Every so often, we have to take a road trip down south to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. We miss going on our favorite rides and can’t wait to see what new things are in the parks. Plus, it’s one of the few places Frans can eat without getting sick (from his celiac disease). Disney Park Resorts do an outstanding job in accommodating those with food allergies! See how he does Disneyland gluten free!
Accommodating Food Allergies at Disneyland
Now there are a few things you should know about Disney parks when it comes to food allergies. You can check the Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs page for the official policies at Disneyland but here are some key points.
- Most counter and table services have allergy-free menus on hand.
- You can always ask for the chef if you have multiple food allergies or worry about cross contamination.
- Guests can email Special.Diets@disneyland.com for any specific concerns.
- Call (714) 781-DINE for dining reservations or special requests via phone (like the Monte Cristo sandwich at the Cafe Orleans).
- When making dining reservations online, make sure to indicate any dietary restrictions.
- Those with food allergies are allowed to bring their own into the park.
Disneyland Gluten Free Dining
There are several places to eat, snack, and drink in Disneyland if you have food allergies. For celiac sufferers, it’s a good idea to watch food being made if possible and to flag any allergen dangers. Also, don’t be shy to ask about how certain foods are prepared (i.e. fries in a dedicated fryer or bread in a gluten free only toaster). If dining at a buffet, a meal can often be assembled for you in the kitchen so to avoid cross-contamination. We don’t get too hungry at amusement parks so we’ve only eaten at a handful of places so far.
- Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe: Character Breakfast in the morning w/ gluten free waffles (haven’t tried this yet). Sandwiches in the afternoon on gluten free bread with chips.
- Starbucks: Marshmallow Dream Bar and gluten free Smoked Canadian Bacon & Egg sandwich (even heated in a sealed oven-safe bag).
- Tiki Juice Bar: Dole Whips are safe for celiacs and are dairy-free too!
- Blue Bayou Restaurant: Tons of delicious items. Frans loved the Filet Mignon and the gluten free bread rolls were a nice addition.
Disney California Adventure Gluten Free Dining
Disney California Adventure has become my favorite of the two parks, largely due to the attractions. But, there seems to be less to choose from food-wise when it comes to allergies.
- Flo’s V8 Cafe: Simple diner options and Frans loves the strawberry milkshake with “gravel.”
- Starbucks: There’s another location with the same offerings as noted above.
- The Lucky Fortune Cookery: I heard that allergy-free menu lists gluten free teriyaki sauce. We’ll definitely stop here next time since Chinese food is usually safer for my dairy allergies too.
Compared to Walt Disney World, Disneyland doesn’t have quite as many choices when it comes to gluten free foods. But, I found the willingness to accommodate those with food allergies just as evident. Frans’ stomach can’t wait for our next visit!
2 comments
Hi Terriann. I am sure you already know this but Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, not an allergy. Your blog seems to infer that Celiac is an allergy. I feel that I am constantly trying to educate the food service industry the difference between Celiac and gluten allergies. Let me know your thoughts.
You’re exactly right as it’s a condition that permanently damages the intestines and attacks gluten in a much different way. The symptoms are different than what one would get with normal gluten allergies. (I did link to the article I wrote about this here: https://www.cookiesandclogs.com/what-is-celiac-disease-symptoms/) But, since many don’t really get it or to give a quick and easy reply, using the label “allergy” at least gets the general idea across. We have found that, in dealing with others and when going out to eat, using the word “allergy” is the only way for most people differentiate the seriousness of the situation. In layman’s’ terms, it signals the fact that extra care/attention needs to be in preparing the food versus someone just cutting gluten out of their diet as a fad or diet choice. If they ask more questions, we can clarify that it’s an autoimmune disorder and the effects gluten can have on celiac disease sufferers.
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