Gluten Freedom-- The DDP with a Food Allergic Kiddo (Updated with Toy Story Pizza PL)

[ekatiel]

We just got back from our first trip to WDW, and we had an AMAZING time . Part of that amazing time was due to my food allergic almost-five year old being able to eat a variety of foods in the World. So, I just had to come back here and do a gluten-free dining review of kids' meals in WDW!

Here's the cast: Me (the Mommy), DH, our two boys, Aidan who is almost three and has no food allergies, Brendan who is almost five and has multiple food allergies, and my mom and dad (hence forth known as Memaw and Grandpa). Part of the reason we chose a WDW vacation was that we had heard how great they were with food allergies . Brendan is allergic to wheat, barley, rye, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. So, dining out is not easy for us. At home, we eat out once a week at the SAME restaurant EVERY TIME . Brendan also occasionally has fast food. His "choice"-- and yes, I mean the singular form of "choice"-- when we go out to eat is almost always a cheeseburger with NO bun and french fries (he seems to do ok with fryer oil that may be cross contaminated). When we found out that he could get a cheeseburger WITH a bun at WDW, we were sold !!!

Those of you who do not have kids with food allergies may not realize what a big deal it is to be able to get "normal" looking food at a restaurant, but it literally makes me tear up thinking about all the "normal" food that DS got to eat this week . He had pizza in a restaurant for the first time EVER (he gets it at home, but never in a million years did we think he could eat pizza somewhere else). He had multiple burgers with a bun everytime . And he had a veritable FEAST the night we ate at 'Ohana (I'll brag about chef TJ more later) . He truly had a magical time, and we had a magical time watching him beam as he ate until his tummy was tight as a drum each night !

Here's the line-up of where we ate (I got pics of most of the food, but sometimes I forgot!).
Dinner day one: Chip and Dale's Harvest Feast at the Garden Grill (Epcot)
Lunch day two: Flame Tree BBQ in AK
Dinner day two: Mama Melrose (DHS)
Lunch day three: Cosmic Ray's (MK)
Dinner day three: 'Ohana (at the Poly-- you DON'T want to miss this review!)
Brunch day four: Crystal Palace with Pooh (MK)
Dinner day four: Everything's Pop CS (Pop)
Lunch day five: Toy Story Pizza Planet (DHS)
Dinner day five: Le Cellier (Epcot)
Lunch day six: Restaurant-osaurus (AK)
Dinner day six: 1900 Park Faire (GF)
Lunch day seven: Cosmic Ray's (MK)
Dinner day seven: Chef Mickey's (Contemporary)
Lunch day eight: Pecos Bill's (MK)

Whew-- that was a lot of places to eat!! I think I'll include a couple of things in each review. First, I'll include a rating of the allergy friendly food. Then, I'll include a rating of the chef and how helpful he or she was. Finally, I'll include a rating of the food the rest of us ate. So, here we go !! Up next: Garden Grill!

 

[ekatiel]

We arrived at Garden Grill just before our 7pm ADR. I made sure to mention that we had food allergies, and they told us that it was already noted on the reservations and that the chef would be out to talk with us when we were seated. They gave us a buzzer and we waited for just a few minutes until our buzzer went off. The chef came out shortly and gave us a few options that were safe for Brendan. Brendan ended up having gluten free tapioca rolls (made by Ener-G foods)-- we saw these a lot this week, turkey, french fries, and veggies. For dessert, he got an Itzakadoozie bar. It was the first time he'd seen one of these, since we had just arrived, and he LOVED it . Here are some pics of his food:
The Entree:

The Dessert:

We had them bring an itzakadoozie for Aidan, our two year old, also, so the boys were HAPPY after this meal.

