Gluten Free Dining at Disneyworld

[MIGrandma]

Since the January package rates have finally come out, DH told me to check prices and we'd talk about planning a trip to Disney in January.

I am sensitive to gluten, so stay away from it as much as I possibly can and on a trip to Disney I would want to avoid it 100%.

How difficult is it to eat gluten free at the Disney restaurants?

I doubt DH and I would do much table service, as we don't like taking time away from the rides/attractions to have a sit down dinner. But counter service and the food court at Port Orleans would probably be where we would eat the most.

So, have any of you been on a gluten free diet when you went to Disney and how was your experience?

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Hi there!
Now the best place for info on gluten free dining is the disability boards they have oodles of information (and reviews) on gluten free dining!

 

[Alexander]

DH and DS are both Celiacs. They don't have a choice when it comes to gluten, everything has to be sans gluten.

WDW is their favorite place in the whole world to go to eat! The TS restaurants are amazing! The chef comes out to the table and will ask you what you would like, he/she will tell you exactly what they can do for you--AMAZING. If you go to a buffet, they chef will walk you through the buffet and tell you everything you can and cannot eat.

The CS restaurants are not quite as good. They will prepare GF food for you but it takes time (expect 20-30 minutes) for your food to come out. If you eat at a CS restaurant, when you are ready to order tell the CM you have an "allergy". If you use any other words, they get confused. It's almost like they are programmed and when the word "allergy" is used they know exactly what to do. They will get a manager who will show you in a book what they have that is GF. It will take time to get your food, but they will make whatever they can for you.

Desserts are pretty limited. Ice cream, frozen fruit bars and the infamous GF brownies are pretty much the extent of GF desserts at WDW.

You will have a great time!

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree that you will find plenty of info on the disabilities forum. Plenty of folks there that have knowledge and experience dealing with this and many other food issues.

Have fun!

 

[MIGrandma]

Hi there!
Now the best place for info on gluten free dining is the disability boards they have oodles of information (and reviews) on gluten free dining!

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

DH and DS are both Celiacs. They don't have a choice when it comes to gluten, everything has to be sans gluten.

WDW is their favorite place in the whole world to go to eat! The TS restaurants are amazing! The chef comes out to the table and will ask you what you would like, he/she will tell you exactly what they can do for you--AMAZING. If you go to a buffet, they chef will walk you through the buffet and tell you everything you can and cannot eat.

The CS restaurants are not quite as good. They will prepare GF food for you but it takes time (expect 20-30 minutes) for your food to come out. If you eat at a CS restaurant, when you are ready to order tell the CM you have an "allergy". If you use any other words, they get confused. It's almost like they are programmed and when the word "allergy" is used they know exactly what to do. They will get a manager who will show you in a book what they have that is GF. It will take time to get your food, but they will make whatever they can for you.

Desserts are pretty limited. Ice cream, frozen fruit bars and the infamous GF brownies are pretty much the extent of GF desserts at WDW.

You will have a great time!

Thanks for the great info. Maybe in January we wouldn't need reservations for the table service restaurants (that has happened before when we were there) so may try one or two. The buffet info sounds great, we'll probably go to a few of those as DH loves buffets. For counter service I figured I would pretty much stick to salads and fruit. Gluten free brownies? Oh, I MUST give those a try!!

I agree that you will find plenty of info on the disabilities forum. Plenty of folks there that have knowledge and experience dealing with this and many other food issues.

Have fun!

Heading on over to the disabilities board...thank you!

 

[webprinter]

DDIL went in Dec and needed a gluten free diet. We were in contact with Disney before the trip and filled out all the special forms. It went very well. She asked for fried chicken at 50's Prime Time and said it made her whole trip. Fried Chicken is what she really missed being on a gluten free diet. She and DS (he is not gluten free), said it was wonderful and tasted like regular fried chicken. The chef came out at all the TS restaurants and discussed the menu with her. Many times they told her she should pick what she felt like and they would make it gluten free. She was most nervous at the Biergarten since it was a buffet but they assured her there would be no cross contamination and they were correct. They gave her the special buns at the CS and special french fries. She didn't have any reactions at all and was very very pleased with it all. They even gave her the packaged gluten free cookies and brownies which she loved. They catered to her to the max.

 

[hellokittiemama]

My son is gluten and dairy free and we love Disney because it is one of the few places we can enjoy eating out together. If you specify the food allergy in your ADR they will send a chef to your table and discuss the allergy and give you options. In cases where nothing was on a buffet he could eat, they made him his own "safe" food.

All the counter service places have a binder with ingredients and lists and you can reference that if you speak with a manager. It means that CS isn't as "quick" but in no case was it so long and dreadful that we won't do CS. You can also get lists of what restaurants have what from the Special Diets dept at Disney. Good luck and be sure to share your GF reviews!!!

 

[ekatiel]

Like the PP have said. WDW is gluten free heaven ! Our DS recently outgrew allergies to wheat, barley, and rye, but the last time we were at the World, he was still gluten free. It was the first time in his little life that he ate pizza in a restaurant, and was actually able to have a bun with his hamburger patty. Make sure you contact special diets before the trip, and they will send you an email listing all the special GF products that they carry and which counter service places have them. If you make ADRS, note it on the ADRS, and fill out the form that special diets will send you. The chefs will be notifyed of your allergies/intolerances before you arrive. They are all WONDERFUL. Chef TJ is the BEST chef for special dietary needs. He was just moved to 1900 Park Faire. --Katie