3/16/21 3/16/21

Grand Floridian Cafe Brunch Review

Grand Floridian Cafe, located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is a table service restaurant that offers, breakfast, lunch, and dinner options to guests. It's been several years since Brandon and I ate at Grand Floridian Cafe. We recently decided to make a last minute late lunch because the restaurant offers breakfast food (aka brunch) until nearly 2 p.m. daily. I had a total breakfast food craving and the brunch offerings gave us a chance to get breakfast or lunch depending on what we were interested in.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in March 2021. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Brunch at Grand Floridian Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late afternoon seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed for lunch at 2 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We were able to use online check-in during our visit, which worked great.

The restaurant itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. We were actually asked to wait outside versus inside before our table was ready to ensure social distancing. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. The restaurant also currently offers some temporary outdoor dining, if you prefer to eat only outdoors at this time. We actually had a choice of seat location when we did online check-in that included no preference, booth, window, or outdoors. This may change overtime, so be sure to speak with a cast member directly if you have specific preferences.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, Riviera Resort, and Wilderness Lodge Resort along with all of the theme parks. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

The Grand Floridian Cafe offers a bit of Victorian charm in a more relaxed and casual setting. It is located on the main floor of the resort and has beautiful views of the resort's lawn area.

Grand Floridian Cafe - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see, the restaurant has lots of windows which offer pleasant views.

Grand Floridian Cafe - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant's interior itself is surprisingly bigger than one would expect. I always forget that it's fairly long and sprawling. We were seated at a table near one of the windows in a dining room area that is fairly quiet. There are a lot of different seating styles too from booths, to large tables for big parties, to smaller tables near the windows. And, of course, the Victorian decor is ever present on the wallpaper, in the carpet, and curtains. You almost expect the turn-of-the-century John from the Carousel of Progress to be dining in the restaurant too!

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, the Grand Floridian Cafe does have an allergy-friendly menu. On this visit, we were not given a paper menu but were directed to the mobile app where the allergy-friendly menu was listed.

In addition to the allergy-friendly menu, you can always speak to a chef directly for additional questions you might have about options or special diets safety. On this visit, we chose to order directly from the allergy-friendly menu as we were ordering pretty standard breakfast fare.

Grand Floridian Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my breakfast entree, I chose the Eggs Benedict which was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. This dish does contain dairy and cannot be modified, so if you're dairy free, you'll want to consider other breakfast dishes.

Overall, I liked the Eggs Benedict but didn't love it. The dish had indicated that it came with a gluten free English muffin. But, the restaurant seemed to have some supply issues, so mine came served on gluten free bread. While the flavors were all just OK, I was glad that this is an option for gluten free guests. Of course, I may just be spoiled by the excellent GF Eggs Benedict served on the Disney Cruise Line ships which I get every cruise.

The side dish of a tomato salad was quite nice and refreshing. The red onion was a bit sharp and spicy and mixed well with the sweet tomatoes and peppery arugula. I believe they also use this mix on the Avocado Toast which would be pretty amazing in my opinion. Generally, I would order this entree again, but I would probably order something different on our next visit.

Brandon ordered the classic Steak & Eggs. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. They were also made safe for chicken & turkey and cabbage allergies too. But, it's important to note that the dairy free options on the allergy-friendly menu are regular breakfast potatoes, not the cheesy potatoes shown in this photo. Brandon was able to get those potatoes instead since they were safe for his special dietary needs.

Like me, Brandon liked his entree but didn't love it. He said the steak was cooked well and that the eggs were tasty. His favorite part of the entree by far were the cheesy potatoes. If you can have these, they are highly recommended by Brandon!

Because I hadn't had pancakes in a while, Brandon and I decided to split the allergy-friendly pancakes. These were marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. They can also be made vegan by omitting the bacon or sausage side dish.

Both Brandon and I really loved the pancakes. And, it was the favorite part of our meal (besides the cheesy potatoes, which Brandon also raved about). The restaurant is currently using Bloomfield Farms gluten free & allergy-friendly pancakes and waffle mix. I've had this at Topolino's Terrace, and I really like the mix a lot. This is a definite must-order again dish! I am hoping that next time we go that they'll have more of their standard pancake & waffle toppings that they usually have but were not available on this visit due to supply issues.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Tiffins, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We both enjoyed our meal at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Our only negative from the visit is that the service was incredibly slow despite having very few guests dining at the time that we visited. However, we both generally enjoyed our meal and had a few food highlights that we loved -- the allergy-friendly pancakes for both of us and the cheesy potatoes for Brandon. While we probably won't be back for a while, we both like that this restaurant serves breakfast food until 2 p.m. everyday which is great if you're craving breakfast but don't want to visit during the earlier parts of the day.

Have you been to the Grand Floridian Cafe for brunch? What did you think of the special diets offerings?

1/18/21 1/18/21

Topolino's Terrace Character Breakfast Review

Topolino's Terrace, located at Disney's Riviera Resort, has quickly risen to be one of our top restaurants at Walt Disney World. With outstanding food, beautiful atmosphere and theming, and excellent special dietary needs accommodations, there's a lot to love about Topolino's Terrace. We first dined at the restaurant in August 2020, and after such a great meal we knew that we had to dine here for their character breakfast. During a mini-staycation at Disney's Polynesian Resort, we decided to enjoy a last minute brunch at Topolino's Terrace when we saw a late morning reservation open up.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Breakfast at Topolino's Terrace

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late breakfast seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closes for breakfast at 11:15 a.m. currently). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Topolino's Terrace. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

Disney's Riviera Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit.

In terms of the crowds, we found that the resort itself was moderately busy compared to our visit the month before. The restaurant was also a bit busier in the waiting area, as the character meal is quite popular. However, there were very few tables with diners at them by the time we ended our meal, and we both felt the social distancing was excellent in the restaurant.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Topolino's Terrace is inspired by the French and Italian Rivieras. Beautifully decorated, bright, and refined, both Brandon and I fell in love with the decor of this restaurant the first time we dined there. Located on the top floor of the resort, the restaurant has outstanding views of the Walt Disney World Resort, and it has a lovely outside observation deck that's perfect for fireworks displays too.

Topolino's Terrace - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In the evening time, it has a slightly different feel as the lights dim and the Florida sunsets brighten the dining room. In the daytime, the restaurant is bright and chipper -- perfect for a character breakfast.

