The Disney food and beverage team strives to accommodate guests with special diets including guests who dine gluten-free. In fact, Disney has shared that Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has received a FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) Award “for dedication to providing a safe and enjoyable dining experience for vacationing families.”

The following food allergies and intolerances can usually be accommodated at restaurants in the parks and Resort hotels: gluten, wheat, shellfish, soy, lactose, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or eggs. The focus for this page is gluten-free dining. Processes are a bit different between Table Service (sit-down) and Counter Service restaurants, as we’ll discuss below on this page.

First and foremost, however, know that — with any special diet concern — it is always best to speak directly with a trained special diets Cast Member or Chef at each dining location you visit, no matter the service style. Making Cast Members aware of your dietary restriction will help to ensure that your food does not come into contact with any cross-contaminants from the cooking surfaces Disney uses to prepare dishes.

Dining Gluten-Free in Walt Disney World

Table Service Restaurants — A la Carte

Table Service restaurants are locations where guests may often make Advance Dining Reservations prior to dining, and the process of dining gluten-free can begin as soon as you make your reservation. Do note, however, that all Table Service restaurants are able to accommodate a gluten-free diet without notice.

Table Service Restaurants — Buffets

Keep in mind that with buffet service, a Chef can walk you through your options; however, cross-contamination may be more difficult to avoid. If nothing on the buffet looks appealing, you can also ask the chef to make you something that is not on the buffet line.

We’ve had chefs whip up something “off-the-menu” for us at both Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom.

Table Service Restaurants — All-You-Care-to-Eat Family-Style Service

What’s the best thing about the Buffets we mentioned above? That they are All-You-Care-to-Enjoy, of course! But did you know that Disney World has several locations including — but not limited to — ‘Ohana, Garden Grill, and Liberty Tree Tavern — that offer All-You-Care-to-Enjoy meals without the buffet? These restaurants offer Family-Style service where the food comes directly to your table, and you just request more when wanted.

These locations can scratch that “all-you-can-eat” itch with less concern of cross-contamination that you may experience at a buffet.

Suggested Steps for Gluten-Free Table Service Dining

1. Make your Advance Dining Reservations and note your gluten-free diet on each reservation.*
2. You may also e-mail the Special Diets department ([email protected]); or call them at (407) 824-5967 if you wish, prior to your trip.
3. Talk to the Chef or Restaurant Manager when you arrive at the restaurant.

*As mentioned above, it’s best to notify Disney of any special dietary concerns upon making your Advance Dining Reservations for Table Service restaurants. If you call (407) WDW-DINE to make your reservations, the Cast Member you speak with can make a note on your reservation. Be vocal that you want your special diet noted on your reservation and request a consultation with a chef if needed.

If you are making your reservation online via the Walt Disney World website, you will be presented with the option to note a Food Allergy or Special Request as part of the reservation process. When you see the option below, click “Add.”

From here, you may select Wheat/Gluten.

You may also contact a representative at [email protected] after booking your ADR. Guests are also encouraged to inform their server and are welcome to speak with the Chef or Restaurant Manager when you arrive at the restaurant.

Table Service Dining TIP!

Most Table Service locations provide menus that can be viewed on the Walt Disney World website prior to your arrival (or even prior to making your dining reservation, so you can see if there is an item that suits your palate). Many restaurants have their Allergy-Friendly items available online! Look for the “Gluten/Wheat” indicator under the item name. The screenshots below, for instance, are taken from the online menu for 50’s Prime Time Café in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Please note that while this option is available on many online menus, sometimes you will simply find a note stating that Allergy Menus are available “upon request.”

Counter Service Restaurants

Counter Service restaurants — also called Quick Service — do not accept Advance Dining Reservations. Upon arrival at your chosen location, you can — and should — request to speak with a Cast Member (or manager) who can guide you accordingly. You can do this at Quick Service restaurants both in the parks and at the Disney World Resort hotels (we’ve had great experiences at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter).

