Woes of a Special Diet

[challer]

As a relative rookie to this and other podcasts, I have heard alot about ADRs, resturaunt reviews, "must-eat" venues in the parks, etc. I know enough that there is a significant cullinary aspect to the WDW experience (not just related to character meals and getting to Cinderella's table). While I do listen to the reviews, reports, and opinions about food experiences and am entertained, I realize that this is an aspect of the magic that I will only scratch the surface due to being on a kosher diet.

Now, Disney has done wonderful things over the years for the special diet guest. While going to WDW in the 80's, I basically had breakfast off property in a hotel, had ice cream for lunch, and maybe we snuck in a sandwich from outside for dinner (otherwise it was popcorn). Thankfully, back then, it was only 2 parks. Now we have the opportunity to have (limited) counter service meals in the 4 parks, and can almost eat anywhere (with 24hrs notice). it sure is more convinient, and now I can eat meals in the parks. We can also have the character meal experience. (Last done: Tusker House breakfast, Jan, 2008). While we are eating reheated, packaged food that rides the fence between decent and nasty, this is a large step up. I do know that the Victorian Alberts or Juko expereince will never happen. (which is ok - I've lived my life like this, not just WDW)

Is there anyone else out there that, due to dietary restrictions, can comiserate with the absence of the gustatory experience in thier magic experience?

Or, is there anyone that feels that there is one aspect of the Disney Resort experience that he/she will never touch, while millions of others experience regularly?

 

[bumbershoot]

Yeah, I think that many vegetarians could feel the same as you.

On the other hand, many vegetarians have no interest in eating non-veggie foods, whereas someone keeping kosher might have curiosity, or might have to give up foods they eat at home, simply because of variations in how the kitchen itself is kept, if my knowledge serves me.

Then again, if all you're able to eat are foods prepared elsewhere, then you definitely have it worse than me. All someone has to do for me is wash a knife and cutting board, cooking surface too, and I'm fine. For you it's not that simple!

Now that I've thought it through (that it's not just that we both do not get to order the lobster, LOL), you get some hugs for having to miss out.

 

[AuroraBeauty]

This might be better answered on the DISabilities forum here on the DIS. Many people over there have dietary restrictions that limit their dining choices, and couple them with keeping kosher as well.

Try posting over there and see what you get, you might be surprised at what a great resource that forum is for wonderful suggestions.

Best Wishes.

 

[Evil Princess]

Unfortunately, Disney's Kosher meal options are repetitive if you're on vacation for anything more than a couple of days. If someone has celiac disease or has an allergy to a particular food, the chef has more options whipping up something in the kitchen vs. Disney getting Kosher foods (as you know, there's more to food being Kosher than just ingredients!)

No excuse, but I do understand your frustration. While it's great that Disney tries to accommodate everyone, it would be nice if there were a couple more options available for entrees so you're not eating the same thing daily.

 

[challer]

Don't get me wrong - I'm not frustrated. I don't expect or hope that the Yacht Club open a 5 star kosher steakhouse in 2009. I've lived my life this way - being in Disney doesn't change that. I am totally grateful for what WDW has done up until now - I cherish being able to stop in Cosmic Ray's to eat. I'm just trying to see if there is a forum for those who know and feel that "hole" in their WDW experience - whatever it may be - and to get a thread going for us.

BTW - I didn't fully appreciate that lack of the dining experince until I became a podcast addict. (Thanks, guys.)

 

[cmwade77]

We don't eat anything that is prepared with alcohol (of course vanilla is an exception to that, but it is in such small quantities anyway) what I mean is something like the red wine sauce or the zebra domes or the chocolate wave. Luckily there are plenty of choices without alcohol, you can always ask them to leave the sauce off, or in some cases there are alternatives but I would love a non-alcoholic version of the zebra dome, which they will do if you are allergice, but if you choose not to for religous reasons, seems a bit discrimnatory to me. We tried putting it on the allergy list on our last trip, but tha caused more confusion than it was worth, we actually listed all of all allergies (all of our actual allergies are very mild, so this also caused more confusion than it was worth, we don't need things prepared seperately or anything like that, but it is good to know that if we did it could happen). So all in all I have to say that Disney does a pretty good job at keeping up with dietary concerns, but definitely could do better.