Travel Ideas for Food

[Guest guest]

If you got to the City Hall in Disneyland they will give you a

list of what is gluten-free in the two parks. As others have said, there

are many options for eating in the parks. Generally, as long as you

contact the restaurant and let them know you need a gluten-free meal when you

make the reservation, you will do OK. For the fast-food places (pizza and

burgers) you don’t need reservations or special notice. But do plan

on longer waits for the food. It helps to go during off hours.

Another tip is to send someone ahead with the family’s order so that not

everyone has to be hanging around waiting for the food.

That said, when we were there last summer, Merrick got

glutened. Since he was the only one (of the three celiacs) who got

glutened, I suspect it was something he ate at one of the sit-down restaurants (everywhere

else we mostly at the same thing). I strongly suspect it was at the Blue

Bayou, since we had the most trouble there and the chef was not very friendly

or knowledgeable about gluten, and the timing was right for the reaction. It

must have been a substantial amount of gluten too, judging by the strength of

the reaction. This was not a fun thing to have happen half way through a

week-long vacation. He was sick and miserable for the rest of the trip.

If we go to Disneyland again, I will probably try to bring all of our food

rather than risk ruining an expensive vacation.

If you decide to bring your own food, contact the park ahead of

time and ask about bringing food into the park. Crackers and cheese and

lunchmeat cut up make a good lunch that is easy to prepare, store, and

transport. Amy’s frozen foods are also a good bet if you have

access to a freezer and microwave (they have breakfast foods too). Consider

taking a taxi to a nearby health food store and purchasing things there.

Food bars of various kinds are another easy travel option (try several ahead of

time so you know what she likes). Jerky, nuts, granola (GF), and cookies

also travel well.

We went to Universal Studios once years ago, and I remember

having a hard time finding food. Also, we didn’t like it much as it

was mostly thrill rides or scary rides. I would pick Disneyland for both

food and fun.

I have a long list of info and reviews of GF dining at

Disneyland that I compiled for our trip last summer. Let me know if you

want it (off list).

Pam