We Tried the New Mickey Churro Waffles at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort—Here is the Good and the Bad

Published by Jon Self on

Hand holding a disposable tray of Mickey Churro Waffles and bacon in front of a colorful mural that reads 'Spyglass Grill' with palm trees in the background.

We reviewed the new Mickey Churro Waffles at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. See why this budget-friendly breakfast is a major win over the parks.

Mural on an orange textured wall with two palm trees and a sunset behind a stone banner that reads 'SPYGLASS GRILL'.
Photo by Jon Self

A brand-new menu update just dropped at Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and it brings a fan-favorite treat out of the theme parks and straight to a quick-service resort window. Mickey Churro Waffles have officially arrived and they cost $11.49.

If you’ve ever wanted to skip the expensive character buffet price tag just to get your cinnamon-sugar fix, this hidden gem location is your new best friend. Here is our full boots-on-the-ground dining review of the new breakfast addition, how they stack up against other versions on property, and the quirks we encountered during our morning visit.

The Hidden Gem by the Highway: Finding Spyglass Grill

Peach-colored restaurant with blue trim and an open-front dining area, surrounded by tropical plants and a curved walkway.

Spyglass Grill is a normally relatively quiet quick-service spot located in the Trinidad section of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Since it sits right against the edge of the property, it feels completely off the beaten path compared to Centertown Market.

However, it is incredibly easy to access if you are utilizing the Disney Skyliner. It is just a short, scenic walk from the main Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner station, making it a fantastic rope-drop detour or a breezy breakfast getaway even if you aren’t staying at the resort.

Mickey Churro Waffles vs. Standard Mickey Waffles

Hand holding a disposable tray of Mickey Churro Waffles and bacon in front of a colorful mural that reads 'Spyglass Grill' with palm trees in the background.

So, what exactly makes a Mickey Churro Waffle different from the classic version you find at almost every Disney breakfast? While a standard Mickey Waffle uses a traditional malted batter, resulting in a fluffy, golden, cake-like interior, the Mickey Churro Waffle gets a complete street-food makeover. It mimics the deep-fried, airy dough profile of a real theme park churro.

Once cooked, these waffles are rolled in a layer of fresh cinnamon and sugar. They deliver a satisfying, crisp outer crunch that yields to a slightly soft, dense, doughy center. And of course, as a rule of thumb, everything tastes better when it is Mickey-shaped.

Where Else Can You Find Mickey Churro Waffles?

Hand holding a brown paper boat filled with Mickey Churro Waffles and bacon on a sandy beach with a blue sky and a wooden fence in the background.

Until now, your options for tracking down these sweet treats on land or at sea were incredibly limited. They have historically been found at:

  • The Crystal Palace: The Winnie the Pooh character breakfast buffet inside Magic Kingdom.
  • Disney Cruise Line: Served as a highly anticipated, limited-availability rotation item at the morning buffets on select sailing dates.

The Spyglass Grill Breakfast Experience: Our Review

Bakery counter with a glass display case of pastries and two staff in green uniforms behind the counter.

We stopped by the morning after a significant menu change at Spyglass Grill to see if this quick-service option could compete with the major table-service versions. During this visit, we found ourselves amazed by the people and a bit surprised by the food.

Ordering, Crowds, and Queue Quirks

People line up at the Spyglass Grill counter outside a peach-colored building with a teal roof on a sunny day.

We arrived around 9:30 a.m. and the morning rush was out in full force. The breakfast queue was very long, and demand for these new waffles was exceptionally high. Unfortunately, we encountered quite a few “hangry” guests behaving badly in the morning heat, which put the cast members under a lot of pressure.

While mobile order is highly encouraged at this location to bypass the physical line, the system was running incredibly slow during our visit due to the sudden influx of orders. After successfully pushing our order through, we still waited about 10-15 minutes at the pickup window for our food to be prepared.

The Mickey Churro Waffles Verdict

Hand holding a blue plastic tray with a brown paper boat filled with Mickey Churro Waffles outdoors in a park. A fork and a knife rest on the tray near the container.

At Spyglass Grill, the Mickey Churro Waffles are priced at only twenty cents more than the standard resort Mickey Waffles. This represents a solid deal on paper.

Our order came served with four thin slices of bacon. It is classic, crispy Disney bacon, so it is never bad. The waffles themselves were coated in cinnamon sugar. The interior texture was just a little soft on the inside, but nothing that ruined the meal.

We were provided with standard maple syrup, which didn’t necessarily help the cinnamon-sugar profile of the churro flavor, but it didn’t hinder it either. The Mickey Churro Waffles are plenty sweet on their own. One minor structural note: Since these are hot and coated in melted sugar, the cardboard serving container got greasy very quickly. Grab a few extra napkins.

The Kids Meal and Menu Confusion

Restaurant breakfast menu listing items 1–7 with prices, two dish photos, and an 'Additional Offerings' section.

If you are dining with little ones or looking for a lighter portion, a kids’ meal is available. It offers two small sides and a small beverage. However, you do not get as many waffles

Furthermore, the Spyglass Grill system is strict regarding the adult entree. Bacon or sausage cannot be substituted out for other side options. On the plus side, opting for the kids’ meal does grant you a wider variety of side options (like fruit or applesauce) than the standard adult plate. However, an odd quirk of the menu involves the Mickey Churro Waffles. The menu description does not indicate that guests get a side. However, the picture shows a side of bacon. For the record, as mentioned, guests get bacon or sausage with the Mickey Churro Waffle adult entree.

Value Comparison: Spyglass Grill vs. Crystal Palace

Hand holding a brown paper boat filled with Mickey Churro Waffles and a strip of crispy bacon, outdoors on sandy ground.

When you look at the economics of getting your churro waffle fix, Spyglass Grill is a clear winner.

AttributeSpyglass GrillThe Crystal Palace
Dining TypeQuick-Service (Resort)Table-Service Buffet (Magic Kingdom)
Price Point$11.49 (Plus tax)$52.00 per Adult (Plus tax & gratuity)
AccessibilityNo Park Ticket Required (Walk or Skyliner)Magic Kingdom Admission Required
Waffle QualityWinner (Crispier, served fresher)Okay-level (Can sit on buffet line)

In our opinion, the individual Mickey Churro Waffles at Spyglass Grill actually tasted better than what we previously experienced at Crystal Palace. Buffet items inevitably sit under heat lamps, which can make the sugary coating sweat and turn soggy. Getting them fresh from a quick-service kitchen window preserves that crucial churro crunch.

Paying a casual quick-service price for superior waffles beats shelling out nearly fifty dollars for “just okay” buffet food at Crystal Palace simply because you want a taste of the hype. Of course, those looking for excellent character dining and a full buffet should make that advanced dining reservation for Crystal Palace

For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!

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Jon Self

Jon Self is an avid theme park fan. You can follow him at @pastorjonself on X/ Twitter or Jon.Self.37 at Instagram. He has been writing and editing in the theme park media world for over a decade. He also writes for several "foodie" sites as well as in the faith-based world.