The restaurant includes standard seating and spacious booths. During our character meal, we were seated in one of these booths, and we absolutely loved the seating and social distancing it provided.

Topolino's Terrace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Speaking of social distancing, at the time we dined there, Topolino's Terrace was offering a character meal experienced that was slightly modified due to COVID-19. This meant that characters did not come to your table to take photos or sign autographs. But, that didn't mean the interactions weren't just as good.

In fact, as an adult couple, both Brandon and I actually preferred the social distancing experience because we could still interact with the characters but could still enjoy our meal during the experience. Topolino's Terrace also offers an adorable show/presentation throughout your meal and that was really fun for all ages too.

The characters at the time of this review included Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck. Each one of the characters is dressed in outfits related to an artist outlet, such as poetry, painting, and dance. Currently, you can only see the characters in these outfits at Topolino's Terrace.

Our favorite by far had to be Donald Duck. Daisy Duck was a close second, as both the ducks were super sassy and personable. If you want to see more of the show, character interaction, and restaurant interior, be sure to check out our YouTube vlog for videos from the visit.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Topolino's Terrace does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We also spoke directly to a chef to ask questions, including ordering dishes that could be modified to be gluten free -- but weren't listed on the allergy-friendly menu. We always recommend speaking directly to a chef for this reason.

One word about coffee if you need a bit of caffeine to start your breakfast. If you're gluten free or dairy free, most of the specialty beverages won't be an option here, as we were told they use a shared coffee maker and cannot guarantee allergy safety or cross-contamination. They do offer dairy free milk options, but I was told that plain coffee was my best choice for a safe option. Brandon was able to get a mocha on our visit, but I stuck to iced tea rather than order a plain coffee.

After speaking with a chef, Brandon and I were brought a basket of breakfast pastries to share. This visit we were served Udi's Gluten Free brand muffins, including a double-chocolate chip and blueberry muffin. We were also served Kinnikinnik brand allergy-friendly donuts with a vanilla glaze on them.

We get the donuts a lot on the Disney Cruise and are big fans of them, so those were a definite hit. The muffins we could take or leave as they're just OK in our opinion. As an aside, guests are often served butter and spreads, including a hazelnut spread. Because Brandon is allergic to hazelnut, we were not served any side accompaniments.

Topolino's Terrace - Gluten Free Crustless Quiche — Topolino's Terrace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I had heard from Paleo Disney that you could order the Quiche Gruyère gluten free upon request. When I spoke to the chef, he said that it was an option but that it would take a bit of extra time to prepare. The gluten free version of the quiche is crustless, so it is more like a frittata, and it does contain dairy.

I have to say that this was definitely worth the wait. The frittata included a house-made pancetta and gruyere cheese and was really flavorful. The textures were also great. The roasted potatoes were outstanding, and my surprise favorite side was the salad. Light and refreshing, it went perfectly with the rich flavors of the GF quiche. I would absolutely request this dish again, and it might be one of the best breakfast entrees I've ever had at Disney World.

At Topolino's Terrace, you typically order one single entree. However, I did ask if I could pay an upcharge to try the large allergy-friendly Mickey Waffle. On this visit, the chef said it was no problem to order it as a second dish and that there would be no extra charge, but your mileage may vary when you visit.

The allergy-friendly Mickey waffle at Topolino's Terrace is unique in that it's a large waffle versus the smaller individual waffles you get throughout Walt Disney World. The only other location I've ever seen a large allergy-friendly waffle at was at Disneyland at Steakhouse 55.

This version came with Roasted Apple, Chantilly, and Orange-Maple Syrup. It can be made dairy free by omitting the Chantilly whipped cream. I was absolutely blown away by this waffle. The accompaniments were really flavorful and added a lot of flavor. I especially loved the orange-maple syrup. The roasted apples were a nice touch too. The waffle itself was really good -- a little dry -- but the flavors were great (and the accompaniments helped with the dryness).

When I asked about the mix, I was told that Topolino's Terrace is currently using Bloomfield Farms gluten free pancake and waffle mix. One of my biggest tips is to ask before you order about allergy-friendly waffle mixes as some on property are better than others. Overall, I would not hesitate to order this again because the flavors were all excellent.

Brandon opted for the classic Two Eggs-Any Style served with roasted potatoes and bacon. This was safe for peanut/tree nut, fish/shellfish, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies. It can also be made gluten free and dairy free too. While nothing special, Brandon said the entree was great. He really liked the potatoes and bacon and said he'd definitely get this again.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Topolino's Terrace for their character breakfast, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

Topolino's Terrace offers wonderful meal options for dinner and breakfast. If a character breakfast experience is something that you're interested in, we can't recommend Topolino's Terrace enough. We found the character experience to be great, the food and special dietary needs accommodations outstanding, and the theming to be excellent. We especially loved the unique characters and the upscale breakfast offerings. It was a great experience, and we're looking forward to going back to the restaurant for another fun character breakfast again soon!

Have you been to Topolino's Terrace for their character breakfast? What was your experience dining there?

3/2/20 3/2/20

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

Leisurely breakfasts on the Disney Dream are one of my favorite ways to start a morning whenever we cruise. While many people enjoy Cabanas, the ship's buffet, I prefer dining at Royal Palace -- the a la carte option each morning. On day 3 of our cruise, we were arriving at Castaway Cay (Disney's Private Island), so I headed to Royal Palace for some allergy-friendly Mickey waffles while we docked.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in January 2020. It includes information about dairy free options.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

I've written quite a few reviews of the atmosphere at Royal Palace, so definitely check them out if you're interested in more full-scale descriptions of the theming.

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

I will say that breakfast at Royal Palace is so relaxed compared to dinner. I love being able to be seated in a cozy corner and enjoy a great meal.

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

I also love how bright and chipper the restaurant is during the day. There's something especially bright about it when we arrive at Castaway Cay on a sunny day!

The Food

That morning, I was feeling just a bit on the tired side. So, like you do when you're tired, you order coffee!

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

I ended up getting a latte with almond milk. Do be sure to ask your server team about cross-contamination or safety if you're concerned with dairy cross-contamination and the frother. As an aside, Disney Cruise uses Almond Breeze almond milk. While I do prefer the coffee at Cove Cafe, this was still a pretty solid option for coffee lovers out there.

