Dole Whip | the disney food blog

New Disney Snack Invention: Citrus Swirl Float!

Welcome guest author and photographer Ben Hendel with a brand new adventure…

Just a few days ago, I made a discovery akin to finding the magnetic North Pole. More patriotic than the actual discovery of America. More revolutionary to the culinary world than bacon. I discovered the Citrus Swirl Float. Or, if you’d rather, call it the Ben Palmer.

Citrus Swirl Float

It’s named after me. Mostly. My last name isn’t Palmer, but I figure this is just as important as when Arnold mixed iced tea and lemonade in equal parts, so it’s a good name to borrow.

Unfortunately, the name hasn’t caught on yet, so when I went to order this delectable treat from the Sunshine Tree Terrace, I had to order a Sprite float with Citrus Swirl. Though the journey was different than just saying “I’d like a Ben Palmer, please” the destination was the same: perfection.

Sunshine Tree Terrace Sign

The Beauty of the Citrus Swirl

Now, some of you may know the beauty of the Citrus Swirl already. Some of you [Read more…]

Ten Best Frozen Drinks in Disney World

By AJ 39 Comments

It’s getting hot out there, guys!

And sometimes, when it feels like it’s 100 degrees and you’re sweltering in line, you need more than a cold drink. You need a frozen drink!

Fortunately, there are lots of palate-pleasing options found in all corners of Disney World. And we’ve got great options whether you’d like to go alocholic or non-alcoholic! Refreshment is just a menu choice away…

Today, we’re taking a closer look at our very favorites!

Frozen Lemonade

Sweet-tart and chilly, Frozen Lemonade calls to mind seaside treats from our favorite resort towns. And there’s nothing like it for reviving you on a super hot, sticky Florida day.

The secret is in the balance. A too-sweet treat can leave you feeling not so great while you’re standing in the bright sun. That little kick of sour rounds out the flavors and makes the beverage a true refresher.

Raspberry Lemonade Slush at Magic Kingdom

If you’re a lover of frozen lemonade, I have great news for you: there are tons of different varieties to try around the parks and resorts! You could make your own personal frozen lemonade crawl. (Hey! That’s a great idea…)

One of our favorites is the Raspberry Lemonade Slush that you find at Magic Kingdom’s Cheshire Cafe, located on the outskirts of Fantasyland. You can find a similar drink across the castle hub at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland. And if you’re looking for frozen lemonade in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can find an awesome, slurpee-type version at Herbie’s Drive-In.

If you prefer your frozen lemonade with a little kick, one of our favorite adult versions is available at Animal Kingdom’s Dino Diner Snacks. The Frozen Bacardi Raspberry Rum Lemonade has been inspiring random cravings for me ever since I tried it. 🙂

Frozen Bacardi Raspberry Rum Lemonade at Animal Kingdom’s Dino Diner

Check out other locations to score frozen lemonade slushes when you’re parched in the parks.

Dole Whip Float

Part beverage, part Dole Whip soft serve, this is one of Disney’s classic must-eat treats! The Dole Whip Float combines sweet-tart soft serve pineapple goodness with pineapple juice to provide one of the most refreshing icy drinks in the Kingdom.

Breakfast of Champions!

You CAN get this with vanilla or orange dole whip as well — either choice will cut the tartness a bit. But I prefer pineapple-on-pineapple, myself! Find this great treat at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland.

Ice Cream Martinis

Looking for a new entry on your Drinking Around the World card? THE newest frozen drink concoction in Disney World can be found — where else? — World Showcase!

Head to Epcot’s newest eatery, L’Artisan des Glaces in the France Pavilion for the beautiful and crave-inspiring Ice Cream Martini.

Ice Cream Martini from L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France Pavilion

The drink-sundae fusion is made by combining [Read more…]

My Favorite Food Kiosks at Walt Disney World! What Are Yours?

By AJ 20 Comments

I get lots of emails and questions about the food I personally love in Disney World, and today I’m sharing some of my favorite Disney Food Kiosks!

You know the ones — those cute little structures that are almost restaurants, but not quite? Here are a few of the BIGGEST TASTES you can get at the smallest places in Disney World! 🙂

I hope you’ll share some of your favorites in the comments, too!

Aloha Isle

There is no way I could have a list of favorite kiosks without putting Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle right up front! The welcoming little stand, located in Adventureland, is home to one of Disney’s most beloved treats, after all.

Aloha Isle

That’s right — we’re talking Dole Whips!

And whether you like yours in float form, swirled with vanilla, or are you’re a purist, most Disney fans don’t consider their trip complete until they’ve made at least one stop here.

Dole Whip Float! A Must-Eat snack for every Disney guest.

