Walt Disney World Resort‘s iconic Dole Whip has become the center of controversy after a guest alleged that the beloved frozen treat caused severe illness in two family members. The claim, made on Reddit, has sparked a heated debate among Disney Parks fans and raised questions about food safety at the Resort.
Dole Whip, the dairy-free pineapple soft serve, is a signature snack at Disney Parks and is available at locations like Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Adventureland in Magic Kingdom Park, Africa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney Springs. For many, it’s a must-have treat during a Disney Park visit. However, one Central Florida theme park guest’s recent experience has cast a shadow on the treat’s reputation.
In a Reddit post, user u/PeoriaNative1 recounted their family’s alleged encounter with a potentially deadly illness after consuming Dole Whip at Pineapple Lanai. The guest wrote that two family members became violently ill after eating the treat.
“If you had a pineapple Dole Whip from Pineapple Lanai at the Polynesian around 12:45, you probably had something spoiled,” the post read. “By the time I finished it I didn’t feel right and have had chills and projectile vomiting since 4 p.m. and now just dry heaving every 15 minutes.”
The claim quickly gained attention, with commenters offering their thoughts on the situation. While some Disney Parks fans expressed gratitude for the warning, others were skeptical. Several pointed out that food poisoning symptoms typically take longer to manifest, making the timeline described by the guest unusual.
“Food poisoning generally doesn’t take effect that quickly,” noted Redditor u/vvtim, adding that the illness could have been caused by something consumed earlier in the day.
Another commenter, u/kheret, suggested a more common culprit: “I’m convinced like 90% of the ‘food poisoning’ posted on here is noro.”
Despite these doubts, the original poster remained adamant that the Dole Whip was the cause. They explained that after reviewing their recent meals, the timing of symptoms pointed to the pineapple treat.
“Based on what I ate up to that point it was definitely the Dole Whip,” they insisted.
High-traffic areas like Walt Disney World Resort are particularly susceptible to stomach bugs such as norovirus, which spread rapidly in crowded environments. However, reports of food contamination at Disney Parks are rare.
Disney takes food safety seriously, and any guest who suspects a food or beverage at the theme parks made them ill is encouraged to contact Guest Services. This allows Disney’s teams to investigate and address potential issues promptly.
Have you ever contracted food poisoning at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments.
