Gluten Free at disney

[mommalissa]

Those of you who have been gluten free while at Disney, what restaurants were the best and what desserts did they have available? Just got the diagnosis that I can no longer have gluten and was wondering what my options would be.

Thanks!

 

[ah1126]

You can email specialdiets@disneyworld.com and they will send you information about what is available in each of the restaurants. We are getting ready for our trip and my DS is allergic to wheat, soy, eggs and nuts. They sent us lots of great information!

 

[jcano]

Lots of gf threads on the disabilities forum.
Disney is awesome! In the 6 years since our DD's were diagnosed with Celiac, Disney has become
hands down our fav vacation partly because I don't have to stress about where we are going to eat.

 

[LoKay]

You are going to love eating GF at Disney! There are a lot of options! My favorite places are Biergarten (German food served buffet style-the chef will come out and walk you through it), San Angel Inn Restaurante (loved the Tostadas de Tinga and the Tacos de Carne), both of those are at Epcot. Raglan Road at Downtown Disney was good-they have GF fish and chips, the dessert there that we enjoyed was Dundon's Delight
Raspberry pavlova with vanilla pod ice cream and raspberry sauce. Also at Downtown Disney is Babycakes bakery-loved their donuts! We ate at Primetime at Hollywood Studios and it was the one meal I was not impressed with. I wanted the fried chicken but was told that it would take 45 minutes and was pushed towards the pork chop-it took almost as long and was so salty it was almost inedible. It does take longer for GF food so be prepared to wait. I live in Las Vegas and was at a restaurant here and ordered soup that was GF. The chef brought it out and I said how impressed I was that he personally brought it out (that never happens here) and he said he had worked as a chef at Disney-they train them right!

 

[antopad]

My wife is new to gluten free diets. She had to change over in November. We have had lots of friends tell us she'll be fine at Disney. But we are a little nervous about the selection available. Does anyone have GF suggestions at the following?
Coral Reef
Sci-Fi
HoB
The Plaza
Be Our Guest
Sanaa
Tony's Town Square

I can't wait to surprise her with GF donuts from Babycakes!

 

[4Beans]

Since being diagnosed with Celiac 3 years ago, Disney is my most stress free dining. I was nervous before our first trip after being diagnosed, but it proved to be unnecessary worry. Chefs were more than accommodating, they came out to talk to me before ordering and brought my meal specially. Kona was my favorite breakfast place - Mickey waffles and pineapple spread (OMG!). Of your list I've only eaten gf at Be Our Guest. It was fantastic - there are gf options on the 'regular' menu! Oh so good! Baby cakes is also delish!

I'm looking forward to hearing gf reviews about the other restaurants on your list!

 

[Disneymooners14]

Hello!

For our next trip we are planning on going to Be Our Guest for dinner. I have heard it is a very popular restaurant and it can get pretty hectic. I was wondering if you had any problems there getting information about the Gluten Free options?

Thank you!

 

[nadira36]

Agh it ate my msg

okay short form, BoG is easy to eat GF, even QS. The computer will have GF options readily available. We had the turkey Sandwich. Kids size is the same as adult size, just to warn you. Cream puff for dessert.

FTBBQ house in AK has good selection and service, speed of food delivery. Sunshine Terrace in EP is really easy with something at every station. No idea about HS.

Most TS will easily accommodate GF, pizza is an exception, unless GF is listed inn the menu, assume it's frozen. Pasta is fine.

What you get, depends on which chef. Some chefs get shuffled from one pace to another, and always seem less than helpful. Others bend over backwards to get you a magnificent meal.

If in doubt about the availability of specific GF offerings at TS, contact the restaurant directly. The numbers can often be found during the reservation process in the terms and conditions scroll down.

Do not despair, you can still have Mickey waffles. special diets will give you a runn down on what snacks are safe, but don't typically give too much info about the individual restaurant offerings.

At Tusker House, request their GF naan bread we seriously only eat that some times it's soooo good (okay we've been GF for a number of years, recent GF converts may have different definitions of good, just be forewarned).

There are dedicated GF friers for fries and chicken fingers pretty much everywhere - if you want junk food, fast food - you can get it. If you want gormet - you can have that too.

