Exclusively CS meals for gluten-free??

[Vickilynn42]

Hello everyone! Hubby and I recently had to go gluten-free, and will be heading to DW in May with our three kids. The kids can eat regularly, but I am wondering if anyone has done CS meals exclusively on their trip and managed to find enough gluten-free options? I am planning this last minute, and will spend some time tomorrow looking over our dining options, but if I can't get any ADR's made at this late date, I'd like to know we at least have options if we can only do CS meals. Does anyone have any advice on this- I did a search, but am really just trying to find out if anyone has just done CS, with no table dining. Thanks in advance!!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Our trip in February 2009 was entirely CS. At the time, DD12 (then 11) was off gluten, milk, yeast, citrus and MSG and I was off these same thing plus off beef and pork and I had to carefully monitor my overall carb intake. She had plenty to eat. Because she can't have yeast she couldn't have any of the buns or bread or pizza crusts which are things you can have (At POFQ, the chefs actually made safe pizza crusts with advanced notice; OMG what a treat). Over that week between the two of us we ate Mickey waffles with bacon and eggs most mornings for breakfast (there were other options but what kid doesn't want Mickey waffles every morning; DD would eat regular bacon and I'd get the best turkey bacon I've ever had), both regular and chicken burgers with lettuce around them (you could do buns), fries, mac & cheese, fried chicken (OMG it was AMAZING), chicken fingers, beautiful stir fry, loaded nachos, brownies, cookies, ice cream and other things that I can't remember. We stayed at Pop and ate most of our meals at the food court. The chefs there are AMAZING and will bend over backwards to make delicious and varied meals for you. One of these days we'll try Sunshine Seasons at Epcot as their reputation is the best of all of the park CS locations though there are plenty of options at the places listed by Special Diets.

Read the stickies on this board. You'll find lots of options and also the contact info for Special Diets. Make sure to contact them so they can notify your resort that you're coming.

 

[livndisney]

Hello everyone! Hubby and I recently had to go gluten-free, and will be heading to DW in May with our three kids. The kids can eat regularly, but I am wondering if anyone has done CS meals exclusively on their trip and managed to find enough gluten-free options? I am planning this last minute, and will spend some time tomorrow looking over our dining options, but if I can't get any ADR's made at this late date, I'd like to know we at least have options if we can only do CS meals. Does anyone have any advice on this- I did a search, but am really just trying to find out if anyone has just done CS, with no table dining. Thanks in advance!!

We do CS for day trips. It can be done, but can be challenging, time consuming and expensive. The food will be special prepared which means you will need to speak with a manager/supervisor. The cashier can call one for you. If special ingredients are used and you are not on the dining plan you can expect to be charged more. For example a childrens chicken nugget meal is 4.99. Allergen free chicken nuggets ( not a meal) is 9.99. And will take atleast 15-20 minutes to cook.

 

[snorris49]

Definitely get a hold of special diets. They will send you sheets that list CS that are best for Gluten Free and examples of specific items on the menu that are safe. Some places will charge more for gluten free items (I believe Pizza Planet charges more for the GF pizza). I have had the allergy free chicken tenders with fries, and I don't recall that they costs over $10, but maybe I got lucky when I bought mine. That was at the ABC Commissary at Hollywood Studios.

When you get to the CS just as for a chef and they will be happy to accommodate you. Be prepared to wait though, most of the time it takes a bit longer (if it's something like the allergy chicken tenders). Overall though you should have no problems finding tasty food.

I highly recommend Sunshine Seasons at Epcot. They have a great variety, everything's very fresh, and they have GF beer and french meadow brownies!

 

[Vickilynn42]

Thank you all so very much for your help, and if anyone else has someone advice, please post it!!!

 

[Traveliz]

My husband has been gluten free since the early 80s and we often go to Disney - we went before being served gluten free was easy! At any rate we often do only counter service and he doesn't have any trouble. On the other hand he doesn't feel it is necessary to have a bun with a hamburger either so he will order without rather than wait on a gluten free one as an example.

