Be Our Guest Restaurant -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Magic Kingdom

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

Lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Be Our Guest Restaurant is a restaurant in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom that serves both quick service breakfast and lunch and table service dinner. I haven't eaten lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant since 2013, so it's been a very very long time. Recently, we asked you, the readers, what quick service restaurant we should eat lunch or dinner at, and Be Our Guest was the most requested. So, given how long it had been and your requests, we had to go! Brandon has also never eaten at Be Our Guest for any meal, so he was looking forward to checking it out too.

Atmosphere

When it comes to a well-themed restaurant, Be Our Guest is definitely one of the best. From the moment you arrive, you'll feel like you're transported to the Beast's Castle with Belle.If you do have the time, I highly recommend taking a moment to look around at the exterior of the restaurant. There's so many beautiful touches and great photo opportunities.I love everything about all the details and theme, including these amazing beast busts built into the outside lighting fixtures.There are three dining rooms in Be Our Guest -- each with a distinct and unique theme. The first is the main ballroom. From the gorgeous chandeliers to the impressive floor to ceiling windows that make it look like it's snowing outside, this is definitely the definition of grand ballroom.This room also has the most seating, which is helpful if you're eating lunch here on a busy day.The second room is where we ate -- the Rose Gallery. This is a smaller but equally impressive room. There are lovely paintings of Belle and the Beast and even a large music box style scene of Belle and the Beast dancing that actually moves.The third and final room is the West Wing. This room is well themed and detailed, that it is a must visit anytime you're at Be Our Guest Restaurant. I've never been able to dine in here because it's so popular. But, it's definitely worth taking a quick peek into just for the theming.Pro Tip if you have children. This room is both dark and can be a bit scary. If you have children who might get scared by this, I would probably avoid visiting or dining in this space (and would request to not be seated there during dinner).

The Food

Of course, we were at Be Our Guest Restaurant, not just for the theme, but the food! This restaurant does not include an allergy-friendly lunch menu. That's because guests typically order meals from a self-serve kiosk. These kiosks will let you add your special dietary need to the selection and automatically tell you what you might be able to order. This can be handy if you have a common or single special dietary need, but not in other cases (or if you have questions). So, definitely speak to a cast member if you want to talk to a chef or manager.On our visit, a cast member directed us to stations typically used for mobile ordering. Because it was so busy, the cast members there assisted us with the ordering and did let me look at their ordering screen to determine the options. As it turns out, everything Brandon wanted was also available as a gluten free option, so we ended up making our entire order gluten free so that we could try multiple dishes.Once we placed our order, we then found seats in the Rose Gallery and waited for our food to arrive. I was at the drink station when the food arrived. But Brandon noted that the manager was actually with several cast members to ensure that everything arrived safely and was gluten free.The first dish we ordered was the French Onion Soup. This dish can be made gluten free by omitting the bread/croutons. It was also listed as a vegetarian option, and I have heard mixed reports as to whether this is a vegetable stock base or beef broth based soup.Both Brandon and I thought this soup was the better of the two soups we tried. It was also insanely cheesy. So, if you enjoy cheesy French Onion soup, you'll be very happy with this option.The next item we ordered was the Potato Leek Soup. This dish is marked gluten free on the menu and does contain dairy. Both Brandon and I liked this soup a lot. But, the French Onion was hard to top. We would recommend ordering this soup, especially if you're not a fan of French Onion or want a soup that isn't as filling.For entrees, we ordered two. The first was the Braised Pork (Coq Au Vin Style) which included Eight Hour Slow-cooked Pork with Mushrooms, Onions, Carrots and Bacon served with Mashed Potatoes and Green Bean Jardiniere. This dish can be made gluten free by omitting the gravy but does contain dairy.Both Brandon and I thought this was the better of the two entrees. The pork was extremely tender and flavorful, and the mashed potatoes were also very good. I actually loved the green beans with onions and peppers and ate a good amount of them. Brandon is not a green bean fan, and even he liked them when combined with the pork and mashed potatoes. We both agreed we would not hesitate to order this again.The second entree we ordered was the Carved Turkey Sandwich served warm on a Millet Chia gluten free bread with Dijon Mayonnaise and Pommes Frites. This dish is both gluten free and dairy free. Both Brandon and I thought this was a solid lunch option and a huge portion -- perfect for sharing. The turkey was actually proper real hand carved turkey -- not deli turkey. The millet chia bread (which is from Udi's Gluten Free) was quite tasty and paired well with the turkey, Dijon mayonnaise and arugula on the sandwich. The only real bummer from this entree were the French fries which seemed lukewarm by the time they got to our table.Though we both preferred the pork, we would also order the turkey again. Plus, it's a great option for guests who are gluten free and dairy free.And, finally, we had to order the Lemon - Raspberry Cream Puff which is gluten free. Unfortunately, this does contain dairy. But, I've heard you can get sorbet at Be Our Guest too.I should have known better ordering this, as it is a gluten free and no-sugar added dessert, and I do not typically think those two combinations mix well. Even though I love lemon, this dessert was super dry and had a weird flavor. I can guess it was due to the sugar free substitutes used in the cream puff. What a bummer and a missed opportunity, to make a decadent and fantastic gluten free cream puff!I have to admit that I do not like sugar substitutes or no sugar added desserts typically and have not usually enjoyed the ones I've tried at Disney. Next time we'll skip the dessert and get one elsewhere. However, I've heard lots of guests rave about this cream puff, so if you think you might like it, I would say give it a try. It's just not something I personally enjoyed.As you can see from this photo, we had a TON of food! We definitely over-ordered for lunch (even a late one at around 2 p.m.) and were full for the rest of the day. Next time we would skip the dessert and maybe share a soup and split two entrees.

