Theme parks have always been on the cutting edge of introducing the latest in trendy foods and snacks to its guests.  These tasty treats, which are usually high in calories and packed with sugary sweetness, have become an integral part of fun-filled day at an amusement park.
	In 1984, two waffle cone stands were introduced at the park - one by the park's main entrance and a second just outside the entrance to the park's children's area (at the time Shirt Tales Land).  Both stands were structurally the same and sported similar signage and exterior decor.  The stand outside of the kids ride area was located along Lahaway Creek between the Tilt-a-Whirl ride and the Casa de Taco stand.
Like its sister stand, Waffle Cones originally featured freshly cooked hand wrapped waffle cones stuffed with plenty of hand scooped ice cream topped off with whipped cream and a cherry.  For many guests, the addition of these stands afforded visitors their first opportunity to experience waffle cones as this was a new type of dessert offering in the mid-80's at theme parks.  The stand proved very popular especially given its high traffic location on a path which led to Rolling Thunder, Ultra Twister, and Viper over the years. In 1995, the Waffle Cones stand received a makeover and name change to Del Rio Waffle Cone to better match the new southwestern theme of the recently expanded Frontier Adventures section of the park.  New colors, signage, light fixtures, and decorative details livened up what was a rather dark Swiss chalet-like look.
	Shortly after Labor Day in 2005, the area outside of the Del Rio Waffle Cone stand leading all the way to the far side of the western bridge were blocked off restricting guests from entering this entire area.  Site preparation was underway for the construction of El Toro and the transformation of the area to Plaza del Carnival.  The waffle cone stand was stripped of all of its exterior embellishments including its service windows, as well as all its interior contents leaving just a shell of its former self.  By mid-October 2005 the Waffle Cones stand was demolished leaving just a concrete pad where the structure once stood.  Over the off-season months all the surrounding concrete would be removed and the site of the stand would become the new home to the enormous swooping turnaround track of El Toro.
Original Spotlight:  January 15, 2020.  GAH Reference#:  FOOD-1984-001