My personal favorites for safe eating around The Magic Kingdom …. And a few not so favorite places
I have spent most of my life eating whatever I wanted. It wasn’t until recently that I started to develop food sensitivities and having to watch what I eat. 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 while at the Magic Kingdom.
Let's Talk Table Service Locations:
Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen
If you’ve read my Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen review, then you already know this is on my list. While the menu here is simple, it’s able to accommodate so many dietary needs. For other gluten-free individuals, you can rejoice that the secret menu item, Brazilian Cheese Bread, is safe for us to chow down on!
Cinderella’s Royal Table
For that Character Dining experience, I found Cinderella’s Royal Table to be a great spot to dine. They have a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts that meet many allergy needs. I also appreciate that this is not a buffet style character meal, so my cross-contamination concerns are decreased.
Be Our Guest
In my pre-gluten free days, I had dined at Be Our Guest in Fantasyland. I have yet to return and am hoping this will be a great experience when I finally do. Like Cinderella’s Royal Table, I appreciate the character interaction without the buffet.
Quick-Service For Quick Bites:
I love the mobile order opportunities, especially when they include the allergy menu. Having to wait to talk to the chef can really eat into my park time. Overall, I found significantly less mobile order opportunities at the Magic Kingdom that offered the allergy menu when compared to the other parks. Something to be mindful of when planning, especially if you like to mobile order your meals and snacks. That being said, here is what I've found:
Columbia Harbour House:
For my dietary needs, anywhere that serves sandwiches is going to work for me. Walt Disney World has nailed the gluten free bread options at their locations. I felt I had options here, but for those with egg or dairy restrictions, the menu feels significantly more limited. If Salmon and Shrimp are not proteins you enjoy, then this might not be the quick-service spot for you.
Pinocchio Village Haus:
When I need a quick snack to keep me going in the parks, chances are you’ll find me mobile ordering off the kid's menu. I can’t do many of the bakery items and cross contamination really concerns me in those locations. So, the kids meal gluten free chicken tenders and a side of fries is my jam. I like the kid’s meal portion size for a midday snack and it’s great for my gluten free needs. Plus, I can mobile order these while on It’s A Small World and have them ready by time I’ve walked off the ride. Many kids meals tend to accommodate other dietary needs and can be a great option in the parks.
Casey’s Corner
To me, Casey’s Corner is a staple on Main Street U.S.A., and I have yet to eat here! The last time I travelled to Walt Disney World, this location did not have the allergy menu available when mobile ordering. This location is popular, and I just haven’t had it in me to wait to order, talk to the chef and then continue to wait for the allergy friendly options. I shouldn’t complain because I appreciate all the care put into making the safe meals, I just wish I could have the mobile order option here so I could spend my wait time in line for Big Thunder Mountain.
Snack Time!
Overall, many of the snack options don’t work for my allergy needs. While the Cheeseburger Egg Rolls and Gaston’s Tavern pastries sound amazing, they just aren’t for me. My best bet for allergy friendly eating snacks has always been to pack my own. I usually have a granola bar or trail mix in my bag to munch on while in a ride queue.
I have found Aloha Isle and Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies to be successful spots for my snack needs. At Auntie Gravity’s, I need to be mindful of which milkshakes include cookies and have those removed or substituted out for another option. Cast members have always been helpful here.
Enchanting Extras: Fireworks Dessert Party: Seats & Sweets:
My favorite way to view the Fireworks is through a Dessert Party! Love those reserved seating options! I wasn’t sure what to expect with the dessert party. I had previously done them prior have dietary restrictions and I didn't know how it would work with my needs. The cast members couldn’t have been more helpful! Versus eating off the dessert buffets that were setup, a cast member made me a plate from the back with all items safe for me to eat. Sure, I got some of the basics, like the fruit and popcorn, but they also had a variety of cakes, cookies, and cupcakes for me. Yum! When I needed a refile on treats, the cast member would go back and grabbed the items I wanted more of. It was perfect.
Because this experience was so positive, I have since tried the World of Color Dessert Party at Disneyland. Amazing!
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 the Magic Kingdom.
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