New to Gluten Free and need help for my trip on 11/19-11/24

[bikinpunk]

First off, I did do a search which turned up NUMEROUS threads regarding this topic. After reading through about 15 of them I realized that my reading comprehension is horrible, so alas, I’m starting a new thread in hopes I will not be blackballed by you here.


I’ve had IBS for years and lately it’s gotten worse. I’ve decided to go on a gluten-free diet from now until it A) works enough for me to realize it or B) it doesn’t help at all.

Given that, I tried to search for gluten free food info at DW throughout the parks and also at my Hotel (All Star Movies).

In a nutshell (no pun intended), can you please recommend how I should go about finding out what foods and where to have a gluten free meal? Can I contact Disney directly about this? Does anyone have contact information?
We likely will not be eating at a full service place; only quick stands and the hotel resort.

Is it possible to have counter service meals made gluten free (ie: cheeseburger/fries, pizza, etc)? I recall someone in a thread I read mentioning they were able to get burger/fries like this.


I’ve never tried gluten free before, and unfortunately this idea hit me about 3 days before we leave for vacation so I don’t have much time to plan.
ANY help you can give me is appreciated, even if it’s a link to another thread which will contain answers.

Also, if anyone has any snack ideas that I can p ick up from the local grocery to take with me during the day, I'd appreciate it. I am an avid lover of peanut butter and gnutella, but I can no longer make a bagel out of it due to the wheat. So, I'm back at square one with my brilliant idea (and also now about $7 out since I just bought 2 things of gnutella to take with me). Go figure, right?


Thanks a lot. I’m hoping this diet will help me enjoy my stay, because as of late my digestive issues have worsened.
Sorry for making yet another thread about this topic, but hopefully you'll forgive me.

 

[snorris49]

Welcome to the world of GF! You've come to the right place for advice.

I recommend you check out the DisAbilities FAQ thread and look at post #3. This has a lot of links and tips that will help you out. I also have a blog that might help you too...it's http://glutenfreedairyfreewdw.blogspot.com/. It's a work in progress, but I started it to help organize things and put reviews to share with others. Without sharing and all the support here at the Disboards I would have been lost! Everyone here is welcoming and supportive and very knowledgeable. You'll get lots of great advice.

I would also recommend you contact Brenda Bennett at special diets. You should find all the contact info on the FAQ thread. She will send you a form to fill out for all of your reservations and also a list of places that are GF. Since you're going in a few days, I would email ASAP.

Quite honestly, you can get a GF meal pretty much anywhere at WDW. Disney is the best for dietary restrictions!

I can understand where you are coming from with the IBS. I have Crohn's and realized along the way that I am gluten intolerant. I'm not a Celiac (although I haven't been officially tested) but if I get any wheat in me, I get SICK. I have felt a tremendous amount of relief since I went GF (I'm also dairy free too, another thing that makes me really sick). It was amazing to see how one food change could make me feel so much better health wise. It's definitely worth a shot and I hope that it helps you. For me, I couldn't go back to living pre-GF. And honestly, I have found so many tasty things it's not really an issue.

Let us know how your trip is. I hope you have a great time! Feel free to ask more questions!

 

[valree]

What about snack bars for snacks? I am a big fan of those. Larabars are mostly gluten free, and they are pretty inexpensive. I get mine for between $0.99 and $1.29 each. I also like the Think Thin bars. Chocolate chip are my favorite. Besides bars, what about crackers, cheese or fruit? I eat the almond crackers (Blue Diamond Nut Thins) a lot with a piece of Monterey Jack and some grapes. I don’t know if the Values have refrigerators or not.

I did a trip report last night about eating GF around WDW (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2306960). Copperbrick did one a few weeks ago as well (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2306960). You will definitely be able to eat GF at CS restaurants. Usual options are burgers and fries, chicken sandwich and fries, and chicken tenders.

Good luck and please report back on your findings!

 

[bikinpunk]

Thank you both for replying. I appreciate your assistance. It really helps me calm down a bit to know that others have had good experience. This disorder is such a damper on trips. I'm not looking forward to the 10 hour drive there. I may load up on immodium before we head out.



I emailed WDW earlier today and got a great reply within 2 hours:

Dear James,

Thank you for inquiring about how the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort handles special dietary requests. At the Walt Disney World Resort we strive to meet all special dietary requests that will provide every Guest with a Magical dining experience. We now have special dietary information on our website at the following link.



http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/



The attached documents should help you with your planning. Please check the Walt Disney World Resorts Dietary Reference Sheet and it will give you more information regarding the products we carry.



Please complete and return the "Guest Allergy - Dietary Request Form " by email to [specialdiets@disneyworld.com] or fax to 407-560-1355. Be sure to list the restaurant names and dates where you plan to dine. This way we can alert all the various restaurant Chefs and Managers of your upcoming visit and there would be no need for you to contact the individual restaurants directly.



All of our chefs and managers, including our Quick Service Teams, are happy to discuss and attempt to accommodate all dietary requests. Due to the large volume of meals we serve, vendors and suppliers occasionally swap out product. Therefore menu items and preparation is often updated. We stress that you ask to speak to a Chef or Manager when you arrive at each location. They will be happy to assist with your selection and provide product labels and ingredients for menu items.



Below is a list of quick service locations that will be able to accommodate your dietary requests.



MAGIC KINGDOM Park – Columbia Harbour House

Main Street Bakery (pre-order a to-go box on your way in to the park)

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café and Pecos

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park – Restaurantosaurus and Tusker House

Epcot – Liberty Inn, Sunshine Seasons and Electric Umbrella

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Backlot Express, ABC Commissary and Rosie’s All-American Café

Let us know if you need any further assistance.

Lee Brady
Guest Communication Services
Walt Disney World

I also got a lot of files sent over laying out which parks' food spots have gluten free items.
Overall, I'm actually pretty happy. Maybe this is the perfect way for me to go gluten free. I was a bit worried it was going to be a huge battle, but it seems as if this is just standard for Disney's customers.

 

[bikinpunk]

The snack bars may work. I'll consider that as an option. Right now the only thing I can think of that works as a quick morning breakfast as I eat on the way out the door, are fruits.

I've been reading up on IBS a lot the past few days, and I can't believe how spot on others' symptoms are with mine. It's great to have a community of those who understand and can provide their own experiences.

 

[bikinpunk]

Been doing some more research and so far it looks like things are going to go well.

I'm curious, though, if anyone can tell me about the stand at Fantasmic: do they offer gluten free products, such as gluten free bun for hot dog?


Also, can you suggest breakfast ideas that I could possibly pick up at a local grocery to take with me, so I do not have to wait an extra long time in the mornings for my GF order to be prepared?

Thanks!

 

[pudge the fish]

no at fantasmic on the bun

breakfast-I eat a banana or apple slices while I am waiting - you can bring corn chex cereal and buy fruit and milk- ( I have only done this when staying at a value and at the food court- everyone else goes gets in line and I have a tupperware bowl with my corn chex and DH buys milk and fruit for me.
When we stay all fancy I eat a banana and wait. I have never had a huge wait.
you could always eat a GF brownie for breakfast it is a vacation after all.

I also carry fruit snacks that are GF with me in case of hungries and rice crackers w/ a small to go container of PB

 

[chell]

Hope you update us on how your vacation and GF dining went.