Eating Gluten-Free at Walt Disney World

Since the mid-2000s, many restaurants have made a transition to include special dietary menus for guests with allergies or dietary restrictions. In 2015, Walt Disney World started their own allergy-friendly restaurant initiative. While there are no restaurants that are 100% allergy-free, each kitchen has a separate counter for preparation to avoid cross-contamination. Measures have been taken to assist guests with allergies, but this article will focus on the gluten-free options available.

At most restaurants and quick-service locations, gluten-free options are available by request. Cast Members have separate allergy-friendly menus that guests can read, but if they prefer, they can request the opportunity to speak with a check or diets-trained Cast Member if desired. At snack kiosks and quick-service restaurants, Ingredient Binders are available so guests can be certain of each ingredient in the food. Please be aware that menu items and ingredients often change, so always make sure to speak with a Cast Member at dining locations.

Every restaurant owned and operated by Disney within the parks and resorts feature special menus to accommodate guests with allergies. Epcot’s restaurants in the World Showcase are not all run by Disney and may not feature separate menus or many allergy-friendly options. Cast Members at the park are more than happy to assist in finding menu options at Disney-operated restaurants to fit dietary needs.

Many allergy-friendly menus are available online and updated when a new one is implemented. If you are unsure if a restaurant features a gluten-free menu, a general rule of thumb is to look at the age of the restaurants. Every new Disney-operated restaurant, like the Skipper Canteen, features a full three-course menu of gluten-free options. To help you out with choices, I’ve compiled a list of gluten-free menu items from both restaurants and quick-service locations at each theme park and a selection of resorts.

Magic Kingdom

Skipper Canteen Nile Nellie’s Noodle Bowl – Niles and Niles of Rice Noodles… Fragrant Broth served with choice of Chicken or Duck with Jalapenos and fresh Herbs
Char Siu Pork—Marinated Grilled Pork served with Chinese Broccoli and Jasmine Rice
“Tastes Like Chicken” Because It Is! – Crispy Fried Chicken with Citrus and Ginger-scented Rice, Chili Glaze, and Seasonal Vegetables
Pinocchio’s Village Haus Amy’s Rice Macaroni & Cheese, Allergy Chicken Tenders served with French Fries, Udi’s Crust Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza, Mediterranean Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Liberty Tree Tavern Declaration Salad, Patriot’s Platter (Roasted Turkey Breast, Sliced Prime Rib, and Carved Roasted Pork), Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Herb Rice Bread Stuffing

Epcot

Electric Umbrella 1/3lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger served on an Allergy Friendly Bun, Allergy Friendly Chicken Tenders, Energy Salad served with Seasonal Fruit and Chicken
Garden Grill Char-grilled Beef Filet, All-natural Sliced Turkey Breast, Italian Sausage with Sauteed Peppers and Onions, Jasmine Rice, Fresh Steamed Broccoli, Sweet Potato French Fries
Le Cellier Le Cellier Filet Mignon – AAA Canadian Tenderloin, Mushroom Risotto, Heirloom Toy Box Tomatoes, Asparagus, Truffle-Butter Sauce
Seared Canadian Bison Strip Loin – Celery Root, Confit Leeks, Honey-Roasted Apples, Heirloom Carrots, Apple Chips
Cross-Season Canadian Salmon – Sunchoke Textures, Salsify, Smoked Baby Shiitake, Beurre Noir
Le Cellier Poutine – Canadian Cheddar, Black Truffle, Red Wine Reduction
Truffle Fries – Black Truffle, Parmesan

NOTE: Nine Dragons is privately owned and operated. Disney cannot guarantee you can speak to a chef and there are limited allergy-options.

Hollywood Studios

ABC Comissary 1/3lb fresh Angus Bacon Cheeseburger, Chicken Club, Chicken Tenders, Asian Salad (served with Chicken or Salmon, Cabbage, Carrots, Edamame Beans, Oil and Vinegar Dressing), 6-oz Strip Steak served with Steamed Broccoli and French Fries, Roasted Salmon served with Steamed Broccoli and French Fries
50’s Prime Time Café Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop – Gouda Cheese, Apples, and Herbs served with Roasted Potatoes, and Carrots
Chicken Caesar Salad – Romaine Lettuce tossed with Caesar Dressing and Grated Parmesan
Mom’s Meatless Meatballs over Spaghetti and Basil Marinara Sauce
Cousin Ann’s Traditional Meatloaf – Blend of Beef and Pork, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Tomato Glaze
Chicken Pot Pie – a creamy Cheese mixture of Chicken, Mushrooms, Carrots, Celery, Onions, and Peas
PizzeRizzo All pizzas available with Allergy-Friendly Rice Crust served with Potato Chips or small Caesar Salad, Antipasto Salad

Animal Kingdom

Flame Tree Barbeque Ribs, Chicekn and Pulled Pork sampler served with Beans and Fruit, Ribs and Chicken Combo served with Beans and Fruit, ½ Chicken Meal served with Beans and Fruit, Safari Fruit Salad, Pork Sandwich Served on an Allergy Friendly Bun with Beans and Fruit, St. Louis Rib Dinner served with Beans and Fruit
Pizzafari All pizzas available with Allergy Friendly Crust, Allergy Friendly Baked Pasta with Marinara, Caesar Salad with Chicken
Restaurantosaurus Angus Bacon Cheeseburger served on an Allergy Friendly Bun, Angus Cheeseburger served on an Allergy Friendly Bun, Grilled Chicken served on an Allergy Friendly Bun, Chicken Tenders, Hot Dog on an Allergy Friendly Bun

Selections from the Resorts

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Angus Beef Burger served with Lettuce and Tomato on an Allergy-Friendly Bun with Fruit
Beaches Chef Salad – Mixed Greens tossed with Balsamic Vinaigrette topped with Candied Bacon, Ham, Avocado, Egg, Tomato, Cucumber, and Onion
Beaches Seafood Salad Sandwich – Shrimp and Crab Sandwich tossed in Avocado Vinaigrette with Pickled Cucumber and Onions served on an Allergy-Friendly Bun with Fruit
Chicken Sandwich – Grilled Herb Chicken Breast topped with Brie Cheese, Cucumber, and Frisee tossed with Raspberry Vinaigrette on an Allergy-Friendly Bun with Fruit
Sundae – Non-Milk Frozen Dessert with choice of one of the following toppings: Marshmallow, Strawberry, Pineapple, Peanut Butter, or Chocolate Syrup topped with Toasted Almonds and a Cherry
Cape May Café Cape May Salad with Candied Walnuts and Citrus Vinaigrette
Chefs will prepare food for you in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination to create a personalized buffet meal for you.
Kona Café Sustainable Fish, Grilled New York Strip Steak, Tofu or Chicken Pan-Asian Noodles in a Garlic-Ginger Sauce, Pan-Seared Duck Breast, Oven-Roasted Taal Chicken, Grilled Kona Coffee-Rubbed Pork Chop

If you would like for information or assistance in the process, they can be contacted at special.diets@disneyworld.com. If you are making a restaurant reservation for more than 4 guests with multiple dietary restrictions, you can include allergies and intolerances when making the reservation, both online and by phone. If it is easier for a guest, they may be given permission by a Cast Member at the restaurant to bring their own food in, as opposed to ordering from the menu.

Bonus Tip: Disney popcorn is gluten-free AND dairy-free. While it smells and tastes like butter, it is drizzled with coconut oil!

Do you have a favourite place to eat at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on Facebook.