9/29/19 9/29/19

Kona Cafe Breakfast Review

Kona Cafe, located in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, used to be one of my family's favorite table service restaurants for breakfast on Disney property. Sadly, the last few years have seen quite a bit of change to the breakfast menu at Kona Cafe. And, so my family slowly stopped going there regularly due to the declining quality of the food, service, and overall options. Recently, my family came into town and wanted to go out to breakfast at Disney. After a two-year gap in eating there for breakfast and hearing how much Brandon and I have been enjoying the new dinner options, we decided to give it a try after a long break.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2019. It includes information about dairy free modifications.

Breakfast at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Polynesian Village Resort is one of my family's all-time favorite resorts on property. We all love the mid-century modern construction and decor. Plus, who doesn't want to feel like they're in Hawaii?!

Polynesian Village Resort Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I always love just hanging out in the resort lobby. The second floor, where Kona Cafe and Ohana are located can be a bit crowded, but if you're there when it's quiet, the cozy chairs on the second floor are a great spot to rest and relax.

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

Kona Cafe is a bit of a lobby-style restaurant, in that it's directly located in the second floor lobby area. Unlike Ohana, where you can walk into a more secluded restaurant area, Kona Cafe is open to the lobby with guests walking by to the shops or the monorail entrance.

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

There is plenty of spacious seating, and if you like a more quiet meal, I always recommend asking for a seat in the back of the restaurant.

As you can see from this photo, the restaurant's decor includes bright mid-century modern colors. Although I do enjoy the charm of this restaurant, the decor does feel a bit dated in Kona Cafe. I swear it hasn't changed since the 1990s, and it could use a bit of a refresh one of these days. But, it's always nice and relaxing to eat at this restaurant -- even if the interior feels a bit dated.

The Food

Like most Disney-owned restaurants, Kona Cafe does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. While it does include a lot of options, I always recommend speaking directly to a chef, especially if you're interested in something not marked safe for your special dietary need on the allergy-friendly menu. As you'll see from this review, I ordered two dishes not marked on the menu but that the chef was able to easily accommodate and modify.

On this visit, my mom and I were talking before we got to the restaurant, and she asked if we could split an order of allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. My mom does not have any special dietary needs, but she actually prefers the allergy options over the regular ones. Neither one of us loves super sweet options at breakfast. So, we decided we would split two entrees to get a little bit of sweet and savory breakfast options.

When the chef came out, I did ask what allergy-friendly Mickey waffle mix they were using. I had heard from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures that the restaurant was using Carbon's Golden Malted Gluten Free Waffle & Pancake Mix. I'm not at all a fan of the flavor of that mix or the texture. And, quite frankly, the waffles made with this mix are just plain gross. On top of that the mix does contain soy. And while it's certified gluten free, the company does not disclose that the mix is made on shared equipment with wheat and several other top eight allergens. I would much rather eat the mixes from Bob's Red Mill or Namaste, which are infinitely tastier and that have much better transparency with their food production and allergy-friendly safety.

That being said, the chef did tell me that they still have Namaste Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix that can be used for pancakes. This was great news because I was very interested in the gluten free macadamia nut pancakes.

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

We decided to order the Polynesian Egg Platter which came with Two Eggs-Any Style with Fresh Fruit Poke, an Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC Donut, and Home-fried Potatoes with Bacon. This dish is not on the allergy-friendly menu. But, the chef said he could easily accommodate this. The only real swap was the regular muffin that comes with it for a gluten free, dairy free, and vegan donut from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC. The entire dish was gluten free and dairy free.

Both my mom and I agreed that we would 100% get this breakfast entree again. The savory components with the eggs, bacon, and potatoes were all excellent. And, it was nice to get a healthy side of fruit along with the breakfast pastry. I was also pleasantly surprised at the taste of the Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC donut. I have found that sometimes they taste a little stale when they're served at a restaurant. But, this one was fresh and very tasty.

Of course, the best part of our breakfast were the Macadamia Nut Pancakes. This includes the pancakes made with Namaste Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix and served with with Macadamia Nut Butter, Pineapple Sauce, and a side of Ham. This dish is gluten free but does contain dairy. You may be able to get a version of these gluten free and dairy free, and I would recommend talking to a chef directly if you're interested in that option.

Both my mom and I were wowed by these pancakes. The flavor was incredible. And the texture was fantastic. The pancakes do contain macadamia nuts in the pancake batter and in the butter served with it. The pineapple sauce was super delicious and added a nice bit of sweetness. Topped with 100% pure maple syrup, this was hands down one of the best sweet breakfast entrees I've had in a very long time at Disney World.

The overall portion was huge too. My mom and I split both entrees, and we both couldn't finish the pancakes because the portion was so big. But, we both agreed that splitting these two entrees was a great way to sample all the different dishes Kona Cafe has to offer. Though, I have to admit, I might lean towards ordering the pancakes over the Polynesian Egg Platter next time I go!

Overall

Kona Cafe has definitely redeemed itself from our previous lackluster experiences a few years ago. While I still miss the old days of Kona Cafe with their famous Big Kahuna Entree, I'm glad to see that the restaurant has added some options that offer some sweet and salty options in one dish. And, I absolutely love the gluten free Macadamia Nut Pancakes. These will be high on my must-order list for breakfast at Kona next time I visit.

Have you been to Kona Cafe for breakfast? What did you think of their options?

*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase products using these links, I will receive a small commission, which helps support my blog. It does not change the price you pay for the products.

9/11/19 9/11/19

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Dinner Review

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, located in Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a table service restaurant that's our go-to spot to dine in DHS. Recently, we had two unplanned dinners at Sci-Fi Dine-In due to challenges with quick service restaurants in the parks either not being open or being unable to accommodate some of our special dietary needs. Of course, both Brandon and I really enjoy Sci-Fi Dine-In, so we're always up for a meal there.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2019 and includes information about gluten free and dairy free options, as well as options for fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Atmosphere

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is set to resemble a 1950s drive-in. Because Hollywood Studios used to have more of the TV and film set theme, Sci-Fi Dine-In acts as a restaurant / working set. I always enjoy looking around at the "behind the scenes" props as you walk to the main restaurant area.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Exterior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even the exterior of Sci-Fi Dine-In has a fun and retro vibe. It's especially fun at night, when the restaurant signs are lit up like a old drive-in signs.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the main dining room, the fun continues. That's because you're actually seated tables that look like vintage cars. Your server is your "car hop," throughout your meal too.

While you're dining, you'll enjoy some nostalgic and charming videos that include retro drive-in theater ads and 1950s Sci-Fi film clips. It's always a highlight of our meal experience at Sci-Fi Dine-In.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Flying Saucer Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In addition to the drive-in car tables, you will also find several "flying saucer" tables in the back of the restaurant. These are often reserved for walk-ups (i.e. guests without dining reservations). Because we did not have reservations on our last two visits, we were seated in the flying saucers.

And, believe it or not, we actually prefer these tables. That's because they are more brightly lit, and they're a bit more removed from the main dining area. We really enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere in the flying saucer seating area.

The Food

Like most Disney-owned restaurants, Sci-Fi Dine-In does offer guests with special dietary needs an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. You can also speak directly with a chef about options, as well. If you have special dietary needs not covered by the allergy-friendly menus, we always recommend speaking directly with a chef too.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Allergy-Friendly Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our last two visits, we spoke with Chef JR, who was really great at talking through the various options. Because of Brandon's chicken & turkey allergies, we always double-check on allergy-friendly fryers. Locations like Backlot Express, for example, have a dedicated allergy-friendly fryer but fries allergy-friendly chicken tenders in them -- making them not safe for Brandon. Sci-Fi Dine-In has not only an allergy-friendly fryer, but they also have a vegan fryer too. This means that Brandon can get safe fries whenever we dine there.

Sci-Fi Dine-In / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I've had quite a few blog readers ask about the paper straws that Disney is now using in their restaurants as there has been some discussion about gluten in paper straws. Disney's official website has noted that any Disney-owned locations, like Sci-Fi Dine-In, currently use the Aardvark brand paper straws and that they are 100% paper.

That being said, from a personal perspective, I'm not a huge fan of the paper straws because they tend to disintegrate pretty quickly. There are lots of options though for reusable straws for purchase too online, if you're not a fan of these type of straws.

On our first visit, I ordered the Oven-roasted Turkey Wrap. It is marked safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, milk, and peanut/tree nut allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

The turkey wrap comes with Oven-roasted Turkey, Crispy Bacon, Lettuce, and Vine-ripened Tomato with Cilantro-Avocado Aioli on an Allergy-Friendly Wrap and French Fries. This has become a big favorite of mine whenever we dine at Sci-Fi Dine-In. Not only is it fairly reasonably priced, but it's very filling too. And, of course, it's also very tasty. I do really love the cilantro-avocado aioli that comes in the sandwich. So good! If you like turkey sandwiches, this is one I can highly recommend.

On our second visit, I decided I needed to try something new. I've had quite a few burgers at the restaurant, so I thought I'd check out the Buffalo Chicken Salad -- minus the Buffalo Sauce. This is marked safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, and peanut/tree nut allergies.

This salad typically comes with Allergy-Friendly Chicken Tenders tossed in a Spicy Buffalo Sauce with Mixed Greens, Bacon, Tomato, Red Onion, Cucumber, Shredded Cheddar, and Fried Tortilla Strips with Cilantro-Ranch Dressing. Now, I love a good condiment, but for some reason buffalo sauce is one of the few sauces I'm not a fan of. So, I asked Chef JR to omit the buffalo sauce from this salad.

Overall, I really liked the salad. It wasn't anything fancy. And, I would have liked to have seen a variety of mixed greens instead of just iceberg lettuce. My only other major complaint was that it came with 3 allergy-friendly chicken tenders, which seemed a little on the small side. But, overall, the salad was really tasty.

The salad came pre-dressed in the Cilantro-Ranch Dressing, but Chef JR added another cup of dressing on the side. I used a bit more of it, because the dressing was really good. But, the salad was fairly well-dressed overall. I'd definitely get this again if I wasn't super hungry or just wanted a simple salad.

Sci-Fi Dine-In - Vegan Cookie Milkshake — Sci-Fi Dine-In / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our second visit, I also asked Chef JR about the Vegan Cookie Milkshake. It's not listed on the allergy-friendly menu. But, blog reader Sarah C. had raved about it when we saw her family at the restaurant a few weeks ago. Chef JR confirmed that the milkshake was also gluten free, dairy free, and vegan and was made with Enjoy Life Foods Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies. The shake is also made currently with non-dairy milk (I believe either soy or rice) and a house-made coconut milk whipped cream.

This was such a good milkshake, and I was so glad that I ordered it! The house-made coconut milk whipped cream was really yummy. But, the best part was the shake itself. Not only did it have crumbled cookies and a whole cookie on top, but it also had cookies blended in the milkshake itself. This is definitely going to be a must-order for me the next time we have dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In again. It was that good!

Sci-Fi Dine-In - Steak — Sci-Fi Dine-In / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our first visit, Brandon ordered the Flame-broiled New York Strip Steak with Roasted Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables that included Asparagus and Blistered Tomatoes. This is marked safe for gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, and peanut/tree nut allergies.

Brandon absolutely loves this steak and the roasted potatoes that come with it. He's not a big fan of vegetables like asparagus. So, next time, he said he's just ask for a double-serving of potatoes instead. But, overall, this is a winner if you're a steak lover.

