Gluten Free Menus

[wooly14]

I am arriving at Walt Disney 11/26 to 12/05 and need advice on what restaurants are best for gluten free food.

 

[ScrappinGran]

I would like to know this information, also.

 

[princessmomma]

I would like to know this too. If you don't get any responses her maybe an email to Guest Services?

We are planning Ohana's for one meal.

 

[Feigned]

I would say that all restaurants at Disney World are very accommodating to all food allergies/intolerances. My sister was just diagnosed with celiac last year and she loves being able to eat so many foods while we are on vacation. Make sure that you indicate on all your reservations that someone in your group has a special dietary need (whether it be celiac, etc) and remind the cast member at the podium when you check in. A chef will be over to your table to either let the individual know what is safe for them to eat on the menu or to walk the person through a buffet. In some cases, they will be able to make special meals as well. The chefs are very knowledgeable and are willing to go above and beyond to make sure you have a good and safe meal. You can also ask for a list of the chef's phone numbers to call them in advance.

In terms of counter service meals, you can contact brenda.bennett@disney.com for a list of gluten-free foods in the theme parks at the counter service locations. You can also call your resort ahead of time to let the chefs at the food court (if there is one) that you will be staying there with someone who has an intolerance to gluten. They will have special food on hand for you. We have stayed at Saratoga Springs numerous times since my sister was diagnosed and the chefs have always been great.

If you have any questions about specific restaurants that I have been to with my sister, please ask and I will let you know what I remember about what my sister could eat. These are the restaurants we have eaten at:
- Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner): MK
- Tony's (dinner): MK
- Biergarten (dinner): Epcot
- Teppanyaki (dinner): Epcot
- Garden Grill (dinner): Epcot
- Le Cellier (dinner): Epcot
- Akershus (breakfast): Epcot
- Ohana (dinner): Polynesian
- Whispering Canyon Cafe (dinner): Wilderness Lodge
- Chef Mickey's (breakfast/dinner): Contemporary
- Turf Club (dinner): Saratoga Springs
- Spoodles (dinner): Boardwalk
- Cape May Cafe (breakfast): Beach Club
- Grand Floridian Cafe (dinner): Grand Floridian

allearsnet.com also has a section with guests' experiences with eating gluten-free at Walt Disney World.

 

[LoveKermit]

My MIL is celiac and rarely has trouble. Though she is not too anal about stuff being prepared in the same kitchen. She usually steers clear of french fries because they are usually fried with other things (onion rings, chicken fingers, etc). However, she LOVES steak. California Grill, Artist Point, and Yachtsman would all be fine (and good excuses to "dress") for dinner. Flying Fish would work too.

We steer clear of Rose & Crown and would also probably not go to Raglan Road. She could find things to eat there, but it wouldn't be her favorite food. And of course, Italian doesn't work so great either, though they have non-pasta dishes too.

They are pretty good about making something special if you need it. Just ask! (And we don't make a big deal of putting it on ressies or when we check in)

As far as counter service, she asks for sandwiches without bread. When I first started dating my DH, people would look at her funny when she requested it. Now, since the whole low-carb craze and since it seems there are more celiac people, it's less of a big deal (especially at fast food like McDonalds). Restaurants got it figured out finally.

 

[Feigned]

My MIL is celiac and rarely has trouble. Though she is not too anal about stuff being prepared in the same kitchen. She usually steers clear of french fries because they are usually fried with other things (onion rings, chicken fingers, etc). However, she LOVES steak. California Grill, Artist Point, and Yachtsman would all be fine (and good excuses to "dress") for dinner. Flying Fish would work too.

We steer clear of Rose & Crown and would also probably not go to Raglan Road. She could find things to eat there, but it wouldn't be her favorite food. And of course, Italian doesn't work so great either, though they have non-pasta dishes too.

They are pretty good about making something special if you need it. Just ask! (And we don't make a big deal of putting it on ressies or when we check in)

As far as counter service, she asks for sandwiches without bread. When I first started dating my DH, people would look at her funny when she requested it. Now, since the whole low-carb craze and since it seems there are more celiac people, it's less of a big deal (especially at fast food like McDonalds). Restaurants got it figured out finally.

If you ask to speak to a chef or a manager, most of the time they will be able to make you french fries using a dedicated fryer. This means there is no cross-contamination and the fries are safe to eat.

