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 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.
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 Disneyland
Table Service Restaurants
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. (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.)
Suggested Steps:
1. Make your Advance Dining Reservations and note your gluten-free diet on each reservation. (You will find a prompt when entering your information to note any special dining needs.)
2. You may also e-mail the Special Diets department ([email protected]) to request a Special Dietary Request Form. The Disneyland website notes the following: “We request that you don’t contact us any sooner than 14 days prior to your arrival.”
3. Talk to a Cast Member when you are checking in at the restaurant.*
*Note that Disneyland advises that guests speak with a Cast Member even if they have previously noted their special dining needs on their reservation. A Cast Member is able to find a Chef or a special diets-trained Cast Member to assist.
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 Disneyland Resort hotels.
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. But, rest assured, you may always request to speak to a Chef as well.
Additionally, Mobile Order — a feature available to guests with the Disneyland 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.
Iconic (and Gluten-Free) Disney 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.
Other DFB Resources
Eating Gluten Free in Disney World
Web Resources
Disneyland’s main website page about specialty diet info:
Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs | Disneyland Resort
An informative site on allergy-friendly restaurants: AllergyEats
Specialty diet contact info for Disney:
General Disney Special Diets Contact: [email protected]
For more Disney dining information, including details on dining discounts, restaurants, dining plans, menus, and more, visit our Disney Dining Reference Page.