On our second visit, Brandon ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger. This also included grilled onions too. He was also able to get French Fries from the vegan fryer. This entree is safe for fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Brandon and I both enjoy the burgers at Sci-Fi Dine-In, and he said this one was excellent. He also loves the steak fries that the restaurant serves. And, we both agree that they do a really good job frying the steak fries at Sci-Fi Dine-In. We've had that at some other Disney restaurants and been less than impressed with the cook on the fries.

Brandon also ordered a Hot Fudge Sundae on both visits. We both agree that it's hard not to order milkshakes or dessert when we eat at Sci-Fi Dine-In! The sundae is marked safe for gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, and peanut/tree nut allergies.

This is definitely a good go-to dessert if you want something that is simple, yet delicious. Brandon did want to get the brownie sundae on our most recent visit, but Chef JR noted that the brownie has a cross-contamination risk with peanuts. So, we didn't want to risk it. That being said, Brandon said the sundae was just as good as the one he had on the previous visit.

Overall

We both can't say enough good things about Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Not only have we found a lot of options that we really enjoy, but the chefs at the restaurant have been super accommodating and helpful. We also really appreciate that this table service is relatively affordable compared to some of the other TS locations in the parks and resorts. Add in a great restaurant theme, and you have an terrific option for a delicious, safe, and fun meal in Hollywood Studios.

Have you been to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater? What do you think of the special diets options there?

9/10/19 9/10/19

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (Disney World) Breakfast Review

Docking Bay 7 is a quick service restaurant located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and (at the time of this post) is one of the park’s newest dining options. We were lucky enough (or crazy enough!) to attend the opening of Galaxy’s Edge on August 29, 2019. During our visit on opening day, we knew we wanted to get at least one meal at Docking Bay 7. Because we arrived in the new land at 4:45 a.m., breakfast was our meal of choice for the day.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2019. It includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options, along with dairy free modifications.

Breakfast at Docking Bay 7

Atmosphere

The restaurant is housed in a working hangar bay. And, as the story goes, Chef Strono "Cookie" Tuggs runs the joint and prepares dishes with ingredients all across the galaxy.

Docking Bay 7 Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant's exterior does look quite a bit like a hangar bay. And, you'll see lots of mechanical touches outside and inside. On opening day, the restaurant's sign was having a bit of a malfunction, so I had to chuckle at the half lit digital sign.

Docking Bay 7 Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside, you'll find a variety of spots to enjoy your meal -- including freighter crates, benches, and tables. There is some really clever seating to make you feel like you really are in a working hangar.

Docking Bay 7 Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You'll also hear some general ambient noise that sounds like ship's being worked on while you dine there. As you can see from the photo, seating was a bit hard to come by on opening day. The restaurant actually has less seating than I anticipated, so do be sure be on the lookout for different seating options. There is outdoor seating in a small alcove too, but in August in Florida that wasn't too appealing -- even at 8 a.m.

The Food

The food at Docking Bay 7 is supposed to be inspired by Chef Strono "Cookie" Tuggs' planet-hopping travels and features exotic flavors. While this may be true at lunch and dinner, breakfast is a bit more standard.

For guests with special dietary needs, Docking Bay 7 does currently have an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. I will be honest that this is probably one of the most limited quick service breakfast menus I've ever seen for certain special dietary needs. If you're dairy free, I would just skip this restaurant altogether for breakfast. The only real options for dairy free guests are plain potatoes and fruit. If you're gluten free, it's pretty limited too.

If you do have a special dietary need, they will bring a chef out to assist you with any questions that you might have. On our visit, I wanted to see if the sausage served at breakfast was also a gluten free option since it was not listed on the allergy-friendly menu.

Unfortunately, as I learned from Chef Quan, the sausage has a cross-contamination issue, as it is grilled on the same surface as the gluten-filled pita bread. The Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast does not contain sausage. So, that explained why the adult version of the breakfast platter was not a gluten free option but that the Youngling version was.

On another aside, if you have celiac disease, I would not order the Rising Moons Overnight Oats which is listed as gluten free on the allergy-friendly menu. The restaurant does not currently use certified gluten free oats or purity protocol oats (the safest oats for anyone with celiac disease). And, there is a high risk of cross-contamination due to the processing of the oats. This was definitely a bummer to see it listed as a safe option because traditional oats are not considered safe for anyone with celiac disease or a wheat allergy.

Docking Bay 7 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because my only real option was the Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast, that's what I ordered. This came with a Three-Cheese Egg Bite, Purple Potatoes, and Fresh Fruit. I am not a big fan of melon, so I asked if I could get extra potatoes instead, which Chef Quan was happy to do.

If you can have dairy, this is a nice little breakfast -- though I'd probably just get breakfast elsewhere with more options instead. The egg bite was sous vide and was really tasty. The purple potatoes were also well-seasoned. All in all, not bad. But, not amazing.

With Brandon's allergies, the chef also recommended that he order the Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast. This makes the Youngling Breakfast option gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Unfortunately, there is a cross-contamination issue for guests with nut allergies with the Mustafarian Lava Roll.

Brandon did get fruit with his entree, and he said overall the entree was very good. I think we both generally liked it but neither one of us were wowed.

Overall

When it comes to getting a quick service breakfast at Disney World, Docking Bay 7 would not be at the top of my list. I would eat the Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast entree again, but only if we were strapped for time or I really needed something to eat. There are a lot better quick service options at the Disney World resorts that can accommodate and gives guests a larger variety of dishes to choose from. While we were really appreciative that the chef took the time to talk to us and tried to accommodate as best he could, the limited menu options make it a location we'll skip for breakfast on most occasions.

Have you been to Docking Bay 7? What did you think of the breakfast options?

9/4/19 9/4/19

Yak & Yeti Dinner Review

Yak & Yeti, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, is a table service restaurant owned and operated by the Landry's that serves pan-Asian inspired cuisine. Recently, we stopped by Yak & Yeti for an impromptu dinner at a long day at Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios.

*This post contains a gluten free and dairy free dinner review. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Dinner at Yak & Yeti

We were staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a staycation and the Animal Kingdom park was a short bus ride away for us -- making it an easy option for us for dinner. We're also Landry's Select Club members. So, while we didn't make reservations in advance, we were seated within 5 minutes of walking into the restaurant. We definitely appreciate this perk of being club members!

Atmosphere

The theme of Yak & Yeti is one of my favorite things about the restaurant. Located in the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom, it's perfectly themed to its location.

Yak & Yeti Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is supposed to resemble a village home in Anandapur -- the fictional kingdom located there -- that has been converted into a restaurant. From the moment you walk towards the restaurant, you'll be treated to an exceptionally well-themed restaurant.

Yak & Yeti Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We have been told on several occasions by cast members at Yak & Yeti that the restaurant contains authentic (along with prop) artifacts from Asia. You'll see lots of really neat items throughout this eclectic eatery.

Yak & Yeti Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our last several visits, we have been seated on the first floor near a variety of Bollywood style posters. I really love this area and all of the detailed touches.

Another feature that I love about Yak & Yeti is that you'll find mix matched tables and chairs. It really lends to a unique and quaint vibe.

Yak & Yeti Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even the tables are beautifully constructed and reflect the mix and match style.

I do always recommend looking up, down, and all-around when you're at Yak & Yeti because there are artifacts and decor in every inch of the restaurant. I also recommend taking a bit of time to look around on both the first and second floors of the restaurant too as the themes and artifacts change throughout.

The Food

Because Yak & Yeti is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, they do not have the standard allergy-friendly menu. At the time of this review, they have a gluten sensitive menu. This menu is a great starting point if you're gluten free. But, if you have celiac disease and/or cross-contamination is a concern, do be sure to speak to a chef directly. Some items on the gluten sensitive menu (like French fries) are not celiac safe.

Yak & Yeti / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

No matter your special dietary need, I always recommend you speak with a chef directly. They can customize dishes and talk through additional options not listed on the gluten sensitive menu.

Both Brandon and I spoke to the chef about options, and the chef was great at accommodating. Because we've been several times, we both had a good idea of some potential options, which helped.

My favorite dish at Yak & Yeti used to be the Malaysian Seafood Curry dish, which was both gluten free and dairy free. Unfortunately, it's no longer on the menu. So, I asked the chef if it was possible to make the Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp Stir-Fry on their seasonal menu gluten free. Essentially, the chef said she just needed to remove the teriyaki sauce and make a stir-fry with GF tamari instead.

The GF Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp Stir-Fry included flank steak, shrimp, stir-fried vegetables, and pineapple tossed in gluten free soy sauce and coconut-ginger rice. This dish was both gluten free and dairy free.

The flavors in this dish were fantastic. The beef was really tender. And the shrimp was perfectly cooked. The GF soy sauce along with the stir-fried vegetables and pineapple made for a great sauce. It wasn't too sweet, and it wasn't overly salty either. Add in some rice, and you have one excellent dish. I would 100% get this again. In fact, I think I was still raving about how good it was a few days later. After eating this dish, I've already decided we might need to make another visit again soon!

This was the first time we'd eaten at Yak & Yeti since Brandon's peanut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergy diagnoses. So, he was a little nervous about options. Thankfully, the Lo Mein he usually gets was easy to modify. Essentially, he got Beef Lo Mein minus the cabbage. The Lo Mein normally comes with chicken, shrimp, or tofu. But, the chef said it was no problem to substitute beef. She simply omitted cabbage from the dish and added in extra carrots. With these modifications, the dish was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.

Brandon was really pleased with his entree. He said it was just as good as ever. And, he really enjoyed the beef in place of chicken. Like me, he was also raving about how good it was, and we both agreed we'd like to go back soon!

Overall

Both Brandon and I have had really excellent experiences at Yak & Yeti. Of the Landry's restaurants on Disney property, it's by far our favorite. It's also the one where we both feel like we have a lot more options. The chefs at Yak & Yeti do a great job of accommodating. And, the food has been excellent, and plentiful, too. This continues to be our go-to table service restaurant in the Animal Kingdom and whenever we're both craving Asian food (which is hard for both of us to get).

Have you been to Yak & Yeti? What was your experience dining there?

9/4/19 9/4/19

The Mara Dinner Review

The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is the resort's quick service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Recently, we had dinner there with friends the night before Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios as we had a mini staycation booked there for the weekend.

*This post contains a gluten free and dairy free dinner review. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options too.

Dinner at The Mara

Atmosphere

Because we were with friends, neither one of us did a very good job of getting photos. You can see more photos of the restaurant's interior and ingredients for the gluten free Zebra Domes in the last review we did of dinner at The Mara.

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

One of the things that I do love about the themes at the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants is that they reflect where they are located in the resort. The Mara, for instance, is located near the pool and several water features. The restaurant is named for a river flowing through Kenya and Tanzania -- so being located near the water is definitely fitting.

The Food

Because we were getting up extremely early for the opening of Galaxy's Edge, we all wanted something fairly filling but nothing fancy. The Mara has a variety of options and offers an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu.

Guests with special dietary needs can also speak to a chef or a manager about additional options too. On this visit, we did speak to a manager about modifying a dish to be gluten free and about the allergy-friendly fryers for Brandon's chicken & turkey allergy.

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

While there are quite a few gluten free options on the allergy-friendly menu, I had my eye on the Hand-carved Turkey and Avocado Club Sandwich. The manager told me the only modification needed was to swap the bread.