For people who have more severe intolerances, I really think it's best to make a note of it on the reservation. This way you can talk to a chef and get the all-clear. Sometimes foods that may SEEM gluten-free are not really so, possibly because of a sauce, how it is prepared, etc. My sister always likes to be safe, even if she is going to a restaurant that she's been to many times. She will always speak with a chef.

And you might be surprised about what places can work. My sister was able to eat Italian food at Tony's this past August. They offer some gluten-free dishes, as well as gluten-free spaghetti and meatballs and pizza! It might be a nice treat if you're not used to eating that.

 

[dqpowell]

Disney restaurants don't accomodate gluten-free diets the way some others do. What I mean is, they do accomodate gluten-free diets, but the method they use is different than many others.

At restaurants like Outback, they provide a separate gluten-free menu which lists those dishes that are already gluten free, and (in some cases) list what modifications must be made to other dishes to make them gluten free. (For example, a dish might be listed as gluten-free if ordered without soy sauce.)

Disney restaurants handle this differently. They do not offer a gluten-free menu. Instead, what you should do is make an ADR for a restaurant you want to try. When you're making the ADR, be sure to mention that somebody in your dining party has a dietary restriction or food allergy. The CM will note this on your reservation and provide you with a phone number to call (direct line to the restaurant or food coordinator) if you have any concerns.

When you show up at the restaurant, remind the host that somebody in your party has a dietary restriction. Typically what happens is that a chef will come out to your table to discuss your needs. The chefs will often cook up a special meal for you to accomodate your needs. At buffets, the chef will walk the buffet line with you and point out which foods are safe, and which to avoid. In some cases, if there isn't enough variety in "safe" foods on the buffet line, the chef will cook up a special meal for you.

HTH,
David

 

[jmkrat]

Make sure it is listed on your ADR's. I need gluten free too, and have never had a problem eating at Disney. My favorites are Liberty Tree Tavern, O'Hana's for breakfast ( yummy Mickey waffles), 1900 Park Fare, I even got a Rueban sandwich from Sci-Fi, and a cheese pizza from Tony's Town square. E-mail Brenda, she is wonderful and quick to respond. Last year the caramel apples sold at MK were gluten free, I hope they are this year too. There is a ton of park food you can eat, she will send you a list. Happy eating!

 

[wooly14]

I did contact brenda.bennett@disney.com She sent me information on where to get GF snacks and additional information from Disney on GF foods.

 

[TJ's Mom]

This has nothing to do with Disney but I thought it was interesting... at my church last week they offered Gluten-free communion!

 

[dqpowell]

This has nothing to do with Disney but I thought it was interesting... at my church last week they offered Gluten-free communion!

You're not Catholic, are you? The Catholic Church's official position is that it must be bread, and if it doesn't have wheat in it, it's not bread. My aunt takes only the wine at communion, because she can't eat gluten.

David

 

[TJ's Mom]

You're not Catholic, are you? The Catholic Church's official position is that it must be bread, and if it doesn't have wheat in it, it's not bread. My aunt takes only the wine at communion, because she can't eat gluten.

David

No, I am Presbyterian. I guess they don't follow the wheat rule!

 

[dawnball]

For the Disney part - I've had really good luck at most Disney restaurants, but I won't eat at the buffets. I tried it, more than once and I get cross-contaminated every time. They will make you special stuff, or bring it from the back, but I found it to be a big hassle because buffets aren't really set up for it.

Garden Grill had some problems -
gluten-crusted fish came out on the gluten-free platter, they didn't want to remake it, I didn't want to eat it. We also seemed like a headache to them - 1 gluten free adult, one veggie adult, one gluten free child, one gluten and dairy free adult, one adult on the normal menu, one child on the normal menu. They just weren't really set up for making individual meals for everyone.

In general once I realized that my expectations of Disney's handling of a gluten free diet (based on stories told on various websites) were unrealistic, I've done fine. If I pick simple foods they can make them gluten free and I get a safe and perfectly reasonable meal.

My very best experiences have been at signature dining, particularly Citricos. I think Citricos is on my list for every year - just because they do such a good job of making so much of the menu accessible.

That said, even if you contact Brenda Bennett, I've found that I never know exactly what will be gluten free at any given restaurant. Even if I've been at that restaurant the day before, things will change. Things that weren't safe, become safe and things that were safe become unsafe. Sometimes the gluten free food is very different than then normal menu, sometimes it's identical. I can be assured that any restaurant on property can cook me something - but I count myself lucky if I have 2 choices from any single menu. It makes making ADRs a bit more frustrating.


