories and context behind each recipe.

Instructions are clear, the photos are gorgeous, and my family and are having a blast living in a retro food past!

[G C · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are a huge Disney family so as soon I saw this I knew I wanted to read it!

I was surprised at how much more than a cookbook it was. My favourite part was not the recipes themselves, but rather the history behind them and of course the introduction by Bob Gurr who I love spotting around the park when I visit! I learned many new things about park I hadn’t known before.

One star off because we are vegetarian and, as expected, there was little we could try unmodified but I look forward to modifying some of these recipes for my family when we are missing the parks!

Definitely a must-read for Disney fans!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Disney, this cookbook was the absolute perfect level of Disney history paired with excellent recipes. I adore the organization being in chronological order, and the author does a fantastic job of giving history without it being overbearing and taking away from the actual cookbook aspect. The history adds to the fun of each recipe. The recipes included are easy to follow and all look tasty. Can’t wait to complete the 20 layer chocolate cake as it was amazing at Steakhouse 71.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, and I can’t thank them enough. Such a great read!

[Lili Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was most captivating for me about this book was reading the history of the Disney parks. I feel like having just gone in the late 2010s for the first time I missed some really cool things that Disney had in place. Don't get me wrong, they still have cool things now, but reading about some of the things I missed out on makes me wish they cycle back around. At least I can drown my sorrows for now by making some of this recipes, especially some of the drinks! I do have my eye set on attempting that Mile Long Apple Turnover! Thank-you, Harper Celebrate, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Netgalley ARC-I always wanted to visit Disneyland but I grew up poor to older parents who thought it would be a waste of money (Love to hear what they'd say now about the prices). This book was a glorious ride through nostalgia. A bit of history, a bit of magic and some actually pretty decent food. Simple recipes recreated (sometimes from memory alone) to bring that theme park taste to your kitchen. Photos for every dish, and the retro color scheme was a pleasing backdrop. If I camtbtravel back in time to visit, at least I can still taste it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a 'Disney Adult' and appreciate Disney food and history, this book is for you.

It's a solid collection of recipes dating back from Disneyland's early days to more recent (though still retro) times at the Walt Disney World Resort. I like that a history of the dining venues are included with the recipes. Flipping through the book is akin to strolling down a Mickey Mouse memory lane filled with sweet and savory delights.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book with historical recipes from the parks. Laid out nicely, there is a retro theme throughout that makes you feel a bit nostalgic, even if you weren't around when Walt opened up. Plenty of recipes, you're sure to find something you like. Not fussy either, all ingredients can be found in a regular grocery store, no specialty items that I could see. Easy to follow recipes, there's clear pictures, and the ones we've tried are pretty tasty.

I received an advanced reader copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Harper Celebrate, for providing the copy of Disney Parks Retro Cookbook by Julie Tremaine; Carly Caramanna. This was a fascinating look back at Disneyland restaurants with recipes (some updated or modified). I loved learning about the brands that sponsored lands and how they influenced the food that was sold. Dedicated Disneyphiles will love this book; older ones will feel nostalgia, and ‘youngsters’ will regret what they missed! 3 stars

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can say without a doubt i will be pre ordering this to get my hands on the paper version, the amount of history in this book along with unique recipes that haven't been seen in years not only food but drinks as well.

The blend of the history with the recipes is fantastic and i cant wait to try them out once this book is released.

[Sara Aoyama · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no way I could give this book anything but five stars because the title of the book describes exactly what it is and the contents of the book are exactly on target. The recipes, the history, the illustrations. It's all done very very well. It would make the perfect holiday gift for a Disny Parks fan.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. You have to admire a book that is so finely put together!

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The recipes in this book brought back so many memories. I can’t wait to try them all, but I’m starting with my daughter’s favorite from her childhood for her birthday. He’s going to be surprised and she’ll be getting a copy of this book to go along with the gifts.

This one really brings back so many memories of happiness and delicious food.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun look back at Disney and the food served at the Parks! Loved the stories that accompanied each recipe. A behind the scenes look at how each food was chosen, where it was sold, and recipes to recreate them!

An awesome read for anyone who is a foodie, or a Disney lover!

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Celebrate for the ARC!

[inkinquill · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars for the fun recipes that are simple and approachable and easily followed + 1 star for the nostalgia factor. Not 5 stars because most recipes are not vegan or vegetarian friendly. Would love more chicken recipes too

Thank you to Netgalley and Julie and Carly for this great ARC!

[Laney Estel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC the week of publication!

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art style of this book matches the vibe they are trying to create. It gives you the history of specific places and the menu item. I enjoyed reading the background of the Disney Parks.

4 stars