Are you navigating food allergies or dietary restrictions and planning a trip to Disney? Check out this guide to food allergies at Disney World!
This post about food allergies at Disney World was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Planning a Disney World vacation can be exciting! There are fun rides and tons of memories to be made. But if you or someone you know has a food allergy, it can be scary to think about where you’ll eat away from home.
Take a deep breath! Navigating food allergies at Disney World can be easy with a little planning and knowing how the park supports guests.
You’ll be happy to hear that, in most cases, you’ll be able to enjoy your stay just as much as everybody else. You won’t have to bend over backward or avoid fun dining options if you know what to look out for.
Below I’ll share 5 tips that’ll help you avoid food allergies and get the most out of a Disney trip.
Don’t have time to read many Walt Disney World blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Disney World with kids.
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How to Navigate Food Allergies at Walt Disney World
While food allergies at Disney World is not a super common problem for most people, they have a very common solution at Walt Disney World!
Disney theme parks are used to every possible food allergy you can throw at them. For years now, they’ve been one of the most trusted brands to provide alternative options and allergen-free meals for even the most obscure food allergies.
When gluten was just entering into the public conversation, Disney was already offering gluten-free alternatives, like tapioca rolls and gluten-free Barilla pasta.
Disney World is an exceptional place to visit for virtually any diet, but especially if that diet is based on food allergies.
If your family will be dealing with food allergies at Disney (or if you’re vegan at Disney World) be assured that it will not be a problem.
Those with dietary restrictions know how planning ahead can give you peace of mind! So, keep read for my helpful tips for allergy-friendly options at Walt Disney parks.
1. Research Disney Restaurants in Advance of Your Trip
Thankfully, Walt Disney World has allergy menus for every restaurant! You can access them on the Walt Disney World website, just like any other menu.
Just hover over the “Things to Do” tab and then “All Dining.” You can search for restaurants based on budget, rating, cuisine, and even restaurant type.
You can also search for restaurants based on location. This is extremely helpful if you’re filling in mealtimes for a particular day on your itinerary.
Now matter you search, each restaurant includes an online menu. And if you scroll down past the main menu, you’ll find allergy-friendly menus.
How to Make Reservations with Food Allergies at Disney World
If you decide on a restaurant with allergy-friendly menus that you’d like to dine at, you need to make a reservation.
Reservations not only secure a table for your party, but they’re also essential for guests with allergies. That’s because they’re a way to communicate any special dietary needs in advance.
You can make any dining reservation at Disney World within 180 days of your trip. And depending on the popularity of the restaurant, you might want to do that sooner rather than later!
The easiest way is to book on the Walt Disney World website and leave a note that you have a food allergy. You can also leave other requests such as table location.
Also, even if you’ve left a note in your reservations, it’s still best to call and speak to a cast member in person. They may even be able to put the chef on who will be willing to discuss concerns, like cross contamination and ingredients.
And don’t feel bad about double and triple checking! Cast members are always great about taking the time to address questions and concerns.
2. Keep a List of Places to Go on the Fly that are Allergy Friendly
When addressing food allergies on the fly at Disney World, it’s best to have a general idea of the allergy-friendly offerings available wherever you are.
Located in central Florida, Walt Disney World is a massive park in a subtropic climate. After a fun day of walking around the park and going on all kinds of adventures, you’ll need quick access to food and cool drinks.
This sounds easy, unless you’re a family that has to keep special diets and serious food allergies in mind all the time!
And, yes, Walt Disney World has a solid reputation for assisting guests with food allergies. But there are a few noteworthy locations that are very popular among guests with special diets.
Raglan Road at Disney Springs tops a lot of lists, especially among the celiac crowd. And Erin McKenna’s Bakery is a very popular stop among guests with a variety of allergies and those who need plant-based options.
Other well-received places for allergies at Disney World include Yak and Yeti, Sunshine Seasons, and virtually any Disney World Buffet.
Wherever you go, make sure you ask for an allergy menu. This notifies cast members to have the chef come to your table to clear up any concerns you may have.
How to Address a Food Allergy at Disney Buffets
During the height of the Covid pandemic, all of the buffets at Disney theme parks and on Disney Cruise Lines changed. They either temporarily shut down or changed their dinner format to family style or table service.
However, most Disney buffets are back in service! This includes the family-friendly Chef Mickey buffet at Disney World.
And just like other restaurants at Disney World, just let a cast member know that you have food allergies. The chef will happily assist you with a tour of the buffet, showing you all the food options available to you!
3. How to Be Prepared if You Have Food Allergies at Disney World
The best way to stay safe with food allergies is to bring along your own snacks to eat in a pinch. You can bring food and drinks into the park with you without a problem.
There are many easy ways to get groceries delivered at Disney World, so you can stock up an all your favorite allergy-friendly foods.
You are also permitted to bring certain medications you require as long as you inform the security guard of their medical necessity. Find more general policies and park rules here.
4. Know Where to Find Emergency Services at Disney World
Families who live with life-threatening allergies know that it’s important to always have an action plan. You’ll be able to enjoy your trip to Disney if you are aware of the services available to you in case of allergic reactions.
First Aid at Disney World
In minor circumstances, it’s best to know where First Aid is located at your park. It is usually in the front or middle.
You can find it on your My Disney Experience app, or on the park map as soon as you go in the gate. If you want to learn the layout of the parks beforehand, you can pick up maps at the hotel lobby as well.
All first aid stations have EpiPens available in case you don’t have yours on you. And any cast members working at first aid are trained how to inject them.
Paramedics at Disney World
In the case of an emergency, find the nearest cast member and ask them to call 911. They will make the call and stay on the line for you until help arrives.
5. Avoid These Places if You Have Food Allergies at Disney World
Although Disney strives to provide the best experience for all guests at its parks and resorts, not all dining locations are as reliable if you have food allergies.
The faster the food, the harder it is to make any special requests. And a food cart will not be able to do many modifications.
Counter service restaurants can make some substitutions, but they’re not as reliable as table service restaurants. This is also true when it comes to guaranteeing that there was no cross contamination.
For that reason, it’s worth booking reservations ahead of time at restaurants you trust. Or you can just try to get in at the last minute on a slow day.
FAQ About Food Allergies at Disney World
Can Disney accommodate food allergies?
Table service restaurants and quick service locations all have allergy menus that you can check out as part of their online menus. And you’re welcome to make requests for modifications.
Am I allowed to bring my EpiPen?
Yes. Guests are welcome to carry EpiPens, as well as asthma inhalers and antihistamines. When you arrive at park security, a cast member will welcome you and search your bag. Just let them know that someone in your family has an allergy that requires you to carry medication.
Are Disney theme parks nut-free?
Walt Disney World is considered peanut-allergy friendly. A few places may use peanut oil, like in restaurants with Asian cuisine, but most restaurants use strictly canola oil for cooking. If you have a nut allergy, always inform the staff where you’re dining, and they’ll discuss options with you.
How do I order Disney mobile with food allergies?
First, keep in mind that any dining location that has an allergy menu and is available on mobile ordering will have allergy-friendly foods available! On the My Disney Experience app, start an order and then look for the Allergy-Friendly icon at the top of the menu screen. A drop-down list will provide you with all the options available to you, like gluten-free, egg-free, and more.
