If you’re a Disney food aficionado then you’re probably very familiar with the famous DOLE Whip. But TRUE Disney experts also know to look for another delicious frozen treat when in Adventureland in Magic Kingdom — the Citrus Swirl.
A favorite even among Disney characters!
This much beloved treat features a mixture of Vanilla Soft Serve and Frozen Orange Juice Slushy. It’s tart, it’s sweet, it’s refreshing — and it’s themed to Orange Bird — what more could you want?! Well, if this snack was a staple item in your Disney World diet, you were likely VERY disappointed when it disappeared back in 2021. Recently, we were able to get a Citrus Swirl update, but it wasn’t exactly the news we wanted… . 😞
First, a quick recap. The Citrus Swirl has changed over the years. There have been some different formulas used over the years, but the OG formula (and the one that also came back to the park in 2012) is basically like frozen orange juice swirled with vanilla soft serve. Back in 2018, we saw it changed for an “Orange Swirl” that wasn’t quite the same. Things changed back to the way they were meant to be a few days later in 2018.
Back in July of 2020, we grabbed a Citrus Swirl — LOOK at that beauty! And we had it again in March of 2021 and May of 2021 (at which point we got in a very unique and fun way!).
Citrus Swirl
And then, the unspeakable happened. Around July of 2021, we noticed that the Citrus Swirl had gone MISSING.
It disappeared from Mobile Order and, at that time, we were told that the machines used for this delectable treat were down. The natural expectation was that the treat would return once the machines were back up and running. But then things got worse.
Citrus Swirl with Berry Blast
We checked again a few days later and noticed that the Citrus Swirl still wasn’t available on Mobile Order. The Cast Member we spoke with said “the product they use is on back order, and it’s still not available.” At the time, the Cast Member told us that they though the Citrus Swirl would be coming back soon. That’s good news right?!
Well, as you can tell, it’s been some time since July of 2021. This post is actually being written in February of 2022. And still, the Citrus Swirl has not returned to Sunshine Tree Terrace in Magic Kingdom. That’s right folks, we’ve been without our beloved Citrus Swirl for months now. Someone sound the alarms. 🚨 This is a Citrus Swirl EMERGENCY. 🚨
Citrus Swirl Float
So recently we made our way over to Sunshine Tree Terrace to see if we could get an update. And we got one.
When we spoke to Cast Member at Sunshine Tree Terrace, they said that Citrus Swirl was still not on the menu and that they did not know when it would be returning. So sadly, while we are hopeful that it will return, a timeline for its return has not been nailed down just yet.
Citrus Swirl in Orange Cone
And sadly, there isn’t anywhere else on Disney property where you can really get the Citrus Swirl right now (Sunshine Tree Terrace was truly its home).
Sunshine Tree Terrace
We’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for updates. In the meantime, you can still grab the DOLE Whip Orange soft-serve at Sunshine Tree Terrace , which is something we’ve seen offered here for quite some time. This is the version that sort-of replaced the Citrus Swirl for a tiny bit back in 2018. This version is much more sweet (since it is a soft-serve) and doesn’t have that same deliciously tart flavor that the Citrus Swirl had.
©Disney
You can also get specialty floats here like the I Lava You Float (which we do love) or other unique items.
©Disney
Still, it’s not the same as getting a Citrus Swirl. For OG Citrus Swirl fans, this is a serious blow. Like we mentioned, we’ll keep an eye out for updates and cross our fingers and toes that we hear some good news about this beloved treat soon.
Click here to see the 10 DOLE Whip flavor combos you need to try in Disney World!
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What a disappointment, it sure sounds delicious.
But this is probably due to supply chain issues combined with runaway inflation which would make this delectable treat in it’s OG form not profitable enough for Disney.
My guess is we’ll be seeing more menu changes and price increases as our supplies dwindle and our costs soar.
Disney knows this and is just getting ahead of the curve.
NOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Not again. Why can’t they leave a great thing Alone???!!
Whips are everywhere. Only one swirl the original. Since the beginning why mess with it!!!!!
Bring it back. Let’s all wear T-shirts that say “Save the Swirl” on them to MK, maybe they will get the hint?
I don’t eat pineapple. Please bring back Citrus Swirl for those of us who don’t. PLEASE.
Sad! I’m hopeful but sad. Thanks for the update and excellent research!
I loved the citrus swirl, but, how many of you remember the strawberry swirl next to the Fantasy Fair Stage in Fantasyland? I’m dating myself now 🙂
Oh no!! I will use every wish on my wishing stars to bring that Citrus Swirl back!
Citrus Swirl was my favorite treat at WDW. What a disappointment. Please let Cast Members know that if the supply chain returns that folks really want this back.
Thanks
Beth Nicholls
My guess is it just didn’t sell as well as some of the other treats so it is gone for good. We have a local Italian ice place here in VA that does an orange ice and vanilla custard mix that is great. The cherry is fab too. Does Disney do Italian Ice with custard?
Wait tho, I had a citrus swirl from STT in October of 2021 and it came with the orange bird sipper for extra $$ that debuted (to longggg lines) at flower and garden in spring of 2020 (when my trip was Covid-canceled). Am I missing something??