11/16/18 11/16/18

Animator’s Palate Dinner Review on the Disney Dream

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options too.

Dinner at Animator’s Palate

Animator's Palate is one of the three main rotational dining restaurants on the Disney Dream. On our October 2018 3-day cruise, we had dinner at Animator's Palate on the second day of our cruise. It was both pirate night and Halloween costume night, as well, since we sailed on a Halloween on the High Seas themed cruise. During the shorter cruises, the pirate night menu is the same as the regular rotational night, so you won't get any special menus when you go. Both Brandon and I were looking forward to this restaurant the least on our cruise, because neither one of us liked the menu here all that much.

Atmosphere

Both Brandon and I love the theme of Animator's Palate, which is inspired by Disney animation. Our biggest complaints about the restaurant are that it's very noisy and that the seats are pretty close together.

Animator's Palate - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We do love all of the decor and theming. But, as you can see, it's a pretty packed restaurant in terms of space.

Animator's Palate - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I have to admit that I was absolutely loving all of the Halloween costumes on our cruise. Shout-out to the table next to us that dressed up as life-size Beanie Babies!

Animator's Palate / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of my favorite little touches in Animator's Palate is the table marker you get on your table. I love that it looks like an paint bucket with brushes in it.

Since it was both pirate night and Halloween night, we decided to go with the pirate theme. We each wore the pirate bandanas given to us in our stateroom. As you can see, I decided to wear mine in a subtle way. The great thing is you can dress up or not in whatever way you feel most comfortable, which is great.

Animator's Palate - Table Games / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Although not a theme of the restaurant, I do love that your servers will share table games with you. On this trip, our assistant server shared several with us. A few we recognized, but some of them really tricked us. I won't share any secrets or surprises, but it's a nice touch when you dine during dinner.

The Food

Animator's Palate, like all of the main rotational dining restaurants, have menus that note which items are gluten free and dairy free on their menu. Having dined at Animator's Palate for dinner back in May 2018, I knew that I wasn't all that excited about the menu options. In fact, I actually used a few pro-tips to help make a fantastic meal this trip. Keep reading for those!

Animator's Palate - GF Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, our server Jude brought me some Ener-G rolls with extra virgin olive oil and herbs. While I still don't love the Ener-G rolls, I will give our service team props for making sure they were well-heated on the trip. Both Brandon and I really liked the extra virgin olive oil with herbs too.

Animator's Palate - Salmon Appetizer / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The one thing I had to order at Animator's Palate was the Smoked Salmon Tartar with Dill, Capers, Onions, Pickles, and a Horseradish Cream. It is marked gluten free on the menu but does contain dairy. Oh goodness is this appetizer good. I loved the smoky salmon and the combination of salty flavors with the rich salmon. It is a must-order anytime I'm Animator's Palate. And, I highly recommend it for anyone who likes seafood and can have dairy.

Animator's Palate - Chicken / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Here's where my pro-tips started to come in. On our last dinner at Animator's Palate, I ordered Lemon-Thyme Marinated Chicken and just found it to be very boring and bland. I had learned prior to this cruise that you can actually order any dishes from the other main dining rotational restaurants when you have dinner. So, I asked if I could get the Marjoram Scented Roast Chicken with Crushed Sweet Potatoes, Buttered Baby Spinach, and a Thyme Red Wine Chicken Jus from Enchanted Garden. I was so happy to hear that this was an easy request.

This is such a delicious entrée, and I love all the accompaniments with it. It didn't disappoint again this time either. Everything was very flavorful and the chicken was super moist. I have to admit that if we have dinner at Animator's Palate again, I'll probably request this dish if we aren't dining at Enchanted Garden due to adult dining reservations. It's so good.

Animator's Palate - Indian Food / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

My other pro-tip is that the Disney Dream actually prepares Indian food just about every night of your cruise. It's not listed anyway, and you kind of have to know it exists. On our last cruise, I got some bonus Indian food when the table next to us got it one night. This time, I actually spoke to John, our head server, about it and pre-ordered a gluten free plate of Indian food the night before our dinner. I was also told that the Indian food menu changes every night too.

Omigosh was this amazing. I got what I had on our previous cruise, and it was the hands down best thing I ate on the cruise. Of course, I love Indian food, so I am easily pleased by any plate of curry. I was served Curry Chicken, Spiced Potatoes, and Basmati Rice. Everything was expertly cooked, and I seriously could have eaten platefuls of this. I may have to order Indian food every night on my cruise from now on!

Animator's Palate - Walnut Cake / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, I ordered the Crunch Walnut Cake with Dark Chocolate Mousse and Raspberry Coulis. This is marked gluten free on the menu and does contain dairy. I really enjoyed it last cruise. So, I knew I had to get it this time too. Next time, I may skip dessert because I was SO full from everything I ordered during dinner. But, it was so worth it for the Indian food.

Overall

While both Brandon and I love the theme, we both agreed that Animator's Palate just isn't our favorite restaurant. We find it way too noisy and crowded when we dine there. We both would skip this in favor of dinner at Palo or Remy on our next cruise. That being said, I loved the smoked salmon and being able to get an entrée from Enchanted Garden and my bonus plate of Indian food.

Have you been to Animator's Palate? What did you think of your experience there?

11/16/18 11/16/18

Royal Palace Lunch Review on Disney Dream

*This dining gluten free experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options too.

Lunch at Royal Palace

Royal Palace, located on the Disney Dream, is one of the three main rotational dining restaurants on the ship. On our October 2018 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, we ate at Royal Palace quite a bit. That's because it's one of the restaurant options for breakfast and lunch, in addition to dinner. On this particular occasion, we had lunch at Royal Palace on the day we were in Nassau, Bahamas. We had opted to stay on the ship most of the day and wanted to get a quick bite for lunch.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace has a Disney princess theme -- complete with artwork featuring several different princesses. We absolutely loved the theme of this restaurant and found it to be simple, understated, and the most spacious feeling of the three main restaurants on the ship.

Royal Palace - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Royal Palace definitely has a lot of seating and many large tables for group dining. We were seated at a 4-top table during our dinner at Royal Palace because we requested to dine by ourselves.

Royal Palace - Wallpaper / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You can read a bit more about the theme in my dinner and breakfast review of Royal Palace. But, you can see some charming touches in the photos shown here. I loved the intricate wallpaper found in the restaurant shown in the photo above.

The Food

I have to admit, Brandon and I both weren't really that hungry before we went to lunch. We had already enjoyed a filling breakfast at Royal Palace and decided to have a late lunch after spending some time relaxing in the Rainforest Room in Senses Spa. Because I had pre-ordered lunch, both Brandon and I thought we should at least go to lunch and then eat as lightly as we could. Of course, we both forgot how much food you tend to get on the ship -- even when you try to eat light!

Royal Palace - Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The lunch menu at Royal Palace included a variety of options. And, like breakfast and dinner, options that are gluten free and dairy free are marked on the menu. You can always still ask about other options too. I have found that breakfast and lunch had a lot more flexibility to customize than dinner.

Royal Palace - Gin & Tonic / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, Brandon and I did each order a Signature Gin and Tonic from the lunch menu. It included fresh apple slices and berries which was a nice twist on my favorite drink. For those who aren't sure what alcohol is gluten free, you can always bring a list of options before your trip. Typically, hard alcohol made distilled with gluten containing grains are considered gluten free, due to the distillation process. Gin does not seem to bug me (vodka does), so it's one that I have found I can tolerate.

Royal Palace - Tuna Nicoise / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, I was served the Ahi Tuna Nicoise Salad. This was marked gluten free and dairy free on the menu. Disney Cruise Line's salads are typically pretty boring and bland. I have no idea why, but they just are. This particular salad, however, was really good. The tuna was absolutely outstanding and all of the other ingredients were perfect. The Dijon Mustard Dressing was light, flavorful, and well-seasoned. Definitely a home-run. Because I wasn't that hungry, I could have honestly just had this, my gin & tonic, an allergy-friendly roll and have been completely satisfied. I will definitely be ordering this again on a future cruise.

Royal Palace - Halibut / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my main entrée, I ordered Grilled Filet of Halibut with a White Wine Tomato, Olive, and Garlic Reduction served with Saffron Rice. It was marked gluten free on the menu and contained dairy in some way. Overall, I thought this was just OK. The fish was overcooked. The rice was decent. But, I really did not like the sauce that came with this dish. I am not a red sauce fan, and this one was just oddly flavored. It's not one I would prioritize ordering again.

Royal Palace - Sundae / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, I was given "chef's choice," again. I wasn't at all hungry and tried to tell them that I did not want to have dessert. But, I was still given one anyway. It was a modified version of the Italian Style Ice Cream Sundae and included Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce, and Whipped Cream.

I really do not like regular dairy filled ice cream, even though I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet. I find it way too sweet and rich. I did take a few bites and thought it was definitely way too sweet and rich for me. Brandon ended up eating part of my sundae and thought it was pretty good but preferred the chocolate molten cake he ordered.

One of the biggest lessons I learned on this cruise was to be very specific about desserts. It was probably the only part of any of my meals that I wasn't all that keen on. Next time, I'll be making specific requests instead of going with "chef's choice."

Overall

Both Brandon and I were pleased with our lunch options at Royal Palace. Brandon enjoyed his cheese plate and lamb burger, and I absolutely loved my Ahi Tuna Nicoise Salad. We both agreed that next time we'd eat lighter but that we'd definitely eat lunch at Royal Palace for table service again on another cruise.

