UPDATE: Even MORE news about the Citrus Swirl in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom here! The original is back!
Every good thing must come to an end? I guess that’s Disney’s philosophy! We’ve got some changes about the beloved Citrus Swirl in the Magic Kingdom to report…and not all of us will be happy.
Citrus Swirl Float at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Disney World
In Magic Kingdom today we noticed a change on the Sunshine Tree Terrace menu — instead of Citrus Swirl, the iconic park snack was now listed as “Orange Swirl.”
New Orange Swirl on Menu at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Magic Kingdom
Upon further investigation, we found out that the formula for the Swirl has indeed changed. The original formula for Citrus Swirl when it arrived in the park — and the recipe that’s been used since 2012 when the original formula returned to Magic Kingdom after a hiatus — was basically frozen orange juice swirled with vanilla soft serve.
New Orange Swirl is Replacing Citrus Swirl at Sunshine Tree Terrace
Now, the formula is straight up orange Dole Whip soft serve and vanilla Dole Whip soft serve — just like it was pre-2012, which is when the original formula came back.
Orange Dole Whip Mix Used in Orange Swirl Now
So, alas, the Citrus Swirl as we know it and love it is, in fact, gone. Now it’s just orange and vanilla soft serve. The tartness of that frozen orange juice has given way to the sweetness of the soft serve.
And that’s, in fact, what we heard from the awesome cast member we spoke to was the goal. Disney wanted a sweeter formulation versus that lovely super-tart option (and, of course, my beloved just-the-citrus version of the former treat, which was all-orange-juice-all-the-time). And it is, indeed, much sweeter.
New Orange Swirl Float with Fanta Orange Soda
I’m sorry to break the news folks. This is a hard pill to swallow for us here at DFB, but let me know what YOU think! Not everyone loved the Citrus Swirl, so let us know if you’re excited for the Orange swirl!
And just FYI, if you order the orange soft serve alone (sans vanilla), it’s a vegan and gluten-free snack just like pineapple dole whip over at Aloha Isle.
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I know it is awful when Disney changes or dumps your fave, but the citrus swirl was, honestly, hate at first taste when I was five. I loved creamsicles and found the icy, blah of the frozen oj gross with the creamy sweet vanilla. I expected it to be creamy. Yet I kept asking to go back for one just to see the now lost animatronic orange bird from the 80s. Eat a spoonful, hand the rest off to the mom who tricked me into the first one with the claim “it is like a creamsicle” which it wasn’t. Every time I eat a Dole Whip swirl I wished there was an orange equivalent and now there is. I want to try the new one.
I lean more toward the pineapple, so this change isn’t a big deal to me – but I have to agree it’s definitely a ‘downgrade.’ Citrus Swirl was pretty good, and maybe I’m being too judgey here, this new mess doesn’t APPEAR as if it’ll be a worthy substitute.
That being said, does anyone know if this will be safe for a person allergic to pineapple? I’m thinking cross-contamination, maybe some pineapple flavor in the mix… I dunno – but ya gotta be careful; having your throat swell up & dying really makes for a lousy vacation!
Just tried this at MK last week and have to say I prefer it to the Pineapple Dole Whip! Much less sweet in my opinion. It was really good. If you havent already give it a shot.
I was at Magic yesterday, June 19th, and now they have Citrus Swirl and the Orange Dole Whip Swirl.
I liked the citrus swirl but it was tart and bitter and I could never finish half if one even. I for one welcome the change, but I do feel bad for those that liked the citrus swirl
Bumber. I was really looking forward to that tart treat on my first visit! Oh well… I’ll try the new orginal version I suppose. Thanks for the update!
Elisabeth, good news! The Citrus Swirl returned just a few days later (see our post here)!