As a Dole Whip fan, I’ve always remembered my first experiences with this cool treat at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on the island of O’ahu. Before the tour buses thought it was cool, and walking through the inside of the main building was more chaotic than, well, Disneyland. I might be showing my age here, but let’s just say it was a quieter time. Even though my first memories of this tasty treat are in its rightful Hawaiian home, it was actually created at the Dole Technical Center in San Jose back in 1983, and the connection with Disney started long before that.
It was 1976 when the Dole Food Company partnered with Disney and became the new sponsor of the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland Park, taking the reigns from the previous sponsor, United Airlines. Along with the new signage, Dole pineapple products became available in Disneyland, providing a tropical treat prior to the attraction experience. Walt Disney World soon followed, with Dole taking over the Magic Kingdom sponsorship of the same attraction in 1983.
After the creation of Dole Whip by food scientist Kathy Westphal, this refreshing treat was quickly introduced to Disney guests with instant popularity. It debuted in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in 1984 and then traveled over to Disneyland Park in 1986. The new menu item appealed to a range of guests due to being dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, not to mention also completely delicious and lower in calories than most dessert alternatives. Although Dole Pineapple Soft Serve became available in a variety of stores across the country, Dole Whip remained exclusive to Disney and the Dole Plantation / Outlets until 2023, when its retail rollout was announced.
If reading about how Dole Whip came to be in Disney Parks has made you hungry for some of this pineapple deliciousness, take a look at the Disney Parks Dole Whip-at-home recipe! This one isn’t dairy-free like the park version, but it’s as close as we can get from home.
What was your first experience with Dole Whip, and do you like it? Share your experience with us!