Have you been to Royal Palace for lunch on the Disney Dream? What did you think of the options?

11/15/18 11/15/18

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

*This dining gluten free experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options too.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Royal Palace on the Disney Dream is one of three main rotational dining rooms on the ship. And, during the day, Royal Palace was one of the dining rooms open for table service breakfast and lunch. On our most recent cruise, we ended up dining at Royal Palace on day 2 of our cruise, which was our Nassau, Bahamas day. Both Brandon and I prefer the table service restaurants on the ship instead of dining at Cabanas, mostly because we like how much calmer it is and how much easier it is for special dietary needs.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You can read a bit more about the atmosphere of Royal Palace in my dinner review. But, here's is a photo that shows you a bit more of the main dining room at Royal Palace.Both Brandon and I thought the theming of Royal Palace, which is themed after the Disney princesses, was our favorite. We especially liked how spaced out all of the tables were in the restaurant. It felt the most spacious to both of us for dining.

The Food

During our dinner the evening before, our server Jude recommended that we pre-order our meals for the next day. On the other two cruises that I have taken, including our most recent cruise in May 2018, our servers said it wasn't necessary to pre-order our food. But, I have to admit that pre-ordering on this trip made some of our dining experiences a lot easier. So, I can definitely see why you might want to take advantage of it. For our breakfast, I did pre-order several items.

Royal Palace - Breakfast Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Like the dinner menus on the Disney Dream, items that are gluten free or dairy free are noted on the menu. But, I have found that breakfast and lunch have a lot of flexibility for getting modifications to dishes, so be sure to ask your server about options.

Royal Palace Eggs Benedict / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Like our cruise in May, I ordered the Eggs Benedict gluten free. The only modification to the dish was to serve the eggs on allergy-friendly buns. This dish does contain dairy and cannot be modified. So, if you're dairy free, I would recommend ordering another dish. You can get eggs any style, most of the breakfast meats, pastries, and other options gluten free and dairy free, which is great.

If you can have dairy, this is definitely a must-order gluten free. I don't know why but ordering this is just now a tradition for me. I absolutely must get it at least once on our cruise. I love Eggs Benedict, and while this one isn't anything fancy, I've found it to be a really solid breakfast entrée. This visit to Royal Palace it didn't disappoint either.

Royal Palace - Allergy Friendly Mickey Waffles / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In addition to the Eggs Benedict, I also ordered the Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles. These are both gluten free and dairy free. I always love allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, and I was very excited about these after having them at Palo brunch on our recent May 2018 cruise. The ones I had at Palo were so good. So, I was pretty sad when the ones I got at Royal Palace just tasted off.

At first I thought maybe they were using Namaste mix. But, after having some absolutely dreadful gluten free and dairy free pancakes on debarkation day, I'm pretty sure they are also now using the Carbon's Golden Malted Gluten Free Waffle and Pancake Mix.

This is such a huge disappointment because not only is the mix absolutely terrible tasting, but the company does not disclose shared lines that are used to make the mix. The product is certified gluten free. But, the company's transparency is pretty concerning. Next time I will actually ask about the mix before ordering, just like I do at Disney World. I'll also be letting Disney Cruise Line know my thoughts on this mix and encourage them to use Namaste and Bob's Red Mill mixes which are must tastier and safer options.

Overall

Both Brandon and I really enjoyed the low-key atmosphere of our breakfast at Royal Palace. And, we both liked our main entrees. I would definitely get the Eggs Benedict again, though I would probably skip the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles unless they were using one of the mixes that I prefer for taste and safety. Overall, Royal Palace provides a substantial and easy breakfast for anyone who wants to dine at a table service restaurant instead of the buffet in the morning on the ship.

Have you been on the Disney Cruise Line? What's your preference for breakfast options?

11/15/18 11/15/18

Royal Palace Dinner Review on the Disney Dream

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options too.

Dinner at Royal Palace

Royal Palace is one of the main rotational restaurants located on the Disney Dream. This means that it is one of three restaurants that you will dine at on your cruise for dinner. It is included in your cruise fare and does not have any additional charges (except for alcoholic beverages or select beverages on the menu). On our recent cruise on the Disney Dream in May, we missed out on dining at Royal Palace due to dinner reservations at Remy on our last night. For our cruise in October, we actually requested with Disney to dine at Royal Palace on our first night, if possible. Luckily, this request was accommodated. And, we also dined at Royal Palace for breakfast and lunch on our cruise.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace has a theme of Disney princesses. You'll find lots of art work and decor themed to several of the princesses, including Cinderella and Aurora.

We requested our own table in advance and were excited to see that our request had been granted. We were seated at a 4-top table and had a nice view of the restaurant from our location.

Our table was in a section devoted to Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. As you can see, there was a lot of artwork to represent the animated film.

Royal Palace - Table Marker / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also loved our table number that was also themed to the restaurant. Ours had a image of Cinderella and Prince Charming on it.

The Food

Unlike the Disney World theme park, the Disney Cruise Line does not have allergy-friendly menus for meals. Their regular menus do have listings that note GF or DF for dishes that are gluten free or dairy free. However, these typically aren't the only offerings available at a restaurant. And, unlike Disney World, you don't typically speak with a chef on a Disney Cruise. So, I often find myself ordering through a head server which then gets relayed to the kitchen. It feels a bit like a telephone game sometimes. But, I've gotten pretty good at navigating things on the ship.

On this particular occasion, I actually stopped by the Dining Session offered on embarkation day to pre-order two dishes at Royal Palace. Pre-ordering is simply a way for you to request a dish that might need a slight modification instead of ordering directly off the menu with its limited gluten free offerings. I had heard from Christy at Pack Your Pixie Dust that you could pre-order the Chateaubriand steak and even get the deep fried Brie made gluten free with advance notice. When I went to the Dining Session, which was held at Enchanted Garden on our cruise, they made a notation in my reservation and said they might be able to make these requests happen.

After arriving at Royal Palace, our server Jude noted that he had my pre-order request ready to go, which was amazing. As an aside, we absolutely loved our server Jude. He was so on top of both of our special dietary needs and ensured we had delicious food at every meal.

Royal Palace - Ener-G Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

First up, I was given Ener-G brand rolls. On the cruise I was also served regular butter because I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet. On previous cruises, I was told they did not have Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, but I have heard reports that it might be available now on the Disney Cruise Line upon request. Overall, I wouldn't say I really love the Ener-G rolls, but for the most part, they actually heated my rolls well throughout the cruise, which makes a huge difference.

Royal Palace - Seafood Appetizer / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

First up, I received the Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp appetizer, which is served with asparagus, horseradish cream, and dill dressing and is marked gluten free on the menu. This was absolutely delicious and a dish I would order again without hesitation. I love seafood, and this was light and refreshing.

Royal Palace - GF Fried Brie / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up next was the Breaded and Deep Fried Brie, which was made gluten free with advance notice. It was served with an orange and cranberry chutney. Brandon ordered the gluten-filled version of this and also tried mine. He thought both were really good and that mine was a nice alternative for guests who can't have gluten (he actually finished my Brie because I couldn't eat it all). I loved the orange and cranberry chutney that came with it. That was a nice contrast to the rich and buttery fried Brie.

Royal Palace - Chateaubriand / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entrée, I ordered the Chateaubriand-Roasted Filet Steak with Crushed Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Red Wine Jus. This was made gluten free with advance notice. Overall, I thought the steak was well cooked and seasoned. I also enjoyed the potatoes a lot. The green beans were pretty bland, so nothing special there. The Red Wine Jus was excellent, but I have to admit that I wished I had more on the plate. The only entrée on the menu at Royal Palace marked gluten free was the duck, which I am not a fan of, so I would definitely order this again instead of opting for duck.

Royal Palace - Creme Brulee / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, I was given "chef's choice," which is a fancy phrase for whatever gluten free dessert they can find. One thing I learned on this cruise was to be very specific if I have requests, because I had several desserts I did not really enjoy. The Creme Brulee I was served here was definitely not one that I enjoyed. I have never been a fan of creme brulee, mostly because I do not like the texture. This version was no different, so I really didn't eat more than a bite or two of it. It seemed like it was a decent creme brulee, just not my personal preference. Next time I'd ask for something chocolate based instead.

Overall

Both Brandon and I agreed that Royal Palace was our favorite main dining room option on the cruise. We liked the food a lot there, and we both felt that the restaurant was much calmer and quieter than say Animator's Palate which is always very crowded and noisy. We would definitely make sure we get to Royal Palace on our next cruise on the Disney Dream instead of skipping it for adult dining.

Have you been to Royal Palace on the Disney Dream? What did you think of this restaurant?

11/15/18 11/15/18

Beaches and Cream Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options.

Dinner at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a charming table service restaurant that serves up classic soda shop fare like burgers, fries, and ice cream sundaes. Both Brandon and I love the sundaes at Beaches and Cream. Recently, we took Brandon's parents there for dinner and ice cream sundaes and to celebrate Brandon's mom's birthday.

Atmosphere

One of the things we love most about Beaches and Cream is the 1950s soda shop theme. It's kitschy and retro in such a delightful way.

Beaches & Cream - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The only big downside we have found to Beaches and Cream is the size. It's a very tiny restaurant, so wait times to be seated can be pretty intense. On this particular visit, we waited 30 minutes past our time. And, I swear we only got seated because we asked about it several times.

