Pondering a first visit back since becoming gluten-free. How easy/hard?

[Dug720]

So in June my doctor figured out that my low air-flow was actually my reaction to a wheat/gluten allergy (back when I was tested for other things I tested positive for it, but I never thought I was actually reacting), so now I'm gluten-free.

I've done ok on my own and on cruises - and I know Disney is notoriously good at handling allergies, but I'm new at thinking about the parks and being GF.

Any places that are absolute no-gos? What about the character meals - are you walked through and shown what is safe? And counter-service?

Help!!

 

[NYCANC]

Yes, so easy! Just make sure that your allergy is added to your reservations.
All my tickets were stamped ALLERGY.

We did quite a few character meals. The chef comes out and walks you through the buffet.
At TH, I did have to wait about 15 min. for someone. She apologized and said there were a lot of people with allergies that day. They also had a separate Udi's section of food too.
The only restaurant I had an issue with was 1900- it was weird but it was the only restaurant that did not have my ticket stamped. When I spoke to the wait staff- they said a chef will be out but they never came out. Unfortunately, our waitress was not really good that night.
I had to flag down another waiter for help.
O'hana breakfast was amazing. You get your own platter of food.
Chef Mickey's and CP chef's were all very nice with minimal wait. They both brought me out my own gf desserts for dinner.
Loved BOG for all 3 meals.

Have fun!

 

[NYCANC]

Forgot to add-
CS was a bit slow so plan time for those.
The night we went to Cosmic Ray's, it took around 30 min for our food- maybe longer. The manager was flagged down by us and another woman waiting. I am the only gf person in my family. It was probably just a bad night for them.
Peco's Bill was fine.

 

[Dug720]

Thank you!! That puts my mind at ease!!

I love my cruises, but I am so ready for a park fix!!

 

[squeezle]

(back when I was tested for other things I tested positive for it, but I never thought I was actually reacting)

I am in a very similar situation. I tested allergic to wheat in high school but never completely cut it out because I thought I was "fine" after eating it. Fast forward 25 years. We went on a new eating plan that required cutting out all grains for 30 days, and now if i try to eat wheat I react severely.

We went on our first wheat/gluten-free Disney trip to Disneyland in April and they were fantastic. The food was always good, and one meal (a simple sandwich on delicious gf focaccia bread with fries fried in allergy safe oil) made me so happy I almost cried. I only talked directly to a chef at Disneyland at one of our meals, but I never requested a consult with a chef. The servers were well informed and there are now specialized allergy menus that mark which items are safe for a variety of allergies (some are available here to check out: http://www.glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com/dining-resources/menus/). There are also other blogs out there that review gluten-free meals at disney if you do a google search.

We are going to WDW in a couple of weeks and I have my fingers crossed for a gluten-free version of the Pineapple Macadamia Nut pancakes at Kona - those are my favorite food in the world.

 

[Dug720]

I am in a very similar situation. I tested allergic to wheat in high school but never completely cut it out because I thought I was "fine" after eating it. Fast forward 25 years. We went on a new eating plan that required cutting out all grains for 30 days, and now if i try to eat wheat I react severely.

We went on our first wheat/gluten-free Disney trip to Disneyland in April and they were fantastic. The food was always good, and one meal (a simple sandwich on delicious gf focaccia bread with fries fried in allergy safe oil) made me so happy I almost cried. I only talked directly to a chef at Disneyland at one of our meals, but I never requested a consult with a chef. The servers were well informed and there are now specialized allergy menus that mark which items are safe for a variety of allergies (some are available here to check out: http://www.glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com/dining-resources/menus/). There are also other blogs out there that review gluten-free meals at disney if you do a google search.

We are going to WDW in a couple of weeks and I have my fingers crossed for a gluten-free version of the Pineapple Macadamia Nut pancakes at Kona - those are my favorite food in the world.

Thank you so much for the link and sharing your experience!! Fingers crossed for your WDW visit!!

 

[NYCANC]

If you are on FB- Gluten Free Disney Dining
Gluten Free and Dairy Free at WDW

 

[squeezle]

Thank you so much for the link and sharing your experience!! Fingers crossed for your WDW visit!!

Thanks! Fingers crossed for you, too!

 

[DizDaD7]

So in June my doctor figured out that my low air-flow was actually my reaction to a wheat/gluten allergy (back when I was tested for other things I tested positive for it, but I never thought I was actually reacting), so now I'm gluten-free.

I've done ok on my own and on cruises - and I know Disney is notoriously good at handling allergies, but I'm new at thinking about the parks and being GF.

Any places that are absolute no-gos? What about the character meals - are you walked through and shown what is safe? And counter-service?

Help!!

Honestly....We pondered that same question years ago. But quite frankly...WDW just gets it....It's the only place in the world where it's a lifestyle , not a choice.....People/restaurants everywhere else are coming up to speed, but I feel Disney is waay above the curve..My DW loves that fact that they go outta their way to please her...Chef comes to the table, or they escort you around the buffets & stuff. Lots of times they'll make special desserts for you as well.....Put your mind at ease/ Relax you'll do just fine.

 

[DizDaD7]

BTW...As you can see in the Sig...Under a month....Woohooo--->

 

[wilkeliza]

If you want a treat the Erin McKenna's Bakery at Disney Springs is vegan and gluten free. We had a cake from them for a friend's birthday and it was really good. Dense but good. They also supply cookies and cupcakes to a few of the resorts and I believe some places on property. They have their flagship location in NYC if you would be interested in trying them out before you got to Disney.

Also a lot of new prepackaged cookies and other snacks that are free of the 5 major allergies. So Disney is definitely getting back on track with the grab and go type snacks that are GF.

