Gluten Free for those with Celiac Disease at Disneyland?

[SD33]

Hey everyone, this'll be our first time back at the parks after my wife's diagnosis of Celiac Disease. She's pretty bummed about having to forgo the churros, cupcakes, and a ton of other stuff there. Does anyone have a good go-to resource for all things gluten free at Disneyland? I've heard they are pretty accommodating, but we're a little worried about cross contamination too. Most places cater to the fad dieters and are content to throw up a couple gluten free options but don't neccesarily change out gloves or use separate fryers or all of that stuff. So I'd especially like to hear from others who have Celiac Disease and aren't just abstaining from gluten for minor health reasons. Thanks!

 

[SD33]

Found the Gluten Free Super Thread so I think I'm good now Unless someone has pictures of the current Disneyland gluten free lists they give out at City Hall?

 

[SMD]

They discontinued lists several years ago. They recently started with allergy menus, but they're top down so only at signature right now. It should be covered in the super thread. You might want to read it backwards to get the most recent info.

 

[SD33]

That's a bummer! Those lists looked really helpful. Hmmmm...guess I'll have to find another source.

 

[jina]

I keep a list of my favorite places at Disneyland to eat gluten free on my blog:
http://glutenfreetop10.blogspot.com/p/disney.html

I was just about to write up a blog post that summarizes what I had where - once I do I will put a link on the text "Disneyland Resort" at the top of the list.

There's plenty of great safe food - having to go gluten free is quite a change to everything you thought was normal for about 6 months, then it gets easier. Disneyland makes it sooooo easy. It's the best place to travel if you can't eat gluten. I'm sure you've already figured this out by reading the super thread but Disney does it all the right way when it comes to making sure folks with food allergies/intolerances can eat safely. It's all part of the Magic.

As for treats, the main stuff that I know is safe is the dole whip and ice cream sundaes which you have the manager make for you (I've had them at Ghirardelli in DCA and both of the main ice cream parlors in DL and DCA). I had a decent pre-packaged gluten free brownie at Jolly Holiday Bakery and on my b-day at Blue Bayou last year the chef made me some sort of chocolate mousse Mickey but I've never seen it again so I may have just gotten lucky that day. On our most recent visit in May we had a very tasty Panna Cotta at Carthay Circle.

If you are going during any sort of celebration (of just want to do something extra special) you can pre-order a gluten free cake to be delivered to an on site restaurant or hotel room. I had a decent (OK tasting but absolutely gorgeous) gluten free birthday cake last year. You need to pre-order a few days in advance, I'd do it a week in advance to be safe. I tear up every time I think about how special it was to actually be able to eat a professionally baked and decorated cake I could actually eat.

Most of the handmade chocolates made at the shop on main street are AFAIK not made of gluten ingredients but could be a high risk for cross contamination since other handmade treats do have stuff like pretzels in them. I've had the English toffee and chocolate/caramel/pecan turtles w/ no side effects (I am very sensitive) but eating is risky it's a personal choice what you try. If you ask any cast member in that candy shop they will tell you everything has gluten in it due to cross contamination concerns. I always bring gluten ease 2x tablets with me just in case I think I've been glutened but so far I've never had to use them at a Disney resort. They can usually cut down the severity of my reaction if I take them soon enough.

good luck and have a great time!

 

[ashley0139]

Any sit down or counter service restaurant you go to are well versed in gluten free. They use separate fryers and are very careful about cross contamination. As for snacks, just ask at each place you go. They are very accommodating. Gluten free is something they deal with every day.

 

[wdwmickey]

Just back and I have an anaphylactic wheat allergy. Most places were very helpful. The most accommodating counter service was Jolly Holiday and the best sit downs were Blue Bayou (Fantasmic package) and Plaza Inn breakfast. Most places including Starbucks (or whatever they are called in each park) have gluten free treats. Mine were always served sealed in their packages. The gluten free grilled cheese and tomato soup at Jolly Holiday were amazing as was the tuna melt. Also really yummy were the baked potatoes from Harbour Galley.

Let me know if you have specific questions and I'll try to help.

 

[violentlyserene]

Just back and I have an anaphylactic wheat allergy. Most places were very helpful. The most accommodating counter service was Jolly Holiday and the best sit downs were Blue Bayou (Fantasmic package) and Plaza Inn breakfast. Most places including Starbucks (or whatever they are called in each park) have gluten free treats. Mine were always served sealed in their packages. The gluten free grilled cheese and tomato soup at Jolly Holiday were amazing as was the tuna melt. Also really yummy were the baked potatoes from Harbour Galley.

Let me know if you have specific questions and I'll try to help.

This is great to hear. Jolly Holiday seems to get regular rave reviews for gluten free and i read somewhere that the turkey sandwich could be gluten free so they are definitely on my list.

 

[jina]

Glad to hear the baked potatoes at Harbour Galley are safe - I had that on my list to check out my last trip but we ran out of time. We'll be back in a few weeks and I'm definitely going to check it out!

Our food at Jolly Holiday was just so-so other than the packaged brownie. I think we had a caprese sandwich and the bread was cold and dry - we ended up just eating the cheese, tomato and basil and if not for the brownie would have been famished afterwards. We'll try the heated sandwiches next time.