Dole Whip Fun Facts
If you’re a Disneyland or Walt Disney World regular, you already know that a Dole Whip is a non-dairy, soft serve, frozen work of art. You can order it as a Pineapple Float or as in a cup. Officially, only the cup-version is called a Dole Whip by Disney, but my unofficial poll of fans has revealed that most people prefer the Pineapple Float, and refer to that as a Dole Whip or Dole Whip Float.
If you aren’t a regular, or are just unfamiliar with Dole Whips for whatever reason, welcome to your new single-greatest resource on the internet, as this page will familiarize you with the mystique, lore, and history of this venerable treat.
The Dole Whip is easily the most popular Walt Disney World and Disneyland snack among big Disney fans, even moreso than the churro, as it has a cult-like following (the good kind of cult–one that I’m dubbing the “Dole Whip Devotees”). The only snack that even begins to rival the Dole Whip’s following is the Citrus Swirl at Sunshine Tree Terrace, which is also served in Adventureland in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The Dole Whip is so popular that there’s even a podcast named after it. Heck, do a Google search for “Dole Whip” and look at all of the results, many of which are pages by Disney fans discussing the greatness of this delightful food that has attained celebrity status. That’s all pretty impressive for a simple cup of soft serve ice cream, you might think.
Don’t go calling it a “simple cup of soft serve ice cream” until you’ve tried it. It may seem simple, but it’s pure magic. Here are some fun facts and info about the Dole Whip…
So where can you go to acquire your own dose of magic? The location of this magical concoction is shrouded in secrecy. You won’t find any references to Dole Whips on the Tip Boards, nor can you call Disney Dining to get a reservation for the “Dole Whip Restaurant.” Also, despite my lobbying, there still aren’t directional signs in the parks leading to the promised land of Dole Whips.
So where do you go if you want a Dole Whip? If Disneyland, you need to head to the Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland, where the Tiki Juice Bar stand with wait times that often rival attractions dispenses the tasty treats. If you’re in Walt Disney World, you will want to head to Aloha Isle in Adventureland (yes, as you may have gathered, Dole Whips are very adventurous!) or Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Note that in March 2015, Aloha Isle and the aforementioned Sunshine Tree Terrace are swapping locations. The reason is unclear at this point, but two possible reasons are crowd control (lines for Aloha Isle frequently extend into the walkway, whereas Sunshine Tree Terrace isn’t in as busy of a walking area) and due to other reconfigurations in Magic Kingdom dining. Liberty Tree Tavern is going down for a Summer 2015 refurbishment and there’s a new restaurant being built in the Adventureland Veranda, which may impact the Aloha Isle location.
Much like a dangerous narcotic, Dole Whips are incredibly addictive. If you try it once, chances are you’ll be hooked. In terms of healthy living, this isn’t a problem, as Dole Whips only have 80 calories (and certainly none of that other bad stuff like sugar or fat…right…? ;)).
However, the addictive quality of the treat poses a problem when you return home, as Dole Whips aren’t available in most locations (despite my pleading, our local Wendy’s still hasn’t switched out the Frosty mix for some Dole Whip mix!). That is, unless you live in Hawaii, where you can go to the Dole Plantation and order a Dole Whip or any number of pineapple creations. This was where I first experienced the Dole Whip, back when I was but a wee lad. I don’t really recall that Dole Whip, but some people claim that they’re better in Hawaii because they’re “more fresh.”
This claim is suspect, as Dole Whips are made of a mix of these ingredients (you might not want to read that), not fresh pineapple. If you live somewhere that isn’t Hawaii, you’re out of luck. That is, unless you have a soft serve ice cream machine and order the mix yourself from Unified Enterprises. That’s right, the Dole Whip isn’t actually a uniquely Disney treat. The Dole Whip actually is sold elsewhere outside Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the Dole Plantation, including at other regional amusement parks and restaurants, but the idea of it being sold at some local hole-in-the-wall drive-in restaurant sort of ruins the allure for me…so let’s try to not think about that!
