All Dole Whip created equal?

[BlueRibbon]

While I've been to Disney World a number of times, my main place of Disney fulfillment is Disneyland. For as long as I can remember, the only place to get real Dole Whip in Southern California was from the Tiki Juice bar.

A few years back, some of the independent yogurt shops around the area purported to sell "Dole Whip." After some initial excitement, I tried them out, but found that they were NOT the real deal. The color wasn't right(a bolder yellow) and the texture was more of a sorbet than a creamy soft serve.

Fast forward a few years, and we start hearing about Dole Whip being sold in more places around Disney World(ex. Polynesian, Disney Springs, and Animal Kingdom). I personally have no opinion on this matter, but may be a point of discussion for others.

Two weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to take my family to Florida, and once there, I tried the Dole Whip at Animal Kingdom. Gotta admit, that this looked and tasted more like the knockoff Dole Whip sold by the independent shops in SoCal many years ago, and did not at all taste like what I've been used to at Disneyland.

Just curious: Has anyone else noticed a difference in the consistency at different locations, possibly even the same location, but different machine?

 

[DLgal]

I have noticed the same thing. Even the Dole Whip at Tropical Hideaway at Disneyland is the "icy" kind, even the pineapple flavor. I have had it there recently and just yesterday had one from Tiki Juice Bar that was nice and creamy. At WDW, I have NEVER had a creamy Dole Whip. It's always more sorbet like and icy.

I have also experienced the bright yellow, icy Dole Whip at Menchies and Orange Leaf.

I don't understand it, unless the Tiki Juice bar uses different machines or a different mix altogether.

 

[Dave006]

If you want the best, you will have to go to "Aloha" Isle located right next the Enchanted Tiki Room. I find the next closest version located at the "Pick-up" window at the Polynesian patio next to Trader Sams outdoor patio.

We have also tried them at Harambi villiage at Animinal Kindom, just across the bridge on the right side at Tamu Tamu Refreshments. They have show us that it is the same mix but the machines tend to make it more icy vs smooth from aloha Isle in the MK.

Dave

 

[FSU Girl]

I’ve found the dole whip in Magic Kingdom and the Polynesian taste and look the same. I prefer getting them at Poly because it’s rarely busy. I haven’t tried the one in Animal Kingdom.

 

[JenniferYoung44]

I got one at Tamu Tamu in AK in September that was creamy and wonderful. Got it again in december and it was like an icy. I think it has to do with the ratio of mix they put in the machine.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I've only had Dole Whip at Poly (good reason to stay there, LOL) and Ahola Lounge(?) at MK. Was wanting to try an orange version at Sunshine Seasons also at MK but the line was too long so put it off to another time.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just curious: Has anyone else noticed a difference in the consistency at different locations, possibly even the same location, but different machine?

Dole has changed the recipe *at least* three times since 2007 when I first started looking at the ingredient lists.

It’s gone from containing something like whey along with corn syrup solids, to dropping the corn syrup solids and changing how they get the pineapple flavor, to dropping the dairy and, I believe, making the color from natural coloring agents rather than artificial.

So there’s more going on than machine, nostalgia, humidity differences, etc.

 

[B-Ride]

We find the Dole Whip at the Poly pretty much the same as MK although at MK you are usually really hot which makes it taste even better. The Poly has the advantage of self-serve and it is amazing how high you can pile it.

We even visited the Dole plantation in Hawaii and the Dole Whip there didn't measure up to MK and Captain Cook's.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We had it at the Poly last month and were super disappointed. It didn’t even taste pineapple like?
Unfortunately we weren’t going back to MK to compare to Aloha Isle

 

[cmwade77]

Nope, Dole Whip at DL is far better than anywhere else.

But as for why it is sometimes a different color or icy, it comes down to environmental factors (temperature, humidity, water used, etc.) and if they know how to properly operate the machines and if they out the proper amount of water to mix amongst other factors, so even at the same location you can end up with different tastes and textures on different days or at different times of the day.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I got one at Tamu Tamu in AK in September that was creamy and wonderful. Got it again in december and it was like an icy. I think it has to do with the ratio of mix they put in the machine.

having worked my small parks Dole Whip stand twice from what I saw it depends on the machine and from what I remember if it is close to what the lead called cool down time or close to machine freeze.

 

[cmwade77]

having worked my small parks Dole Whip stand twice from what I saw it depends on the machine and from what I remember if it is close to what the lead called cool down time or close to machine freeze.

As I said, it also depends on humidity, how skilled the workers are with the machines, etc.

 

[mkla2015]

DL has the best dole whip for sure!

2nd for me would be Aloha Isle in MK- I've never experienced it being icy there. I really enjoyed the raspberry dole whip 2 weeks ago at aloha isle. I'm hoping those stay around for a while.