Gluten, what's that? You mean like in yogurt? A GF dining review.

[3prettyprincesses]

Hello fellow GF folks! The title still makes me chuckle. On our drive to Disney, we stayed over at a Holiday Inn Express which offers free hot breakfast. I asked the hotel clerk if anything might be gluten free and she said "Gluten, what's that? You mean like in yogurt?" Ya, I opted to forgo the free breakfast lol!

We returned from an amazing 9 day trip. 9 days of gluten free goodness. The last time we'd been at Disney was over 2 1/2 years ago and this trip was even better.

Restaurants I ate at and reviews will follow:

Kona Cafe (breakfast and dinner)
Captain Cooke's (lunch)
Akershus (breakfast)
Coral Reef (dinner)
Crystal Palace (breakfast)
Tusker House (breakfast)
Ohana (breakfast and dinner)
1900 Park Fare (breakfast)
Narcoossee's (dinner)
Sci Fi Dine-In Theater (lunch)
Biergarten (dinner)
Boma (breakfast)
Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch)
Babybcakes (snacks!)

 

[3prettyprincesses]

We arrived at the Polynesian earlier in the day, earlier than we'd originally planned. It was almost lunch time when we checked in and we were starving. I'd never eaten at Captain Cooke's being gluten free. I asked for the manager and she was so friendly! She said, honey, I can make pretty much anything. I went with a grilled chicken and cheese sandwich on a GNI bun with lettuce and tomato. Bagged chips were the side. I was given a pager and she said that she would personally cook my meal and alert me when it was done that way I would know it was GF.

It was delicious! Perfectly cooked and perfectly GF. I finished it off with a pineapple dole whip for good measure. I would eat here again in a heartbeat. Great experience for counter service.

 

[davebon23]

Thanks for the review! Can't wait to hear the rest. We are going back after 2 years also. It's great to hear currently how GF service is at the restaurants. Much appreciated!

 

[ShelleyLynn]

I am so excited to read your review. My family is returning to WDW this October for our 8th trip but this will be the first one I have to plan for my newly GF DD9. It is a little intimidating! I am still learning alot and trying to figure out what she can eat at our local restaurants and how to plan for playdates, parties at school and such! I will always have a supply of Kind bars on my person and car from now on! Looking forward to learning from your experience. We will be staying at the Yacht Club.

 

[ShelleyLynn]

Forgot to say we have ADR's at several places you went to. Tusker House bfast, Ohana for dinner, Sci Fi for lunch, Biergarten for lunch and Liberty Tree for lunch. Thanks again for taking the time to do a GF review.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

As I said, we arrived at Disney earlier than we'd planned. Therefore we didn't have a dinner ADR because my original plan was to just eat on the road. We were able to get one for Kona Cafe for dinner!

As usual, I told the server that I had food allergies and he said the chef would be right over. Once there, I told him my gluten allergy (and avocado and watermelon). He said no problem, what would I like to eat?

I went with the teriyaki steak with pineapple and sticky rice accompanied by broccoli. The only modification he said was to swap out the regular teriyaki sauce for the GF one he had. This meal was great! Very tasty. Everything was cooked well and safe. For dessert I had the Kiluhea torte which is a chocolate like cake thing with a chocolate liquid center along with passion fruit cream on the side as well as vanilla ice cream.

I loved this meal! The chef here really knew his stuff and even though I'd eaten at Disney before as GF, I was still a little nervous about it. Probably since I cook all of my own food at home and rarely eat out. I wouldn't hesitate to eat here again.

 

[mrsdrake625]

Yay, that sounds awesome. I am still getting used to how great they are about allergies. I tend to forget that they will go so far to make things specially for us. Sounds like you had a great time!

And yes, I get the "gluten? Do you mean glutton?" type responses a lot. My favorite is when people say, oh, that won't hurt you, you're being silly. Hah!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Following your reviews!

I was once asked "Well, if your son can't have wheat bread, can't he just have white bread???"

 

[valree]

Thanks for the reviews! Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks for the review! Can't wait to hear the rest. We are going back after 2 years also. It's great to hear currently how GF service is at the restaurants. Much appreciated!

