Part of what makes a Dole Whip so enticing is its combination of creamy simplicity and pop of pineapple flavor. This cool and airy treat is ideal for the mid-day Florida heat and has inadvertently become a staple of the Disney resorts.
If you’re like me, you’ve yet to take a Disney trip without stopping by Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom. But now and then it’s fun to try an old favorite in a more sophisticated form.
1. The Pineapple Whip Swirl Cupcake
The Pineapple Whip Swirl Cupcake is located only at the Disney’s All-Star Music Resort food court, which is also home to several other fun cupcakes and mini cakes like the Disney Unicorn Cupcake. This cupcake starts with a vanilla cake and is topped with mild pineapple buttercream and vanilla sprinkles. The frosting is not too sweet, which is something I always look for, and the cake was incredibly moist; but the what brings this cupcake to another level is the pipette of pineapple gel which you can either inject into the cupcake or squeeze over top.
The gel is really what makes this cupcake even comparable to the Dole Whip as the pineapple frosting itself isn’t as poignant as I would’ve liked it to be. That being said, I was oddly surprised by the array of offerings at the Intermission Cafe food court and didn’t even mind having to take a bus ride over from the park just to try this.
2. The Peter Pan Float
The Peter Pan Float can be found at Storybook Treats in the Magic Kingdom and has quickly become a favorite of the entire family. Unlike the Dole Whip, the base of this snack is a lime-flavored whip dropped into a cup of Sprite. Oddly enough this combination is quite light and refreshing, and was the perfect beverage to sip on in the 95-degree heat. Even the white chocolate Peter Pan feather atop the drink was delicious, and this comes from someone who is usually a strong opponent to white chocolate.
3. The Whipped Pineapple Eclair
Amorette’s is one of the newer shops that has popped up in Disney Springs, and as the name suggests, gives off an air of walking into a bakery in the middle of Paris. I’ve eaten very few eclairs in my life so I can’t do much in terms of comparison, but I can say that this dessert was pretty tasty for what it was.
The pastry portion almost tasted like a toasted baguette rather than a donut like I had expected. The pineapple cream that tops the pastry is the same cream that fills the eclair, which is the only downside in my opinion. While the cream is delicious and light, it packs a hard punch of pineapple flavor – so I’m not sure a double dose of it was needed. The design atop is made of white chocolate, and not much to write home about but the mini macaron (aka. the mini pineapple design) was adorable and a nice addition.
4. Dole Whip Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Of all Dole Whip forms, this may be my absolute favorite. Unlike the pineapple eclair from Amorette’s, the double dose of pineapple flavor in this case contrast enough that they pair well without being overbearing. The cake itself was on the warmer side but not hot, which was probably for the best considering how warm it was outside already. The Dole Whip Pineapple Upside Down Cake can be found at Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom along with the original Dole Whip. While it may be a hard decision between the two, I highly recommend trying this snack at least once.
5. Dole Whip with Rum
In the words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Why is the rum gone?” Well, probably because it’s being used to elevate the traditional Dole Whip to the next level. This adult-delight can be found at Animal Kingdom’s Tamu Tamu Refreshments at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the Polynesian Resort. The dark rum pairs perfectly with the pineapple soft serve and is an excellent treat for parents after waiting in lines for hours on end, or even for parents who’ve just lounged by the pool.
Dole Whips have solidified their place as a Disney snack front-runner. But these snacks have definitely proven that regardless of the shape, size, and customization, you can’t go wrong with a Dole Whip.