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

Taking a cue from my breakfast the previous morning, I opted to start my meal with a Fresh Fruit Plate. I found that this helped ensure I wasn't overly full and that my server team didn't keep asking me if I wanted more food. It was a good compromise to not over-order and still enjoy a few things.

I was asked to pre-order my meal the night before. And, I asked for the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles with Blueberry Compote and Strawberry Cream. Unfortunately, something got lost in translation because they gave me strawberry jam instead and no blueberry compote. This wasn't a huge deal, but I would definitely be more specific next time I pre-order!

The Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles are gluten free and dairy free (and free of most of the top common allergens & vegan too). They are currently being made on the Disney Dream using the King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix. While they aren't my favorite allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, they still are pretty good and a perfect way to start the day!

The bacon, which I didn't take a photo of was just OK.

If you want to see more of our overall cruise experience and our dining reviews on video, check out our YouTube channel vlogs!

Overall

Having breakfast at Royal Palace on the Disney Dream is always a must-do anytime I cruise. And, ordering the Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles is on my must order list at least once on the cruise too. Thankfully, I can get my waffles and a relaxed atmosphere all in one place at Royal Palace. It's a location I'll keep visiting again and again!

Have you been to Royal Palace for breakfast on the Disney Dream? What did you order when you dined there?

2/17/20 2/17/20

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

On our recent 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, I had breakfast a couple of the mornings at Royal Palace. This dining option, located on deck 3, midship, is my go-to spot for a la carte breakfast. It's my personal preference, as I find Cabanas (the buffet) on the ship to be a little overwhelming. I personally don't enjoy the lengthy waits to get even simple items like gluten free muffins, so I opt for Royal Palace breakfast almost every time. On this visit, I dined by myself (as Brandon is not an early morning person), and I also pre-ordered my breakfast the night before.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in January 2020. It includes information about dairy free options.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

I actually prefer dining at Royal Palace during the day because it's much brighter and lighter inside. And, you get great views of wherever you are in port or at sea.

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

Because it was early, I had a good chance to relax and enjoy a low-key meal experience.

Royal Palace currently opens on the Disney Dream around 8 or 8:30 a.m. I found that on both days, the restaurant was fairly quiet around that time.

I had a nice cozy corner booth, which was very nice. It gave me a chance to just wake up and take in some of the beautiful Disney princess inspired decor and theming.

The Food

Unlike the main rotational dinner options, breakfast and lunch on the Disney Dream do not currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. This is no probably though, because you can either 1) pre-order your food the evening before with your head server or 2) the server team at breakfast can help you navigate any options.

On this visit, I did pre-order breakfast at the suggestion of our head server Sudhir. He and I chatted quite a bit the night before because I asked about pre-ordering Indian food. Sudhir is from India, and he promised he'd make sure I got Indian food every night for the rest of the cruise.

When I was pre-ordering breakfast, Sudhir made several suggestions and asked if I wanted hash browns. On previous cruises, I was told this was not an option. But, Sudhir said he would work Disney magic to make this happen. I would recommend that you always talk to your server to discuss options and ingredients, because from my experience ingredients and product offerings can change from sailing to sailing.

After I was seated at breakfast, I ordered my normal morning drinks of Apple Juice and Iced Tea.

I had planned on only getting my pre-ordered breakfast, but my server insisted I get something else while I wait. Because I didn't want anything too heavy, I opted to get the fresh fruit plate, which came with mango, papaya, strawberries, grapes, and blueberries. This was a nice light way to start my morning, and Disney always has excellent fresh fruit on the ships.

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

For my entree, I always get Eggs Benedict on a gluten free bun, at least once on our cruise. It's a must-order for me, and it's become a cruising tradition. While it's not the best or fanciest Eggs Benedict, it's really tasty. I am always pretty amazing that they manage to perfectly poach the eggs too. If you're dairy free, do ask the servers about other options like allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, omelets, scrambled eggs, and more.

And, of course, the hash browns were amazing. They were extremely hot and very fresh. I would definitely get these again, and I'm so glad that Sudhir made Disney magic happen with these. So good!

If you're interested in learning more about this meal experience or want to see what else we did on our Disney Cruise, check out our Disney Cruise Vlog!

Overall

Royal Palace never disappoints when it comes to a delicious and relaxed breakfast experience. I absolutely love the breakfast options there. It's a great way to start the day, and I'm always glad that I get up early and take the time to go there. It's a must-do on every Disney Cruise!

Have you had breakfast at Royal Palace? What did you think of the special dietary needs options?

12/31/19 12/31/19

Kona Cafe Breakfast Review

Kona Cafe, located in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is a table service restaurant that serves classic American fare with a Polynesian twist. Brandon and I both really enjoy Kona Cafe for breakfast and dinner. Recently, I stopped by the restaurant to try out the new gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast sliders, which I had heard about as a new offering from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.

*This gluten free dining review took place in December 2019. It includes information about dairy free options too.

Breakfast at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

Kona Cafe is located on the second floor of the Polynesian Village Resort lobby area. With an open concept, it is essentially a lobby restaurant in the truest sense.

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

I do love taking a look at the lobby's decor when we dine at Kona Cafe. The refurb they did a few years ago to the resort incorporated some phenomenal new touches. I especially love the decorative lights in the main lobby area.

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

As you can see, the restaurant is fairly open. And, you'll have good views of the monorail and other lobby area activity. I wouldn't say the decor is very fancy, but it does have a subdued Polynesian twist. I personally think the restaurant could use a refurb itself, as some of the decor is pretty dated and looks like the restaurant hasn't been updated since the late 1990s. Despite the dated decor, the restaurant is charming overall.

The Food

Of course, the real reason I visit Kona Cafe is the food. On this occasion, I stopped by myself on a weekend to see if the restaurant could accommodate the Tonga Toast sliders. In addition to speaking with a chef (which I always highly recommend), the restaurant does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu.

The allergy-friendly menu is a bit more limited than the actual offerings available. In speaking with a chef, I have been able to get the macadamia nut pancakes gluten free and the Polynesian Egg Platter gluten free and dairy free served with an Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC donut too. On this occasion though, I had my heart set on gluten free Tonga Toast Sliders. I was very excited to learn that yes, this is currently an option at the restaurant.

