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!
Hi. My name is Taryn and my family and I visited disney ca in Nov 2016. I bought the very first dol whip ever solution out sidetails of a disney part. The disneyland hotel gave me a letter and picture with my receipt framed. Just a fun fact.
I love the Dole Whip ⤠I have had it at the Dole Plantation and Magic Kingdom.
My all time favorite is served at SkinnySweet Frozen Yogurt n Glen Ellyn, IL. It’s perfectly chilled, their machines are state-of-the-art. Call ahead to see if it’s on the menu. If you live in the Chicago land area give it a try, it’s fabulous!
Ya’ll need to ask at more soft serve shops. I live in a small town in Ohio (we have a stoplight!) and our shop sells Dole Whip. Only one flavor at a time, though. I’m really glad to hear its at Disney World. I am Gluten intolerant and allergic to cow’s milk. Dole Whip is just Heaven! Anyone with these problems needs to search it out.
I too am a dole whip fanatic. First having experienced this frozen delight while on Oahu at the Dole plantation some 25 plus years ago only to fall hard for this treat. When I arrive in the Magic Kingdom at WDW I head straight to Aloha Isle in Adventureland no matter what time of day to get my Dole whip ‘fix’. Most recently (May 2016) while playing at typhoon Lagoon for the day, I was pleasantly surprised to see a family eating what appeared to be a Dole whip while exiting the park. I immediately began to follow and catch up in order to inquire if that was truly what I believed and to ask where they got it. 5 minutes later I was once again in Dole whip heaven.
If you like the Dole Whip, then you should try the grown up version in animal kingdom. At Tamu Tamu you can get a dole whip with dark rum or coconut rum. I’m going to try it on my next trip.
There are dole whips and floats at Kings dominion in doswell, Virginia.
KaRazy Kones in Ellisville, Mississippi has Dole Whip! And we serve ours topped with crushed pineapple and whipped topping!
I just experienced the delights of the Dole Whip Float yesterday, AND in the same day saw a Facebook posting from our local town ice cream place announcing the arrival of Dole Whip to their menu. The place isn’t even a mile from my house! Can you say kismit?! Guess who’s going to be buying pineapple juice and bringing a cup to request Dole whip in it? Anyone in the CT/MA area, you can find it at the Dairy Cream near Bradley Airport.
If you live in Columbus, OH, Dole Whips can be found in Worthington at Cookie Dough Creamery. I just made this discovery this weekend. My son and I are ecstatic!
I visited Disneyland in the summer of 1988 and quickly became OBSESSED with Dole Whip… but lemon and orange! This strange obsession became family lore, as it was all I talked about from my month long vacation to California 🙂
There are no dates on this article, nor on any of the comments so until I do more research, I really have no clue if this is up to date.
What I am referring to is the location at which the Dole Whips are served. I’m pretty sure they have moved around the way to the location near the flying carpets, and the citrus swirl is now served in this adventure island location instead. Readers, do your research.
I too find the lack of dates on any of the articles- and the lack of responses to comments, unless they have something to do with photography- incredibly irritating
Cool
As a new subscriber to your blog, and long time Disney fan, I first must say how much I LOVE your blog and writing style!! Thanks for all the laughs.
As for Dole Whips – my entire Disney obsessed family, is enamored with them! We take photos with our Dole Whips, post them for friends and family to be envious of, etc.
My personal favorite is the Dole Whip swirled with vanilla soft serve, but that can only be had in Disney World, they don’t have the swirl in Disneyland sadly, which I consider my home park, being from Oregon. But a regular Dole Whip substitutes just fine!!
Back in the 90’s the small ice cream shop in my town started serving dole whip. It was the hot new summer treat and each week there were two new flavors which you could get swirled. I think the raspberry was my favorite. I’m not sure if the shop still carries it as I haven’t been back in years and now live in Florida. But when I go to Disney I’ll have to get one and reminisce on the good ole hot summer nights at the Dairy Queen.
Hankering for a dole whip is Las Vegas,Nevada? Go no further the the SELF SERVE ice cream shop on the edge of town in Boulder City!! It’s dangerous to have access to self serve whip…
We tried the Dole Whips while at Disney World…ordered the vanilla/pineapple swirl. I thought they were good, but just good. I had read so much hype about them, but they didn’t live up to the hype for me. My husband and I agreed that they would be quite average if not for swirling together the vanilla and pineapple, which made for a very nice creamy/tart combination. Yummy, for sure, but I’m not dreaming of eating another one. (The zebra domes at Boma, however, are another story entirely…!)
News flash! Beep, beep, beep beep beep beeeeeep!!
Dole whips are no longer available at Aloha Isle. They have moved to the larger Sunshine Tree Terrace location behind The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. The Sunshine Tree Terrace goodies are now available at… you guessed it Aloha Isle!
~J
It’s not that Dole Whips are being sold at Sunshine Tree Terrace and Citrus Swirl is being sold at Aloha Isle.
What happened is that Sunshine Tree Terrace and Aloha Isle have actually swapped locations. The signage and menus have all been moved.
I live in NJ and a custard stand right near my house has Dole Whip. We have also had it at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster PA. Not quite a Disney exclusive…
I’m an Aussie from the ‘Pineapple State’ of Queensland. Having grown up with Pineapple and having over indulged when I was young and gotten ill, I always avoided the Dole Whip at Disneyland. However, the last time I went in 2012, we were waiting in the Enchanted Tiki Room holding area and I decided to try some as it was a hot day. OMG! I was hooked and had to have some every day for the rest of my visit – even waiting 45 minutes in the line! In two weeks I’m visiting Disneyworld for the first time in 23 years and I just had a panic attack that I didn’t know where the Dole Whip was there – so THANK YOU for your article. I’ll be tracking down Aloha Isle first thing!
Confession! Dole Whip Virgin, yes 5 trips and never came across it, I think this will all change in 44 days time as I have the Dole Whip cart as one of our family first must do’s Thanks