UPDATE: It may not be “Aloha” for Aloha Isle after all… It’s possible that Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace may be switching locations soon. We’ll keep you posted as this story progresses!
It may be that the days of lining up at Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle for a Dole Whip are coming to an end…
Recently, Aloha Isle’s Adventureland neighbor, Sunshine Tree Terrace, added Aloha’s signature snack to their menu. Adding to its own specialty treat — the Citrus Swirl — now Dole Whip can be purchased at Sunshine Tree Terrace as well. Options currently include the flavors of Pineapple, Vanilla, or a Swirl of both served in your choice of cone, cup, or in Float form.
So, why the change? It seems Aloha Isle may be closing to make way for a new restaurant in Adventureland, and Sunshine Tree Terrace will become the sole spot to find Dole Whip at Magic Kingdom.
Dole Whip at Sunshine Tree Terrace
So, what’s on tap for this possible new location? Rumor has it a Tiana-themed restaurant may be in the works.
Is Aloha Isle coming to an end?
Again, we want to stress that this is currently filed solidly under “rumor” status, but
with a place as beloved as Aloha Isle, I thought I’d share.
Dole Whip at Sunshine Tree Terrace
Just don’t ask me to share my Dole Whip.
What do you think of the possible closing of Aloha Isle? Or an addition of a new Adventureland restaurant? Please let us know with a comment!
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I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the case. Even though there was a separate queue area for Aloha Isle, it did seem to crowd the regular walkways. As long as I can still get my Dole Whip in Adventureland, it’s all good. And, another restaurant would be welcome in the Magic Kingdom!
I’m okay with the location of where it’s served being changed — the line always spilled into the main walkway, which got to be tedious at best during peak times.
My biggest complaint is.. a Tiana themed restaurant? I feel like that wouldn’t be best suited for Adventureland.. shouldn’t it be something tiki/tropical/Aladdin-ish? I believe that the themes would clash. Why not a fresh juice bar where you could get healthy, hand blended beverages that are made of all-natural fruit and vegetable juices? The bulk of the flavors could be tropical themed, and then there would also be a solidified healthy option in Magic Kingdom.
I also think Tortuga Tavern could be revamped to be a sit-down Pirates restaurant. (wouldn’t that be amazing?)
A Tiana restaurant would be PERFECT in the Port Orleans area! They could even make it a signature restaurant, or at least a hot to-do on the Disney radar.
I’ve seen rumours on other sites that the Adventureland Verandah restaurant will be re-opening as a Jugle Cruise themed restaurant with Skippers as your waiting staff.
Too bad they can’t figure out a way to sell Dole Whips to people waiting in line for the Tiki Room. That’s one thing that DisneyLand definitely has over MK.
I’m totally okay with this. I hate waiting in the HOT line at Aloha Isle. This will make my nostalgic CM friends sad, but I think it’s a good change. Obviously, Dole Whips aren’t going away, they’re just moving to a more convenient location for crowds.
Since Disney has partnered with Star-yucks, I would like to see them open a Chipotle’s in each park and downtown Disney.
Epcot has a perfect spot. When you head into the World Showcase and go left towards Mexico, there is a building on your left that used to be counter service spot, but close over 15 years ago. Perfect for a Chipotle’s.
In the Hollywood Studios park, mix the ABC Commissary and open a Chipotle
Magic Kingdom, take right of main street and head towards Space Mountain. Use the building on right side just before Monsters Inc.
In Animal Kingdom. replace Flame Pit BBQ. I like it, but you can get chicken and ribs at other parks.
I’m torn. On one hand I’m selfish and hate the idea of having to deal with the Dole Whip mobs to get my beloved Citrus Swirl. On the other hand, a Tiana restaurant is a welcome addition and is brimming with potential.
It’s a total pipe dream that will never come to fruition, but a Tiana restaurant with a jazz-style dinner show would ensure that Disney gets even more of my money.
Does that mean there would be no more Orange Vanilla Swirl at Disney World?
Finally got to try a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in January. It was as awesome as advertised! Sad to hear this rumour, but excited by the idea of a Tiana-themed restaurant. BTW, I wanted to thank you and your team for the amazing e-books which helped planning where to eat so easy!
While we’re at it, let’s just tear down Be Our Guest and put in a Chili’s?
(Ugh. No.)