You're so welcome! The service I received was outstanding everywhere I was a little apprehensive due to some changes at Special Diets but no worries, all was good and delish!

I am so excited to read your review. My family is returning to WDW this October for our 8th trip but this will be the first one I have to plan for my newly GF DD9. It is a little intimidating! I am still learning alot and trying to figure out what she can eat at our local restaurants and how to plan for playdates, parties at school and such! I will always have a supply of Kind bars on my person and car from now on! Looking forward to learning from your experience. We will be staying at the Yacht Club.

It is intimidating and I'm an adult lol! Kind bars are a lifesaver, as are the Lara Bars. The Envirokids crispy rice bars are good too, my kids love them. Chick Fil A is always a good, quick GF fix. PF Chang's is my favorite GF restaurant, as is Pei Wei. Good luck to your DD!

Forgot to say we have ADR's at several places you went to. Tusker House bfast, Ohana for dinner, Sci Fi for lunch, Biergarten for lunch and Liberty Tree for lunch. Thanks again for taking the time to do a GF review.

Every one of the places you're planning to try was amazing for my trip! Just couldn't have been better if you ask me. I'm sure you'll have the same experience.

Yay, that sounds awesome. I am still getting used to how great they are about allergies. I tend to forget that they will go so far to make things specially for us. Sounds like you had a great time!

And yes, I get the "gluten? Do you mean glutton?" type responses a lot. My favorite is when people say, oh, that won't hurt you, you're being silly. Hah!

I'm telling you, Disney has the corner market on food allergies. My DD13 has several herself, including tree nuts and shellfish and she ate like a queen!

Ha ha, "glutton"! I still laugh when I mention gluten free and I get blank stares back.

Following your reviews!

I was once asked "Well, if your son can't have wheat bread, can't he just have white bread???"

Thanks! Lol, white bread???? That's one I haven't heard yet! Apparently the white wipes out the wheat gluten in that particular type of bread, right?

Thanks for the reviews! Can't wait to read the rest!

You're very welcome! I've got more coming. This was such a fantastic GF trip, really.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I absolutely love strolling in to Epcot before it's open to eat at Akershus.

I literally had just sat down when the server saw the allergy stamp on our ADR ticket and sent the chef immediately. It was almost comical how fast he came out, like his pants were on fire or something!

Anyhow, he told me that most of the cold buffet was fine such as the meats and fruit but obviously no pastries. He offered to bring me out a blueberry muffin which I believe was an Udi's one, very very good and he warmed it up nicely.

What was different this time compared to our last GF trip was that the entire platter of hot food they bring you is GF. Yay! I could eat everything on it. It consisted of a potato and onion hash brown type casserole, bacon, sausage and eggs. Everything was piping hot and we devoured it. The chef did not offer any type of waffle this time though (I believe last trip they gave me Van's waffles)

It was very good, just very expensive lol! Safe and GF and a chef who was lightening quick! I don't know that I'll be in a huge rush to eat here again for breakfast though, it was pretty darn pricey for just eggs, breakfast meat and an Udi's muffin. Still delicious but pricey. I think some Mickey waffles would've really added to the meal, I'm just saying...

 

[Dancind]

We got to do all this last fall, DD and I are both GF.

We did get the royal treatment! Only problem was, after the chef went through the menu, we often couldn't remember everything he/she said we could eat. Luckily, the server usually knew the score. Would really be simpler if the TS places just printed up a separate GF menu like places at home often have.

The rolls were just awful. I mean, it was nice to have rolls brought out for us, but they were usually stale and reheated. We don't need bread that badly.

It was fun to have a waffle though. Not something I usually eat. And most places also had sugar free syrup.

Babycakes was awesome! We got several things. A bit high in sugar, but definitely a treat. I have found a GF bakery that sells at several local farmer's markets here that might be even better. Now we don't have to go back to WDW if we want cupcakes or birthday cakes!

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'm in and anxiously waiting for more. Thanks for writing up your experiences!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

We got to do all this last fall, DD and I are both GF.

We did get the royal treatment! Only problem was, after the chef went through the menu, we often couldn't remember everything he/she said we could eat. Luckily, the server usually knew the score. Would really be simpler if the TS places just printed up a separate GF menu like places at home often have.

