The Wave Dinner Review

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

Dinner at The Wave

The Wave, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, has long been one of our top favorite resort table service restaurants. We always enjoy the atmosphere and the delicious food. Brandon and I often call this a hidden gem, because it's not a table service restaurant that guests immediately think of when considering resort dining. But, we can't recommend it enough as a great option, including for those with special dietary needs. Back in October, we had a chance to enjoy dinner at The Wave, which is our favorite meal service at the restaurant.

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 evening seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 9 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 tried to use online restaurant check-in when we arrived at The Wave, but it wasn't working on our visit. Cast members at The Wave were able to check us in though with no worries.

The Contemporary 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.

The Contemporary Resort is definitely a bit busier than it was when we went in July 2020. However, it's still much quieter than normal. We have found that if you're less comfortable with busier restaurants that you dine at the earliest dining, as we have found opening dining to be the least crowded. On this visit, we ate during the last seating, and it was a little busier in the beginning than we would have liked, but it cleared out fairly quickly as our meal progressed.

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

The Wave is themed after waves of the ocean. And, you'll see that theme throughout the restaurant, from the moment you step into the entrance.

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

Because I have written a lot of reviews about this restaurant with details about the theming, in this review, I'll highlight some new pictures. If you're interested in more information about theming, check out some of the older reviews.

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

I absolutely love the waiting/seating area. There's a really great set of paintings here that are both contemporary but also have a bit of Mary Blair style in them.

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

And, of course, no visit to The Wave is complete without taking photos of some of the decor, like the wave inspired lighting.

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

As you can see, by the time we left the restaurant, the seating areas were fairly quiet. You can also see the social distance markers to separate some of the tables too.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, The Wave does offer an allergy-friendly menu. You can also always speak to a chef when you dine at The Wave, which we highly recommend -- especially if you have multiple special dietary needs or have questions about the menu, including customizing dishes and making modifications. On this visit, we did not speak to a chef, but we have on many occasions there. The chefs there are very good and always very willing to offer accommodations.

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

After ordering, our server brought us each bread service. I was given the gluten free, dairy free & allergy-friendly Bloomfield Farms rolls and some butter with pink salt. If you are dairy free, be sure to ask for Earth Balance vegan buttery spread, which the restaurant offers.

I have to admit, I've grown to really love the Bloomfield Farms brand rolls. When heated properly they are really tasty, and they feel like a very hearty bread option too.

The Wave - Bread in Photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was given the regular bread service, which looked a bit like brioche. This is a nut free option, though we were advised that it was possibly made in the same facility as peanuts, so if you have a peanut or tree nut allergy that is always good to know. Brandon is OK with items produced in the same area, as long as he isn't given peanuts or hazelnut, but you'll always want to trust your own comfort level for allergies. Brandon has also eaten the Bloomfield Farms rolls quite a bit too and is also a fan now. Overall, Brandon was not a particularly big fan of this bread service, especially as the bread was not warm.

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

It's hard for us to go to the Wave now and not order the Bacon & Eggs appetizer, which comes with cheddar grits, poached egg, and maple glazed pork belly. This dish is gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut/tree nut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free. It does contain dairy.

If you can have dairy and are gluten free, this is an absolute must order. Brandon and I typically split this appetizer and just love the combination of sweet and salty flavors along with the rich textures. It feels decadent and is a great way to start your meal at The Wave.

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

For my entree, I decided to get the Pork Tenderloin with Smoked Cheddar Grits, Coffee-Barbecue Sauce, Roasted Broccolini, and Chermoula. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. It does contain dairy, but if you talk to a chef, they should be able to make some modifications (like swapping the grits for another side).

I always love the seasonal pork tenderloin dishes at The Wave. They always switch things up seasonally, and this version was a real winner. The pork was perfectly cooked and super flavorful. The sauces, especially the chermoula were absolutely delicious and really added a lot of depth to the dish. And, of course, you can't go wrong with more cheesy grits. I loved everything about this dish and would highly recommend it if you enjoy pork tenderloin.

