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Favorite Disney World Restaurants, And Why . . .

Lynayah

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Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted

Hi, Everyone:

We're planning a trip to Walt Disney World in October, and I'd LOVE to hear about your favorite WDW gluten-free dining experiences . . . and why.

A little background: Hubby and I are going solo, ages 55, 56 -- this is our first time together in WDW without kids since our honeymoon in 1977. This will be my first time gluten-free. Hubby loves all food and, at least as of today, he can (and does!) eat anything, so he's good to go.

I've heard about how wonderful WDW is with gluten-free food, and I am very excited about it.

We are going on the dining plan which includes one snack, one counter service meal and one single credit sit down meal per person. Signature restaurants require two credits (we've booked a couple of them).

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I've let WDW know that I need gluten-free dining.

We will be there during the Food and Wine Festival -- not sure what we can do gluten-free there and am in the process of checking. I'll be sure to post what I find. If you know anything, do tell!

I've booked reservations but I can always change them if need be. We have a couple nights open and have yet to decide where to eat on those nights. I'm counting on everyone for feedback, here. Here's what we've booked:

Sanaa

San Angel Inn

Citricos

Jiko

Boma

Flying Fish Cafe

LeCellier

I still need to plan the counter service days.

As we all know, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD! Any and all help appreciated. Thank you. I'll be sure to post reviews when we return.

Lyn

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mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

Disney is wonderful for big & little kids alike for allergies....We purchased a dining pass which really helped with the cost of eating at Disney. We were never charged extra for gluten-free.Kids & adults favorite place was Boma for supper with Chef TJ.

We stayed at Disney campground (fort Wilderness for 7 days). We also enjoyed the hoop d do revue & had a nice gluten-free meal.

Have you spoke to the speciality food personel at each park? They have lists with all the places that serve gluten-free & told us what was the best & favorites of past diners...Here is a number if you want more info directly from Disney. 407-824-6516 Peggy Gentry

Here is a little tip for lunch. Go before the rush or after. ANd don't wait to order gluten-free food from the long regular lines! Just go to the side & ask to speak to the manager telling them you need to discuss ordering with allergies. If you have people who just eat regular food they should get in the reg. food line. A manager will come & take your oder & they cook the speciality food orders themselves. It does take longer for gluten-free. By doing it this way both reg. eaters & gluten-free foods come at the same time or within a few minutes of each other. This way no one is waiting on food when everyone else is done & wanting to move on..

We had two reg. eaters & 2 adult gluten-free & 2 kids gluten-free in our group.It worked perfect every time & no one ever got ill... we love Disney..

The only night we didn't enjoy the food was at a charactor dinner. The food was not very good. The mickey & minnie breakfast was terrific tho!

hth

AMQmom Explorer
AMQmom
Posted

If you are ever in the Boardwalk area, I would suggest Spoodles. If you give Chef Marilyn some notice, she can try to get in her gluten free cheesecake (it does have nuts) - YUM! They have many items to chose from and they were all wonderful. We ended up dining there 3 times during our stay! YUMMY tapenade and tapioca rolls, too! We did breakfast and dinner (I do not think that they serve lunch).

They also have lots of lists available for quick meals/snacks and where to go. If you let them know about your food allergies/celiac, chefs will even call you at home to see what you like. Very nice!

Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted
  • Author
If you are ever in the Boardwalk area, I would suggest Spoodles. If you give Chef Marilyn some notice, she can try to get in her gluten free cheesecake (it does have nuts) - YUM! They have many items to chose from and they were all wonderful. We ended up dining there 3 times during our stay! YUMMY tapenade and tapioca rolls, too! We did breakfast and dinner (I do not think that they serve lunch).

They also have lots of lists available for quick meals/snacks and where to go. If you let them know about your food allergies/celiac, chefs will even call you at home to see what you like. Very nice!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think Spoodles is closing and then opening to another restaurant -- Cat Cora, I think, may be taking it over.

Yes, I've heard many wonderful things about Spoodles. I really need to check out the status of it.

Canadian Karen Community Regular
Canadian Karen
Posted

Hi, we are leaving on August 3rd and driving down to Orlando and going to Walt Disney World. It is my husband, myself, and three children. We are staying outside of the complex but have bought a 5 day pass. I don't think we will be dining in any restaurants, just counter food. Are there any particular places that offer gluten free options the fast food route? i.e. Nachos and cheese, etc. Oh, I am the only one gluten free. Everyone else is fine.

Are there any options for restaurants in the Orlando area (we are on a tight budget, lol.....)

Thanks!

Karen

Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted
  • Author
Hi, we are leaving on August 3rd and driving down to Orlando and going to Walt Disney World. It is my husband, myself, and three children. We are staying outside of the complex but have bought a 5 day pass. I don't think we will be dining in any restaurants, just counter food. Are there any particular places that offer gluten free options the fast food route? i.e. Nachos and cheese, etc. Oh, I am the only one gluten free. Everyone else is fine.

Are there any options for restaurants in the Orlando area (we are on a tight budget, lol.....)

Thanks!

Karen

Hi, Karen:

What what I've read, YES . . . most of the counter service restaurants there can accomodate you. Just make sure that, instead of waiting in line, you ask to see a manager as soon as you arrive. Be prepared to wait a little longer than usual, too, as the kitchen takes care of you.

You might want to visit disboards.com's disABILITIES forum. There have been some interesting discussions there regarding gluten-free Disney, including counter service.

Hope this helps! HAVE A GREAT TIME, and please post on the forum when you return. We would LOVE to hear about every restaurant.