Since Sarah and I started visiting Walt Disney World together as adults, my fascination with the Dole Whip has been kindled (as you can see by the poor-quality photos below, my love for Dole Whips actually predates my interest in photography). I’ve had Dole Whips for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and even at 1 am—and I can safely say that they’re the perfect food for any time of day!
The actual history of the Dole Whip predates my experiences with it, though. It has been sold at Disneyland and Walt Disney World for at least 15 years, although I don’t have a precise year that Aloha Isle or Tiki Juice Bar began serving it (if you do, please leave a comment!). It has not been served since either Walt Disney World or Disneyland opened, and appears to be a product of the 1990s based on my research.
I know I promised “lore” and “history” of the Dole Whip at the outset of this article. Unfortunately, that’s the extent of my Dole Whip history. As for lore, well…I’ve heard that the Dole Whip is a fountain of youth, of sorts. If you consume 3 per day, you will never grow old.
I can neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of that lore, but if you have the opportunity to eat three Dole Whips per day, I highly recommend doing it. Not because the lore might be true, but because Dole Whips are that delicious!
Your Thoughts…
Are you a Dole Whip Devotee, or do you not quite get the hype surrounding the Dole Whip? Join the “cult” by sharing your love or other thoughts in the comments!
Hey guys!
If you’re in the Chicagoland or Metro Milwaukee area, a froyo place called Urban Culture in Pleasant Prairie (Kenosha) WI has a legitimate Dole Pineapple Whip machine. They also have a Dole Raspberry Whip machine as well.
We just came back from DisneyWorld. Before we went, we were given a heads up by a friend to check out the Dole Whip. Well, we literally waited in line longer for this great treat than any ride we went on, and it was well worth it. I had the float with the Orange Whip and it was ridiculously delicious! We also stayed at the Polynesian, as we have for MANY stays, and we never knew you could get it at Captain Cooks! Not sure if it’s still available there or not…
Just to let everyone know that Dole Pineapple Whip is now available at Cherokee NC at the intersection of US 19 and US 441 by Busy Bee Frozen Treats in their white trailer at that location. Being used to shave ice in Maui, we have sought out any location that serves shave ice on the mainland and luckily found this this past weekend and I guarantee you we will be back. We live in Waynesville, NC about 25 miles away…….if you are in the Smokies, it is worth the drive to try this treat.
If anyone is in Western North Carolina, there is a concessions stand in Cherokee, NC that serves Dole Whip!
I’m a Dole Whip lover — had it at WDW, DLR, and Dole Plantation… and at the Day Out with Thomas event in Denver CO several years back there was a vendor — I was almost as excited for Dole Whip as my then-4-year old was to ride in a train pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine!
I was disappointed not to find any at Aulani…. somehow it made me long for the Polynesian – while standing in a Hawaiian paradise.
And yes, we make it at home, too!
My first experience with the Dole Whip was in the basement of my dorm at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. From that moment I was hooked! My family tries to get the frozen pineapple treat whenever we go to Disney World.
Found the lovely Dole Whip at a local yogurt shop. I believe it was called Peachwave. It didn’t have the magic of the float that you get at Disney though. Tasty with chopped fresh pineapple on top!
If you have a Peach Wave Yogurt store in your town. Then they do have Dole Pineapple Ice cream
http://www.peachwaveyogurt.com/products/flavors/
Awesome–thanks for the heads up!
I like the pineapple swirled in a cup (no float), but I’m sure they’ve been there long before the 1990s. I was there in March, and though I was full from dinner at Chevy’s and it was midnight, I still had to have one, and there was quite the line up too! It is hard to choose between the citrus swirl and the pineapple one.
I have to say I love the photos you post, but there was something strange about the one of Aloha Isle. It makes the building to squashed and misshaped. It wasn’t nearly as attractive as your other photos, nor did it capture the real allure of the place. Just my opinion.