I think the reason they do not print up a GF menu is that ingredients change and some menu items are seasonal.

The rolls were just awful. I mean, it was nice to have rolls brought out for us, but they were usually stale and reheated. We don't need bread that badly.

Really? I have to say that I loved the rolls! They were the GNI brand and were tasty, kind of like a multigrain bread. I much prefer these to the Ener-g ones.

It was fun to have a waffle though. Not something I usually eat. And most places also had sugar free syrup.

I have a serious Mickey waffle addiction while at Disney lol. I love them! The Van's ones are ok, I don't eat them at home though.

Babycakes was awesome! We got several things. A bit high in sugar, but definitely a treat. I have found a GF bakery that sells at several local farmer's markets here that might be even better. Now we don't have to go back to WDW if we want cupcakes or birthday cakes!

Oh, I'm making Babycakes my #1 stop from now on! I loved everything I tried there. I had to fight my kids for some of the goodies too. A GF bakery is just the best thing!

I'm in and anxiously waiting for more. Thanks for writing up your experiences!

You're welcome! More to come.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

We were a bit early for our ADR but they took us within 10 minutes of arriving. Allergies were noted and our fantastic server (I think he was French maybe?) alerted the chef to come over. She was awesome, helpful and willing to accommodate! I went with the NY strip steak that had a scrumptious peppercorn sauce and horseradish mashed potatoes with asparagus. The chef also brought me out two giant slices of GF bread that she'd toasted along with salted butter to spread on them. I ate them both. Everything was very good, cooked perfectly and GF. By the time dessert came around, I was rather full but managed to eat about half of the chocolate wave! It was very decadent, very chocolatey and came with a little scoop of raspberry ice cream. Delicious. We love eating here, the restaurant itself is very inviting and the giant aquarium is fun to watch. An excellent GF meal and a place we plan to eat at again and again. My tummy was perfectly happy here!

 

[Snow2009]

Do I need to do anything else besides noting my allergy on the reservation forms? I've read some places that there is another form I need to fill out. Thanks!

 

[davebon23]

I'm glad you enjoyed a great GF meal at Coral Reef. I am going the first time GF on our upcoming trip. I can't wait to try it! Thanks.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Do I need to do anything else besides noting my allergy on the reservation forms? I've read some places that there is another form I need to fill out. Thanks!

I'm not aware of any other form besides the online one where you check off your allergies. If you have more than I think 4 allergies or a combination of allergies for more than 1 person, you can alert Special Diets. I did that and they just sent me a GF product list and a tree nut product list for DD.

There used to be a detailed form you filled out listing your reservations but they don't require that anymore.

I'm glad you enjoyed a great GF meal at Coral Reef. I am going the first time GF on our upcoming trip. I can't wait to try it! Thanks.

You're welcome! I loved the Coral Reef! It's an excellent GF meal, excellent I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

This was always a must do before going GF, the characters are so sweet and the restaurant very bright and cheery!

We were seated very quickly and the chef came almost as quickly. He walked me through the buffet which I sometimes find a bit stressful because some chefs literally will say "yes, no, yes, yes, yes, no" to all the food items and I have to keep it straight! But this time was pleasantly stress free.

The obvious things were off limits like pastries, bagels and puffed french toast. But the chef promised to bring me out waffles and a muffin. It was just the Van's waffles which I'm not a huge fan of but I ate anyway. A muffin came out with the waffles and it was a Kinnickinnick one. I'm sure that's spelled incorrectly!

Everything was yummy and again, not a single rumble from my tummy so that's always good. I really wish they'd offer a better pastry/waffle option here though. Mickey waffles or even pancakes would be nice. But I do love this breakfast and we had a great time!

I'd like to note too that nearly every chef from the buffet restaurants offered to bring me food from the back in case I was worried about cross contamination. For the most part, I just made sure that the unsafe food on the buffet was nowhere near what I was going to have and that made me comfortable enough to just get it myself.

 

[valree]

By the time dessert came around, I was rather full but managed to eat about half of the chocolate wave! It was very decadent, very chocolatey and came with a little scoop of raspberry ice cream. Delicious.

The chocolate wave sounds delicious! I can't wait to try it!