As I geared up for my recent trip to Disneyland, food was definitely on my mind. I was a little nervous about what options would be available
to someone avoiding gluten, especially since my childhood memories include
images of ice-cream sandwiches, curlyque pasta, and Mickey Mouse-shaped
pancakes. But after doing a little research, I came across some great food
finds!
Turns out, you just have to know where to look…
When you arrive at the parks, visit City Hall in Disneyland for a list of allergen-safe dining options. The document was extensive and included almost every major restaurant.
In Disneyland, Rancho del Zocalo satisfied my craving for
Mexican food. I enjoyed the chicken taco platter, complete with rice, beans and
fajita veggies. For those worried about cross-contamination, a server will put
on fresh gloves and make your meal on a separate counter. The process took a
little longer, but the staff was very pleasant about everything.
In California Adventure, Wine Country Trattoria makes for a
nice sit-down meal. We were lucky enough to get a last-minute reservation (call
in advance to be safe). The Italian-influenced menu has traditional appetizers
like the Caprese salad, as well as rotating unexpected Chef specialties. I opted
for the herb-crusted chicken breast with broccolini and pasta. Yes, you read that correctly…I said PASTA!
Many of the Disney restaurants have rice pasta on hand,
allowing you to sub it in a variety of dishes. The Wine Country Trattoria also has a variety of pasta combinations – I recommend the shrimp scampi.
In terms of Downtown Disney dining, Rainforest Café is
pretty good about catering to people with food allergies. A manager or chef
will come out and speak with your party about available options. I went for the
seasoned shrimp skewers with roasted peppers, zucchini and onions.
Overall, most restaurants were friendly and eager to accommodate
my dining needs. I was happy to realize that my favorite childhood trips don’t
need to end just because of a food allergy :)
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