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

For Brandon's entree, he chose Grilled Beef Tenderloin. It normally comes with au gratin potatoes and seasonal vegetables, but Brandon asked for mashed potatoes instead. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies. It is also chicken & turkey free and cabbage free.

Because Brandon is not a big sauce person, he opted to get the peppadew vinaigrette on the side. He didn't love it at first, but the sauce definitely grew on him. It's always a good idea to get a sauce on the side if you're not sure you'll be a fan. Overall, this dish is always a winner and one of Brandon's go-to's at The Wave.

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

Overall

The Wave continues to be one of our all-time favorite reasonably priced and delicious table service restaurants at the resorts. We always have a great meal, and the chefs are always really wonderful there. We also love that the restaurant's menu does change a bit seasonally, which makes it a great place to dine and get a bit of variety in your meal options.

Have you been to The Wave? What was your experience when you dined there?

The Wave Lunch Review

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

Lunch at The Wave

The Wave, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is a favorite in our family. We love it for both breakfast and dinner, but it's not one we go to as much for lunch. Recently, my family came into town to celebrate my birthday, and we decided to try The Wave out again for lunch.

Atmosphere

I've written a lot of posts about The Wave, so I won't go into a lot of detail about the restaurant itself. I have a blog post from late in 2018 where I took a ton of photos and discussed that theming that you might be interested in if you're less familiar with the restaurant.

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

Because the restaurant is inspired by the ocean and "waves," you'll find lots of touches throughout the restaurant from the moment you step in the restaurant. Somehow I forgot to take a photo of the entrance this visit, so here's a photo from a previous visit (in December with holiday decorations!)

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

As you can see, there are waves everywhere you look in the restaurant -- even the chairs!

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

You'll even find those wave touches on the napkins in the restaurant too.

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

And, probably the most subtle of the wave touches is in the lighting fixtures.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, The Wave does offer an allergy-friendly lunch menu. Guests with special dietary needs can also always speak directly with a chef for additional questions that you might have too.

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

On this visit, both Brandon & I ordered fairly simple options -- both of which were listed on the allergy-friendly menu. For my lunch, I ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich which includes Herb Marinated Chicken Breast, Avocado, Applewood-smoked Bacon, Lemon Ailoi, Lettuce, and Tomato on an Allergy-Friendly Bun. This is marked safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, milk, and peanut/tree nut allergies. It was also served with waffle fries made in a dedicated fryer.

Overall, this sandwich is really good. This is the second time I've ordered it, and it's a sandwich I'd definitely get again. My only slight negative on the sandwich is the bun. The Wave currently uses Local Oven gluten free & dairy free buns, and I found the bun to be very crumbly. It fell apart pretty quickly into eating the sandwich. I'll admit, I've gotten spoiled by some of the newer bun options on property, like the Bloomfield Farms one served at Three Bridges Bar & Grill. The flavor & texture of that bun is a lot better than the one served at The Wave.

The fries are made in a dedicated fryer, and they're the same ones served at Geyser Point Bar & Grill. Since we knew that's what they served at The Wave too, we actually ordered a side order for me & Brandon to split too! You can't go wrong with waffle fries!

The Wave Food in photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon ordered the Signature Burger which can be made gluten free, but in this case, it was served on a regular gluten-filled bun. The Burger includes Signature Blend of Beef, Applewood-smoked Bacon, Cheddar, Red Onion, House-made Pickles, Lettuce, and Tomato and is served with waffle fries. This burger was safe for fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies. If you're gluten free & dairy free, swap out the bun and omit the cheese.

As an aside, both Brandon and I raved about the thick cut bacon served on both of our sandwiches. It's nice to have decent bacon at a Disney restaurant and not that stringy Disney bacon we normally get served. So, if you're into good bacon, The Wave has got you covered.

The Wave - Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC Baby Yoda Cake / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because it was my birthday, my mom special ordered a cake from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC in Disney Springs to be delivered to The Wave. You can find out more information about pre-ordering a cake by visiting the bakery's website or calling them directly.

This cake was a Baby Yoda inspired cake that featured mint green frosting (that was mint flavored) and a chocolate cake decorated with Baby Yoda ears. It was a super delicious cake, and one of the best ones I've ever from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC. It tasted super fresh and held up pretty well for a few days afterwards too.