Beaches & Cream Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see from the photo, the restaurant is very popular. Do make sure to make ADRs for Beaches and Cream if you're interested in dining there or be prepared for either a long wait or to go to the to-go counter.

Beaches & Cream - Jukebox / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

There are so many fun details in Beaches and Cream. I love the retro jukebox and bright colorful decor.

The Food

Beaches and Cream does have an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. But, I do highly recommend speaking to a manager or coordinator about options. That's because I have found that Beaches and Cream can accommodate with a lot of additional options or easy modifications if you ask.

On this visit, we started off with an odd interaction with our server. He asked about my special dietary need, and I noted that I had celiac disease. He asked me if I was OK with cross-contamination. Um, no. With that question, I immediately asked to speak with a manager and was brought a server who is noted as the coordinator. Because of the small space in Beaches and Cream, typically a cast member designated to assist with special dietary needs will work with you instead of a chef. Overall, I've not had any issues with this in the past. But, this visit would prove to be a challenge overall.

I asked the coordinator if I could get the gluten free reuben (which I ordered on our last visit) with fries. I was told this would not be an issue. Everyone else placed their order. Then our server came back and asked if he could bring everyone else's food out since mine was not ready. And, then I waited. And waited. And waited. A full 30 minutes later my food arrived, only after I asked our server and manager about my food.

Beaches & Cream - Gluten Free Reuben Sandwich / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see by this photo, everyone in our party had already finished their main meal by the time mine arrived. My gluten free Reuben sandwich was soggy and cold as were my French Fries. The fries come from a dedicated fryer at Hurricane Hannas -- the restaurant at the pool area of the Beach Club. While I loved this sandwich on our last visit, this time it was pretty mediocre at best.

When my food arrived, I asked if I ordered my dessert then if it would take this long as everyone else was going to order sundaes. I was advised that it wouldn't. But, I still ordered it anyway. The coordinator told me that the sandwich took so long because that's how special diets orders work there. I did note that we have eaten there multiple times and never had this issue. However, it seemed like no one working that day was very concerned about the length of the wait or the quality of the meal.

Beaches & Cream - Gluten Free & Dairy Free No Way Jose Sundae / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Funnily enough, my gluten free and dairy free version of the No Way Jose Sundae arrived before everyone else's did and while I was only halfway through eating my sandwich. So, sadly, timing was a major issue at Beaches and Cream that day. My sundae, which contained chocolate and vanilla Tofutti, Hershey's Chocolate Sauce, and peanut butter sauce was delicious as always. But, the overall experience at the restaurant was just pretty disappointing. In fact, we all agreed that next time we would just order ice cream and that was it.

Overall

I have had pretty good experiences at Beaches and Cream over the years, but this one was not good. So much so that I did contact Disney Guest Services about it. My main meal was not great -- mostly due to the temperature and condition of the food when it arrived. My sundae was outstanding. But, it's also pretty hard to mess a sundae up. I would recommend being prepared for waits when you dine at Beaches and Cream if you order food besides the sundae. This is definitely a restaurant that we would skip for a while based on the service and food quality.

Have you been to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop? What was your dining experience there?

11/14/18 11/14/18

Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in November 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options and modifications.

Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern

Liberty Tree Tavern, located in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom, is a table service restaurant that serves classic Thanksgiving-style meals in a setting inspired by colonial America. Recently, we had dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern before Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to enjoy a meal that made us think of the holidays. I've been to Liberty Tree Tavern quite a few times over the years. But, this was Brandon's first visit, and I was looking forward to hearing what he thought of the all-you-care-to-enjoy meal there.

Atmosphere

Liberty Tree Tavern - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Liberty Tree Tavern - Fireplace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Liberty Tree Tavern - Christmas Tree / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Liberty Tree Tavern - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Liberty Tree Tavern is set to resemble a colonial style inn. And, you can see touches of this theme as soon as you approach the restaurant.Once you step inside the restaurant, you'll find lots of colonial style touches, including a large fireplace when you first enter the building.Although the fireplace isn't functional, it does really add to the theming of the restaurant. I also love all the other touches, like colonial style cookware and china.During the holiday season, Liberty Tree Tavern has simple, but festive decor, including this charming Christmas tree.You'll dine in one of 6 themed rooms that represent important figures from American history. This includes: Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson
John Paul Jones
Paul Revere
Betsy Ross
George Washington

Liberty Tree Tavern Betsy Ross Room / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Liberty Tree Tavern Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While you can request specific rooms, depending on when you visit request may not be able to be accommodated due to how busy it is.On this visit, we were seated in the Betsy Ross Room. Because Betsy Ross was credited with making the first American flag, you'll see touches of this throughout the room. That includes several flags and sewing tools.There is a ton of detail in every dining room in Liberty Tree Tavern. So, I definitely encourage you to take a look around after your meal to check it all out.

The Food

Of course, we were there for the Thanksgiving-style food. We were both starving and definitely ready for a hearty meal. And, we were definitely not disappointed with our experience at Liberty Tree Tavern. If you have a special dietary need, you'll be given an allergy-friendly menu before ordering. Everything at the restaurant is served family style. Depending on your special dietary need and those dining with you, you may be brought platters to share or your own platter. On this occasion, our server noted that we would each be given our own plates to ensure safety.

Liberty Tree Tavern - Allergy Friendly Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, I was brought Deanna's Gluten Free brand rolls. These are my favorite on Disney property. And, they were well heated at Liberty Tree Tavern. The rolls are gluten free and dairy free. If you are also dairy free, be sure to ask for Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, which the restaurant has on hand. If you can have dairy, you will be served butter with your rolls.

Liberty Tree Tavern - Salad / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Next up was a platter of Declaration Salad which is safe for gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergies. I was a bit sad when I learned that the salad dressing was no longer a strawberry vinaigrette -- which Liberty Tree Tavern has been serving for years -- and is not instead a honey-shallot vinaigrette. While the salad was just OK, I found the honey-shallot vinaigrette to be pretty bland, especially when compared to the original vinaigrette served here. Neither one of us ate that much salad, as were weren't that impressed with the dressing, and we were saving room for the rest of the meal.

Liberty Tree Tavern - Dinner Plate / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The great part about Liberty Tree Tavern is that you can get an entire Thanksgiving-style meal gluten free and even dairy free. That's because the restaurant has made easy modifications to prepare dishes that are safe for a variety of special dietary needs. On this visit, I was served a plate that included gluten free mashed potatoes, green beans with garlic, stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkey, roast pork, pot roast, and gravy. The only component on my plate that contained dairy were the mashed potatoes. But, if you're dairy free, you'll be able to get a dairy free version of the mashed potatoes too.

In terms of the meal quality, I was super impressed. Both Brandon and I agreed that the mashed potatoes were excellent and that all of the meats were really good too. Of the meat, we both thought the pot roast was the most flavorful. The turkey was also good. We both liked the roast pork the least, and I think that's primarily due to the sauce that was on it. It was some type of spicy mojo sauce that did not fit in at all with the meal or the theme of the restaurant. I really do miss the days when they had ham on the menu. My favorite parts of the meal had to be the gluten free (and dairy free) stuffing and gravy. Goodness gracious I could eat both of these everyday. I also have to have to give Liberty Tree Tavern credit for making really flavorful green beans too.

One of the benefits of an all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurant is that you can order as much as you want. I did end up getting a second plate with turkey, pot roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. I'm not gonna lie, I was plain stuffed from all the stuffing I ate at this meal!

Liberty Tree Tavern - Gluten Free Brownie / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, I was served a gluten free brownie with ice cream. If you're dairy free, you can get allergy-friendly cookies or sorbet for dessert as an option, which I've had in the past. I have to admit that I probably should have asked for sorbet because I was so full. But, Brandon and I ended up splitting the brownie as he actually preferred it to the Ooeey Gooey Toffee Cake that he was served. I believe they used the OMG It's Gluten Free brand brownie, and we both thought it was delicious, especially because it was nice and warm. Next time, I would probably just order the sorbet or the brownie minus the ice cream.

Overall

Both Brandon and I thoroughly enjoyed Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. We both thought the meal was very tasty and extremely filling. Although we both agreed that this is a restaurant that we wouldn't go to all the time, we love the idea of dining here during the holiday season for a holiday inspired meal. It was absolutely perfect for as our dinner before Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. If you're interested in going to Liberty Tree Tavern but don't want the all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner, you can also dine here a la carte for lunch. That's definitely a much lighter way to enjoy Thanksgiving-style food.

Have you been to Liberty Tree Tavern? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

11/14/18 11/14/18

The Wave Lunch Review at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in November 2018.

Lunch at The Wave

The Wave, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is a table service restaurant that Brandon and I have come to love for a low-key and delicious dinner at Disney World. I also really enjoy breakfast at The Wave. But, I've had just OK experiences at lunch. Recently, my mom came into town for holiday shopping. And, we decided to get lunch at The Wave to see if lunch had improved.

Atmosphere

Although I did not take many photos on this particular visit, you can read a bit more about the theme and decor inside The Wave on some of my previous reviews of the restaurant.

The Wave - Restaurant Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the things that I loved about our recent visit was that the restaurant had some holiday decorations up in the entrance and waiting area.

The Wave - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When we dined at The Wave, the restaurant was pretty quiet, so it was nice for a low-key lunch.

