REVIEW: Sweet & Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich Returns to the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

The closing of Maelstrom at Epcot and the removal of the Earfful Tower from Disney’s Hollywood Studios probably didn’t have quite the emotional impact on guests that the removal of the Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich from the Magic Kingdom did. Offered for several years, the sandwich became a staple of Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square. Well, after a several month absence, the beloved park snack recently returned as part of the widespread menu changes happening around the resort.

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Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich ($10.29)

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First off, the sandwich has undergone a pretty impressive price increase. It’s as if Disney knows that the guests who love this sandwich would pay more for it. I don’t know about you, but in all of the excitement of it being back, $10.29 didn’t phase me. Next time it might.

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I’ve seen a lot of Disney fan blogs yelling about the sandwich being much smaller than before. In my experience, the waffle was smaller and that wasn’t a bad thing. I always found the original Belgian waffle version a little hard to pick up and eat. This new version was far more manageable and I though this waffle tasted just as good, if not better.

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Was there less chicken? I’m not so sure that they didn’t just luck out once and get two pieces of chicken, but this was about as big as I remember the chicken ever being in this sandwich. It was still just as favorable as before. The arugula was cut from the sandwich though.

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The price is high, but I honestly can’t think of another counter service item in this park I would want more, as much as I love the new menu at Pecos Bill’s. Yeah, $10.29 is probably more than this should be, but it is just so good. While the price may be a bit off-putting, I can’t recommend this sandwich enough.

UPDATE: Disney Restores Some MagicBand Interactive Features on Some Attractions

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Last week, we told you about many of the MagicBand interactive features around the parks that had recently been deactivated. Well, since we posted that story, a few of these elements have returned to service at the Magic Kingdom.

The Space Mountain exit ramp once again displays the names of guests

The Space Mountain exit ramp once again displays the names of guests

Space Mountain and “it’s a small world”, which boast two of the simpler “name display” effects, were both reactivated over the weekend. These effects had both been turned off for weeks when we ran our story last week (in fairness”it’s a small world” was closed for most of that time, but returned for at least a week with the effect still off). Maybe somebody reads WDWNT.com?

:it's a small world" says goodbye to guests in various languages at the Magic Kingdom

:it’s a small world” says goodbye to guests in various languages at the Magic Kingdom

Perhaps it had simply gone unnoticed, or perhaps Disney was in the progress of updating the technology or fixing the broken readers at the attractions. The truth is, we may never know exactly what happened.

Interestingly enough, the effect in The Haunted Mansion is still turned off. Perhaps the upcoming December refurbishment will be used to fix the effect? Only time will tell.

BREAKING: The Notorious Banjo Brothers & Bob Act to Conclude at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

After 16 years of entertaining families, it seems like 10/1/16, the 45th anniversary of Magic Kingdom, will be the last time The Notorious Banjo Brothers & Bob will ever perform in Frontierland.

As with recent cuts such as Scoop Sanderson, it seems to be related to the start of fiscal 2017 for the company and the financial fallout from a rather slow summer season in general.

Notorious Banjo Bros and Bob

Be sure to catch their final shows at the following times on Saturday, October 1st:

11:00 A.M., 12:20 P.M, 1:20 P.M., 2:05 P.M. 3:30 P.M., 4:20 P.M. & 5:20 P.M.

VIDEO: Watch All of the Magic Kingdom’s 45th Anniversary Festivities

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

On Saturday, the Magic Kingdom celebrated 45 years of operation at the Walt Disney World Resort. In honor of this milestone, a few special events and offerings took place at the park, and of course, WDWNT was on the scene to check them out.

45th Anniversary Welcome Show

Guests were greeted just beyond the Magic Kingdom’s turnstiles by a slightly altered version of the daily welcome show, complete with a very nice banner hanging from the train station:

45th Anniversary Cinderella Castle Ceremony

A special one-time-only ceremony was held at Cinderella Castle, featuring 45 Disney characters, the Walt Disney World ambassador team, and president of the resort, George A. Kalogridis:

45th Anniversary Specialty Food Offerings

Two specialty food offerings were available on Saturday: a “Celebration Dog” at Casey’s Corner on Main Street U.S.A., and a 45th anniversary cupcake (in two flavors) that was available throughout the park. Here is a short video review of both of those items:

PHOTO REPORT: The Magic Kingdom 10/4/16 (45th Anniversary, Stitch Closes, Space Mountain, Electrical Parade, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Our latest photo report brings us to the Magic Kingdom on its 45th anniversary weekend, but changes in the park certainly didn’t stop for the festivities. Rapid progress on the look of Tomorrowland continues, Stitch’s Great Escape has closed, and OK, we have some duck pictures.

Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary

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A special commemorative map was given out to mark the day.

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The opening day resorts and the park also had complimentary buttons for guests.

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The day began with a special welcome show at the Train Station:


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Plenty of specialty merchandise was available (the line lasted over an hour at some points though).

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The line wrapped around the Emporium and went down most of the street.

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The main event of the day was a special anniversary ceremony at Cinderella Castle:


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A special “Celebration Dog” was being served at Casey’s Corner:

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Big Top Treats had some special candy apples.

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Gaston’s Tavern and the Main Street Bakery were serving the infamous anniversary cupcake.

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This time, guests could choose chocolate or vanilla cake.

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The only piece of the open edition merchandise that came out on the 1st was this lanyard and pin set. That being said, most of the open edition items are currently sold out.

Tomorrowland Goes Rogue One

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The Stitch related Tomorrowland murals in Merchant of Venus were covered up with giant Rogue One art when the merchandise was released (I’m sure it helps that Stitch’s Great Escape is now closed and only operates seasonally).

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There’s a Tomorrowland mural under there, and no, it’s not by Mary Blair.

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This and That

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The Carousel of Progress finally got its new marquee sing, but you probably already saw that post…

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The often congested Fantasyland bottleneck is now equipped with permanent signage for cast members to use. This only took 45 years.

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Only 8 days before it happens, Disney releases a “Glowing Away Soon” shirt for the Main Street Electrical Parade. This shirt will be outdated in less than week. Why not put the final day on it? Oh, in case it gets rained out this weekend…

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There is a fantastic photo-op at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe right now featuring Sonny Eclipse, “the biggest little star in the universe”.

New Space Mountain Lighting

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After years of waiting, LED lighting was finally installed on the exterior of Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom and it looks fantastic!

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MagicBand Interactivity Returns

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Right after we reported that they were off, many interactive elements returned to the Magic Kingdom. The goodbye at “it’s a small world” was turned on, but has still been breaking a lot.

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Stitch’s Great Escape is Closed!

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Starting Sunday, Stitch’s Great Escape now operates seasonally. The attraction will return for two short stretches at the end of 2016, but after that it should close to make way for a Wreck-It Ralph ride.

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Tomorrowland Rocks

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Work on the Tomorrowland rocks is wrapping up.

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The new grass is still rough, but we probably need to give it some time to grow in.

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The ducks decided it was ready for them.

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The Magic Kingdom wildlife was being particularly photogenic.

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Some extensive work is being done to the Express Monorail load platform at the Magic Kingdom, but the service remains open through the work.

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PHOTOS: Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary Merchandise Release Announced

WDWNT on September 26, 2016

Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates its 45th Anniversary on October 1, 2016 and Walt Disney World is celebrating with two merchandise releases filled with vintage-style goodness.

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Many of the logo products, including apparel, open edition pins, home goods and more, will be released in select locations at Magic Kingdom on September 22. The suggested places to check for these logo items include the following locations:

  • Main Street, U.S.A. – Emporium
  • Tomorrowland – Mickey’s Star Traders
  • Storybook Circus Area – Big Top Souvenirs
  • Frontierland – Briar Patch

Two Dooney & Bourke handbags premiered on the Shop Disney Parks app on September 15. Guests may also find them at the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. starting September 22.

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Disney will be releasing several items on October 1 at the Emporium. Guests and Annual Passholders will find “I Was There” shirts. They will also have a limited edition pin (edition size of 3,000), and a limited edition retail MagicBand (edition size 4,500).

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Across the street at Uptown Jewelers on that day, guests will find a commemorative 45th Anniversary dangle charm by PANDORA Jewelry.

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Finally, guests can visit the Disney Parks online store from October 1-9 to find limited release t-shirts celebrating the 45th Anniversary. Several of the shirts will feature classic attractions that have been at Magic Kingdom since 1971. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery. To order these shirts, please visit DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents.

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So, who’s going to the Magic Kingdom on October 1?