Checking In On Aloha Isle For A Dole Whip

I have, on more than one occasion, been called a Disney purist. So when Disney announced that my beloved Sunshine Tree Terrace was trading places with Aloha Isle in 2015, I was less than thrilled. Last month I finally had the opportunity to stop in while at the Magic Kingdom and see what I thought of it for myself. Let's take a look at the new location Adventureland's Aloha Isle.


Aloha Isle Refreshments Is Sponsored By Dole


The previous location of Aloha Isle has been in an awkward for a while now, the long lines for it's popular Dole Whip snack overwhelmed cashiers, and could crowd the walkway through Adventureland. It also suffered from a lack of seating, with the tiny courtyard off to its side often filled to capacity. The Dole Whip nerve center needed some relief, so in March of 2015 Disney came up with a plan to solve its growing pains. Aloha Isle, would switch places with the less popular, but much larger, Sunshine Tree Terrace just a short walk deeper into Adventureland.


Former Location of Aloha Isle


Situated next to the exit of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Sunshine Tree Terrace was originally part of the attraction complex that was sponsored by the Florida Orange Growers Association through the 70's and early 80's. Not only did it's wide serving counters with multiple points of sale make sense to keep the lines moving, but its location in a corner behind The Magic Carpets of Aladdin also meant that it wouldn't be blocking the main flow of foot traffic. Disney also realized that the easier people could get to Aloha Isle, the more Dole Whips they could sell, so a former piece of fence-line between Frontierland and Adventureland was removed to create a new walkway between the two lands.


New Aloha Isle Seating Next To Snack Counter


The new Aloha Isle Refreshments, nestled next to the Tiki Room, is actually quite nice. The thematic integrity of the pavilion was kept in tact, with just a few subtle color changes to reflect the sponsorship by Dole. The lines are able to move more quickly due to more points of sale, and there is ample seating. The new location offers a half a dozen standard size four tops off to the side of the snack counter, that may or may not offer protection from the sun depending on time of day. Then, across the way along the backside of the Magic Carpet ride are several smaller round tables with cushioned stools, and a long cement bench. The round tables are quite comfortable to stop at for just a quick break, and shaded by both umbrellas, and a pergola that surrounds the ride behind them.


Shaded Seating Near The Magic Carpet Ride


The menu is a little sleeker here in its new location, with just one thing on their mind - pineapple - and your ability to order up that snack with its own cult following, the Dole Whip. Options include a Pineapple Dole Whip Cup, a Pineapple Float, a Fresh Cut Pineapple Spear, and Pineapple Juice with or without a Souvenir Tiki Mug. When we stopped by there was no mention of the swirl option., which was found on previous menus here. Oh - I almost forgot - the Dole Whip at Aloha Isle is Gluten and Lactose Free.

My son and I ordered up our favorites early one morning, a Dole Whip Cup and a Dole Whip Float, then sat down in the shade by the Magic Carpets and watched the little kids queue up for the Aladdin and Jasmine Meet and Greet.


It's An All Pineapple Menu
Dole Whip Float and Dole Whip Cup


While I'll always be an Orange Bird fan and enjoy my childhood memories of walking out of the Enchanted Tiki room to meet him in this location; I think that this move for Aloha Isle was not only good for Disney, but also good for the fans.

What do you think of the Aloha Isle Relocation? Leave a comment and let me know!