On our food allergy reference sheet, I had requested that the chef make some kind of special gluten free/egg free brownie or cupcake for Brendan, and this did not happen, but he was extrememely happy with his popsicle, so we were happy, too. Here are the ratings for Garden Grill:
Allergen Free Food Rating: A-
Chef Rating: B+
Other Food Rating: A-

 

[natalielongstaff]

im glad you had a good time, looking forward to hearing more

 

[Head_in_the_clouds]

Thank you so much for this!!!!!!!!

I was taken to hospital with a form of anaphylactic shock last week following some sort of allergic reaction and I am now on a wheat free yeast free dairy free diet and trying to figure what I am going to live on for three weeks when we go to WDW next month.

Will read your reviews with interest!

 

[ekatiel]

Thank you so much for this!!!!!!!!

I was taken to hospital with a form of anaphylactic shock last week following some sort of allergic reaction and I am now on a wheat free yeast free dairy free diet and trying to figure what I am going to live on for three weeks when we go to WDW next month.

Will read your reviews with interest!

im glad you had a good time, looking forward to hearing more

Thanks for reading, guys! I know this is kind of a "niche" review, but I thought it might be helpful to those with food allergies or intolerances.

Head in the Clouds-- If you don't already have a ressie for 'Ohana, I'd try to get one-- chef TJ there was SO awesome!--Katie

 

[ekatiel]

Sorry, guys-- I forgot to take pics of this one. We got to Flame Tree right at 11am when it opened (we found this was best time to be able to talk with a manager). We told the clerk that we had food allergies, and she immediately went to get a manager. The manager brought out the big binder of the ingredients of the food there, and we decided to get Brendan a baked chicken leg, grapes, and jello. His food looked good, and he ate the whole chicken leg, so it must have been good. I'm pretty sure the ribs were safe for him as well, but they weren't an option on the kid's meal. The rest of us had either ribs or chicken. We decided that the chicken was better than the ribs. The ribs were a bit tough, but they had good flavor. The baked beans were WAY to sweet for me (and this is a women who makes baked beans by adding extra butter, onions and brown sugar to a can of Bush beans!). Overall, the food was ok, but IMO, this place is over-hyped.

Allergen Free Food Rating: B+
Manager Rating: A-
Other Food Rating: B

 

[Disney owl]

great start look forward to reading more

 

[MeLaNie9]

Those of you who do not have kids with food allergies may not realize what a big deal it is to be able to get "normal" looking food at a restaurant, but it literally makes me tear up thinking about all the "normal" food that DS got to eat this week .


I wanted to post as soon as I read your intro - will read the rest shortly...
In Dec 07 we took our DS1 to WDW for the first time - we STILL have never taken him to a restaurant at home and ordered food (he's 2 1/2 now, we bring him his meal from home) and at the first WDW TS restaurant when the chef came out to discuss his meal, I ordered with tears in my eyes! We have now had 2 wonderful WDW vacations with our son getting to eat at restaurants and we leave Thursday for another!!! After that 1st trip, we said we will never go to another vacation destination as long as he has to avoid certain foods. Lucky for us, he now only has to avoid dairy (we were avoiding all common food allergens on the prior trips). Looking forward to reading the rest of your report!

 

[hellokittiemama]

This is perfect timing for me.

We still haven't hit our 90 day window for ADRs but my son's food issues are similar in that he is also gluten free (as well as dairy free).

I look fw to reading more!

 

[clanmcculloch]

I am now on a wheat free yeast free dairy free diet and trying to figure what I am going to live on for three weeks when we go to WDW next month.

Be aware that ALL of the gluten and dairy free bread at WDW has yeast. This was a bit of a frustration for us (my daughter also can't have these) but she still had PLENTY to eat. As much as you might have been salivating over the idea of a hamburger with a bun, it's still not going to happen because of the yeast. In no way will that take away from your experience though because you will have PLENTY of options.

