If you’ve read any of my other blog posts at this point, you probably know a little bit about me by now. You know I’m a distance runner and big runDisney fan and participant (I’m signed up for the Dopey Challenge in January & the Dark Side Half Marathon in April). You know I’m obviously a HUGE Disney fan and former Walt Disney World Cast Member. You know I’m a Disney-specialized travel agent, a husband, a dad, and you know I like the fun and crazy foods in the WDW theme parks. Here’s something you may not know: I LOVE WAFFLES. I like every kind of waffle you could possibly think of. I like waffles for breakfast, for lunch, or for dinner. I like waffles so much that I have a waffle tattooed somewhere on my body. These are all true, by the way. Okay, not the waffle tattoo one, but I’ve thought about it, I swear! Therefore, I present to you, the Wonderful World of WDW Waffles.
The Mickey Waffle – Found in numerous restaurants all over Walt Disney World property, the Mickey Waffle is probably the most well known waffle in all of Disney. From the giant Mickey waffles at The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge, to the chocolate Mickey waffles you can find at the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom, to the Mickey (and now Stitch!) waffles at the all you can eat breakfast at ‘Ohana, these classic Mickey waffles never disappoint!
Chicken & Waffles at Trail’s End – Trail’s End is one of the true hidden gems of the Walt Disney World Resort. Located right next to Pioneer Hall and it’s World Famous Hoop Dee Doo Review, this restaurant is a little bit hard to get to and many guests don’t make the journey out there, especially for lunch. On your next visit to the Magic Kingdom, hop on the resort boat launch to Fort Wilderness and Trail’s End is just a short walk from the boat docks. For lunch, you’ll find some of the best chicken and waffles in WDW. Trail’s End’s version is described like this on the menu: “Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fillets and Buttermilk Waffles with warm Buttered Rosemary-Maple Syrup”. I don’t know about you, but the words buttermilk, buttermilk, and buttered have me hungry right now!
Buffalo Chicken & Waffles at Captain Cook’s – Captain Cook’s counter service restaurant at the Polynesian got a fantastic facelift during the Polynesian Village Resort’s most recent renovations. A new menu was introduced including their take on chicken & waffles, and it’s outrageously good! So outrageously good, in fact, that on our last visit, my family and I returned twice to Captain Cook’s to order it again, even though we were staying at the Wilderness Lodge. That required a boat and a monorail ride each time, but it was well worth it! I’m talking a waffle with maple syrup baked in, topped with a buffalo chicken tender and romaine lettuce and ranch dressing. Eat that, go to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Grog Grotto for a cocktail (or a few, whatever!) and you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic night!
Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom – Of all of the waffle joints in all the parks in all of Walt Disney World, this is the one you need to walk into. Okay, it’s a counter service restaurant in Liberty Square, and you can’t technically walk in since they only have a window, but you really need to go check this place out on your next trip! Here are some highlights: a Nutella and Fruit Waffle Sandwich, a Ham, Prosciutto, and Swiss Waffle Sandwich, Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich, and this list can keep going on and on. So stop on by, grab your favorite sweet or savory waffle creation, and sit and watch all of the guests running right past this place on their way to the Haunted Mansion! Don’t tell them about it, though. It’s our secret!
Bananas Foster Waffle at Roaring Fork – From the amazing theming to the fantastic restaurants and food selections, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is one of my family’s favorite places in all of Walt Disney World. We stayed there a while back when I was participating in runDisney’s Goofy Challenge, and after running in the half marathon I came back to the resort tired, sweaty, and really, really hungry. I saw that there wasn’t much of a line at Roaring Fork, the Lodge’s counter service restaurant, so I lined up and read the breakfast menu. That’s when I saw it. Bananas Foster Waffles. My mind was made up. I grabbed my to go box, went up to our room, and had the greatest waffle experience I’ve ever had in my life. Maybe it was the exhaustion or maybe it was because while running 13.1 miles all I’d had to eat were energy gels and a banana, but I swear these are the best waffles on any Disney property, anywhere!
As always, thank you for reading and for going on a little bit of a Waffle Hunt with me through Walt Disney World. Hopefully this little list will give you something new to try on your next trip, whether you’re a waffle fan like me or someone looking to go to a new restaurant or resort for breakfast or lunch. Have a fantastic day and please enjoy the rest of your stay here at Ear To There Travel!
