Gluten Free Friends, which ADRs to make?

[ConnecticutFlea]

He is safe when eating in any of the parks. Even in QS locations, the manager will prepare his food separately and bring it out on a separate tray.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

So do the kitchens at Disney have separate kitchens for gluten free meals? We are knew to this diagnosis and don't know if we will have to pack meals each day for our little guy or if he's safe to eat out - scary stuff!

No they do not have separate kitchens. Most restaurants do not. It is always a chance when you eat out.

I have been diagnosed with celiac for 10 years. And there is only one restaurant that will guarantee that a meal is truly gluten free. That entire restaurant is gluten free. Every other restaurant says that they will do the best that they can.

I feel safe at Disney. They take as many precautions as I do. Keeping in mind that I am the only one in my family that has celiac. So the other members will eat gluten.

 

[Dakota731]

So do we just tell them when ordering about celiac disease? We just found out last week so this is all new to us. I guess as long as they use different pans and utensils. And a separate fryer as well since he cant eat French fries that have been made in the same one as breaded products. Oh this is so stressful!

 

[mckennarose]

When you make your ADRs, there is a box to check for allergies, which takes you to another page where you can check off gluten/wheat. When you arrive at the restaurant they will ask who is gluten free, or you can remind them you need a gf menu. Sometimes a chef or manager will come and talk about options.

For QS, you just tell the cashier when ordering and they will go over your options. They have designated fryers for gf items. A manager usually brings out the gf dish on its own tray and it is marked gf.

Don't stress! Disney makes it easy to eat gf and not worry about it.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

Yes, it is stressful initially but it gets easier. Disney is wonderful for those of us with allergies. Two good websites are "gluten free and dairy free at WDW" and "gluten free in Orlando" On these websites you will find reviews of different Disney restaurants, both TS and QS, and some of the menus.

They do have seperate fryers. They won't even put the gluten free food on the same tray with the regular food. You will have to wait longer at QS because the food is cooked when ordered. Don't stress. He will be in good hands at Disney.

 

[Dakota731]

So which restaurants are the most celiac friendly? Any character meals that are easy to order gluten free?

 

[mckennarose]

I have not heard/seen/experienced any Disney restaurants that were not celiac friendly (or any allergy in general, we have one family member who is allergic to nuts also). This is in regard to proper preparation, labeling, handling and advertising gluten free foods.

Even the restaurants not owned by Disney are good, but some better than others. It's always a good idea to speak with a manager or chef at those to have them answer your specific questions. Bongos comes to mind as good gf food, but check with a manager for info. on designated fryers if you order something fried. (I like Bongos but I don't order fried foods very much in general so I never asked about the fryer)

Raglan Road is not Disney owned, but they do have designated fryers and their big gf seller is gf fish and chips. I get fish and onion rings and they are fantastic, and I'm not a fried food person. Chefs de France has gf items, but they were not my favorite. Their idea of gf is to eliminate certain sauces and substitute another sauce, which changed the entire dish. To me, gf is creating a dish to be gf, not changing it with a different favor/taste.

At any of the non-Disney owned restaurants you might have friendly managers and chefs, and you may not. One time at Biergarten, the chef was very indifferent to me when taking me through the buffet line and not particularly friendly when I asked questions. I understand they're busy and it didn't bother me much. But another time I had a different chef take me through (they do it every time) and he was very friendly and brought me all sorts of gf goodies from the back for dessert. Spice Road Table's chef came out to speak with me and he went through the whole menu and offered to make anything on the menu gf for me.

For character meals, I would check reviews online and other people's experiences as to what they liked or didn't like. I would assume, as Disney owned restaurants, character meals fall under the same protocol as all other Disney restaurants and are very safe. We had a great experience with Ohana's breakfast.

There are some threads in the disabilities section on here about gluten free eating at Disney. You can search in there and get some good information.

I know your son's dx is new and it is really scary and intimidating when you first try to figure out gf eating. But honestly, Disney is the one place I don't worry about eating. They are far more accommodating than any local restaurant or chain I've been to. I wish other restaurants would be as gf friendly as Disney!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I have not heard/seen/experienced any Disney restaurants that were not celiac friendly (or any allergy in general, we have one family member who is allergic to nuts also). This is in regard to proper preparation, labeling, handling and advertising gluten free foods.

Don't go to Earl of Sandwich or the food trucks at Disney Springs. They don't have anything that is gluten free. Same with the Poutine place at Disney Springs.

In fact, at Disney Springs, you have to go to a larger place. Preferably one that is attached to a table service location.

 

[Dug720]

Same with the Poutine place at Disney Springs.

In fact, at Disney Springs, you have to go to a larger place. Preferably one that is attached to a table service location.

Interesting. This - from May 2016 - lists 2 poutines that are friendly for gluten/wheat allergies... http://www.glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com/daily-poutine-allergy-friendly-lunch-dinner-menu/

 

[mckennarose]

Don't go to Earl of Sandwich or the food trucks at Disney Springs. They don't have anything that is gluten free. Same with the Poutine place at Disney Springs.

