Special Diets at WDW

HeatherWatson

HeatherWatson

Active Member
Original Poster
Maybe this has been covered a thousand times already, but if anyone could share their experiences with gluten free dining at WDW, I'd super appreciate it for the sake of both my and my daughter's health and enjoyment during our upcoming trip. Yes, I've contacted special diets and done fairly thorough research, but I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about TS and QS places in relation to special diets. Our ADRs are at Akershus, BOG, Sanaa, 'Ohana, '50s Primetime, SciFi and CP. If we should steer clear of any of these, please yell at me "STOP! Don't eat!"

I'm most nervous about Akershus because I've heard mixed reviews about their handling of special diets.
 
Iwannabeindisney89

Iwannabeindisney89

Member
I went last summer with my cousin who can only eat gluten free. Let me just say it was amazing to see how Disney deals with these things. Nearly every TS restaurant we went to had their own chef for this. It was so funny because the chef would come out very excited. I'm pretty sure they work in the kitchen like normal but then when a guest come who eats gluten free they go off and do their own thing. They are specially trained to cook this way and enjoy coming out to the table to greet you and ask what you like. "Hi my names... I'll be cooking for YOU tonight let me know if you see anything that interests you on the menu" lol we even had one chef come out and he was like oh man I'm so happy to see you I've been back there doing the regular dishes you're my first gluten free for the night I was getting bored...We had put the gluten free notation on all of our reservations and by the end of the vacation we would anxiously await to see the chef that would come out and greet her. They're great! Unfortunately I can't remember how she coped with the QS, sorry I'm no help on that, but as you can see the table service gluten free chefs certainly made an impression.
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
@coachwnh can likely give you some feedback/info. I do recall him saying that 50sPT can make a really great gluten free fried chicken. While my party's dietary issues are peanut/tree nut...we have dined at Akershus 3x and they've been very mindful of our allergy issues. In fact, out of your list, Sci Fi is the only we haven't dined at. I know someone had an issue with Sci Fi last year- possibly @figmentfan423 . We've had some minor issues at 'Ohana back in 2011, but it was all very easily corrected. The chefs at Crystal Palace seem to be some of the most on the ball allergy aware chefs of the bunch.
 
HeatherWatson

HeatherWatson

Active Member
Original Poster
Thank you!!

I'm very excited to eat at Disney! We don't ever really get to eat out because of our dietary restrictions (cross contamination is a HUGE deal, and gluten is in EVERYTHING) and I've heard WDW is like the one place a celiac can go and relax! Nevertheless gluten makes us both very ill, and any mistake could have the potential to steal time from our vacation, so I'm still a little nervous, just because that's just how eating out has come to make me feel. Plus, I mean, who wants to be bedridden at WDW!
 
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HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
HeatherWatson said:
Thank you!!

I'm very excited to eat at Disney! We don't ever really get to eat out because of our dietary restrictions (cross contamination is a HUGE deal, and gluten is in EVERYTHING) and I've heard WDW is like the one place a celiac can go and relax! Nevertheless gluten makes us both very ill, and any mistake could have the potential to steal time from our vacation, so I'm still a little nervous, just because that's just how eating out has come to make me feel. Plus, I mean, who wants tone bedridden at WDW!
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While not the same dietary issues, I feel your pain. DD7 could into anaphylactic shock if she consumes even trace amounts of nuts. The last thing I want is to be pulling out the EpiPen and having to call 911 to rush her to a hospital while on vacay. The WDW chefs, for the most part, are very aware of both the menu items with direct risk as well as items with cross contam issues. At the buffets, they'll even walk you through everything so you can find out exactly what's off limits. I laughed last time we were at Crystal Palace because the chef came running to our table over the cake I'd ordered. I worked with the pastry chef- who was aware of the allergy and they do their best to cut the risk- but the restaurant chef still jumped in to warn me. I also know for certain that the chef at Crystal Palace makes some special things for people with gluten intolerances and allergies because in 2012, their chef at the time offered DD7 some gluten free chocolate cake. i.e. he made some for another patron, but had leftover cake and knew for certain it would also be safe for our nut issues. All in all, WDW does a stellar job of handling food allergies.
 
coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
HeatherWatson said:
Maybe this has been covered a thousand times already, but if anyone could share their experiences with gluten free dining at WDW, I'd super appreciate it for the sake of both my and my daughter's health and enjoyment during our upcoming trip. Yes, I've contacted special diets and done fairly thorough research, but I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about TS and QS places in relation to special diets. Our ADRs are at Akershus, BOG, Sanaa, 'Ohana, '50s Primetime, SciFi and CP. If we should steer clear of any of these, please yell at me "STOP! Don't eat!"

