Gluten, you won't stop me from eating at Disney!!

[Minnie]

That looks amazing! We have avoided Ohanas for several trips due to my food allergies. We may just have to add it back

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Once again more great reviews! Reminds me how much I love Boma and Ohana! YUM!

I've had Chef Katrina before at Kona and she was very good (although she accidentally gave me butter the first time and she felt pretty bad about it) and very friendly. Those pictures sure make me wish I'd have added Ohana for my May trip!!

You know what, you're right! Katrina was the Kona chef. Hmmm, I can't remember the Ohana one then, bummer. Oh well!

Oh Boma and Ohana were rated very high on my return list! We will most definitely be eating here again, no question about it.

Sarah, can I ask you a question? I know you have Chrohn's which is different somewhat obviously than celiac disease. Anyhow, I recall having read on your blog that you had some issues with vinegar and yeast? I am having reactions to them as well and now my dr. is thinking perhaps I'm allergic to them too. Were you tested for the vinger/yeast allergy and if so, how? I'm a little frustrated! Thanks so much!

 

[snorris49]

Sarah, can I ask you a question? I know you have Chrohn's which is different somewhat obviously than celiac disease. Anyhow, I recall having read on your blog that you had some issues with vinegar and yeast? I am having reactions to them as well and now my dr. is thinking perhaps I'm allergic to them too. Were you tested for the vinger/yeast allergy and if so, how? I'm a little frustrated! Thanks so much!

Oh yes, I can tolerate vinegar and yeast occasionally, but all the time and I would be in bad shape, plus it seems to depend on the type and amount of vinegar. I actually have not been tested for the yeast/vinegar allergy, although there is a lot of research out there that people with crohn's have problems with these particularly, so perhaps it is a Crohn's thing for me, although I've heard a lot of back and forth on the vinegar debate with celiacs (that it's not safe). Wish I could be more help with it...mine's just been trial and error on what my body likes and doesn't like. Hopefully, you'll get tested and find out for sure if you are truly allergic to them.

Keep us posted and hope all goes well!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I have really enjoyed reading your reviews. It is so helpful and great to know how well Disney handled your food. I was originally very nervous about going on vacation and having to worry about food, but after reading countless people say how great Disney is for Gluten-Free I am actually excited to eat out!

Thank you! And you're very welcome! I can't tell you how helpful it was for me to see reviews before my trip too. Honestly, I extremely nervous before going to Disney. It was hard for me to really understand that they could be so good with food allergies, particulary gluten. You should be excited to eat there, you'll love it!

That meal from 'Ohana with the tower of noodles looks amazing! How pretty!!!

Thanks Brook! It tasted even better than it looked. I felt bad tearing down that tower of noodles in the middle though!

That looks amazing! We have avoided Ohanas for several trips due to my food allergies. We may just have to add it back

Ohana was one of the best experiences I had on this trip, we ate here twice for dinner and once for lunch. I highly recommend it!

Oh yes, I can tolerate vinegar and yeast occasionally, but all the time and I would be in bad shape, plus it seems to depend on the type and amount of vinegar. I actually have not been tested for the yeast/vinegar allergy, although there is a lot of research out there that people with crohn's have problems with these particularly, so perhaps it is a Crohn's thing for me, although I've heard a lot of back and forth on the vinegar debate with celiacs (that it's not safe). Wish I could be more help with it...mine's just been trial and error on what my body likes and doesn't like. Hopefully, you'll get tested and find out for sure if you are truly allergic to them.

Keep us posted and hope all goes well!

Thanks Sarah! I have an appt. on Tuesday for testing so we'll see what comes of that. You're right, there is alot of debate about vinegar for celiacs. Some say that if it's distilled, then there isn't any protein present while others say they react to it regardless. Ugh, doesn't trial and error stink? I hate elimination diets!

Thanks for answering my question!

 

[valree]

Thanks for all of the great reviews! It seems like you had success with the allergies being noted in your reservation. The last 2 trips I took, I filled out the allergy form and sent it in, but when I got to the restaurant, the servers never knew anything about it. It didn't cause a problem, but I did wonder what the point is in filling out the form!

Your meals look very very good so far! I don't blame you with not eating the "new" salsa at the San Angel Inn. Once the kitchen makes a mistake, you lose confidence in their ability to get the meal right the second time!

