Gluten Free dining

[MrsBergs]

Looking for recommendations for gluten free dining on DDP. Any restaurant and food recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Shanti]

My experience has been very positive almost everywhere at Disney- my son's gluten-restriction is one reason this is our go-to vacation destination.

We've dined at almost all of the character meals with no issue, and many other table service restaurants, both buffet & non-buffet, with no issues. We rarely get counter service, so I can't speak for those restaurants.

The one unpleasant experience I can think of was last year's dinner at the Garden Grill. We were served meat with no sauce on their family platter (think bare white chicken legs and unseasoned beef)- everything was very bland, like all seasonings were left off. The chef who came out to speak to us about the allergy didn't seem sympathetic, either (unusual for Disney- they're usually quite respectful). Won't go back there for dinner again, but breakfast is likely better, as that meal typically needs less seasoning and you can probably get gluten-free Mickey waffles everywhere in the World.

We've never had an issue at any other restaurant in Disney World, and have eaten gluten-free table service in every park and many resorts. I wouldn't worry about it. Declare your allergy in your ressies and they'll take care of you. You can also find gluten-free Disney dining reviews online, if you do a quick search.

 

[csarenz]

My wife and youngest daughter are both gluten intolerant (not full Celiac, but definitely issues). At each of the TS restaurants we went to one of the chefs came out, talked to us, found out their issues, and went over the options they could prepare. I was so impressed by this. We did Be Our Guest (dinner), Yak & Yeti, Sanaa, Rose & Crown, and some others. It did take a little longer for our food each time, but it wasn't an issue.

 

[kshark1958]

My wife was diagnosed with Celiac 25 years ago and has been eating gluten free ever since. WDW has been way ahead of the curve when it comes to taking care of people with food allergies and is one of the many reasons we enjoy Disney. Just about anywhere in WDW is good for gluten free. In the years we have been going there we had only one bad experience and that was at Mama Melrose in 2014. Once at the restaurant in Mexico at Epcot we had to explain it a little bit before they understood but that was years ago. Just make sure when you make your reservations online you mark off the food allergy box or if you call let them know and when you arrive for your meal you remind the hostess and the waiter. At the TS restaurants the chef will come out and talk to you about your food allergies and you may not be able to order everything on the menu but they will make something up for you. At the buffets the chef will point out to you what you can and can not eat. Also most places will bring out gluten free bread or rolls for you. The deserts used to be a prepackaged cookie but they have been getting better. At the QS restaurants it's a little more limited but they will still take care of you. When you arrive to order your food they will get the manager to come out and he will take your order. It may take a little longer but its worth the wait. We have never had an issue with the QS. Good luck with your trip I know gluten free can be difficult but WDW is really good at it.

 

[kshark1958]

Just saw another post where someone was posting the food allergy menus for all the different restaurants. Maybe now thy are just handing you a menu instead of having to talk to the chef.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/food-allergy-menus-pictures-in-thread.3423893/

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

I am a Celiac and have no problem at Disney. There are gluten free options at the QS locations. Expect to wait longer for your food, especially when ordering pizza which takes time to cook.

 

[Pine trees and Pansies]

I have Crohn's disease and was able to pretty much find my way food wise when I was there for spring break. I highly recommend Tony's in magic kingdom especially during the electrical parade, if only for the perfect setting but also the staff is AMAZINGLY kind. There was a really long line for the bathroom and I explained my condition to one of the cast members and this lovely older lady personally escorted me to the cast bathroom and back. It really made the experience so much better.

(back to the gluten free bit) Do be aware that at some restaurants they offer substitutes that you may not be able to eat. For insistence, I was at the Moroccan restaurant a few weeks ago sharing appetizers with my friend and as a substitution for hummus and pita they offered hummus and carrots or celery, both of which I cannot eat due to the fiber. So just keep that in mind.

