Grand Floridian Tea Gluten-Free and Dairy Free?

[snorris49]

After a great experience going gluten and dairy free at WDW a few weeks ago, our family has decided to go in January for my mom's 50th birthday. I have always wanted to do the Grand Floridian high tea, but am not sure if I tried now that they would have any options for me now that I am gluten and dairy free. Has anyone been at all? I'd love to hear a review!

 

[Jeanieblue114]

After a great experience going gluten and dairy free at WDW a few weeks ago, our family has decided to go in January for my mom's 50th birthday. I have always wanted to do the Grand Floridian high tea, but am not sure if I tried now that they would have any options for me now that I am gluten and dairy free. Has anyone been at all? I'd love to hear a review!

I have been there several times but I am not on the same dietary restrictions as you.

That is gonna be a tough call. They do have a lot of available fruit. They have delicious strawberries (ask without the cream) and they have good melon and berries on the cheese plate. So, I would think you could get at least a fruit plate of some sort in addition to your tea.

They also have a selection of pates to choose from.

We have gone before and just gotten tea and a scone to share just to relax, so ordering a light snack is not a problem at all there. The tea alone is very filling since you get the entire pot.
I love the 'princess' tea....strawberry vanilla decaf and I get it on ice..yum.

Definitely go! (but definitely check with them before hand. There is a lot of gluten and dairy floating around that place.)

the standard menu is
http://allears.net/menu/menu_gft.htm

 

[snorris49]

I kinda had a feeling I wasn't going to get many options. Unfortunately, I have Crohn's on top of the dietary restrictions and seeds in berries (like strawberries) don't settle well w/me right now. But perhaps to just go and get tea would be ok. Perhaps, I'll email Brenda Bennett and see if she has any insight.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

they have melon also (these are just what is listed on the normal menu).

I'm sure they have other options that aren't on the general menu...or you could request something that you think would work for you.

But, honestly, just going and having the tea and sitting there relaxing is WONDERFUL.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

ooooh I just remembered they have all of the things that go IN the tea sandwiches and they vary a tiny pit sometimes.

They have egg salad, shrimp salad, pear (and gorgonzola), cucumber watercress.

You could probably get a nice plate of the salads that work for you, maybe a pate, some melon.

I have a lot of tummy troubles that can seriously vary from day to day so I watch a lot too and understand how much of a pain it can be.

I really study the menus before I go anywhere.

 

[snorris49]

Thanks for the tips. The salads would be great, as long as they are dairy free! (I love egg salad) I'm so glad there are so many great sites that have the menus posted. It really helped this last time when we went!

 

[Jeanieblue114]

You MUST report back on your Tea experience (I'm gonna guess that you LOVE IT)!

 

[snorris49]

Oh, I definitely will! I'm going to post a trip report sometime this week from our trip about a month ago. I have loads of pics! I must say, disney is just great at dealing w/food allergies and dietary restrictions. I have been trying to make sure I maintain weight (lost 42 pounds w/crohn's flare up) and I actually gained weight for the first time in 4 months LOL, so I'd say they fed me pretty well!

 

[minniebeth]

If you call ahead, they may be able to accomodate you with some specially GF baked goods...maybe. But honestly, other that that, there is not much on the menu that would work for you. I was a little disappointed with the selection for food allergies, and the waitress suggested calling ahead next time. (However with peanut/tree nut allergy, no hope, everything is baked in the same bakery with cross-contaminated items.) My DD ended up with strawberries and cream and a pot of tea. Everything was divine (except the noise from the retiling of the floors in the GF lobby).
They give you a rose on a special occasion...lovely and memorable!

 

[snorris49]

Thanks for the advice. I'm staying at WL Club Level in Jan/Feb. I asked them for advice and to get in contact w/GF. They spoke with them today and they said that the chef would come out and speak with me about gluten free, dairy free options when I arrived and to let them know ahead of time. (which I will do...can't make reservations yet...in a few weeks though!) The rose for special occasions sounds lovely...it's my 30th birthday the day we go that would be a nice treat.

 

[snorris49]

Just wanted to let you know all know that I booked the Garden View Tea Room for my 30th birthday! And Today, 86 days before we leave...I got a phone call from Jeffrey at the Grand Floridian wanted to discuss my dietary needs for that tea time! I didn't get to talk to him b/c I was at work, but he left me a message and said he would call again. I'm so excited and impressed. The last trip I didn't hear anything prior to our trip from the chefs. Sounds like they are going to take great care of my dining experience! Will keep you all posted!

 

[snorris49]

UPDATE:

I just spoke with Chef Jeffrey at the Grand Floridian. He was great! He basically wanted to call and speak with me to see what kinds of things I wanted or liked. He said he was planning on a savory plate and a dessert plate, which is exactly what I wanted. We talked about chicken and egg salad and he said he would also include fresh fruit on that plate. Then he asked what kinds of things I like for dessert. He said they typically do mousses and some cakes / pastries. He mentioned a fruit type of mousse (tropical, mango, coconut). I did mention my Crohn's to him and that I have a hard time with seeds and and nuts, so he noted that.

He seemed to indicate that I will have a lot of choices and that they were very accommodating.
I'm so excited, and am very impressed that they contacted me so far ahead.

I can't wait to give you all reviews!

 

[Flossbolna]

UPDATE:

I just spoke with Chef Jeffrey at the Grand Floridian. He was great! He basically wanted to call and speak with me to see what kinds of things I wanted or liked. He said he was planning on a savory plate and a dessert plate, which is exactly what I wanted. We talked about chicken and egg salad and he said he would also include fresh fruit on that plate. Then he asked what kinds of things I like for dessert. He said they typically do mousses and some cakes / pastries. He mentioned a fruit type of mousse (tropical, mango, coconut). I did mention my Crohn's to him and that I have a hard time with seeds and and nuts, so he noted that.

He seemed to indicate that I will have a lot of choices and that they were very accommodating.
I'm so excited, and am very impressed that they contacted me so far ahead.

I can't wait to give you all reviews!

That's great to hear! We will be there for my sister's 35th birthday who is intolerant to dairy. We still need to get in touch with the secial diet people at WDW... It is wonderful that the chef can do special desserts! Looks like we will be there around the same time, our tea reservation is for 2/3.

 

[snorris49]

Oh cool! I'll be there on 2/5! I'd love to hear your review when you come back!

 

[Flossbolna]

Oh cool! I'll be there on 2/5! I'd love to hear your review when you come back!

Oh, we are certainly planning a dining review and a TR when we come back! I have been writing reviews (but from a normal diners point of view) for my last three trips and always had lots of fun doing it!