Disney is known far and wide for its incomparable culinary delights. People make reservations months in advance to eat at its many first-class restaurants, and the internet is packed full of blogs concentrated on the food at Disney alone with desperate attempts at recreating the multitude of delicious treats.
Therefore, it can be something of a disappointment when visiting the happiest foodie place on earth and you can’t jump into the fray with both feet due to dietary restrictions. Don’t worry, in tried-and-true Disney style, they have outdone themselves and made delicious food available for all, regardless of food allergy or religious need.
Food Allergies
With food allergies becoming much more common, Disney has made allergy-friendly alternatives available at many of their counter service and all sit-down restaurants. While the number of food choices isn’t vast there are alternatives available for egg, fish, gluten, dairy, nut, shellfish, wheat, and soy allergies. There are also sugar-free alternatives available.
Medical Diets
Disney doesn’t stop at dietary allergies, they are prepared to deal with medical conditions requiring special diets, such as PKU, diabetes, dysphagia, and gastric bypass, just to name a few. They can also accommodate low sodium, low carb, or low-fat diets. Of course, these are all dietary issues that need to be directed to the Disney dieticians 14 days in advance.
Religious Accommodations
Disney can also prepare meals for religious diets such as kosher and halal diets. These accommodations are only available at a certain number of sit-down restaurants and need to be requested at least 24 hours in advance.
Tips for Dining, Ordering Food, and Doing Disney on a Restricted Diet
The key to enjoying your Disney vacation with food restrictions is preparation. Going into your vacation with all your ducks (and dishes) in a row will help you enjoy your vacation so much more.
All of the Disney sit-down restaurants can accommodate food allergies and medical diets. However, it is recommended that you make a reservation well in advance with information regarding your food requirements. In many cases, they can create dishes, especially for you, if given enough advanced notice.
If you have a question or concern you can contact Disney dietitians directly at [email protected] You can often have the opportunity to speak to the chef when you arrive at the restaurant but in lieu of that, create index note cards to provide written instructions for the server to give to the chef listing all of your food requirements.
When in doubt bring your own food. Guest with food allergies/medical diets can bring their own food to the parks. Alert the cast members at the bag check area that you have food allergies.
Best Disney Restaurants For Food Restricted Diets
There are numerous restaurants around Walt Disney World that are known for their great allergy alternative cuisine, many of them even have an alternative menu for allergy-free foods.
Magic Kingdom
- Jungle Navigation, Inc. Skippers Canteen
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor
- Be Our Guest
- Columbia Harbour House
- The Plaza
- Casey’s Corner
- The Crystal Palace
- Tony’s Town Square
- Pinocchio Village Haus
Epcot
The Coral Reef
Sunshine Seasons
La Cantina de San Angel
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Satu’li Canteen
- Yak & Yeti
- Flame Tree Barbecue
- Tiffins
Disney's Hollywood Studios
- 50s Prime Time Café
- Hollywood Brown Derby
- Woody’s Lunchbox
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
- Milk Stand
Disney Resort Areas
- Ohana – Polynesian Resort
- Sanaa – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory – Port Orleans
- Boma – Flavors of Africa – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Victoria & Albert – Grand Floridian
Let us know your experience of eating at Walt Disney World on a restricted diet by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
Comments
What an interesting and informational read-- my respect for Disney eating establishments only increases year by year. Disney World is a safe haven for our daughter with celiac disease. Even something as simple as a big chicken nugget and french fry basket at Restaurantosaurus is a rare find for someone who must be gluten-free, and I'll never forget how good that meal tasted to her. She also loved the three-cheese pasta at Mama Melrose. Cosmic Ray's also had a separate food prep area for allergy free foods. I think it's wonderful that Disney takes care of people with special eating needs and makes sure they have a safe and enjoyable visit.