Advice on first GF trip...staying at the Grand Floridian...

[daraweb]

Hi,

My 8 year old daughter was just diagnosed with celiac disease and we will be coming to WDW 9/28-10/2 for a long weekend. Since she was diagnosed we have traveled a few times but have always had a kitchen. For this upcoming trip, we booked a regular room t the Grand Floridian. I am really excited since we have never stayed on the monorail (actually have only stayed at the villas at WL) so this will be a big change.

So, my questions are about the food at the Grand Floridian...
Will there be gluten free options to pick up for a quick bfast on our way out? Will there be GF waffles or something similar at the CS?

Thanks for any info!
Dara

 

[davebon23]

Hi,

My 8 year old daughter was just diagnosed with celiac disease and we will be coming to WDW 9/28-10/2 for a long weekend. Since she was diagnosed we have traveled a few times but have always had a kitchen. For this upcoming trip, we booked a regular room t the Grand Floridian. I am really excited since we have never stayed on the monorail (actually have only stayed at the villas at WL) so this will be a big change.

So, my questions are about the food at the Grand Floridian...
Will there be gluten free options to pick up for a quick bfast on our way out? Will there be GF waffles or something similar at the CS?

Thanks for any info!
Dara

Dara,

I haven't eaten at the GF since going gluten free, so I can't help you there.
But my idea for a quick breakfast is going to be Babycakes bakery in Downtown Disney. I am going to go there on our first day after we check in
and stock up for the week on doughnuts, muffins and the like. There baked goods are all gluten free and other allergy free also(don't remember the whole list of allergens as I am only GF and I don't need to worry about other allergens). They are inside a restaurant called Pollo Campero. It can be a little tricky to find. This will be my first time going there, but they have been getting really good reviews. I figure my family may get a muffin or bagel for a quick breakfast and I will have one of these bakery items. I will have a fridge in my room, so I can keep them. I have heard they are a little better the next day if refrig and then left out to warm at room temp.

This is what I thought I would try. Maybe this will be a good idea for your daughter if you like any of their selections of muffins and such. Granted these won't be the healthiest options for breakfast. But what the heck you are on vacation. You can also buy fresh fruit as a snack. That could be a good option for breakfast. Good luck what ever you choose. Disney really can be really amazing for us Celiacs. This will be my first time since diagnosed, and I feel so relieved after reading all of the positive comments on this website. I am actually excited to eat out and NOT get sick for once.

 

[alicehatter]

The BabyCakes idea actually sounds like a great one, and one I will probably try myself! Also to know, if you contact special diets, and let them know the mornings that you will want something from their bakery, they will have gluten free items waiting for you!

I did this the last time I stayed at Boardwalk, and requested Vegan muffins from Boardwalk Bakery. Sure enough, the mornings I told them I would be there, they had two muffins waiting for me that I could eat! It was a huge blessing!

 

[davebon23]

The BabyCakes idea actually sounds like a great one, and one I will probably try myself! Also to know, if you contact special diets, and let them know the mornings that you will want something from their bakery, they will have gluten free items waiting for you!

I did this the last time I stayed at Boardwalk, and requested Vegan muffins from Boardwalk Bakery. Sure enough, the mornings I told them I would be there, they had two muffins waiting for me that I could eat! It was a huge blessing!

I didn't know you could request in advance from the bakeries like that. That is good to know. Thanks.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The Grand Floridian is such a gorgeous resort and great for GF options! We just stayed there this past February and loved it.

The GF Cafe and Narcoosee's were fabulous for dinner, lots of options and I didn't feel deprived at all. 1900 Park Fare was delicious for breakfast. Counter service is offered at Gasparilla Grill and I was impressed with it. I'm not normally a counter service gal while on vacation but this was good! GF Mickey waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit all so good. When we return to Disney, we are most definitely staying here again and eating at the same places. They were wonderful! I'm sure your DD will have no trouble finding something delicious here.

 

[alicehatter]

The Grand Floridian is such a gorgeous resort and great for GF options! We just stayed there this past February and loved it.

The GF Cafe and Narcoosee's were fabulous for dinner, lots of options and I didn't feel deprived at all. 1900 Park Fare was delicious for breakfast. Counter service is offered at Gasparilla Grill and I was impressed with it. I'm not normally a counter service gal while on vacation but this was good! GF Mickey waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit all so good. When we return to Disney, we are most definitely staying here again and eating at the same places. They were wonderful! I'm sure your DD will have no trouble finding something delicious here.

Did you happen to speak to Chef TJ while you were there? I heard he is now at GF Cafe/1900...and he's AMAZING with special diets!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Did you happen to speak to Chef TJ while you were there? I heard he is now at GF Cafe/1900...and he's AMAZING with special diets!!

No, sadly I didn't. I was hoping to since I've heard such wonderful things about Chef TJ. I actually had the same chef at my GF Cafe dinner that I had at my 1900 Park Fare breakfast and counter service meals. He was a young-ish looking guy, maybe his latter 20's, and was very friendly and helpful! And the best part was all those meals were safe, I didn't have a reaction to anything I ate and he said he personally cooked it all himself.