Liz

 

[PrincessMom4]

Thanks to whomever started this post I have stomach issues and am waiting for results with not much luck. I am fairly certain that some foods bother me more than others. I know I usually asked to anything "grilled" versus crispy or deep-fried. The hardest I find is finding something for CS that will not upset my stomach.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

Thanks to whomever started this post I have stomach issues and am waiting for results with not much luck. I am fairly certain that some foods bother me more than others. I know I usually asked to anything "grilled" versus crispy or deep-fried. The hardest I find is finding something for CS that will not upset my stomach.

The only problem with asking for something grilled instead of crispy or deep-fried if you have Celiac Disease is the the food could come into contract with the breaded food. There is a concern for cross-contamination.
My son has Celiac Disease and we've done fine with him at Disney. For CS if you just tell them when you go to order they will send someone out to talk to you. We have had to wait a couple minutes longer for Charlie's food from time to time but the wait wasn't bad (and a little rest during a day of running around the parks isn't bad anyway). Charlie enjoyed the tacos at the place across from Pirates in MK, chicken tenders at ABC Commissary and their is GF pizza in Pizza Planet in HS. I've also heard there are GF baked goods in the bakery on Main Street.

 

[snorris49]

WDW uses dedicated fryers at locations that provide gluten free alternatives (like allergy chicken tenders), that way they is no issue of cross contamination. The manager has to handle the entire transaction (at CS). I experienced this first-hand myself. In the instance of the allergy free chicken tenders, the fryer is located away from the other fryers and the manager uses gloves (which they should GF or not!) and handles everything his/herself. If they don't have dedicated fryers for GF food, they will tell you.

It's awesome when you can get something like chicken tenders and fries when eating out, that's safe.

 

[Vickilynn42]

WDW uses dedicated fryers at locations that provide gluten free alternatives (like allergy chicken tenders), that way they is no issue of cross contamination. The manager has to handle the entire transaction (at CS). I experienced this first-hand myself. In the instance of the allergy free chicken tenders, the fryer is located away from the other fryers and the manager uses gloves (which they should GF or not!) and handles everything his/herself. If they don't have dedicated fryers for GF food, they will tell you.

It's awesome when you can get something like chicken tenders and fries when eating out, that's safe.

Are the managers friendly, or do they act like you're a pain in their hiney? I'm hoping gluten-free customers are treated well, I've heard a few horror stories, but most have been good.

 

[livndisney]

Are the managers friendly, or do they act like you're a pain in their hiney? I'm hoping gluten-free customers are treated well, I've heard a few horror stories, but most have been good.

For the most part they are nice. There is one in the MK that is terrible. We have tried to order from him twice (two different days) and neither time did he have a clue. Both times we left without food.

The managers at American adventure in Epcot have been very nice and helpful. We have not had good luck at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. We were able to order gluten free pizza at Pizza Planet at DHS. Cosmic Rays in MK we were given the wrong food and had a reaction. I don't think we have ordered gluten free at Ak as we don't spend much time there.

We have had very good experience with the chefs at the Value resorts.

 

[PrincessMom4]

I am finding certain foods bother my stomach to no end to the point where I am afraid to eat. I am elimating coffee, eggs and ice cream. I some time "cheat" with some foods and eat them anyways (which I know is wrong-but i can't help but love Ben and jerry's ice cream!!!!).

 

[casjen]

and I had a terrible allergy experience there. It was the only time I felt belittled for asking if they had anything they could make for me.

I avoid counter service usually b/c I have a few things I can't eat and I find it is much harder to get foods swapped or made differently at a counter service.

Any place that serves breakfast will have dedicated allergy waffle irons so you can get gluten free waffles and pancakes made. All food service places should have it.

I have found places with chefs are much easier to eat at (hotel counterservice etc.)