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!
The Dole Whip is my absolute favorite…in either form!!! I have gotten one every time I have visited. My girlfriend has never stayed at any Disney resort and has never experienced WDW properly. My heart broke when she said she had never had a Dole Whip. Stop will be to the Polynesian and Captain Cooke’s because nothing says Christmas time at Disney like decorations and Dole Whip!
Also delicious…the Strawberry Swirl from the Enchanted Grove (I don’t know if it is still even available. Anyone know?)
A piece of history for you since you love the Dole Whip. Back in the early 1950’s my grandfather worked for Dole Pineapple as Vice President of research. He was a food scientist and you can google search his name Ferdinand P Mehrlich and find papers on how he had been working on making pineapple available year round. During that time he was challenged to create products containing pineapple juice. He created a drinking fountain that had pineapple juice and as one of his many inventions what you have come to know as the Dole Whip. Disney was looking for sponsors for their park and Dole sponsored the creation of the Tiki Room. They decided to sell the pineapple products just in front and the Dole Whip was a big hit. I am so glad people from around the world have come to love his creation I am sure if he were still around today he would be happy to know people truly embraced Pineapples.
That is so awesome Paul! Thanks so much for sharing!
I’ve been to Disney World a few times but didn’t have a dole whip until this past February. It was love at first bite. Currently I’m pregnant and would love nothing more than a dole whip. I wish I had something even close. Guess I’ll have to wait till our next Disney vacation.
My husband and I just returned from Disneyland (first visit for both of us), and getting a Dole Whip float at the Tiki Juice Bar was on par with riding the Matterhorn. I’ll also mention that, while I’m no Disney fashionista (and personal photos suffice as my WDW souvenirs), I did buy a Dole Whip t-shirt at World of Disney in Downtown Disney[land]. Captain Cook’s at the Poly is definitely the best bargain at WDW, but I love the Aloha Isle stand, too!
I am a Dole Whip lover too! I live in PA and we usually go to Disney every summer (excited for a Dole Whip too!). Well this spring we drove 4 hours to Kennywood Amusement Park for a day and I discovered they have Dole Whips! I jumped and screamed for joy! The cashier started laughing – I was ecstatic that a Dole Whip is only 4 hours away now! 🙂 But, it is so much better at Disney so I’ll have to wait now!
That’s awesome! Doesn’t everything taste better at Disney, though?
Awesome that they are at Kennywood!
This reply is 2 years later, I know, but for future PA D-whip lovers reading this: Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster serves it as well, over near the entrance to Duke’s Lagoon.
Truth be told, it doesn’t seem the same there as sitting and eating them in the corner of Tink’s character meet next to the stand in Adventureland, but better than a poke in the eye!
We go to Dutch Wonderland all of the time & get the Dole Whips! Love the fact that there is NEVER a line!!!
Oh my gosh, yes. I’m a Dole Whip fan. It’s a boiling 96 degrees here today. I wish I could teleport myself on over to “Aloha Isle” right now.
Someday I want to try the citrus swirl and dole whip float, too.
Kristin
If you discover the key to teleportation, please let me know!
A Dole Whip Float is a requirement for my family every year when we go to Disneyland. We get it as soon as we walk into the waiting area for the Tiki Room. I remember having one as far back as 1984! I am always SHOCKED when someone says they have never had one or never even heard of it!! I have had it Disney World and the Dole Plantation as well and they are YUMMY no matter the location.
Its funny how In deep thought you think of something and you look that up online then you think of something else then you look that up and pretty soon you are caught up in a chain of 12 items! That’s exactly what happened to me! I was doing jut that and then looked up the dole whip! Ive been to Disney world twice at 12 and 13 in 1992 and 1993 (32 now) and I remember like yesterday! I remember coming out of the Swiss family Robinson tree house an this place is across from that! I even rememwber going to the weird bird show beside it too! My mom and dad and I (only child:() thought we were approaching a frozen soft serve place but little did we know! My mom and I got it as my dad is picky and thought ewe! But it was an obsession (just like the blueberry huckleberry hound (was smurfs way back) soft serve ice cream at kings island)! Wiki says it was served since 1960s. And I have found a place that has a similar taste that’s about 80% there and that’s pretty good considering it’s only in WDW. it’s yogurt mountain! The item is tropical sorbet and it is heavy on the pineapple flavor side and has a light and airy texture. A do it yourself cup will run you about $4 onnaverge unless you are crafty with the scale and lever. I go alot it’s five minutes from me! So I can get a big dab for about a $1 and that’s enough at a sitting since lactose haunts me!
God Bless the Dole Whip!
Thanks for the article – Dole Whips are indeed the best snack on Disney property. Unrelated question – did you take the pictures in this post? They are amazing – especially the ones of Aloha Isle and the Polynesian resort.
I had not seen this blog before – found it from http://www.reddit.com/r/disney. Look forward to reading more!
The St. Louis Zoo also serves genuine Dole Whip at The Rivers Edge refreshment station. Including a new variant, raspberry.
Since the St. Louis Zoo is free, and still probably one of the best Zoos in the country (top 5 at least!), we stop in there just to get a fix, and leave.
That’s awesome that you can just go innthere whenever you want and leave! Haha I am picturing me making my fiancé just go there and get me some 🙂 too bad I don’t have something like that here:(
Dole Whips = AMAZING!!!!!!
Dole whip in West Hollywood, CA at Whipp’d LA. They also serve floats and shaved ice.
Tom & Sarah, really enjoy your blog. Sad to say, I’ve never had the opportunity to visit a Disney park, but if I ever do…I’m going to know a lot about where to go and what to do.
At least I have experienced the Dole Whip, as they are available at the Minnesota State Fair, but not as a float!
So yummy! This article makes me want one so badly! The dole whip is quite possibly the best dessert on the planet.
I’m so glad you wrote an entire post on the elusive Dole Whip! I am happy to say that our local po-dunk ice cream place sells Dole Whips! This is SO wonderful as it cuts down my cost on frequent plane tickets, however they swap out the Pineapple flavor for the “other” Dole Whip flavors each week. (These other flavors are a huge waste of time). So unfortunately I still only get my pineapple dole whip a handful of times. Ohh well, more reason to visit the happiest place on earth!
Mmmmmmm…..Dole Whip float….Pineapple/Vanilla swirl 🙂
I am a big fan of the Dole Whip! My husband laughed at how this was one of the things I was most looking forward to the first time we went to Disney together until he tried mine.
And I think it’s becoming a regular fair treat because I know that our county fair and the Indiana State Fair both serve it. No floats though and it’s obviously lacking the Disney magic but I still enjoy it.
I plan to hunt one down when our family visits in December, thanks to your posting!
Oh, if only I had a soft serve machine!!
They actually do serve them outside those three places. There is a booth that sells them every year at the Kentucky State Fair. But they are more delicious and actually less expensive (over-priced fair food!) at Walt Disney World.
I actually found some at my local theme park! They had another flavor as well! http://antisprinkle.com/2014/07/12/spotted-dole-whip-outside-disneyworld/