As for me, I prefer about one visit to Aloha Isle for each day I’m at Disney. 🙂 No kidding, even though I’m usually eating non-stop on every Disney trip, this is one snack I never skip.

Fife and Drum

At the midway point while you’re walking around Epcot’s World Showcase, you’ll encounter another of our favorite stops, Fife and Drum.

This unassuming little stand looks like just another drink stop, but be sure to swing by and check out the menu for some seriously fun eats. Fife and Drum is home to some items you won’t find anyplace else! But there are not-to-be missed classics here as well, like the cult favorite Smoked Turkey Legs.

Fife and Drum Tavern

If you’re a pretzel fan, you have three different varieties to choose from. The stuffed Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel has a great spicy kick! And you’ll also find the sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel (decadent!) and the Mickey Soft Pretzel (cute!) here, too. This is one of the few places in Disney World to find all of these kinds of pretzels sold in one spot.

UPDATE: Please note, you can still find all these pretzels in the American Adventure Pavilion; however, they are now located at the Block and Hans Craft Beer kiosk.

Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel!

There are also some amazingly tasty drinks here as well. We’ve told you about the Jim Beam Red Stag Lemonade, a wonderful little frozen drink with a punch, thanks to black cherry-flavored bourbon.

You can get your root beer float fix here, too, made with vanilla soft serve.

Root Beer Float

But the piece de resistance of slushies can also be found in this humble spot: I give you the American Dream! This incredible frozen drink combines [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Dole Whips!

By AJ 8 Comments

It’s getting hot out there, my friends, and it’s time to start talking Dole Whips.

Today, we feature this perennial Disney Foodie fan favorite through the lens of our awesome readers who post on our Flickr Disney Photo Food Extravaganza!

Dole Whip Vanilla Swirl

One of the things I love best about Dole Whips is that there are so many awesome ways to enjoy them. Here, photographer Kelly Tressler has captured one great way to enjoy the treat – swirled with vanilla soft serve!

Photographer: Kelly Tressler

Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip from Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom

We’re gonna assume Kelly snapped this pic at Magic Kingdom, where Aloha Isle in Adventureland is the place to grab this refreshing treat.

Dole Whip Float for Two

Next, we move into new drink+snack territory! Behold, the Dole Whip Float.

Photographer: Mandy Jansen

Dole Whip Float for Two

But the real question is…would you share? Mandy Jansen looks to be [Read more…]

Review: Dole Whip with Spiced Rum at the 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

By AJ 20 Comments

Well, we’re busy putting together a HUGE-MONGOUS post for you this afternoon featuring ALL of the eats and drinks at the 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

But I couldn’t wait to showcase the star of the show — the Dole Whip with Spiced Rum at the Pineapple Promenade booth!

Dole Whip with Spiced Rum at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

This menu item has proven to be so popular that THIS is what the line looked like when the booth first opened this morning!

Pineapple Promenade Line this MORNING!

Anyway, when you get YOUR Dole Whip with Rum, know that it will be a little smaller than what you’re used to when you purchase at Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom.

It’s not served in “float” form — instead, prepare yourself for a regular serving of Dole Whip with a small amount Siesta Key Spiced Rum poured over the top. (How much rum? When we asked the cast member, he said [Read more…]

Disney Dining Classic: Dole Whip Float at Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle

By AJ 19 Comments

With multiple trips to Walt Disney World in recent weeks, I had lots of new stuff to check out. But even while trying the new Pork Shank, Croque Monsieur, and new cupcakes in the Magic Kingdom, I knew I had to make room for a classic!

And really…is there a better way to start out a brand new year than with a Dole Whip?

The float version of the treat with pineapple soft serve and pineapple juice honestly has been one of my favorite treats since I started visiting Disney World as a kid!

New Aloha Isle location

You’ll find the refreshing treat at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, at the former Sunshine Tree Terrace (Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace changed spots).

You can get the pineapple soft serve straight up, or get it in a float. To make the float, cast members start with

[Read more…]

Disneyland and Dole: 36 Years of Pineapple Partnership

By Heather 14 Comments

Recently I had the pleasure of attending Dole’s Banana Summit at the Disneyland Resort. And while we’ll go bananas a bit later, it’s Disneyland and Dole’s partnership on the pineapple front (Dole Whip anyone?) that I think you guys are going to love hearing about.

Dole Whip Time at the Enchanted Tiki Room

After all, Dole is the official sponsor of perhaps the most iconic attraction and snack of the Disneyland (and Disney World!) Resort. What better place to learn about this partnership than the Enchanted Tiki Room with a Dole Whip in hand?