You want a special order cake? They taste good, and look gorgeous. I won't say they taste awesome, b/c we order chocolate, and nothing beats my chocolate cake recipe But they look a ton better than anything I could make or buy around here.

Other desserts: cream puff, creme brule, lava cake, fruit, ice cream, dun don's delight, pre-packaged cookies or brownies

 

[eliz603]

Like others have mentioned, email Special Diets at the email above. They will provide you with an up to date list of items in restaurants around WDW that are specifically gluten free, such as hamburger buns, pizza/crusts, etc. I found this list invaluable when going to counter service restaurants as my now 2 year old is GF.

At all table service restaurants, including buffets, you should mark it on your ADR that you have someone who is GF (there's a place to do this online - I think it's under Special Requests). The chef will come out and talk with you and tell you what on the menu can be prepared GF. At a buffet, the chef will walk you through the line and tell you what is safe. It is also possible to have them bring something from the kitchen directly (again, that's where that list can come in handy - I knew Crystal Palace had something available for my son that wasn't on the buffet, I just asked, and it was brought to us).

At counter service, let the CM at the register know that you need an allergy friendly meal. They will call the manager/CM in charge of allergies over. That CM should bring the master book of items. Now, if you have the GF list already, you will be a step ahead! But you can still go through the book and see what is listed as safe for you that's not on the GF exclusive list (for example, a hamburger patty is most likely safe, but it won't be on the list from Special Diets. Check the book to make sure, then order the GF safe bun.). The CM who brings the book will also be the CM who brings you the food as they minimize the number of people handling your food. But be prepared to wait! I never had to wait *that* long to get food, but what worked for us was to have DH order for the family, and I would order the GF meal. It kept confusion down.

I second that FTBBQ has great GF service. I remember that one very clearly. A very helpful manager, quick service. At DHS, we ended up at the Backlot as that's where the allergy free chicken strips could be found (they aren't everywhere, but they are easy to find). Slow service, unhappy CMs. Won't be going back there. My other kids want to eat at Pizza Planet and couldn't last year because of their brother (they like it, we don't really, but hey, whatever). I noticed this year that PP has added a OMG bakery pizza and a Udi's pizza crust. My experience with OMG is limited to Disney, but I've been so impressed with that brand! Very yummy!! They have a website if you want to check their food out as they are a small Midwestern chain.

At non-Disney owned restaurants (ones at DTD, some of the ones in World Showcase), they aren't necessarily as good with dealing with GF as the true Disney restaurants. Sweeping statement, but just based on what I've seen in the DISabilities forum, this is the case. Doesn't seem to be as much education for staff about allergies. GF knowledge seems pretty decent, though.

I encourage you to ask in the DISabilities forum if you have questions about specific restaurants.

 

[lovetogowdw]

Other posts have mentioned, but I want to highlight that there is typically a big difference between the counter service and table service locations when eating GF vs. non GF. We've had less than terrific experiences at several CS locations (waits over 30 minutes longer for food for the GF diner in our group -- and "yucky" GF buns). But at most TS locations our wait was only a bit longer (like maybe 5-10 minutes) than usual due to special preparation or waiting for the chef to take us on a tour of the buffet for safe items and the GF food itself received rave reviews.

Also, the desserts are MUCH better at TS. The CS desserts for GF are typically a prepackaged cookie or maybe a brownie. At TS the chefs get creative - especially if you are celebrating an event. And during my son's first Disney trip after celiac diagnosis (he was 6 at the time) they went over the top, with lots of delightful (and HUGE) desserts. These seemed to be the chefs' specialities - as no two were even close to the same and I think all were personally delivered by the chef that spoke to us when we ordered. My son was in heaven.

But not all TS locations are wonderful. I saw the Plaza on your list. Maybe not the best choice for GF. But you could swap that out for Liberty Tree Tavern and get great food choices. Check out the other boards that have more details on the food itself.

The only CS locations I can recommend are the food courts in the Land pavilion at Epcot at the Art of Animation hotel. (But we've not made it to Be Our Guest and I've heard good things about the GF turkey sandwich.)

