Is Gluten/Wheat Free Dining/Meals an option in Disney?

[ejsmomma]

My son has a wheat sensitivity - mostly behavior reasons why he isn't on it and we would REALLY like to continue his Gluten/Wheat Free diet while in Disney?

I know it is hard especially with things like breakfast and Italian food.

Anyone have experience with dietary restrictions and dining at WDW?

 

[crisi]

My son has a wheat sensitivity - mostly behavior reasons why he isn't on it and we would REALLY like to continue his Gluten/Wheat Free diet while in Disney?

I know it is hard especially with things like breakfast and Italian food.

Anyone have experience with dietary restrictions and dining at WDW?

Yes, make your ADRs and put gluten free on the ADR. Remind the hostess at check in. Remind the waiter when you sit down.

In some cases, the chef will come out and discuss it with you. In some cases they will really go out of their way to make you a meal. In other cases (and in my experience, most of the time) the waiter/ress just lets you know what you can and can't eat. In a couple of cases I've gotten the blank stare of "I have no idea what you are talking about" and have chosen to fend for myself.

Not everything on the menu will be available, and some will take extra time to cook - at one point, we were at an Italian place (this was in Disneyland, where GF is a little different) and it would have taken 20 minutes to get me gluten free pasta (and the lasagna was right out, not an option at all) so I just had a salad.

Expect to take extra time at counter service meals as everything needs to be prepped special and away. I've never been able to get them to give me fries after I say Gluten Free.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to the disABILITIES Forum and look at Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs. There is a large section in that post dealing with special dietary needs, as well as many related links. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by following the link in my signature.

This is a very common topic of discussion in the disABILITIES Forum.

 

[notaclue]

One of our grown daughters could not eat gluton or lactose and she really had no problems. At the CS you will need to just pick things he can eat. At the TS, the chef usually comes out to talk to you and will make something special that he can eat. They really go out of their way to accomodate everyone.

 

[jandj524]

The answer is yes, Table Service and Counter Service you will be able to get meals prepared GF. Please make sure you mention the intolerence when you make your reservations, and when ordering from CS, make sure you ask to speak to a Mgr (they will oversee the food prep and walk you through your options).

Disney restaurants are very accomodating (dinner rolls at just about every sit down meal, most restaurants have GF pasta, at 50's Prime Time Diner there is even GF Fried chicken).

My DH is Celiac and one reason he enjoys traveling to Disney is because he does not have to worry what he will be able to eat.

Have a great vacation

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

I recommend you visit CS at the start of the meal period (11:30ish for lunch, 5:00ish for dinner) so that you can take your time talking with the manager/chef.

One of our kids has multiple food allergies We get to CS early so dd and I can read the binder (lists all food ingredients served at that location---just ask at the register), then we talk to the manager. It's so much quicker going early because the prep area isn't busy yet, the manager isn't pulled in sixteen directions, and no one is huffing and puffing behind us in line.

 

[disneymomnj]

Our daughter is 8 years old, and has celiac disease. She needs to eat completely gluten free. We have been to Disney Wolrd twice since she was diagnosed four years ago, and are gong in August.

It has been the only vacation we have taken where she has not gotten sick from cross-contamination. The chefs understand the issues of food allergies and cross-contamination and, in most cases, have really been wonderful in helping her find things to eat - not easy since she is also a very picky eater.

You can email to specialdiets@disneyworld.com to get lists of gluten-free snacks available at carts in the parks, as well as items available at counter service places. A phone call to this department got answers to all of my "can we eat here" questions. The number is on the DisneyWorld website.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[ejsmomma]

YOu are ALL amazing! thank you sooo much for sharing your info.