I had a pineapple soft serve at Sunshine Tree Terrace the other day and maybe it’s been a while since I had a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle but the soft serve at Sunshine did not taste like a tradition Dole Whip to me. It seemed much less creamy and wasn’t labled at Dole Whip on the menu but rather as “Pineapple Soft-serve”. I think a side by side taste test is in order! If they do end up doing away with Aloha they move the original recipe over to Sunshine.
No, we can leave the table service restaurants, we just need better counter service options.
FYI….
The table service restaurants are owned and operated by outside chain operators. They pay Disney rent and a portion of profits. That’s why many locations took so long to sign up with the Dining Plan BS.
They needed to pick the cheapest to make items too add to plan
I like Tiana, but I hope the other rumor I heard is true. I hope it will be a Jungle Cruise themed restaurant. That would fit in so much better with the cruise being right there, and the cruise is such a wonderful classic that harkens back to Mr. Disney. I love WDW restaurants because of their wonderful theming, something you rarely get elsewhere.
Finally no more inhaling smoke while waiting in line!
Throw my vote in for Jungle Cruise Skipper restaurant! The Jungle Cruise is one of my all time favorite attractions in all of WDW, and if they do this, and the food is even decent, it will instantly become a ‘must do’ dining experience’ every trip!
I think this would totally work. First, that annoying wind that always blows away your napkins will be no more. You know, after that I don’t feel like I have to give more reasons but I will provide some anyway. You’d have more stations so the lines would be shorter. There will be more options for those who might not like Dole Whips. There will be shade.
As for a Tatiana restaurant, I think it fits. Crystal Palace has a somewhat southern feel, and Tatiana’s would make a good transitional location.
I read where someone suggested, and I have to agree, a Tiana themed restaurant should go at Port Orleans resort. And I’d rather see Sunshine Terrace close then Aloha Isle.
Still, it’s just not the same as getting my Dole Whip inside the queue for the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland. Although, I will be wearing my recently acquired and treasured Florida Orange Bird Mickey Ear Hat to get some Dole Whip, or maybe a citrus swirl, in Disney World next wekk.
I hope the orange flavor isn’t left out.
Orange/Pineapple swirl is the correct choice.
Not a bad move HOWEVER I know that the lines at both places are ridiculously long and seem to move REALLY slow. Now lets put both of those crazy long lines into one place. You’ll be waiting in line for an hour to get anything. Guess they will have to add a Fast Pass or reservations option for that too.
As long as I can still get my Dole Whip float I’m good:)
Totally cool with this, so long as the Little Orange Bird stays. It was always terrible sucking down second-hand smoke from the smoking area across the way. And, as others have said, the heat.
Personally, I would LOVE to see the Bengal Barbecue from DL make an appearance. Skewers as snack credits maybe???
What in the actual hell? While I actually could totally be down with a Tiana-style restaurant (although it does NOT belong in Adventure Land) leave Aloha alone!
I am ok with it closing as you could still get a dole whip. I am confused about a tiana themed restaurant in adventure land? How does that fit in? I agree they need another option , the tortuga tavern needs some help. It always looks dark and dirty. They need more counter service locations in magic kingdom. If you can’t eat in a sit down restaurant then your options are limited.
Tiana themed restaurant ?all for it my daughter will go crazy Tiana. Is her favorite .i.
Being eating there a lot.
As long as I can get my sweet sweet Dole Whip, I am more than good.
And a Tiana-themed makes sense. After all, how many other main characters are actually a chef? The art deco animation during that number was the most visually interesting part of the movie.
Losing such a landmark as the Aloha Isle would be a shame, but I won’t lie, ever since I first saw TPATF, I’ve been hoping to see Tiana’s Place become a real thing at the parks. I do agree that it would make more sense in Port Orleans or New Orleans Square in DL, but imagine the kind of events Magic Kingdom could hold around the time of Mardi Gras, and how they could compete with Universal’s events.
This really could be another great restaurant for WDW!
i used to love the Adventureland Verandah.
Bring it back!
Sunshine Tree Terrace needs to improve their service. The lines there always take forever; it feels like you’re not moving up at all. At Aloha Isle, the lines appear longer but they move quickly.
I actually lost patience with the line and skipped Aloha Isle during my trip in October. I’m all for a new restaurant in this area, as long as the Dole Whip remains available. MK is lacking in exciting table-service entrees. A Jungle Cruise inspired restaurant, with Adventurer’s Club style touches would make my year! A Tiana themed restaurant is a fabulous idea for POFQ. That place hasn’t been the same since Bonfamilles’s closed, and moderates are supposed to have table service options!