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

To go with my Tonga Toast sliders, the server brought me both 100% pure maple syrup and house-made Strawberry Compote. The compote has always been gluten free, but they now have made it dairy free and vegan too.

Our friends at Vegan Disney World reported on this a while back, and it was great to check it out in person. I have heard (though I didn't confirm with the chef on this visit) that the compote now has coconut milk in it. If you're interested in this compote, I would recommend double-checking with a chef. I will say that I personally found the strawberry compote very sweet, so a little bit goes a long way in my opinion!

When the gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast Sliders arrived at my table, I will admit that I wasn't that impressed by the look of them. They looked a little "burnt," and I was worried that they wouldn't be that tasty. But, once I took a bit, I was hooked. The sliders are made using Deanna's Gluten Free (and dairy free) rolls and are stuffed with banana, deep fried in a dedicated fryer, and smothered in cinnamon-sugar. Wow!

I have never had the original Tonga Toast, but I was pretty impressed by this dish. It wasn't very pretty looking, but the taste was great. I preferred my sliders topped with maple syrup, but I know the strawberry compote is the classic way to enjoy this Kona Cafe favorite. I would most definitely get this dish again, and I really hope they keep it on the menu. Interestingly enough, there's seems to be some inconsistency with how it's made. While I got the sliders, I've actually seen several photos of a stacked version made with gluten free bread slices instead of the rolls. So, your mileage may vary on which version you get.

Overall

Kona Cafe is always a fantastic place to get breakfast or dinner. And, with the addition of the gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast sliders, there's even more of a reason to get there during breakfast hours. Whether it's this new breakfast treat, the GF macadamia nut pancakes, egg platter or one of their other special diets options, you'll be pleased with whatever breakfast option you get at Kona Cafe. I can't wait to go back again soon to try the Tonga Toast sliders again soon!

Have you been to Kona Cafe for breakfast? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

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.

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.

9/10/19 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?

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?

7/19/19 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!

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.

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 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.

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

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?

7/15/19 7/15/19

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

Royal Palace, on the Disney Dream, is one of the three main rotational restaurants for dinner. It also happens to be open for a la carte breakfast and lunch during your cruise. On our recent cruise in May on the Disney Dream, I had breakfast at Royal Palace on two of our cruise mornings.

*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

I much prefer breakfast at Royal Palace to the buffet options at Cabanas or Enchanted Garden because I like the ability to get a variety of options without the hassle or worry of a buffet and cross-contamination. I also find that Royal Palace tends to be fairly quiet, making for a much more pleasant overall breakfast experience.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace is inspired by Disney princesses. So, you'll see lots of royal touches throughout the restaurant. Because we dined at Royal Palace a lot during the cruise for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I'll be showing lots of photos of the overall theme throughout those reviews.

One of my favorite parts about breakfast at Royal Palace is how calm and low-key it is.

As you can see from the photos here, there really aren't a lot of people dining a la carte each morning.

Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One tip that I always have for dining here during breakfast or lunch is to ask for a seat near the windows -- especially if you can get one with a lovely ocean view. I have often had great views in the morning when sitting near those windows.

On this visit, I had an interior table, but it was close to the hallway which had portholes. So, there was still plenty of sunshine flooding through.

The Food

Royal Palace's a la carte breakfast menu does mark some options gluten free. But, you can also talk to your server about additional options too. Dishes like allergy-friendly Mickey waffles aren't on the regular menu but are available upon request.

You can also pre-order your breakfast at Royal Palace by ordering your meal the night before with your server. Because we've been on the Disney Dream quite a few times, I decided not to pre-order for breakfast on this cruise. But, we have pre-ordered in the past, and it can be really helpful, especially if you have specific plans or activities to go to. It won't ensure your meal is ready the moment you sit down, but it will help speed the general preparation process a bit.

Day two of our cruise was our Nassau, Bahamas day. Brandon is not a huge breakfast fan, so while he was getting up and showered, I went down for breakfast at Royal Palace before we disembarked to get our passports stamped and a brief look around of Nassau.

I started the meal with a few breakfast beverages -- my favorite iced tea and apple juice -- while I looked over the menu.

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

One of my favorite breakfast entrees is the gluten free modified Eggs Benedict. You can order this gluten free by swapping out the gluten-filled English muffin for gluten free buns. I ordered the classic Eggs Benedict. But, you can also order two other versions gluten free too (one has salmon and the other has rosemary ham).

If you can have dairy, this is a terrific breakfast option. I ordered this a few times on our Disney Cruises, and I have always found the eggs to be well-poached, and the Hollandaise sauce to be excellent. This is always a must-order for me at least one of the mornings on a cruise.

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

My server also offered me Udi's Double Chocolate Chip Muffins. On our last cruise, I was served Kinnikinnick Chocolate Chip Muffins which are one of my favorites. But, Disney Cruise Line is no longer serving these. So, Udi's it was. I wasn't all that keen on the muffins (which are gluten free and dairy free) because they just taste like dry chocolate cake to me. But, I'm glad they are available to guests!

Overall

Royal Palace's a la carte breakfast is a must-do for me when I'm on the Disney Dream. It's a great way to have a low-key and filling breakfast. As you'll see from other reviews, you can also get other items like allergy-friendly Mickey waffles and pancakes. If you're on the Dream, definitely make plans to have breakfast there for delicious and safe options without the hassle or rush of the buffet at Cabanas.

Have you been on the Disney Dream? What did you think of the breakfast options at Royal Palace?

7/6/19 7/6/19

Boma Breakfast Review

Boma: Flavors of Africa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House, is a table service restaurant that serves all-you-care-to-enjoy African-inspired food. Serving breakfast and dinner, breakfast is by far my favorite of the two meal offerings. And, it's hands down one of my favorite places to eat breakfast at at Disney World. On this visit, I had breakfast with my mom and brother. None of us had been to Boma in a while, so it was definitely time for a visit.

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

Breakfast at Boma

Atmosphere

The name Boma means enclosure. And, you'll see touches of this theme all around the restaurant. From the moment you step into the Boma restaurant area, you'll be inspired by the beauty of African art and cuisine.

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

Do take a moment to look around when you dine at Boma. You'll see touches of the "boma" theme from thatched roofs near the buffet to fabric coverings throughout the restaurant.