On our last trip, she chose to eat mac & cheese and chicken fingers almost every single night and she ate eggs, bacon and Mickey waffles almost every morning. She had plenty of other choices but this is what she kept choosing. We only had the QSDP so all of this was at QS restaurants, mostly our hotel (we're not stay at the park until you drop kind of people). The main chef at Pop actually picked up some Kinnikinnick muffins and Silk yogurt specifically for us while we were there, based on conversations we had earlier. I was in heaven with the wide variety of foods I could eat as well (I have the same problems plus several others). We knew we'd be eating most meals that trip at the hotel so I had spoken with the main chef by phone ahead of time.

One of her favourite TS meals from other trips was the princess dining in Norway. The chef actually had chocolate chip muffins ready for her and brought out this huge fruit plate with it for the APPETIZER. She could hardly eat the amazing chicken strips with hand cut pototo strips though she did save room for her beautiful ice cream brownie sundae (she eats these for just about every dessert because they're so good and it's so rare to get them, though occasionally she'll substitute a cookie at the places where they're available). We brought a big container of fresh fruit and chicken strips back to the hotel that night.

Her favourite cold treat around the parks was the frozen bananas. The Itkadoodle popsicles are also safe but she couldn't have them due to additional citrus problems (they contain lemon and orange). Most people swear by the Dole Whips (she kept choosing the bananas though). The popcorn all over the parks is also safe as are the frozen Cokes. We were definitely both in heaven. There are good reasons that we keep returning. It's the only place we can vacation stress free as the food issues are a lot of stress anywhere else we travel.

Because we travel with a child with these intollerances, I like having the chefs actually call me at home before we go. Brenda arranges this for me. This allows me to prepare her for what kinds of options they will have (not all places have the Galaxy soy cheese for instance), plus sometimes the chefs will prepare something special (like those chocolate chip muffins) or they'll get something that they don't normally have at their location in from another restaurant. Chefs really are amazing at all of the Disney operated restaurants (make sure all your reservations are at Disney operated restaurants).

So we could just walk in an order without having to scour over a huge book of allergy info or ask all sorts of questions everywhere, I created my own list of what safe food is available at which QS and snack location at each park. I would then just bring the list from the individual park we were going to on any given day. We would still have to wait for managers to come out to talk to us and serve us, but it still saved LOTS of time because we new what we wanted right away plus we new which QS places could accomodate us easier. Take the time to go through the info that Brenda sends and preplan what foods you can find where. You'll be SO glad that you did.

 

[svalencia1]

Thank you so much for these reviews My DD is gluten and dairy free. I can't wait to read you Ohanas review. We have a ressie there and have heard wonderful things.

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. And thanks for the extra info. I know everyone's dietary needs are slightly different, so it's great to hear from people who have had a great experience with different accomodations! Next up is Mama Melrose dinner!

We booked the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose and were nearly late for our ADR. I had DH run ahead of us and tell them we were on our way. When we got there, I mentioned the food allergies again, and again I was told that it was already noted and that the chef would come out to see us (just what I wanted to hear !). Once we sat down, the chef came right out and she was very nice. She offered to make Brendan a pizza on a tapioca pizza shell (made by Ener-G). He was THRILLED to eat pizza in a restaurant ! I'm assuming that they could do this one dairy free, too, since she used the shell and added the sauce and cheese-- I'm not sure if they have dairy free cheese there or if it would be just sauce and meat/veggies!

They asked if it was ok that the pizza come out a little early-- We were very happy for it to come out early b/c kiddos tend to get antzy sitting in restaurants anyways. The pizza looked great and was served with its own side salad. The chef brought the salad dressing packet to me so I could read the ingredients. She also brought us chocolate milk in a nesquick bottle so we could read that, too. She gave us the option of tofutti or a strawberry popsicle for dessert. Since Brendan is not dairy allergic and is used to eating real ice cream, we went for the strawberry bar instead. Their gelato has cross contamination warnings for eggs and nuts, I believe, so we stayed away from it. Here are a few pics of Brendan's food:

His pizza-- He ate it too quick for me to snap a picture before a piece was gone!

His half-eaten strawberry bar-- you can't very well tell a kid to not eat dessert yet b/c you have to take a picture!!!

