Well, when we visited the newly refurbished Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Village Resort, we said we’d be back soon… and here we are, because the brand new Pineapple Lanai is now open!
Pineapple Lanai sign
So, why is Pineapple Lanai so important? It’s the new home to Dole Whip at the Polynesian! (For anyone unfamiliar with this beloved treat, check out a little Dole Whip info here. Then be sure to schedule some of your own personal snacking research on this pineapple soft serve — you’ll be glad you did!)
Pineapple and Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip in Tiki Bowl
We’d love to take you on a quick tour of this new space.
Atmosphere
You’ll find Pineapple Lanai on the ground level upon exiting the Great Ceremonial House from the sliding glass doors in the back. If you’re exiting either outside door of Captain Cook’s, just take a turn to the left (or two, depending on which door you exit ;-D).
Coming from Captain Cook’s
The area is relaxed and casual. Basically just the ordering window where you can spy the menu on top, the fun Pineapple Lanai sign, and outdoor seating. (I took a few of these photos before the Lanai opened, so the window is shuttered in some of the shots.)
Pineapple Lanai
Pineapple Lanai
Pineapple Lanai
Pineapple Lanai
The dark wood accents in the direct area and palm trees just across the way spread the tropical vibe.
View from Pineapple Lanai
But it’s nice to know there is protection from the elements, which was needed several times the day the Lanai opened!
Rainy Day at the Polynesian
It’s just the spot to enjoy your tropical treat… because Dole Whip is what you’re here for, and Dole Whip you shall receive!
Eats
The menu features the flavors previously available when the Dole Whip machine could be found in Captain Cook’s: Pineapple and Vanilla. You can have them served individually or swirled together, and you also have the option of your choice of Dole Whip in a Pineapple Float, a la Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle.
Pineapple Lanai Menu
As designated on the menu, each treat is available for a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan (sans souvenir items).
Something unexpected is the addition of a souvenir Tiki Bowl (for the soft serve alone) or Tiki Sipper (for a Float).
Tiki Bowl menu picture
As you can see, this location now greatly resembles the menu found at Disneyland’s Tiki Juice Bar. (Yet we’re still not going to get cherries and umbrellas in our Florida drinks, but I can always hold out hope!)
Tiki Sipper menu picture
The Tiki Sipper for the Floats bears an uncanny resemblance to the Tiki Tankard found at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland :).
For those who mastered the art of creating your own self-serve Dole Whip towers at Captain Cook’s, you should know that the self-serve machines — as anticipated — are a thing of yesteryear. Now you’ll place your order at the window.
Pineapple Lanai is open!
And the Cast Member will prepare your order with the machines inside the building.
Dole Whip machines
My go-to Dole Whip is available at Aloha Isle (a Pineapple-Orange Swirl Float), so I had to change things up a bit here, and opted for the Pineapple and Vanilla Swirl in a Souvenir Tiki Bowl.
Pineapple and Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip in Tiki Bowl
In order to keep my Tiki Bowl clean, the Cast Member served the Dole Whip itself in a paper cup and placed it in the bowl (not per request – it just came that way). At certain angles it looks like the three little Tikis circling the bowl are hard at work holding up the Dole Whip :).
Tiki Bowl
I still prefer my pineapple Dole Whip swirled with orange, but I definitely get the appeal of the creamy, sweet vanilla alongside the tart pineapple. The whole thing was refreshing, just like always.
Pineapple and Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip
I was able to snag a picture of a Float while I was at it. Nope; no cherries. No umbrellas. Sigh.
Pineapple and Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip Float
Aaah, Dole Whip… I’ve had worse dinners ;).
No Dole Whips for breakfast, though… The Pineapple Lanai opens at noon, and stays open until one hour after “Wishes,” Magic Kingdom’s nighttime fireworks spectacular.
So, for me, the biggest loss here is that I can no longer get Dole Whip at 4AM (Captain Cook’s is open 24 hours and the self-serve Dole Whip machine was available for 23 of them each day).