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

I absolutely love the seating area in Boma too. I love how intricate and unique the tables and chairs are. In fact, more often that not, you'll find that the chairs at your table don't actually match. I love this touch that gives Boma it's distinct theme.

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

On our visit, we had a table around the perimeter of the restaurant. This was nice because we were seated away from the main buffet area, which gets very busy. And, we could also see a lot of the nice views outside.

The Food

Because Boma is a buffet style restaurant, you'll be presented with an allergen guide. This guide helps you navigate what items served on the buffet are safe for your special dietary need. However, I always recommend that you speak directly with a chef who can talk to you about additional options not on the buffet or to bring you items safely from the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination.

Boma - Allergen Guide / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, I was greeted by Chef Frank -- who has been at Boma for several years now. He is a bit of a rockstar in my book and really goes above and beyond to accommodate guests with special dietary needs.

Boma - Buffet / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because I've been to Boma so many times and know Chef Frank from previous visits, I knew more or less what I wanted to eat that morning. I ordered several things to be prepared in the kitchen by Chef Frank and chose to get a small plate of a few select items from an area that's almost entirely gluten free to avoid cross-contamination, while Chef Frank made the rest of my food.

Boma / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While I was chatting to Chef Frank, our server brought out Jungle Juice -- a combination of passion fruit, orange juice, and guava juice. It's a must have whenever I go to Boma -- though I can't drink too much of it. It's very sweet!

Going up to the buffet, I chose to get a few items from the station nearest to the carving station. Everything there is gluten free, including the turkey bobotie, pap, and asparagus. I also got bacon, sausage, and a slice of the carved ham. For guests who are dairy free, the bobotie, pap, and ham all contain dairy. The pap can be made without dairy upon request, but unfortunately, the ham on the carving station is now glazed with butter. The turkey, which is only served at breakfast on select days, is gluten free and dairy free and a great option if it's available.

I have to admit that I prefer the original version of the ham. This version is a little sweeter for my taste, though it was still good. Everything else was fantastic, as always, too!

In an attempt to have some healthy options in my meal, I always get a small bowl of hot quinoa and fresh pineapple. The quinoa is served with grapes and apples, and it's really delicious. Do be sure to avoid the oatmeal if you're gluten free, because the restaurant does not currently use certified gluten free oats.

For fruit, don't skip the pineapple if you're a fan. Even though there's nothing special about their pineapple, for some reason I always think it tastes amazing there.

Boma - Breakfast Plates — Boma / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As I was finishing up the items I got from the buffet, Chef Frank came with a mountain of food. Yep, there was no way I was leaving Boma hungry, that's for sure!

First up, was the custom omelet. I had one made with ham, onion, and cheese, but you could easily omit the cheese and add in your favorite toppings for a dairy free version.

I also got tater tots made in a dedicated fryer next door in the Mara. If you go to Boma and you can get them, do it. I was in tater tot heaven! The tots were super crispy and coated in a light dusting of African spices. They are hands down my favorite thing on the Boma brunch menu, and I'm always so happy when I can get them.

Boma - Waffles — Boma / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also got several allergy-friendly items. This included allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, gluten free and dairy free Udi's bread toasted, and a Kinnikinnick brand cinnamon sugar donut. Boma also serves both regular butter and Earth Balance vegan buttery spread depending on your special dietary need too.

For my allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, Chef Frank made a banana foster and pecan praline combination sauce for me. I could have also had 100% pure maple syrup too (which I usually get). But, if you can have dairy and like sweets at breakfast, you're sure to love this sauce. It was super rich and sweet and perfect for breakfast. I'm glad I had this last because it was a great way to end the meal.

Overall

Boma always continues to impress for breakfast. Whether you're looking for more traditional breakfast options or something a bit more unique, you'll find Boma has it all. Add in some amazing chefs who really go above and beyond to assist guests with special dietary needs, and you have the perfect breakfast spot to visit on your next trip to Walt Disney World. For me, it's a restaurant I always go back to again and again.

Learn more about Boma breakfast in my YouTube video!

Have you been to Boma? What did you think of the breakfast options there?

4/25/19 4/25/19

The Wave Breakfast Review

The Wave, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is one of my favorite hidden gem table service restaurants on Disney property. Both Brandon and I really enjoy it for dinner, and I love it for breakfast. Recently, I had to have a medical procedure as a follow-up to my resection surgery for Crohn's disease. And, afterwards, I knew I wanted food since I hadn't eaten any solid food in nearly two days. My mom and I decided on a last minute breakfast at The Wave was in order.

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

Breakfast at The Wave

Atmosphere

Although I wouldn't say that The Wave's atmosphere and theme are the best on property, I do like that the "wave" theme is found throughout the restaurant, starting from the moment you walk in.

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

The entrance has metal designs that look like waves, and you'll feel like you're heading underwater as you walk into the restaurant's lobby area.

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

Inside the wave theme continues -- from the light fixtures to the chairs -- you'll feel the "wave" of American flavors throughout this restaurant.

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

On our visit, the breakfast rush had passed, so we got to enjoy a very low-key meal, which was nice (especially, when I was still tired and loopy for anesthesia).

The Food

Like most table service restaurants at Walt Disney World, The Wave offers an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. They also have a breakfast allergen-guide for their all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet breakfast option. You can also, at any time, ask to speak with a chef.

On this visit, I requested to talk to a chef, specifically because I wanted to know what allergy-friendly Mickey waffle mix they were using. The chef told me that they are currently using a house-made allergy-friendly mix that includes rice flour and sorghum flour. I didn't get the entire list written down because I was still a bit out of it from the procedure, but I will try to get that list on my next visit. The chef did say that Chef Mickey's is also using this mix, as well.

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

For breakfast, I decided to get a Custom Omelet with Breakfast Potatoes. This is listed as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. You can also make this dairy free by omitting the cheese from the omelet.

I love the custom omelets at The Wave because they are always well-cooked and SO tasty! I loaded my omelet with ham, onion, spinach, and bacon along with some cheddar cheese (since I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet). It was an excellent choice, and I will definitely get it again. The breakfast potatoes were also really good too.

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

I was curious about the house-made allergy-friendly Mickey waffle mix, so I asked the chef if I could get a side order. I thought I was getting two waffles, but the chef made me a plate of four. So, needless to say, my mom and I shared this plate. She actually prefers the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles over the regular waffles and was excited to try these out too.