I think I will go home and have a brownie in honor of this great trip report!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks for all of the great reviews! It seems like you had success with the allergies being noted in your reservation. The last 2 trips I took, I filled out the allergy form and sent it in, but when I got to the restaurant, the servers never knew anything about it. It didn't cause a problem, but I did wonder what the point is in filling out the form!

Your meals look very very good so far! I don't blame you with not eating the "new" salsa at the San Angel Inn. Once the kitchen makes a mistake, you lose confidence in their ability to get the meal right the second time!

I think I will go home and have a brownie in honor of this great trip report!

You're so very welcome! I did do all of that paperwork with my ADR's and faxed them to the special diets #. They told me that when you do that, the chefs will be sure to have extra items, etc. for your needs. I think that must be true because our first meal at Ohana, the chef had prepared a special dessert. The second meal (which was unplanned and therefore not on my ADR forms) we had at Ohana, the chef brought out a French Meadow brownie with ice cream.

Oh, I was blown away by the meals I had on our trip! Disney (and the chefs of course) really went out of their way to make it safe AND delicious. At one point, I got a little choked up back at our room thinking on all the meals I'd had and DH said he just knew Disney would do a great job. He was right.

Ya, I couldn't eat that salsa after the avocado mix up! I'm sure it would've been fine since the chef checked on me many times throughout my meal but still I was a little too nervous. I don't know that I'm eager to eat there again though.

Oooh, a brownie sounds great right now! A GF one, right?

 

[valree]

You're so very welcome! I did do all of that paperwork with my ADR's and faxed them to the special diets #. They told me that when you do that, the chefs will be sure to have extra items, etc. for your needs. I think that must be true because our first meal at Ohana, the chef had prepared a special dessert. The second meal (which was unplanned and therefore not on my ADR forms) we had at Ohana, the chef brought out a French Meadow brownie with ice cream.

Oh, I was blown away by the meals I had on our trip! Disney (and the chefs of course) really went out of their way to make it safe AND delicious. At one point, I got a little choked up back at our room thinking on all the meals I'd had and DH said he just knew Disney would do a great job. He was right.

Ya, I couldn't eat that salsa after the avocado mix up! I'm sure it would've been fine since the chef checked on me many times throughout my meal but still I was a little too nervous. I don't know that I'm eager to eat there again though.

Oooh, a brownie sounds great right now! A GF one, right?

Yup a GF brownie! I actually just finished it a few minutes ago!

 

[HappyontheLake]

This was one restaurant I'd wanted to try for several trips but never had the opportunity. Finally, we were going to eat here and I was really looking forward to it.

Can I just say, I love the decor here! It's so interesting. Ok, so we checked in and had a wonderful waiter. He said he'd get the chef to come over to discuss my allergies. Apparently they were pretty busy because it took awhile for the chef to come to our table. When he did, he was very friendly but not terribly helpful. I asked him what kind of entree I could have and he proceeded to tell me that pretty much everything was off limits except for some grilled chicken with rice and vegetables. I asked if there was any kind of sauce I could get with the chicken, he told me no but maybe he had some GF soy sauce he could bring out. Ok, sounds good. Here's my plate of food, I opted to pass on an appetizer:

It was very good, everything was cooked nicely. The vegetables were slightly crispy still, which I love.

For dessert he said the only thing I could have was the sorbet trio of raspberry, lemon and mango. Sounds good again!

This was refreshingly delish! I wasn't able to finish it all, they were pretty good sized scoops. Don't they look pretty in their little dishes?

Now the next thing that happened surprised me. My DD11 has an allergy to coconut, tree nut and shellfish. The chef said the sorbet was safe her, he'd dish it out himself. When hers came, it had coconut sprinkled all over it. I immediately told the waiter that she's allergic to coconut so he took it away and offered to bring her another. By that time, DD wasn't feeling too much like dessert so she passed. Obviously an oversight I'm sure. However, later that day (before I'd eaten dinner) I was ill with the oh so familiar gluten reaction. I can only guess that I was glutened there since it was the only place I ate at for lunch and didn't have any snacks or anything other than water till I was sick. So for me, I won't be returning which is a real bummer because I absolutely loved the look of this restaurant and the food was very good. Oh well, live and learn I guess!

You know, based on your lunch experience -- I am just not willing to take the risk next month so I cancelled our lunch ARDs and switched them to Tusker House (we can do Breakfast and Lunch there on the same day!). DS is my early warning system for gluten -- it only takes him about 30 minutes.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Yup a GF brownie! I actually just finished it a few minutes ago!

I hope it was good! I think I still have a French Meadow brownie leftover from our trip!

