New Celiac headed to WDW. Any last minute tips?

[Melissa R]

I was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease at the beginning of May, and we are headed to Pop Century in just a few days. We are doing the Quick Service dining plan, so most of our meals will be counter service. I emailed Special Diets @ WDW and got the lists of places I can eat, and I also sent them back the special diets form letting them know that we're staying at Pop and will be eating some meals there.

I've got a few questions, just so I know the best way to handle things...

1. I'm sure we'll eat most breakfasts at Pop Century. From some threads I've read, it sounds like some people have been able to get gluten-free waffles/pancakes for breakfast. Is there a particular process I need to go through to do this - do I just go to the counter where they are serving regular waffles and then request gluten-free ones? I know WDW says I should ask to speak to a chef or manager, but where do I go to ask to see them?

2. We haven't made any ADRs (prefer to be more spontaneous), but will probably see if we can schedule a few table service meals. How do I know what a table service or buffet restaurant will be able to do for me? Are there any table service or buffet restaurants who cannot make anything gluten-free?

3. Any tips or recommendations that anyone can make will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Melissa R]

bumping....

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. In Post #3 scroll down to Dietary for information and links.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

In addition, if you are going within the next week and do not have reservations for table service there is a very strong chance that you will not get seated.

And also there seem to be currently six threads on Page 1 of the disABILITIES Index that deal with special diets; check them out.

 

[DCDisney]

For quick service at the resort you go to the counter and tell them you have an allergy and need to see the chef. Even at the same resort between lunch and dinner we can have VASTLY different experiences in terms of what they are willing to make and what they have on hand. Just go to whichever counter has the shortest line because they just go get a chef from the back to make your food. I think you are definitely going to want some table service meals. You can call that morning and see what you can get but mostly count on needing to dine at off hours and/or locations at resorts. The things you are able to get at the quick places gets very repetitive very quickly. Unless they are at resorts or a few nice places like Sunshine Seasons they generally don't have lots of ingredients to work with.

 

[clanmcculloch]

1. I'm sure we'll eat most breakfasts at Pop Century. From some threads I've read, it sounds like some people have been able to get gluten-free waffles/pancakes for breakfast. Is there a particular process I need to go through to do this - do I just go to the counter where they are serving regular waffles and then request gluten-free ones? I know WDW says I should ask to speak to a chef or manager, but where do I go to ask to see them?

Walk up to a CM at any food counter and ask to speak to a chef due to food allergies. The chef will most likely come out of the door between the bakery/coffee station and the pancake station so I wait near there (and typically ask over there since I can get somebody's attention pretty easily over there without lines). I do try to get there early so I'm not having to jump past people in lines just to get somebody's attention and because I just dislike crowds (we plan heavily to avoid as many crowds as possible so that includes food courts).

2. We haven't made any ADRs (prefer to be more spontaneous), but will probably see if we can schedule a few table service meals. How do I know what a table service or buffet restaurant will be able to do for me? Are there any table service or buffet restaurants who cannot make anything gluten-free?

Every single TS restaurant at WDW has the ability to prepare gluten free foods. The ones not owned by Disney will have less options but they will still be able to prepare safe foods. I would either get the ADR site programmed into your phone or add the dining phone number to your phone so that you can check for availability really easily when you're at WDW. Booking an ADR for 5 minutes from your current time will result in shorter waits than if you just walk up to a restaurant and ask if they're taking walk-ups because they seat ADR folks before walk-ups (or they're supposed to anyway).

When is your trip? Some times of the year will make this plan workable while others will mean you REALLY need to be prepared to either have to travel to a resort to eat or be prepared to eat CS because there won't be ANY availability in the parks. The time of day when you want to eat will also make a difference. If you typically will want to eat at around 6:00-7:30 then you're going to have more trouble finding availability than if you want maybe a late lunch at around 2:30. If you don't care which restaurant you'll eat at then you'll have a lot more luck than if you REALLY want to eat at a specific location. Flexibility will be VERY important.

