Has anyone had the gluten free options at Disney?

[Southrnbelle]

I have recently found I am gluten intolorent, and am wondering about eating out on our next WDW trip. We are going in December. I know eating out here at home is sometimes nearly impossible. Has anyone on the boards done this? I am wanting to know what to expect and if I need to stock a lot of my own food. Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[autographlover]

My mother who is gluten free didn't have a hard time at all. I know she brought some of her own snacks, but that was also because she gets fussy in the morning without eating.

The TS restaurants were incredible dealing with it- the chef comes out and talks to you personally, and gives you the food personally. They can either say which dishes are okay and you order that or they can substitute things, too. You just have to tell them when you make your reservation that you're gluten free.

CS restaurants were a bit harder, it was really give or take. I know Casey's in MK has a gluten free roll and I think Pinocchio's (don't take my word for it, though) has gluten free mac and cheese or gluten free nuggets. They have gluten free brownies for dessert too, but that's pretty much all they have, and my mom got a bit sick of those.

In a nutshell, Disney is amazing for gluten free people and my mom didn't have much trouble at all.

 

[Southrnbelle]

Thanks, that is a big help. I must say I have a been a bit worried. When eating out occassionally is a problem, the thought of eating out every meal for a week is a bit daunting. Thanks for the information. I am so glad to hear that they will work with me.

 

[curemyreed]

Surf through the "disABILITIES" forum for a lot on this subject!

We just returned from a week at WDW eating gluten & casein (dairy)-free and I gained seven pounds even with all that walking! Do email the Special Diets dept. ahead of time. They sent me pages of helpful info. Knowing which counter service places served allergy-free chicken tenders and baked (or dedicated fryer) french fries was very helpful.

Do allow extra time, even at counter service places. Disney takes special diets/allergies seriously. A chef or manager will always come speak with you before your food is prepared. I think you will find that you will eat well & enjoy the gluten-free offerings. We can only eat out "safely" at Red Robin, Pei Wei, or Chipolte here at home, so it was a real treat to have so many places to choose from at WDW.

 

[clanmcculloch]

As curemyreed said, check out the disABILITIES! board her on the DIS. There are lots of reviews and discussions abuot dining gluten free at WDW.

IMO WDW is the best place in the world to vacation with any kind of dietary restriction. They really train their chefs well and have all sorts of alternative options. One of my girls can't have gluten, milk or eggs among other things and yet she eats chicken tenders, mac & cheese, Mickey waffles and so much more at WDW. They have gluten free brownies, cookies, pizzas and so much more. You'll LOVE your gluten free experience and want to return again and again.

 

[TDC Nala]

I tried the gluten free tapioca roll (my friend is a vegan and they brought her some at the Brown Derby). They're not very good. However, they seem to be readily available.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I tried the gluten free tapioca roll (my friend is a vegan and they brought her some at the Brown Derby). They're not very good. However, they seem to be readily available.

People who live gluten free tend to be used to the taste and texture of the gluten free rolls. They're made by Ener-G, one of the bigger companies for gluten free breads. For those who aren't used to gluten free breads, they have a very odd texture.

 

[MrsJD]

We went in Feb and my DH is gluten-free. He was not excited to go to WDW until he realized that his food option were amazing! He said he'd go back just for the food. The chefs were so accomodating, creating meals for him that weren't on the menu if he couldn't find anything he wanted. These were some top choices:

Tony's Town Square (MK) - He had a seafood pasta and brushetta that was amazing!

<50's Prime time (DHS) - The chicken pot pie is GF. He really liked that!



cheesecake 50's PT

Chefs De france (EP) - He had this seafood skewer thing with Mahi mahi, Shrimp and scallops. This was his favorite I think.



Big River grille - He ordered the strip steak and the chef put some of the artichoke dip on top of it and he loved it. We also got the artichoke dip for an appetizer with chips. no pic


Kona Cafe, GF panckaes


It seems that almost every restaurant has GF options and DH was vry happy with evrything he had there.

On a side note, in everyday life, if you want to eat out Outback steakhouse has a very extensive GF menu.

I hope these pictures go through. If not I will try them in another format!>>>see pics below

 

[MrsJD]

ugh...maybe this

chefs de france

 

[MrsJD]

yeah!

GF panckaes at Kona Cafe (poly)

 

[MrsJD]

tonys seafood pasta

 

[MrsJD]

chicken pot pie 50's pt

cheesecake 50's pt

 

[MrsJD]

this last one is a ceasar salad no cruton (CBR food court). we winged it and it didn't effect him. not positive it's GF

 

[clanmcculloch]

Well if we're sharing pictures...... Here's a few that I happen to have in my photobucket account.

'Ohana (chicken wings and variety of meats over rice)

Coral Reef (ice cream brownie sundae with shaved chocolate and rice chocolate squares)

50s Prime Time Cafe (fried chicken with french fries)

Tusker House (breakfast spread put together by the chef)

Akershus (ice cream brownie sundae; I just love this presentation)

Turkey Leg (found all over the place)

 

[snorris49]

Ditto to what everyone else has said! WDW is simply the best for food allergies. I've also gained weight on one of my trips after eating so much! It's definitely a great experience there and the chefs really take care of you! Contact special diets at WDW for GF info sheets and make sure you note it on your ADRs. Otherwise, prepare for the feasting to begin!

 

[Southrnbelle]

Thank you all so much!! It is such a help knowing I'm not going to have problems. And the pictures were wonderful. I am so hungry just looking at them. Many are of things I don't get at home. I was worried about the food, now I am looking forward to this. Thanks again everyone - you are great!

 

[KS Dis Mom]

I have been gluten free for over 5 years now.....

Disney is the best place to go if you have any food allergies!

When we went to BOMA on our last trip. The chef came out and took me through whole buffet and stated what I could or could not eat! She also brought me out some sesame chips, hummus, and my own dessert at the end of my meal.

 

[mccathy]

My husband loves dining at WDW - they do have the best Gluten Free options. As one stated earlier, the counter service is a hit and miss - and it does take MUCH longer to get a gluten free bun at a counter service. I waited forever for my husband's cheeseburger at the Electric Umbrella. People kept applogizing to me as they got their food and I was still waiting. My husband said it was worth the wait! It's hard to get that kind of food at home!

There's also Gluten free beer in the land pavillion counter service place (can't remember the name) at EPCOT.

 

[hkeller27]

yeah!

GF panckaes at Kona Cafe (poly)

Bestill my heart! Are those GF pancakes with pineapple and macadamia nuts???? My absolute favorite food is Tonga Toast, so when I was diagnosed with Celiac disease, it was honestly the first thought I had - no more Tonga Toast! But the pancakes were my second favorite breakfast at Kona - this truly made my night to see they have GF pancakes there! Yippie! Thanks for sharing!