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 adjustments.
Out went the waffle sandwiches, in got here Mickey Mouse formed waffles. However that wasn’t all. The Recent 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 drawback, as a result of what’s the purpose of even consuming fruit if it’s not slathered in unfold?!
There was a variety of conjecture and hypothesis that the proprietor of Sleepy Hole (Ichabod Crane, I suppose?) and whether or not they have been really using the notorious Disney Vault technique. Because it seems, the reply to that query is sure. Regardless of fierce and quick fan pushback, the dangerous waffles have been allowed to exist for a full 12 months–from June 2024 till June 2025. After which immediately, 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 time was an unlucky incident. Calling it a scandal isn’t an understatement, because the above-referenced put up garnered 70 feedback (few, if any, that have been optimistic), plus a flurry of exercise on social media. The backlash was so quick, unanimous and fierce that I assumed certainly Walt Disney World would acknowledge what a horrible choice it was and undo the injury.
In any case, it wasn’t that way back that the ‘Ohana Noodlegate Scandal of Fall ’21 had roiled the Seven Seas Lagoon space. That dangerous choice was in a short time walked again, earlier than the primary company have been even subjected to a noodleless ‘Ohana. It was a giant win for followers, and showcased Walt Disney World’s responsiveness and willingness to right ill-advised selections, a minimum of occassionally.
Our hope was that the Sleepy Hole Scandal of Summer season ’24 can be an identical story. That it wasn’t a matter of cost-cutting or something with nefarious motivations, however moderately, poor judgment. (“By no means attribute to malice what might be adequately defined by stupidity.”) Not a devious choice by an accountant, however an uninformed or inexperienced culinary group 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 any case, 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 remodeled 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 Loss of life of Pecos Invoice.”
On condition that, maybe the Walt Disney World culinary group 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 will be fastened in brief 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 damaging one.
The fascinating factor was that the culinary group did make incremental enhancements to the dangerous Mickey Mouse waffles. They ultimately 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 might’ve finished, 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 high quality. Positively 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 really be enthusiastic about it.
The mixture of fruit and Nutella is scrumptious, as-always, and including a Mickey Waffle to the combination makes it subsequent degree. And perhaps 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?!)
Nonetheless, 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 much 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–additionally they obtained soggy and collapse shortly. It wasn’t terrible–and “not terrible” is mainly a win by Magic Kingdom meals requirements–but it surely wasn’t a winner just like the waffle sandwiches.
Effectively, my pals, it seems that good has lastly triumphed over evil (doesn’t really feel fairly proper to check with Mickey Mouse as “evil” however simply roll with it) and the previous waffle sandwiches have seemingly returned. Right here’s a have a look at Cellular Order for Sleepy Hole as of June 12, 2025:
Earlier than we prematurely cling the ‘Mission Completed’ 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 Cellular Order just isn’t describing or depicting these as “sandwiches.”
Nonetheless, I’ve acquired one reader report and heard a few others on social media that these are, actually, 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 might level out to whoever is listening, is that the Candy-and-Spicy Maple Hen Waffle ought to be served with Broccoli Slaw. That texture is a giant 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 because of have “broccoli” within the identify.
Or they’ll dig again even deeper into the archive and produce again the unique recipe with arugula! The actual OG model of this sandwich from ~2012 is pictured above. It modified in a variety of small and delicate methods through the years, however was nonetheless improbable till final summer time’s scandal struck Sleepy Hole.
Whereas we’re making random requests, I’d additionally like to see Walt Disney World carry 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 recognition that Sleepy Hole has seen, I’d think about each can be massive 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 capable of 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 (increased) 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 Crimson Wagon at Disneyland right here. It’s nonetheless inferior to the OG waffle sandwiches, but it surely’s positively superior to the Mickey Mouse incarnation.
I might 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, when you’re in Magic Kingdom craving a corn canine, an choice all the best way over at BoardWalk isn’t going to do you a lot good.
In the end, whereas execution and general high quality stays to be seen, this appears 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 through the Sleepy Hole Scandalous Summer season of ’24.
Are you able to think about if Magic Kingdom will get each an incredible nighttime parade with Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away and spectacular waffle sandwiches all in the identical summer time? It’ll be just like the halcyon days of the 2010s over again! Are Walt Disney World followers even mentally and bodily ready for that?!
Personally, I can not 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 time night with a view of Cinderella Citadel and the nice and cozy glow of a superb 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 adjustments 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 if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