Overall

While I wouldn't say The Wave's lunch menu features the restaurant's strongest offerings, it's still a great, affordable option for those who want a table service restaurant that is a little bit out of the way. Breakfast and dinner are still the best meals at The Wave, but I'm always glad lunch is an option too. Shoutout to our server Tim too who was awesome and really helped make the meal and the birthday cake surprise extra magical!

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

The Wave Breakfast Review

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

Breakfast at The Wave

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.

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 / 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 / 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?

The Wave Breakfast Review

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

Breakfast at The Wave

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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?

The Wave Lunch Review at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

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

Lunch at The Wave

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

Atmosphere

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

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

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

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

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

The Food

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

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

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

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

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

Overall

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

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

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?

The Wave -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Contemporary Resort

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

Dinner at The Wave

The Wave at Disney's Contemporary Resort has quickly risen to one of our favorite hidden gem restaurants at Disney. Brandon and I have always really enjoyed our meals here, and we love the fairly quiet and low-key atmosphere. On this particular occasion, we had dinner at the Wave with Brandon's parents. They had never been, and so we wanted to bring them to a restaurant that we really enjoy.

Atmosphere

Although I wouldn't say that the Wave's atmosphere at first glance is anything special, if you take some time to look around, you'll find some lovely decor and theming.One of my favorite touches at the Wave are the food prints found throughout the restaurant. The one above here represents pomegranate and the one in the photo below is an artichoke. Such a fun and subtle nod to all things food!As you can see by the photos, the "wave" theme is present in the waves on the chairs, in the candle holders at your table, and if you look at the ceiling, waves below the light fixtures.The Wave includes a side room, which is not always open when you dine there. On this occasion, they had opened it, and we were seated in a nice low-key corner of the room, which made for a nice meal with family.

The Food

The Wave does carry an allergy-friendly dinner menu, and you can always speak with a Disney chef at any time to discuss options.Prior to my meal, I was brought Udi's Gluten Free Bread which is both gluten free and dairy free, toasted. It came with some regular butter, as I forgot to ask for Earth Balance. But, the restaurant does have it on hand. I have found that the bread option here is my least favorite part of the meal, as the bread is often under-heated or not heated at all. So, if anything it was nice to see it toasted (they do have a dedicated allergy toaster).Because I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet, Brandon and I decided to split the Bacon and Eggs Appetizer. This comes with Maple-lacquered Pork Belly with Perfect Egg and Tillamook Smoked Cheddar Grits and is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.As always, this is a WOW appetizer. The flavors are incredible, and this is one dish we have a hard time not ordering when we visit the Wave. It's that good!For my entree, I ordered the Pork Two Ways with Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Slow-roasted Berkshire Pork Belly, Spiced Apples, Bourbon-Bacon Jam, and Chestnut Puree. This is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut, and Soy Allergies.This was another WOW dish for me. I have ordered the pork entree from the Wave before, and it was good, but this one was so completely elevated. It was hands down the best thing I've ever ordered at the Wave. I think after I took about two bites I proclaimed that the Wave had stepped up their culinary game. It was just a show-stopper.From the gorgeous presentation to the combination of flavors, it was just perfection. I also shared a bite of this with Brandon, and he agreed that the pork on this dish was just outstanding. This was definitely heaven on a plate.Both Brandon and his mom ordered the Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Winter Vegetables, Potato-Celeriac Mash, and Red Wine Reduction. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. They both raved about the steak and said it was one of the most well-cooked steaks they'd had at Disney. Brandon also said that the potatoes were incredible. So, if you're a steak lover, this might be the dish for you at the Wave.

Overall

We were so pleased with our meal at the Wave. The food was absolutely incredible and really did feel like a step up from what was already a very solid restaurant. Everyone loved their dishes, and we all agreed that the new menu updates really elevated the restaurant's dining options. We will definitely be back again, and hopefully, before they update the menu again, because I definitely want to order the pork dish again. It was so good!Have you been to the Wave? What did you order when you dined there?

The Wave -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Contemporary

*This dining experience took place in May 2017.