If you’re at a Quick Service spot in the Disney Parks, always ask for a manager — they will help to make sure that your gluten-free order is made correctly. You may receive a physical menu noting your options (they normally have these at all Quick Service restaurants in Disney World). But, rest assured, you may always request to speak to a Chef as well.

Additionally, Mobile Order — a feature available to guests with the My Disney Experience app — is accepted at several major Counter Service locations in both the theme parks and hotels. A terrific feature is available which allows guests to navigate the choices with allergy concerns in mind, by choosing the “Allergy-Friendly” icon.

From here, you can navigate to see Gluten/Wheat Allergy-Friendly items. 

As you can see above 😉 , because Mobile Order is available within the My Disney Experience app, you can navigate to and browse these menus PRIOR to your trip to get a good idea of which locations may meet your gluten-free preferences as well as your gluten-free NEEDS!

Gluten-Free Guides by Disney World Location

• Magic Kingdom Gluten Free Ultimate Guide for 2023

• EPCOT Gluten Free Ultimate Guide for 2023

• Hollywood Studios Gluten-Free Ultimate Guide for 2023

• Animal Kingdom Gluten Free Ultimate Guide for 2023

• Disney Springs Gluten-Free Ultimate Guide for 2023

A Few DFB Gluten-Free Recommendations

As you’ve read, Disney restaurants all around the Resort are able to accommodate gluten-free diets. But the following are just a few of our favorite spots we can especially recommend for gluten-free guests:

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in Disney Springs — This Disney Springs bakery specializes in allergy-friendly vegan baked goods with both sweet and savory options!

Sprinkles in Disney Springs — Sweet treats abound at Sprinkles, including gluten-free cookies!

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza in Disney Springs — Gluten-free pizza dough is available at this popular pizza joint.

Raglan Road and the connected Cookes of Dublin in Disney Springs — The gluten free fish and chips and onion rings both get RAVE reviews!

 

D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs — Order up your burger with a lettuce bun.

Frontera Cocina in Disney Springs — A direct quote from a DFB team member: “My friend with celiac is obsessed with Frontera Cocina.”

Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Disney Springs — Splitsville placed an emphasis on gluten-free options long before many restaurants around Disney World.

Garden Grill in EPCOT — This location serves up an all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style meal… with the added bonus of Disney characters stopping by to greet you! Garden Grill also happens to serve up an allergy-friendly version of its signature Harvest Feast.

San Angel Inn Restaurante in EPCOT — The Mexican-style restaurant will make gluten-free Tortilla Chips for those who request them. These are fried in a separate fryer to avoid cross-contamination with allergens from the regular one used for their tortilla chips.

Yak & Yeti Restaurant in Animal Kingdom — Chicken Tikki Masala and Sweet & Sour Chicken are just a couple of great gluten-free dishes you can inquire about here.

‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort — This spot serves up Gluten-Free Waffles that are delicious and we’ve had great experiences with food accommodations for breakfast.

Various Counter Service locations including Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom — Ask if they have Tapioca Hot Dog Rolls!

Iconic (and Gluten-Free) Disney World Snacks

A few of the most iconic Disney snacks of all time just so happen to be gluten-free! These include Dole Whip, Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars, Popcorn, and Frozen Slushes. 

And guests dining gluten free don’t have to miss out on a Disney World snacking tradition: the famous Port Orleans Resort Mickey Beignets can be ordered in a gluten-free version at Scat Cat’s Club Cafe!

Another popular Quick Service meal at locations all over Disney World is Chicken Strips, and you can find our review of the Gluten-Free version of this fan favorite meal here!

You don’t even have to miss out on all of the annual EPCOT Festivals if you’re looking for some gluten-free bites:

• The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival designates gluten-free items on several of the Festival Marketplace Food Booth menus.

And for a taste of Disney at home: This flourless cake was once served at The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Snacks with Character 

Did you know that Disney has a full line of snacks offering alternative choices for guests with special diets? Some of our favorite Disney pals grace the packaging (not just Mickey, but Goofy, Donald Duck, and more!), making these Snacks with Character an especially fun option for kids with allergies who have had to go without a Mickey-bedecked snack in previous visits.