My coworker recently proclaimed she was a Disney aficionado & connoisseur of all things Disney. However, when I said I was craving a dole whip she replied with “what is a dole whip?” I don’t think you can be a true Disneyworld fan without enjoying a dole whip unless you have a pineapple allergy that is unfortunate!
Pineapple allergy here- Life sucks just a little bit when you get real excited about trying a dole whip and then realize it’s made with pineapple :((( are the Orange ones still made with pineapple?
OMG! Why am I only hearing about this treat now? I have been to Disney countless times and never knew about this treat. My daughter and I are heading down in October, I know where I will be making a stop. Thank you for this advice.
Unfortunately, I’ve heard that the Captain Cook refurb includes the removal of the self-serve Dole whip station. If true, this is very sad news. I enjoy the pineapple floats at Aloha Isle, but I enjoy watching my family make foot-tall towers of Dole whip…
Only 230 days until I get to try my first dole whip!!
Dairy at the Dock, Catawba Island, Port Clinton OH has Dole Whip although you never know when it’ll be pineapple. I’m curious about the place in Dayton, we usually end up getting Graeters or UDF shakes when in town.
I’m a couple of hours away from you near Dayton and I found out last week there is a place near hear that has Dole Whips but I can’t seem to convince my husband to drive there since we pass the best local-made ice cream in the world on our way, haha.
I’m near Columbus and would be willing to drive to Dayton on a weekend excursion – what’s the name of the place that has Dole Whips?
Thanks so much!
You don’t need to spend huge amounts of money and buy a professional soft serve ice cream maker to enjoy Dole Whip at home. I bought the mix a few years ago. I also bought a Hamilton Beach half pint soft serve ice cream maker from Amazon that was not very expensive.
You can keep the ice cream bowl in the freezer so it is ready whenever you want to make the Dole Whip.
You have to cut the recipe down from the instructions that come with the mix. The trick is to cool the mixture before you put it in the ice cream maker. It doesn’t come out looking pretty like it does from a professional machine, but it tastes great. I have some mixture in the fridge and am going to make some now.
Wow, that’s awesome! Thanks for the tip!
What is the best way to eat the Dole Whip ?! My family and I will be going in October , this is going to be a must try ! I Absolutely love all your blogs ! They have come in very handy planning my 5th time to Disney World ! Wish I world have had all this info for all other 4 times ! 🙂
With your mouth…I guess? 🙂
Hahah, I would hope so ! I meant which way, as in. The floats, a twist, or whatever else way ? In your opinion ! =)
That’s a tough one. I’m partial to the float, but really, there’s no wrong way!
I have seriously considered buying a soft serve ice cream machine & the bags of product just to be able to have these at home. I am so hooked on them. My husband does not completely understand my obsession. I have to get at least one on every trip to WDW.
I was in Epcot for the Flower & Garden Festival this year & they had a booth there that was also selling them, so I was able to get 2 on that trip.
I think I’d put on about 40 pounds in a week if I had one of these machines at home! 🙂
You can actually purchase the same mix that is used at Disney.
Here: http://uec-hawaii.com/products2.html
Or for cheaper here: http://www.precisionfoodsstore.com/dole-pineapple-soft-serve.html
Thanks for the info!
Man dole whip sounds so good right now. My fav was the orange pinapple swirl from aloha isle but we made captine hooks an everyday, sometimes 2, thing while we were in disney world. We got it so tall and then split in itno 2 cups nd added orange juice. We have a family reunion in st. Petersburg florida this summer and I’ve almost got my wife convinced that we need to make that trip to the polonesian ad get some dolewhip… she loves it too so I’m sure ill win. Man I want some right now…. love that its more ppl that have this dolwwhip adiction.
The Citrus Swirl (which is what I believe you’re referencing at the beginning of your comment) is also delicious! Read more about that here: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/citrus-swirl-sunshine-tree-terrace/