Allergen Free Food Rating: A
Chef Rating: A
Other Food Rating: A (the steak was REALLY good and we each got appies b/c of the F! package!)

Up next, lunch at Cosmic Ray's and THEN, our favorite meal of the trip--- 'Ohana!!! --Katie

 

[abc123mom]

I love how you are reviewing each meal experience. Our oldest daughter has multiple food allergies, as does my husband and our two youngest strictly avoid peanuts and treenuts due to Dad and older daughter's allergies. We've been to Disney twice now and it seems that each time eating there gets a little easier. I can't wait to read more! Thanks for doing this!!

Laura

 

[ekatiel]

We've been to Disney twice now and it seems that each time eating there gets a little easier.

Laura

They seem to really be on top of the whole Food allergy issue! I wonder if someone in top management has a kid with food allergies. . . Brenda Bennet from special diets told me that they will be getting the Enjoy Life products in soon-- we didn't see any while we were there, but hopefully, they'll be around soon-- those would have opened up even more dessert possibilities for us!! We are hoping to go back for free dining in 2010-- by the second day we were there, DH told me that we could come back next year!! --Katie

 

[ekatiel]

We spent Monday at the Magic Kingdom, so just after 11am, we headed to Cosmic Ray's for some lunch. We told the cashier that we had food alleriges, and he got a manager for us right away. Brendan decided to have a cheeseburger on an Ener-G bun with fries and chocolate pudding. The manager offered to bake the fries (it would take about 15 minutes, he said) so that they wouldn't be cross contaminated, but Brendan doesn't react to cross contaminated fryer oil, so we were ok with the regular fries. Also, we didn't notice until the second time we had the pudding that there is an egg cross contamination warning on the pudding -- oops-- Mommy should have read the labels better. Luckily, he didn't have a reaction to the pudding either time. Here are the pics of our food:

Brendan's meal. Hamburger, complete with bun !

And here's how he ate the hamburger anyways:

That's right, he took the patty out and ate it by itself! I guess when you've eaten just the patty for nearly five years straight, you stick with what you know ! He was clearly happy that he HAD a bun, though, to eat it or not was his choice !

Allergen Free Food Rating: A-
Manager Rating: A
Other Food Rating: B+

Up Next-- the moment you've all been waiting for-- 'Ohana!!! --Katie

 

[hellokittiemama]

Was that "soy" pudding or regular pudding? Just wondering.

Loved how he hate the patty not the bun! That is something I could see my son doing too!!!

 

[allyphoe]

Was that "soy" pudding or regular pudding?

That's just regular Cozy Shack brand chocolate pudding.

 

[Lisa Poppins]

I too have a son with gluten/wheat allergy (celiac). We have made tons of trips to Disney and each time we can't believe how accomodating they are. My son feels so special and "normal" when he can eat out and be able to eat what everyone else is. Thanks for all the reviews. I have not tried Ohana yet and am waiting for your review. I always shy away from foods with asian flair due to sauces, rubs etc. How was the gluten free choices at Ohana?

 

[ekatiel]

Ok Guys-- It's finally time for the 'Ohana review. Brendan had the absolute BEST dinner of his life there , and it was all thanks to Chef TJ ! From reading the Disboards before we left, I had heard good things about Chef TJ-- that he went out of his way for food allergy kids, and that he made some really awesome meals. At the time I was making my ADR's, though, I *thought* he was still working at Boma, and the menu there just didn't sound all that appealing to me, so we did not book it.

Well, just a few weeks before our trip I hear (here on the Disboards again, of course), that Chef TJ is now working at 'Ohana. We already had a reservation there, so I was hoping that we'd get chef TJ.

So, fastforward to Monday evening: We arrive for our ADR at the Poly a bit early, so we walk around for awhile (boy do I wish I had $350 to spend on a room for a night!!). It was beautiful! We checked in a few minutes early for our ADR, and were seated almost immediately. I mentioned the allergies again, and the server said the chef would be out shortly to talk with us. So, would it be Chef TJ?? Could we possibly be that lucky??!

