Question about quick service meals gluten free

[erinmomof2]

My husband is attending a conference in Orlando, so the kids and I are planning to tag along and go to Disney while he's in the conference. I've never gone alone with the kids and I haven't been since my youngest DD and I were diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I'm hoping someone can tell me how difficult it is to go to a counter service place with two kids (6 and 3) and have to order off the allergies menu. I read that it takes a quite a bit longer to get your food, so I'm wondering how that works. Do you stand in line and wait while they make it? Do they bring it out to you? Any help you can give would be appreciated. I'm a little nervous about doing this all by myself.

Also if you have any recolections of what type of GF food is offered I'd appreciate that as well.

Thanks so much!
Erin

 

[No Wheat Pete]

Hi Erin,
Start by contacting the Special Diets department. They will email you information about the quick serve restaurants in each park and what they typically carry. In my experience only one or two quick serve restaurants in each park stock gluten free food, so it is good to know which ones ahead of time. I recall that we ate Amy's mac & cheese at the ABC Comminsary at Hollywood Studios and the American counter serve at Epcot. It took a few minutes longer, but it wasn't a big deal.

We brought a lot of food with us, especially for breakfast. We got milk at the resort and had cereal before going to the parks. I also brought a jar of peanut butter and made sandwiches from the left over tapioca rolls that we got for dinner (bring ziplock bags too!). We never had a problem bringing snacks and bars into the parks.

I would recommend if possible to always eat at the CS/QS restaurants at off times to avoid the crowds. The foods that I recall being available included: hot dogs & hamburgers with GF buns, chicken fingers, mac & cheese and GF pizza. At the carts around the parks we have had the popcorn, chocolate covered bananas and frozen fruit bars. Some of the snack shops carry GF brownies and cookies.

Have a great time! Our gluten free family really enjoys Disney specifically for their attention to providing good gluten free foods.

 

[livndisney]

My husband is attending a conference in Orlando, so the kids and I are planning to tag along and go to Disney while he's in the conference. I've never gone alone with the kids and I haven't been since my youngest DD and I were diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I'm hoping someone can tell me how difficult it is to go to a counter service place with two kids (6 and 3) and have to order off the allergies menu. I read that it takes a quite a bit longer to get your food, so I'm wondering how that works. Do you stand in line and wait while they make it? Do they bring it out to you? Any help you can give would be appreciated. I'm a little nervous about doing this all by myself.

Also if you have any recolections of what type of GF food is offered I'd appreciate that as well.

Thanks so much!
Erin

There is no "allergies" menu. There is a binder at each register with ingredients. You will need to speak with a manager or Chef at the CS places. Ask the Cashier to call one for you. You will wait awhile for the food to be specially prepared. (If you are not on the dining plan you may also be charged more).

Off the top of my head, we have had gluten free pizza at Pizza Planet (DHS), a baked potato at the cart in MK (would not recommend-old potato), and allergen free chicken tenders at Liberty tree in Epcot.

 

[erinmomof2]

I did contact the special dietary request line, and they were pretty much useless. All they said is that many places offer gluten free items but they could not provide a list of restaurants that carry them. I was really disappointed with them, because I had heard good things.

Thank you both for your replies. I really appreciate your feedback.

Erin

 

[No Wheat Pete]

It it too bad they couldn't give you more information - how frustrating!
In the past they have emailed me general lists with CS and snack info for each park. I have the information from 12/08 - a year old, but should still be relevant. PM me if you would like me to email it to you.

 

[minniejack]

It it too bad they couldn't give you more information - how frustrating!
In the past they have emailed me general lists with CS and snack info for each park. I have the information from 12/08 - a year old, but should still be relevant. PM me if you would like me to email it to you.

here's a link that might help http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/

 

[MegDen101109]

I did contact the special dietary request line, and they were pretty much useless. All they said is that many places offer gluten free items but they could not provide a list of restaurants that carry them. I was really disappointed with them, because I had heard good things.

Thank you both for your replies. I really appreciate your feedback.

Erin

I emailed Special Diets for gluten free info last month & they gave me a bunch of information in response. Try emailing them

 

[clanmcculloch]

I did contact the special dietary request line, and they were pretty much useless. All they said is that many places offer gluten free items but they could not provide a list of restaurants that carry them. I was really disappointed with them, because I had heard good things.

I'd try again. As somebody else said, email is a great way to contact them. That sounds more like something the regular dining line would say, not Special Diets.

They'll send you a form to fill out and they'll forward that form to every one of the restaurants that you indicate you have an ADR for plus to your resort if you tell them that you'll be dining there.

They do also have some standard letters that they should email to you. These letters include lists of many foods with their allergens as well as lists of CS locations by park where you will be best accomodated.

 

[minniejack]

I'd try again. As somebody else said, email is a great way to contact them. That sounds more like something the regular dining line would say, not Special Diets.

They'll send you a form to fill out and they'll forward that form to every one of the restaurants that you indicate you have an ADR for plus to your resort if you tell them that you'll be dining there.

They do also have some standard letters that they should email to you. These letters include lists of many foods with their allergens as well as lists of CS locations by park where you will be best accomodated.

thanks for your question--reminded me that I had to fill out the forms--it took awhile to do. I questioned whether I needed to fill out the forms since our ressies were already marked to be gluten free, but Theresa Joiner in specialty diets answered my question with the response that it's good to let the restaurants know where you think you might be eating know so that they have enough product on hand.

Plus, on the forms, I marked that I'd really love to have the gluten free chicken at the Prime Time Cafe. I figured why not let them know, so I won't be disappointed.

specialdiets@disneyworld.com

 

[dzorn]

thanks for your question--reminded me that I had to fill out the forms--it took awhile to do. I questioned whether I needed to fill out the forms since our ressies were already marked to be gluten free, but Theresa Joiner in specialty diets answered my question with the response that it's good to let the restaurants know where you think you might be eating know so that they have enough product on hand.

Plus, on the forms, I marked that I'd really love to have the gluten free chicken at the Prime Time Cafe. I figured why not let them know, so I won't be disappointed.

specialdiets@disneyworld.com

The food will take longer, we only waited about 10-15 minutes. Usually we just go sit down and check with the counter in 10 minutes, a little more difficult with two little ones.

DD loves the mickey waffles at O'hana and Cape May.

Denise in MI

 

[bethclayton]

dh cannot have gluten. special diets emailed us all sorts of helpful documents and lists. several places were not on any of the lists but could make gluten free things such as fries (we just asked). he is picky but was easily able to find something everywhere we went.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just want to remind people that the contact information for special diet concerns is listed in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
There is a link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.