Vote of the week: Butterbeer or Dole Whip?

February 3, 2011 at 9:27 PM · Thanks to twitter, I have been awakened to this fight to the tasty death.

Nothing is better than Dole Whip. They brought it to the festival of the west in AZ (don't ask!) and my AZ friend now wants to get into his car and drive to Disneyland.

There is nothing on earth as good as Dole Whip.

February 3, 2011 at 9:32 PM · I am honored Robert that my discussion made it for the vote of the week :) I have always enjoyed our friendly debates on what is "the best" from our themeparks. I am very curious to see how this battle will play out this weekend!

February 3, 2011 at 10:30 PM · This is an extremely hard question for me. I think taste wise I'll go with Butterbeer because its unique and Dole Whips just tastes like pineapple. But I have better experiences with Dole Whip because I almost always watch Wishes! while eating Dole Whips. Man, this question is going to keep me up at night now. Thanks a lot!

February 3, 2011 at 11:04 PM · Having not yet tasted Butterbeer, I am inclined to let the vote pass.

However, I will say this: the Pineapple Dole Float is my absolute favorite dessert. It hits me in all the right places, in all the right ways, and leaves me completely satisfied, but still wanting more. Furthermore, like a previous poster mentioned, I have history with the Dole Float as well as experiences and emotional ties that cannot be matched by the new kid on the block.

My guess is that a butterscotch creme soda flavored beverage, while intriguing, is just not going to do it for me. But I will withhold my vote until I have given Butterbeer a fair chance.

February 4, 2011 at 12:43 AM · Man, I haven't had the butterbeer yet, and I already know where my vote would lie.

Being a Disney first person generally, it hurts to vote against my favorite park, but I detest, loathe and abominate pineapple.

February 4, 2011 at 3:59 AM · I haven't had either one, but I'll be going to both IOA and MK this June and plan on trying both of them. I don't suppose you could leave the vote open until then? No? Well, it was just a thought.

February 4, 2011 at 4:45 AM · I voted butterbeer...it is a very interesting little drink...While Dole Whip is good its not unique...Thats it in a nut shell..Thank you.

February 4, 2011 at 6:32 AM · How is Dole Whip not unique? While this might be true for the Butterbeer as well, you can only get Dole Whip at like three places (two being Disney resorts) making it extremely rare and a special treat.

I have been following this poll thoughout last night and this morning and I am a bit suprised at the current results going. Dole Whip was KILLING, but now, its just a bit ahead. Where all the butterbeer fans asleep or something?

February 4, 2011 at 7:31 AM · By your picture - you have the non-frozen butterbeer. In that case, it for sure Dole Whip (yes, the float!).

If it's a frozen butterbeer, I'd have to rethink it. But, I still think Dole Whip float!

February 4, 2011 at 7:47 AM · Butterbeer is tastey, but it gets a little overbearing after about half a cup. Dole Whip, however, is the most refreshing treat I have ever consumed at any park, period. I am almost embarrassed to say I have enjoyed probably over a hundred of them in my lifetime.

I want one now!

February 4, 2011 at 7:58 AM · Don't get me wrong...the frozen Butterbeer is quite delicious and I won't leave Universal without getting one. But on a hot day, there is nothing better than the light and refreshing taste of a Dole Whip!

February 4, 2011 at 8:19 AM · Both drinks are delicious! I LOVE the Dole Whip however sometimes I leave the MK without having had one. At this point I can't imagine walking out of IOA without having had at least one Butterbeer. My other favorite snack @MK are the cream cheese filled pretezels over by Buzz Lightyear MMMMMMM.

February 4, 2011 at 9:30 AM · I anxiously looked forward to trying a Dole Whip some years back. I like pineapple, I like ice cream and I was even doing taste panel stuff for Dole at one point. This Dole Whip stuff is very nasty. It's dense and heavy, and I know I'm in the minority, but I can't stand it. Have you ever seen the ingredients list for Dole Whip? It is absolutely NOT ice cream, and, indeed, looks more like something that came from Dow Chemical rather than a food company. From the company website:

"Dole Soft Serve Mix is a lactose free dry mix that is reconstituted with tap water and frozen down in a soft serve machine."

"Sugar, Dextrose, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Coconut Oil**, Stabilizers (Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean, Karaya Gum, Pectin), Maltodextrin, Silicon Dioxide (Anticaking), Corn Syrup Solids, Citric Acid, Sodium Caseinate (A Milk Derivative), Artificial Flavor, Potassium & Sodium Phosphate, Mono & Diglycerides, Artificial Color (Yellow 5 & 6), Soy Lecithin"

Bon Apetit! I'll be enjoying a Butter Beer myself.

February 4, 2011 at 10:23 AM · Meanwhile, some Disney fan is trying find Sodium Caseinate and Silicon Dioxide at his grocery store, so he can try to make a Dole Whip at home... :^)

Every time I get a Dole Whip, I get the float, and end up enjoying the pineapple juice more than the whip. I finish wishing that I'd just ordered a nice cold cup of pineapple juice instead.