Dinner at The Wave

The Wave, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is a table service restaurant located on the main floor of the resort. It's a little tucked away, but that's definitely one reason why it can be a great dining option for guests looking for a last minute reservation or someplace a bit more quiet. We have dined at the Wave twice recently for dinner after I had a really great breakfast experience here. We'd both never been for dinner, so we wanted to check it out. And, we were really glad that we did because the restaurant really surprised us.

Atmosphere

The interior of the Wave always seems to get mixed reviews. I find the theming to be a bit basic, but it does really represent the "wave" theme.You'll see touches of the wave motif everywhere -- from the menus to the lighting.The restaurant itself isn't that large, but it can have some really nice cozy seating. I'm not a fan of sitting smack dab in the middle of a restaurant, but I love the side seating they have and booths a lot.As you can see, the wave theme is subtle but visible in every detail -- even the chairs.We also got a chance to see one of the side rooms that is used during busier / peak dining times. Our server Jim showed us some of the cool food art in there, as we were mentioning that we liked the food art on the walls in the main room.

The Food

I have to admit that the Wave hasn't always been high on my list of dining options. I've had some really lackluster experiences and some really not so great meals. But, over the last few years, I've found that the options have expanded and that the food quality is really great. This is definitely one reason why we came back to the Wave twice recently (that and 20% off our meal as Disney annual passholders helps too).The second night we went, it was really busy, so we went to the bar to get drinks. I love the bar area at the Wave, and it's nice that you don't have to make reservations to go there or to even order food. The bar was jammed though when we went on a weekend night.As always, I tend to order my favorite -- a gin and tonic. A word on gluten free and alcohol, according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease and peer-reviewed scientific research, "in pure spirits, the distillation process makes these beverages safe because the protein is removed. However, flavored spirits may contain malt, and should be avoided." With this in mind, I do drink gin and I feel no adverse reactions.Know that if you don't feel comfortable drinking different kinds of spirits, Disney does carry hard cider and some gluten free alcohol options. I would, however, avoid Omission Beer served at Disney (a gluten-removed beer, which has been the subject of some major studies recently showing that the gluten, in fact, is not removed). Of course, trust your own gut and judgement when consuming alcohol.After being seated on both of our visits, our servers brought me Udi's Gluten Free Bread and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, which I requested (the buttery spread, not the bread). I will say, I was bummed they didn't have Deanna's Gluten Free rolls on hand. The Udi's bread is OK but the first visit, it was not heated and extremely dry and crumbly.On our first visit, Brandon ordered the Cheese Plate and requested it be made gluten free. Because I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet, I definitely have become a fan of the cheese plates at Disney, and this one was a really good one. It included a blue cheese, a goat cheese, and a cheddar. We'd definitely get this one again. Note, it is not listed on the allergy-friendly dinner menu, but can be made gluten free if you ask.On our second visit, we ordered the Bacon and Eggs appetizer which is Gluten Free, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Free. It does contain dairy.Holy moly! Was this good!The dish is composed of Maple-lacquered Pork Belly with a Poached Egg and Tillamook Smoked Cheddar Grits. Talk about decadent. The pork belly was super rich and tender, and the grits were so creamy. All in all, this was an outstanding appetizer choice that we both gobbled down quickly.On our first visit, I ordered the Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Glazed Root Vegetables, Fingerling Potatoes, and Red Wine Reduction. This was listed as Gluten Free, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Free. Overall, I really enjoyed this but found that the potatoes were under-seasoned and the steak was a bit overcooked. Next time, I'd probably request it be cooked to medium to ensure it wasn't too overdone. The steak itself had a great char on it, and the flavors were nice. I would have loved more red wine reduction on this too. It was my favorite part of the dish.On our second visit, I ordered the Grilled Pork Chop with Sweet Potato Puree, Winter Greens, Pancetta, and Autumn Spiced Fruit Preserves. It is listed as Gluten Free, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Free (it contains dairy in the puree).This was outstanding! I'm so glad I ordered this entree, as it was super flavorful. The pork chop was cooked perfectly to medium and was very moist and tender. The sweet potato puree was really smooth and creamy and mixed really well with the bitter greens, pancetta, and the fruit preserves. All in all, this was a really solid and composed dish and one I'd order again.