It is also worthwhile to check out different types of cuisines, Asian cuisine is generally gluten free as well as some traditional Mexican dishes. There is also an AMAZING Irish restaurant in downtown disney or disney springs that offers gluten free bread for sandwiches as well as gluten free fish and chips and gluten free onion rings! It blew my mind that I could enjoy onion rings again after 3 years. 10/10 would recomend

 

[chelynnah]

I was there for 2 days with a gluten free friend in November. Tonys was awesome. The waiter was so good and there you could order anything on the menu and they had a gluten free version of the pasta etc.

We had a different experience to the PP at the Garden Grill. They brought the regular set menu out for DH and me, and our friend had her own versions of everything which she enjoyed.

 

[EEva]

I am still planning our October trip with DD who has Celiac/T1D. So no direct experience yet. But I found a great blog with lots of reviews and info. Some of the reviews are a little old, so things may have changed. But it's been helpful in our planning.
http://www.gfinorlando.com/p/disney_31.html

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

DD4 is gluten intolerant. The only place we will not go back to for breakfast is Crystal Palace (we still enjoy lunch and dinner there). They don't serve gf Mickey waffles, they choose to serve frozen Vann's waffles instead which boggles my mind. We've had consistently great experiences everywhere else.

If you are dining at any Magic Kingdom restaurant with an ADR you can contact Magic Kingdom cakes by email and request gf cupcakes. You will have to pay OOP ($4-$6) but gf dessert choices (especially at buffets) can be limited. If you are eating at any restaurant at the Contemporary or Grand Floridian you can contact them as well to make gf cakes or cupcakes for you. They use a pre-packaged mix like Bob's Red Mill or Namaste. There's a cake thread on the Restaurants board and on the first page you can find contact info.

 

[bookgirl]

If you like Italian then Trattoria Al Forno at the Boardwalk Resort was super. Italian food has been the hardest for me to find when wheat free, but they did a super job. They actually could do many things that I usually can't find (they don't use gluten products as thickeners or breading) in most Italian eateries. Plus they did a really good job on the pasta.

I could not have the bread due to (buckwheat) and I the desserts were a no go due to other allergies but still really good.

 

[mckennarose]

.....

It is also worthwhile to check out different types of cuisines, Asian cuisine is generally gluten free as well as some traditional Mexican dishes. There is also an AMAZING Irish restaurant in downtown disney or disney springs that offers gluten free bread for sandwiches as well as gluten free fish and chips and gluten free onion rings! It blew my mind that I could enjoy onion rings again after 3 years. 10/10 would recomend

Please be aware that although a lot of Asian dishes are naturally gluten free, soy sauce is not unless it is specified as gluten free.

The restaurant in Disney Springs is Raglan Road and I agree they have the best gf chips and onion rings!! Sooooo good!!

I've done several gluten free Disney trips and always enjoyed my meals. No one accommodates like Disney!

 

[glencoe]

My son is Celiac and we have had wonderful experiences all over the world (the best is Breakfast at the Wave and breakfast at O'hana for him and we loved it too!!) However we are going with a large family group and are using the DDP for the first time in a long time so Epcot choices limited (we love Tutto Italiano for italian GF-but not on the DDP!)
So we are considering the Biergarten in Germany. Anyone experience it as a "wheat compromised" person? I know it is buffet which doesnt thrill me but my son is a seasoned 21 year old celiac and knows the ropes-but is there at least food choices? Any GF beer?

 

[mckennarose]

I LOVE Biergarten and we usually wind up there once each trip. The chef will show your son around the buffet and point out the safe foods. I'm not sure about GF beer, I've never asked about it. I know they have some wines.
I enjoy the food and the atmosphere!

