Since going Gluten Free there had been one thing I was extremely nervous about. Every winter I go on a week long vacation to the "Happiest Place on Earth" and, even though Walt Disney World customer care had assured me that there were plenty of gluten free options I am a fickled eater and worried. It turns out I really didn't need to.
The first night I was there, we arrived back at the hotel after a long day at the Magic Kingdom and most of the food options had closed down with the exception of the Italian section meaning the options were bread, pasta, bread and pasta and going hungry. As I had been instructed by customer care i asked a cast member for gluten free options and they brought out the manager of the kitchen who specializes in unique dining issues. He told me that there were plenty of options normally but that on this night I had to choose from gluten free Italian or gluten free grilling. I chose chicken with Alfredo sauce and mushrooms and minutes later he returned to tell me that this meal is normally served with a side of pasta but that the gluten free pasta was all out on that day so they had to get more which would take 45 minutes for me to eat. I assured him that that wasn't necessary (it was 10:30 & I had been up since 4am) but my God, when was the last time buying more of an ingredient was offered a half hour before closing.
Everyday was the same situation everywhere I went. I explained the situation and asked for anything on the menu and gluten free versions were made- including Mickey Waffles a staple of a Disney vacation. And it isn't just the meals, they also create desserts with gluten free brownies and cookies.
The best part was at the Cinderella's Happily Ever after character dinner. Character dinners are a lot pricier than our usual quick service meals and this was one with a buffet which offered naturally G-free options like meats and salad but also contained several pastas, chicken noodle soup, and a dessert table where I could eat absolutely nothing!! We explained the situation and the chief came out and personally walked me around the buffet showing me everything containing gluten and asking what else I wanted. Hard pressed to think on the spot, he kindly came up with flavorful suggestions including g-free teriyaki stir fry. I was told to alert the waiter when I was done with dinner so he could bring me my "surprise" dessert, which ended up being fruits, fudge, and ice creams piled high on kabob sticks and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Everything was delicious and the portions were so generous that I had dinner for the next day as well.
Moral of the story, if you need special dietary considerations and are going to a Disney resort or park all you have to do is speak up and you will be treated like Royalty and if you vacation anywhere else, demand the Disney experience.