You know, based on your lunch experience -- I am just not willing to take the risk next month so I cancelled our lunch ARDs and switched them to Tusker House (we can do Breakfast and Lunch there on the same day!). DS is my early warning system for gluten -- it only takes him about 30 minutes.

Tusker House really impressed me, even though it was just breakfast. Yak & Yeti was a disappointment because the food and atmosphere were so wonderful! It was a shame that I had a reaction. I'm sorry you decided to cancel but I can understand why though. You know, I really like your idea of doing Tusker House for BOTH breakfast and lunch! That's a great idea. I was thinking of future trips and was kind of frustrated about where to eat lunch at AK since we love Tusker House breakfast so much. Thanks, you solved my problem for me!

 

[snorris49]

:
Tusker House really impressed me, even though it was just breakfast. Yak & Yeti was a disappointment because the food and atmosphere were so wonderful! It was a shame that I had a reaction. I'm sorry you decided to cancel but I can understand why though. You know, I really like your idea of doing Tusker House for BOTH breakfast and lunch! That's a great idea. I was thinking of future trips and was kind of frustrated about where to eat lunch at AK since we love Tusker House breakfast so much. Thanks, you solved my problem for me!

I was also impressed with this place for both lunch and breakfast. (the breakfast was YUMMY) Definitely try it for lunch--it's great!

 

[ambertides]

Thanks Sarah! I have an appt. on Tuesday for testing so we'll see what comes of that. You're right, there is alot of debate about vinegar for celiacs. Some say that if it's distilled, then there isn't any protein present while others say they react to it regardless. Ugh, doesn't trial and error stink? I hate elimination diets!

I have a reaction to wheat distilled vinegars and alcohols. It's not the same as my normal gluten reaction - it's actually worse. I don't know what's the deal there, so I just avoid them. Corn/potato/grape alcohols are fine. Apple cider/wine vinegar is fine. Grey Goose? Death pain.

One theory I've read to why some people react anyway is that in real word practice, because there is gluten in the distillation area, the chance of it cross contaminating the final (post-distillation) product is high.

Anyway - I hope you get to the bottom of things!

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

This was a great review! Thanks For GF review!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I was also impressed with this place for both lunch and breakfast. (the breakfast was YUMMY) Definitely try it for lunch--it's great!

Yay, another vote for BOTH breakfast and lunch! That is such a good plan.

I have a reaction to wheat distilled vinegars and alcohols. It's not the same as my normal gluten reaction - it's actually worse. I don't know what's the deal there, so I just avoid them. Corn/potato/grape alcohols are fine. Apple cider/wine vinegar is fine. Grey Goose? Death pain.

One theory I've read to why some people react anyway is that in real word practice, because there is gluten in the distillation area, the chance of it cross contaminating the final (post-distillation) product is high.

Anyway - I hope you get to the bottom of things!

Ya, it seems that I'm reacting worse to some kind of yeast/vinegar as well. It's very similar to when I eat gluten, just more intense. Fun, right?

Interesting theory about vinegar and the distillation process. Ugh, I'm just tired of having these issues. Hopefully it will all get sorted out! Thanks!

This was a great review! Thanks For GF review!

Thank you! You're very welcome!

 

[justakrazymom]

Thank you so much for this report. I've been gluten free for almost a year and the Disney trip really has me worried.. this put me more at ease..even though we only have a few of the same restaurants in our plans!

 

[clanmcculloch]

I have a reaction to wheat distilled vinegars and alcohols. It's not the same as my normal gluten reaction - it's actually worse. I don't know what's the deal there, so I just avoid them. Corn/potato/grape alcohols are fine. Apple cider/wine vinegar is fine. Grey Goose? Death pain.

One theory I've read to why some people react anyway is that in real word practice, because there is gluten in the distillation area, the chance of it cross contaminating the final (post-distillation) product is high.

Anyway - I hope you get to the bottom of things!

For vodka, give Chopin a try. It's an actual potato vodka. It surprises me just how few there are since a "real" vodka is a potato drink. I quite like the taste of this one and I can get it at my state liquor store.

My understanding with the distilled grain based vodkas and vinegars is that they frequently add the grain back into the liquid after distillation for enhanced flavour. I've had people try to talk to me like I can't possibly understand how distillation works if I think that gluten can get through the process but they just don't want to listen when I explain about adding the grain in AFTER distillation or about cross contamination. With vodka I would think it's cross contamination because you wouldn't want that grain flavour, but some people will even tell you that whiskey is fine because of distillation yet that's a drink where they will often add some back in afterwards.

