Dining at Walt Disney World: On a Hot August Night….

I want you to imagine standing on the edge of Main Street U.S.A on a sweltering August night. You have been walking for what seems like endless hours in the humidity filled Florida sun. You’re anxiously awaiting for the Disney Main Street Electrical Parade to begin, when your generous cousin walks up behind you with a unmarked cup and straw and says “Here try this”. You take a sip of what can only be described as cold tropical heaven. The sweet tangy flavor of pineapple races to your brain as you begin to process something special.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I turned and asked him what I was drinking. He said “It’s a Dole Whip Float, they are famous”. I was immediately hooked on what I would later find out was almost as iconic as the Mouse himself. OK maybe not but it sounded good right?

After doing some research on the origins of this delicious treat, I learned that it all started 37 years ago between two wholesome family friendly companies. In 1976 Disney accepted Dole as sponsor of the “Enchanted Tiki Room” at Disneyland. They began selling a pineapple soft serve treat near the entrance of the attraction. It then made it’s way to Walt Disney World where it has become one of the most sought after food items at the park.

There are a few different variations of the Dole Whip. The Dole Whip is simply the pineapple flavored soft serve. The Dole Whip Float is pineapple juice topped with soft serve. Last but not least the Dole Whip swirl,which combines the pineapple soft serve with vanilla. They do offer a Citrus Swirl with orange soft serve,but why pass up the original for it’s lesser known cousin.

What makes it such a treasured treat is there are only four places on the planet you can get a real Dole Whip. Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Polynesian Resort, and the Dole factory in Hawaii (although there are “imitations”, they can’t call themselves the “real thing”….).

A few months after I had been home from my trip I began to crave a Dole Whip Float. I got on the internet and found out that Dole sells the dry Dole Whip mix. Here is the link to purchase the mix:  http://www.uec-hawaii.com/products2.html?gclid=COzJtKvh17UCFe07OgodXgYAAQ

So once I had the powder in my hands I needed to figure out how to make it, so I turned to YouTube for some help. 

After the agonizing wait for the mix to turn into soft serve and scooping it over the pineapple juice (buy Dole please don’t buy a cheaper brand it’s just not proper), close your eyes, take a sip and imagine being back on Main Street USA!

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple and stress-free!

Keith was born and raised in Northeast Ohio.He now lives with his wife a few miles from his childhood home. His first trip to the Magic Kingdom was at the age of two and while the only memories are in pictures, the magic laid dormant within him. Until he saw the animated movie Robin Hood, and his love began to grow. He has always had an interest in food and the togetherness it brings. He became a classically trained chef and all around foodie. His last trip to Disney World was in 2011 and he has been learning, researching, and keeping up on all things Disney since. He hopes to bring you all of the food news from the parks, tips on how to save money on food, and all the tastes and smells from the House of Mouse (especially when smell o vision is invented). You can follow Keith on Twitter @DarthChef79.