Overall

We really loved the Wave on both visits. While there were a few tweaks here and there to the food, we really found the appetizers and most of our entrees to be extremely well prepared and flavorful. To add to it, we had some of the best service we've had at Disney on both occasions. The manager Oliver was excellent and remembered us on our second visit, and we highly recommend both Jim and Alan as servers. We're both still talking about our dinners there, and we will definitely be going back again soon.Have you been to the Wave? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

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

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.

Breakfast at the Wave

I recently stopped by the Wave, a table service restaurant located at Disney's Contemporary Resort. I've had sort of hit and miss experiences with the Wave in the past. But, my last visit was amazing, so I decided to grab brunch there again because I was craving their gluten free and dairy free sweet potato pancakes, which I've had on previous visits.The Wave does have an allergy-friendly menu and after being seated I took a look of it, but was also a bit tempted by the breakfast buffet that is also offered. You can order a la carte for breakfast or dine off the buffet, which is around $25 per person. Luckily, with any buffet on Disney property, you can ask a chef at any time for food to be brought directly from the kitchen, instead of off the buffet line to avoid cross-contamination.Chef Laura came out, who helped me on my last visit, and I was so glad to see her! She is beyond fantastic and made me a great breakfast. We talked through some options, and she also confirmed that they can still make the sweet potato pancakes gluten free and dairy free again.Hurrah! After some debate, Chef Laura sold me on the buffet, as she said she'd make me most of my dishes, plus a good portion of the buffet had gluten free options. So while she was making my custom omelet, potatoes, and pancakes, I decided to get some items from the buffet.

Atmosphere

A quick note about the atmosphere. I like the Wave's interior. It's very modern and clean (fitting for the Contemporary Resort). I also love the entrance which always feels like you're going into an airport tunnel. There's a quaint bar area which I love and the main dining area while clean and bright is nice but I wouldn't say anything too remarkable.Let's face it. It's all about the food!

The Food

There was so much, that it's hard to know where to start. First off, I grabbed a sampling of some of the fruit options, some breakfast meats, and some Tillamook Cheddar Grits (since I'm re-introducing some dairy back into my diet).I really loved the fruit options they had. The first serving I had was Tropical Fruit Cocktail with Coconut Syrup. I absolutely adore tropical fruit and coconut, so this was right up my alley. It was filled with pineapple which is one of my most favorite fruits. This is definitely something I need to recreate at home! They also had grapes and strawberries and Melon Fruit Cocktail -- all of which were pre-portioned in their own containers, which helps reduce cross-contamination too.I also got the Apple and Honey Spiced Hot Quinoa which was near the hot oatmeal (not certified gluten free). You could ask for this from the back, but since neither of them looked like anyone had scooped any recently, I decided to get the quinoa. It was good, but a little too "spicey" for me. I thought the cinnamon was just a little overpowering.The breakfast meats were nothing special. I did enjoy both the bacon and pork sausage, but the bacon was the same old stringy Disney bacon. Nothing special there.The star of the buffet was the Tillamook Cheddar Grits.Good time of day these were good.I didn't eat much of them because they were clearly loaded with dairy. A few bites though...heaven. They were some of the creamiest dreamiest grits I've ever had. I may have actual dreams about these. So good.If you can have dairy, do yourself a favor and get these.Chef Laura also made me an omelet with ham, cheddar cheese, and onions. It was super delicious and SUPER cheesy! I'm pretty sure I could eat that Tillamook Cheddar for days. The roasted red potatoes I had were quite good too. The hashbrowns off the buffet were gluten free but also loaded with dairy, and well, if you're limiting your dairy best to go with the cheddar grits? Amiright?!While I was waiting for my pancakes, I went back to the buffet and tried the Deviled Eggs along with a serving of Strawberries & Grapes. The eggs were good but nothing special. The smoked salmon on the buffet was also gluten free too, but I skipped that on this visit.The gluten free and dairy free Sweet Potato Pancakes are always well worth any wait. They are so delicious. They taste like fall on a plate, and I love that. Oddly, mine didn't come with toasted pecans, just the plain maple syrup on this visit, but I was so full at that point, I didn't mind.One word about getting gluten free and dairy free sweet potato pancakes. A lot of people ask if you can just get them even though they aren't listed on the allergy friendly menu. The short answer? Usually. On my last several visits, they've been able to make them with no advance notice. But, I've also been told that if you really have your heart set on them that you should contact the restaurants at least 2 weeks in advance to let them know. You can do this by emailing Disney's Special Diets Department at special.diets@disneyworld.com.Want to recreate these at home? I love that I can easily make these at home using Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix (which is what they use in the restaurant). You can check out my YouTube cooking series for the recipe!

