Vacationing with dietary requirements can sometimes be a challenge, but Disney continues to lead the field in options available to guests who have special dietary needs.
On a recent trip to Epcot’s The Land and its fabulous counter service spot, Sunshine Seasons, we spied some fun eats for special diets!
First up: who doesn’t love a little something sweet, crunchy, and indulgent on a trip to Walt Disney World? If you need to find a treat that is gluten- or nut-free, check out Rocky Mountain Caramel Popcorn! Perfect for sharing — if you want to!
Gluten and Nut Free Caramel Popcorn
Gluten and Nut Free Caramel Popcorn - Close-up
If you’re looking for a delicious cookie, but you’d like to avoid nuts, gluten, dairy, or all of the above, Enjoy Life Chocolate Chip Cookies might fit the bill.
Dairy, Nut, and Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
We tried some Enjoy Life soft-baked cookies at the 2011 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and they were pretty good; so I have high hopes for the crunchy version!
Enjoy Life Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies
For guests looking for something less chocolate and more fruit-flavored, Enjoy Life also makes Soft-baked Happy Apple Cookies, which are both nut- and gluten-free, and also boast that they are completely natural. We are thinking these might make great snacks even if you don’t have dietary restrictions!
Nut and Gluten Free Apple Cookies
You have a couple of gluten-free options in the candy department to choose from as well. Surf Sweets offers a nice alternative to Gummy Bears with their Fruity Bears, while Enjoy Life comes through again with its Ricemilk Crunch Candy Bar, which doesn’t contain dairy, nut, or soy.
Gluten Free Candies
Disney continues to improve its offerings of snacks and grab-and-go food for guests with dietary restrictions. You can check out more details about dining in Disney World with a special diet here!
Will you take advantage of any of these terrific snacks while at Epcot or Walt Disney World? Have you tried any of them before? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
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We definitely will try all of these snacks…in October (Can you tell I can’t wait?) My 14-year daughter has celiac disease and WDW is about the best place ever to eat.
Thanks for posting this, AJ. As most everyone with a food allergy knows, in addition to all of the snacks listed above, every counter and full-service restaurant on property is amazing at getting those on special diets exactly what they want to eat. From Coral Reef to Sunshine Seasons to Via Napoli to Teppan Edo (staying in Epcot, since that is the theme of your post), they have never failed to provide delicious meals for my daughter and make her feel incredibly special.
See you real soon!
Kudos, kudos to Disney for continuing to provide an assortment of food choices for those with food allergies as well as alternative healthy food choices at their parks and resorts.
My local Whole Foods grocery store carries some of the Enjoy Life products and the Happy Apple cookies are indeed delicious!
Thanks for this. I’m traveling to WDW in January with my family, including my dairy/egg/nut allergic son (who also happens to be my “picky” child – ugh!) and I’m really concerned about finding enough food that he is able to eat. I’ve heard that they’ve been phasing out the Silk products… anyone know if soy milk is available in the parks? I’m planning to utilize Garden Grocer to stock up on some things for him, but I’m trying to weigh my options… thanks!
Great update. I love that Disney is always bringing in and trying new gluten free snacks! On a recent trip, I stepped out of the hustle and bustle at Hollywood Studio (Writer’s Shop – photo of treat here http://www.lauraschmittne.com/2011/01/hollywood-studios-gluten-free-and-dairy.html ) and enjoyed some Enjoy Life cookies and an espresso at a coffee shop. I sat at the window and did some people watching while enjoying my treat. Gotta love Disney for keeping us all happy. Thanks for the post! I’ll look for the popcorn treat next trip.
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Corey — Thanks so much for the review and for sharing your experience. There’s a reason why Disney wins awards for its special diets programs. I wish there were a few more non-packaged treats for those dining with allergies, but maybe that will come in time. (And, in the meantime, there’s Babycakes!!)
Tammi — Awesome! Great to hear the positive review on the apple cookies. They sound divine 🙂
Carolyn — You’re welcome! I do imagine they’ll keep soy milk available. Also, be sure to check out allergyeats.com/disney for more tips.
Laura — Thanks for your review! That little seat at Writer’s Stop is one of my favorite places to relax!
Thanks for this AJ. I’m going in August with my sister, who’s GF, so this is def good knowledge to have! It’s hard to find quality snacks for her anywhere.
Just wanted to add that Sunshine Seasons is a great lunch or dinner place for those with gluten issues. We stopped at the grill and asked about gluten free items. The chef came over and indicated that everything on the grill is gluten free, there are three basic choices of meal: chicken, fish, or pork chop. My husband got the pork, I got the chicken and it was very good, came with black beans and rice.
For snacks, I just carried coconut Simple bars, and of course had smoothies and Dole whip!
Tried the caramel corn today. Very good. It tasted similar to Cracker Jacks, only a little sweeter.
Thanks so much for letting me know about the gluten free options at Disney World. Disney has come a long way in the last year in providing more options at more locations for people with dietary restrictions. I am gluten and dairy free and many times it was so difficult to watch others enjoying the delicious offerings at Disney. I now can enjoy delicious items as well:) Thank you also for your emails each day. My family and I really enjoy all the great information you share. Keep up the good work.
Glade u have gluten free food and restaurants it will make our trip much header when we come to disney. My daughter will thank u so much. And I’m sure we will enjoy or trip to w a Ltd disney I love it 3 times and it’s my kids turn to go and have as much fun as I do going to Walt Disney world. It’s a wonderful play to go to on vacation with url family. Love it and sure will with my kids when we go.
I mean teaser not harder sorry
Disney is lots of fun I know my kids will have just as much fun and having gluten free food helps us out my daughter is gluten free make trip easier for us thanks.
All the counter service restaurants and the snack carts in the parks are owned & operated by Disney. (Table service are not, it’s a third party operation)
So…
All the counter service restaurants can accommodate people with food allergies. You jus have to tell the cashier that you have an allergy food request and they will have the manger come out and handle your order. All the food will be cooked to order in a dedicated area of the kitchen.
FYI to other poster who did a review concerning the “Flame Tree BBQ” located in the Animal Kingdom.
The BBQ Chicken and the Ribs ARE NOT Gluten Free UNLESS you order it that way. The “Baked Beans and Cole Slaw are also NOT Gluten Free, they contain Malt Vinegar.
You have to order from manager. Chicken & Ribs will be prepared with another rub that is GF. Only GF side that are available are “salad, french fries, water melon GF roll