All the table service restaurants are not operated by third parties, many of them are owned and operated by Disney. All the Downtown Disney/Disney Springs restaurants are third party, as are all the restaurants in the Mexico, China, Italy, Japan, Morocco and France pavilions in World Showcase, Yak and Yeti and Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom, the Big River Grill at Boardwalk and the two TS restaurants at Coronado Springs Resort. The Swan and Dolphin are not Disney resorts and their restaurants are not operated by Disney. All the others are Disney’s. I would not, however, be too surprised to see Disney outsourcing more of their restaurants in the future.
@catherine took the words out of my mouth! While *some* WDW restaurants are operated by third parties, none of the current MK table service restaurants are.
I’ve heard the Jungle Cruise rumor from a reliable source, and it’s a fantastic idea. This is the first I’ve heard the Tiana rumor. As great as a Tiana restaurant could be, Adventureland is NOT the place for it. I hope that isn’t true, but it seems lately that Disney has abandoned the idea of cohesive, immersive lands in favor of shoving cartoons in at every turn (yep, I’m looking at you, Frozen!).
I’ve found out, through our experiences at Disney, that Disney can really make things “magical” with new attractions and ideas. Yes, some favorites will be missed, but for me, Disney is a “mover”. I always wondered if one was to see EVERY attraction/ride in every park, how long would it take (without running)? I say this because we went 1 year and noticed the famed “walls” around some area. Went the following year, a new attraction appeared, and the walls were moved to the “old” Downtown Disney. The way Disney moves, would you be able to see ALL that he has to offer? God willing, we’ll be able to see what new things have happened. p.s. Don’t take our dole whip away! Thanks for the memories, too!!
Even the Starbucks restaurants in the parks are operated by Disney. They fall into the “licensed stores” division of Starbucks operations. Starbucks provides a vendor with all the product, initial training and some light oversight and the vendor, in this case Disney, actually runs the day to day operations. The Disney Springs stores are “retail” stores, owned and operated by Starbucks.
As long as they move the orange flavor to SSTT as well, I’m alright with it. Tried to beat the line at Aloha for a pineapple/orange swirl last weekend, but SSTT doesn’t serve the orange flavor.
The big problems with Walt Disney World
I’m looking big picture here and talking about Walt Disney World as a whole. Everyone has different things that Walt Disney World does that bothers them. Some are big issues, some are small personal problems but we all have something that irks us about our favorite place to vacation. It’s perfectly natural to complain about something we love because we love it so much and don’t want to see it going down the wrong path.
Today, I’ve decided to outline my biggest gripes that I have with the direction of Walt Disney World and really focus on the issues that I feel are detrimental to my future enjoyment of Disney World.
Too much outsourcing
It seems like today everything in Walt Disney World is outsourced, meaning Disney has an outside vendor/company do the things Disney used to do. When you take a moment to look at everything that is outsourced, I find myself shocked at where things have gone and also wonder what Disney actually does in house anymore. Here’s a quick rundown of some things that I know are outsourced…
Some restaurants across Walt Disney World property (Rainforest Cafe, Yak & Yeti, Via Napoli)
Audio Animatronics
Some attractions (Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, Primevil Whirl)
Magical Express (used to be run by Disney, now Bags Inc runs it)
Strollers
Beach chairs
Merchandise (Dooney & Bourke bags, mostly everything in Downtown Disney)
To me, it seems like Disney outsources so much these days that there’s very little that they do anymore on their own. I’m by no means advocating Disney do everything in house, but it shouldn’t be to the level we see today. You may ask why outsourcing is a bad thing and the reason is because when you use third parties, the quality of the service or product does not live up to the “Disney standard” we’ve come to expect. After all, the reason I and so many others love coming to Disney World is for that “Disney Difference” and outsourcing completely compromises that level of quality.
High prices
At the end of the day, Disney World is a business and has to make profit. I get that, but it seems that the prices for nearly everything at Walt Disney World over the last 5-10 years have grown to become out of touch for what they ought to be. As I stated before, I like the “Disney Difference” and am willing to pay a premium for it over competitors, but the premium Disney has put on its tickets, resorts, merchandise, restaurants and more is now ridiculous. My colleague Jennifer wrote last week about the price of Disney World tickets versus the rate of inflation and that just scratches the surface of the problem.