The sandwich was served on a Local Oven bun and came with Hand-carved Slow-roasted Turkey Breast, Berbere-spiced Bacon, Pickled Red Onions, Arugula and a Chunky Avocado-Mayo Spread and French Fries. This was made gluten free and dairy free and the allergy-friendly menu also indicated that it was fish/shellfish free and peanut/tree nut free. The fries were also made in the dedicated allergy-friendly fryer.

The sandwich itself was really good. The only exception to this was the gluten free and dairy free bun, which was very poorly heated. Parts of it were rock hard and other parts fell completely apart. I have found that the Local Oven buns don't hold up the best, but this was entirely an issue of poor heating on this occasion. Still, all of the components of the sandwich were outstanding, and I loved the chunky avocado-mayo spread. I would definitely get this again, despite the poorly heated bun.

Brandon ordered the Black Angus Cheeseburger which included a Grilled 1/3 lb Black Angus Burger topped with Sharp Cheddar on a Brioche Bun served with French Fries. The burger was safe for fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

The only challenge was the cooking of the French Fries. Unfortunately, the allergy-friendly fryer is used for cooking allergy-friendly chicken tenders. The manager on hand said that they did not have a vegan fryer on hand at the time. With this in mind, she ended up baking Brandon French Fries so that he could have them as a safe option. The chicken & turkey allergies can be a challenge with the allergy-friendly fryers, we have found. So, we always double-check with a chef or manager to ensure he has safe options.

Brandon said the cheeseburger was pretty good. And, he was really impressed with how good the baked French Fries were. He said he'd definitely eat them again and wasn't at all disappointed that the couldn't get them fried.

Overall

While nothing fancy, we both agreed that the special dietary needs options at The Mara are not only pretty plentiful, but that they're very tasty too. We both appreciate that the managers and chefs at the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants go above and beyond to accommodate as much as they can for guests with special dietary needs. This meal was a great example of that. We both agreed we'd order the dishes we got again too!

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

9/4/19 9/4/19

Teppan Edo Dinner Review

Teppan Edo, located in Japan in Epcot's World Showcase, is one of two table service restaurants in the pavilion. I honestly have avoided the Japan pavilion restaurants for a long time, due to some very bad experiences over the years. However, after after a much better experience at Katsura Grill for dinner in 2016 and reviews from friends and family, we've been wanting to give the table service restaurants a try. Recently, we were invited to join blog reader Sarah C. and her family for a meal at Teppan Edo. Both Brandon and I were excited to catch up with Sarah and her family and get to dine at Teppan Edo for the first time. So, it was a win-win all around!

*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in August 2019. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options too.

Dinner at Teppan Edo

Atmosphere

Neither Brandon nor I have ever eaten at the table service restaurants in the Japan pavilion. So, this was our first time checking out the atmosphere here. Both restaurants are located in the same space on the second floor of the pavilion, just above the Mitsukoshi shopping area.

Teppan Edo Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We got some great shots of the empty stairs going up to the restaurant entrance. One word of warning, these stairs are surprisingly steep and aren't quite the standard stair size.

View from Teppan Edo Terrace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I can highly recommend the area just beyond the restaurants that offers a fantastic view of the World Showcase Lagoon. This was the perfect spot for watching IllumiNations.

As you can see, Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining are both in the same space -- Teppan Edo to the left and Tokyo Dining to the right.

Teppan Edo Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As we entered, we were both a bit surprised by how loud the Tokyo Dining area was. We both agreed that we'd like to dine there, but that we'd probably dine during lunch time when the restaurant is a bit quieter.

Teppan Edo Hallway / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Teppan Edo features Teppan-yaki-style cooking, which means you'll be seated at tables of 8 and will watch a chef cook your meal. This plays out slightly differently depending on special dietary needs (which I'll cover in the food section of this review). With that in mind, you walk down a long hallway to rooms with 4 sets of tables that seat 8. Overall, this made for a much quieter dining experience than what we observed as we walked through the Tokyo Dining area.

Teppan Edo Chef / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The decor in Teppan Edo is fairly sparse. That's because the real action is at your table watching the chefs cook and prepare your meal -- all with Disney flare.

The Food

Because Teppan Edo is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, the restaurant does not carry an allergy-friendly menu. But, the manager and the chef at your table will take great care to ensure you have a safe and delicious meal. In fact, we were all impressed by how well they handled a multitude of dietary needs that included, gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, chicken & turkey free, vegan, and vegetarian guests.

Teppan Edo Menus / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Essentially, you'll choose a main dish, such as beef, chicken, salmon, or tofu, and the meals are prepared in front of you on a grill and served to each guest. Some portions of the meal, like the udon noodles and vegetables are prepared together and then served in individual portions to your table. But, of course, if you have special dietary needs this may be work a bit differently.

In the case of our table, we spoke with the manager and chef to ensure the grill was completely dairy free, as they do typically use butter on the grill -- in addition to oil. Two of us in the group were gluten free, and the manager prepared our dishes in the kitchen instead of on the grill. So, while we got to watch all of the hibachi cooking fun -- we were not served food from the grill (although we had a slight hiccup in this, in which I mildly glutened myself -- more on that later in the review).

The grill was also made fish/shellfish free for Brandon -- so anyone in the group who ordered seafood also had their protein cooked in the kitchen. The facility is peanut free, so that made avoiding nuts easy and knocked one allergen off our list.

We had two full tables of 8 guests each, and our table was composed of the meat eaters while a separate table included the vegetarians and vegans. If you're curious about vegan options at the restaurant, I recommend reading Vegan Disney World's review of Teppan Edo.

Teppan Edo Drinks — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Teppan Edo serves some really lovely alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Their unsweetened iced tea was great (one of my fave drinks). And, the iced blood orange drink I ordered with sparkling water, blood orange, and gin was really refreshing. Sarah C. got the blackberry mojito (also shown here), which looked really good too.

Although I didn't get a photo of it, some of the folks in our party ordered the Pina Colada, which was completely dairy free and vegan (and made with coconut milk). So, definitely chat with a chef about options if you have specific special dietary needs.

Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Before our main courses, everyone was served a salad. For those of us who were gluten free, we were served salad with a gluten free soy sauce vinaigrette. It tasted like it had rice wine vinegar in it, along with the GF soy sauce and was very light and refreshing. Sometimes a simple salad is all you need -- and this one was a great way to start the meal.

Brandon's salad was also vinaigrette based, but it had sesame oil in it too. He raved about the salad and said it was one of the best salads he's had in a long time.

Teppan Edo - Gluten Free Soy Sauce — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For the two of us who were GF, we were brought a bottle of Kikkoman gluten free soy sauce. This was great to have on hand for the rest of our meal.

Teppan Edo - Cooking — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

After our salads, the fun really began. Our chef, Masayo, started cooking vegetables that would be the base of the Udon noodle stir-fry for the table. Chopping, dicing, and creating fun shapes like an onion volcano are all part of the cooking experience.

Each step along the way, she talked to us about the cooking, and what fun things she was creating. The vegetables even turned into Mickey Mouse for a few minutes while they cooked!

Teppan Edo - Onion Volcano — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

And, of course, here is the onion volcano erupting!

The Udon noodles and vegetables also turned into the Tree of Life from the Animal Kingdom as they cooked along too. As you can see, the presentation was excellent. The whole experience is really interactive and fun.

During the meal, the group asked if we could have some plain vegetables cooked on the side with some gluten free soy sauce since the two of us who were GF didn't get any of the asparagus, red peppers, and mushrooms prepared on the grill. The chef was happy to accommodate -- only we all forgot to ask about using separate cooking utensils.

Essentially, I ended up eating a few bites of the vegetables before I realized the cross-contamination mix-up. This was entirely my fault for not being cautious -- and a testament to even the most experienced of GF and celiac diners sometimes making a mistake and not being vigilant. If you have a special dietary need, I would recommend only eating items from directly from the kitchen (if it needs to be prepared that way) to avoid any mishaps. While I didn't get horribly sick -- thank goodness -- I did give myself a bit of a stomach ache later that night. Again, this was entirely my mistake for not asking. And, next time, I will stick only with items from the kitchen.

For those who could enjoy food prepared on the grill, they were served a medley of vegetables and Udon noodles. Brandon raved about this and was a huge fan of the flavor combination. It included zucchini, spinach, carrot, and onion. Brandon happens to be allergic to cabbage, and we were told at the time of this review that they are not using cabbage in the stir-fry.

These noodles were prepared dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.

Teppan Edo - Steak — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon's main protein, he chose the filet mignon. This was also cooked on the grill and grilled to the guests temperature preference (in Brandon's case, medium). It also included soy sauce on it. If you're gluten free, you can get gluten free soy sauce for your steak too. Brandon said the filet was excellent and that he'd definitely get it again. This filet was prepared dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.

Teppan Edo - Salmon — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I chose the salmon. It was prepared in the back kitchen and was served with stir-fry veggies that included zucchini, carrot, onion, and spinach. I also had steamed white rice too. This was made gluten free and dairy free.

Overall, this was a fantastic entree, and I would definitely get it again. The salmon was really well-cooked with a nice crisp exterior. The stir-fry veggies were so delicious, and I probably could have eaten another serving of them. And, the white rice was a nice carb compliment to the dish. All in all, I was really pleased with how tasty everything was, and I might actually have a hard time not ordering this again -- it was that good.

Teppan Edo - Chocolate Cake — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, the restaurant does carry fresh fruit. I skipped dessert. But, Brandon ordered the Ginger Mousse Cake, which included layered sponge cake with ginger mousse and a ribbon of rich chocolate icing to top it off. While Brandon liked this, he said he probably wouldn't order it again -- mostly because it wasn't particularly memorable. That being said, if you like light and simple (and not overly sweet) flavors, I think you might enjoy the simplicity of the desserts at Teppan Edo.

Overall

Both Brandon and I were blown away at how delicious and fun the entire experience at Teppan Edo was. The manager and chef were both very accommodating and minus my own personal mistake on not being vigilant it was a really wonderful experience. (Side note, the manager did come talk to me after the error too, so she was aware of the situation). We can't thank Sarah C. and her family enough for inviting us to join them for dinner. We enjoyed not only the food and atmosphere but really loved getting to spend time with their whole family for food and fun! It was a great experience, and we're looking forward to going back to Teppan Edo again.

Have you been to Teppan Edo? What was your experience with their special dietary needs options?

9/2/19 9/2/19

Maya Grill Dinner Review

Maya Grill is a table service restaurant located in Disney's Coronado Springs Resort that serves classic flavors of Mexico. Maya Grill is not owned & operated by the Disney Company. But, I've heard great things about it from friends who have enjoyed dinner there. I recently got a chance to check it out first-hand when I had dinner with Lori from Paleo Disney while she was at Walt Disney World visiting for the passholder preview of Galaxy's Edge.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2019. It includes information about dairy free, paleo, and keto options as well.

Dinner at Maya Grill

Atmosphere

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort has a Southwestern vibe to it. Although the new Gran Destino Tower is more Spanish-inspired, you'll find that the main Coronado Springs feelings have a more Mexican and Southwest flare to the atmosphere and decor.

Coronado Springs Resort Fountain / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I absolutely love the lobby and entrance area of the resort. The fountain as you walk in has always one of my favorites details at Coronado Springs.

Maya Grill Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Maya Grill is located near a variety of dining establishments including Cafe Rix and El Mercado del Coronado. Maya Grill is a little hidden, but the somewhat removed location gives it a much more relaxed vibe when you dine there.