These can easily be found at merchandise locations all over the Resort.

To create these Snacks with Character, Disney partnered with well-known companies like Enjoy Life and OMG.

Easy-to-carry-along snacks include Bars (like the Dark Chocolate Bar, the Ricemilk Choco Bar, and the Banana Caramel Grain & Seed Bar), Nut and Fruit Mixes, and Sweets (such as Lemon Burst or Chocolate Chip Cookies).

DFB Readers Share Their Gluten-Free Dining Experiences

DFB Reader Sharon of St. Louis shared her experience with gluten free dining:
Yak & Yeti: Yak and Yeti in the Animal Kingdom was wonderful. The atmosphere was exotic and the presentation of the food was creative. Loved the sorbet dessert as well.

Liberty Tree Tavern was our first dining experience at WDW. A familiar meal for gluten-free dining, but it was so flavorful and cooked perfectly. The chef came to the table to talk to me and I explained that I had to eat gluten-free and he seriously said, “Is that all? That’s easy!” Just that statement gave me confidence and the meal was just great.

50’s Prime Time Café: This was the chicken pot pie. The flavor was fine, the portion was huge, but the meal wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It was a hot day and that influenced my attitude. The wait staff is in character and is bossy and fussed at me to finish my plate! But there was no teasing about a special diet. The chef visit was fast but informative.

Yak and Yeti: This picture does not do the presentation justice. The beef with rice is set up like a tower. My whole party exclaimed that they wanted my entrée. The meat had a super tasty flavor and the soy sauce was Gluten Free. The sorbet trio was so tasty and beautifully presented.

Flame Tree BBQ: This is a counter-service meal. The BBQ chicken was wonderful and the aroma in the air of BBQ was amazing. I ate up my coleslaw before I remembered to take a picture. Open-air dining was fun too. Just ask for the special diets menu when you arrive then stand in line to order. I tucked away my brownie for later and it was decent.

Biergarten: I don’t have a picture of my food from Biergarten. The chef came out and walked me through the gigantic buffet explaining what I could and couldn’t eat. Of course, many things were not available to me, but there were so many choices that I still had plenty of excellent food to eat. I doubt that this usually happens, but the chef came back out later, and gave me about six pre-packaged Gluten Free treats. He explained that I might need something later for a snack. What wonderful service!

Via Napoli: After so many excellent meals I was stunned at Via Napoli. My gluten-eating family was hoping to eat amazing pizza and they did. I should have been wiser when the wait staff explained before taking orders that there was no Gluten Free pizza and the Gluten Free pasta was….(grimace)…. The pasta was mush and the sauce was evidently Gluten Free flour, milk and water. I couldn’t taste any butter or salt. Absolutely the worst Gluten Free meal I have had in the 12 years I have eaten gluten-free. Be aware that this restaurant is not run by Disney. The regular pizza was amazing according to the family, but don’t even walk through the door if you are trying to eat Gluten Free.

Other DFB Resources

Eating Gluten Free in Disneyland

Web Resources

If you’re considering going to Disney World with someone who needs to eat gluten free, here are some great web resources!

Disney’s main website page about specialty diet info:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/

Great sites with LOTS of links about gluten-free/celiac in Disney and the surrounding area:
http://orlandoglutenfree.com

Gluten Free and Dairy Free

AllEars Reader Suggestions/Info: http://allears.net/din/guestceliac.htm

An informative site on allergy-friendly restaurants: AllergyEats

Specialty diet contact info for Disney:
General Disney Special Diets Contact: [email protected], or 407-824-5967

For more information on gluten free dining at the Walt Disney World resort including how to make Advance Dining Reservations, visit our Special Diets Resources Page.

For more Disney dining information, including details on dining discounts, restaurants, dining plans, menus, and more, visit our Disney Dining Reference Page.