 

[Farmgirl2001]

My son has celiac. When we went to Disney in October on our drive down he told us he was worried about food there and getting sick. I told him that Disney is the best place for him to eat. He had a wonderful experience everywhere we ate and cannot wait to go back. We had the dining plan and ate at both quick service and table. The quick service restaurants had a separate menu that he ordered from. We had to wait a little while longer for his food. It always came out on a separate tray from the rest of our families. Table service restaurants also had an allergy menu so he ordered off of that. The only restaurant that the chef came out was Crystal Palace and she walked him through the entire buffet. I made sure to let the waiter or waitress know that we had an allergy and most of the time they already knew as I had marked it when I made our ADR.
Hope that this helps you and please feel free to ask me any questions. I will be more than happy to help if I can.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

My son is Celiac and we have had wonderful experiences all over the world (the best is Breakfast at the Wave and breakfast at O'hana for him and we loved it too!!) However we are going with a large family group and are using the DDP for the first time in a long time so Epcot choices limited (we love Tutto Italiano for italian GF-but not on the DDP!)
So we are considering the Biergarten in Germany. Anyone experience it as a "wheat compromised" person? I know it is buffet which doesnt thrill me but my son is a seasoned 21 year old celiac and knows the ropes-but is there at least food choices? Any GF beer?

I know that they had hard cider. But I didn't inquire about beer. But I seem to remember them saying something about it.

And I had plenty to eat. Plenty of options of meat, potatoes and veggies. I was offered bread, but I didn't want any. I should have asked if they had buns for a sausage with kraut. But even without that, there were several options.

My desserts were limited. Fruit and one item from the buffet that I didn't actually get from the buffet, but from the back. But in addition to that, the chef sent out an OMG brownie, Enjoy Life cookies and a chocolate candy bar. I ate one and took the rest with me, as the chef instructed me to do. We've done this buffet on every trip since I was diagnosed with Celiac.

 

[Dis703]

My son is Celiac and we have had wonderful experiences all over the world (the best is Breakfast at the Wave and breakfast at O'hana for him and we loved it too!!) However we are going with a large family group and are using the DDP for the first time in a long time so Epcot choices limited (we love Tutto Italiano for italian GF-but not on the DDP!)
So we are considering the Biergarten in Germany. Anyone experience it as a "wheat compromised" person? I know it is buffet which doesnt thrill me but my son is a seasoned 21 year old celiac and knows the ropes-but is there at least food choices? Any GF beer?

My twins are allergic to wheat and many more foods. They always have the most options at Biergarten. I've dined there when I was gluten free (while nursing) and had quite a lot of foods to choose from in comparison to other buffets.

This is one of our favorite restaurants at Disney in part for the allergy accommodations, but also because the food is always good and the entertainment is so much fun.

 

[glencoe]

Thanks Dis 703- I ended up getting tutto italiano in Italy. Some other family members werent thrilled with the Beirgarten, and we always have a great meal (GF too) at tutto italian and end up meeting staff from where my husbands family is from so it is always a great meal too! Some day, with a smaller group I will give Beirgarten a try, I hear it is so much fun too!

 

[AngolaHeartsDisney]

I have had diagnosed Celiac's for over 20+ years Disney is my favorite because of the dining and I don't spend my whole trip being ill. My last trip was in July. Here are some of my must do's and feedback:
Most all QS meals have menus now which speeds up the process tremendously... I don't know what was worse- waiting for the manager or waiting for them to cook it

My favorite meals:
*No one has mentioned BOMA- This place blows my mind... so good... so many options.. Also they made me GF zebra domes and gave me a plate of desserts and last time I had to refuse as I was just too full
*Garden grill- Breakfast- they serve family style but they give you all of your own food- same option as non- gluten free with the exception of the cinnamon roll- they give udi's muffins.. but it so good
*I also vote for Biergarten- so good but dessert is limited- had mixed chef experiences on the dessert
also on the top of the list- 1900 park fare breakfast- the chefs there are really accommodating and made me a fresh plate of stuff- could not eat it all..
* Love Raglan Road-onion rings... do I need to say more!
Most FAV-
* the plaza- love that I can eat a gluten free cheese and steak sandwich,, lost of good choices here- this is now a same day reservation restaurant..
*SCI- Fi- good snackie food- I really like the options here- not gourmet but it was nice to have some fried food- don't get that much
There are so many options- I have only had one bad experience in the last few years and 50's prime time... I think they gave me no not gluten free fried chicken I was sick all night and more.. it was bad- but I think that was a fluke