Maya Grill Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

About 5 years ago, I went to Cozumel, Mexico with one of my good friends for a week-long vacation. During our vacation, we stayed at an all-inclusive resort. Walking into this restaurant, I was transported to my time in Mexico. That's because the decor in Maya Grill was exactly like one of the restaurants we dined at a lot during our stay in Cozumel.

If you go around opening time, you'll have plenty of natural light coming into the restaurant.

Maya Grill Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We had a lovely seat near the windows and got to enjoy the atmosphere and a relaxed dining experience.

The Food

Of course, we both were excited to try out the food options at Maya Grill. Because it's not owned and operated by the Disney Company, the restaurant does not currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, that being said, the chef spent a lot of time talking to us and providing us with safe options.

Maya Grill Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The great news for guests who are gluten free or food allergies, there are a lot of options to choose from too. Most of the menu is very gluten free friendly and is either naturally gluten free or can be easily modified too. The restaurant also offers guests with special dietary needs fried food options made in a dedicated allergy-friendly fryer too. So, if you're craving tortilla chips, you're in luck!

Guests who are gluten free and dairy free will find loads of options, especially because both are not heavily featured in the menu or can be easily removed from a dish.

If you're paleo or following a keto diet, you'll be able to substitute options (such as fresh veggies instead of tortilla chips). They restaurant can also use different types of oil, such as extra virgin olive oil (when requested), instead of the canola or vegetable-based oils that are normally used in some instances. For dishes that do not contain refined sugar, guests can enjoy the salsa (which contains no added sugar) and even the house-made sorbet which is made using monk fruit.

I was really impressed at how much the culinary team could accommodate and adjust for guests with a variety of special dietary needs, so be sure to ask to speak to a chef when you dine there!

Maya Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Lori and I split several entrees along with an appetizer too. First up was tortilla chips (made in the dedicated allergy-friendly fryer), salsa, guacamole topped with grilled pineapple, bacon, and served with chicharrones (also made in the dedicated allergy-fryer) on the side. In addition to the tortilla chips, we also got a platter of fresh vegetables for dipping too. Everything was gluten free and dairy free. The salsa, guacamole, and vegetables were also paleo and keto friendly. The chicharrones may also be depending on the oil used, as well.

Maya Grill Chips & Salsa — Maya Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The salsa was extremely fresh and really tasty. And, the fresh tortilla chips were quite good. They weren't as tasty as the ones from Frontera Cocina. But, I never turn down a tortilla chip that's safe for me to eat! The guacamole was a bit of a disappointment. But, like the tortilla chips, it's hard to top the guacamole at Frontera Cocina in Disney Springs. Still, I really enjoyed the toppings on the guacamole for a different twist.

The one thing I will say about Maya Grill is that the portions are huge. Lori and I split two entrees along with the appetizers. And, wow. Was it a lot of food! Here's a photo of just a portion of what we had at our table. It's colorful AND plentiful!

Maya Grill - Rice & Beans — Maya Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Rice and beans do come as a side with many of the entrees at Maya Grill. We were able to get these as a side with the Alambre de Res entree, which Lori ordered. The rice and beans were served gluten free and dairy free. I liked both of them, and they reminded me quite a bit of the versions at La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot. That's no surprise because the same restaurant group owns and operates both restaurants!

The first of the dishes we split was the Alambre de Res. This included Seared Flank Steak, Bacon, Poblano Peppers, Monterey Jack Cheese, Fresh Avocado with Flour Tortilla and Salsa Verde. It is a gluten free dish and can be made dairy free by omitting the cheese. It was also paleo and keto friendly minus the corn tortillas and sautéed in extra virgin olive oil.

We both really enjoyed this dish a lot. I think I preferred the carnitas overall. But, this is a great option if you like steak fajitas. The bacon in the dish was a nice twist too.

For our second entree, we split the Carnitas de Puerco. These were Slow-cooked Pork Shoulder, Sea Salt, Lime Juice, Cotija Cheese, Pickled Onions with Yucca Fries and Salsa Verde. This dish is gluten free and can be easily made dairy free by omitting the Cotija cheese, which we were served on the side. The sauce on the Yucca fries was mayonnaise based and did not contain dairy.

This is also a fairly paleo and keto friendly option too -- though you'll want to double-check all of the ingredients in the yucca fries and sauce. The fries themselves were fried in the dedicated allergy-friendly fryer but may be able to be fried with extra virgin olive oil.

Can I just say wow to this dish?! The pork was super tender and flavorful. The chef told us that the pork is sous vide (i.e. cooked in a water bath), then fried. The pork combined with picked onion, salsa verde, and guacamole made for the tastiest tacos.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the yucca fries, which were super crispy and tasty. I liked the Mezcal Aioli on the fries but didn't love it. My only real complain with the aoili was the super strong tequila flavor from the Mezcal tequila. I would have like a better balance of flavors instead of just tasting tequila in this sauce. But, that aside, I would not hesitate to order this entree again. It was really tasty minus a few nit-picky flavor issues.

Overall

I was pleasantly surprised by the options at Maya Grill. Not only were the gluten free, dairy free, and special dietary needs option plentiful, but the chefs at this table service restaurant were very willing to go above and beyond to accommodate special dietary needs guests. Even better? The food was really delicious too! Although I would probably opt to dine at Frontera Cocina over Maya Grill, I will definitely be going back there again for dinner. The food was great, and I really enjoyed the low-key and relaxed atmosphere too. If you're staying at Coronado Springs Resort, this is a great dinner option for resort guests too!

Have you been to Maya Grill? What did you think of the special dietary needs options?

8/26/19 8/26/19

Cove Cafe on the Disney Dream

When we're cruising the Disney Cruise Line, one of our favorite places to relax and chill is Cove Cafe. This adults-only coffee shop is the best spot for a good cup of coffee or a specialty coffee drink. You can also get snacks throughout the day and cocktails in the evening too. On our most recent 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, our stateroom was just one deck below Cove Cafe. So, we spent a lot of time in this relaxing coffee shop.

*These gluten free dining experiences took place in May 2019. It also include notes about dairy free modifications and shares information about the fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options available through this coffee shop too.

Cove Cafe on the Disney Dream

Atmosphere

Both Brandon and I really love the low-key and relaxed atmosphere of Cove Cafe. There's plenty of cushy seating throughout the cafe. Whether you're grabbing a quick caffeine boost on-the-go, or want an after-dinner cocktail, you'll find all types of options for seating to accommodate.

Cove Cafe on the Disney Dream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We especially enjoyed the seats near the front of the cafe that are have large windows and are brightly lit during the day. This was a particularly favorite spot for us during the afternoon. We got a chance to chat with our favorite barista Agung from Indonesia while we were seated there too.

In the evenings, we both prefer the back of Cove Cafe, which is a bit more chill and quiet. Of course, no matter what preference you have for seating, you'll find lots of great options in the cafe.

Food & Drink at Cove Cafe

Unlike most locations on the Disney Cruise Line, the beverages served at Cove Cafe are NOT included in your cruise fare. This includes all of the coffee and tea drinks, as well as any other beverages (including water and alcohol). The food options, such as pastries and antipasti offered at Cove Cafe ARE included in your cruise fare and will not cost extra. If you're unsure about pricing, one of the friendly baristas at Cove Cafe can help go over the options.

If you are a coffee drinker, do make sure to pick up one of the Cove Cafe Coffee Club cards! We made sure to get one on our cruise, and we were able to get a free specialty coffee drink by the end of our cruise. It's definitely well worth picking up. And, it does not expire. So, you can use it on multiple cruises. In fact, we have one at home just waiting for our next cruise!

I wouldn't consider myself a big coffee drinker anymore. I gave up coffee for many years after my Crohn's disease diagnosis. But, I've been able to reintroduce it a bit here and there. So, I am always happy to find other options besides coffee at a coffee shop.

Cove Cafe does carry Republic of Tea hot and iced tea. For those who are gluten free, you'll appreciate that The Republic of Tea is the first and only tea brand in the United States to obtain certification by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).

On one of our visits, I did get the iced Darjeeling tea. It was good and a lot larger than I expected. Given that most of the iced tea served on the Disney Cruise Line is Gold Peak Tea, this was a huge step-up for an iced tea lover. I may have to try some of the other teas the next time we're on a Disney Cruise!

I did try coffee on a few other occasions on our cruise. The first time I got a latte with almond milk. One of the great things about the ship is that they do also offer non-dairy milk options too. I believe they also carried soy milk in addition to almond milk on the Disney Dream.

If you are concerned about cross-contamination, you can always ask your barista to use a clean frother for your non-dairy milk.

On another occasion, I ordered an iced latte with almond milk. Because we were cruising during the warmer months in the Bahamas, I definitely preferred the iced latte format.

For those who might be interested in coffee syrup flavors, always double-check the ingredients in the syrups. I believe Cove Cafe was using the DaVinci brand of coffee syrups at the time of our sailing.

Because of being gluten free, I tend to stick to simple coffee drinks. But, Brandon ordered quite a few more elaborate coffee drinks during our visits to Cove Cafe. First up was the Mocha Latte. As you can see, he ordered his drink with regular milk which was much more frothy and than the drinks I ordered with almond milk.

Brandon said the mocha latte was really excellent and would get it again. As you can see from the photo here, our barista Agung was awesome at making sure that both Brandon and I got delicious drinks and that they were beautifully presented!

But, by far, Brandon's favorite coffee drink was the Moka Experience offered by Cove Cafe. At $12, it's a little pricey, but it was well worth it for what you get.

This dish included chocolate truffles, espresso, chocolate syrup, RumChata, and whipped cream -- among other things. He said it was rich and decadent and by far the best coffee drink he ordered.

No matter what type of drink you order, don't forget to pair it with a snack or two. I can't have any of the breakfast pastries, but I'm always a big fan of the antipasti options during the evening time at Cove Cafe. Brandon and I tend to get a little snack at Cove Cafe a few hours before dinner, especially if we have late dining.

The antipasti options included Parmesan cheese, prosciutto, and marinated olives. We both skipped the olives and opted for just Parmesan and prosciutto on our visits.

If you're gluten free or have other special dietary needs, don't hesitate to ask the baristas to bring you fresh items from the back area of the coffee shop too. They are always willing to accommodate too! Generally, I find the evening snacks to be much safe and limited in gluten because they are typically antipasti platter items.

As you can see, we got antipasti options on several different trips. If you're a fan, it's definitely worth a visit.

Overall

Cove Cafe is one of our favorite go-to spots for coffee and tea drinks. With options for gluten free, dairy free, and vegan guests -- including non-dairy milk -- there's something for everyone at Cove Cafe. If you're a fan of snacks, you can often find evening time snacks that are gluten free there too. If you have allergies like fish/shellfish and peanut, you'll be in fairly good shape there too. If you have other nut allergies, do make sure you check ingredients, especially in flavored syrups!

No matter what your special dietary needs are, you're sure to enjoy Cove Cafe as much as we do too!

Have you been to Cove Cafe on any of the Disney Cruise Line ships? What was your experience with this coffee shop?

8/22/19 8/22/19

Room Service on the Disney Dream

The Disney Cruise Line does an excellent job at accommodating guests with special dietary needs in their various restaurants. But, I'm always pleasantly surprised by how well they can also accommodate with their room service options. On our recent cruise on the Disney Dream in May 2019, we took advantage of room service a few times on our 3-day cruise.

