Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Dinner Review

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

Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, located in Hollywood Studios, is one of those quirky and unique restaurants at Disney World that I absolutely love. There's just something so fun and nostalgic about this retro theme and unique dining room. Plus, over the years, we've found the gluten free and dairy free options to be really good. On this recent visit, Brandon and I decided to go to Sci-Fi Dine-In for dinner last minute so that we could enjoy the holiday decorations and shows at the park. We did not have a reservation, so we were very lucky that we were able to do a walk-up for dinner that evening.

Atmosphere

Sci-Fi Dine-In is inspired by classic 1950s drive-in theaters. That means inside the restaurant, you'll find a giant movie screen that shows retro sci-fi movie clips and commercials along with a set that looks like an actual drive-in.

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

You can't miss the giant glowing sign that lets you know you've found Sci-Fi Dine-In at Hollywood Studios.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant - Vintage Car / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I love the retro touches before you even enter the restaurant. This vintage car and movie poster sign outside the restaurant are the perfect backdrops for fun photos.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Movie Screen / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once you are inside the restaurant, a "parking attendant" will take you to your car or your flying saucer (aka a table). Most of the restaurant has tables that look like vintage cars -- all lined up to watch those classic movie clips.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

There are all sorts of sizes, shapes, and colors of cars which makes the restaurant super fun to look around.

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

On this particular visit, we were seated at one of the "flying saucers" in the back of the restaurant. These are picnic table style seating areas that are often reserved for small parties or for those who have walk-up reservations. This was actually the first time we've ever been seated in this area, and we actually liked it a lot. We were able to talk a bit more and the lighting was so much better.

The only downside is that most of the chairs at these tables do not have backs. So, if you have back problems or just don't like seating without backs to them, you may want to avoid this seating area. We both agreed we would sit there again though.

The Food

Like most Disney restaurants, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant does carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. I do encourage you to speak with a chef at this location if you have any questions or don't see options available for your special dietary need. For instance, you can get a gluten free, dairy free, and vegan milkshake if you ask. But, it's not listed on the allergy-friendly menu.

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

On this visit, I debated between a few options, as there were quite a few gluten free dishes that I was interested in.

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

I ended up ordering the Oven-roasted Turkey Wrap with Oven-roasted Turkey, Crispy Bacon, Lettuce, and Vine-ripened Tomato with Cilantro-Avocado Aioli on an Allergy-Friendly Wrap. This is listed on the menu as being safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

At first, I was a little dubious about how tasty this sandwich would be when I saw the gluten free wrap was a standard rice flour wrap that I've had before. I'm not usually a big fan of these, but the restaurant did a good job of heating the wrap tortilla up. The sandwich itself was quite tasty, and I really enjoyed the flavors. I ended up somehow missing the bacon but only realized that after we left the restaurant. My favorite part of the sandwich was the cilantro-avocado aioli. I only wish there would have been a bit more on the sandwich.

The best part of this entrée may have been the French fries. Both Brandon and I were just wowed by the fries that night. They were super crisp and very well seasoned. I'm not usually a big steak fry fan. But, they cooked them a little more on the well-done side, so I really enjoyed them a lot.

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

For dessert, I ordered the gluten free brownie. It is the OMG It's Gluten Free brand and does contain dairy. I did ask if I could get vanilla Tofutti and Hershey's chocolate syrup with this, as it normally comes with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge. Even though I do eat dairy now, ice cream is just a little too much for me. So, I always ask for dairy free ice cream when possible.

The brownie was nicely heated, and the Tofutti and chocolate syrup were the perfect toppings for this. I would definitely get this again, although I really do love their gluten free, dairy free, and vegan milkshakes too.

Overall

Both Brandon and I really enjoyed our meals at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. We both thought the food was excellent when we went and our service was fantastic too. Shout-out to our server Vanessa who was seriously one of the best servers we've had at Disney in a while. For reasonable prices, good food, and a fun atmosphere, we'll definitely continue to have Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant on our short list of fun, affordable restaurants at Disney.

Have you been to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant? What was your experience dining there?

Beaches and Cream Dinner Review

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

Dinner at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

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

Atmosphere

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall

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

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

Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner Review

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

Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern

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

Atmosphere

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

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

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

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

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

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Paul Jones

• Paul Revere

• Betsy Ross

• George Washington

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

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

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

The Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall

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

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

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?

Backlot Express Dinner Review

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

Dinner at Backlot Express

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

Atmosphere

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

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

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

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

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

The Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall

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

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

Coral Reef Dinner Review

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

Dinner at Coral Reef

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

Atmosphere

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall

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

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

ABC Commissary Dinner Review

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

Dinner at ABC Commissary

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

Atmosphere

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall

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

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