The Wave - Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles — The Wave / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles are listed as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. They were served with a side of 100% pure maple syrup too. I also asked for non-dairy vegan buttery spread and was served Smart Balance (not Earth Balance) on this visit.

Overall, both my mom and I really enjoyed these waffles. They were well cooked with a crisp outside and soft inside. The flavor was also really good too. You could definitely some of the vanilla that they used in the batter (which the chef mentioned). I would definitely order these again. And, my mom agreed that she would too.

Overall

The Wave never disappoints me when it comes to a solid and delicious breakfast. While it may not be anything fancy, the food is always prepared well. And, there are plenty of options for guests with special dietary needs. The chefs are also fantastic at customizing dishes too. If you're looking for a low-key breakfast or brunch option in the resorts, The Wave is a great table service restaurant to visit.

Have you been to The Wave? What did you think of their breakfast options?

2/22/19 2/22/19

The Wave Breakfast Review

The Wave, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is a table service restaurant that has been on our favorite go-to restaurants on Disney property. Both Brandon and I like the low-key atmosphere and the style of food that is served at the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On this particular occasion, I joined my family about 3 weeks after I had resection surgery for my Crohn's disease. It was my first meal out at any restaurant. Even though I was cleared to eat solid food and had no major dietary restrictions, I was still not eating much and taking it extremely easy. Thankfully, breakfast can be fairly easy going. And, the chefs at the Wave did an excellent job accommodating me.

*This gluten free and dairy free review took place in December 2018.

Breakfast at The Wave

Atmosphere

The Wave has a "wave" theme that is present in the chairs, ceiling decor, and just about everywhere you look. If you want to know a bit more about the theming, check out the dining review I posted where I go into a lot of detail about it.

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

One of the things that I liked about this visit was that they had some cute holiday decorations up throughout the restaurant.

As you can see, when we had breakfast here at around 9 a.m., the restaurant was not very busy at all. We were all surprised that it wasn't more crowded. Of course, it was a Sunday morning which may have affected the crowds.

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

Even though it wasn't crowded, we did actually have to wait for our table. I always love just hanging out in the lobby area, which includes a bar too. I love the almost underwater vibe the lobby and bar area have.

The Food

The Wave offers both an a la carte and buffet style breakfast options for guests. The a la carte options can be found on a standard allergy-friendly menu, while the buffet options for special dietary guests can be found on an allergen guide. I do recommend that you use these as a starting guide and ask to speak to a chef. They are fantastic at customizing and providing additional options not listed on their allergy-friendly menus.

I did ask to speak to a chef because I wanted to see if they could help make some super plain breakfast items for me. The chef, whose named I cannot remember, was so awesome. I explained that I'd just had a resection surgery and that I needed to eat pretty simply and blandly. She totally hooked me up with some easy-going breakfast items.

First up, she did bring me some Ener-G gluten free and dairy free toast with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread. I was told they had a dedicated toast, but do be sure to double-check this before you go. I am always glad they have a GF DF toast option with vegan butter.

For my entree, I ordered the American breakfast which included two eggs cooked to order (in my case I got poached eggs), breakfast potatoes, and choice of bacon, pork sausage, or chicken sausage.

The normal version of this entree includes breakfast potatoes that include peppers and onions. I knew that would definitely not go well with my stomach, so I asked the chef if she could make plain breakfast potatoes, which I've had at the Wave before. I was also on the fence about the chicken sausage, so the chef gave me both sausage and bacon to try. This was a good thing too because I absolutely hated the chicken sausage. My brother, who is a chef, also tried it and said it reminded him of sausages from Sysco (a food vendor) that he's tried before. None of us were fans of the sausage.

I really didn't eat too much of my breakfast, not because it wasn't good, but because my body simply couldn't tolerate too much food. The poached eggs, plain potatoes, and toast were a perfect simple breakfast though. And, my brother and family who were with me at breakfast happily devoured the remains of what I hadn't eaten.

Overall

The Wave is a consistently good experience in terms of food and special dietary needs options. I'll admit that the last few visits we've had have had hit or miss experiences with service. But, in general, the service is typically very good at the Wave too. My family all got the breakfast buffet on this visit and really enjoyed it too.

Have you been to the Wave? What was your experience dining there?

11/19/18 11/19/18

Enchanted Garden Debarkation Breakfast on the Disney Dream

Enchanted Garden is one of the three main rotational dining restaurants located on the Disney Dream. On our 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream in October 2018, we ended up skipping Enchanted Garden dinner because we had dinner reservations at Palo on our last night. After our cruise, we both wished we had gotten to get dinner there because we prefer the dinner there than at Animator's Palate. The only time we ended up eating at Enchanted Garden was on debarkation morning before we left the cruise. Debarkation breakfast was served at 7:15 a.m., as we had early dining throughout the cruise.

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

Atmosphere

Enchanted Garden is themed after the gardens of Versailles in France. There are statues, a fountain, and other touches that will remind you of these famous gardens.

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

When you arrive at Enchanted Garden, you'll notice that the lighting in the restaurant is quite bright. However, if you're eating dinner there, you'll notice the lighting dim and fade throughout your meal. At breakfast, the lighting remained bright.

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

There is a small fountain in the middle of Enchanted Garden. At the top of the fountain is this charming Mickey statue.

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

One of my favorite things about Enchanted Garden's theme are these amazing booths. These are super cute and cozy. We've had the good fortune to sit in them a few times -- both at embarkation and debarkation meals. I have heard that these booths used to rotate but haven't done so in years.

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

As you can see by the photo here, Enchanted Garden is bright and spacious. After thinking about it, I think Brandon and I might like the theme in Enchanted Garden best of the three main rotational dining restaurants.

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

I also adore the art nouveau style dishes served at Enchanted Garden.

The Food

Like embarkation lunch, debarkation meals are a bit more limited than a normal breakfast menu that you would find on your cruise. It's also very early in the day, so I can't say that either one of us was super hungry at that point.

Enchanted Garden - Debarkation Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWBoth Brandon and I wanted to get something in our stomachs before we headed home. So, we tried to eat a little lighter. Unfortunately, our server Jude had other plans! — Enchanted Garden - Debarkation Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Both Brandon and I wanted to get something in our stomachs before we headed home. So, we tried to eat a little lighter. Unfortunately, our server Jude had other plans!