Room Service on the Disney Dream

Though we're usually just too stuffed to order a lot of food from room service, on this cruise we did order a few things. The first was an allergy-friendly cake. I had always been curious about the allergy-friendly cakes on the Disney Cruise Line -- especially after reading about the gluten free Mickey Mouse cake that Alexis' Gluten Free Adventures ordered on one of her Disney Cruises.

Ordering cakes from Disney Cruise Line at the time of our cruise required us to order a cake using an online PDF form that we had to fax to Disney Cruise Line at least 7 days before our cruise. You can see this form and the variety of special dietary needs friendly cake options on their website.

But, if you're planning on ordering a cake on an upcoming Disney Cruise, you'll now be able to order a special dietary needs cake online through their new Onboard Gifts portal. I did recently look up the options for our cruise to Alaska next year, and it looks like they have reduced the allergy-friendly cake offerings (or our cruise is limited on options). Here's a screenshot of the options available for our cruise in the Onboard Gifts portal.

Disney Cruise Line Allergy-Friendly Cake Options / Photo Copyright Disney Cruise Line

We really enjoyed our cake a lot, so we may have to order the Mickey Mouse allergy-friendly cake for our next cruise too. I'll also be curious to see if their options expand or if these are the only options they'll be providing to cruise guests now and in the future.

Disney Dream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I would say that Brandon and I both aren't super sweets people. We both like dessert, but it's not always our favorite part of a meal. That being said, we are both suckers for good chocolate cake. I decided to pre-order the Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Mousse Filling and Chocolate Glaze.

This cake was ordered to be gluten free, peanut free, and hazelnut free. The cake and frosting were also dairy free, but some of the decorations on (like the chocolate tuiles) contained dairy. The cake was priced at $21 and said it contained 4-6 servings.

The cake was set to deliver to our stateroom on embarkation day at 5 p.m. Since Brandon and I both really enjoy sitting on our verandah and sailing away from port on embarkation day, we thought this might be a nice way to celebrate sailing away. Our cake arrived about 5:15 p.m., so fairly on time for our preferred delivery time.

Disney Dream Room Service / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see, the cake was beautifully decorated and presented. We were both really impressed by the overall appearance and how nice it looked. I admit, I think we both expected a rather plain cake to arrive. So, seeing all the decorations and fresh fruit was pretty exciting.

We each tried a small serving of the cake as we sailed away from Port Canaveral. I think both of us thought it would taste OK, but we were both really pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Brandon said it was the best chocolate cake he's had in a long time -- gluten free or not. We both agreed that we would definitely order this again.

Because the cake was quite large for two people, we actually ate the cake throughout our cruise. We had to do some shifting to keep it in the refrigerator. But, it was totally worth the effort. The cake held up very well over the course of our 3-day cruise.

As an aside, the cake is very rich. So, I'm glad it took us the entire length of our 3-day cruise to eat this cake because it was a lot!

Because our cruise was fairly short, we didn't order too much more room service. We do always order room service in the afternoon on our Castaway Cay day after we've returned from the ship and before the ship departs from the island.

Brandon always order the Mac & Cheese -- which contains gluten but is fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. He has said it's not the best mac & cheese in the world, but it's still pretty good.

Disney Dream - Room Service Cheese Plate / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also usually order the gluten free cheese plate. Depending on your cruise, you may or may not be served gluten free crackers (like we have been on our previous cruises). On this cruise, we were served the cheese plate minus the crackers because they did not have any in stock. Either way, we always enjoy the cheese plate which is gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free.

If you're interested in other special dietary needs options, I recommend speaking with room service about the options available on your cruise. I have heard from other guests that you can also order special diets cookies (usually boxes of Enjoy Life Foods cookies) and even allergy-friendly chicken tenders too.

Overall

While room service isn't always at the top of our list on our shorter Disney Cruises, I'm so glad they have options for guests with special dietary needs. Both Brandon and I love the cheese plate. And, we were especially impressed with the allergy-friendly cake that we ordered on this cruise too. We'll definitely be ordering another allergy-friendly cake on an upcoming cruise now!

Have you been on a Disney Cruise? What's your experience with special dietary needs options through room service?

7/29/19 7/29/19

D-Luxe Burger Lunch Review

D-Luxe Burger is my go-to quick service restaurant whenever I'm in Disney Springs. Unlike most restaurants in Disney Springs, D-Luxe Burger is owned & operated by the Disney Company, which means they follow Disney's strict food allergy protocols for guests with special dietary needs. Even better, you also get to a talk to a Disney Chef too. On my most recent visit, I met up with my friend Ron who was in town visiting Disney World for a quick lunch.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in June 2019. It includes notes about dairy free modifications.

Lunch at D-Luxe Burger

Atmosphere

I managed to forget to take photos on this visit. But, I've written quite a few reviews about D-Luxe Burger.

D-Luxe Burger Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

To learn more about its theme and extensive back-story, check out the review I wrote when the restaurant first opened in May 2016.

The Food

Unlike most Disney owned restaurants, D-Luxe Burger does not currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, guests with special dietary needs will get to speak with a Disney chef about options. I always appreciate this and that the chefs here take great care to answer questions and prepare your food safely.

D-Luxe Burger - Gluten Free Burger — D-Luxe Burger / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because we were having dinner at 'Ohana that night, we decided to split a D-Luxe Cheeseburger served on a gluten free bun with a side of French fries made in a dedicated fryer. We also ordered three dipping sauces -- the curry ketchup, chipotle mayo, and three honey mustard. These are all gluten free, but the chipotle mayo does currently contain dairy.

When it comes to burgers, you really can't go wrong with a burger from D-Luxe. And, we both agreed that the cheeseburger was outstanding. One big change that threw us both was the gluten free bun. In the past, D-Luxe Burger has used the Local Oven brand gluten free and dairy free bun. On this visit, it was a totally different (and much improved) bun. At first, we were both concerned we got a gluten-filled bun. But, we realized it was just a different brand. Although I haven't gotten 100% confirmation, I have heard from other readers that the buns are now Deanna's Gluten Free brand. Both of us agreed that the buns were a big improvement over the previous brand.

I think the one slight disappointment at D-Luxe Burger are the fries. They used to be really amazing. But, lately, we've noticed a big decline in the taste and texture of the fries. More often than not, they just taste a little stale. I'm sure they are fresh, but the overall texture and taste isn't as good as it used to be.

In fact, we noticed a big difference in the fries we got at Hangar Bar recently. The chef there told us they are the exact same fries as D-Luxe Burger. But, we all agreed, they were way better at the Hangar Bar. While it's not a reason to avoid D-Luxe Burger, it is something to think about when you order the fries there. Of course, I smother them in enough sauces that it helps too!

Overall

The burgers at D-Luxe Burger always impress. The flavors are outstanding, and there's always a good amount of options for guests with special dietary needs. While we usually stick to the basic cheeseburger, we've also had other specialty burgers on the menu with great success. If you're looking for a quick service restaurant in Disney Springs, this is definitely a great option for a low-key and filling meal.

Have you been to D-Luxe Burger? What did you think of their options?

7/27/19 7/27/19

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Lunch Review

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, located at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, is a quick service restaurant that serves up New Orleans inspired meals. It's also the spot where you can get allergy-friendly beignets at Disney World -- making it the perfect place for a meal or a snack. Recently, I had lunch at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory with my good friend Ron who was visiting the Disney Parks & Resorts.

*This gluten free & dairy free dining experience took place in June 2019.

Lunch at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory

Atmosphere

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is inspired by the classic New Orleans celebration of Mardi Gras. In fact, if you look around, you'll notice that the restaurant looks like a warehouse for Mardi Gras floats.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If you look at the drink station in the middle of the quick service dining area, you'll notice that it actually resembles a float.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You'll also find lots of Mardi Gras float touches throughout the restaurant.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even the light fixtures look like Mardi Gras beads! It's pretty neat to see all of the fun touches throughout the restaurant.

The Food

Of course, the real reason we come to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is the food! While I have gotten different lunch and dinner options on previous visits, on this visits both Ron and I really just wanted allergy-friendly chicken tenders and French fries along with the allergy-friendly beignets. Yep, it was all about the gluten free & dairy free fried foods on this visit!

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory - Allergy-Friendly Chicken Tenders — Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory currently serves the Ian's brand allergy-friendly chicken tenders along with steak fries. These are both gluten free and dairy free.

Made in a dedicated fryer, these were well-fried and really delicious. I'm not usually a big steak fry fan. But, these were also well-fried too. The chef was generous with the portion too, so we were glad that we decided to split an order since we had dinner reservations at Cape May Cafe that night.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Of course, we couldn't leave the restaurant without ordering their allergy-friendly beignets. That is always the real reason to come to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory! These are both gluten free & dairy free and oh so delicious. The beignets are currently made with Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust mix, which is fairly allergy-friendly but does have a potential cross-contamination with nuts -- so do make sure you check with a chef depending on your special dietary need.

While the photo isn't very pretty, the beignets were outstanding on this visit. They were piping hot, smothered in powdered sugar, and surprisingly light for a gluten free dough. I know that some guests have mentioned that they find the dough quite dense. But, the chefs seemed to have adjusted the recipe lately. And, I have found them to be much lighter on recent visits.

Overall

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory never disappoints -- especially when it comes to serving one of the most unique and delicious sweet treats. The chefs there are always very accommodating, and they do a great job at providing safe meals that will make say "Let the good times roll" whenever you dine there. It's always a great go-to for me, and I always recommend it, especially for the allergy-friendly beignets!

Have you been to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory? What did you think of the special diets options there?

7/27/19 7/27/19

Homecomin' Kitchen Brunch Review

Homecomin' Kitchen is a table service restaurant located in Disney Springs. Owned and operated by Chef Art Smith -- a James Beard award-winning chef who grew in fame thanks to working with Oprah. This restaurant offers guests a taste of Florida local flavors and Southern dishes. It's one of my brother's favorite places in Disney Springs. And, he always wants to dine there whenever we have family in town. So, recently, I had brunch there with my brother, mom, and stepdad.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2019.

Brunch at Homecomin' Kitchen

Atmosphere

Like its food, Homecomin' Kitchen's theme represents Florida and Southern staples.

Homecomin' Kitchen Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

It's a very inviting and charming restaurant -- with a brightly lit interior and big cushy chairs.

Homecomin' Kitchen - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I love how some of the lighting fixtures actually use potato sacks to adorn them. It's super charming and very rustic.

Homecomin' Kitchen - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Homecomin' Kitchen is very popular. So, my only negative on the theme and restaurant space is that it can feel quite crowded. We came during brunch, and the restaurant was pretty packed. If you're not that comfortable sitting in the middle of the restaurant, I recommend asking for a booth.

The Food

Because Homecomin' Kitchen is not owned and operated by Disney, they do not have an allergy-friendly menu. The menu does mark some items GF for those dishes that are gluten free. But, I always recommend speaking to a manager here, because there tends to be a few more options that are listed GF on the menu.

On this visit, I was interested in the brunch offerings -- though I could have ordered from the regular menu too. The brunch menu did not list any of the main dishes as gluten free. But, the manager told me many of them were easily modifications. The Grand-Daddy Plate and the Short Rib Hash were the two dishes with the easiest modifications. The only modification was to remove the cheddar cheese drop biscuit.

