Gluten & Dairy Free

[geoly1]

Hi! Not allergic but feel better when I don't eat wheat or dairy. I usually just pick items off a menu and don't ask for a specific menu. I know others sign up as food allergic but don't see gluten/dairy as an option on the sign up on reservation. Feel high maintenance if I call and request & then get called out by the server "ok who is gluten/Dairy free" at the table? Key eye roll of teenagers lol!. Has anyone else been here? Not allergic, I can tolerate small amounts, but definitely not eating a pizza or pasta Alfredo! Thanks!

 

[Dug720]

Hi! Not allergic but feel better when I don't eat wheat or dairy. I usually just pick items off a menu and don't ask for a specific menu. I know others sign up as food allergic but don't see gluten/dairy as an option on the sign up on reservation. Feel high maintenance if I call and request & then get called out by the server "ok who is gluten/Dairy free" at the table? Key eye roll of teenagers lol!. Has anyone else been here? Not allergic, I can tolerate small amounts, but definitely not eating a pizza or pasta Alfredo! Thanks!

I still call because for me it is an intolerance (not celiac, but a documented intolerance verified by my doctor). I'd rather have it on and know that they have a better shot at adequately ordering supplies so they don't run out.

If you're comfortable self-monitoring and won't be mentioning it to anyone or asking for things like gluten-free donuts, pancakes, Mickey waffles, etc., you're probably ok to not call. But if you're planning to ask for anything special gluten-free or dairy-free, please take the time to call - or have it noted on your reservation by your TA because they DO order allergy-safe provisions based on the number reported plus a SMALL additional margin. But if you get too many non-reporters who are eating allergy-safe they could run out of things before the trip is over.

 

[cmph]

Menu items that are naturally gluten-free and/or lactose-free are noted on the table service restaurant menus. If you don't care about cross-contamination, I think it would be fine to plan to order that without any advance declaration. The lactose-free part won't cover all dairy, of course, but it will cover the bulk of it. However, eating on deck would be hard without giving them advance notice - buns, pizza, etc. So it depends on what you want to do outside of dinner, really. My husband found plenty to eat in Cabanas for breakfast and lunch, but he's not dairy-free. I think a lot of this depends on what you want to eat - are you a meat/veg/fruit person? Or do you want breads, etc? If it's the latter - then you pretty much have to declare your allergies in advance so they're prepared for you.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Hi! Not allergic but feel better when I don't eat wheat or dairy. I usually just pick items off a menu and don't ask for a specific menu. I know others sign up as food allergic but don't see gluten/dairy as an option on the sign up on reservation. Feel high maintenance if I call and request & then get called out by the server "ok who is gluten/Dairy free" at the table? Key eye roll of teenagers lol!. Has anyone else been here? Not allergic, I can tolerate small amounts, but definitely not eating a pizza or pasta Alfredo! Thanks!

Perhaps look at this from a different perspective. My wife has gluten and dairy sensitivities, like you, not full-blown allergies, but best to avoid them. She said that DCL was the BEST place to inform them of her preferences. It did not delay the rest of us at all, and the servers made it clear that they were happy to help and made her feel special and appreciated.

First they asked her about severity. When she said it was a sensitivity, not a full blown allergy, that let them know there was more flexibility and that trace amounts were OK.

They gave her the menu for each dinner the night before so even many of the items that normally weren't GF and DF could be prepared that way with advanced notice. Here meals came out at the same time as ours. No delay. Many people in our group wished we could order in advance! (And indeed with the Nav App, you can look at the menu for the other days ahead of time if you wish.)

Also, since most desserts were not DF/GF, they took to bringing a big plate of fruit for her every night (she is a fan of fruit) and they brought enough for us all to have some. It was a great treat.

So in short, her requests weren't a burden, they were and opportunity for all of us!

Enjoy!

 

[CamColt]

I would suggest just calling DCL nad having them note it on the reservation.

My DS was eating gluten free, just as a trial, no real allergy (he dos have a peanut allergy though). The issue was handled wonderfully. Our servers would tell him what he could have or not, they told him how to get special gluten free items at Cabanas, and exactly where to go on CC too. They would really go out of their way to take care of his needs.

 

[Dug720]

I will just say, especially if it is not a true allergy or intolerance - and especially if you are all adults and can eat at the dining area at Serenity Bay, don’t even bother with the prepared stuff. I have not had it but have not heard great things about the prepared gf meals on Castaway. At Serenity Bay’s area, it was easy enough for me to eat gf and not stress it.

 

[MnkyGirl]

I will just say, especially if it is not a true allergy or intolerance - and especially if you are all adults and can eat at the dining area at Serenity Bay, don’t even bother with the prepared stuff. I have not had it but have not heard great things about the prepared gf meals on Castaway. At Serenity Bay’s area, it was easy enough for me to eat gf and not stress it.

I'm gf and refuse to eat anything but Serenity Bay on Castaway Day. They usually have plenty of options that I can eat and it's all soo good!