Eating Gluten Free at Walt Disney World
Disney Springs Eateries
My daughter, Campbell, has a gluten-intolerance. This intolerance came to light about two years ago. She has a more adventurous palate than most kids so she (and our family) adapted well to this new-to-us gluten-free (GF) eating style. Even so, it’s not without its challenges at times when eating out (e.g. lack of variety, restaurant workers who are less than confident about what exactly is in each dish, etc.). However, she has found one of her favorite places, Disney World, has embraced allergy-friendly options and she is thrilled about that! Most places, even at their quick-service locations (the Disney equivalent of fast-food), offer a separate allergy-friendly menu. Chefs often come out to speak to us to ensure her needs are met and sometimes make special accommodations.
Once when we stayed at Disney’s Beach Club Resort in the club level area, the chef there spoke to us several times and planned with us for the times we would be eating in the lounge area. She went above and beyond to make sure at breakfast she had GF bagels even if she wasn’t working, and she would either personally let us know, or have a staff member advise us each time we visited the lounge what offerings were okay for her. On our day of check-out, she even sent her with an entire pack of mini GF cupcakes to enjoy on our way home!
Campbell wanted to write the following post to share with others who are GF free some of the yummy discoveries she has made.
Hi! I’m Campbell, Jessica’s daughter. Do you have a gluten allergy and you’re going to Disney World? Then don’t worry, I have plenty of tips for you!
Overall, Disney does a good job of offering choices to people with allergies. I will tell you some of my favorite things to eat in each park.
Waiting for yummy GF pizza at Pinocchio’s!
Magic Kingdom
Let’s talk about Magic Kingdom. First, I recommend eating at Jungle Navigation Ltd. Skipper Canteen. They have lots of options I like such as steak and fish. I would also recommend Pinocchio’s Village Haus. I enjoy the GF pizza there. If you get a seat by the window that looks over It’s A Small World you can hold up signs and play games with the people on the ride. There are also lots more places at Magic Kingdom to eat gluten-free.
The Nomad Lounge at Animal Kingdom has a delicious tapas-style menu with AMAZING Gluten-Free churros. The decor is a great conversation starter too!
Animal Kingdom
I love to go to Animal Kingdom because of the Nomad Lounge. The Nomad Lounge is an adventuring or travel type of place to eat. There is delicious food and gluten-free bread and the best churros we’ve ever had and lots more great food to eat there.
Right next door to here is where you find Kaki Gori in Epcot!
Epcot
I also love to go to Epcot because there’s a place where you can get shaved ice called kaki-gori. It is in the country of Japan. It is great to eat on a hot day and there are multiple flavors to choose from. There are even more things to eat at Epcot that are gluten free!
Gluten-free Sliders at the Brown Derby Lounge. Yum!
Hollywood Studios
Eating at Hollywood Studios is great if you go to the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge! They have delicious hamburgers and fries and lot’s more great gluten-free food.
Disney Springs
At Disney Springs they have great snack foods to eat at like Erin McKenna’s Bakery for amazing sweet treats and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has some killer lemonade (it’s watermelon). I really enjoyed my meal at Art Smith’s Homecoming-especially the deviled eggs!
In all, you see why I want to go to Disney World so much (besides the rides and characters). It’s because they have so many gluten-free options that make it easy for me!
Tops Tips for Eating Gluten-Free at Disney
Request the allergy-friendly menu.
Ask to speak to the chef.
When making advance dining reservations, there is a place to state if you have an allergies.
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you aren’t sure of the ingredients.
As long as you know it is safe, don’t be afraid to try something new!