Homecomin' Kitchen - Short Rib Hash — Homecomin' Kitchen / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I decided to order the Short Rib Hash which came with Two Eggs Sunny Side Up over a Short Rib Hash with Grilled Corn Succotash, Potatoes, Onions, Red Bell, and Fresno Peppers. I was also able to order a side with this entree, so I chose the Pecan Smoked Bacon. Everything was gluten free. I did not ask about dairy free modifications on this visit. But, I would guess that this may have been dairy free or easily made dairy free.

Overall, I really enjoyed this breakfast entree. The eggs were well-cooked, and the hash was really delicious. It did have a bit of a spicy bite to it. So, if you're not a fan of spicy food, this dish might be a little too spicy for you. But, I didn't think the dish was overly spicy for anyone who is a spice fan. The pecan smoked bacon was really delicious. And, I definitely could have eaten my weight in it for sure!

One of my biggest complaint would be the price of this restaurant for brunch. $22 for eggs, hash, and bacon seemed a little much -- especially when you consider most Disney table service breakfast options are around $15 for an entree. But, it was tasty, and I was full by the meal's end.

Overall

While I enjoyed the brunch at Homecomin' Kitchen, I'm not sure it will be a regular on my breakfast rotation at Disney World. I enjoyed my meal, but the limited options and price point make it an OK option but not my first choice for breakfast. I did enjoy my lunch at Homecomin' Kitchen, and you can read that review here on the blog too.

Have you been to Homecomin' Kitchen? What did you think of the special diets options there?

7/20/19 7/20/19

Sunshine Seasons Dinner Review

Sunshine Seasons, located in Epcot, is a food court style quick service restaurant in the Land Pavilion in Future World. If you're looking for quick service options that aren't burgers and fries, Sunshine Seasons might be a great option for you. It's been ages since I've dined at this restaurant. And, we recently decided to get dinner there on a whim while in the park getting photos from the 2019 Gluten Free & Dairy Free Guide to WDW.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes notes about dairy free modifications.

Dinner at Sunshine Seasons

Atmosphere

Unfortunately, I somehow managed to not get any photos of the actual seating area of food court area while we were there. But, if you've been to the Land Pavilion in Epcot, you'll recognize the seating area and food court areas too.

Sunshine Seasons Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For me, the theme is fairly basic. But, I do enjoy that the restaurant has ample seating. I especially love the back area near the Living with the Land attraction. It's a nice quiet spot to rest and recharge.

The Food

Sunshine Seasons is one of the few Disney-owned restaurants in Epcot. Because most of the World Showcase restaurants are owned & operated by outside companies, you won't usually find allergy-friendly menus. Sunshine Seasons not only has an allergy-friendly menu, but they also have chefs on hand to chat about options.

Sunshine Seasons - Salmon — Sunshine Seasons / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of my favorite things about Sunshine Seasons is that their Grill Station has been entirely gluten free for many years now. This means that it's a really safe bet for guests with celiac disease and for avoiding cross-contamination. Unfortunately, on this visit, I noticed that they have introduced gluten-filled corn bread at the station (they used to make a GF cornbread). So, do be sure to consult with a chef and ask for items from a separate area if you are concerned about cross-contamination.

On this visit, I ordered the Oak-Grilled Salmon with Cheese Grits and Andouille Corn Succotash. This is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. The grits do contain dairy and cannot be modified. But, they will let you swap out sides if you ask.

Overall, I really enjoyed the dish. The salmon had a great grill flavor and blackened spices on it, and the grits were really good too. I also was pleasantly surprised by the succotash which was super flavorful and also had a good bit of spice to it thanks to the andouille sausage. Although I thought the presentation was pretty lackluster, I'd definitely get this dish again.

Pork - Sunshine Seasons — Pork / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because Brandon has multiple allergens, including uncommon ones like chicken & turkey, we did ask to speak with a chef. He was interested in getting the Pork Chop and was able to get it safely minus the barbecue sauce. On his plate is Pork Chop with Mashed Potatoes. This entree was safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. It is also chicken & turkey free.

He really enjoyed this entree and said the pork and mashed potatoes were both very good for a quick service restaurant. The portion was also fairly big, as the pork chop was super thick cut.

Sunshine Seasons / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We did notice a few grab and go allergy-friendly snacks in Sunshine Seasons on our way out -- like these Surf Sweets Fruity Bears. We opted to skip any additional snacks. But, this is a great location for grab and go allergy-friendly options.

Overall

While our meal wasn't anything fancy and was fairly no frills, we both enjoyed the dishes we got. The food court style experience isn't our favorite, but I am always really glad to find a lot of safe, non-sandwich options when we visit Sunshine Seasons. Add in that you can talk to a Disney chef too, and you have a great quick service location for guests with special dietary needs in Epcot.

Have you been to Sunshine Seasons? What did you think of the special diets options there?

7/19/19 7/19/19

Kona Cafe Dinner Review

Kona Cafe, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, has become an instant favorite with us (and especially Brandon) after we visited a few months ago when they launched their new all-day lunch & dinner menu. We enjoy the low-key atmosphere and some of the new menu items, along with classic favorites.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2019. It includes information about dairy free modifications, fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Polynesian Village Resort is one of my favorites on Disney property. I absolutely love the retro Mid-Century Modern / Tiki vibe.

Polynesian Village Resort / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On the night we went for dinner, the weather was pretty stormy outside -- perfect for a tropical storm vibe, but not so great for guests planning on going to the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. In fact, we both commented on how busy the lobby and general public areas of the resort were. It's definitely the busiest I've seen it in a long time.

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

Because it was so busy, we were told that we would be seated close to our reservation time instead of early. So, we took that time to wander the surrounding shops and found a nice cozy spot to sit and relax before dinner.

I forgot to take too many photos while we were in the restaurant -- mostly because the restaurant was really extremely crowded. I usually only see Kona that crowded during breakfast, so this was definitely a surprise. The photo I took above was taken as we were leaving the restaurant and the table seatings were started to empty a bit.

As you can see, the restaurant is open to the second floor, so it's very open and you can watch a lot of the action nearby, including the lines for the monorail!

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Kona Cafe does offer guests an allergy-friendly menu. I do always recommend that you speak with a chef too, if you have any questions or want to talk about other potential options for you to enjoy. I also especially recommend this if you have multiple special dietary needs.

After we ordered our meals, our server brought us bread service to enjoy. I was served the Deanna's Gluten Free allergy-friendly rolls. These are gluten free, dairy free, and cover several other special dietary needs, as well. I was served regular butter, but you can request Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread too.

I can pretty much make a meal out of these and some sushi when we dine here for an easy and filling meal. I've had good luck with the rolls being properly heated here, and they have been enjoyable on every visit I've been there. For some reason 'Ohana right next door never seems to properly heat these rolls, which is a bit odd since they share kitchen space.

Because Brandon can have gluten, he was brought the classic rolls served at the restaurant. These are peanut free.

Kona Cafe - Cheddar Burger — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I ordered the Crispy Baked Cheddar Cheeseburger with Smothered in Crispy Cheddar, Maple-Black Pepper Bacon, Roasted Tomato, and Braised Onions. This is served on a gluten free bun. It is also marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. It does contain dairy, but you could get a burger plain without cheese.

If you're a cheese person, this is a must-order burger at Kona Cafe. There was so much cheese, that it was kind of a bit ridiculous. I absolutely loved the crispy baked cheddar crisp served on the burger. And, I especially loved the maple-black pepper bacon and braised onions. This was a pretty big burger, and all of the toppings were super flavorful. If you can have dairy, this is definitely a great option. One word of caution, the burger is fairly messy and greasy. So be prepared!

The fries served with it were also good (and made in a dedicated allergy fryer), but these are the fries you can get pretty much everywhere at Disney. So, they weren't anything special.

Kona Cafe - California Roll — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If you can't have dairy or are looking for something a bit lighter or seafood-based, look no further than Kona's sushi options. On a previous visit, I ordered the California Roll. This is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. I am always really impressed with the quality of their sushi. They do a great job, and everything always tastes really fresh. Plus, they have gluten free soy sauce on hand too!

Kona Cafe - Pork Belly Ramen — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon has been loving the Pork Belly Noodle Bowl with Bone Broth, Rice Noodles, Soy Egg, Mushrooms, Bok Choy, and Hot Sesame Oil. This is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies and it's also chicken & turkey free too. He's ordered this three times now, so I'd say it's a winner.

One interesting note about this dish and even the mashed potatoes he's ordered several times. We both have noticed that these are not consistently prepared. The noodle bowl, for instance, sometimes has one type of mushroom and other times not. And, on this visit, his pork belly looked quite different from previous visits. He was also served the soy marinated egg, which he has not always had in his noodle bowl. We double-checked everything, but we were still noticing that the dish seems to vary depending on the night we visit.

Brandon also really enjoys the mashed potatoes. These contain dairy but are safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies and are also chicken & turkey free. These are super creamy and rich. So, they're a good side to order if you really love mashed potatoes.

As you can see from this photo and the one above, the mashed potatoes have also been slightly inconsistent too. On Father's Day, when we took Brandon's dad out, we were served potatoes with the skins mashed into the dish. On this occasion, they weren't, and we had the addition of green onion. So, I'd say consistency could be an issue at this restaurant. Thankfully, despite the consistency issues everything has tasted great for both of us, even with the variations.

Overall

With a much larger all-day menu that includes sandwiches, entrees, noodle bowls, and sushi, there's just about something for everyone at Kona Cafe. Add to that a good amount of options for guests with special dietary needs, and you have the makings for a great table service option for lunch and dinner. Both of us agreed that this is definitely a location we'll keep going back to for an easy-going and filling meal in one of our favorite resorts.

Have you been to Kona Cafe? What do you think of their new lunch & dinner options?

7/19/19 7/19/19

Royal Palace Debarkation Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

It's amazing how quickly a cruise can go by. Just like that our 3-day cruise on in May on the Disney Dream was over. Because we dined at Royal Palace the evening before, we were assigned Royal Palace as the location for our debarkation breakfast. Guests also have the option to dine at Cabanas the morning the cruise debarks. But, we always prefer the assigned rotational dining option for an a la carte breakfast. Because we had late dining, our debarkation breakfast was around 8 a.m. -- early, but not nearly as early as our previous debarkation breakfasts.

*This gluten free review took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Debarkation Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

It's always so sad on the day we leave the ship! I do appreciate that Disney Cruise Line has magical touches, even as you're debarking.

Disney Cruise Line - See Ya Real Soon / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I always get a few photos of the See Ya Real Soon signs throughout the ship. It's both sad and gives us something to look forward to because we're always thinking about our next cruise!

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

Even though we had a later breakfast, as you can tell, Royal Palace was pretty deserted. A lot of guests do skip breakfast or head to Cabanas instead.

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

I may be smiling in this photo, but we both didn't want to leave the ship at all. Three day cruises never feel like enough time when you're sailing on a Disney Cruise ship.

The Food

Breakfast during debarkation includes a limited menu. This means that if you're interested in items like allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, they won't be options. That's because the ship is essentially debarking and re-embarking the same day. So, the crew really has a tight turn-around to get the ship ready for the next set of cruising guests.

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

Although Brandon is not a big breakfast person, he did get breakfast during debarkation. We both ordered cold beverages, including orange juice.

