GF 6 year old and dining plan questions?

[BeveMom]

Ok, so we're getting ready to head out for the FIRST TIME in 2 weeks (TWO WEEKS FROM RIGHT NOW WE'LL BE ON THE PLANE!!!!!!!!!). FIL is taking us on this trip, and just last night, he called and said, "hey, have you heard about this dining plan thing? I'm going to call and have it added." Ok, no biggie, except that he wants to have one sit down a day. No reservations 2 weeks out. We can manage that part, I'm sure. But the gluten free thing... how does that work on the dining plan? DS is 6 - will a chef make something GF off of the kids menu? Also are there any good table service places in MK that would be particularly helpful? I'm kind of guessing that our sit downs will be dinners, but I guess they don't have to be, but with a 6 yo, I think we'll spend most of our time at MK (we have hoppers). I have an ADR for breakfast at Tusker for DS's birthday, on our dime (I did this MONTHS ago), and I already informed special diets about the GF requirements, so I'm not worried about that.

This is all so new to us, so if someone could give me some guidance, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[clanmcculloch]

The chefs will definitely be able to make GF foods that can be paid for using his dining plan credits. Most places have the GF chicken tenders as well as GF pasta and since chicken nuggets and pasta dishes are staples of the kids menus around WDW, these are typical alternatives for kids meals. Components such as fruits and veggies are already GF so he'll be able to choose those options (obviously stuff like chicken noodle soup won't be an option). For dessert he'll be given options such as GF cookies or ice cream which are basically alternatives of items on the regular kids menus. If the ice cream option is a sundae then he'll even get Mickey sprinkles and chocolate sauce.

We just ate at Tony's in MK and loved the spaghetti and meatballs (yes they have GF meatballs). Lots of people love Crystal Palace but there are also a group of people who will never set foot in there again. Reviews are definitely polar opposites with people having either amazing experiences or downright scary experiences (I had the latter so I have trouble recommending it even with all the great reviews I've read). The Plaza does carry GNI buns so the chef can easily create something for him there as well. You can also get chicken tenders at Columbia Harbour House and burgers or rotisserie chicken at Cosmic Ray's. I've read great GF reviews of dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern but haven't eaten there myself. We did eat lunch there and had a good experience but we got lucky in that the chef offered to track down some allergy chicken tenders for my girls since nothing available to them appealed to them (they've got a heck of a lot more allergies so their options were significantly more limited than your son's would be).

You'll love Tusker House.

 

[BeveMom]

Thank you!!! DS is suprisingly NOT picky at all for a 6 year old. He prefers more grown up foods most of the time, lol. I think we'll manage.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Kids who like grown-up food are typically not well suited to the dining plans because the kids meals are junk kid foods for the most part (there are exceptions and you can find better foods like grilled fish and grilled chicken but mostly they're poor quality "kid friendly" foods). This is regardless of allergies. Chefs and CS managers have to give him kid alternatives if they're available when you're paying using the dining plan. Your FIL might want to reconsider the dining plan (again, this has nothing to do with allergies but rather everything to do with the foods to which your DS will be restricted as somebody using kids credits). If you do stick with the dining plan then be sure to look over menus to make sure that the restaurant has some options he'll like. Typically if they have a grilled meat then it can be prepared GF (or already is GF).

I forget to mention that most places which serve pizza do carry GF crusts. If it's an option on the kids menu then he can order it with his credit. Same with things like GF mac & cheese; if it's an option on the kids menu and they carry it then he should be able to order it even if it's a bigger portion than what is typically served as kids meals.

 

[BeveMom]

Oh, he'll eat just about anything, kid food included. He actually never liked pizza until he started going GF, which I think is pretty funny! I've looked at a fair number of kid's menus at table service places - he'll eat most of that stuff, lol, and the other option would have been ALL counter service, and no one wants that.

 

[nfceagles]

As for your Tusker reservation, you should still be able to pay for that with dining credits if your FIL does end up getting the dining plan. When you show up, they'll ask if you're on the dining plan and they'll use one of the party's KTTW card to access the dining plans. I always make my dining reservations months before getting the dining plan.

The biggest problem you'll have is finding choices this close to your trip. Feel free to check back here for opinions on what you find available.

Off the top of my head, good ones that are more readily available include Whispering Canyon Cafe, Biergarten, The Wave, Liberty Tree Tavern, Kona Cafe.

 

[disneyfan485]

Having eaten GF at many of the QS and TS options at Disney over the past year, I would agree that Disney handles allergies amazingly (chef/manager comes out each time to discuss options, many available choices, etc.). I can only speak from an adult's perspective, so I'm not sure on child options/menus. However, my experience has been that adult portions tend to be large enough for sharing, if it would be an option to order an adult meal GF and share with your DS (many times I have ordered one adult portion and split with another adult). It does seem (from experience and research) that most MK locations offer GF buns, so that should also be an option for GF burgers/chicken/hot dogs.

For TS in MK, I've dined at both BOG and Tony's and have had positive experiences at both. I've heard positive things about LTT (serving a separate GF meal option), though I have yet to dine there.

Notes on GF pizzas: unfortunately, Via Napoli (Italy pavilion in Epcot) does NOT offer GF pizza...(trust me, we're constantly pestering them about this...). It also seems that some locations are changing to "OMG...It's Gluten Free" GF pizza from "Amy's" GF pizza. While a slightly better product taste-wise, it's significantly smaller (6" instead of 10") and not near as filling, though remaining the same price.

I have plenty of other non-MK restaurant reviews, so feel free to PM me with questions.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

make sure GF is on the ressie and let CM at check in desk know as a reminder. everyone will have to wait to order until chef visits table but it is doable with table serve

 

[BeveMom]

Thank you all! I have GF on all of the ADRs - we're eating at Tony's, Plaza, and Crystal Palace Character dinner at MK, Tokyo at EP, and Tusker. I think everything will be just fine. I would love to have been able to share with DS, but he's a good eater, so we just can't do that anymore, lol!! Some meals, he can pack away more than me!! Disney is just amazing how they make vacation so EASY and ACCESSIBLE for everyone!