The Food

The Wave does offer an allergy-friendly lunch menu, and you can also speak to a chef at any time to discuss any questions that you might have. On this particular visit, I opted to order an entrée directly off the allergy-friendly menu. But, I probably should have asked to speak with a chef, as our server lacked much knowledge and was quite honestly one of the worst servers that we have had at Disney in years. So, when in doubt, do be sure to speak with a chef.

The Wave - Chicken Sandwich / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I ended up ordering the Grilled Chicken Sandwich which included Herb Marinated Chicken Breast, Avocado, Applewood-smoked Bacon, Lemon Ailoi, Lettuce, and Tomato on an Allergy-Friendly Bun. This dish was listed as being safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

Because my server could not tell me what the allergy-friendly side would be, I was pleasantly surprised to see waffle fries. I confirmed with another server that the fries were made in a dedicated allergy fryer. And, even better, they were the exact same waffle fries that are currently being served at Geyser Point Bar & Grill that Brandon and I love.

Overall, I thought the chicken sandwich was excellent. The combination of avocado, bacon, lemon aoili (aka mayonnaise), and chicken was perfect. Everything was well-seasoned and very flavorful. Add to it some delicious waffle fries, and you have a hearty and affordable lunch. My sandwich was $14, and I thought that was very reasonable given Disney's table service prices, even at lunch. I would definitely order this sandwich again.

Overall

While my mom and I both agreed that the food was excellent and the prices reasonable, we both felt the service made the lunch experience less than magical. That being said, Brandon and I have had some of the best servers on property take care of us at The Wave, so I'm guessing this experience was just a random fluke. I would definitely recommend The Wave for any meal offered there. I still think lunch is its weakest meal offering, but the lunch we had this time was the best we've had at The Wave. And, I would recommend it.

Have you been to The Wave? What's your favorite meal there?

11/13/18 11/13/18

Backlot Express Dinner Review

*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in November 2018.

Dinner at Backlot Express

Backlot Express, located in Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a quick service restaurant that serves burgers, fries, and chicken tenders. Although it's nothing fancy, it's long been one of our go-to spots for a quick and easy dinner at Hollywood Studios. Both Brandon and I love it for their allergy-friendly chicken tenders and fries. On this visit, we decided to stop by for a quick dinner on a weeknight while checking out the Flurry of Fun festivities in the park. We also used it as a test for the mobile ordering which now allows some special dietary needs ordering options.

Atmosphere

Backlot Express has a theming that represents a working studio backlot -- complete with props and other set design elements. Even though the theming isn't immediately that noticeable, if you stop to look around for a bit, you'll see lots of great detail in the restaurant's theme.

Backlot Express Ordering Counter / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The main ordering area is a little sparse. But, if you keep exploring you'll find lots of cool details.

Backlot Express Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We usually sit on the side of the restaurant where the theming is focused on set-design and studio safety. But, on this visit, we sat on the opposite side, closer to where the backstage of the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular is. In fact, we heard the show going on during in. And, even cooler? We noticed that all of the theming details on this side of the restaurant reflected stunt design. Talk about a nice touch!

The Food

Since Brandon and I were doing mobile order, we took some time to look at the allergy-friendly options in the mobile ordering portion of the My Disney Experience App prior to ordering. The app ordering for special diets is based on dietary need and is formatted similarly to the allergy-friendly menus.

Unfortunately, if you have multiple special dietary needs, you can only order through the mobile ordering with one notation. This is a major limitation of the ordering in our opinion, and I hope they'll work to improve this feature. For instance, on this visit, we only ordered the allergy-friendly chicken tenders under gluten/wheat allergy. If I were dairy free, for instance, I couldn't order it as gluten/wheat allergy AND dairy/milk allergy.

Backlot Express - Mobile Ordering Station / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once you order and pay, you'll have a spot on your app that lets you "check in" when you are at or near the restaurant, so the restaurant can prepare your food. In our case, we checked in about 2 minutes away from the restaurant. We were notified that we could get an alert when our food was ready. I would say we waited probably another 5 minutes or so before we got that notification. Once we received the alert, we went to the area that was designated for mobile ordering pick-up.

Both a manager and another cast member were waiting for us at the mobile ordering pick-up. They not only had prepared our allergy-friendly order as they normally do, but prior to giving us the food, they confirmed our special dietary needs. Our meal was also served on a different color tray like it usually is for special diets orders.

Backlot Express - Allergy Friendly Chicken Tenders / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see by the photo, we received a mobile order receipt with our order too. Both of us ordered the allergy-friendly chicken tenders which are both gluten free and dairy free. This is a favorite of ours. And, we both appreciated getting extra fries on this visit and that everything was very fresh and piping hot. They are always a winner in our book!

Overall

The food was delicious, as always. And, the mobile ordering app was easy to use. But, I would definitely give Disney feedback about allowing guests with multiple dietary needs to flag their meals as such. Unfortunately, the mobile ordering only seems to be really good for those who have one special dietary need. Hopefully, as they continue to refine this service, they'll add in more options and flexibility for guests with special dietary needs. If you do need to order with multiple special dietary needs, I would recommend ordering as you normally would and speaking with a manager prior to ordering.

Have you been to Backlot Express or used mobile ordering? What was your experience?

11/7/18 11/7/18

Animator's Palate Embarkation Lunch Review on the Disney Dream

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options too.

Embarkation Lunch at Animator's Palate

Animator's Palate, located on the Disney Dream, is one of the ship's main rotational dining restaurants for dinner. On our most recent cruise in October 2018, we learned that Animator's Palate was now the restaurant available for guests interested in having a table service lunch on embarkation day. On our previous cruise on the Disney Dream in May 2018, it was Enchanted Garden. On embarkation day, guests can dine either at the table service restaurant that is open or have lunch at Cabanas -- the ship's buffet option. We always prefer the table service option because it's much quieter and it's also much quicker for guests with special dietary needs. I have found Cabanas to always be extra slow when it comes to bringing out my food. So, Animator's Palate it was when we arrived on the ship.

Atmosphere

Animator's Palate is inspired by Disney animation. And, you'll find lots of design elements reflecting art and animation.

Animator's Palate - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Animator's Palate is a restaurant that is currently on every single Disney Cruise Line ship -- although the theme and focus is slightly different in each version of the restaurant. On the Disney Dream, you'll find a show that features Crush from Finding Nemo. It's sort of like Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot. During embarkation lunch, there is no show. But, you do get to enjoy the restaurant's elaborate theming.

Animator's Palate - Table / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I love how the table markers look like a film reel and a paint bucket filled with paint brushes. It's just another great touch to the theme.

As you can see from this photo, the dining room includes chairs that resemble Mickey Mouse, ceiling posts that look like pencils and paintbrushes, and other various touches of animation. I actually really loved that our embarkation lunch was at Animator's Palate so we could look at the restaurant's décor more closely while the restaurant was slower.

The Food

Embarkation Lunch includes a specific lunch menu that is unique to that meal. It is a bit more limited than other menus for dinner or even the regular lunches offered during the cruise. The menu does list items that are gluten free and dairy free. But, I do recommend speaking to your server about options.

Animator's Palate - Embarkation Lunch Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our previous embarkation lunch at Enchanted Garden, I ordered items that were marked GF directly from the menu. On this visit, I did ask if the Leek and Potato Soup might be a safe gluten free option minus the bread. The server noted that he would check with the chef to confirm.

Animator's Palate - Beverages / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While we waited, we did order drinks. We always get a gin & tonic to celebrate our cruise upon embarkation and did so on this visit too. I also ordered an unsweetened iced tea. One quick note about straws. Like Disney World, the Disney Cruise Line is getting rid of straws. You can get paper straws if you ask though.

Animator's Palate - Ener-G Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Before our soups arrived, I was brought Ener-G rolls with butter. Currently, Disney Cruise Line does not carry Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, so if you're dairy free, you'll want to ask for extra virgin olive oil or another substitute for the butter. I am never a big fan of the Ener-G rolls -- mostly because they are not well heated. I was pleasantly surprised at lunch to find that they were actually well heated, which was great.

Animator's Palate - Leek Soup / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Our server also brought me the Potato and Leek Soup minus the bread, as he confirmed that this soup is gluten free (it's also naturally fish/shellfish free) with that simple modification. The soup does contain dairy. So, if you're gluten free and dairy free, I recommend getting a salad or smoked salmon appetizer at embarkation lunch for a gluten free and dairy free option.

Brandon and I both got this soup, and I was pretty impressed with it. I liked the texture and flavors and would definitely order this again.

Animator's Palate - Sirloin / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also both ordered the Sliced Roasted Beef Sirloin with Double Baked Potato, Green Beans, and a Thyme Red Wine Jus. This was marked gluten free and is also fish/shellfish free too. Since we had ordered this on our last cruise in May, we both knew we enjoyed it and that it would be great option. I did have better steak options throughout the cruise. But, this definitely hit the spot on embarkation day. We both agreed that we thought the best part of this entrée is the double baked potato.

Animator's Palate - Chocolate Mousse / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my dessert, I was given the "chef's choice" which turned out to be a chocolate mousse with white chocolate candy swirl and a raspberry mousse. This was gluten free but did contain dairy. Overall, I really liked this dessert, though I think I liked the mousse I had at Enchanted Garden during embarkation lunch on our last cruise a little bit more than this one. Still, it did end up being one of my favorite desserts of the trip. I always recommend speaking to your server about additional options if you're gluten free and dairy free, as they do have desserts for both special dietary needs.