3. Any tips or recommendations that anyone can make will be greatly appreciated!

Are you using a dining plan or just paying OOP? If you're using a dining plan then my recommendation would be book ADRs or else you're risking losing dining credits. If you're paying OOP and are flexible about what you like to eat and you're not going over a holiday period or during a free dining promotion then you should have a great time.

Be prepared for meals to take longer than typical. When you are seated at a TS restaurant, you will have to wait for a chef to come out to speak with you. Even at buffets you wait for a chef to come out. At buffets, if the chef doesn't offer to bring you a plate of food from the back then ask. Some will offer while others will gladly do it if you ask. You don't want your food to come from the buffet because that's a huge cross contamination nightmare. Even at buffets you have to be prepared for your meal to take longer than for most people. We budget a good 2 hours per TS meal.

CS meals also take longer than they do for people without dietary needs. You will have to wait for a manager to come out to speak with you (at Pop you'll wait for a chef) and then the manager (or chef) will have to go prepare your food. Most food at CS locations is at least partially prepped if not already ready to go when people order but they can't do that for people with allergies so in addition to the extra wait time for the manager you also have to wait for your food to get cooked. I try to always eat before the meal rush though waiting until after the rush will work as well. It just goes so much smoother and faster.

 

[Melissa R]

Hi and to disABILITIES!


In addition, if you are going within the next week and do not have reservations for table service there is a very strong chance that you will not get seated.

Yes, I'm aware. We really only want to do a couple of table service meals - already got 'Ohana booked yesterday for tomorrow night, so we're probably looking at just one or maybe two more. We don't have our hearts set on anything, so when the urge strikes us, we'll see if a place has availability, and if not, then we just will skip it.

And also there seem to be currently six threads on Page 1 of the disABILITIES Index that deal with special diets; check them out.

Yes, I've done that. But I hadn't seen the answers to my specific questions there, so I was seeing if anyone could answer my particular questions. Thanks anyway!

 

[Melissa R]

DCDisney and clanmcculloch - THANK YOU so much!! I've read so much great info, but hadn't seen anywhere how I was supposed to handle the food court at Pop. I feel so strange having to ask for special attention for my food as it is, so at least now I don't have to feel so anxious about how to start the process.

 

[tinkslite]

My DS has multiple food allergies (including wheat) so we are experienced dealing with this.....
Our hands down favorite on property spots are:
O'Hana at the polynesian hotel (the chef is WONDERFUL). The care taken here was phenomenal.....You can see the food being prepared and they will isolate your meal prep if necessary (as is the case with celiac). He will make you feel like you were his (chefs) private guest and (as the restaurant name implies) a part of his own family.....My son was so delighted he wanted to go back the next night too.

The Cafe at the Grand Floridian (very quiet, especially at lunch, and easy to reach from the Magic Kingdom). This quiet out of the way spot is tucked at the back of the lobby in the main building. The service is stellar, the menu varied but comforting and familiar. The chef came to our table and planned the menu for my son then and there (it didn't resemble anything on menu). He brought it to table himself and while son was eating stayed to plan a dessert (we weren't going to get one but couldn't resist, he had a gluten free brownie sundae made with rice dream ice cream and chocolate syrup). He thought he'd died and gone to a Disney Themed heaven fillled with gluten, nut, soy free foods!

Have a fun gluten free trip!

 

[tinkslite]

We had an ADR for O'Hana so they were expecting him, but we just "dropped by" at the Grand Floridian Cafe (lunchtime). We let server know of special diet and the chef came out within a few moments. Not having ADR was not a big deal.
We stayed at All Star Music, and ate often at the food courts. We let the manager at Food Services for resort know that there was an on property guest at resort w/special diet (he came out, met with me, wrote down restrictions). Son had:
Gluten free pizza
Waffles
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Brownie
There were other things offered and I took care of this upon arrival, before I even went to the room. It helps if they know you'll eat breakfast there every day or nearly etc. etc. But they don't "hold you to it". It was pleasant and very little hassle.