Sunday Brunch: Dole Whip, the Tropical Treat stands the Test of Time
Meant for October 2, 2011

It's taken almost ten months since the beginning of this Disney food adventure in blogging, but I've finally decided to dive into the one Walt Disney World treat that is meant to be discussed in anything involving Disney and food. Also, in honor of the recent 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, we'll be looking at one of the treats available those 40 years ago: the infamous Dole Whip.

The NJ Trio and Disney park globe trotter Becky S. enjoy Dole Whip swirls in an Adventureland patio

For those who have not had the pleasure of enjoying this frozen treat (though hard to find outside the Disney Theme parks, they do exist in random ice cream shops across the country), the Dole Whip is a frozen, creamy, soft serve dessert, naturally flavored with pineapple made naturally by Dole, the world famous producer of pineapples and other fresh fruits. Other than being pineapple flavored, the best part about this dessert is that it is dairy free! It's like the Dessert gods designed this specially for pineapple loving lactose intolerant food seekers like me. With just one spoonful of creamy, pineapple goodness, the Dole Whip has garnered thousands of fans. Additionally, its connection to the Disney theme parks makes it a must-have treat for repeat WDW and Disneyland visitors and the Disney research savvy first timers.

My first Dole Whip was surprisingly not in WDW, but at Disneyland's Tiki Juice Bar (presented by Dole). This tiny little stand sits just to the left of the entrance of the courtyard for the Enchanted Tiki Room. Unlike it's WDW counterpart, guests can purchase beverages and Dole Whips at the Tiki bar and proceed to enjoy their tropical beverage or tasty frozen treat amidst the singing birds in the Tiki Room. Quite a fair deal if you ask me!

Here I am in Pineapple heaven during my family's 2009 trip to Disneyland. I dressed especially for this occasion. They swirl the Dole Whips high at Disneyland!

As we head across the country, we find that one can enjoy Dole Whips in two locations at Walt Disney World. As mentioned in a previous Sunday Brunch article, one of the greatest places to get a Dole Whip is at the self-serve Dole Whip dispenser at Captain Cook's, the quick service eatery at the Polynesian Resort. Vanillla, Pineapple, and a swirl of both flavors are available to fill your stomach. First, buy a cup at the register and fill it up as high as the physics of Dole Whips will allow! But be sure to eat all that you take. Mickey doesn't like food wasters!

Check out August 7th's Sunday Brunch: 'My First Tonga Toast' to read all about Captain Cook's

The Self-Serve Dole Whip Dispenser!

Finally our journey concludes with the Dole Whip's home at the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland. Here the Dole Whip can be found at the Aloha Isle Refreshments (presented by Dole) juice bar, where Dole Whips have been offered for decades. Your choices are either the Dole Whip soft-serve (Pineapple, Vanilla, or Orange), soft-serve swirl (where you can combine flavors a la soft serve frozen dessert twist), or the Pineapple Float (any Dole Whip flavor served on Pineapple Juice). Also available at Aloha Isle are Coca Cola and Root Beer Floats as well as Fresh-cut Pineapple Spear.

The wrap-around-the-building-line tells volumes about the popularity of the Dole Whip.

Aloha Isle is nestled right by Tinker Bell's Nook (formerly Adventureland Veranda), just past the bridge into Adventureland.

The one criticism about the Dole Whip is'its lack of availability. Whether you just mowed the lawn under the relentless summer sun in your suburban home or got off a people packed bus on your way to work in the big city, the Dole Whip is an oft-daydreamed treat to cool off on a swelteringly hot summer's day. Though all is not lost! Many previously thought the Dole Whip is only available at the Disney theme parks and Hawaii, bloggers and Dole Whip fans have found random ice cream shop locations across the country to serve this delicious treat such as Lancaster, PA's Dutch Wonderland theme park.

Still, part of the pleasure of enjoying a Dole Whip is not only in its sweet, yet tart pineapple creamy flavor, but the environment. The Disney Theme parks and the state of Hawaii offer such a getaway, tropical state of mind atmosphere that help complete the Dole Whip experience. Though Dole Whip fans may be craving a Dole Whip at home, it's not really the same unless you enjoy it under the shady palms amid the islands melodies of the real Hawaiian or magical Disney tropics.