Overall

We enjoyed the embarkation lunch at Enchanted Garden. The table service embarkation lunch continues to be our personal preference. And, we'll definitely be dining at whatever location is open for this on any future cruises that we take. We love the quieter atmosphere and convenience that it provides for guests with special dietary needs.

What has your experience been with embarkation lunch on the Disney Cruise Line?

11/6/18 11/6/18

Coral Reef Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options and modifications.

Dinner at Coral Reef

Coral Reef is a table service restaurant located in The Seas pavilion in Future World at Epcot. It serves up a variety of seafood and coastal inspired meals with exceptional views of the coral reef and its marine life in The Seas. It has been nearly 9 years since I'd dined at Coral Reef and Brandon had never been. We decided to go one evening on a whim to try it out.

Atmosphere

The theming of Coral Reef is set to resemble, well, a reef. Its main focal point are the panoramic views of the Coral Reefs in The Seas pavilion. So, the restaurant has excellent views fo the marine life depending on where you are seated.

Coral Reef - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When we arrived at the restaurant, we were there around 8 p.m. -- about an hour before IllumiNations began. Because we were closer to the end of the evening, we asked if it would be possible to get a seat with a better view of The Seas. They said it might be a little bit of a wait, but we were seated within in 5 minutes after arriving at the restaurant.

Coral Reef Restaurant - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The photos here are as we were leaving the restaurant, when it was nearly empty. One of the biggest things we noticed about Coral Reef is that the decor seems a bit dated. While it does a good job at reflecting the marine life theme, it just felt like it could really use a refurbishment.

We were seated near the front of the restaurant with a view of The Seas marine life. We thought this gave a great view. Our only complaint was that the restaurant's tables seemed very close together. And, because the restaurant was a bit dated, the chairs were extremely old and uncomfortable. We would have preferred a booth and would definitely ask for that next time.

Coral Reef Restaurant - Fish Tank / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were both in awe of the marine life at The Seas. Disney has said that there are are 4,000-plus sea creatures and 85 species of tropical fish in the pavilion. It was so neat to see them up close. Our server Joshua was also a wealth of knowledge and gave us a ton of information about the marine life there. You'll also be given a small guide to help identify some of the marine life too.

The Food

Coral Reef does have an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. You can also ask to speak with a chef if you have questions or need further assistance with ordering due to multiple special dietary needs. On this visit, I opted to order directly from the menu without speaking to a chef, as I felt comfortable with the options I was ordering.

Coral Reef - Ener-G Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

First up, our server Joshua brought me some Ener-G rolls and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread. I usually don't love Ener-G rolls, mostly because they are never well-heated, but on our visit to Coral Reef I was extremely impressed at how well-heated they were. Even Brandon commented that they were really good. I was also glad to see the Earth Balance served with the rolls.

Coral Reef - Mahi Mahi Entree / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I ordered the Seared Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice, Coconut and Cilantro-Lime Sauce, and Avocado-Mango Salsa. It is listed as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Milk, Peanut, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. I am always a big fan of fish and rice, so this was a good dish for me to order. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. The fish was a bit overcooked, but I loved the flavors of the sauces and salsa which were bright and citrusy.

Coral Reef Restaurant - Steak / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Since Brandon is allergic to fish and shellfish, we made sure that we were extra careful on this visit, as restaurants with a lot of seafood are a higher risk for him to eat at. He ended up getting the 10-oz Grilled Top Sirloin Steak with Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Bacon, Creamed Spinach, and Bercy Butter.

This is also listed on the allergy-friendly menu with some modifications (roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables in place of the mashed potatoes and spinach). We confirmed that the dish he ordered was safe for fish and shellfish allergies. It was also gluten free. Guests who are gluten free and dairy free can order the version off the allergy-friendly menu for a safe option. Overall, he said he enjoyed this steak -- though it wasn't his favorite. He really enjoyed the mashed potatoes.

Coral Reef Restaurant - Chocolate Wave Dessert / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I don't normally order dessert, but on this visit, I had to try the Chocolate Wave dessert. I've always heard that it was amazing for guests who are gluten free. So, it was a must order now that I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet. The Chocolate Wave is a Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Curls and Raspberry Gelato. It is listed as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

Overall, I really enjoyed this dessert. Was it my favorite chocolate dessert? No. But, it was really delicious. I loved the addition of the raspberry sauce and gelato. Brandon, on the other hand, was not a fan of those additions, but liked the chocolate cake portion of the dessert. I would definitely order this if we visited Coral Reef again.

Overall

While I wouldn't say that Coral Reef is on the top of our lists of restaurants to eat, we both agreed that the food was good and the atmosphere was excellent. It's also nice to dine at a restaurant in Epcot that has an allergy-friendly menu and is run by Disney directly. Since many of the restaurants in the World Showcase are not owned & operated by Disney, they may or may not follow the same special dietary needs protocols. So, Coral Reef can be a great option for those who feel safer with Disney owned restaurants. We would definitely visit again, though I'd love to see this restaurant get a bit of a refurbishment, as it feels somewhat dated. Overall, though, we had a safe and pleasant meal in a unique setting.

Have you been to Coral Reef? What did you think of your dining experience there?

11/5/18 11/5/18

ABC Commissary Dinner Review

*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in November 2018.

Dinner at ABC Commissary

ABC Commissary is a quick service restaurant located in Disney's Hollywood Studios. It offers burgers, salads, and chicken tenders during lunch time and offers a bit more upscale meal options at dinner. You can read a bit more about some of the other dishes that we have tried in previous visits for dinner here on the blog. On this visit, we stopped by ABC Commissary specifically for allergy-friendly chicken tenders which both Brandon and I love. You can also get them at Backlot Express but Brandon really loves the thick-cut steak fries offered at ABC Commissary.

Atmosphere

ABC Commissary's theme is set to reflect an actual commissary at a working TV and film studio. With that in mind, it includes a lot of extra seating and sparse décor.

ABC Commissary Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the things that Brandon and I frequently comment on about ABC Commissary is that the interior is pretty dated. The seats aren't the most comfortable and all of the carpet and furnishings look like they haven't been changed since the mid-1990s.You'll see the classic 90s pastel colors throughout the restaurant too.

ABC Commissary Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We ended up finding a nice cozy corner where there weren't a lot of other guests for dinner, so we had a good view without feeling like we were in a crowded space. As you can see from the photos, the restaurant does have a lot of tv show posters and memorabilia throughout the restaurant -- keeping with the commissary theme.

The Food

I was excited going to ABC Commissary because I thought I might be able to finally use the mobile ordering for special dietary needs. Unfortunately, when I got into the mobile order section of the My Disney Experience App, I noticed that the allergy-friendly chicken tenders were not listed as an option for guests to order. So, we ended up going through the regular line to order. If you're not getting allergy-friendly chicken tenders, you can find a variety of options listed as gluten friendly in the app.

ABC Commissary Gluten Free Mobile Ordering / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Since we did not order through the app, I also didn't get a chance to see if you can order special diets options with multiple special dietary needs. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to try this out soon.

ABC Commissary - Allergy Friendly Chicken Tenders / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Thankfully, you can still order allergy-friendly chicken tenders with French fries at ABC Commissary. We each got an order. And, I asked for a few sides of Ken's Dressing Cocktail Sauce which is gluten free. Everything I ordered was both gluten free and dairy free.

When you order at ABC Commissary, you will be given a pager for your table, and a manager will bring you your order. This is a really nice feature, and we're both big fans of this method or ordering at quick service restaurants. It's so much better than waiting around the counter while they make your food.

Although I don't typically love steak fries as much as the thinner fries offered at Disney, I thought the ones we got that evening were really well cooked. Everything was piping hot and fresh from the fryer. As you can see, ABC Commissary (at the time of this review) was still serving the Ian's brand allergy-friendly chicken tenders.

Overall

We both enjoy grabbing a quick dinner of allergy-friendly chicken tenders and fries whenever we are at ABC Commissary. It never disappoints, and we always get plenty of food. One of these days, we will have to try some of the other dishes offered too!

Have you been to ABC Commissary? What do you order when you dine there?

11/2/18 11/2/18

Geyser Point Bar & Grill Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options.

Dinner at Geyser Point Bar & Grill

Geyser Point Bar & Grill, located at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, is a hybrid of quick service and table service dining options. That's because you can order from a quick service counter or dine in the lounge/bar area of the restaurant. We really enjoy Geyser Point Bar & Grill for it's affordable and delicious sandwiches -- and especially for their gluten free waffle fries! Recently we stopped by Geyser Point for a late dinner after a movie at Disney Springs.

Atmosphere

Because it was late, I totally spaced on taking any photos at the restaurant. Here's a photo from a previous visit. As you can see it shows the covered al fresco dining area at Geyser Point Bar & Grill. If you want to see more photos of the restaurant, check out a previous review I wrote here on the blog.

Geyser Point Bar & Grill Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of my favorite things about Geyser Point is dining there in the evening and sitting closer to the water so that we can watch the fireworks or the Electric Water Pageant. There's just something relaxing and magical about that!

The Food

I am always so surprised at how great the food is at Geyser Point Bar & Grill. There are plenty of gluten free options too. Currently, the restaurant does not have an allergy-friendly menu. But, you will get a chance to speak with a chef who will go over options with you. On this visit, I opted to order something different instead of the burger that I usually get.

Geyser Point Bar & Grill - GF Turkey Sandwich / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The chef prepared for me the Smoked Turkey Sandwich which comes with Lettuce, Tomato and Cranberry Mayonnaise served with Waffle Fries. The only modification to this dish is the gluten free (and dairy free) bread. In fact, this dish was entirely gluten free and dairy free with just that modification.

