by Beth Keating and Ray Keating
Review
DisneyBizJournal.com
February 25, 2024
It’s always fun when something fresh pops up in Disney World, and while the most recent food joint is simply a newly constructed snack kiosk, this one has some “cool” and unique snacks. We love it when the new locations are more than just a popcorn and soda stand, offering a treat that is a bit out of the ordinary.
“Ice Cold Hydraulics” is the new kid on the block, on the corner of Grand Avenue across from Muppet*Vision 3D in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and it opened for business this past week. The Coca-Cola-themed building is small, just two windows, with a half-dozen or so umbrella tables nearby for outdoor seating.
The theming of the building is vintage Coca-Cola, and the snacks served there also happen to be Coke-themed. Ice Cold Hydraulics serves up “Candy Painted Cinnamon Rolls” ($8.99), a trio of mini cinnamon rolls topped with Coca-Cola-infused glaze and toasted nuts. There’s also “Bouncin’ Mini Churros” ($8.99), a dish of bite-sized churros topped with Coca-Cola and bourbon candied bacon, and sriracha aioli, sprinkled with scallions.
On our visit to the new food stall, we tried the Candy Painted Cinnamon Rolls, because, why not? Who could resist something labeled “candy painted”?
The cinnamon bun foundation was solid. There was just the right amount of softness to the bun, yet it was sturdy enough to hold up to the glaze without getting soggy. While you might expect something whipped up with Coca-Cola to be sweet, this glaze skirted the balance between being sweet, and not too sweet, with the cinnamon playing nicely with the cola. While we aren’t always crazy about nuts on top of our baked goods, the nuts on this pastry provided a nice contrast in terms of texture, and in countering the sweet.
In addition to these two fun and distinctive dishes, the kiosk also offers traditional Mini Churros withchocolate sauce ($7.79); a Mickey-Shaped Pretzel, available with cheese sauce ($7.79); and, yes, the usual popcorn in a souvenir bucket ($12.29). Note to popcorn lovers: You can also get your souvenir popcorn buckets refilled here (as well as at other popcorn stands throughout the parks) – At this stop, a refill is a mere $2.19. If you want to skip the souvenir bucket, you can acquire popcorn for $5.19.
If you are just looking to grab a few of the more typical theme park snacks on the go, Ice Cold Hydraulics stocks cotton candy ($5.19); Nestle Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bars ($6.29); Nestle Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Sandwiches ($6.29); and Frozen Lemonade or Lemonade-Strawberry Cups ($5.99).
Now, on to the ice cold drinks – because, after all, this place is called Ice Cold Hydraulics!
Obviously, with the vintage Coca-Cola theming, there’s a plethora of Coke products for sale, including bottled sodas ($5.29); DASANI water ($3.75); and smartwater ($5.75). But you can also turn those products into Frozen Slushies for $5.79 each: Coca-Cola; Minute Maid Lemonade; and Fanta Blue Raspberry Slushes. (Add some alcohol to your slushies, and they’ll cost $15.00 each – you can add Jack Daniel’s Whiskey with Coke; Bacardi Superior Rum with Coke; or Stoli Vanil Vodka with Coke.
Of course, there’s the usual assortment of beers and wines, including Bud Light Lager ($9.50); Yuengling Lager ($9.50); or Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Moscato, or Pinot Grigio ($11.00).
We tried the Coca-Cola Slushie, which was surprisingly good, and not nearly as sweet as our brains were telling us it would be. On a warm Florida day, it was refreshing and smooth, with just the right amount of Coke flavoring. We imagine this is going to be a real winner when the Florida heat kicks in this summer!
If you are on the Disney Dining Plan (DDP), most of the items at this kiosk qualify as a snack credit, except for the alcohols and the souvenir popcorn bucket.
As far as new snack spots go, this small building offers a few unusual treats, and we think it’s going to be a nice addition to this corner of Hollywood Studios.
__________
Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
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