Disney4me Posted 1 hour ago Report Posted 1 hour ago When planning your trip to Disney World, one of the most important (and exciting) parts is figuring out where and what you should eat on your trip. Disney is full of incredible food and restaurants, but if you are traveling with food allergies, that can make planning for food during your trip much more stressful and complicated. Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich But there is no need to worry, I’ve got you covered! I have several food allergies, and I eat at Disney World all the time. So, today I am going over the very best spots to eat at in Disney World with food allergies, and also some spots I would recommend avoiding. I have been traveling to Disney World since I was a kid, and now writing about Disney food is my job, so I have a lot of experience with navigating both food allergies and food in general at Disney World. Caramel Cinnamon Cupcake I am allergic to Eggs, Peanuts, and Tree Nuts, so I have lots of different allergies to consider when I’m grabbing food. I know firsthand how stressful dining with food allergies can be, so let’s get started on where you should eat (or maybe avoid) next time you are in Disney World. The Best Restaurants # 1 Sit-Down Restaurants and Lounges Disney Cast Members are trained to handle food allergies, which is why dining at a sit-down restaurant or lounge is one of the least stressful ways to eat a meal at Disney World. When you sit down at your table, if you inform your waiter of your food allergies, depending on the location, they might be able to provide an allergy menu for you to review. Then you can also ask to speak with a chef at the restaurant. Be Our Guest This is an amazing option if you have severe allergies or if nothing on the menu looks suitable for you. If you ask to speak with a chef, they will come right out to the table and go over every option you have on the menu. And if nothing on the menu works for your allergies, or if you are interested in an item that has an allergen in it, the chef will typically try to make an accommodation to the item so you can have it. The Hollywood Brown Derby As a note, even if your waiter does not initially offer to get a chef, this is something you are always allowed to ask for and an option I really recommend taking advantage of. If you order your food under a food allergy, it will also be prepared separately to avoid cross-contamination. For example, I was recently dining at Steakhouse 71 and after speaking with the chef, he was able to accommodate an item I was initially not able to have, and then when my food was ready, he personally brought out my plate. Steakhouse 71 This is something that really sets Disney apart for food allergies because not only will they make sure that your food is safe to eat, but they will also work with you to make sure you are getting the meal you want. Because dining with food allergies should not mean missing out on great food, and Disney is really able to help make those accommodations at sit-down restaurants and lounges. #2 Quick Service Locations With Mobile-Order One of my favorite tips for dining with food allergies at Disney World is using Mobile Order on the My Disney Experience App. When you go to order food at various quick-service locations around Disney World, you can order ahead directly from the app. When you select a restaurant, you’ll be able to scroll down to find a section labeled “Allergy Friendly.” Allergy-Friendly Options ©Disney Here, you can filter the menu through some of the top allergens to see what will be safe for you to eat! This makes it so simple to know exactly what you can and can’t have on the menu; then, when you place your order, the allergen will automatically be noted, and your food will be prepared in a separate area to avoid any cross-contamination. ©Disney Then, when your food is ready, it will be brought out with either a purple allergen marker or sticker to note that it has been prepared correctly. If you order under an allergy and do not see either of these markers, make sure to speak with a Cast Member to confirm it was prepared properly. Purple allergen marker The biggest downside to this system is that you can only order under one allergy on the app. Since I have multiple allergies, what I typically do is simply check under all of my allergens to make sure it is safe and then just order it under one. This will not work with everyone who has multiple allergies, so if you are ever concerned, you can speak with a Cast Member or chef and order your food in person. Food Allergy Sticker As a note, allergy orders typically take longer, so be ready to wait a few extra minutes longer than the rest of your group to get your food since it is being prepared separately. For a much more in-depth breakdown of how to Mobile Order under an allergy, you can check out the post below! Allergy Mobile Order Breakdown and other Disney World food allergy tips! #3 Disney Hotel Food Courts When staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel, most of the Value and Moderate hotels have that classic Disney Food Court where you can visit different stations to grab your meal. Well, believe it or not, these Food Courts are actually a great place to eat if you have food allergies! End Zone Food Court Some of the best experiences I have had eating at Disney World have been at these hotel Food Courts. All you have to do is ask to speak with a chef about your allergies; recently, I have noticed some locations have a specific area for guests with allergies to order, so keep an eye out for that. Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Food Court Then the chef will be able to go through all the options you can have, and then even prepare your food back in the kitchen to avoid any cross-contamination if needed. This is a spot not many people might think of for food allergies, but if you are staying at one of the hotels with a Food Court, it can be a great place to grab a lower-stress meal with allergies; just make sure to always speak with Cast Members and chefs if you have any concerns. The Worst Restaurants # 1 Non-Disney Affiliated Restaurants There are actually several restaurants across Disney World property that are not owned and operated by Disney. This means that they may not follow the same high allergen standards as normal Disney restaurants. Blaze Pizza These can mostly be found at Disney Springs, but there are also a few around the parks and hotels. While this does not necessarily mean you need to fully avoid these locations if you have severe allergies or are worried about how your allergies will be handled, you can always stick to Disney-owned and operated only. When you are planning your trip and find a restaurant you want to try, it’s always a good idea to look it up to confirm if it is owned by Disney or not. Chicken Guy! Again, this will just depend on your comfort level, and no matter where you eat, always make sure to ask Cast Members and staff if you have any questions or concerns. # 2 Small Kiosks or Snack Carts Another place I would recommend avoiding is any small Kiosks or Snack Carts around the parks. At these small locations, there is typically no chef on site, given the size of the space, which means it can take much longer to find out if you are able to eat the food. Typically, these locations will have a booklet with the allergen information for the items, but if you want to speak with a chef to confirm or answer questions about cross-contamination, it is likely to take longer and may not be worth the time on your park day. Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk It is also a bit more difficult to avoid cross-contamination in these locations since the space is much smaller and usually everything is premade. For example, since I have a nut allergy, I avoid ordering ice cream or popcorn at any snack carts throughout the park that also serve peanuts. Adventureland Popcorn Cart Again, this will largely depend on your comfort level and types of allergies, but it is something to keep in mind when planning your trip. #3 Quick Service Restaurants Without Mobile Order or Restaurants With Only An Ordering Window Finally, I try to avoid any Quick Service spots that do not have a mobile order allergen option, or only have an ordering window rather than an inside restaurant where there are multiple ordering bays and inside seating. In my experience, ordering at these locations can be a bit more stressful since there is no way to simply ask a Cast Member about your allergies. You have to wait in line to order and then speak to someone at the window, which can be stressful with a line waiting behind you. The Friar’s Nook Especially if these locations do not have the food allergen option in Mobile Order. Most Disney restaurants that have Mobile Order have the allergen option, but some do not, and while you would be able to speak with a Cast Member at the location, I personally find it less stressful to stick to the bigger quick-service locations that have the Mobile Order option available. Fairfax Fare Again, there is no need to avoid one of these spots if there is something on the menu you really want to try; just be prepared for it to take a bit longer and maybe be a slightly more difficult ordering process. Final Thoughts The main takeaway when traveling to Disney World with Food Allergies is to ALWAYS speak to Cast Members and chefs. They are extremely knowledgeable and will do their best to accommodate your allergies and try to ensure you have the best possible experience. Also, everyone’s allergies and experiences are different, and while these are the types of locations that do (or do not) typically work for my food allergies, that can vary based on your experience, allergies, and comfort levels. Which is why it is once again so important to speak with Cast Members! Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donut We will continue to bring you all of the best tips and tricks for Disney World, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything! 9 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Traveling To Disney World With Food Allergies If you are looking for more from Disney World, make sure to check out our video below: Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your best tip for traveling to Disney World with food allergies? Let us know in the comments! View the full article Quote
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