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by this sandwich. It was very flavorful and the turkey was really delicious. I loved the cranberry mayonnaise which added the perfect amount of tang to the dish. It was nice and light -- perfect for a late dinner in the evening or on a hot day. Of course, the waffle fries made in a dedicated fryer continue to be my favorite thing at Geyser Point. I don't know what it is but these waffle fries are epicly good!

Overall

Geyser Point Bar & Grill continues to be a low-key and pleasant place to get a quick service style meal that's filling, delicious, and not too pricey. It's best enjoyed when the temperatures are a little "cooler" or later in the day when the sun has gone down. For us, the combination of food and atmosphere make it a must-do on our regular rotation of Disney restaurants.

Have you been to Geyser Point Bar & Grill? What did you think of the special dietary needs options?

11/2/18 11/2/18

Everything Pop Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options.

Dinner at Everything Pop

Everything Pop is a food court style quick service restaurant located at Disney's Pop Century Resort. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for guests and includes a lot of retro inspired meals. It's been a while since I've dined at Pop Century. Recently, I stopped by for dinner while I was visiting friends who were staying at the resort.

Atmosphere

Everything Pop's theming is inspired by nostalgia. From the 1950s to the 1990s, there's a bit of retro fun for every generation. Before you walk into the food court, you'll find a shopping area too.

Everything Pop Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once you're past the shopping area, you'll find a brightly lit seating area and food court style dining area. I do find that there's ample seating in the restaurant, which is nice because it definitely can get busy at Everything Pop.

Everything Pop Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

My favorite spots to dine at Everything Pop do tend to be some of the booths near the sides of the restaurant where it can be a little quieter.

The Food

Everything Pop has offered allergy-friendly menus in the past. But, every time I've visited, a chef has come out to talk to me about options and has told me that I don't need to use a menu. I really do appreciate that the chefs work to customize and make delicious meals for you (and give you more options!). On this visit, I was greeted by Chef Williere, who I haven't seen in ages. He used to work at 50s Prime Time Café back in the day and used to call me the "chicken lady" because I ordered the gluten free & dairy free fried chicken so much. He also used to work at Whispering Canyon Cafe too. So, it was great to see a familiar face.

He told me that I could get a lot of options. This included:

Seared Salmon
Carved Rotisserie Turkey Breast (You can choose several dairy free sides)
Seasonal Risotto
Allergy-Friendly Chicken Tenders (both gluten free and dairy free)
Hamburgers (dairy free) and Cheeseburgers
Various Sandwiches

Of course, this isn't a full list but it gives you an idea of the types of meals they could make. I'm pretty sure Chef Williere would have made me just about anything I asked for too -- he was that accommodating.

I ended up ordering the Carved Rotisserie Turkey Breast with mashed potatoes and green beans. For some reason this just sounded good! Everything on the plate was gluten free. But, the mashed potatoes do contain dairy. If you're dairy free, you can easily swap out the mashed potatoes for another side too, which is nice.

Overall, I really liked this dish. The turkey was super moist and tender and not dry (which I feared from a food court style quick service). The green beans were well seasoned and had lots of flavorful garlic in them. My favorite part of the meal was actually the mashed potatoes, which were super creamy and rich. And, as you can see, the entire dish was a huge portion and could easily be split by two people!

Overall

If you are staying at Pop Century, Everything Pop is an excellent restaurant to get delicious and safe food that has a lot of flexibility for options and customization. I consistently hear rave reviews about the chefs at Pop Century for their willingness to work with any special dietary needs to offer lots of variety for their guests. Although I don't go there often, I'm really glad that Everything Pop works to provide a great variety of options.

Have you been to Everything Pop? What do you think of the special dietary needs options there?

10/30/18 10/30/18

The Mara Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes information about dairy free options.

Dinner at The Mara

The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is a restaurant that serves classic quick service-style fare along with African inspired meals. Although I have not been to The Mara in a while, I always appreciate the options and flexibility that the chefs there provide guests. On this visit, we decided to stop by in the evening after work for a quick meal. We were getting ready to leave on a Disney Cruise soon, so neither Brandon or I were feeling like cooking as we got ready for vacation.

Atmosphere

The Mara is named for a river flowing through Kenya and Tanzania. And, it's theming reflects an African savannah. You'll see lots of light fixtures and beams that are made to resemble trees and leaves.

The Mara Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In the ample seating area, you'll also find a lot of gorgeous murals surrounding the restaurant's exterior walls that features various African animals.

The Mara Mural / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I have to admit that I'm always charmed by the artwork on these walls. And, with that in mind, I usually find a seat against the walls so I can look at the artwork more closely.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, The Mara has an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. When you arrive at The Mara, ask for the allergy-friendly menu and to speak with a chef or manager. They will take your order and help ensure whatever you get is both safe and delicious.On this visit, both Brandon and I were craving allergy-friendly chicken tenders, so we both ordered those. If you're both gluten free and dairy free, you can also find the following listed on the allergy-friendly menu as safe options:

Black Angus Burger served with French Fries
African Potjie served with Basmati Rice and Allergy-Friendly Bread

Do ask a chef for additional options, as we saw several menu items that we thought could easily be made gluten free or gluten free and dairy free with slight modifications. So, it's definitely worth asking.

The Mara - Food Pager / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once we ordered, we were given a pager and told we could find a seat. I would say the overall wait for our chicken tenders was about 10 minutes from ordering to pick-up.

The Mara - Allergy-Friendly Chicken Tenders / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Our Allergy-Friendly Chicken Tenders were served in to-go boxes, which was a nice touch. We did, however, opt to eat in the restaurant since we didn't want our food to get cold. As you can see, the chicken tenders here are still the Ian's brand of allergy-chicken tenders versus the new brand being served at Columbia Harbour House. As always, these were delicious and a great dinner option that we both enjoy.

Zebra Domes Ingredients / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In addition to the allergy-friendly chicken tenders, the manager encouraged us to try the Gluten Free Zebra Domes. Believe it or not, I had never had these! Since I was dairy free for so many years, they were not an option and also have never appealed to me now that I reintroduced dairy back into my diet. But, we decided to give them a try. As you can see, they do contain egg, soy, and dairy.

Zebra Domes - The Mara / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

With 4 Zebra Domes in a package, I was glad we each had a chance to try these. I found them to be just a little too sweet for my taste, but Brandon loved them. These are definitely one we'd pick up for him anytime we're at The Mara. In fact, we were just talking about getting dinner there again soon, and Brandon mentioned we should get them! So, they definitely are a winner for him.

Overall

The Mara provides several delicious quick service special diets friendly options for guests visiting the resort. I always recommend speaking to a chef about additional options beyond what's listed in the allergy-friendly menu, as I have found them to be an excellent quick service restaurant for customization. Of course, if something simple like allergy-friendly chicken tenders is what you're craving, you can find that at The Mara too.

Have you been to The Mara? What did you order when you dined there?

10/20/18 10/20/18

Cookes of Dublin Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes information about dairy free options.

Dinner at Cookes of Dublin

Cookes of Dublin is a quick service restaurant located in Disney Springs. It has been a long-time favorite of mine for reasonably priced meals and lots of gluten free (and dairy free) options. Recently, we stopped by Cookes of Dublin for a quick dinner before we saw a movie. We've seen several movies at the AMC Dine-In Theatre there lately, and sometimes getting a quick and affordable meal before the movie is a nice treat.

Atmosphere

Since we recently dined at Cookes of Dublin and wrote a dining review of that visit, I won't go into a lot of detail about atmosphere. I think one of the things that makes Cookes of Dublin charming is that it looks like a proper take-away fish & chips shop.

Cookes of Dublin - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One note is that we did go on a Friday night, and it was very busy. We found a table but only after waiting a bit for one to open up. As you can see, the restaurant interior is quite narrow and small. There is also seating near the bar outside and in front of the restaurant too. On this visit, every seating area was full.

Cookes of Dublin - Table Marker / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once we found a spot, I placed my Cookes of Dublin table marker up at my table. This helps identify to the cast members which table an order goes to. I'd still love to see them use electronic table markers like D-Luxe Burger, as I think it would really help the cast members from having to wander around looking for tables a lot -- especially on a busy night.

The Food

On this particular visit, I let the cast member at the register know about my special dietary need. She immediately let me know that they were out of several items and also had some equipment issues so some items would not be an option either. Essentially, I could have gluten free sandwiches & French fries (made in a dedicated fryer) and a modified version of the Hog in a Box entree. With that in mind, I opted for the Grilled Chicken Sandwich.If you’re gluten free and dairy free there are a few of the options currently available if you dine at Cookes of Dublin and are typically available. You can see that list here along with links to reviews I've written about these different options.

Fish & Chips
Chicken Tenders
Battered Burger & Chips
Hog in a Box (with quite a few modifications)
Cheeseburger & Chips
Grilled Chicken Sandwich & Chips
Onion Rings

Cookes of Dublin - Chicken Sandwich / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I ordered the Char-grilled Chicken Breast with Herb Aioli, Tomato Chutney, and Greens on a Gluten Free Bun served with French Fries and a side of Dalkey Mustard and Tartar Sauce. I also added bacon and cheese to the sandwich, which was suggested to me by the cast member who took my order. Everything here is gluten free. Both the Dalkey Mustard and Tartar Sauce are also dairy free. But, I believe the herb aioli contains dairy.

