Grocery store with GF products?

[mermaidmuse]

Hi - we're staying offsite in a villa in Rolling Hills - just wondering if anyone knows of any grocery stores "fairly" close by that carry gluten free products. (especially bread) I know there is a health food store that I have visited before but I'm wondering if there is something closer and a bit easier for the first couple of nights. Thanks so much!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm not sure where Rolling Hills is.

Probably the best source for gluten-free or other special dietary foods is the Whole Foods Market in the shopping center between I-4 and Turkey Lake road, just on the South side of Sand Lake Road.

To get there take I-4 in the direction of Orlando and get off at Exit 74, Sand Lake Road. Stay in the left lane and turn left, going under I-4. Ignore the traffic light for the other off-ramp (unless it is red, then stop). The next full intersection is Turley Lake Road. Turn left here and then make the first available left into the shopping center. Note the Whole Foods Market faces Sand Lake Road.

If you are driving from the airport and want to stop there on the way to WDW, take the Beach Line (SR-528) to where it ends and head in the direction of Orlando. The first exit after you get on I-4 is Sand Lake Road.

 

[mermaidmuse]

Thank you so much - this is exactly what I was looking for! We'll pick some products up on the way from the airport - perfect! Thanks so much - take care!

 

[Mombits]

Hi, just curious how hard it would be to eat GF at WDW? My niece is newly diagnosed and doesn't currently have plans to go but I am thinking in the future that I'd love to take her but how big of an issue would this be? If anyone has been while on a GF diet, I'd love to know. Thanks!

 

[mechurchlady]

Hi, just curious how hard it would be to eat GF at WDW? My niece is newly diagnosed and doesn't currently have plans to go but I am thinking in the future that I'd love to take her but how big of an issue would this be? If anyone has been while on a GF diet, I'd love to know. Thanks!

VEry easy especially if it is just GF and not like me with GF, soy, egg, dairy, and chocolate.

http://www.glutenanddairyfree.com/restaurants.html
Check that out.

The key is to know the park before you get there. Contact special diets, see FAQs stickied on this board, and they can help you by giving you a list of foods that are GF. Each counter service restaurant has a binder with all the ingredients. At DLR a cook came out and showed me the ingredients for the chicken and barbecue sauce. A lot of the WDW and DLR restaurants use name brands like Dryers and Edys ice cream, Nestles ice cream, and dole whips.

Risky places are San Angel and the food service at Coronado Springs because they are run by a non-Disney group who actually serve corn chips that are not gluten free. IDIOTS. I can eat lots of places that have gluten free chips like Mission Tortillas.

Yak and Yeti as well as Rain Forest Cafe and T-Rex restaurant are out of Landrys. Landrys is hit and miss and needs work on gluten free. The people at DLR Rainforest Cafe were knowledgeable but else where not so knowing. It depends on the management and how much life experience they have iwth allergens and their training. They are not Disney owned.

Should you eat at those places? Go ahead but remember you are not in WDW/DLR when eating out of the system. WDW especially works on allergen training and knowledge for their employees. At DLR's Ariel's Grotto the chef told me what I could have and I was shocked that pico de gallo was not gluten free. At WDW table service you will get that same treatment. Chefs who will make a separate buffet plate for you, open a new container for you, and special cook foods if necessary.

THEY SPOIL YOU but remember you must do your homework and be prepared. I knew that at DLR's Plaza Inn that there was at least one GF dinner available. The older lady CM was adamant that I would not find anything to eat. giggles I did my homework and was right and had another CM tell me to get the baked chicken. It was bland baked chicken drumettes with skin on, mashed taters sans gravy, and veggies. Lots of napkins and prep work on my part but I had a good meal. I did my homework and knew the answers.

 

[Mombits]

Thanks so much. I pretty much assumed they had SOME sort of a menu or soemthing but never really heard anyone talking about it. Since we are so new to this thing, we really are learning a lot but it is sort of scary sometimes not knowing where you can go and what she can eat. Thanks again for the response!