Usually, I try to order easy but filling breakfast items to help fuel us for our drive home. I got a ham and cheese omelet which is gluten free. It can be made dairy free by omitting the cheese. Overall, as omelets go, this was good but nothing special. Still, given how quickly debarkation breakfast goes, I was pleasantly surprised by how decent this was.

Even though you can't order allergy-friendly Mickey waffles during debarkation breakfast, you can get allergy-friendly pancakes. These are gluten free and dairy free, and they are made using the King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix. I have to admit, that I think I liked the pancakes better than the waffles. Super tasty and definitely a breakfast option I'll get again.

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

Brandon opted for something very simple -- scrambled eggs and bacon. His breakfast entree was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. He is happy with something simple and small, though we both agreed he got a fairly substantial portion.

Overall

While debarkation breakfast is never fancy, we always appreciate being able to get one last meal on our cruise. It's a nice way to cap off the sailing and get a little bit more of the Disney Cruise Line magic in before we head back home.

Have you been on a Disney Cruise? How do you dine for breakfast on debarkation day?

7/16/19 7/16/19

Royal Palace Dinner Review on the Disney Dream

A three day cruise goes by fast! And, on our last night of our 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, we had our last rotational dinner at Royal Palace. It didn't feel too much like a new experience that night because we'd been at Royal Palace so much over the course of three days. But, we both really enjoy the Royal Palace dinner and the options available to us there.

*This gluten free review took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Dinner at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

Because I've posted so many Royal Palace reviews, I won't share too many photos of this Disney princess inspired restaurant. But, you can see and read more about it in my breakfast and lunch reviews.

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

I'm not sure if I mentioned it in earlier reviews, but we had the later dinner seating at 8:15 p.m. This was our first cruise dining this late. And, while we were both a bit skeptical about it at first, we actually really loved late dining. In fact, we both agreed that we will always book the second dining on every trip from now on. For us, it gave us a lot more time to digest and not feel rushed in the afternoon after excursions, relaxing, or getting back on the ship.

I did want to include a comparison photo for you of dinner. As you can see, the atmosphere is totally different in the evening when the restaurant is much more crowded. That's one of the reasons I love eating there at breakfast and lunch. The low crowds are just such a nice change of pace.

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

I love the adorable napkin shapes throughout the ship's restaurants. This one is perfectly themed for Royal Palace.

The Food

Royal Palace is hands down our favorite of the three main rotational dining options for the food. While we Enchanted Garden is our favorite restaurant overall, we both agree that the food at Royal Palace tends to be much more our speed. So, we actually ate food that was entirely from this restaurant instead of requesting items from other dining locations!

Another shoutout to our assistant server Cristel from Mexico! She completely rocked the entire cruise and really made our dining experience pleasant. From start to finish, she really made sure we enjoyed our meals and always had our double drinks!

I forgot to take a photo of the Ener-G allergy-friendly rolls. But, we did manage to get a shot of the olive tapenade that was served as an accompaniment to the rolls. I really loved the saltiness of the olives, while Brandon preferred to skip the tapenade and just use butter on his rolls.

Royal Palace - Iced Lobster & Shrimp — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For the second time on the cruise, I ordered the Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp. This is gluten free but contains dairy. It can be easily made dairy free by omitting the sauces. If you are a seafood lover, this is an excellent classic steakhouse appetizer.

For Brandon's appetizer, he ordered the Breaded and Deep Fried Brie. This is fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. This is one of his favorite appetizers because he is a huge brie fan.

Although I didn't order it this time, I have actually been able to pre-order this dish to be gluten free on a previous cruise. If you're gluten free and really love the idea of this, I highly recommend pre-ordering it, as they cannot make it on the fly.

Royal Palace - Leek Soup — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We both also ordered the Leek and Potato Soup. It's one of our favorites, and it is gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. It is also vegetarian. If you enjoy soup, I highly recommend this option, especially for gluten free guests since it requires no modifications to be gluten free.

Both of us also ordered the Chateaubriand-Roasted Filet Steak with Crushed Potatoes and Green Beans. Neither one of us could have the Bernaise Sauce that normally comes with it. With this modification, this dish was gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. The potatoes do contain dairy, so if you're interested in this, you may be able to swap out the potatoes with advance notice.

Both of us really enjoyed the entree. And, we both agreed that the mashed potatoes were actually the best part of the plate. I think that's partially because our steaks were both overdone. Mine was especially well-done.

Brandon's was a bit more rare, so be sure to tell your server if you have a particular concern about meat temperature and cook.

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

For dessert, we were both served Tahitian Vanilla Creme Brulee. This dessert is both gluten free and peanut free. Brandon said it was just OK, and I skipped this because I do not like Creme Brulee usually.

I was also extremely bummed because I had pre-ordered the Grand Marnier Souffle, which my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures has ordered on her cruises and raved about. When I asked our server Allen about it, he said the kitchen told him they couldn't make it. I will definitely be asking about it again on a future cruise, just in case they can make it on that sailing.

Allen did bring out the allergy-friendly dessert of the night, which was the same dessert Brandon had at our embarkation lunch. A combination of a cookie and brownie topped with raspberry sorbet, it was a much better option than the creme brulee. This dessert is gluten free, dairy free, vegan, peanut free, and free of the top common allergens. I am still bummed I didn't get the Grand Marnier Souffle I pre-ordered, but I'm at least glad I had a decent dessert option.

Overall

Royal Palace is definitely a great meal during your rotational dining options. It's a favorite of ours for the excellent food options and overall experience. If you are on your cruise, don't skip out on this restaurant during your sailing. It's definitely worth the experience, especially if you're a fan of French and steakhouse inspired fare.

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

7/16/19 7/16/19

Cookie's BBQ Lunch Review on Castaway Cay

Cookie's BBQ is one of three restaurants on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. On our recent 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, we had lunch at Cookie's BBQ, which is the main restaurant on the island, and the location that handles special dietary needs requests. On our last two cruises, we've pre-ordered our lunches, and this has worked really well for us. So, Cookie's BBQ is our go-to spot to eat.

*This gluten free review took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Lunch at Cookie’s BBQ

Atmosphere

Somehow I always manage to forget to take a lot of photos of Cookie's BBQ when we eat there. I'm sure this is due to being super relaxed and chill while we're on the island!

Cookies BBQ - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When you go to Cookie's BBQ, you'll want to find the giant boat with potato chips on it. This is exactly where you need to go to check in if you're pre-ordered food or to talk to a coordinator about special diets options.

Cookies's BBQ Potato Chips / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You can always grab a bag of plain Lay's potato chips too while you're there. These are individually packaged and gluten free and dairy free too!

Cookie's BBQ - Fruit — Cookie's BBQ / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the things I always appreciate about the food options with Disney Cruise Line is that they always have lots of fresh fruit and vegetables around for guests to grab and take with them. Cookie's BBQ is no exception. They have tons of fresh fruit available. And, I always make sure to grab at least one plate of fresh pineapple, mango, and grapes.

Cookie's BBQ / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Another nice touch is that while you're on your way to your picnic bench to enjoy lunch, you'll find fresh condiments individually prepared by cast members. This is great for those of us with special diets who need to avoid cross-contamination.

The Food

Although we didn't pre-order food at any other location, we always make sure to pre-order our lunch on Castaway Cay. In May 2018, we didn't pre-order and attempted to eat at the Serenity Bay BBQ (the adults only restaurant). And, I had very limited options. So, we've pre-ordered on the last two cruises and had great success.

One important note about pre-ordering. It does not guarantee that you get your food the moment you walk up to the restaurant. What it does is help the restaurant and coordinators prepare the right amount of food for special diets guests and help streamline the process when you arrive. We sadly saw a guest who came to Cookie's BBQ who was extremely irate that the special diets food options for her kids was not ready immediately. For us, even with a small wait, we're just grateful we can eat safely while we're on our cruise, so I do recommend having a little patience and understanding with the cast members who are helping make your experience safe and delicious.

After speaking with a coordinator who found our order, we were given a number to take with us to whatever picnic table we wanted to sit at. While Brandon grabbed us a table, I went to get some fresh fruit. I don't know what it is, but I swear the fruit on the cruises is so fresh. I could eat the pineapple they serve for days!

Cookie's BBQ - Gluten Free Burger — Cookie's BBQ / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

A cast member arrived at our table with only one of our orders. Unfortunately, the coordinator got confused and only grabbed my pre-order and not Brandon's. So, the cast member went to prepare Brandon's food, which did arrive pretty quickly considering.

I pre-ordered a cheeseburger on a gluten free bun, French fries, and grilled mahi mahi. Everything was gluten free, and the burger could have been made dairy free by omitting the cheese. While I wouldn't say anything we get at Castaway Cay is super amazing, we both really just enjoy a basic grilled burger while we listen to the ocean nearby. I also really enjoy the grilled fish too.

You'll find that there are other options that are gluten free safe too -- like the grilled chicken, potato salad, and coleslaw. Always double-check with a coordinator to confirm that the items you're interested in are safe for your special dietary need. I also recommend that when you pre-order that you ask for specific items that you want. We have found that if you're too vague, you're likely to get plain and bland food. The more specific you are, the better your experience!

As you can see, Brandon got virtually the same thing -- minus the fish because of his allergies. This burger was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. He was served a regular gluten-filled bun since that was safe for his special dietary needs.

Overall

We both really enjoy the simple pleasures of getting classic BBQ food when we eat at Cookie's BBQ on Castaway Cay. There's something charming and nostalgic about eating BBQ at a picnic table and lounging afterwards on the beach. If you have special diets, I strongly recommend pre-ordering your food and eating at Cookie's BBQ (and avoiding Cookie's Too and Serenity Bay BBQ) for the best special dietary needs options while you're at Castaway Cay.

Have you been to Cookie's BBQ on Castaway Cay? What did you get when you dined there?

7/16/19 7/16/19

Royal Palace Breakfast Review - Disney Dream

Royal Palace on the Disney Dream really was our home away from home on our 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream. That's because it's not only one of the three main rotational dining options on the cruise ship, but it's also the location for a la carte breakfast and lunch while you're on your cruise. So, we ate there a lot!

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

On day 3, I had breakfast at Royal Palace as we docked at Castaway Cay. Since Brandon is not a breakfast person, I went down for some allergy-friendly Mickey waffles while he woke up and got around for our relaxing day on Castaway Cay.

Atmosphere

Because we dined at Royal Palace so much on this cruise, you'll see lots of photos in all of my reviews of breakfast and lunch.

Royal Palace Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Since Royal Palace is themed after the Disney princesses, you'll find lots of royal touches throughout the restaurant, including paintings and other decor.

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

During my breakfast, I was seated near the porthole windows on the side of the ship.

While it didn't make for the most amazing views in the restaurant, I really didn't care because I had some fantastic views of Castaway Cay.

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

There's nothing quite like enjoying a leisurely breakfast while your cruise ship docks into port at Castaway Cay. If you dine early at Royal Palace (the restaurant typically opens at 8 or 8:30 a.m.), do ask for a seat by the windows. It's worth asking for the amazing views!

The Food

Because we were at Castaway Cay and would be having BBQ lunch on the island, I wasn't planning on ordering anything too filling at breakfast.

I do always order an iced tea for a little bit of caffeine and an apple juice to get my day started.

