Celiac Disease/Gluten free advice

[fieldfam4]

My wife and daughter have celiac disease and have to eat gluten free. We are going to DW (WL) on August 15th. When I made our dining ressies I specified gluten free on the dining reservation form. Is there anything else I could do before we go to make the gluten free dining experience better for my wife and daughter? Is there someone I should contact ahead of time? Thank you very much.

 

[Hootch]

want to go the disABILITIES board for advice. There is usually a community of people that have varying food allergies on that board.

No one in our family has a food allergy but I do see a lot of reports of people that go to Disney and have a great time and great service.

 

[o2bnoz]

Hi Fieldfam4!

We had a gluten free member of our party, when we traveled to WDW in Oct. 2008. I mentioned the allergy when I made my ADR's (as you have) and then when I checked in to each restaurant, I reminded them. We were treated wonderfully! In most cases, the chef personally came out and talked to my Mom and told her what was available for her, or what could be made special. In a couple of cases, the waiter handled that part of it, but it was always handled very, very well. We were surprised and pleased.

Even at CS places, if I mentioned it (my Mom hates to tell anyone because she feels that it's asking for "favors") the CS places would offer a gluten free option as well, or substitute a gluten free bun. It was just great!

You wiill have a wonderful time and your family will be so happy with their choices and ability to enjoy everything just like everyone else!

Have a splendid visit!

 

[w-family]

We went last Aug. with my brother-in-law who needs the same diet. He said that he has never eaten so well, as he did the week he was at Disney, and he was sooooooo skeptical before the trip.

Each time we checked in we would remind them of the restriction. At every place the chef came out and met with him. They would walk the buffet line too. They gave him special breads at Boma (and somewhere else, though can't rememebr where) Made him special desserts.

The one problem we experienced was counter servies. Because it would take longer to make his food special, most of our party would be done eating by the time he got his food. We learned by the end of the trip, for him to go order himself first, while we got a table and setteled in (there was 15 of us) and then we would order for everyone else, so we could eat together.

have a great trip!

 

[Nadjalu]

Please check out the disabilities forum here on the boards, it is very informational of all food issues. They will be able to really help you.

 

[2Tiggies]

Please check out the disabilities forum here on the boards, it is very informational of all food issues. They will be able to really help you.

And there is a sticky at the top of that board for dietary issues. You will also find GF dining reviews complete with pictures.

 

[Alexander]

DS and DH are both Celiacs. When you are at the TS restaurants, there is absolutely no problem at all. The chef will come out and talk to you. They are wonderful. If you are at a buffet, the chef will walk with you through the buffet and tell you exactly what you can and cannot eat. Dessert is pretty limited at WDW. They will offer ice cream, some kind of frozen bar, or the old stand-by GF brownies.

At the CS restaurants, the service is good, but could be better. When you are ready to place your order, you need to say the word "Allergy". If you say gluten free or celiac they will look at you like you are speaking a foreign language (and unfortunately for many CM's you are). "Allergy" is what they are trained to act on. They will get you a manager and he/she will show you a book and explain your choices. BE PREPARED TO WAIT for your food. It will take at least 20-30 minutes to come out. Often the person you ordered from (usually the manager) will hand deliver it to you, but it takes a quite a long time because they have to prepare it special when you order.

My "boys" love to go to WDW because they have so many options and are treated so well. The TS restaurants have got this GF thing nailed. CS need to work on it still.

 

[frndshpcptn]

DS and DH are both Celiacs. When you are at the TS restaurants, there is absolutely no problem at all. The chef will come out and talk to you. They are wonderful. If you are at a buffet, the chef will walk with you through the buffet and tell you exactly what you can and cannot eat. Dessert is pretty limited at WDW. They will offer ice cream, some kind of frozen bar, or the old stand-by GF brownies.

At the CS restaurants, the service is good, but could be better. When you are ready to place your order, you need to say the word "Allergy". If you say gluten free or celiac they will look at you like you are speaking a foreign language (and unfortunately for many CM's you are). "Allergy" is what they are trained to act on. They will get you a manager and he/she will show you a book and explain your choices. BE PREPARED TO WAIT for your food. It will take at least 20-30 minutes to come out. Often the person you ordered from (usually the manager) will hand deliver it to you, but it takes a quite a long time because they have to prepare it special when you order.

My "boys" love to go to WDW because they have so many options and are treated so well. The TS restaurants have got this GF thing nailed. CS need to work on it still.

I agree - many CS places take a long time for the gluten free secial request. I was there last week and the only good experience I had at a CS place was Backlot Express at the Studios. My meal came out at the same time as the rest of the food ordered. Casey's took about 20 minutes for a plain hot dog, Roaring Forks at Wilderness Lodge took about a half hour for GF chicken fingers.

Tabel service was better. T-Rex cafe at Downtown was really great! So was Teppan Edo at Epcot and Kona at the Poly.