Well, the Chef came out to us, and he was VERY nice, but I only got a glance at his name tag, and his name was SUPER long-- it was certainly longer than "TJ". Oh well, I thought-- this chef seems nice enough. He told us that none of the meat skewers they serve would be safe for him asked us about what Brendan would like to eat (what types of meat) and a few other questions about foods that might be ok (ie-- can he have soy, etc). Then, he comes out with this AWESOME appetizer-- seriously, we would have been completely happy if this was DS's entire meal. But alas, it was just his appetizer. Here's a pic:

That's cheicken wings on top of mashed potatoes, with a roll to the side. I'm not sure if it was the Ener-G roll to start with or if he actually made the dough himself, but he definitely did SOMETHING to the roll to make it taste like the Hawiian bread that the rest of us were eating-- maybe he glazed it with a sugar/pineapple glaze?? Whatever it was, it was sweet and yummy (DH and I both tried it once Brendan had his fill). We didn't get to try the wings, b/c Brendan ate ALL of them!!! They looked fabulous, though!

At this point, I start to clue in, and wonder if this is, in fact, the famous "TJ" that I had been hearing about. Then, I took a better look at his name tag-- the name, although REALLY long, starts with the letters T and J-- it's gotta be him!!! When he came out to deliver the entree. I asked if he was chef TJ. He said he was, and I told him that he was famous b/c all the food allergy moms who have been to Disney World brag about him!! He smiled . Now, about that entree-- Brendan had the best looking food in the entire restaurant. Here's a pic:

And from another angle:

He had made Brendan his own personal skewer of each type of meat (shrimp, turkey, pork and beef), then set it on a bed of broccoli, carrots and a pile of rice noodles. It was gorgeous-- the pics really don't do it justice! Brendan ate and ate and ate!!!

But chef TJ wasn't done yet-- it was time for dessert. He interviewed us about what Brendan can and can't eat for dessert-- asked about certain fruits and ice cream, and then, he brought out this:

He drizzled (or should I say poured!) the chocolate syrup on it at the table! Here's a closer look:

And here's a pic of Brendan eyeing it:

From the bottom up, that's pineapple, ice cream, banana, banana, ice cream, banana, banana, cherry, and cotton candy on top-- all covered in chocolate syrup! It was a kid's DREAM -- Brendan was on ! So, he ate and ate and ate some more!!! We joked that this was a great way to get his weight up before his five year old check up this Summer (he's always hovering around the 5th percentile).

Chef TJ saw what a good time Brendan was having with the dessert, and he came by for a picture:

I think Brendan was in a sugar coma by this point-- he looks a little dazed in the pic! Anyhow, without a doubt, this was our BEST eating experience at WDW. We had tears in our eyes when Brendan's dessert was delivered. He had the BEST dessert in the WHOLE place, and he knew it ! Our little man who is always stuck with a cupcake from home at birthday parties and who has to give away half of his Halloween candy, finally had the best dessert out of everyone -- I could have hugged Chef TJ then and there -- I settled for saying thank you aobut a million times. So, if you have a kid with food allergies, you just have to get over the fact that they serve peanut sauce in this place. Ask them to wipe the table down extra well (which we put in our FA guest form), and let Chef TJ work his magic! You will not be disappointed!!

Allergen Friendly Food Rating: A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chef Rating: A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Other Food Rating: A+

Up next: Brunch at Crystal Palace!

 

[Lisa Poppins]

Thank you soooo much for that review!! I made ADR's for Ohana when we go. I'm sitting hear with tears in my eyes as I read your review. I know exactly how your heart sinks every time your son has to "bring a dessert from home". He must have felt so special with that dessert! That's what i love about Disney----even if it's just for a short time my son feels like the special one not the "odd" man out!! Thanks again for this great review!