I’m not saying Uncle Walt didn’t know his way around a good story or a charming mouse in red shorts, but when it came to chili… the man may have been coasting on nostalgia.
According to The Official Disney Parks Cookbook by Pam Brandon and the “Disney Chefs”, this recipe—now served at the Carnation Café on Main Street, U.S.A.—was Walt’s favorite meal. And I mean, cute! Historic! Culinary Disneyland lore! Of course I had to make it. I just wish the results lived up to the legacy.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
First off, this recipe is trying to do a lot. You’ve got two types of beef (stew meat and ground), three types of peppers (green, cayenne, and chili powder), and enough onion and garlic to politely warn off any vampires in a 10-mile radius. That part? I respect.
But then we get into the 3-hour simmer territory—and not in the “slow and low creates magic” way. More like “I committed to this, and now I’m stuck waiting for it to redeem itself” kind of way.
The Process
Honestly? It’s fine. The steps are simple, but it does require a lot of pot babysitting. You brown the stew meat, set it aside. Sauté veggies, add garlic. Then add ground beef and eventually reunite everyone in a big chili party with beef base, tomatoes, and a hope for depth of flavor.
Spoiler alert: the flavor never really RSVP’d.
The Final Result
The texture was good—meaty, chunky, and filling. The chili had a mild kick but lacked the rich depth or spice punch I want in a bowl that took three hours to simmer. It’s the kind of chili I’d expect to find at a theme park: comforting, inoffensive, and made to appeal to as many people as possible. Not necessarily bad, just… not special.
And sure, the garnishes—shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes, sour cream—helped. But even those felt like a distraction from the real issue: this chili just didn’t slap.
Verdict
✅ Good for Disney diehards.
✅ Good for chili beginners.
❌ Not a go-to for flavor-seeking home cooks.
I’m glad I made it once for the experience and to check it off my “I cooked something from the parks!” list. But will I be reaching for this one again when the craving hits?
Nah. Uncle Walt, I love ya, but your chili is strictly a one-time ride.
