For many, a visit to Disney World is a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with excitement, wonder, and, of course, delicious food. However, for those with modified diets due to dietary restrictions or preferences, navigating the culinary landscape of Disney can seem like a daunting task.
Fear not! In this article, we will embark on a journey to discover the magic of dining at Disney World for those with modified diets. From gluten-free to vegan, kosher to low FODMAP, mechanical soft to pureed textures, Disney's culinary team has crafted a diverse array of options to cater to every guest's needs, ensuring that everyone can indulge in the delights of Disney dining while staying true to their dietary requirements. So, sit back, relax, and let's uncover the secrets to dining delightfully in the most magical place on earth!
Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
In Walt Disney World, many common allergens can be accommodated for without any planning at most table service and some quick service restaurants. These include: eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat. Some special dietary requests that can be accommodated without prior notice to Disney include: smaller portions, low-carb, low-fat, low-sodium, no-sugar-added, and plant-based options.
If any of the following categories apply to you, contact Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com in advance to ask for a Special Dietary Request Form: your allergen or need is not on the above list; your party has 4 or more allergy-friendly requests; you require pureed meals; you adhere to a medically restrictive diet (i.e., very low protein). Disney asks that you contact them no more than 14 days before your arrival date.
Table Service Restaurants
This list on the Disney World website will show you all of the dining options across the Walt Disney World resort. You can then chose to filter the list using any of the buttons across the top. The "All Filters" button will show you a myriad of options, including the ability to sort by "Dining Area" (i.e., location). From there, you will choose a restaurant and select menu to see all of their offerings.
On many menus, you will see "Allergy-Friendly Appetizers/Entrees/Etc.". These items are safe to eat for people with allergies/aversions/restrictions to the items listed.
In the example to right from lunch at Be Our Guest, the Mixed Greens Salad is safe to eat for people who need to avoid Gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nuts, sesame, and soy.
When you've selected a table service restaurant, with or without an allergy-friendly menu, you will want to note your dietary preferences when you make your reservation. If you need to add a special dietary request after you've made a reservation, you can do so by emailing Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com.
When you get to the restaurant, inform the cast members about your dietary restriction, even if you've already noted it in your reservation. You can ask to see an allergy-friendly menu.
You also have the opportunity to consult with a chef or special diets-trained Cast Member at any time. Ask any cast member at the location and they will find someone to help you.You can also ask to make special dietary requests when you are placing your order, even if you're ordering off of the allergy-friendly menu.
Quick-Service Restaurants, Carts, and Kiosks
Many quick service locations also offer allergy-friendly menus. You can access these (and mobile order from these!) by selecting the "Allergy-Friendly" icon on the restaurant's page in the My Disney Experience app.
You can ask to speak to a chef or special diets-trained Cast Member at these locations as well, however; please note that your wait time may be significantly higher than it would at a table service restaurant. You can also ask the location for an ingredient list for their offerings.
Disney has made great strides in ensuring that there are more allergy-friendly options at these locations in recent years. They have developed their own line of allergen-free snacks, in partnership with OMG and Enjoy Life, which you are likely to find at carts and/or kiosks.
Dysphagia Diets
Swallowing issues are known medically as dysphagia. People who have dysphagia may need to have specialized diets that include or exclude certain consistencies of food and drinks. For example, a person may be on a Minced & Moist Level 5 Diet for food and require nectar-thick or mildly-thick liquids, which means they can eat things like minced meat with gravy.
Going by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) criteria, those who can consume regular foods, easy to chew foods (level 7), or soft & bite-sized foods (level 6) will not need to do much pre-planning. You can use the steps above to look at the restaurants and their menus to determine what you can and cannot eat. If you need to cut anything into small sizes, you may be able to ask your waiter when placing the order to have the kitchen cut it; ask for a knife to cut it yourself; or, at quick service and kiosk locations, you can find a knife from a dispenser to cut your meals.
If you're not certain whether you can eat something, reach out to the provider who recommended the diet to you (usually, a speech-language pathologist (SLP*)) to ask for their input.
Those who require minced and moist (level 5), pureed (level 4), or liquidized (level 3) meals will want to follow the process to submit a special dietary request by emailing Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com no more than 14 days before their trip. A cast member will call you to discuss all of your dietary needs and to go over what accommodations can be made to help you better enjoy your trip! Disney is usually able to blend most foods, but be aware that it might result in extra wait time.
You can find more information about dysphagia diets here, on the IDDSI website.
Religious Accommodations
For guests requiring Kosher and Halal meals may call (407) 824-1391 at least 24 hours in advance to make their dietary request. There may be some restrictions, which the cast member who takes your call will go over with you.
Kosher meals can be provided at most table service locations as well as select quick service locations. At buffet or all-you-can-eat locations, you will be served a single meal but be charged the same price, so you may get a better deal at a different restaurant.
Halal meat can be provided at some table service locations. You may call the number above to make this request or email Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com no more than 14 days prior to your trip to learn more. Some locations may only be able to provide vegetarian or seafood options. Be sure to speak to the cast members ahead of time so everyone is prepared.
No Matter Your Dietary Needs...
...Disney is there to help! If you have any questions or concerns ahead of your trip, email Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com. These are specially trained cast members who will be able to give you the guidance you are looking for.
Planning your Disney vacation? A travel advisor like me can go through all of these points, answer your questions, problem solve as needed, and plan your trip from start to finish--all for FREE! Click the button below to start your free quote today.
*Disclaimer: Please note that while I am a certified speech-language pathologist (M.S., CCC-SLP), I am not your SLP and cannot advise on your specific needs.
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