I'm most nervous about Akershus because I've heard mixed reviews about their handling of special diets.
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Let me know what questions you may have. My wife has celiac sprue and has been gluten free for over 15 years! One of the things that attracted us to WDW was the great dining choices she has. The only place she ever had an issue was the Maya Grill at AKL (Counter Service). She was given the wrong salad. Wasn't good :hungover: There has never been an issue at any sit down. In fact, some of the foods that the chefs have made for here looked amazing! As @HouCuseChickie said, 50s Prime Time makes an excellent GF fried chicken (it does take 45 minutes to prepare, so check in early and they will start it for you early) and the Narcoossee's calamari is gluten free! Many restaurants even have GF desserts on the regular menu (BOG for example). Having to eat GF should not be concern at all when dining in WDW. You're in good hands!
 
coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
HeatherWatson said:
Maybe this has been covered a thousand times already, but if anyone could share their experiences with gluten free dining at WDW, I'd super appreciate it for the sake of both my and my daughter's health and enjoyment during our upcoming trip. Yes, I've contacted special diets and done fairly thorough research, but I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about TS and QS places in relation to special diets. Our ADRs are at Akershus, BOG, Sanaa, 'Ohana, '50s Primetime, SciFi and CP. If we should steer clear of any of these, please yell at me "STOP! Don't eat!"

I'm most nervous about Akershus because I've heard mixed reviews about their handling of special diets.
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In addition, as I look at your ADRs, we have eaten at all of them. Sanaa has an excellent selection of dips and GF breads as well. Many of the foods on their menu are gluten free as is. Again, you will not have any issues at all at any TS experience. We have never had any issues at QS as well. Just ask the CM when you are ready to order and a manager will come out to give you your options. You will be surprised at how well you are treated!
 
HeatherWatson

HeatherWatson

Active Member
Original Poster
coachwnh said:
A gluten free dessert made at the table for my wife at O'Hana


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr
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Wow that looks amazing!!! Thank you so much for your input!!! You have also brought my husband much relief, as he sending us out on this adventure on our own, and he's HORRIFIED of my getting sick when he's not around to take care of me, or to be assertive with food service staff. He knows I'm fully capable of handling matters myself, but he still likes to be there to make sure everyone understands the seriousness of our issues because, as you mentioned, the result of any mixup is not at all pretty.
 
coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
HeatherWatson said:
Wow that looks amazing!!! Thank you so much for your input!!! You have also brought my husband much relief, as he sending us out on this adventure on our own, and he's HORRIFIED of my getting sick when he's not around to take care of me, or to be assertive with food service staff. He knows I'm fully capable of handling matters myself, but he still likes to be there to make sure everyone understands the seriousness of our issues because, as you mentioned, the result of any mixup is not at all pretty.
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No problem. Just make sure your allergy is listed on all ADRs, and don't be afraid to remind the CM who seats you and your server. Good eats!
 
coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I wanted to make sure before I posted, but my wife did confirm that everything cooked over the fire at O'Hana is now gluten free. So are the wings and salad they will bring to your table. This was new for us this past November. The noodles are a no no, but they will bring white rice for you. Obviously, the bread is no good either. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Also of note, Raglan Road in DTD now has GF fried fish. We just added this for our summer trip!

PS My wife swears by the 50's Prime Time fried chicken and the Narcoossee's calamari. Its the only place she can get them.
 
I

I love tink!

New Member
Hi I am gluten free and went to Florida last summer. In the 3 weeks I was there I had so much choice at table service and quick service restaurants alike. At the quick service restaurants just let the cashier know when you place your order and they will either call the chef out for you or give you a big book to look through to find something suitable that you wish to eat.
 
HeatherWatson

HeatherWatson

Active Member
Original Poster
mcurtiss said:
I wish the rest of teh world worked like this.
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Me too! We very rarely eat out simply because it is too risky.

I can't wait to try some of the fried foods--this southern girl has missed that deep, golden, crunchy goodness that seemingly only comes from a restaurant! I've heard great things about Raglan Road and '50s, but I had not heard that about the calamari at Narcoossee's! Maybe next time--I'm not sure my daughter would appreciate such a dining experience at the age of 8, and our food budget is already looking like it will be stretched thin. Maybe I should have done the dining plan, but we are both such light eaters, I just didn't feel like it would be worth it.
 
HeatherWatson

HeatherWatson

Active Member
Original Poster
Also, has anyone had any experience with Chef Mickey's?

Thanks again for the input! Not only does it bring comfort, but it builds the anticipation and excitement too!!

:):):)
 

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