The enticing smells that waft through Main Street have a way of drawing you into the Main Street Confectionery. Everywhere you look, sugary treats of all shapes and sizes beckon you closer. The display case is filled with one temptation after another. How are you supposed to decide what to purchase as your splurge treat and what to pass up and leave behind for another hungry guest? Let me provide some suggestions that will hopefully help you to narrow down your search for the perfect Confectionery concoction.

• Splurge: Cotton Candy – All the cotton candy in bags at the Disney Parks are made fresh each day. Nothing beats the smell of the spun sugar, and the way it melts on your tongue and sticks to your fingers. Throughout the day, you’ll be able to watch the Cast Members working the cotton candy machine, whipping up bag after bag of the colorful creation. I emphasize to splurge on the bags of cotton candy because Disney also sells smaller amounts in resalable plastic containers. While the portion controlled size may be tempting, this is not created in the park and is shipped in from a third party.
• Pass: Cupcakes – They are fun. They are holiday themed. They are delicious. They are…not made in the store. The confectionery does not have an oven. This means, that any treat that would require the use of an oven is not prepared in store, and are not as fresh as some of the other items in the case. This goes for the cupcakes, brownies, cookies, and cake pops.
• Splurge: Specialty Apples – Fresh apples are shipped in regularly to the Confectionery and are hand dipped and decorated in store by the Candy Makers. Instead of the cupcake, go for beautiful theming with this treat instead. You can even have your apple cut up into as many slices as you would like. I’m addicted to taking pictures, so I always ask to take a picture of my treat before they take it back to slice it for me. I think this is a common occurrence, as they never seem surprised by the request.
  Pass: Jelly Beans – First, these are not a Disney specific treat, they are Jelly Belly and you can get these anytime, anywhere. Go for a Disney original when you are in the park. Second, the pricing for these are tricky. The Jelly Beans are charged by pound, however, as many guests make the mistake, one full bag does not equal one pound. In fact, if you fill the bag that is provided, you are looking at about $45.00 dollars or more in Jelly Beans. Skip it.
• Splurge: Large Mickey Mouse Rice Crispy Head – I’m talking about the BIG ones – the ones that are bigger than your own head. These too are made fresh in the Confectionery, and if you are in the store while they are being prepared, orders can be customized to your preferences. These make great take home souvenirs. I always pick one up and take it into work with me to spread the Disney magic around the office. Also, if you are traveling with a larger group, this is a great treat to share during the parades or fireworks. Not only will you have more than enough of the treat to go around, the savings by buying one of these versus several individual treats is huge!
• Pass: The Odds and Ends in the Case– Here’s where is gets tricky; some of the chocolate dipped items in the display case are made on site (chocolate covered s’mores, chocolate covered strawberries), and some aren’t (most of the chocolate covered nut creations). When in doubt, ask a Cast Member! They are happy to share which items are made fresh in the store and which items have been shipped in.
• Splurge: The Fudge – Also made fresh in the store, this is another great value. Often there will be a special deal that if you buy a certain number of pieces, you will get one free. Just ask a Cast Member what special they are running, as it is often not overtly advertised. There are flavors that change with the season (pumpkin, candy cane) and there are staples you can always find (chocolate, peanut butter, turtle). You should grab this treat when you are planning to sit and eat it, or as you head out of the park for the day as it will melt in the heat.

Whatever sugar packed morsel you end up choosing, you will not be disappointed. Remember, you are on vacation and there are no such thing as calories at Disney – it’s just another part of the Magic! At least, that’s what I tell myself when I walk out of the store with a bag full of goodies.

What are some of the treats that you cannot pass up when you visit the Confectionery? Do you bring treats home with you to share, or do you keep them for yourself? Let us know in the comment box below.

Monica is an Alumni of the Disney College Program. When she is not walking down the middle of Main Street USA you can find her wandering the World Showcase, or enjoying a Dole Whip while racing to her favorite attractions. When she is forced to endure life outside of Walt Disney World, you can find her in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she lives and works.

Photo credit: Jennifer Klump