Overall

I really have enjoyed my most recent visits at the Wave. The food has been outstanding and Chef Laura is a gem. She's definitely quickly become one of my favorite new chefs at Disney. Plus, my server Steven was amazing. We chatted Star Wars all while enjoying a delicious breakfast. Talk about the perfect brunch!I will definitely be going back again soon, and I just may get the buffet again. I do prefer ordering a la carte, but this visit reminded me that the buffet there has some fantastic options.Have you been to the Wave? What did you think of the breakfast offerings there?

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

*This dining experience took place in March 2016.It's been a long time since I've dined at the Wave (almost 3 years!), a table service restaurant at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Not having had the greatest of experiences at the Wave, I often go to other restaurants nearby like Kona Cafe.After reading Gluten Free in Orlando's review this past year and talking to Leah from Our Florida Project on my podcast, I decided to give the Wave another chance.The Wave is known for their local and sustainable menu, and the current allergy friendly menu that I got definitely reflected a bit of that. There didn't seem to be a lot of gluten free & dairy free choices, so I asked to speak to a chef to discuss options. And boy, am I glad I did.While waiting for the chef, I enjoyed the theming and decor of the Wave. It's a pretty restaurant, though nothing too fancy. I do like the modern lighting and the "wave" represented in the ceiling & light fixtures.After a short wait, Chef Laura came out to chat with me, and she couldn't have been nicer. I told her I wasn't up for the buffet that morning (The Wave offers a breakfast buffet and a la carte menu), and she asked what I was interested in. I mentioned the sweet potato pancakes, and was so excited when Chef Laura said they could make them gluten free & dairy free!I ended up ordering the America Breakfast Entree, with hashbrowns instead of the roasted potatoes (which contains peppers, something I wasn't keen on eating that morning), and Chef Laura suggested I sub out pancakes for toast.Done and done.As you can see, I ended up with a ton of food!The American Breakfast entree itself was really nothing special. I ordered scrambled eggs, which were plain and basic. The bacon, thankfully, is Nueske's bacon, which is my favorite Disney served brand. I hate stringy Disney bacon, which is often found at quick service locations, so I'm always happy when I get good bacon. That being said, the bacon was overcooked for my taste.The hashbrowns were my least favorite thing I ate, as they were a bit bland and seriously underseasoned. I added some salt and pepper to jazz them up.The sweet potato pancakes normally come with pecan butter, but Chef Laura instead gave me Smart Balance vegan margarine (I personally prefer Earth Balance but am at least glad they had one vegan margarine option) and toasted pecans on the side with pure maple syrup.As you can see, it was a huge portion!These were some of the best pancakes I've ever had at Disney.Wow. I loved the sweet potato flavor with a hint of cinnamon and other fall spices. Using gluten free pancake mixes (in this case, Bob's Red Mill) can often result in a dry pancake, but these weren't dry at all thanks to the sweet potato puree.The restaurant actually roasts their own sweet potatoes in house for the puree, which is a nice touch.Though I had a ton of food, I literally demolished these pancakes. They were not too sweet and just the right amount of balance of spice. These were a big win for me.Overall, I really loved the pancakes at the Wave and thought Chef Laura was really attentive and willing to talk through options with me. Though I wasn't in love with my American Breakfast entree, it wasn't bad by any means, just nothing special either.With that in mind, I wouldn't hesitate to go back for those pancakes and maybe try something else on my next visit!Have you been to the Wave for breakfast? What did you order?