Food allergies & Quick Service Meals?

[stacygirl]

I'm feeling a little stressed about our trip next week. I'm the only one who has food allergies and I don't want this to be a major issue each day during lunch.

I'm wondering how difficult will it be to order QS meals at the parks. Most of the places do not offer items I can order right off the menu. I know that service at different places can vary, but in general, how difficult is it to order a special QS meal?

I talked to DW's customer service folks and they said it shouldn't be a problem and sent me menus, but some of the places ask for advance notice. I mentioned this to the customer service lady but she didn't seem to know how to go about giving them notice.

I would need a gluten free & vegetarian meal. Lactose free preferred too but I can easily take some lactaid or something similar.

 

[snorris49]

You should be able to find some items available at select CS restaurants. I would recommend you contact WDWs special diets department, and they can send you sheets for the gluten free aspect of your diet. I am dairy free, and what I do is figure out the GF stuff first and then figure out the dairy free stuff from those items. I really like Sunshine Seasons at Epcot for CS. They have a lot more options besides burgers and fries. I believe they also have a vegan soup there that is GF (which would cover your dairy, veggie, and gf needs). A manager will come out at each CS (although at Sunshine Seasons I spoke with a chef) and discuss options. You will have to wait longer than everyone else in your party, most likely. So definitely plan accordingly.

You may want to check out the table service options; I personally prefer my meals through those because they have a lot more flex and access to other ingredients to make you something safe. Boma and Tusker House are good, and I have heard they are excellent for vegetarians. You might want to do a search here on the disboards for vegetarian or vegan food reviews. I've seen several that include pictures and are really very good for tips.

Good luck on your trip!

 

[MelanieC]

I'm a new vegan and I just got back from WDW this past weekend. We were there for two weeks and 9 of those nights we did the QSDP (including 18 snack credits - all of them vegan). I also have a dining review that you can take a look at too, I'm still working on finishing it but hope to have it done soon.

I had no idea what to expect when I first got to Disney, but it was really easy and the Counter service restaurants were really great with the customer service for those with allergies and special dining requests.

The only bad thing is it takes longer to get your food. I found the best thing was for me to order my food seperately and DH and the kids ordered together so they didn't have to wait for their food while mine was being made.

When you walk up to a counter get into one of the cash register lines and tell them you need to speak to a manager or chef about an allergy. I would sometimes say vegan, but a lot of times they would look at me with a blank stare (not knowing what that meant), but if I said "talk to a manager/chef about an allergy order" they were quickly put into action. A chef or manager will come out and ask you what your allergies are. In your case tell them them you need gluten free and dairy free (unless you want to eat dairy that meal -but I found it easy enough) and that your a vegetarian so no meat or meat broths.

Almost all of the CS restaurants I ate at had Gluten free cookies and a few had gluten free brownies (they have egg), and one of the gluten free cookies has egg too (it's round and bigger). Most had Life is Good cookies (gluten, egg, nut and dairy free) and a few had Divvies chocolate chip cookies too (again gluten free, and dairy,egg nut free). I never asked about desserts at Earl of Sandwich (I got chips instead). Tangierine cafe in Epcot did not have any gluten free or vegan desserts and Columbia Harbour House in MK did not have gluten free desserts, but the manager sent someone down to another CS to get me some and gave me both the Life is Good and Divies (I got two desserts there).

Here are some places I ate or know that they can accomodate.

Earl of Sandwich at DTD. The veggie sandwich minus cheese and I subbed the balsamic dressing for the one that comes on the sandwich (medittereanean I think - It had Dairy). This was the least helpful place (it's not Disney owned), but once I determined what I could eat I went back around 5 times during my trip. This sandwich was the bomb. I can't say enough good things about this sandwich -yummo!

Pop Century - I would imagine almost every hotel would be just as accomodating, although I found Animal Kingdom Lodge (The Mara to be the least helpful, but I can be pushy when I'm hungry, lol - so I got my answers in the end). At Pop ALL of the chefs I encountered were helpful. Again go up to the order counter (not the cashier here) and ask for a chef due to allergies. They come out and all offered to make me things that weren't even on the menu. I had the most amazing gluten free, egg free, dairy free waffles one morning. They cook them on a dedicated waffle iron in the back and they were fabulous. They even had pure maple syrup and they gave me potatoes cooked in canola oil instead of meat.

AK -

Restaurantasaurus has a veggie berger that has no dairy or eggs and they have gluten free buns. I did not eat here.

Pizzafari - They have gluten free pizza crusts, the sauce should be ok (check because I was just worried about dairy and egg) and they have soy cheese. I had no expectations for this and was throughoughly surprised at how good this was. It was better the first time I had it than the second time, but still very tasty.


I'll write more later - I have a lunch date with a friend.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Almost all of the CS restaurants I ate at had Gluten free cookies and a few had gluten free brownies (they have egg), and one of the gluten free cookies has egg too (it's round and bigger). Most had Life is Good cookies (gluten, egg, nut and dairy free) and a few had Divvies chocolate chip cookies too (again gluten free, and dairy,egg nut free). I never asked about desserts at Earl of Sandwich (I got chips instead). Tangierine cafe in Epcot did not have any gluten free or vegan desserts and Columbia Harbour House in MK did not have gluten free desserts, but the manager sent someone down to another CS to get me some and gave me both the Life is Good and Divies (I got two desserts there).

The Divvies chocolate chip cookies are not gluten free. They are vegan and nut free but not gluten free as they use regular wheat flour.