I've never had a problem with distilled white vinegar. I don't actually know what grain is used for that but it never seems to give me problems. I'm Canadian so I love my white vinegar. I would never even consider trying Malt vinegar.

 

[clanmcculloch]

We've also been taken care of by Katrina at Kona and also way back when at Pop. When we ate at Kona, we looked at each other when she first came out and both commented at the same time that the other looked familiar. We remembered each other from Pop. She is great.

I was wondering what those noodle things were. I saw them once being brought to another table but we never got any. I wonder why? I wonder if they fry them in sesame oil or some reason like that (sesame is one of DD10's allergies).

Thanks for the great reviews!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thank you so much for this report. I've been gluten free for almost a year and the Disney trip really has me worried.. this put me more at ease..even though we only have a few of the same restaurants in our plans!

You're very welcome! I was REALLY nervous beforehand too, my stomach was in knots that first night! But it was such an incredible experience! Serioulsy, eating at Disney has ruined me for eating anywhere else! I'm sure you'll be fine, they really are amazing with food allergies.

We've also been taken care of by Katrina at Kona and also way back when at Pop. When we ate at Kona, we looked at each other when she first came out and both commented at the same time that the other looked familiar. We remembered each other from Pop. She is great.

I was wondering what those noodle things were. I saw them once being brought to another table but we never got any. I wonder why? I wonder if they fry them in sesame oil or some reason like that (sesame is one of DD10's allergies).

Thanks for the great reviews!

Katrina was really wonderful, very accomodating too!

Let me tell ya, those fried noodle things were delish! At first I thought of them as more of a garnish but I decided to try one anyway. Scrumptious! I have no idea though what it was fried in, I didn't ask, sorry!

You're very welcome! And thank you as well, your reviews were tremendously helpful!

For vodka, give Chopin a try. It's an actual potato vodka. It surprises me just how few there are since a "real" vodka is a potato drink. I quite like the taste of this one and I can get it at my state liquor store.

My understanding with the distilled grain based vodkas and vinegars is that they frequently add the grain back into the liquid after distillation for enhanced flavour. I've had people try to talk to me like I can't possibly understand how distillation works if I think that gluten can get through the process but they just don't want to listen when I explain about adding the grain in AFTER distillation or about cross contamination. With vodka I would think it's cross contamination because you wouldn't want that grain flavour, but some people will even tell you that whiskey is fine because of distillation yet that's a drink where they will often add some back in afterwards.

I've never had a problem with distilled white vinegar. I don't actually know what grain is used for that but it never seems to give me problems. I'm Canadian so I love my white vinegar. I would never even consider trying Malt vinegar.

Thank you for this info on vinegar. I was recently tested for this allergy but it came back negative. However, vinegar definitely doesn't agree with me lately!

 

[clanmcculloch]

With vinegar, it's possible that the acidity is part of the problem. I've tested as having something called Brunner's Esophagus meaning not enough acid (the Brunner gland produces too much of the base that neutralizes the acid) so I kind of crave vinegar. I've been told I should try a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar (the real stuff like by Bragg's, not the cheap flavoured stuff like by Heinz) before meals but I just can't bring myself to try it. Somebody who needs to suppress acid likely would have trouble with vinegar.

Oh the joys of GI problems. LOL

 

[3prettyprincesses]

With vinegar, it's possible that the acidity is part of the problem. I've tested as having something called Brunner's Esophagus meaning not enough acid (the Brunner gland produces too much of the base that neutralizes the acid) so I kind of crave vinegar. I've been told I should try a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar (the real stuff like by Bragg's, not the cheap flavoured stuff like by Heinz) before meals but I just can't bring myself to try it. Somebody who needs to suppress acid likely would have trouble with vinegar.

Oh the joys of GI problems. LOL

Hmm, that is interesting. Whenever I have vinegar lately, it makes my stomach and upper GI area burn. Lovely, I'll add it to the list of crappy food issues!

Ugh, just the smell of apple cider vinegar bothers me! Good luck taking a shot of it!

 

[dawgs4disney]

Do you mind me asking how you all were tested for the gluten allergy? It was very recently suggested that I may have this based on symptoms I have been experiencing. We have an upcoming Disney trip/cruise and i have already started worrying about not possibly getting to have some of my favorite wow meals/desserts. I am seeing a nutritionist this week to be tested but don't know if this is really the route I should be taking. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.