While I do tend to order the gluten free & dairy free fish and chips at Cookes of Dublin, it was a nice change of pace to have the chicken sandwich. The flavors were excellent, and I really liked the addition of the bacon and cheese. The tomato chutney on this sandwich isn't my favorite, so I might order it without it the next time. The gluten free bun had some issues holding up well to the herb aioli on the sandwich. So, be warned that this might get a little messy to eat.

The French fries were good, as always, but the stars are really the sauces. I always recommend sauces on the side. Unfortunately, they were out of cocktail sauce on this visit, but the Tartar Sauce and Dalkey Mustard are always very tasty too.

Overall

Cookes of Dublin is a tasty and affordable option if you're dining in Disney Springs. If you're craving gluten free fried foods, you really can't go wrong with the options they serve here too. The sandwiches are also excellent, which means you'll find a good amount of options when you dine at Cookes of Dublin gluten free.

Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What did you order when you dined there?

10/16/18 10/16/18

Kona Café Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options.

Dinner at Kona Café

Kona Café is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. It used to be one of my all-time favorite restaurants at Disney World for a delicious allergy-friendly breakfast, but I admit that it's slipped off my list the last few years due to menu changes and reduced options. So, it's been a while since I've been to Kona. On this particular occasion, Brandon and I decided to get dinner at Kona Café during a weeknight for a rare mid-week restaurant meal to see how the dinner options were.

Atmosphere

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort is hands down one of my favorite resorts on Disney property. I love the island vibe and the charm of the mid-century modern décor. Kona Café is bright and cheerful, though I have to admit I think it could use a bit of a refresh.

Kona Cafe Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon had actually never eaten at Kona Café before -- though we've walked past it a million times -- and his initial reaction was that it seemed like it needed a refurbishment. I can't say that I disagree, as the benches and general seating area fabric has seen a lot of wear and tear.

Kona Cafe Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see, the décor definitely reflects a bit more of a contemporary (or perhaps a early 2000's) version of Polynesian décor.

There are lots of bright patterns and quite a few seating areas with fabric benches.

All in all though, the restaurant is bright and chipper, which I think I prefer more for breakfast versus dinner. Both Brandon and I agreed that the restaurant could benefit from a bit less lighting, as it was very bright inside. I'd love to see this restaurant get a bit more of a mid-century modern refurbishment too!

The Food

Like most restaurants owned and operated by Disney World, Kona Café has an allergy-friendly dinner menu. Guests can also speak to a chef at any time if they have questions or want to discuss options available to them. On this visit, I did not speak with a chef, as I ordered an item on the menu with a slight modification that was easy to make without talking to a chef.

Kona Cafe - Allergy-Friendly Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

First up, our server brought me some Deanna's Gluten Free rolls which are both gluten free and dairy free. I was impressed that they were well-heated on this visit. I have had hit or miss experiences with these rolls being heated well at the Polynesian Village Resort restaurants. So, I was very happy they were heated properly on this visit.

The only dairy that I had on this visit was the Macadamia Nut Butter that came with my rolls. Kona Café also carries Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, so be sure to ask if you are dairy free or vegan for this option. I decided to try the Macadamia Nut Butter on this visit, as I have never actually tried it before.

Kona Cafe - Macadamia Nut Butter / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Overall, I thought it was tasty but entirely too sweet for my personal preferences. Next time, I think I would just get the Earth Balance instead. I think this butter would be terrific with gluten free & allergy-friendly Mickey waffles or pancakes though!

Kona Cafe Allergy Friendly Rice Bowl with Chicken / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entrée, I ordered the Chicken Asian Stir Fry in an Allergy-Friendly Sauce. This dish normally comes with rice noodles (that are gluten free), but I much prefer rice. When I ordered I asked the server if I could swap noodles for rice, and he said that was not a problem. I've done this pretty much every time I've ordered the stir fry, so it's nice to know it's an easy swap.

The Chicken Asian Stir Fry is listed as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Tree Nut Allergies. It does contain peanuts in the dish.

This was such a delicious entrée. Brandon ordered the chicken stir fry with noodles and regular soy sauce and also loved his version too. We both thought the portion size was decent for the price and that the flavors were outstanding. This will definitely continue to be my go-to dish at Kona Café for dinner.

Overall

While I wouldn't say that our meal was anything special, we both found the Chicken Stir Fry to be extremely tasty and filling. In looking at the dinner menu at Kona Café, we both agreed that the Chicken Stir Fry is going to be our go-to at this restaurant. Add in some delicious gluten free rolls, and you have a delicious and easy table service meal.

Have you been to Kona Café for dinner? What did you order when you dined there?

10/15/18 10/15/18

Cookes of Dublin Dinner Review

*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in October 2018.

Dinner at Cookes of Dublin

Cookes of Dublin is one of my favorite quick service spots in Disney Springs. Not only is the food reasonably priced, but they also have proper Irish fish & chips that you can get both gluten free and dairy free. Recently, I stopped by Cookes of Dublin for a quick dinner before we saw a movie at the AMC Dine-In Theatre in Disney Springs. We knew we didn't have time for a full table service meal, so Cookes of Dublin it was!

Atmosphere

We were in a bit of a hurry to make sure we got to our movie on-time, so I admit that I really didn't take many photos of the restaurant. You can read a bit more about the restaurant and see a few more photos in my last review here on the blog.

One thing to note is that the restaurant can get very busy, and seating is limited. Luckily, we were able to get one of the high-top tables near the back of the restaurant where we had a little bit more space than the tables and chairs you see in the photo above.

After placing my order, I was given a placard to place on our table with a number to help the cast members identify where to bring food orders. I do kind of wish that they would get the electronic pagers that restaurants like D-Luxe Burger are now using. I think it might help out a lot, as I often see cast members walk around a lot trying to find the right number and table.

The Food

Cookes of Dublin has quite a few gluten free and dairy free options for guests. This includes almost all of the fried food options too. That's because they make a gluten free and dairy free batter that is fried in a dedicated fryer. If you have additional dietary restrictions, do be sure to ask a manager about ingredients to help you decide if this restaurant is right for you. We actually don't go here quite as much anymore because Brandon is allergic to fish and shellfish and can't eat anything in the restaurant due to shared fryers. So, when in doubt, do ask!

If you're gluten free and dairy free here are a few of the options currently available. I'm also linking to the reviews I've written about some of the dishes I've tried.

Fish & Chips
Chicken Tenders
Battered Burger & Chips
Hog in a Box (with quite a few modifications)
Cheeseburger & Chips
Grilled Chicken Sandwich & Chips
Onion Rings

Cookes of Dublin Gluten Free Fish & Chips / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, I got the gluten free and dairy free fish & chips with a side of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. Both of these sauces are gluten free and dairy free too. I also highly recommend the Dalkey Mustard, which is another gluten free and dairy free sauce offered at Cookes of Dublin.

One word of note about any fried foods at Cookes of Dublin. I often find that the fried foods here are very underseasoned. So, if you find them to be bland tasting, do add a bit of salt. That is the very first thing I do before I dig in! It makes all the difference in the world.

On this visit, I found my fish and chips to be good but not great. I think that's because the batter on the fish was actually a little undercooked and gooey in a few spots. I like my fish and chips lightly battered. And, Cookes of Dublin is usually very good at this. This visit it was not. I also had a piece of fish that had a good bit of the bloodline in it, which is not at all tasty. So, I had to cut around a good bit of the fish. I still think this is a solid quick service meal, but this visit, it was not quite as good as it normally is.

Overall

Cookes of Dublin continues to be a great quick service spot, especially if you're craving some gluten free and dairy free fried foods. Next time I go, I think I may try another dish on the menu. It's been a while since I've had the Battered Burger. And, that dish is always a winner. Still, you can't go wrong with classic fish and chips, and I am sure I'll be getting it again sometime soon!

Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What do you order when you dine there?

9/9/18 9/9/18

The Wave Breakfast Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2018. Notes about dairy free options and modifications are included in this post.

Breakfast at The Wave

The Wave is a table service restaurant at Disney's Contemporary Resort that serves classic American fare with an emphasis on local and sustainable foods in a relaxed setting. It has quickly become one of our favorite places for a delicious and low-key meal. And, lately, I've been here for breakfast a few times. I recently had breakfast here with my brother before we went to the Magic Kingdom for a hearty breakfast to fuel us for some park touring.

Atmosphere

I've written about the atmosphere at the Wave in a lot of detail in one of my dinner posts. On this visit, I forgot to take a lot of photos because I was all about breakfast. But, as you can see, the restaurant has a large seating area with tables and booths and a strong theme of "waves" throughout.

The Wave - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the things I like most about the Wave is that the décor is simple, yet reflects its theme well. I love the touches of "waves" even in the chairs.

The Food

The Wave serves both an a la carte breakfast and a breakfast buffet. Guests have the option to choose and are presented with both an a la carte allergy-friendly breakfast menu and a breakfast buffet allergen guide. If you choose the buffet, a chef will walk you through the options if you like and prepare you foods in the kitchen to avoid any potential cross-contamination risks. On this visit, I decided to try the breakfast buffet instead of ordering a la carte.

The Wave - Buffet Plate / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The chef pointed out several dishes that were options for me on the breakfast buffet. And, I did try a few things directly from the buffet. This included fresh fruit salad, cheese and bacon grits, bacon, sausage, and deviled eggs. Of these, the cheese and bacon grits were by far my favorite. These are gluten free but do contain dairy and cannot be modified. The same is true for the deviled eggs, which had some cream cheese type topping on them.

