Dole Whips have become synonymous with Disney theme parks and rank among their most popular snacks. Developed in 1984, the vegan and gluten-free soft-serve dessert continues to draw fans. The original pineapple flavor has been joined by raspberry, lime, strawberry, lemon, and more. Disney has introduced new variations on the Dole Whips, and regular guests try them all. You don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars for a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland to get one, however.
One of the reasons that Dole Whips draw long lines at Disney’s parks is that they aren’t available everywhere. They’ve also become a quintessential part of the experience; everything tastes better at Disneyland. Even so, you can enjoy Dole Whips all across the country if you know where to look. Regional destinations can provide a small taste of Disney, and some may be closer than you think. Here in my hometown of St. Louis, that fabled spot is the Saint Louis Zoo.
I’ve recently discovered more details about where you can find Dole Whips there, and not just the original flavor. Two stands inside the zoo give you the chance to try pineapple, raspberry, cherry, and lime plus a swirl. You can find them at the River Camp Cafe and Ray’s Snack Shack, with different options at each spot. Don’t worry if the online menu at the River Camp Cafe doesn’t list a Dole Whip. I just visited the zoo with my daughter Elise (who’s 13) on August 19th, and both stands offered them. The only possible hiccup is making sure they’re open, so I’d recommend visiting on popular days.
Update: Beyond the Zoo, you can buy Dole Whips at the Ballwin Sno-Cone stand! We recently made the trip and enjoyed a limited edition flavor. Frozen yogurt fans can also find pineapple Dole Whips at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt! I’ve included more details about both visits below in this post.
Where can you locate the River Camp Cafe at the Saint Louis Zoo?
Your best option for grabbing a Dole Whip is the River Camp Cafe, a quick-service outdoor spot offering burgers, sandwiches, and frozen treats. It’s located near the massive River’s Edge exhibit on the zoo’s southwest side. You can easily access this location from either entrance, but your best choice is parking by the larger South Entrance. Once you arrive, take a slight left and walk up the steps near the waterfall. This path leads directly to the River Camp Cafe. From the North Entrance, turn right after exiting the Living World and walk past Dinoroarus and the Insectarium to reach it. This online map should help with planning your visit. You should note that while the Saint Louis Zoo has free admission, there is a $15 parking fee.
The River Camp Cafe offers two flavors, pineapple and raspberry, plus a swirl option. It’s hard to go wrong with the original flavor, but the swirl lets you mix two flavors that are quite different. The $4.75 price for each Dole Whip is fairly reasonable, though the overall size does seem a bit smaller than Disney’s version. There is a decent amount of outdoor seating in this area to enjoy your desserts.
Where can you find Ray’s Snack Shack at the Saint Louis Zoo?
Near the center of the zoo is Ray’s Snack Shack, which stands close by the Stingrays at Caribbean Cove. You can easily walk by this smaller location if you aren’t paying close attention. It’s tucked right behind the Lakeside Cafe just north of the restaurant. From the North Entrance, it’s a straight shot after you exit The Living World. Just follow the signs for the stingray exhibit. The South Entrance is a bit further away but not a bad walk. Take a slight right and stay close to the lake as you head towards the Lakeside Cafe. Take a left and head around that restaurant to reach your destination.
The draw of Ray’s Snack Shack is a wider variety of flavors with lime and cherry joining pineapple and raspberry. Unfortunately, the chances of it being open are smaller than the River Camp Cafe. We visited on a busy Saturday in August, and Ray’s was closed. It’s worth a shot to make sure because of the extra flavors but isn’t as safe a bet. The good news it that both locations are only about five minutes apart. You don’t have to venture into the far corners of the zoo to find the Dole Whips. I hope this guide helps you experience a taste of Disney between your big vacations!
Update: Finding Dole Whips at Ballwin Sno-Cone
Located just southwest of St. Louis city, Ballwin Sno-Cone isn’t a small stand with a few options. Instead, it offers a grill with burgers and a lot more, sno-cones and other frozen desserts, and beers. Plus, don’t forget about Dole Whips! There’s a spacious park with lots of outdoor space by the stand. It’s a great spot to grab a few treats and enjoy a fall evening. They also sometimes show movies on Saturday nights.
Ballwin Sno-Cone seems to usually offer two Dole Whip flavors with the original pineapple regularly available. We were lucky that the limited edition mango Dole Whip was available on our visit. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it ranked among the best options. It was a lot better than raspberry for sure. The current online menu lists pineapple and watermelon, so the selections may have already changed. Regardless, it’s another cool spot to grab a Dole Whip in the St. Louis area.
Update: Pineapple Dole Whips at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
We recently took a short drive to Fenton, Missouri to pick up a Dole Whip at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. This chain is located about 20 minutes from the city in the Gravois Bluffs shopping center. It’s basically a massive strip mall with a mix of large and small businesses. There’s a second location out west in O’Fallon, Missouri. Menchie’s is your typical frozen yogurt spot with a variety of flavors and toppings available.
Menchie’s just offers pineapple Dole Whip soft serve along with its frozen yogurt flavors. Be careful with the massive serving cups! They’re priced based on volume, and you can easily spend a lot if you fill them. I just added some Butterfinger and Reese’s Pieces toppings, which did taste a bit weird with the pineapple flavor. My daughter added a little chocolate frozen yogurt to the mix, which combined better with it. This Dole Whip felt more consistent with frozen yogurt and didn’t melt as easily as you typically expect. Even so, it’s cool to have another option in St. Louis to pick up this awesome pineapple treat!
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