Best,

Lyn

Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted
  • Author

PS to Karen:

Are you staying on Disney Property? If yes, then ask the desk to guide you in any gluten-free info they have. Also call WDW Dining. I believe the telephone no. is 407-566-5858.

From what I hear and have read, there is no better place in the world to visit for friendly, gluten-free dining! Enjoy!

Disboards: Open Original Shared Link

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. While this will be my first time dining gluten-free, I'm pretty familiar with WDW and am happy to assist.

: )

Lyn

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  • 2 weeks later...
mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

Just a hint --- this forum does not permit bumping! Not my rule but I got in trouble a while back trying to make sure a poster got the recipe they ask me for!

Hi Canadian Karen

Have fun a Disney,,,,,

blessings

mamaw

pajamama2 Apprentice
pajamama2
Posted

Be sure to eat at the Liberty Tree in the Magic Kingdom!! My husband was treated like a king there!! I even took a picture of him with all of his gluten free food. The chef came out and talked to him before hand and talked with him about what he'll be served. He had ham, turkey, roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese and a roll. For dessert he had a brownie with ice cream. I asked the chef if I could have her roll recipe. She told me they were prepackaged and she brought out an empty package of EnerG Tapioca rolls so I could buy them when I got home. I know this sounds strange but I almost started tearing up at how he was treated. He felt safe. You know when you go somewhere and there's always that thought in the back of your mind "Is it really gluten free? Do they really know about the gluten free diet?" There were no doubts there. Disney was wonderful!!

My husband was also able to get a gluten free pizza at Pizza Planet in the MGM near the Toy Story stuff.

Every sit down restaurant we went to was very helpful. WDW restaurants seem to be very knowledgable about the gluten-free diet. I wish all restaurants were!!

Enjoy your trip!

jkmunchkin Rising Star
jkmunchkin
Posted

I just came back today from a week at WDW. We stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter. The chefs in the quick service cafeteria were always extremely helpful and nice. For breakfasts I either had waffles, blueberry pancakes (they didn't have blueberries, but after I asked the first day the chef kept them on hand for me) or just eggs and bacon. For lunch I mostly ate chicken cesear salads. One day I had a grilled chicken sandwich on a tapioca roll and another day I had turkey with bacon, lettuce and tomato on a tapioca roll with french fries that they baked. The chef couldn't have been nicer. And considering it was a quick service meal, it was always delicious.

For table service meals I ate at:

Tony's Town Square

Boma

O'Hana

Coral Reef

50's Prime Time Cafe (lunch)

Mama Melrose

Biergarten

Chef Mickey's

Kona (breakfast)

My favorites were Coral Reef and Boma. At Coral Reef I had an incredible Wild Mushroom and Scallop Risotto with Halibut on top. For desert I had a flourless chocolate cake. I can't remember the last time I was so stuffed. It was incredible. Boma was also wonderful. It's a buffet so I had a bunch of different things, but 2 of my favorite items were the mushroom soup and the sweet potatoes were awesome.

In addition to the food being great at both of these restaurants, I think they both have a bit of a nicer atmosphere than some of the other restaurants (especially Coral Reef).

I wouldn't count it as a favorite necessarily but 50's Prime Time had incredible fried chicken. It was the first time in over 4 years that I had fried chicken and I couldn't be happier. They also had an incredible berry smoothie. Mmmmmm!

We decided to have a nice sit down breakfast at Kona one day. I couldn't have as much on the menu as I expected but the chef insisted I have a waffle. I didn't love the ones at my hotel, but he said he would make me one with the eggs I ordered since I couldn't have the biscuit it came with. I'm glad he did. It was great! Either they use a different mix or doctor up the one everyone else uses because it tasted incredible.

I didn't go to Le Cellier, but 1 of the families we went with did and they said it was incredible. They come to Disney every year (they're vacation club members) and they said it was probably the best meal they've ever had at Disney. Aside from food, this same family was staying in Animal Kingdom Lodge and I have to say, I was extremely jealous. LOL!! The hotel is absolutely gorgeous and is just so different. Keep your camera on hand at all times. They got great pictures of the animals right out their window.

Have fun!!

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    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

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    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

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    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for a significant amount of time. It's called the "gluten challenge".  Yes, you can develop celiac disease at any stage of life. There is a genetic component but also a stress trigger that is needed to activate the celiac genes. About 30-40% of the general population possesses the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually develop celiac disease. For most with the potential, the triggering stress event doesn't happen. It can be many things but often it is a viral infection. Having said that, it is also the case that many, many people who eventually are diagnosed with celiac disease probably experienced the actual onset years before. Many celiacs are of the "silent" type, meaning that symptoms are largely missing or very minor and get overlooked until damage to the small bowel lining becomes advanced or they develop iron deficiency anemia or some other medical problem associated with celiac disease. Many, many are never diagnosed or are diagnosed later in life because they did not experience classic symptoms. And many physicians are only looking for classic symptoms. We now know that there are over 200 symptoms/medical problems associated with celiac disease but many docs are only looking for things like boating, gas, diarrhea. I certainly understand your concerns about not wanting to damage your body by taking on a gluten challenge. Your other option is to totally commit to gluten free eating and see if your symptoms improve. It can take two years or more for complete healing of the small bowel lining once going gluten free but usually people experience significant improvement well before then. If their is significant improvement in your symptoms when going seriously gluten free, then you likely have your answer. You would either have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
    • trents
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By trents · Posted

      The biopsy looks for damage to the mucosal lining of the small bowel from the inflammation caused by celiac disease when gluten is ingested. Once you remove gluten from the diet, inflammation subsides and the mucosal lining begins to heal. 
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