One of the reasons I initially wanted to take the kids to Disney World was I had heard they accommodate food allergies.  This is always a huge stress for me when we travel.

Disney has food allergy policies in place that really keep there guests safe and relieve some of the stress.  I made restaurant reservations on Disney’s website.  When making the reservation I was asked to check off which allergies are in my party.  Then I was told to contact Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com and they sent me forms to fill out.  Those forms were sent to each restaurant.  They then sent a confirming email and asked that when we got to restaurant to mention the allergies once again and the chef will come out and talk to us.  The following is our experience at Downtown Disney, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

Rainforest Cafe

The first full day of our vacation we decompressed at the hotel pool and then headed over to Downtown Disney for a late lunch and a little shopping.  We had a reservation at The Rainforest Cafe

Rainforest Cafe has a really fun atmosphere for the kids.  You are surrounded by lifelike jungle animals and huge fish tanks.  Every 20 minutes or so there was a “thunder and lighting storm.”

We informed our server, Shawn, that we had two kids at our table with food allergies.  He sent out the chef.

Chef Richard assured us Nolan could have the chicken tenders and that he would make something special for Sean–two plain hamburgers and fries that would cooked in a separate part of the kitchen.

After a long day at the pool, these boys cleaned their plates—so did the adults, the food was good.

Babycakes NYC

One of the main reasons I wanted to check out Downtown Disney was Babycakes NYC.  This wonderful bakery is peanut and tree nut free, egg-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, sesame seed-free.  Correction by AFM: BabyCakesNYC does not claim to be peanut free or tree nut free, due to the way their gluten-free flours are packaged.

I told Sean that this was a very special safe bakery and that he could pick out whatever he wanted.  He couldn’t believe his eyes.

Sean ended up with two cupcakes, some chocolate chip cookies and chocolate frosted donut.  He has never had a donut!  We brought the box of treats back to the hotel and he saved one for each day.  He was so happy.  Mumma was so happy.

The Plaza Restaurant 

The first day in the parks we went to lunch in Magic Kingdom at The Plaza Restaurant.

This time two chefs came right out, armed with a book of everything they served and all the ingredients. Nolan settled on a grilled cheese and Sean once again had a hamburger.  We were again assured that it would be cooked safely in a separate part of the kitchen.

They brought out some apple slices and crayons to keep little hands busy, while we waited for our food.

Sean cleaned his plate once again.

Sean could even have dessert.  They had Rice Dream ice cream, a dairy-free treat that he loves, with Enjoy Life cookies for ears!

Backlot Express

The next day we had lunch in Hollywood Studios at The Backlot Express.

The Backlot was an express type restaurant, which I was a bit apprehensive about.

When placing our order with Cody, I informed him of our food allergies.  I have to say it was one of the best experiences.  Cody was so helpful and then Chef Christa came out with that magic book.  This time there were chicken tenders and natural cut french fries that Sean could have.  And more Enjoy Life cookies

Every restaurant, express and sit-down, has a food allergy book, as well as every snack stand. Even the popcorn stand had a book.  Sean and Nolan could have the popcorn too.

All-in-all we had great experiences eating in Disney World.  Sean and Nolan eat like kings!

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The Rainforest Cafe has two locations at Disney World, in Downtown Disney and outside the gates of the Animal Kingdom theme park. We’ve eaten at the Animal Kingdom location twice.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in an atmosphere that includes trumpeting elephants, howling monkeys and gorillas, plus an occasional thunderstorm — it is a rainforest, after all. It’s very fun and exciting for everyone.

They have a mega gift shop filled with stuffed animals, games, clothing, toys and more. They have an old fashion photo booth to take pictures. Be prepared – everyone will want something from the gift shop!

The Rainforest Cafe is not owned by Disney, however, they were very knowledge about food allergies. The waiter understood immediately that he needed to be careful with our daughter’s food. He also asked the chef to come by and work with us directly on her meal. He prepared her nachos with grilled chicken, black beans, salsa, lettuce and guacamole. She loved every bit of it.

UPDATE 5/19/2011: Rainforest Cafe has changed the ingredients in some of their food items. Black beans now contain butter and corn, and the guacamole is no longer considered free of dairy cross contamination.

If you’ve eaten here with a food allergy, please comment or send us your experience. You’re tips and advice will help many others enjoy the magic of Disney.