After I had been seated, our server Cristel from our main rotational dining experiences saw me. She wasn't a part of my breakfast server team, but she did come over to say "hello." She noticed I didn't have any gluten free pastries at my table and insisted on bringing me some, which was very nice of her. I ended up with two of the Kinnikinnick brand cinnamon sugar donuts. These are gluten free, dairy free, and free of the top common allergens. I always enjoy these donuts and do tend to get them at least once on our cruises.

Since I'd already ordered my favorite gluten free Eggs Benedict earlier on the cruise, I knew I wanted to get allergy-friendly Mickey waffles this time. I was able to get Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles with Blueberry Compote, Strawberry Cream, and Bacon.

The waffles are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens and are made using the King Arthur Flour Pancake & Waffle Mix. This is change from previous cruises where they were using mixes like Namaste to make the waffles.

Overall, I really liked the waffles, especially with the blueberry compote and strawberry cream (the cream contains dairy). You can also get your waffles served with plain maple syrup too. The combination of the blueberry compote and strawberry cream were just perfect and made the waffles really special -- as opposed to getting them with just maple syrup. I would definitely get these again on a future cruise.

Overall

Royal Palace continues to be my go-to spot for a la carte breakfast on the Disney Dream. I'm really glad it's there as an option, because I much prefer the low-key and relaxed atmosphere there than at Cabanas, which can get really busy some mornings. Plus, these allergy-friendly Mickey waffles and toppings might be my new favorite breakfast entree on the Disney Dream. They were the perfect way to start my day on beautiful Castaway Cay.

Have you been to Royal Palace on the Disney Dream for breakfast? What did you think about their special diets options?

7/16/19 7/16/19

Enchanted Garden Dinner Review on the Disney Dream

Enchanted Garden on the Disney Dream is one of the three main rotational dining restaurants. On our recent Disney Cruise in May, we had dinner here on our second night, which was also pirate night on the ship. After our last several cruises, Enchanted Garden has become one of our favorite restaurants to dine in for its charming theme and delicious entrees.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Dinner at Enchanted Garden

Atmosphere

Enchanted Garden is themed after the gardens of Versailles. So, you'll see lots of beautiful garden-inspired touches throughout the restaurant.

Enchanted Garden Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

From the moment you step inside, you'll see beautiful garden murals and lights.

Enchanted Garden Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The lighting does change throughout your meal and goes from day time to sunset. I love some of the charming seating options in here, including the tea-cup inspired booths. We've been lucky enough to have been seated in these several times and always love them.

Enchanted Garden Fountain / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The centerpiece as you walk into the restaurant is a beautiful water fountain. I absolutely love getting photos of it after our meal when the lighting looks more like twilight.

Enchanted Garden Lighting / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We always look up, down, and all around whenever we're in a Disney restaurant. That's because you'll see so many beautiful and themed elements just about everywhere. My favorite in Enchanted Garden are these beautiful flower lights.

Enchanted Garden - Table / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were seated towards the middle of the restaurant, and we had a good vantage point of the restaurant without being in too congested of an area.

The Food

Because we were on a 3-day cruise, even though we dined at Enchanted Garden during pirate night, the menu was still Enchanted Garden's regular rotational dinner menu.

Enchanted Garden / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For our bread service, we were both brought the Ener-G allergy-friendly rolls, which are gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens, with some hummus. While Brandon ate the rolls, he's not a fan of the hummus, so he skipped that. Overall, I enjoyed the bread service. If you're a hummus fan, you'll enjoy this version which is fairly mild in flavor.

I have to shout-out our assistant server, Cristel from Mexico. She was a total rockstar throughout our cruise and really took great care of us. She was also super on top of beverages. In fact, she learned quickly what drinks we liked to order and brought us double drinks at all times throughout the meal.

She was also awesome when I saw her during breakfast at Royal Palace and even insisted on bringing me gluten free pastries when she saw I didn't have any. And she wasn't even my server during that meal! She was really excellent and definitely went above and beyond during our cruise, so if you get a chance to have her as a part of your service team, you'll be well taken care of.

While we absolutely love Enchanted Garden's theme and the entrees served there, sometimes we go a little off-book when we dine there. Luckily, we learned several cruises ago that you can order items served at any of the three main rotational dining options during your meal. Because I'm not a big fan of any of the appetizers at Enchanted Garden, I requested the Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp that is normally served at Royal Palace.

This dish is marked gluten free on the Royal Palace menu and can be made dairy free by omitting the sauces. This is always one of my favorite appetizers. And, I like it so much that I ordered it twice on this cruise. If you're a seafood fan, this is always a great option.

Enchanted Garden - Soup — Enchanted Garden / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was also not feeling any of the appetizer choices from Enchanted Garden that night. He ended up getting the French Onion Soup from Royal Palace again. This dish is fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. He really enjoys this soup a lot. And, he was still so glad that he could get soup on the cruise pretty much as much as he wanted. This continues to be a real winner in his book.

Enchanted Garden - Indian Food — Enchanted Garden / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because I wasn't all that excited about the Indian food options I had the previous night at Animator's Palate, our server Allen wanted to make sure I got some options that I really loved. I was served a plate of curry chicken, scented rice, and curried potatoes. This was all gluten free.

This second serving of Indian food did not disappoint. And, as you can see in this photo, I was one happy camper.

My favorite main dining entree is also at Enchanted Garden. So, Allen brought me a plate of the Marjoram Scented Roasted Chicken too. Although I couldn't eat everything, I did put a major dent in the dinner. The roasted chicken is so flavorful and tender, that it continues to be tops for me for entrees. I also really enjoyed the whipped sweet potatoes, sautéed spinach, and the chicken jus served with this too. This entree is marked gluten free on the Enchanted Garden menu.

For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Slow Roasted Prime Rib. This was a gluten free (marked on the menu), fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Overall, Brandon really liked it, but did think the prime rib was quite fatty for his taste. We both totally forgot until after he'd ordered that he had loved the seared pork tenderloin medallions served at this restaurant on our last cruise. He could have ordered this, but chose not to because he was already feeling pretty full.

Even after stuffing myself silly with all the food I ordered, I still managed to have some room for dessert. Though it's not marked gluten free on the menu, I was served the Orange Yogurt Cake. Having been to Palo many times, this was absolutely the same orange almond cake served there for dessert.

The cake itself is gluten free and dairy free, but the accompaniments contained dairy. I loved the actual cake itself -- it's one of my favorite desserts on the ship. But, the solidified yogurt rectangle served on the plate was just weird and kind of gross. Next time, I'd just ask for the dessert minus the yogurt and cream sauce.

For Brandon's dessert, he ordered Chocolate Garden Torte which came with a coffee cream and was peanut free. Even though he's not a big dessert person, he loves chocolatey desserts. This one was a real winner, and one he'd get again.

Overall

We both really enjoy the atmosphere and entrees served at Enchanted Garden. With a beautiful garden theme and pleasant dim lighting, we always look forward to our dinners at this rotational dining location.

Have you been to Enchanted Garden? What did you think of the restaurant and food?

7/16/19 7/16/19

Royal Palace Lunch Review on the Disney Dream

Royal Palace always feels like our home restaurant when we're cruising on the Disney Dream. That's because we tend to eat there quite a few times for a la carte breakfast and lunches throughout our sailing. On our recent May cruise on the Disney Dream, we ate there several times, including once for lunch. I had already had breakfast there that morning. So, we had a late lunch after a relaxing few hours in the Rainforest Room in Senses Spa. It's a great way to rest, relax, and recharge. And, after our time there, we decide a refuel at lunch was in order.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Lunch at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

As I mentioned in my breakfast review of Royal Palace, the restaurant is themed after Disney princesses.

The restaurant has a very different feel to it during the day time. And, we both really enjoy how relaxed and low-key it is. We went closer to the end of lunch service, so it was quite empty. But, our overall service and experience were still beyond excellent.

Royal Palace Seat View / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were docked in Nassau, Bahamas that day, and so our view wasn't the most amazing, it was still nice to have a window seat with some views outside.

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

Our table was also in a nice cozy corner, which we really appreciated. It was nice to just relax and not feel rushed during our lunch.

The Food

On this cruise, we didn't pre-order any of our lunches, as we have on previous cruises. Both of us agreed that you don't really need to pre-order a meal, unless you have a really special request. We have found the restaurants to be really accommodating even with all of our special dietary needs.

Royal Palace Lunch - Allergy Friendly Rolls — Royal Palace Lunch / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were each brought a bread service -- I was served the Ener-G allergy-friendly rolls, which are gluten free, dairy free and free of the top common allergens and vegan. During lunch, they weren't that well-heated. But, if you can get them well-heated, they are always a nice accompaniment to any meal.

Brandon was given the regular bread service as the bread was peanut free. He wasn't too keen on the bread throughout our cruise and felt that the gluten free rolls were sometimes better than the gluten-filled ones he was served.

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

For my appetizer, I ordered the Ahi Tuna Nicoise which is marked gluten free and dairy free on the Royal Palace lunch menu. This has been a go-to appetizer for me on several cruises now. I really love the fresh flavors and how light is is. It's a great way to start a meal or as a main entree if you're feeling like eating light.

Royal Palace Lunch - Meat & Cheese — Royal Palace Lunch / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon started with the Sliced Serrano Ham with Manchego Cheese and Tomato Bread. This was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Overall, he really enjoyed the meat and cheese portion of this appetizer but wasn't as keen on the tomato bread. He's ordered this on several cruises too and enjoys it quite a bit. If you're gluten free, they can make this GF by omitting the bread.

My friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures had posted about some really tasting looking allergy-friendly chicken tenders on her Baja cruise on the Disney Wonder. They looked totally different than any of the ones that you can get at Disney World, so I knew I had to try them on our cruise.

I was able to order allergy-friendly chicken tenders, French fries, and steamed vegetables during lunch. The tenders and fries are made in a dedicate fryer to avoid cross-contamination. Overall, I was so happy I ordered these. There were super crispy and really delicious.

In hindsight, I should have asked what brand they were using. But, I was enjoying them too much and too relaxed and just plain forgot! I will absolutely be ordering these again and investigating where else I can order them on the ship. I have heard that you can get them at Cabanas, Flo's Cafe, all of the main rotational dining restaurants, and through room service.

Brandon really wanted to get the lamb burger on the Royal Palace lunch menu, but it contained fish in the burger patty, so it could not be modified. Instead, he got the Classic Cheeseburger and French fries. His fries were also made in a dedicated fryer, and the entire meal was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Brandon did enjoy the burger but said it wasn't anything too special.

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

For my dessert, I was served the allergy-friendly dessert of the day -- a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting layers, raspberry non-dairy whipped topping, and fresh fruit. This was gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens. Overall, I really enjoyed this. The cake was a little dry and dense, but the light and airy raspberry whipped cream on it was fantastic and really made the dessert. I would definitely order this dessert again.

For his dessert, Brandon was served the Italian Style Ice Cream Sundae with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce, and Whipped Cream. This was peanut free, and I believe he did not have the biscotti crumble that is normally in the sundae included in the version he was served. Brandon is not a huge dessert person, so while I think he enjoyed it, I'm not sure it's something he'd go out of his way to order.

Overall

Royal Palace for lunch continues to be our preferred way to enjoy lunch when we're dining aboard the Disney Dream. It's low-key and relaxed and gives us a lot of options and flexibility for our special dietary needs. I think I may have found my go-to lunch choices on this visit too!

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

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Dinner at Royal Palace

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Breakfast at Royal Palace

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Lunch at Royal Palace

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Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW