REVIEW: ‘Digital’ Dumplings, Desserts, and Drinks at Energy Bytes, The TRON Snack Stand at Magic Kingdom

Katie Francis

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REVIEW: ‘Digital’ Dumplings, Desserts, and Drinks at Energy Bytes, The TRON Snack Stand at Magic Kingdom

TRON Lightcycle / Run soft opened today to all guests (assuming you can get a virtual queue boarding group or purchase Individual Lightning Lane, as the ride does not have a standby queue). Though not previously announced, the nearby themed snack stand — Energy Bytes — opened as well, so we stopped by to sample the new menu.

Energy Bytes

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Energy Bytes is located on the walkway near the entrance to TRON Lightcycle / Run, across from Tomorrowland Launch Depot.

Menu

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Food:

  • Beef and Broccoli Digital Dumplings – $8.79
  • Buffalo Chicken Digital Dumplings – $8.49
  • Chocolate Cake Doughnut Holes – $5.79
  • Strawberry Ice0form – $5.29

Beverages

  • Watermelon Refresher – $5.99*
  • Joffrey’s Cold Brew with Mocha Milk – $5.29
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Power Cycle

Beef and Broccoli Digital Dumplings – $8.79

with Broccoli Pesto, Crispy Garlic, and Ginger-Soy Broth

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We started with the Beef and Broccoli Digital Dumplings, which are topped with Broccoli Pesto, Crispy Garlic, and a Ginger-Soy Broth. The dumplings are left unsealed allowing for the flavors to blend for the perfect bite. The dumpling wrappers, themselves, are delicate and offer the chewiness one would expect of a steamed dumpling.

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The broccoli pesto is really the standout flavor of this dish. Each dumpling was topped with a generous amount, adding something special to the otherwise standard hamburger meat stuffed inside.

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The flavor profile gets another boost from the bed of soy sauce at the bottom of the dish, adding a salty and savory touch to round out the dumpling. We would definitely consider ordering this dish again.

Buffalo Chicken Digital Dumplings – $8.49

with Celery, Dehydrated Blue Cheese, and Cayenne Pepper Broth

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For $8.49, Energy Bytes is serving up three Buffalo Chicken Digital Dumplings, featuring bits of celery and a dehydrated bleu cheese served in a cayenne pepper broth.

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Like its beef and broccoli counterpart, the Buffalo Chicken Digital Dumplings are served in a thin and delicate dumpling wrapper. While it was a bit dry during our taste-test, the wrapper offers the chewiness one could expect with a steamed dumpling.

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We found the chicken filling to be a bit underwhelming and inconsistent in texture. While the chicken didn’t deliver much in the way of satisfying flavor, the dehydrated bleu cheese and cayenne pepper broth really delivered on this front. The spice from the cayenne goes a long way in masking any unpleasant or bland taste from the chicken. The strong bleu cheese adds to the build-up of flavor, making this a dish we could enjoy, but not one we would rush back for tomorrow.

End of Line

Chocolate Cake Doughnut Holes – $5.79

with Mocha Sauce

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We got the first look at the Chocolate Cake Doughnut Holes during Cast Member previews for TRON Lightcycle / Run and we couldn’t wait to give them a try. Drizzled in a mocha sauce and topped with chocolate-flavored pop rocks, these doughnut holes were easily our favorite item on the menu.

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Breaking into this iced chocolate doughnut hole reveals a thick, but very moist texture. The chocolate flavor is there, but it’s subtle and not overly sweet. The glazing helps add in some of the sweetness you might be craving without overdoing things. The mocha sauce resting at the bottom really adds to the dynamic, offering an espresso-like taste with a bright aroma that lets you know you’re about to dig into something yummy.

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The most unique component of this dessert-like dish was the addition of the chocolate pop rocks on top. They add a unique element that elevates these doughnut holes beyond anything you’ll probably be picking up at your local coffee shop. Whether you get these to satisfy your own sweet tooth or to share with others, we would definitely recommend trying these for yourself.

Strawberry Ice0form – $5.29

with Ice Cream Mochi, Caramelized Graham Cracker Crumbs, and Cheesecake Foam

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The Strawberry Ice0form is made up of ice cream mochi with carmelized graham cracker crumbs and a cheescake foam. This is a sweet treat you’ll want to eat quickly, especially in the summer months.

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The unique attempt delivers a dessert that features three stand out components on their own, but we’re unsure on how well they work together. The melting certainly played a role in the integrity of the mochi, which didn’t hold together well in the pool of ice cream. The cheesecake ice cream certainly stands out with a rich and creamy taste but doesn’t necessarily contribute to the mochi in any significant way.

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The caramelized graham crackers may have been a surprising favorite as the best component of the new dessert at Energy Bytes. They held their crunch even after the rest of the dish began to melt. The strawberry sauce added a tangy sweetness that helped to balance out the flavors and tie the dish together. We would order this again, as it certainly delivers three dessert favorites in one serving. It’s truly a unique approach. We definitely recommend eating this one fast and out of the sun, though.

Sip Protocol

Watermelon Refresher – $5.99

with Yuzu Citrus, Ginger, and Popping Candies

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In keeping with the cold and sweet, we tried the Watermelon Refresher next! Served in a plastic flute, this watermelon slush is perfect for a quick burst of cool on a hot day. The new drink features yuzu citrus and is garnished with ginger and popping candies.

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As refreshers go, the slushy watermelon stands to deliver the satisfying flavor perfect for a midday cooldown. Some might find this to be more of a sweet slush than a refresher, though. Even as the ice begins to melt, the sweetness of the drink continues to come through. Whether it’s due to having fewer popping candies or the satisfaction is more subtle because of the other flavors in the drink, we can’t say the pop rocks added much beyond being a cute garnish.

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Once again, if sweetness is what you seek this might be a great choice, especially on a hot day. We think the kids might love this one.

Joffrey’s Cold Brew with Mocha Milk – $5.29

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Energy Bytes is also serving up a new Joffrey’s Cold Brew with Mocha Milk. This is a very light coffee drink, and the mocha flavoring from the milk is subtle. This new drink is sweet enough that you might be willing to forego adding any sugar, but it certainly isn’t overpowering.

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We enjoyed this coffee and its whisper of sweet chocolate. It’s a solid coffee option, especially if you’re nearby TRON Lightcycle / Run, but the other Joffrey’s kiosks throughout the park will offer a wider variety.

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Overall, the new offerings at Energy Bytes deliver unique flavors that are largely missing from Magic Kingdom. Whether these choices pay off really depends on your unique tastes. If you’re a fan of sweet or spicy, it might be worth stopping by, especially if you’re looking for something quick before hopping in line for TRON Lightcycle / Run. It will be interesting to see if the quality changes with the complexity of these dishes, as massive crowds begin to come to the booth when the attraction officially opens.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

TRON Lightcycle / Run soft openings will run from March 20 through April 2. On the first day of the soft opening, the attraction and Energy Bytes both closed to guests at 6 p.m. If you’re lucky enough to get a boarding group or independent lightning lane, it might be worth noting that once guests enter they will be unable to leave and come back to the sectioned-off area.

The ride officially opens to the public on April 4. Click here for more information about how and when you can get a virtual queue boarding group.

For the past few weeks, Disney has been conducting previews of TRON Lightcycle / Run, with Cast Members and Annual Passholders getting the first chance to experience the attraction. We were fortunate enough to experience this highly anticipated attraction during the Cast Member previews.

Watch our POV video below.

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