Enchanted Garden - Debarkation Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWBrandon ordered the Eggs for the Road entree, while I just ordered some items a la carte. — Enchanted Garden - Debarkation Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon ordered the Eggs for the Road entree, while I just ordered some items a la carte.

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

Before then, we both needed some beverages to get us going. Iced tea and apple juice for me are always a good breakfast combo.

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

Jude brought Brandon and I some fresh fruit. He also gave Brandon some gluten-filled pastries, while I got gluten free and dairy free donuts and a chocolate chip muffin. These are all made by Kinnikinnick Foods. The chocolate chip muffin is one of my all-time favorites, and I used to get this at Disney World at select restaurants for breakfast. But, Disney World stopped serving it a few years ago. So, you can bet I was very excited to have this muffin. The donuts are always excellent, and I enjoyed the cinnamon sugar one that morning

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

I knew I wanted a bit of protein for the road. So, I asked for a ham and cheese omelet, which is listed on the debarkation menu. This was just OK. It wasn't anything special but was tasty enough. If you are dairy free, you can opt for a variety of egg options too.

Enchanted Garden - Allergy Friendly Pancakes / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

My last request for breakfast were gluten free and dairy free pancakes. On debarkation day, they do not offer allergy-friendly Mickey waffles and only have Van's gluten free frozen waffles on hand. So, I usually ask for pancakes. I have to admit that on this visit, I was very disappointed. I think that the cruise ships are now using the Carbon’s Golden Malted Gluten Free Waffle and Pancake Mix.

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

Overall

While our breakfast wasn't anything fancy, we always appreciate having one last table service meal before we leave our cruise. Our entire service team, especially Jude, made sure we weren't super rushed and that we had plenty of food before we headed home. It was the perfect way to end a fantastic 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream.

What do you think of debarkation breakfast options on the Disney Cruise ships?

11/15/18 11/15/18

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

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

Breakfast at Royal Palace

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

Atmosphere

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

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

The Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall

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

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

9/9/18 9/9/18

The Wave Breakfast Review

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

Breakfast at The Wave

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

Atmosphere

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

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

The Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall

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

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

9/8/18 9/8/18

Ale & Compass Breakfast Review

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

Breakfast at Ale & Compass

Ale & Compass, formerly known as Captain's Grille, is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. Renovated in 2017, it offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting. On this particular occasion, I decided to stop by for breakfast before heading to Epcot for the International Food & Wine Festival to check out the gluten free offerings at the festival.

Atmosphere

Ale & Compass has a theme and atmosphere that is modern nautical chic. Everything is fairly simple and elegant.

Ale & Compass - Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I do really like the tables and most of the seating -- although I was not as much of a fan of the booths. The booth seating in some areas of the restaurant are quite low and uncomfortable to sit in. The restaurant is also a bit dark inside. My recommendation is to ask for a seat near the exterior windows of the restaurant for a lot more light and brightness.

I was seated near the middle of the restaurant. It wasn't all that busy. But, I did find that table spacing was quite close -- making it a bit more "cozy" when you dine (which can be a good and bad thing).

The Food

Like most Disney restaurants, Ale & Compass does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. When I visited back in July, the menu was fairly large. But, when I stopped by this time, I noticed it had been really reduced. My guess is that they are trying to encourage guests to dine at the breakfast buffet that is newly being offered at Ale & Compass.

Ale & Compass - Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On my last visit, I spoke with a chef about gluten free options and was able to get the Eggs Benedict gluten free. On this visit, I knew I might be eating a lot at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival later in the day, so I decided to just get the American Breakfast which is marked as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. Interestingly, it does not mention dairy free, as you can easily modify the dish to be dairy free too.

If you are dairy free, I recommend speaking with a chef directly about options. I do know that the American Breakfast, Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles, and even a modified version of the Breakfast Protein Bowl can all be made dairy free.

Ale & Compass - Iced Tea / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On a side note, this is the first dining experience I've had since the new "straws only upon request" policy. I have to say that they definitely did not think about the glasses used at Ale & Compass for beverages without straws. I found it actually a bit more difficult than I would have thought without a straw due to the shape of the glass. So, if you think you need a straw, do make sure to ask!

Ale & Compass - American Breakfast / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

My entree, American Breakfast came with Eggs Any-Style (I got them over-easy), breakfast potatoes or fruit (I chose potatoes), bacon, and a grilled tomato. When I asked my server about gluten free toast, he said he could include that in the dish as the regular non-allergy friendly version had a toast option.

Ale & Compass - Allergy Friendly toast / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Overall, I thought this was a perfectly fine breakfast. It wasn't anything fancy. But, all of the flavors tasted good, and everything was well cooked and seasoned. I do like that the breakfast potatoes are a combination of potatoes. The bacon was also very hearty, not the normal stringy bacon that you find so often at Disney restaurants.

For toast, I was served Udi's Gluten Free bread, which is both gluten free and dairy free. I also asked for Earth Balance vegan buttery spread too. There wasn't anything to write home about this -- though I was surprised they only gave me one slice of bread for my entree, instead of two. Typically, Disney does serve two pieces of special diets friendly bread with breakfast entrees.

Overall

Ale & Compass serves a solid, but just OK breakfast. The different breakfast entrees I have tried haven't been anything to write home about. But, they definitely were filling. Probably the biggest negative of breakfast at Ale & Compass is their limited a la carte menu. While I haven't tried the breakfast buffet yet, I'm guessing that it is pretty similar in options that you can find on the a la carte menu. Ale & Compass is the only non-character breakfast at the Epcot area resorts. While it may not be anything special, it's definitely a great option for those who want a low-key and quiet breakfast to start the day.

Have you been to Ale & Compass? What did you think of the breakfast options?

7/22/18 7/22/18

Sanaa Breakfast Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2018.

Breakfast at Sanaa

Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is a table service restaurant for lunch and dinner that offers a quick service style breakfast from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. daily. I had the chance to stop by and try this breakfast for the first time back in February 2018. And, I loved it so much, that I was super excited to go back again recently when I had breakfast with my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures who was at Disney World on vacation with her family.

Atmosphere

I have written many blog posts over the years about Sanaa and its amazing theming. It's beautifully decorated. And, you simply cannot beat the view of the Savannah and the animals there.

Sanaa Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the things that I love about breakfast is that the restaurant is very bright during the daytime. It gives it a totally different feel from the evening.

When you arrive at the restaurant, you do not have to have a reservation or check-in at breakfast. Simply walk-in to the right, where you will find a grab and go station and a cash register for ordering freshly prepared meals too.

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

Seating is up to you. And, you can sit wherever you would like. We had a lovely view of the side of the Savannah and got a chance to see lots of animals throughout our breakfast.

Sanaa Table Number / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also love that you get these adorable numbered animals for your order. This helps the cast members identify what tables to bring food too. Ever the cat lover, I love that I got a cheetah.

The Food

Unlike lunch and dinner, Sanaa does not carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. The cast member at the cash register can let you know what items are currently marked gluten free on the register. But, we recommend speaking to a chef to discuss options, especially if you have questions or additional dietary needs. If you're just gluten free, you'll find a ton of options and almost every item on the menu can be made gluten free, easily.

Sanaa - Boere Breakfast / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I opted for the Boere Breakfast with Two Cage-free Eggs served any style with Tomato Chutney, Tanzanian Hash Browns, Boerewors Sausage, and Bacon. It is normally served with a Johnny Cake, but it is not gluten free. In speaking with Chef Fallon who was working at Sanaa when we visited for breakfast, I asked if I could get a single allergy-friendly Simba Waffle in place of the Johnny Cake, and she was happy to accommodate.

The Boere Breakfast can be made both gluten free and dairy free, which is great. As I learned on my last visit, the hash browns don't contain any dairy either -- another great feature of the menu. Overall, it's hard not to order this entree because I really enjoy it. The savory sausage (which is my favorite) works really well with the eggs, hash browns, and the tomato chutney. This is an all-around delicious breakfast entree.

Sanaa - Allergy Friendly Simba Waffle / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I absolutely adore the Allergy-Friendly Simba Waffles served here. They're just so cute! They currently make these waffles using a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix and prepare them in a dedicated allergy waffle maker. Topped with some maple syrup, and you have one sweet ending to your meal.Alexis ordered the Safari Waffles which included four allergy-friendly Simba Waffles that were topped with Seasonal Berries. These looked delicious. And, I might have to order these on another visit. You can read more about Alexis's dining experiences at Disney on her blog Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.

Overall

Sanaa continues to be a great quick service breakfast option. If you're looking for a bit more variety or items like Bobotie, we recommend heading to The Mara at Jambo House at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. But, they both offer something unique and tasty for breakfast. I think I prefer Sanaa just a little bit over The Mara mostly for those delicious hash browns, the sausage, and those adorable Simba Waffles. They make for a perfect way to start your day.

Have you been to Sanaa for quick service breakfast? What did you order when you dined there?

7/11/18 7/11/18

The Wave -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Contemporary Resort

*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2018.

Breakfast at The Wave

The Wave, located in Disney's Contemporary Resort, is a table service that is often overlooked by Disney guests. Tucked away on the first floor of the Contemporary Resort, The Wave is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to table service dining. Both Brandon and I really enjoy dinner at The Wave, and I have found breakfast to be equally solid. On this particular occasion, I made an early Sunday morning trip by myself to the Magic Kingdom and stopped by The Wave for breakfast. I hadn't been for breakfast in quite a while and thought it would be great to check it out again.

Atmosphere

In some of my dinner reviews, I have gone into more detail about the restaurant's atmosphere. As you can guess from the name, the restaurant reflects both waves and New American cuisine.I always appreciate that the restaurant's entrance looks like an artistic wave.I was seated in a small table in the main dining room. As you can see, the wave theme is found in the ceiling and on the chairs. I also like the modern carpet and colorful decor.

The Food

Of course, what I was really at The Wave for was the food! At breakfast this restaurant offers both an a la carte menu and a buffet. With this in mind, I was brought the allergy-friendly breakfast menu and the allergen guide for the buffet. At any time, you can also speak with a chef to discuss options, including having items from the buffet brought directly from the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination.On this visit, I opted to order from the a la carte menu. There were quite a few options on it, and the chefs at The Wave are very good at customizing too.I decided to order the Omelet Your Way with Your Choice of Ham, Bacon, Mushroom, Onion, Tomato, Cheese, or Spinach with Breakfast Potatoes. This is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. It can also be made dairy free upon request.Overall, I really enjoyed my omelet. I ordered mine with ham, onion, spinach, and topped with Tillamook Cheddar (since I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet). The omelet was well-cooked and chock full of ingredients. The breakfast potatoes were also quite good and seasoned well. I could have gone without all the peppers and onions, as they weren't as cooked down as I'd like them to be, but overall, the potatoes were a solid breakfast side.I also asked for gluten free toast with my breakfast. The non-special diets version of this entree comes with a biscuit, so it's worth asking for the side of toast because it was not listed as an included side. I wasn't charged extra for it, so that was a nice bonus too.On previous visits, I was served Udi's Gluten Free bread at both breakfast and dinner. But, on this visit, I was served Ener-G brand bread which is gluten free, dairy free, and vegan (and covers many other special dietary needs too). I also asked for a side of Earth Balance vegan buttery spread for the toast. Though I do eat some dairy now, believe it or not I still prefer the Earth Balance.The toast itself was quite good, and I have to say that I've been impressed with the Ener-G bread that I've been served recently. Disney seems to be adding it to more restaurants in place of Udi's Gluten Free bread. And, I have found that the Ener-G bread tastes better than what I remembered.On my way out, my server Victor offered me an iced tea to go. How adorable is the Mickey straw he gave me to go with the drink? Talk about a magical way to end a delicious breakfast.

Overall

The Wave consistently offers a delicious breakfast with a variety of options. Although I did not get them on this visit, guests can speak with a chef about ordering The Wave's signature sweet potato pancakes gluten free (and dairy free) too. Plus, their options for a la carte and all-you-care-to-enjoy style dining give you plenty to choose from. You definitely won't go hungry. If dining at a more low-key restaurant is your speed, you'll appreciate The Wave's more relaxed and quieter atmosphere too. This is a restaurant that I'll continue to visit for an occasional breakfast on a lazy Sunday or before heading into the parks.Have you been to The Wave? What did you enjoy when you dined there?