Virtually precisely one yr in the past, there was a bloodbath within the Magic Kingdom. It was the Sleepy Hole Scandal of Summer time ’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 downside, 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 truly using the notorious Disney Vault technique. Because it seems, the reply to that query is sure. Regardless of fierce and fast fan pushback, the unhealthy waffles have been allowed to exist for a full yr–from June 2024 till June 2025. After which out of the blue, simply because the controversy has been all however forgotten (however by no means forgiven), the outdated waffles are again.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 fast, unanimous and fierce that I believed certainly Walt Disney World would acknowledge what a horrible determination 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 unhealthy determination was in a short time walked again, earlier than the primary visitors 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 choices, a minimum of occassionally.
Our hope was that the Sleepy Hole Scandal of Summer time ’24 can be an analogous story. That it wasn’t a matter of cost-cutting or something with nefarious motivations, however fairly, poor judgment. (“By no means attribute to malice what could be adequately defined by stupidity.”) Not a devious determination by an accountant, however an uninformed or inexperienced culinary staff member who thought they have been including a little bit of character to the menu by changing the “generic” waffles with big 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 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 outdated menu there was so unhealthy 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 staff 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 a substitute, 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 unfavorable one.
The attention-grabbing factor was that the culinary staff did make incremental enhancements to the unhealthy Mickey Mouse waffles. They ultimately mixed the inexplicably separate berry and Nutella choices, ensuing on this half-measure:
Sadly, the actual resolution to this was merely hitting the “undo” button and going again to the outdated 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 performed, 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 unhealthy. If I by no means had the outdated 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 mixture of fruit and Nutella is scrumptious, as-always, and including a Mickey Waffle to the combo makes it subsequent stage. 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 outdated 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 concerning 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–additionally they received soggy and collapse rapidly. It wasn’t terrible–and “not terrible” is principally a win by Magic Kingdom meals requirements–however it wasn’t a winner just like the waffle sandwiches.
Properly, my associates, it seems that good has lastly triumphed over evil (doesn’t really feel fairly proper to seek advice from Mickey Mouse as “evil” however simply roll with it) and the outdated 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 grasp the ‘Mission Achieved’ banner, I need to watch out to underscore the above, which is that the Mickey Mouse form was not the one situation with the earlier waffles.
These have been additionally not sandwich-grade waffles, so if the components of the batter or preparation methods 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 obtained one reader report and heard a few others on social media that these are, in truth, the outdated “good model” of the Sleepy Hole waffle sandwiches. It can 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 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 due to have “broccoli” within the title.
Or they’ll 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 a variety of small and delicate methods through the years, however was nonetheless unbelievable 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 cherished 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 can 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 capable of taste-test the brand new (outdated?) waffles, I’ll level out that Sleepy Hole serves a Foot-Lengthy Corn Canine, which is not like different corn canines at Walt Disney World when it comes to its (greater) high quality.
That is freshly-battered and was the most effective corn canine I’ve had at Magic Kingdom. We’re speaking high quality approaching Little Pink Wagon at Disneyland right here. It’s nonetheless not so good as the OG waffle sandwiches, however it’s positively superior to the Mickey Mouse incarnation.
I’d even argue that this corn canine is healthier, cheaper, and greater 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, in the event you’re in Magic Kingdom craving a corn canine, an choice all the way in which 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 seems like a waffle win for Sleepy Hole Inn. I’m actually excited to revisit my outdated hang-out and check out these snacks. Hopefully, they’re nearly as good as what we misplaced again through the Sleepy Hole Scandalous Summer time of ’24.
Are you able to think about if Magic Kingdom will get each an awesome 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 Fortress 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.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Inns Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you could know!
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 might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!