In fact, at Disney Springs, you have to go to a larger place. Preferably one that is attached to a table service location.

Earl of Sandwich is a chain and not Disney owned and I agree not to go there. In my gluten eating days I loved their "full Montague" sandwich. I still miss that one! I don't know if any Disney owned restaurants are in Disney Springs?

Disney owned are usually in the parks and resorts, with the exception of some like Epcot world showcase restaurants, yak and yeti, Coronodo springs and some others.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/is...urants-at-disney-world.3312606/#post-52007737

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Interesting. This - from May 2016 - lists 2 poutines that are friendly for gluten/wheat allergies... http://www.glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com/daily-poutine-allergy-friendly-lunch-dinner-menu/

When I went there in December of 2016, they told me that the only thing that was gluten free was the soda. And I was speaking to a manager.

 

[Dug720]

When I went there in December of 2016, they told me that the only thing that was gluten free was the soda. And I was speaking to a manager.

Interesting. I guess it changed then.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

Last Oct we went to OHana's for breakfast. My son originally had reservations for 4, but he was able to add my husband and I on earlier that morning. He forgot to mention that I need gluten free (Celiac diagnosed in 1994).

I mentioned it to the server. OHana's is family style, but the chef came out to talk with me and brought me out my own plate. The Mickey waffles were really good. I have had GF waffles before, but these were the best!

The characters were Stitch and LILO, goofy and Mickey.

As mentioned above, do not stress about bringing a Celiac to Disney. The employees there are well versed or they will find you the manager or chef who is well versed and committed to making your stay magically GF. One thing to keep in mind is that gluten free deserts are usually limited to a brownie or cookie at QS locations.

 

[Dakota731]

The Mickey waffles were really good.

That sounds wonderful! Do they have the gluten free waffles for breakfast at the resorts - we are staying at AKL? Is there any gluten free ice cream at Disney?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

That sounds wonderful! Do they have the gluten free waffles for breakfast at the resorts - we are staying at AKL? Is there any gluten free ice cream at Disney?

Most ice cream is gluten free. You simply need to watch the add ins and cross contamination. Mickey bars are gluten free.

The ice cream shop at Disney springs, Haagan Dazs maybe? Isn't a good place to go. They will not get ice cream from a container that hasn't been contaminated. I stay away from places like that.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

I don't know about AKL but I have heard of resorts having the GF Mickey waffles. The Mickey premium bars are GF.
BTW there is an allergy Kiosk in Animal Kingdom. It's close to the Starbucks. They usually have GF cupcakes and donuts.

 

[MaybeMaybeline]

Don't forget gluten free beignets at POFQ if you make it over there. My mom has been dining gluten and dairy free at Disney for a few years now. A lot depends on the chef working and how specific your needs are. Some stick pretty much to the approved menu and some are willing to whip you up something unique. We've had really good experiences at Brown Derby, Cape May Cafe, Sanaa, and Boma just to name a few. Raglan Road is always a favorite for GF onion rings. California Grill had a hosemade allergen friendly cake when we were there but honestly it wasn't that good. My mom also doesn't love Erin McKenna stuff. She also likes to pack a few of her own treats since dessert options can be limited and they don't take up too much space in the luggage.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I don't know about AKL but I have heard of resorts having the GF Mickey waffles. The Mickey premium bars are GF.
BTW there is an allergy Kiosk in Animal Kingdom. It's close to the Starbucks. They usually have GF cupcakes and donuts.

Last time we were there, they told me that they no longer have cupcakes. Donuts are Kinickinick. They are okay, flavor wise. They also didn't have the hummus and veggies. I don't know if that is a change or just an off day.

They used to have menus from all of the restaurants in Animal Kingdom, but the woman there didn't seem to know what I was talking about.

I know that Boma has gf Mickey waffles. As does a number of other places. This is a good site that has a list of where you can find them.

 

[MrsIncredible1974]

My other half was GF when we went last time out (subsequently transpired to be a mis-diagnosis but that's another story). He genuinely claims that he ate better at Disney that at any other time when he was GF. We couldn't praise the waiting or kitchen staff highly enough apart from at Tony's where they bought him supposedly GF Garlic Bread which actually wasn't... Luckily for him it wasn't coeliac, just an intolerance. My advice would be to go wherever you like the style of food, mark your ADR as having an intolerance and speak to the staff. but, if you have any doubts about anything which is placed in front of you, get it doubled checked.

 

[hswillia07]

So do we just tell them when ordering about celiac disease? We just found out last week so this is all new to us. I guess as long as they use different pans and utensils. And a separate fryer as well since he cant eat French fries that have been made in the same one as breaded products. Oh this is so stressful!

Hi there! My daughter has severe food allergies - dairy, egg, and wheat. Through this board I found a facebook group called 'Disney Chefs Rock Food Allergies' and it has been SO helpful for me in planning our upcoming trip. You should check it out! It takes a few days to be added to the group once you've requested.