The Wave - Gluten Free Breakfast / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The buffet includes eggs to order, although there are eggs on the buffet. And, I ordered a custom omelet with ham, cheese, and onion. I also asked for a side of gluten free (and dairy free) toast, and breakfast potatoes. The breakfast potatoes served on the buffet were more like a hash brown casserole with lots of dairy in them. I prefer the roasted potatoes that are typically served with allergy-friendly meals which are both gluten free and dairy free. I was able to get those from the kitchen upon request.

The gluten free bread currently being served at the Wave is Ener-G brand bread. I have to admit that it's really grown on me lately, as more and more restaurants are serving it. For those who are dairy free or vegan, you can also order Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread for your toast.

The Wave - Custom Omelet / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The omelet wasn't quite as good as the one I had at the Wave on my last visit for breakfast. But, it was still very tasty. The breakfast potatoes here are always a winner. You can ask for them to be served without the peppers and onions if they bother you, as they are simply topped on the potatoes rather than being cooked with them.

The Wave - Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Probably the biggest reason I decided to get the breakfast buffet on this visit were the gluten free and dairy free Sweet Potato Pancakes. These are a must-do and a signature Wave breakfast item. You do need to ask the chef if they have the right batter available and ready to go as sometimes they do run out. Essentially, they add sweet potato puree to the allergy-friendly pancake and waffle batter. Thankfully, they did have it on this visit, though it took quite a bit of time to get them. Unfortunately, these pancakes are a little tricky to work with, and I found out later that they had to make them 4 times in order to get them to the texture and consistency they wanted! I really appreciated the chef's efforts to make these for me.

One important note about these pancakes. They are a bit mushy. That's partially due to the moisture from the sweet potato. So, if you prefer a pancake that's a bit more classic in texture, you might want to avoid these. I personally love the for something a bit different. But, I wouldn't want them all the time either. Still, topped with some 100% pure maple syrup, and you have a real breakfast winner!

Overall

The Wave continues to be a good go-to restaurant for a solid meal, great special diets offerings, and a low-key atmosphere. When my brother and I went, it was busier than normal. But, it's usually fairly quite, making it a nice place to dine and not feel rushed. Overall, I think I prefer the a la carte breakfast menu options over the buffet as a whole. But, there's lots to enjoy when you dine at the Wave.

Have you been to the Wave? What did you order when you dined there?

9/9/18 9/9/18

The BOATHOUSE Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2018. Notes about dairy free options and modifications are included in this post.

Dinner at The BOATHOUSE

The BOATHOUSE, located in Disney Springs, is a table service restaurant that is non-Disney owned and operated. It opened a few years ago in Disney Springs and quickly became a guest favorite for quality food and great atmosphere. We recently stopped by The BOATHOUSE for dinner after seeing a movie at the AMC Dine-In movie theater in Disney Springs. We did not have a reservation. So, we took a gamble trying to get a walk-up. Luckily, they had outdoor seating available for us, which was perfect for a quick and low-key meal.

Atmosphere

The BOATHOUSE is beautiful and chic looking restaurant. With a modern nautical theme, the exterior and the inside reflect those touches.

The Boathouse / Photo taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I love how vast the restaurant is inside. You wouldn't think it from looking at it, but the restaurant is actually quite large. Each room has a slightly different theme/décor that's nautical inspired.

The BOATHOUSE - Table / Photo taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we were seated outside. We had never dined outside, so we were curious about the seating and how hot it might given that we dined there in August. Luckily, for us, we were seated near a shaded area of the restaurant with access to fans above us and due to its proximity to the inside dining, we also got lots of air conditioning draft too. This made for a pleasant al fresco dinner, even with the high temperatures.

The BOATHOUSE Outdoor Seating / Photo taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also had a lovely view of the boat launches and Saratoga Springs Resort in the distance. We timed it just right with sunset, so we had some great views.

The Food

The BOATHOUSE does not have an allergy-friendly menu. But, a chef will come to the table to speak with you about options. On this visit, the chef gave the rundown of the menu, which has an impressive amount of options that are naturally gluten free or can be easily made gluten free. They can also work with a variety of special dietary needs too. I've been there and ordered things dairy free, as well, and had no issues, which is great.

The BOATHOUSE - Gluten Free Roll / Photo taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The chef did offer to bring me a gluten free bun toasted with some butter since they do not have any other options for bread service. I did nibble on this a bit, but not a lot since I had ordered a burger that also came with a bun. They are currently serving Udi's Gluten Free buns which are gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and soy free. They do not currently have a vegan or dairy free butter alternative.

The BOATHOUSE Pimento Cheese Burger / Photo taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On my last visit, I ordered the Classic Cheeseburger and enjoyed. This time, based on the chef's recommendation, I ordered the BOATHOUSE Barbecue Bacon Burger with Creamy Coleslaw, Smokey BBQ Sauce, Pimento Cheese, and House BBQ Spice Rub. This burger is gluten free, when served on a gluten free bun. It does contain dairy, since I've reintroduced that back into my diet. But, if you're dairy free, there are a variety of sandwiches and burgers you can order without dairy in it or easily removed.

Because The BOATHOUSE does not have a dedicated fryer, French Fries are not an option here. I have had different vegetables as sides, with no issues. On this visit, I opted for the Sea Salt Baked Potato. It is served plain and comes with butter and sour cream on the side. If you can't have dairy, this may not be a great option, since they do not carry dairy free or vegan butter alternatives.

I have to say that I was super impressed with this burger. The chef did warn me that the pimento cheese had a bit of a kick, which it did. But, it wasn't so spicy that I couldn't eat it or enjoy it. In fact, the spiciness in the cheese paired really well with the sweetness from the barbecue sauce. The burger itself was very flavorful too. Hands down this is the best burger I've had at The BOATHOUSE, and I would definitely get it again. If you like pimento cheese or just want a burger that's a bit different, this one is for you.

If you're gluten free and dairy free, I highly recommend the classic cheese burger, minus the cheese, if you're craving a burger.

Overall

As always, The BOATHOUSE is a real winner for a delicious meal. While we tend to stick with burgers, sandwiches, and more affordably priced dishes, there are a lot more options to choose from that include fresh seafood and steak. I really appreciate that the chefs always come to your table to discuss options with you when you visit and that they do a great job at accommodating special dietary needs. Plus, the food is just delicious. This is a restaurant we'll definitely keep coming back to again and again.

Have you been to The BOATHOUSE? What did you think of the special dietary needs options?

9/8/18 9/8/18

Liberty Inn Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2018. Notes about dairy free options and modifications are included in this post.

Dinner at Liberty Inn

Liberty Inn is a quick service restaurant located in the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase. It's been my go-to spot for allergy-friendly chicken tenders at Epcot for many years now and is always a solid option for a quick lunch or dinner in the park. On this particular occasion, we stopped by Liberty Inn for dinner while attending the Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event in the park. The event included a complimentary meal for DVC members at several restaurants. Liberty Inn was one of the restaurants listed. So, I knew allergy-friendly chicken tenders were in order.

Atmosphere

We totally forgot to take a lot of photos during dinner this evening, so I'm included a photo from a visit in December. As you can see, Liberty Inn has a colonial theme to it -- though it's not quite as detailed as say Columbia Harbour House in the Magic Kingdom.

Liberty Inn Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the things that threw us on this visit was that it was jam packed. Usually when we go to Liberty Inn it's busy, but not jammed. On this visit, it was the busiest I've seen it in years.

Liberty Inn - Ordering / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

That's probably due to the fact that almost everyone in Liberty Inn was getting their complimentary meal for the DVC Moonlight Magic event before the restaurant closed for the night. So, both Brandon and I were a little worried about ordering allergy-friendly chicken tenders and having to wait a long time.

Liberty Inn - Exterior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our way out, I did snap a quick pic of the inside of the restaurant. It was still pretty busy in there and seating was at a premium.

The Food

Like most restaurants owned and operated by the Disney Company, Liberty Inn has an allergy-friendly menu. Of course, both Brandon and I knew what we wanted -- the allergy-friendly chicken tenders!

Liberty Inn Allergy Friendly Lunch and Dinner Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once you place your order, you are asked to go to a counter near the end of the restaurant. From there, a manager will bring you your special diets order. On this visit, I have to admit, we waited longer than usual. But, given how crowded the restaurant was, we were not surprised or that upset by it. Since we were standing away from the main counters, we didn't feel like we were in anyone's way either.

Liberty Inn -- Allergy Friendly Chicken Tenders / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When the manager brought our allergy-friendly chicken tenders to us, Brandon got so excited. He prefers the current brand of allergy-friendly chicken tenders served on property (Ian's) over the new allergy-friendly chicken tenders that they are testing out at locations like Columbia Harbour House. I really enjoy both. So, any allergy-friendly chicken tender is alright by me!

The Ian's brand allergy-friendly chicken tenders are free of the top common allergens but are often not soy friendly due to the oil used in the allergy fryers. Sometimes you can find them baked at select locations for those who are soy free.

Overall

As always, we both really enjoyed the allergy-friendly chicken tenders. They are always a great go-to when it comes to a quick and filling meal in the parks. We both love them and always look forward to getting them. Liberty Inn continues to be a good go to spot for them too!

Have you been to Liberty Inn? What did you order when you dined there?