Could be some "save the planet" thing.
That's my best bet.
I saw a response from Universal on the FB group that they do still have the paper cups, but only offer them if they are requested. Sounds like a push to upsell the souvenir cups, if so that's pretty petty on their part.
If that's the case, then it's a lie - I asked if they still have them and was told no.
I believe waffle cones were a dollar more than the now removed paper cup option and a couple dollars less than the souvenir cup.
Waffle cones are great, my only issue is in the Florida heat within a few minutes you’re holding a melting puddle of ice cream in your hands. Now if they had like a small indoor air conditioned area to sit and enjoy them I would probably go for the waffle cone more often.
Yep, the cones are/were a dollar more. I will note that I think they have a nicer paper wrap around the cones (the irony is not lost on that), so none of my party had sticky ice cream hands.