 

[nadira36]

Other posts have mentioned, but I want to highlight that there is typically a big difference between the counter service and table service locations when eating GF vs. non GF. We've had less than terrific experiences at several CS locations (waits over 30 minutes longer for food for the GF diner in our group -- and "yucky" GF buns). But at most TS locations our wait was only a bit longer (like maybe 5-10 minutes) than usual due to special preparation or waiting for the chef to take us on a tour of the buffet for safe items and the GF food itself received rave reviews.

Also, the desserts are MUCH better at TS. The CS desserts for GF are typically a prepackaged cookie or maybe a brownie. At TS the chefs get creative - especially if you are celebrating an event. And during my son's first Disney trip after celiac diagnosis (he was 6 at the time) they went over the top, with lots of delightful (and HUGE) desserts. These seemed to be the chefs' specialities - as no two were even close to the same and I think all were personally delivered by the chef that spoke to us when we ordered. My son was in heaven.

But not all TS locations are wonderful. I saw the Plaza on your list. Maybe not the best choice for GF. But you could swap that out for Liberty Tree Tavern and get great food choices. Check out the other boards that have more details on the food itself.

The only CS locations I can recommend are the food courts in the Land pavilion at Epcot at the Art of Animation hotel. (But we've not made it to Be Our Guest and I've heard good things about the GF turkey sandwich.)

^yes, this is what I was talking about!

It really is frustrating to wait in line for a CS meal, then get to the order kiosk, have to wait for a manager, then order, then wait some more. I have seen several ppl just walk right up and ask for the manager, effectively skipping the main line, but if it's crowded, they won't let you do that. Talk about being punished for something out of your control!

We get the deluxe dining plan and stick to mostly TS for this reason. Sitting down takes us the same amount of time as QS, it may cost more up front, but on the DxDP we find it's well worth while.

To add to LoveToGoWDW's list Pop's food court was also good for GF, MAra at AKL was good - stay as far from Cap't Cooks at the poly as possible - that woman had me in tears by the time I left! I was so humiliated by the way she treated me - good thing my children weren't there.

But, as I've said, it all depends on the chef/manager. Heck even time of day and year.

Oh and I've noticed we had better service as a family being GF, than with just a single diner GF. Based on comparing notes with other families.

 

[Svhadden]

We've been gluten free/dairy free for years, and have never had an issue at WDW. In fact, it's the only place we go that I have absolutely NO worries about what my son can eat, and I'm not policing every bite because I know Disney takes special diets seriously.

Personally, we LOVE Flame Tree in AK because my son can eat almost anything there, and the food is goooood. Can get gf pizza at Pizzafari. Of course, the new special diets kiosk is wonderful…I like to stop there and spend several snack credits so I'll always have some options for my son. They also have the latest info on what restaurant options are available.

In MK, we like Pinnochio's Village Haus (gf pizza gets two thumbs up from my boy!), and Cosmic Ray's. The Dole Whips are gf, the frozen lemonade is lovely for a hot day snack, and there is always fruit available at a kiosk.

In DHS, we eat at ABC Commissary, and it's very average, but we love that they are very attentive to special dietary needs. No complaints there. GF snacks in DHS aren't easy, though, so I load up on those gf bags of caramel popcorn to take with us to that park. That stuff is crazy-good. For dinner, we never miss Mama Melrose. GF pizza, pasta, dinner rolls, etc--my son never leaves there unhappy!

In Epcot, Sunshine Seasons has TONS of gf options, so that's usually our lunch spot. Snacks are endless around the World Showcase. Any TS restaurant should be very accommodating.

Bottom line is, a special diet at Disney is practically worry-free. Lots of options, just requires a bit of pre-planning.

 

[Disneymooners14]

That is truly a relief to hear. I have been to Disneyland plenty of times and it has always been a little tricky to eat gluten free there.... but luckily their options are becoming a little better!! I was just not too sure about Disneyworld. Thank you for all your suggestions and advice!!

Can't wait to be able to go on a vacation completely worry free and be able to eat comfortably! Can't wait to try the famous Dole Whip!!!