Nearly precisely one 12 months in the past, there was a bloodbath within the Magic Kingdom. It was the Sleepy Hole Scandal of Summer season ’24, and I keep in mind it prefer it was yesterday. Some brainiac at Walt Disney World majorly tousled the one (and solely!) Magic Kingdom counter service menu that didn’t want any modifications.
Out went the waffle sandwiches, in got here Mickey Mouse formed waffles. However that wasn’t all. The Contemporary Fruit Waffle Sandwich got here with bananas, berries, and chocolate-hazelnut unfold, whereas it was changed by two separate Mickey Mouse waffles: one with the berries, and one with the don’t-call-it-Nutella and bananas. It was either-or, not each. And that was an actual downside, as a result of what’s the purpose of even consuming fruit if it’s not slathered in unfold?!
There was numerous conjecture and hypothesis that the proprietor of Sleepy Hole (Ichabod Crane, I suppose?) and whether or not they have been truly using the notorious Disney Vault technique. Because it seems, the reply to that query is sure. Regardless of fierce and rapid fan pushback, the dangerous waffles have been allowed to exist for a full 12 months–from June 2024 till June 2025. After which all of a sudden, simply because the controversy has been all however forgotten (however by no means forgiven), the previous waffles are again. Or so it appears.
What occurred final summer season was an unlucky incident. Calling it a scandal isn’t an understatement, because the above-referenced submit garnered 70 feedback (few, if any, that have been optimistic), plus a flurry of exercise on social media. The backlash was so rapid, unanimous and fierce that I believed certainly Walt Disney World would acknowledge what a horrible resolution it was and undo the injury.
In spite of everything, it wasn’t that way back that the ‘Ohana Noodlegate Scandal of Fall ’21 had roiled the Seven Seas Lagoon space. That dangerous resolution was in a short time walked again, earlier than the primary company have been even subjected to a noodleless ‘Ohana. It was an enormous win for followers, and showcased Walt Disney World’s responsiveness and willingness to appropriate ill-advised selections, not less than occassionally.
Our hope was that the Sleepy Hole Scandal of Summer season ’24 could be an identical story. That it wasn’t a matter of cost-cutting or something with nefarious motivations, however quite, poor judgment. (“By no means attribute to malice what could be adequately defined by stupidity.”) Not a devious resolution by an accountant, however an uninformed or inexperienced culinary crew member who thought they have been including a little bit of character to the menu by changing the “generic” waffles with large Mickey Mouse ones. In spite of everything, who doesn’t love Mickey Mouse waffles?!
Our hope was additional bolstered when Walt Disney World overhauled the menu at Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe, which was an enormous win. That reworked one of many worst and most unambitious menus at Walt Disney World into among the best–like Chipotle, however with much less customization. The previous menu there was so dangerous and such a fall from grace that it prompted us to pen “The Demise of Pecos Invoice.”
On condition that, maybe the Walt Disney World culinary crew was merely going round Magic Kingdom, looking for methods to repair the worst meals park, and easily made a colossal–however correctable–misstep. One that may be mounted briefly order. That didn’t occur. As an alternative, they bolstered the notion that there was a pure order to Magic Kingdom’s restaurant mediocrity, and for every optimistic change there needed to be an equal and reverse adverse one.
The attention-grabbing factor was that the culinary crew did make incremental enhancements to the dangerous Mickey Mouse waffles. They finally mixed the inexplicably separate berry and Nutella choices, ensuing on this half-measure:
Sadly, the actual answer to this was merely hitting the “undo” button and going again to the previous handheld waffle menu at Sleepy Hole. Don’t repair what isn’t damaged and all that. If Walt Disney World have been actually listening to visitor suggestions, that’s what they’d’ve carried out, as a result of subsequent to nobody was pleased with that change.
This Mickey Waffle with Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, Bananas, Berries, and Whipped Cream was positive. Undoubtedly not terrible and even dangerous. If I by no means had the previous waffle sandwich and this Mickey Mouse Waffle have been merely added to the menu at a funnel cake stand, I’d truly be enthusiastic about it.
The mix of fruit and Nutella is scrumptious, as-always, and including a Mickey Waffle to the combination makes it subsequent degree. And possibly this was what Walt Disney World is relying on–first timers making an attempt and loving this extra photogenic snack. (Is it extra photogenic, although?!)
Nevertheless, it merely was lower than the requirements of the previous waffle sandwiches, which have been the very uncommon 10/10 snack/entrees at Magic Kingdom. It wasn’t simply the Mickey Mouse presentation. One thing else in regards to the waffle modified.