I think the over-inflated prices are more of a problem with the food and resorts than with the park admission. Disney has really priced the resorts so far out there now, that it’s reliant on discount deals to make the public feel like they can afford to go. Moreover, if you took many of the Disney World resorts and put them anywhere else, they would not command the price they enjoy. The moderate resorts, while nice, cost too much to justify $165-$220 per night. Let me put this in perspective, the brand new Waldorf Astoria that is on Disney World property has rooms starting at $199 per night and it’s safe to say the quality of the room at the Waldorf blows Port Orleans rooms out of the water.
The prices for food at many Disney World restaurants is also too high for what you get. The classic examples are Nine Dragon and San Angel Inn in Epcot. These Chinese and Mexican restaurants charge about $20 for an entree. Chinese and Mexican food are among the most ubiquitous food in the United States after burgers and hot dogs. It’s ridiculous that you pay $20 for Kung Pao Chicken or chicken and rice. Then you have the buffets, that can command anywhere from $30-40 per person and it’s safe to say that the quality and selection of food does not warrant that kind of a price point.
Fantasmic! cut
I won’t spend too much on this issue since it’s been well documented on this site but if you’ve tried to see Fantasmic! at all since January 2009, then you’ve likely experienced the utter inconvenience of trying to get into the show. I hear routinely horror stories of crazy lines and aggrivation of trying to get into the show. Just the other week I was speaking to a friend who was on the border of tears, recalling how she tried in vain to see the show with her family. It’s become a bigger problem than I had envisioned and its guests who have suffered.
The Fantasmic! cut has resulted in a tremendous inconvenience with no consolation for our troubles. It’s not like admission prices are cheaper on non-Fantasmic! days and yet, Disney has ignored each every complaint made by guests about the schedule. It’s another sign that saving a few dollars here and there is more important than a better guest experience.
Homogenization of merchandise
Do you remember when there used to be stuff in Disney World you wanted to buy? Resorts had unique merchandise for each resort and the parks and attractions had their own brand of merchandise that you could only get there. All these different options gave us good reason to buy Disney World merchandise because among all the various items, you’d find something that struck a chord with you. Today, that’s all but gone. Now, merchandise at Walt Disney World also doubles as merchandise in Disneyland (check the tags, they say Disney World and Disneyland) and the amount of unique merchandise items is way down. Now you can find Pirates of the Caribbean or Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise everywhere (like in Hollywood Studios) and when you find the same stuff everywhere, there’s less incentive to warrant spending the money on the items.
There’s less merchandise overall and much of it is so generic that it’s just not compelling enough to spend $35 for a t-shirt or $60 for a sweater. The prices are already expensive, but when you consider the merchandise isn’t really that great overall, I’ve found myself buying less and less Disney merchandise in the parks over the last few years. It’s time to expand what Disney can sell and give consumers lots of different options because the limited stuff we have today just isn’t cutting it.
Homogenization of restaurant menus
Speaking of slimming down, menus across Disney World have been shrinking. It seems like today every sit down restaurant at Walt Disney World has the same general basis: a chicken dish, a beef dish, a fish dish and a vegetable dish and something else maybe. I could rattle off a half dozen restaurants in the parks and resorts that basically all have the same food. This problem is even more pronounced at the counter service locations, where it seems it’s the same food almost everywhere. We routinely see restaurants change their menu, which results in a smaller menu and price increases for what’s left.
The classic example is the hamburger. Burgers used to be different around Walt Disney World, but today they are almost all the same. A burger in Pecos Bills is the same as a burger in Backlot Express or Beaches n Cream or Restaurantasaurus. Disney has done this to once again save money. If you buy a thousand burgers, you can get a better deal per item from the distributor than if you bought 500 and Disney seems to have gone with that with a lot of items beyond just burgers.
The more I think about it, the more I love the idea of a real-life “Tiana’s Place.” Disney Springs would be the perfect place to bring the movie to life! – a New Orlean’s style, 1920’s supper club, featuring live jazz and creole food in a big warehouse building overlooking the water. I can already taste the gumbo and Tiana’s honey-drizzled beignets!! House of Blues, watch your back…
When we were there two weeks ago, the smoking section had been moved (fantastic), and everyone was enjoying the delicious Dole Whip experience in front of Aloha Isle. Where it should be.
