And a gluten-free question--- Buffets

[SDSorority]

Hi everyone. I'm just full of questions today!

DH and I are both gluten-free, and I avoid soy as much as possible, though I am not 'allergic', it DOES mess with my hormone balance. Anyway, what about buffets? Do people with special diets go through the buffet like everyone else does or does the chef make you your own meal? Do you pay the buffet price??

Thanks!!!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Last January was my first gluten free trip at Disney. I think it was highly successful too. When it came to buffets, they would walk you through it, pointing out what was safe and not safe. Then they would ask if you'd like anything else and offer things they could make separate. Several of the chefs also offered to bring my entire meal from the back too, to cut down on cross contamination. I paid the regular buffet price as well. Hope that helps!

 

[clanmcculloch]

My experience is that things can vary from restaurant to restaurant and even chef to chef.

A chef will ALWAYS come to your table. That chef will ALWAYS walk you through the buffet explaining what is safe and what is not. Here's where it varies. Some chefs will end here and in this case I recommend that you ask for a plate of fresh foods from the kitchen in order to avoid cross contamination; other chefs will make this offer without you having to ask. Some chefs will also ask if there are any of the unsafe foods that interest you and will offer to come up with a safe alternative of some of them. Again, this doesn't always happen and if it doesn't and there is something that did interest you then you can certainly ask if it's possible to get a safe version; the worst the chef can say is no for a variety of reason (it may be a matter of time but it may also be a matter of an item be pre-mixed or pre-marinated in something unsafe). Some chefs may also offer to prepare something special that's not on the buffet while other won't. Some restaurants carry special allergy safe treats and the chef will likely offer the items if they do (ex at CP they have allergy brownies made in house and at CM they have allergy cupcakes made in house).

Do NOT go up to the buffet without the chef.

You pay the same fixed price as anybody else.

 

[DVC_Princess]

PP's are correct. I just wanted to emphasize that if you get a chef who does not offer special food from the back, make sure you ask yourself if you don't feel comfortable with cross contamination. As I go around with the chef, I take note of what I'd like to eat (as they say what's safe) and look what's near it. For example, if the pasta salad is behind the regular salad, there's a good chance someone will drop a noodle in it by the end of the night. I also won't touch anything on a plate near or around bread, crackers, etc. If I see something that looks easily cross contaminated, I ask for some from the back. At the end if the walk through, the chef and I will go over what I asked for and sometimes they will add a special dessert or other menu item from the back.

With that being said, I have had consistently good service at Boma. They go out of their way to keep cross contamination at a minimum and make gluten free zebra domes. We also frequent Crystal Palace every trip. Because if the children, I ask for many things from the kitchen and enjoy their home made gluten free brownie (delicious with some ice cream).

 

[jeepster93]

I have celiac disease and have had two AWESOME experiences at Germany in Epcot the last two of my trips. The very nice chefs have come out and personally walked me through every little part of the buffet. They pointed out what was safe, and what was safe but could possibly have been contaminated by other guests. BOTH times they went in the back and made me something personally. The first time, the chef came out at the end of the meal with a small paper bag filled with the GF brownies "In case you get hungry walking around the park". I never felt ill (and I'm super sensitive). The food was delicious. They don't have GF beer, but I think I had root beer. I was stuffed to the gills both times.

That's the only buffet I've been to, but if you like the restaurants, I've also had two great experiences at Mama Melrose's.

The KEY is to make reservations BEFORE or AFTER the regular eating time for folks (like at 11:30 or AM or 2:00 for lunch and 5:30 for dinner) That way it won't be as crowded and the chef can spend more time with you.

Happy Eating! *GF HUGS!*

 

[Aminniedala]

Thanks for posting this question, SDSorority! I was about to ask something similar. Our daughter is on a gluten free diet and I was wondering how the buffets were handled. She's 4, and a pretty picky eater; I was concerned whether the chef would just point out which foods on the buffet were safe and leave it at that. If we can get even something basic like GF chicken tenders or cheese pizza, she'll be happy.

We had great experiences with sit down restaurants. Akershus, Ohana and the Hoop-de-doo Revue all gave her far more food than she could eat! We have ADRs at 1900 Park Fare and Hollywood and Vine when we go in April.

 

[SueM in MN]

My niece has a gluten allergy and had good experiences where ever she went. This included counter service, although that was often quite time consuming since they had to get a manager. She was even pointed toward gluten free beer (she is an adult) at the Land.

Be sure to stop at Babycakes at Downtown Disney. They have lots of yummy gluten free treats.

My son in law has a severe allergy to almonds. He was not concerned about cross contamination that much, so did not get any food specifically made for him. But the chefs were very helpful at the buffets and would have plated him some contamination free food if he felt he needed it.

 

[dzorn]

I have celiac disease and have had two AWESOME experiences at Germany in Epcot the last two of my trips. The very nice chefs have come out and personally walked me through every little part of the buffet. They pointed out what was safe, and what was safe but could possibly have been contaminated by other guests. BOTH times they went in the back and made me something personally. The first time, the chef came out at the end of the meal with a small paper bag filled with the GF brownies "In case you get hungry walking around the park". I never felt ill (and I'm super sensitive). The food was delicious. They don't have GF beer, but I think I had root beer. I was stuffed to the gills both times.

That's the only buffet I've been to, but if you like the restaurants, I've also had two great experiences at Mama Melrose's.

The KEY is to make reservations BEFORE or AFTER the regular eating time for folks (like at 11:30 or AM or 2:00 for lunch and 5:30 for dinner) That way it won't be as crowded and the chef can spend more time with you.

Happy Eating! *GF HUGS!*

They do have GF beer. I cannot remember where I saw it. DH was not with me and DD closer to the year she was born than 21.

As with the other posters the chef has always walked us through the buffet unless we let them know what we would like brought to the table. DD always gets GF Mickey waffles from Cape May, when we go there that is all she wants so we skip the buffet and they just bring it to the table. The do make GF zebra domes at Boma

Denise in MI