 

[Dug720]

Honestly....We pondered that same question years ago. But quite frankly...WDW just gets it....It's the only place in the world where it's a lifestyle , not a choice.....People/restaurants everywhere else are coming up to speed, but I feel Disney is waay above the curve..My DW loves that fact that they go outta their way to please her...Chef comes to the table, or they escort you around the buffets & stuff. Lots of times they'll make special desserts for you as well.....Put your mind at ease/ Relax you'll do just fine.

Great! Thank you!!

And have a wonderful vacation!!!!

 

[bookgirl]

I had to quit eating wheat (and a bunch of other stuff) for two years. Multiple trips to WDW in that time and it was very easy. I recommend the Erin McKenna bakery (they also sell the brownie bites in a four pack at a number of the resorts and AK) Very tasty! Also Trattoria al Forno at the Boardwalk is one of the only Italian places I've ever eaten that did GF very well. They actually cook a lot of their foods flour free (like sauces and meats that have been browned) so their GF menu is much the same as their regular menu)

There's a vlogger called Dariy Free and Wheat Free in Florida...maybe? google her she'll come up.

I actually had a less then stellar experience in Disneyland. But WDW always excellent.

 

[pmaurer74]

my mom loves going to Disney because of the gluten free options.

 

[Rera2528]

This is actually my first post, after years and years of lurking, and it's because I completely understand where you are. We have traveled to WDW four times since 2011 and taken a cruise on the Dream, and I have been gluten free for all of those visits (celiac). We return to WDW for many reasons, but probably top of the list is how easy it is for me to eat along with my family, with so little planning.

I have been well taken care of at every restaurant, whether at resorts or parks, but that may be because I have spent a lot of time scouring resources to find the "best" places. If you search in the disABILITIES forum, so many people have given outstanding advice.

Here are my observations, but keep in mind, I haven't had a terrible gf meal at Disney. I have had several in other places. And, I have never felt sick after, which is key.

Some of my table service favorites at resorts have been: Kona (breakfast), Boma (dinner), Whispering Canyon (dinner), Trails End (dinner). Looking forward to the Wave and maybe 'Ohana next trip.

Some of my favorites at parks have been: 50s Prime Time (I did not do the fried chicken, but apparently if you go in beforehand to let them know, they will get it ready for you), Teppan Edo, Tutto Italia (lunch).

For character meals: 1900 Park Fare and Crystal Palace for breakfasts - the chef took me through the buffets, then prepped me fresh food in the back. Garden Grill for dinner (was ok, but that was the general consensus at the table - we are trying the breakfast next trip).

Quick service: Riverside Mill Food Court, Roaring Forks, Sassagoula Floatworks (for GF beignets), Sunshine Seasons, Flame Tree, Beaches and Cream walk up. Again, all of my food was prepped in a separate place. I had a woman behind me at Roaring Forks be very unpleasant about the "special treatment" I was receiving by getting fresh food, but I just pointed to the chocolate croissants and said, "Really? Do you know how much I would like to have that?"

I wasn't crazy about BOG lunch, Chef Mickey's breakfast, Akershus lunch - not because of the gf offerings, but the food itself. My husband wasn't either, and he is not gf.

Snacks - people at the snack counters and carts have been very willing to take out the binder for me to look through.

I use an app to help me find restaurants when I travel, and it is invaluable.

Please feel free to ask about anything specific, and if I can remember, I will happily share!

 

[squeezle]

Welcome @Rera2528! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. This is very helpful.

*At Kona, did you try to get the Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes? If so, how were they?

*I emailed the special diets department to register my order for gf fried chicken my upcoming 50s Prime Time. They said they would pass the request along to the restaurant and have it available for me. They wanted to know reservation date/time, confirmation number, and the number of people requisition the gf chicken meal. It was easy.

*What app do you use when you travel? This sounds like something that would be very useful!

 

[Rera2528]

Hi @squeezle! Thank you for the welcome!

*At Kona, did you try to get the Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes? If so, how were they?

I did, but that was before they went to the allergen menus. I am not sure whether they are still available. I have to say, they were pretty fantastic! I believe they were regular gf pancakes with the macadamia nut butter and pineapple to put on them. They were a favorite for sure!

*I emailed the special diets department to register my order for gf fried chicken my upcoming 50s Prime Time. They said they would pass the request along to the restaurant and have it available for me. They wanted to know reservation date/time, confirmation number, and the number of people requisition the gf chicken meal. It was easy.

Good to know! We may be heading back there for the next trip!

*What app do you use when you travel? This sounds like something that would be very useful![/QUOTE]

I use "Find Me Gluten Free." It is kind of pricey, and I have no affiliation with the company at all. But I have used it in the US and Canada, as well as traveling up and down the East Coast and in Florida.

 

[squeezle]

Great! Thanks again, @Rera2528!

 

[Farmgirl2001]

I also use find me gluten free for my son who has celiac. We travel quite a bit for my husbands business and honestly cannot imagine going anywhere with out it. It will pull up menus, give directions and also quick reviews of others who have dined at the establishment that you are looking at.

We are headed to WDW in two weeks and have been scouring the Disboards for info. Everything I have read has been positive and I am very much excited to go out to eat and not have to worry that my son will get sick.

I have also gotten the app called Gluten Free Disney Dining. As this is our first trip with a celiac I do not have any prior experience with it in the parks. I did use it to help in giving me a general idea of gluten free friendly places to go.

Good luck to you and I hope that you have an amazing trip.

 

[ashers1119]

Great thread! This is our first trip back after three of my family of four has had to switch to a gluten free diet, I was worried but looks like we'll be eating better than we do at home