- Learn about Dole Whip
- Discover where to find Dole Whip in Disney World
- Consider a fun itinerary for Dole Whip Day
Coming right after Bastille Day and I Love Horses Day is Dole Whip Day on July 16. Not a lot of people know about it but it is definitely celebrated at Disney World…because that is where Dole Whip began…in 1984.
And it is the destination of my pilgrimage. Seriously.
At Disney World, there are Princess fans, Villains fans, Star Wars fans, Pixar fans and Guardians of the Galaxy fans. But there is another enthusiastic fan at Disney World and that is the Dole Whip fan.
Dole Whip is a frozen confection that is not unlike soft serve ice cream. However, it is quite different because Dole Whip is vegan (although it is sometimes swirled with soft serve at Disney World).
Dole Whip is about 110 calories, non-fat and low-sodium, coming in at about 50 grams of sodium per serving, which is one reason why I am a huge fan of this cold and delicious treat (because I am on a low-sodium diet and most delicious things at Disney World are loaded with salt…but not Dole Whip!)
How did this frozen delight come to be? Well, You might have noticed that some Disney rides and attractions have corporate sponsors. In the 1980s, the sponsor for the Enchanted Tiki Room was the Dole Company. Dole was promoting their products by selling vanilla soft serve topped with pineapple at Disney World. There was just one problem with that.
Florida is hot. So the treats were very, very messy. And milk goes bad quickly. So, Dole told a young scientist, Kathy Westphal, to invent a fruity frozen treat that could be prepared with a powdered mix and that could stand up to Florida summers. It was her first job. She was 24. And she knocked it out the park!
But does she get the credit she so richly deserves? Well, she does now! Wherever you are, Kathy Westphal, countless Dole Whippers are grateful to you!
So, Dole Whip was first launched at Disney World in 1984. It came in three flavors: pineapple, strawberry and orange. Today, Dole Whip comes in a lot more flavors and is served all over Disney World. My favorite places to get Dole Whip have been…
Swirls on the Water in Disney Springs (next to Rainforest Cafe). They sell a Dole Whip Sampler that has three flavors of Dole Whip.- Goods to Go at Disney World’s Old Key West Resort. Here you can order a lime flavored dole whip swirled with vanilla soft serve and topped with graham cracker crumbs. It is reminiscent of Key Lime Pie.
- Aloha Isle in Adventureland in Magic Kingdom (next to the Enchanted Tiki Room). During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party last year, they sold a float composed of pomegranate-flavored Dole Whip swirled with vanilla soft serve, gingerale and pomegranate popping pearls. It was amazing. The manager made it for me. It was a slow night because everyone was running around getting cookies. Boy, did they miss out. But I did, too. I think I had one sip and one mouthful of Dole Whip before my son gruffly appropriated it from me and promptly inhaled it.
Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog
Now, they will probably never make it again. There are lots of sacrifices associated with motherhood, but I’m telling you, that one stung.
But I digress. These aren’t the only places to get Dole Whip. You can find Watermelon Dole Whip at Typhoon Lagoon and Dole Whip Lemon at Storybook Treats in Magic Kingdom. There are bars and lounges that serve alcoholic drinks blended with Dole Whip, too. If you want to mix your Dole Whip with tequila or rum, be my guest, but as a purist, it’s not for me.
If you are thinking about celebrating Dole Whip Day at home, you’re going to have a pretty difficult time, because it’s mostly a Disney thing. Dole has been selling frozen cups of Dole Whip in grocery stores but don’t be fooled.
It’s nothing like the real thing — I tried it and it was terrible with a grainy texture and a a greasy aftertaste. I sincerely hope Ms. Westphal was not involved with this abomination because that would have tarnished an otherwise glittering legacy.
Skip the grocery store Dole Whip. It will just make you sad.
No, for real Dole Whip, you’ll either have for find a place in your state that sells it (in Virginia, there’s just one shop) or go to Disney World (or Disney Land), and if you do, you might want this itinerary…
Thursday, July 16 – Dole Whip Day
Morning…
First thing — and this is essential to the process — visit a guest services desk in any Disney World hotel lobby and request a free Celebration button that proudly proclaims that you are indeed “Celebrating Dole Whip Day”
Wear that button. All. Day. Do it for Kathy!
Now you have options…
If you want Key Lime Dole Whip (which is a blend of Lime Dole Whip and vanilla soft serve), and you are not already staying at Old Key West Resort, take a Sassagoula River boat (or bus or ride share if the boats are not running) to Old Key West Resort. Visit Goods to Go (quick service) for the Lime Dole Whip. It’s big enough to share.
If you want Pineapple Dole Whip, and you are not already staying at the Polynesian Resort, take the bus and/or monorail to the Polynesian. Visit Pineapple Lanai for the Pineapple Dole Whip. Fun fact: Lana’i is the 6th largest Hawaiian island, also known as “Pineapple Island” because of the pineapple plantations that were once there.
If you will be in Magic Kingdom, Aloha Isle (next to the Enchanted Tiki Room) also has Pineapple Dole Whip.
Afternoon/Evening
Take the Sassagoula River boat (or bus or rideshare) to Disney Springs. If you are hungry, Summer House on the Lake has a great Happy Hour at the bar from 3 pm to 6 pm, with $5 burgers, $6 bottomless truffle fries and $12 pizzas.
For dessert, walk to the Swirls on the Water kiosk (next to the Rainforest Cafe — look for the huge volcano). Flavors available: Pineapple, Strawberry, Lime and Watermelon. The Dole Whip Flight ($9)* is a sampler of 3 flavors, some mixed with soft serve, and assorted toppings. Here is a video that shows the kiosk and what the sampler looks like…
You now have bragging rights. You’re officially cool. You’re welcome.
(Oh, did you want real Disney Planner Pages? Here you go…)
* To give you an example of just how high Disney has raised prices, the Dole Whip Flight was $4.50 just four years ago. It has doubled in price.
