Hollywood Studios: Allergy Menu Eating
- Nicki
- Mar 20
- 4 min read
My picks for safe eating around Hollywood Studios …. and a few things I avoid too!
I’ve been Gluten Free since 2020 and my first trip to Walt Disney World with dietary restrictions made me a bit nervous. On previous trips, I didn't have to worry about what was on my plate or what was on the allergy menus.
While Celiac Disease is not a food allergy, I am going to refer to it as one since all the Walt Disney World menus include Gluten Free eating as a part of their allergy menu. I have had great success finding fabulous food at Walt Disney World. Here are my personal picks of places to check out and consider if you have food allergies or sensitivities, whilst at Hollywood Studios.
Lights, Camera, and Table Service Locations:
There are a lot of great table service locations to be found at Hollywood Studios. I’ve dined at many of them, as I like taking advantage of the Fantasmic! Dining Package. Here’s what I think about some of the table service locations, at this park:
The Hollywood Brown Derby: When I dined at The Hollywood Brown Derby, the dining package included one entrée and either an appetizer or dessert. In general, I was not thrilled by the appetizer selection, as I felt the apps section was rather limited. However, I was so excited about having more than “ice cream” as a dessert option. Of course, the Crème Brulée was not listed as a Gluten Free dessert. Thankfully, this was easily made Gluten Free with the removal of the biscotti that it’s traditionally served with. If there is something you see on the menu that you’ve just got to have, always ask your server. They are always happy to connect with the chef to see if any accommodations can be made to meet your dietary needs. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you much about my entrée experience, because I had my heart set on their Famous Cobb Salad and once I saw it on the allergy-friendly menu and didn't even look at the other options.
Sci-Fi Diner: If you want a good burger with a unique atmosphere, then this location is worth stopping by. Allergy menu wise, being that this location specializes in burgers, it’s really easy for the culinary team here to add and remove toppings from the plate. I substituted for a gluten free bun and had a great time dining here.
Hollywood & Vine
Disclaimer, the last time I ate at Hollywood & Vine, it was not a buffet. It was a plated dinner where we ordered off the menu. What I appreciate about his location was that they made this experience great for me and my parents. We had a bread service that was safe for me and still enjoyable for my parents. I had my own, individual butter so we didn’t cross contaminate each other. They removed everything from the shared, table salad that I couldn’t eat, but still provided these options on the side for my parents to enjoy. Entrée wise, they had me at risotto and I was a happy diner. I am curious to return to this location and try it as a buffet.
50s Prime Time Cafe: I really wanted to enjoy this location, but it wasn’t for me and my dietary needs. As adorable as the theming is, the 50’s Prime Time Café is a once and done in my books. Just like The Hollywood Brown Derby, you could select an appetizer or dessert with your entrée. Unlike my previous experiences at the other locations, I felt this had the least amount of variety on the allergy menu. Those with other dietary needs may have a different experience, but for me, I’ll be booking at the other locations.
Quick Service and Snacks at Hollywood Studios:
Overall, I feel like the mobile order options for the allergy menu was great at Hollywood Studios. I’ve had great success at Fairfax Fare, Rosie’s All-American Cafe and in a galaxy far far away at Docking Bay 7. Compared to the Magic Kingdom, these Quick Service spots seem to have more options and easier access to the allergy menus. My favorite menu find has been the Buffalo Dog at Fairfax Fare and the Endorian Fried Chicken at Docking Bay 7.
Woody’s Lunchbox, while adorable, may be one of my least successful allergy menu eating spots. For my dietary needs, this menu is a very limited and the Gluten Free options were not as tasty as the other Quick Service spots I’ve been to.
Outside of Hollywood Studios for Snacks and Quick-Service:
When I visited Hollywood Studios in 2024, I stayed at The BoardWalk and really enjoyed the opportunity to walk from the resort to the park. If you’ve read my EPCOT Allergy Friendly Eating Blog, you already know I found The Boardwalk Cafe and Cake Bake Shop to be new favorite spots. If you aren’t finding something at Hollywood Studios that works for you, check out one of the resorts that are within walking distance of the park.
Or, hop on the Skyliner and grab a quick lunch at The Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century, Art of Animation or Resort Rivera. On my trips where I stayed at either Pop Century or Art of Animation, one of my favorite rope drop rituals was to mobile order a Gluten Free Breakfast sandwich and latte. I’d hop on the Skyline and eat my breakfast on the way to the park. Just an easy way to use my time efficiently and find a breakfast option that works for my foodie needs. Many of the resorts have a great mobile order option for the allergy menus and it's an easy way to find something safe to eat before heading to the parks.
My experiences will not be the same for everyone. Everyone’s dietary needs are different, but I hope these notes help those concerned with the experience they will have. I’ve only been traveling to Walt Disney World for three years with dietary restrictions, so let me know what makes your list of places to go and places to avoid when at Hollywood Studios. I look forward to comments on locations that I must try!
Good information