On the communion issue - Several years ago I knew a Catholic woman who was very, very upset over not being able to receive communion anymore. She discovered that there was a small European religious order that was using very low gluten wheat starch to make communion wafers. They were so low gluten that they qualified to be labeled "gluten free" in Europe (<200 ppm at the time) but were from wheat (and contain some gluten) and as such were considered acceptable for Catholic communion.

The requirements are as follows:
"
I. Concerning permission to use low-gluten alter breads: A. This may be granted by Ordinaries to priests and laypersons affected by celiac disease, after presentation of a medical certificate.

B. Conditions for the validity of the matter:

1. Special hosts quibus glutinum ablatum est are invalid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist;

2. Low-gluten hosts are valid matter, provided that they contain the amount of gluten sufficient to obtain the confection of bread, that there is no addition of foreign materials , and that the procedure for making such hosts is not such as to alter the nature of the substance of the bread."

I lost touch with her, so I don't know what she decided to do. I know it was a difficult process for her.

 

[sleepingbean]

If it helps, I took photos of all our gluten free food on the last two trips and posted it here to share
Gluten and Dairy free foods

We really enjoyed so many places. The only place I would say to avoid for certain is Pepper Market and second would be Kona based on our experience and the experience of one other with similar complaints and time frame. BUT that is still better than anything I'd expect locally for gluten free dining experience!

 

[crisi]

My experience has been different.

I make a note on my ADRs when I call that I'm gluten free. I am never given a number to call or the email address for Brenda.

I go to the restaurant. I tell the host. I tell the waiter. I have NEVER seen a chef. The waitstaff is mixed on their ability to help - most are great and most chefs are great and something is worked out. On occation, I punt.

(The surprise last trip was Spoodles - which was outstanding in their response. The disappointment was Flying Fish (!) - I might as well have told the host and the waiter that I was wearing a blue shirt for all the difference it made).
But I'm only intolerent - I won't die in the restaurant if I eat soy sauce - I'll probably toerate soy sauce or crouton dust just fine. I just can start munching on the bread in the bread basket or start eating fried chicken...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going over to the disABILITIES Forum. One of the first threads is the disABILITIES FAQs. On Post #3 we have a lot of information for people with dietary restrictions as well as useful links about special diets. To get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs from here just click on the link in my signature.

 

[LoveKermit]

My MIL has eaten breakfast at Kona. But she often orders her own thing....an egg here, some sausage there, some crispy hashbrowns and voila, breakfast.

The ILs were there in Feb and also had a great experience at Spoodles. We all get to go in a few weeks. They plan on going back when they get there in the evening before we get there at night. Plus they're streak eaters--even at Disney.

Can't Wait!

 

[cheesekate2005]

I have had many yummy GF meals at WDW! I am a vegetarian too, and dining there has always been great (except once or twice, normally on WDW property at a non WDW owned restaurant). I have been served all kinds of GF pasta, soups, rissotto's, pancakes, waffles, casseroles, spoon breads - all things that are normally made with wheat are available to me there. I haven't received better service or food anywhere outside of WDW. Just make some reservations and have it notedon there the chef has always come out to talk to me (even at the hotel food court the head chef makes my food). Enjoy.

 

[EmyRose]

You're not Catholic, are you? The Catholic Church's official position is that it must be bread, and if it doesn't have wheat in it, it's not bread. My aunt takes only the wine at communion, because she can't eat gluten.
David

Corpus Christi, the new Catholic Church in Celebration, offers both the Body and Blood of Christ, unlike Mary, Queen of the Universe, Basilica, which does not offer the Precious Blood. We attended mass at Corpus Christi for Palm Sunday and will probably go there again when we are in the area.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

I had EXCELLENT food last year at WDW and I ate GF the entire time. I sent in the forms to Special Diets at WDW (info on the DISabilities board) and at each TS restaurant, the waiter noted that I was GF and had the chef come out to speak with me. They told me what on the menu or buffet was GF and offered substitutions (GF buns, special sauces, etc.).

It was especially nice because I didn't have to contact the restaurants or mention being GF when we checked in. All the information was there with our ADR. I also received numerous lists of information as to which meal items, snacks, etc. were GF at CS locations and all around the World.