The cookies referred to as Life is Good are actually Enjoy Life cookies. They are YUMMY!!!! They're the only gluten free baked goods that are egg free at CS locations unless your resort custom makes something for you (both Pop and POFQ did for us). There are TS locations with gluten free vegan options as well (CM and CP both do; I'm not sure where else). Enjoy Life cookies are easily found at AK (I think ever CS locations has them) and DHS (every CS location EXCEPT Starring Rolls seems to have them) but they're not carried anywhere at Epcot and only at Main Street Bakery in MK. The locations I listed are based on the last allergy update I got from Special Diets. Always check before your own trips to get the latest and greatest info.

 

[stacygirl]

Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately most of the vegetarian options on the standard menu I can not eat because they contain gluten. Veggie burgers were my go to food for situations like this but they contain wheat and or flour so I can't eat them.

I did receive menus from special diets but very few places offer an entrée I can order directly from the menu. It sounds like it'll be a challenge to order at the parks. I guess I'll just have to brace myself.

 

[livndisney]

I'm feeling a little stressed about our trip next week. I'm the only one who has food allergies and I don't want this to be a major issue each day during lunch.

I'm wondering how difficult will it be to order QS meals at the parks. Most of the places do not offer items I can order right off the menu. I know that service at different places can vary, but in general, how difficult is it to order a special QS meal?

I talked to DW's customer service folks and they said it shouldn't be a problem and sent me menus, but some of the places ask for advance notice. I mentioned this to the customer service lady but she didn't seem to know how to go about giving them notice.

I would need a gluten free & vegetarian meal. Lactose free preferred too but I can easily take some lactaid or something similar.

It can be done-but it take some work on your part.

1) If you are not on the dining plan you may be charged more.
2) Each cashier will have a binder with ingredients, you will need to ask for a manager who will come out and take your order.
3) It will most likely take longer for your food to be prepared.

I agree about the Mara, we were treated so badly the last time we were there and the food was terrible. I was charged more and barely got any food.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately most of the vegetarian options on the standard menu I can not eat because they contain gluten. Veggie burgers were my go to food for situations like this but they contain wheat and or flour so I can't eat them.

I did receive menus from special diets but very few places offer an entrée I can order directly from the menu. It sounds like it'll be a challenge to order at the parks. I guess I'll just have to brace myself.

What type of vegetarian are you? Do you eat fish? Sunshine Seasons at Epcot has salmon, steamed broccoli and rice that are gluten and milk free (not sure if they can prepare salad with dressing or not; other allergies interfere for my kids with the dressings). They also have gluten free pasta if you're willing to wait or order ahead. I don't have locations where GFCF pizzas can be found because my kids can't have them due to other allergies (yeast is the one I can think of that affects the pizzas; not sure if there are eggs or not).

I build my touring plans to eat the majority of our CS meals at our resort. Options in parks really are limitted. Sunshine Seasons will always one place we eat in parks but really, we just get mid-late morning snacks followed by lunch back at our resort during our break if we're not getting a TS meal in a park. Go-to snacks in parks for us include popcorn, chips, fruit and Tofutti ice cream. There are other safe options as well but these are my kids' favourites. You can also get Itzkadoozie popsicles or strawberry bars but my kids can't have the Itzkadoozie due to other allergies and aren't fond of frozen strawberries.

 

[snorris49]

Good luck on your trip. I know it can be frusting, but hopefully you'll be able to find some options. I know CHH has a hummus sandwich, maybe you could get lettuce w/it and make it a wrap? or bring GF pretzels or crackers to dip it? (you can bring snacks if you have dietary restrictions into the park, within reason) Here's what I saw at Allearsnet
Lighthouse Sandwich - hummus with tomato & broccoli slaw

I would also really encourage you to try Sunshine Seasons. They are more set up than others for vegetarians and special diets. They even have GF beer there! It's a great counter service, and one of my GF friendly favs.

Disney is great for food allergies, and I'm sure you will be able to get some tasty options! Good luck!

 

[stacygirl]

I don't really eat fish. If it's my only option I might but sometimes turns my stomach. I'm just wondering if the DDP is worth it for my situation.

Luckily we'll be eating dinner pretty early. I might be better off eating a big breakfast and then have a snack at the parks. I wonder if I'll be allowed to bring protein bars into the parks.

 

[MelanieC]

The Divvies chocolate chip cookies are not gluten free. They are vegan and nut free but not gluten free as they use regular wheat flour.

The cookies referred to as Life is Good are actually Enjoy Life cookies. They are YUMMY!!!! They're the only gluten free baked goods that are egg free at CS locations unless your resort custom makes something for you (both Pop and POFQ did for us). There are TS locations with gluten free vegan options as well (CM and CP both do; I'm not sure where else). Enjoy Life cookies are easily found at AK (I think ever CS locations has them) and DHS (every CS location EXCEPT Starring Rolls seems to have them) but they're not carried anywhere at Epcot and only at Main Street Bakery in MK. The locations I listed are based on the last allergy update I got from Special Diets. Always check before your own trips to get the latest and greatest info.

Sorry about that - I really thought the Divvies were gluten free too.

 

[livndisney]

I don't really eat fish. If it's my only option I might but sometimes turns my stomach. I'm just wondering if the DDP is worth it for my situation.

Luckily we'll be eating dinner pretty early. I might be better off eating a big breakfast and then have a snack at the parks. I wonder if I'll be allowed to bring protein bars into the parks.

You can bring protein bars into the park. We often bring our lunch into the parks (due to allergies) and have no trouble doing so.


Saw a question about Dressing free salads-Sunshine Seasons can do salads without dressing. And Pizza Planet can also do gluten free pizza with soy cheese.

 

[snorris49]

This link might help. I did notice some GF info on this too:
http://veganindisney.wordpress.com/

I found this through a thread here about vegan dining at WDW.

Hopefully that helps some!

 

[stacygirl]

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm feeling a little better about how things will go now. I think I just need to relax! LOL I always look forward to traveling but It causes so much anxiety because something always happens I'm thinking positive thoughts now