Come with us to review a dessert haven at Disney World!
We like to check up on some of our longtime favorite restaurants often to see if they hold up. One of our more recent visits took us to Magic Kingdom where we decided to stop by Sunshine Tree Terrace and try some tasty treats. Do we still recommend Sunshine Tree Terrace? Did it let us down? Find out in this brand-new review!
Atmosphere
Sunshine Tree Terrace is located in Adventureland in the former location of Aloha Isle. This quick-service restaurant is a fun outdoor spot with strong Key West vibes, sporting tropical shutters and an overall tropical theme.
This restaurant is as “quick service” as it gets. It’s completely outdoors and solely “grab and go” with no seating. You order at the window and take your treats with you whenever you decide to go next. The closest nearby seating is a few benches in the concrete or the recently opened Agrabah Bazaar.
Sunshine Tree Terrace is also the home to the beloved little Orange Bird. It’s here where you can see the ORIGINAL Orange Bird tucked in the Terrace at the Counter. If you can’t see him, simply ask a Cast Member!
We aren’t the biggest fan of the lack of indoor seating options, but overall, the aesthetic is charming and the ease of getting in and out it nice. So with that down, let’s take a look at the menu!
Menu
This is a quick-service location, so the menu is naturally going to be a bit limited. Still, Sunshine Tree Terrace offers some tempting treats and drinks. Here, you’ll find soft-serve treats including several different DOLE Whip flavors and floats unique to Sunshine Tree Terrace.
As we said, the menu is simple, offering variations of soft-serve and floats that can change seasonally all under $10. Still, it’s the innovation of these treats and bold flavors that make this stop stand out among other quick-service restaurants.
Fortunately, Sunshine Tree Terrace uses mobile order, which we took advantage of when we tried out several DOLE Whip treats!
Eats
During our most recent visit, we tried the I Lava You Float, Orange Cream cup, and POWERADE Mountain Berry Blast Float. Let’s dive in!
First up, we started with the I Lava You Float for $7.29. This float is made with Fanta Strawberry Soda and Passion Fruit flavor, served with DOLE Whip Orange, and topped with popping candy.
This may be a controversial take, but we think this float might be the best thing on the menu. Tropical, fun, and packed with a delicious fruity flavor, it’s no wonder this is at the top of the menu! The Dole Whip compliments the strawberry soda wonderfully and when the two touch, they form tiny little crystallized bites, providing a fantastic texture boost. Additionally, the popping candy is incredibly fun — regardless of age. We “lava’d” this concoction and felt the float provides engaging flavor with every bite and sip.
If you are in the mood for a fruit-tastic float, give this a try. Otherwise, you may want to stick with a simpler float or beverage.
Next, we tried the Orange Cream cup for $5.79. This is made with DOLE Whip Orange and Vanilla Soft-serve.
Right off the bat, this soft-serve cup is DELICIOUS. There are no tricks here — it tastes like its billing. It’s not orange like a creamsicle or even overpowering, but a more natural orange flavor. The cream is added by the vanilla soft-serve and the marriage between the two flavors is worthy of a recommendation.
We don’t have any real downsides about this dessert, other than it holds together gently in the sun so you’ll need to eat it quick, but not so quick that you get a brain freeze! Also, be sure to have plenty of napkins ready!
Finally, the last treat we tried was the POWERADE Mountain Berry Blast Float, which we purchased for $6.29. This float is made with POWERADE Mountain Berry Blast and your choice of DOLE Whip or soft-serve.
We chose strawberry DOLE Whip but you can also choose vanilla, chocolate, vanilla and chocolate swirl, DOLE Whip orange, or orange cream. We admit… we were a little overzealous with this one. It looks soooo pretty and it’s kinda got a cotton candy aesthetic about it, but the flavors did not go together as well as the other treats. The strawberry whip tastes surprisingly natural, but mixed with the POWERADE, the overall flavor is overpoweringly fruity. Paired together, they are a bit tangy, but if we did it all over again we might have gone with vanilla.
If you love the tanginess of fruit, give this a try. Otherwise, opt for one of the soda/root beer floats instead. This wasn’t bad, but it’s chaotic.
So what impressions did we leave Sunshine Tree Terrace with? Let’s discuss.
Overall
Sunshine Tree Terrace is still a MUST-VISIT if you’re craving DOLE Whip at Magic Kingdom. We’re pleased to report that this simple quick-service restaurant still delivers delicious flavors and treats that will satisfy people of every age.
The thing that sort of fell short here was the POWERADE Mountain Berry Blast Float with strawberry DOLE Whip, but that was also on us. With the right whip, there’s no reason it can’t be amazing. Ultimately, we still love picking up treats here! The desserts are pretty and they taste just as good as they look.
Nosh or Not?
Stroll on over to Sunshine Tree Terrace if…
- You love DOLE Whip! The DOLE Whip offerings here are unique and usually excellent.
- You’re looking for a cool (pun intended) treat. These stylish treats not only taste good, but they can also cool you down during a blistering hot day at Disney World.
- You want to broaden your DOLE Whip horizons. The whip here takes risks without crossing the line into grossness. If you want to get away from the typical DOLE Whip, Sunshine Tree Terrace is the place to do it. Additionally, it has something for everyone so your party can get a little bit more freedom with their DOLE Whip!
Avoid Sunshine Tree Terrace if…
- If you’re not a DOLE Whip or soft-serve fan. Hey, we don’t judge. Fortunately, you can get all kinds of dessert wherever you are at Disney World, so don’t feel limited.
- You want a meal. Sunshine Tree Terrace mostly serves DOLE Whip and soft-serve with the occasional snack. We recommend visiting other quick-service and sit-down restaurants at Magic Kingdom if you’re craving something hearty.
- You need peace and relaxation away from the sun. The whip and soft-serve may cool you down, but it melts fast and there isn’t any indoor seating. We recommend visiting somewhere like Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen if you want to relax in indoor seating.
Thanks for coming along for our Sunshine Tree Terrace review! Stay tuned right here at the Disney Food Blog for more Disney World reviews, tips, news, and more!
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What is your favorite flavor of DOLE Whip? Let us know in the comments!
I tried and disliked all of these treats. I miss the Citrus Swirl but am tired of hoping that they keep it (or bring it back). It’s sad Disney gets rid of special things people have loved for decades and could always find only at WDW.