Down To Disney

No, it’s not Aloha Isle or Sunshine Tree Terrace, or even Tamu Tamu Refreshments. One of the most unique and lesser-known places to find the notorious dessert is at Swirls on the Water in Disney Springs!

Before my Disney College Program, I never even knew the cute little hut existed. Lacking the time to leisurely stroll through Disney Springs on my overloaded week-long family trips, I did not get the chance to venture onto the bridge between the Lego Store and the Rainforest Café. My family and I are avid fans of the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop next to World of Disney, so that was always our go-to on the one or two nights we had dinner reservations. We also love Dole Whip, of course, we just didn’t know we could find it in Disney Springs.

The greatest feature of Swirls on the Water is the variety in not only the flavors it offers, but the presentation of the Dole Whip itself. Classic pineapple is always available, and the alternative options are constantly changing which is extremely different from the consistency of the parks. You can find raspberry, strawberry, cheesecake, and many others depending on when you are visiting, with the opportunity to swirl some of them together.

Here you can order your beloved pineapple float or a cup of your flavor of choice just like in Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, however the rest of the menu is far more compelling.

My number one pick is the Dole Whip Sampler! You receive three adorable mini glasses in a cardboard holder, each filled with a different flavor or flavors of Dole Whip. This way, you can try a little bit of each one without missing out! No food FOMO here. On the afternoon this picture was taken, I got the cherry and pistachio Dole Whip swirl garnished with a cherry, the pineapple Dole Whip and vanilla ice cream swirl garnished with a slice of pineapple, and the pineapple Dole Whip by itself (I think they were out of the strawberry Dole Whip for the day). I love how they garnish the samples based on the flavor of Dole Whip; it’s so cute and extremely reminiscent of a beer flight that might have orange or lime garnishes.

A second and deliciously creative item on the menu are the Dole Whip Nachos. The ones above are the Easter Basket Nachos, and on the bed of perfectly crunchy waffle cone chips is a swirl of Dole Whip raspberry and cotton candy ice cream, strawberry boba, whip cream, raspberry sauce, and jelly beans. I am obsessed with this concept and it is perfect for sharing, although on an April day like this one was you definitely have to eat fast! The toppings are such a nice touch and offer more flavors and textures than just a cup of Dole Whip alone.

The other awesome feature of Swirls on the Water is its theming of the desserts. Not only are there specialties for the holidays like the Easter Basket Nachos, there are also treats corresponding to Disney events. I got this BB-8 cone at the beginning of May in accordance with May 4, a huge deal in Disney World. The red velvet cone held mango Dole Whip and habanero ice cream with chocolate rocks, toasted graham cracker crumbs, and a white chocolate BB-8 to top it all off. It was by far the most interesting flavor combination I’ve had . . . I never thought I’d use the word “spicy” to describe ice cream.

I hope you learned of one of Disney’s many hidden dessert gems, or maybe I was just always oblivious to it and was missing out this whole time. Either way, let me know your favorite Dole Whip spot!