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Gluten Free at Downtown Disney

As with any other restaurant, you should always discuss your allergy with the chef or manager upon arrival at each location.

NOTE:  These items are subject to change without notice.  Please speak to a chef or manager upon arrival at each location for their most up to date information on their ingredients and menus. This information has been provided by Disney, requested an updated copy.

Market Place

Captain Jack’s- Children: hot dog with gluten free bun, chicken sandwich, Adult: peel & eat shrimp with no seaweed, pasta to substitute in entrees, salad with papaya dressing, rice, gluten free brownie

Rainforest Café – request to speak to Chef or Kitchen Manager and they will customize a dish

Earl of Sandwich - Salads and fruit cups

Wolfgang Puck Express - rosemary chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, some of the salads can be customized – please ask when ordering

T-Rex - alert server and they will send the Chef to the table to customize a dish; Wooly Mammoth chicken dish, gluten free pasta with protein or veggies

Babycakes NYC – located inside of Pollo Campero, this location serves all natural and organic baked goods.  This vegan bakery specializes in gluten, dairy, egg, and soy safe options.

• Read our Babycakes NYC review.
• View their menu online at:  http://babycakesnyc.com/menu.html
• Order food allergen-free cakes for delivery to Walt Disney World restaurants. Call 407-938-9044 at least 7 days (or more) before your dining event.

Pleasure Island

Fulton’s Crab House - Seafood and Steak, veggies, not a lot of dishes with flour or bread options

Portobello’s - Gluten free pasta (available most of time, prefer it is acknowledged on the reservation)

Raglan Road – Ask server to get a Chef for explanation of options

Paradiso 37 - talk to Chef or Manager regarding the severity of allergy & they can customize menu

Westside

Planet Hollywood – varies depending on the food availability: Children: gluten friendly pizza, chicken tenders, chicken breast sliced in half and grilled. Adult:: gluten free bun for chicken sandwich and burgers, steak fries baked in oven upon request instead of French fries, side salad, small Caesar salad minus croutons, three salad dressings made in-house, side of vegetable or jasmine rice. New York & rib eye steaks, Mahi & Salmon, Fajitas can be altered for corn tortilla chips instead of the tortilla with Jasmine rice instead of Fiesta rice, no sour cream, Chef will come out to discuss option and the severity of allergies

Bongos Cuban Café - vegetable platter of white rice and vegetables

Wolfgang Puck’s Café – ask to speak to Chef and they will come to table to explain options for each of the items

Food Quest inside Disney Quest - pending on stock: chicken finger with rice breading, gluten free buns, gluten free brownies, occasionally pizza with gluten free crust

House of Blues - talk to Chef regarding the severity of allergy & they can customize menu

NOTE:  Menus subject to change without notice.  Please speak to a chef upon arrival at each location.

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Casual Dining

Disney World has dozens of Casual Dining Restaurants, most of which can accommodate your food allergy. Here is a list of Casual Dining Restaurants for which we have reviews, or a review is on the way. For a full list of Casual Dining Restaurants at Disney World, click here.

1900 Park Fare – review
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

50′s Prime Time Cafe – review
Hollywood Studios

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall- review
Norway Pavilion – Epcot

Flame Tree BBQ – review
Animal Kingdom

Coral Reef – review
Epcot

House of Blues Restaurant - review
Downtown Disney, West Side

La Hacienda de San Angel – review
Epcot – Mexico Pavilon

Maya Grill – review
Coronado Springs Resort

Raglan Road – review
Downtown Disney – Pleasure Island

Rainforest Cafe - review
Animal Kingdom

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater - review
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater – guest review
Backlot – Hollywood Studios

The Crystal Palace - review
Main Street – Magic Kingdom

The Garden Grill – review
Epcot – The Land Pavilion

The Grand Floridian Cafe – review
The Grand Floridian Resort

The Wave – review
Contemporary Resort

San Angel Inn Restaurante - review
Mexico Pavilion – Epcot

Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party – review
Tomorrowland – Magic Kingdom

Tony’s Town Square - review
Main Street – Magic Kingdom

Whispering Canyon – review
Wilderness Lodge Resort

Would you like to share your allergy-free Disney dining experience with other readers? If so, please submit your review here.

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