While indulging in pineapple fantasticness, our group was escorted into an empty Tiki Room for a presentation [Read more…]

Introducing: Disney Food iPhone and iPod Cases!

By Kim LaPaglia 16 Comments

We love finding a way to show off how much we love Disney food — and these cases will wrap your technology in favorite Disney treats! I couldn’t wait to share these with you. 🙂

Carry a Mickey Ice Cream Bar around with you everyday! We guarantee – no melting!

The pink version is adorable. Just look at that vanilla ice cream peeking out!

Mickey Ice Cream Bar Pink Case

And, of course, we have to pay homage to the uber-popular Dole Whip!

Show off your love for the Dole Whip!

Feeling really hungry? This pink turkey leg case is low on calories! I love the Hidden Mickeys in the tin foil here. There’s also a [Read more…]

Review: Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

By AJ 26 Comments

Captain Cook’s

at Disney’s Polynesian Resort has long been one of my favorite counter service locations.

Learn About:Captain Cook’s

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

The yummo Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Cook’s delicious cupcakes are a great reason to visit!

UPDATE: Dole Whip is no longer being served at Captain Cook’s, is no longer self-serve, and is no longer available 24 hours a day. You’ll now find Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai in Disney’s Polynesian Village in addition to Aloha Isle at the Magic Kingdom. You can also find Dole Whip available intermittently at Animal Kingdom’s Tamu Tamu Refreshments, and at Epcot during some special events. On the upside, you can also get a Dole Whip Float at Pineapple Lanai!

But the best part? The 24-hour access to Dole Whips is truly epic. (Note, they DO clean the Dole Whip machine for a few hours in the middle of the night once a week, so Avoid. That. Night.)

On a recent Disney World visit, I headed back to Captain Cook’s to try another fan favorite – the Pork Sandwich. That day I found a few more surprises waiting for me, and I can’t wait to tell you about them…

Atmosphere

Hidden toward the back of the resort on the first floor, it can be difficult to find Captain Cook’s. But forge ahead, my friends. It’s worth it. 😉

Outside View

The restaurant is small, but well-organized. There are several different seating areas, so if the first one is full, just head to the next one to find a table.

Indoor Seating

Seating is both indoors and outdoors here, and you’ll find plenty of four-top square tables with padded chairs. Huge banana leaves and a woven motif dress the standard restaurant tables up a bit.

Along the wall, you’ll also find mixed seating with a couple of booth options. Windows along one wall let in plenty of light and also give you a view of the outdoor seating area.

Indoor Seating with a View

Outdoor tables and chairs are in close proximity to both the restaurant and the pool. With the big umbrellas and lush landscape, this is a terrific place to sit on those [Read more…]

Disney Food Tips: Everything You Need to Know About Disney Snacks

By AJ 32 Comments

We all know how important snacks have become in Disney World and Disneyland.

With some serious innovation on Disney’s part, snacks are no longer just a between meal throwaway, but something that inspires full-blown planning sessions! The day of snacks has dawned in Disney parks!

A lot of this is due to folks wanting to get the best value for their snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan in Walt Disney World. But the newly available variety of snacks also means that it’s much easier to piece together a less expensive mini-meal than it ever has been before.

Note that in mid-2015, Disney updated the definition for a “snack” on the Disney Dining Plan. It now includes many more items, like cups of soup, plain caramel apples, two scoops or less of hand-scooped ice cream (yep, sundaes too!), any menu item listed as a side, and any single-serving, non-alcoholic beverages.

We’ve put together a lot of info about Disney snacks over the past few years, and with so many trips coming up for our readers it’s time to share them all in one place.

Hope this is helpful, and don’t forget to share your best Disney snack tips with us in the comments. I’d appreciate hearing and sharing what you’ve learned!

A classic Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar!

Best Disney Dining Plan Snack Values

When using the Disney Dining Plan, it’s important to make the most of your snack credits.

Don’t waste a credit on an inexpensive and/or less-than-stellar treat; indulge in a snack that will be memorable!

Here are our favorite ways to use a snack credit. One of our favorite tips: if you’re lucky enough to be visiting Epcot during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, use those snack credits for trying international, tapas-sized dishes.

Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Best Chocolate-Covered Disney Snacks

If you enjoy a snack even more once it’s dunked in chocolatey goodness, we suggest trying any of our Top 5 Chocolate Covered Snacks.

From a caramel delight at Karamell-Küche, to the iconic Mickey Ice Cream Bar, chocaholics can make the most of their snack credits (or vacation dollars) with these decadent treats.

Chocolate-Covered Sea Salt Caramel at Karamell Kuche in Epcot

Top 5 Disney Take-Home Snacks

Let’s face it. Disney departure day is a complete bummer. And I find it [Read more…]

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