The sandwiches have been way more sturdy, and had a chewy high quality (in a great way–it jogged my memory of ube minus the flavour) completely befitting of a handheld snack. The Mickey Mouse Waffles don’t have any springiness–in addition they acquired soggy and collapse shortly. It wasn’t terrible–and “not terrible” is mainly a win by Magic Kingdom meals requirements–nevertheless it wasn’t a winner just like the waffle sandwiches.
Effectively, my associates, it seems that good has lastly triumphed over evil (doesn’t really feel fairly proper to discuss with Mickey Mouse as “evil” however simply roll with it) and the previous waffle sandwiches have seemingly returned. Right here’s a take a look at Cell Order for Sleepy Hole as of June 12, 2025:
Earlier than we prematurely grasp the ‘Mission Achieved’ banner, I wish to watch out to underscore the above, which is that the Mickey Mouse form was not the one subject with the earlier waffles.
These have been additionally not sandwich-grade waffles, so if the substances of the batter or preparation strategies haven’t modified and solely the form has, we’re proper again the place we have been final week. I’d additionally level out that Cell Order isn’t describing or depicting these as “sandwiches.”
Nevertheless, I’ve obtained one reader report and heard a few others on social media that these are, in reality, the previous “good model” of the Sleepy Hole waffle sandwiches. It would require prolonged taste-testing of my very own to corroborate, however for now, I’m feeling fairly good about this.
One factor I’d level out to whoever is listening, is that the Candy-and-Spicy Maple Hen Waffle needs to be served with Broccoli Slaw. That texture is an enormous a part of what “made” that waffle sandwich, enhancing the flavour profile and mouthfeel whereas additionally (I can solely assume) making it a well being meals due to have “broccoli” within the identify.
Or they will dig again even deeper into the archive and convey again the unique recipe with arugula! The actual OG model of this sandwich from ~2012 is pictured above. It modified in numerous small and refined methods through the years, however was nonetheless unbelievable till final summer season’s scandal struck Sleepy Hole.
Whereas we’re making random requests, I’d additionally like to see Walt Disney World convey again the Ham & Cheese Omelet Breakfast Sandwich in addition to the Ham, Swiss, and Prosciutto Waffle Sandwich (I beloved that herbed mayo).
These have been each pretty short-lived and have now been gone for years, however with the resurgent reputation that Sleepy Hole has seen, I’d think about each could be large winners. Maybe that’s a part of the issue, although–that Sleepy Hole is comparatively low capability and the extra complicated menu creates points with that.
Till we’re in a position to taste-test the brand new (previous?) waffles, I’ll level out that Sleepy Hole serves a Foot-Lengthy Corn Canine, which is not like different corn canine at Walt Disney World when it comes to its (greater) high quality.
That is freshly-battered and was one of the best corn canine I’ve had at Magic Kingdom. We’re speaking high quality approaching Little Pink Wagon at Disneyland right here. It’s nonetheless inferior to the OG waffle sandwiches, nevertheless it’s positively superior to the Mickey Mouse incarnation.
I’d even argue that this corn canine is healthier, cheaper, and larger than the choices served over on the “viral” Blue Ribbon Corn Canine. These final two factors aren’t even up for debate. It is cheaper and it is larger. Solely query is whether or not it’s higher–and I say it’s. And in any case, for those who’re in Magic Kingdom craving a corn canine, an possibility all the best way over at BoardWalk isn’t going to do you a lot good.
Finally, whereas execution and total high quality stays to be seen, this feels like a waffle win for Sleepy Hole Inn. I’m actually excited to revisit my previous hang-out and check out these snacks. Hopefully, they’re nearly as good as what we misplaced again in the course of the Sleepy Hole Scandalous Summer season of ’24.
Are you able to think about if Magic Kingdom will get each an amazing nighttime parade with Disney Starlight: Dream the Night time Away and spectacular waffle sandwiches all in the identical summer season? It’ll be just like the halcyon days of the 2010s once more! Are Walt Disney World followers even mentally and bodily ready for that?!
Personally, I can’t wait to seize each of those little beauties and stake out a spot close by alongside the parade route. Nothing fairly like a waffle sandwich in every hand on a crisp summer season night with a view of Cinderella Fort and the nice and cozy glow of an excellent evening parade approaching because the music swells. Right here’s hoping that’s precisely what we’re getting, as a result of whether it is, we’re so again.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on the menu updates at Sleepy Hole in Magic Kingdom? Are you excited for these modifications and additions? Ideas on any of the brand new or modified dishes mentioned right here? Do you agree or disagree with my evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