Overall
It’s good to have Dole Whip back at the Polynesian, even with the loss of the self-serve machines (though that one will sting a bit – especially for those who perfected their Dole Whip Tower over many years) and all-nighter Dole Whip parties. But we welcome Pineapple Floats and a dedicated space to enjoy one of the most iconic Disney treats there is. Here’s to many more Dole Whips at the Polynesian Village Resort!
Will you be visiting the new Pineapple Lanai on your next trip to Disney World? Please let us know with a comment!
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It is a shame they aren’t going with the umbrella and cherry. Isn’t it amazing how such tiny little touches can make a big difference? I totally agree with the hours being a big bummer. Sometimes, you just need a little snack in the middle of the night. At least we can head over to Captain Cooks for the delicious looking buffalo chicken and waffles!
All in all, it is nice to have a Dole Whip option outside of the parks. Sometimes, grabbing one and heading over to the beach for Wishes sounds much more appealing than fighting the crowds in Adventureland for a spot to catch a peek.
I really loved using a quick service meal at Captain Cooks and getting the dole whip as the dessert. But having the float will be a treat, and still a snack option!
I would have given you some whip cream of you had ask! It was a pleasure serving you!
A sad day in so many never again Dole whip binge moment ways: {
Nick – Is there only one CM there? That’s a high traffic location. I’m sure you are efficient but your gonna get swamped!
That sipper looks fun.
Yes it will get swapped but for now not a lot of people know and we have alot of training going on so we will he at least 2 or 3 cm a day in there. I should be there as well teaching them. I would have given you a sipper :P.
Nick — The pleasure was mine, meeting you :)! Thanks for being so welcoming!!
Can anyone confirm that the pineapple dole whips are actually dairy-free and not cross-contaminated by the vanilla (which do contain dairy) ?
Hi Sara! I can help you with that. Yes pineapple is dairy free. I have a severe dairy allergy myself. And the vanilla is made in a sepreate container and does have sodium casinate in it which is a milk derivitve. Hope that helps
Nick – I promise to come by when I’m at the MK on Oct. 5. If I see you I’ll say hi.
Nick – we will be there either sometime between September 14-21! What time does it open?
Alright I’ll sure to be there then!! And it is open from noon til a hour after wishes!
Alright I’ll sure to be there then!! And it is open from noon til a hour after wishes! See you all soon!
So cool having Nick here to chat with! Please pass along the general sentiments from the DFB fans: yay for the floats; too bad about the self-service towers of Dole Whips; bring on the orange soft serve; consider a midnight snack closing time during the busier park seasons; and we love our cherry and umbrella garnishes! Thanks! -Anna
had the DoleWhip last night,it was good but I don’t see the big deal about it!
Please, is the (Dole Whip) Tiki Bowl plastic?
On our way now…can’t wait!
Sara, Vanilla DOLE Soft Serve isn’t dairy free but it is lactose free. We have been busy trying to reformulate the vanilla and chocolate flavors to make them dairy free but unfortunately we haven’t been able to get the taste where we want it! Our fruit flavors are so flavorful and it sets the bar high for our chocolate and vanilla. We will let you know when we get our vanilla flavor where we want it for release. Until then, please keep enjoying our Pineapple flavor at Disney. Outside of Disney, there are other vendors that serve our products. If you would like a list, we try and keep a running list on our Twitter page, under “more”>”vendor lists”. Our Twitter address is twitter.com/DoleSoftServe. Our other fruit flavors include pineapple, mango, strawberry, orange, and raspberry. On Jan 1, we are releasing a new fruit flavor:) We are excited!
Has anyone noticed lately that the different machines at Disneyworld are turning out different quality dole whips. The older taylor machines make the dole whips very soft serve like with a light yellowish/vanilla color. The newer machines make a dole whip that is very goldish almost orange in color and it is very thick and almost frozen like.?
Two flavors? Floats? What’s a float without Root Beer? Please expand your menu.
Sincerely,
Your greatest guest.
Will they serve you just plain Dole Pineapple Juice? This is my husband’s favorite thing at both DL and WDW, and we’re staying at the Polynesian this year and can’t wait to visit the Pineapple Lanai!
around 10 years ago we ran a snack bar
We loved dole whip so much that we found a small warehouse that sold it and it was added to our menu Our customers loved it as much as us