FWIW, I'm among the not-very-vocal majority who prefer the regular Butterbeer to the frozen (Regular beat frozen 53%-47% in previous vote of the week). One Butterbeer with an order of Three Broomsticks fish n' chips, and I'm in a very happy place.

February 4, 2011 at 11:31 AM · Ingredient lists? Really? I am a big fan of going back to nature and all, but seriously, do you think the ingredients of a Butterbeer are any better?

I am guessing the ingredient list for Butterbeer (which Universal has not released) is something like this:

Carbonated water, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate (preservative), natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, citric acid, vanilla extract, caffeine, nonfat milk, fructose, corn starch-modified, whey protein concentrate (from milk), salt, potassium sorbate (preservative), polysorbate 60, sodium citrate, disodium phosphate, yellow 5, yellow 6, and, of course, butter.

And I really don't want to know what goes into making that froth!

February 4, 2011 at 12:47 PM · One of my fondest memories of our last trip to WDW, was enjoying a Dole Whip at sunset near the Swiss Family Tree House. It is the most refreshing, delightful treat they have to offer, *in my opinion. That cool, fresh taste is something my entire family looks forward to. Wonderful way to slow the pace down just a bit for the evening.

February 4, 2011 at 1:20 PM · I love Butterbeer too much to not vote for it. I think I had Dole Whip when I was seven or twelve ( can't remember which )and only liking the pineapple juice, and not liking the "whip" at all.

A cool glass of Butterbeer from the Hog's Head is to die for on any day.

February 4, 2011 at 2:16 PM · key words in determining my vote was "on a hot day". If it's Orlando summer hot outside I'd prefer refreshing pineapple ice cream to butterscotchy rootbeer I think, but both seem interesting and tasty. Just on a hot summer day in Orlando I give the advantage to the Dole Whip. Now, for another season that is not so steamy out.... not sure. Guess whatever your in the mood for or whichever park your in.

February 4, 2011 at 4:25 PM · Frozen Butterbeer =D

It's much easier to drink than a Dole Whip or float is to try to eat, as the icecream melts away so quick and creates such a mess.

If we're not talking about a hot summer day, but a warm spring/fall day, then the Dole Whip would be my choice =)

February 4, 2011 at 11:18 PM · I have had the Dole Whip and due to messed up taste buds it tastes like nothing to me. :-( I haven't had butterbeer but it sounds good.

February 4, 2011 at 11:30 PM · I went for the whip. I have not tasted Butterbeer, but I really do not think it tastes anywhere close to what JK Rowling intended. It is probably a refreshing drink, but there is nothing like rounding the Adventureland corner and getting a whip on a hot SoCal day.

February 5, 2011 at 10:53 AM · I love both but I voted for Butterbeer because I think it's lower in calories.

February 5, 2011 at 12:26 PM · Let's not guess:

Butterbeer, 1 serving (14oz): 200 Calories
Dole Whip (pineapple), 1 serving (1cup/8oz): 160 Calories

Not sure about the Dole Pineapple Float, or the froth on the Butterbeer.

At any rate, when comparing servings, the Dole Whip is the lighter alternative. However, all things equal, a Dole Whip has about six more calories per ounce than a Butterbeer.

Ultimately, neither dessert should be purchased for its nutritional value which is essentially zero.

February 5, 2011 at 1:42 PM · Haven't tried Butterbeer, but I was disappointed in the Dole Whip. Finally tried one in the summer of 2009 and... Well, Dole isn't exactly the greatest juice company around. The ice cream whip was fine, but Dole's pineapple juice tastes cheap.

Don't get me wrong - the Dole Whip was still tasty, but not nearly as good as the hype would suggest.

February 5, 2011 at 4:46 PM · Butterbeer float, with butterscotch ice cream and a shortbread cookie.

Universal, please feel welcomed to steal this idea for the Harry Potter Christmas celebration. :^)

February 5, 2011 at 6:13 PM · Dole Whip is actually one of the 'lighter' dessert options at the MK, but definitely will get my vote any day regardless of calorie count. Love the pineapple float, although last time I ordered a pineapple float I ended up with pineapple juice and a orange and vanilla Dole Whip twist... Ewww... :-(

But I'm headed there Monday to allow the Cast to redeem themselves. ;-)

February 6, 2011 at 6:44 PM · Can I just skip both and instead get one of those Strawberry Lemon Ice things instead? Or the Strawberry Fruitstick thing..... IMO Strawberry really is preferrable to both butterscotch and Pineapple in the summertime. :-)

February 7, 2011 at 7:26 AM · I got to have both this past weekend and while the Butterbeer was tasty, I think I still prefer Dole Whip

February 7, 2011 at 12:18 PM · I admit I haven't yet tasted Butter Beer but personally I know I am not a big fan of sugary or sweet drinks. And I love Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, and the like. So I can say pretty confidently that Dole Whip would be my choice. Great stuff!

February 8, 2011 at 11:19 AM · I haven't had butter beer yet, but I'm inclined to agree with the poster who said he doesn't think a butterschotch-flavored drink will do it for him. Additionally, the last time I was at WDW, they had added other flavors - such as orange - to the Dole float ice cream lineup, which adds yet another delicious taste dimension to that already superb drink.