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Kudos: Disney Takes Lead on Gluten, Food Allergens
- By Jefferson Adams
- Published 06/3/2011
- Gluten-Free Travel
- Rating:
Jefferson Adams
Jefferson Adams is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. His poems, essays and photographs have appeared in Antioch Review, Blue Mesa Review, CALIBAN, Hayden's Ferry Review, Huffington Post, the Mississippi Review, and Slate among others.
View all articles by Jefferson Adams
Gluten-free travel to Disneyland just got easier! Photo: CC--Ross Hawkes
In 2011, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts received an award recognizing its leadership and commitment in the area of food-allergy awareness by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.
Disney's journey from a provider of traditional food offerings to a leader in best practices for food allergies began 12 years ago when a Disneyland Resort chef received phone call from a mother concerned about gluten-free options for her child.
Since that time, Disney has worked to craft an extensive food program that offers meals to suit the needs of guests with food allergies and other dietary preferences.
According to Disney network chief executive officer, Julia Bradsher, Disney's Parks and Resorts operation has the most extensive program that she is aware of. She adds that the parks have "been doing this for quite some time, so I think they were ahead of the curve."
Disneyland Resort recently set up a web page that lists comprehensive information to help guests make informed decisions about where they can find food in the parks meets their needs.
The company has also set up a special hotline number where park guests can call ahead with specific food requests. That number is 714-781-DINE. If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World and would like to call ahead to discuss special dietary needs, guests may call 407-824-5967. Certified executive chef Bill Orton says that “the resort helps thousands of visitors" with their dietary needs, and handles most needs immediately.
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8 Responses to "Kudos: Disney Takes Lead on Gluten, Food Allergens"
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06 Jun 2011 9:21:30 AM PDT I recently was at Disney World for my birthday and before I ordered they had a representative discuss my gluten allergy with me and tell me what was available at that particular booth. When I chose a different booth the same person helped me there. If you tell them you have an allergy the person at the register will not take your order until you talk to the allergy representative. All good for safety sake. They also had gluten free buns. Marvelous!
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06 Jun 2011 12:42:26 PM PDT We go to Disney World for 2 weeks a year, every year and it is the best 2 weeks of my son's life because of his food choices. For those 2 weeks he doesn't feel like a child with celiac.
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06 Jun 2011 3:45:44 PM PDT Excellent and true article. A chef will visit your table every meal if necessary and adjust the menu to fit your needs.
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06 Jun 2011 10:14:15 PM PDT I am glad that Disney is ATTEMPTING to meet the needs of those who cannot take gluten, but I ate at two restaurants at Disneyland that claimed to have gluten free food (after placing my orders with each of the managers) and I was sick for the next three weeks. I haven't trusted them since and now bring my own food to the park.
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20 Sep 2011 3:19:11 PM PDT I spent two weeks in Disney World, Orlando and had exceptional service with respect to gluten intolerance. I felt very well cared for.
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25 Jun 2012 3:09:24 PM PDT Disneyland in Anaheim, CA also caters to those with celiac disease. When you enter the park, go to the city hall building on main street next to the fire station and pick up a list of all the restaurants within the 2 parks and downtown disney that have gluten-free food. It even lists the items which are safe to order. Simply fabulous. Also, expect a visit to your table from the chef... he or she will assist you in ordering.
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14 Oct 2012 2:28:46 PM PDT We recently visited Disney World and I was very impressed. The chef came to our table at every restaurant before we ordered and went over the menu or buffet line with me. They even brought me gluten free bread, rolls and cornbread.
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07 Jan 2013 5:38:38 PM PDT On our first day at Disney in the summer of 2011, my son ordered a salad without croutons. The Disney employee asked if he had an allergy and he said he has celiac disease. She explained the gluten-free options and we talked to a manager. My son was grinning ear to ear eating pizza with his cousins. I should have known Disney would think of that too.
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