Best Non Park GF restaurants

[MrsJD]

We are considering staying on Disney Property if they offer free dining for the dates we are looking to be in Orlando. While we will do 2 parks days, most of our days will be spent doing other things. So I am looking for the restaurants with the best GF options for my DH that are not in the parks. Resorts, DTD and Boardwalk locations, both TS and CS.

Also, does anyone know if Earl offers any GF bread for their awesome sandwiches?

And is there a resort that we should stay at because of their superior GF food choices (looks like CSR might be a good choice or even AofA)

thanks for any help/opinions you can provide!!!

 

[akcire]

Not sure if you have any in WI, but in FL they have Sweet Tomato resturants. Basically an enormous salad bar. There are more than enough GF options to keep someone full. They also have baked potatos and toppings. (I have no idea if salad dressing is GF--I am allergic so I am not sure of all the ingredients).

There are a fair number of pastas, soups, and breads which would not be safe, but I meet lots of GF friends at this chair fairly regularly. I have my own problems with foods--this place works because everyone can pick and eat as much or little as they want.

 

[MrsJD]

I'll keep that in mind, but I am looking more for restaurants on Disney property that we can use our dining plan at.
Thanks for the response!

 

[clanmcculloch]

CSR is the only resort where none of the dining locations are owned by Disney. I tend to stick mostly to restaurants owned by Disney because they have more options than the non-Disney owned restaurants, with a few exceptions (Kouzzina has an AMAZING reputation). We won't stay at CSR because of the dining options.

Before answering your question, I've got a couple questions.
1. Are you looking for CS or TS or both at your resort or are you willing to travel?
2. Will you have a car?

Basically, if you want both TS and CS at your resort or with little travel then you'll probably want to stay at a monorail resort or AKL. There are wonderful TS options around Crescent Lake and within walking distance if you go into Epcot or DHS but the CS options at the resorts stink (though BC does now have a selection of Babycakes treats). Since you'll be staying around your resort a lot, I'd really hesitate to stay at a Crescent Lake resort using the basic dining plan because of just how limitted the CS options are.

I'll be staying at AoA in August and I've already heard from a chef there. I've worked before with this particular chef and I'm really excited and anticipate a lot of options. We've had amazing experiences at Pop and it's the same chef who we've worked with there.

As to which restaurants are great for gluten free options, I'd say most Disney owned locations. At resorts that includes just about everything with the exception of CSR TS & CS and Boardwalk TS. Of the Boardwalk TS Kouzzina does have an amazing reputation so I'd keep them on the list for good options. If money isn't a concern, I'd really recommend a monorail resort and all of the wonderful TS and CS dining options that are available there. If money is an issue the hopefully you'll have a car and can drive to some of the other resorts for TS in which case any value or moderate should be ok (with the exception of CSR which I'll personally never stay at because of dining).

 

[chimilady]

Have you googled Gluten Free WDW? I ask because we have our first trip coming up in September and feel we have tons of options pretty much at any restaurant.

I was told the lower the price of the hotel, the more GF options they have. I am staying at Pop and plan to eat there and at AoA. I also have ADRs at 1900 Park Fare, as I've heard excellent things, also at Ohana. The rest of our restaurants are in Parks.

I've also come across some food blogs you should read. some are Dairy free as well, but worth reading to see what the restaurants can do. There are a ton that are not in the parks.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/eating-gluten-free-at-disney-world/

http://allears.net/din/guestceliac.htm

http://www.glutenanddairyfree.com/restaurants.html

http://glutenfreedairyfreewdw.blogspot.com/

 

[MrsJD]

We have done GF Disney before and have loved all of the options, and is the main reason why we would even consider staying on Disney property this trip (if they offer free dining).

We will have a car and would figure on driving to meals at resorts and DTD. He really liked Big River Grille and I see that they joined the dining plan this year!

Thanks for the heads up on CSR. I was leaning more towards AofA and it sounds like it will be a good choice. I know that counter service was a bit of a flop because of options and the inconvenience. I may consider going with a Moderate and upgrading to deluxe dining.

I assume Ohana kind of sucks for GF?
How about any other special dining like HoopDee Doo?
And it looks like Cape May dropped the crablegs? That would have been a good option for DH.
Looking forward to Be Our Guest reports!

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[dzorn]

We have done GF Disney before and have loved all of the options, and is the main reason why we would even consider staying on Disney property this trip (if they offer free dining).

We will have a car and would figure on driving to meals at resorts and DTD. He really liked Big River Grille and I see that they joined the dining plan this year!

Thanks for the heads up on CSR. I was leaning more towards AofA and it sounds like it will be a good choice. I know that counter service was a bit of a flop because of options and the inconvenience. I may consider going with a Moderate and upgrading to deluxe dining.

I assume Ohana kind of sucks for GF?
How about any other special dining like HoopDee Doo?
And it looks like Cape May dropped the crablegs? That would have been a good option for DH.
Looking forward to Be Our Guest reports!

Thanks for the input guys!

We have has good food at CSR GF so I would not let that influnece you. DD loved the pizza from there as it was the same brand crust I use at home.

Denise in MI

 

[clanmcculloch]

We've had only great experiences at 'Ohana with multiple food allergies including gluten.

We've eaten twice at HDDR and have an ADR there again in August.

Cape May had crablegs last summer but that's the last time we ate there.

Regarding CSR. I have read some good reviews but I've read as many if not more bad reviews. I'm always glad when people have good experiences but you do need to go in with eyes WIDE open with CSR and be prepared to scrutinize everything and to not have the same options you'd necessarily have everywhere.

 

[primrosea]

We ate gluten free at Disney in January and were pleasantly surprised with the offerings. Outside of the parks we liked both Ohanas and 1900 Park Fare. At Ohanas breakfast we had a huge offering of eggs, sausage, potatoes, fruit and Mickey Waffles. They made sure everything was perfect and it did not take long for the order to arrive.

At 1900 we had dinner and the chef was great about bringing us around the buffet to show us what was safe. Then he asked if there was anything special he could make us. My kids said they wanted chicken nuggets (of course) and he returned with nuggets, fries and pasta stacked up high. He also said he would make us a "memorable" dessert. He arrived at the end of the meal with a giant bamboo stick loaded with ice cream stuck into a huge piece of pineapple which he proceeded to drizzle chocolate over once placed at the table! It was such an amazing presentation! The other tables were all looking at us. We were made to feel very special

 

[snorris49]

Ohana is amazing for food allergies. Even being GF/DF I get lots of options (plenty of food!) and even sauces (GF teriyaki and GF sweet and sour). I've never had a bad meal there. It's one of my all time favs!

I was just at Cape May May 2012 and they still had crab legs there. Not sure if there is some change that just happened, but they still had them about a month and 1/2 ago. (and people lining up to eat them!!)

I would stay clear of Earl of Sandwich--a lot of risk of cross contamination there, and they don't have bread offerings. For DTD quick service, I would go with Wolfgang Puck Express or Cooke's of Dublin (GF fish and chips to die for!). DTD restaurants aren't Disney owned, so they aren't quite as good (imo) in terms of accommodating, but still you can find some decent places (plus, Babycakes is there!).

I love lunches at some of the resorts. For table service, I like Kona a lot. Nicely priced and good portions. For dinner, I love places like Sanaa (hidden gem imo--and they are fab with food allergies/special diets), Ohana, Cape May, Whispering Canyon Cafe, and the list could go on...