Dole Whip (and its floats) DO taste different there. The pineapple soft serve at other places have a different consistency. I don’t know if the machines are different or what, but the soft serve at the other parks and at Sunshine Terrace is more crystalized and not as creamy. I’m all for changes that add value to the parks, but this is getting ridiculous.
Love the idea but let’s be sarcastic….
1) Darn, I loved inhaling the 2nd hand smoke there, gonna miss that!
2) Wait, Tiana themed?? I really think Disney needs another Italain restaurant..
3) Shouldn’t there be something else Anna and Elsa….can’t find them anywhere!!!
Mike V- LOL, perfect!!
I too think a Tiana or Jungle Cruise restaurant would be awesome. Love how Disney keeps things fresh and makes every trip new. Not really all that excited about chains, but the coffee situation was pretty bad so I can look the other way on the Starbucks thing. Thanks for all the updates, disneyfoodblog! My favorite website:)
I love aloha-Isle is awesome to get my favorite Orange Swirl i don’t wanted to leave I love that place. And I will miss The Orange Bird!
I don’t care what goes in there but if it’s a character meal I won’t be visiting, so I kind of hope something is put in that I’d like to visit.
Mike V — Ha ha ha! 😀
Big Fan,
Disney has always used outsourcing. Your list is nothing new. Some specific nits to pick:
– Magical Express is not run by Bags, Inc. Bags runs (and has always run) the baggage delivery part of ME and the resort baggage check-in service. The transportation has always been handled by Mears. Disney has not outsourced it any more or less today than when it started.
– All of Disney’s rollercoasters since the very beginning have been constructed and partially designed by other companies. The core design is Disney; the engineering of the tracks and safety equipment is outsourced. This was true starting with the very first steel rollercoaster, the Matterhorn. The track and key mechanisms were designed by Arrow Development, who went on to build many more rollercoasters for other parks, including Revolution for Magic Mountain. Disney designs the unique parts of the ride – the environment, sound, lighting, sets, queues, etc.
Disney has always, always had third-party restaurants and shopping in their parks, again going back to opening day at Disneyland, where most of the shops on main street were leased to local businesses. And they’ve always licensed the characters for merchandise, even before there were Disney parks. Dooney & Burke bags are just another example of licensed merchandise. If anything, we should be celebrating the fact that they’re putting more Disney characters on nicer and higher-value goods instead of just t-shirts and hats.
On the menus, I can’t agree with you overall, though I agree that not everything is perfect. There is plenty of variety around the parks, and overall the food at Disney parks is much better than it was 20 years ago. Definitely some locations get worse over time as people move around and staff changes, but then it gets better as someone at Disney notices and takes steps to improve processes and training. I really think it’s hard to find terrible food at Disney World these days. You can certainly find boring, ordinary food, and I agree that the Chinese restaurant is one of the more boring, but actually inedible food is rare. And I think Hacienda de San Angel is actually doing very nice things with Mexican. There is still plenty of exciting, unique food to be had around the parks and resorts.
Most of the rest of your complaints sound to me like Yogi Berra’s famous quote: “Nobody goes to that place any more – it’s too crowded!”
I also thought the “pineapple soft serve” at Sunshine Tree Terrace tasted different and less creamy than the Aloha Dole Whip. Hmm.
I’d prefer not to see another princess-themed area in the Magic Kingdom. Just my opinion.
Dan Murray I would love to see the Kikkoman Teriyaki Pineapple Burgers make a comeback at the Adventureland Veranda… They were a favorite of mine as a kid. And if that is the case… then I accept the move to Sunshine… Plus now I can get my whip and swirl at the same place! Too crowded? Hop the Monorail to the Poly!
Do we really need another cartoon-of-the-day themed restaurant? This restaurant can be a themed as an outpost of adventure, not another commercial for a cartoon or a ride. My wish is that the new restaurant is themed for Adventureland, preferably a full-service version of the original but with update with today’s technology and best of epicurean delight. It is hard if not impossible to explain the genius of the original fusion of Oriental/Polynesian/Caribbean theme unless you actually sat there when it was an outpost of adventure before you delved deeper into the realms of uncharted shipwreck or a safari in uncivilized jungle.
from the line they had friday that would be nuts on Disney’s Part…. Line was so long in both directions….