Overall

We were pleasantly surprised by the lunch we had at Be Our Guest Restaurant. It's not a location we'd dine at all the time. But, it's nice for something completely different than traditional quick service in the park. We both thought the soups and entrees were quite good and moderately priced. My only negative would be that some of our food wasn't as warm as other dishes. But, this may also have been due to the timing and special dietary needs requests. But, this wouldn't deter us from going again. With great theming and a ton of gluten free options (and some dairy free options), we will definitely go back sooner than 4 years now!Have you been to Be Our Guest Restaurant? What did you order when you dined here?

Yak & Yeti -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in May 2018.

Dinner at Yak & Yeti

Yak & Yeti is a table service restaurant located in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. Back in April before we went to the DVC Moonlight Magic we had dinner with Brandon's mom at Yak & Yeti. This restaurant isn't owned and operated by Disney, but by Landry's. Brandon's family are members of the Landry's Select Club which offers priority seating and rewards, and we ended up signing up that night for the membership. Since we had a $25 reward to use from signing up, we decided to get dinner one night at the Yak & Yeti to use it.

Atmosphere

The theming for Yak & Yeti is quite lovely. It really fits in well in the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom.Both the food and the decor reflect Asian cultures, and we were told by cast members that much of the decor is authentic from Asian countries.On our previous visits, we have always dined upstairs on the second floor of the restaurant. On this visit, we were seating in the back corner of the first floor. It was nice to have a different seat and check out some theming and decor we'd never seen before.I absolutely love this quote and Bollywood movie posters that were on the wall near our table. It adds such a fun touch and gives the restaurant even more back story to its theme.There is definitely a lot to look at in the restaurant, and I would encourage you to wander a bit, if you have the time.

The Food

Having been to Yak & Yeti recently, I knew that the restaurant offered a "gluten sensitive" menu but that a chef would also come speak with me. On this visit, I was given the menu and asked if I wanted to speak to a chef or just order off the menu directly. I'm glad that I spoke with a chef, as I learned that the menu does not necessarily list items that are celiac safe.When the chef came to our table, I mentioned I was interested in the burger listed on the gluten sensitive menu. He said the fries were not safe for guests with celiac disease and that the burger would be served plain, as the regular menu toppings could not be made gluten free. I was a bit taken aback by this and did ask what the point of having them listed on a menu was. The chef's only response was that this is a gluten sensitive menu and not a gluten free menu. This is very disappointing to see that, especially since the chefs who have assisted me at the restaurant seemed to understand the need for safety. Personally, I'd rather they just get rid of the menu and come talk guests directly instead, since the menu really isn't meant for most of the people who might use it.Since the burger was not a great option, the chef recommended to me several items, including the Malaysian Seafood Curry which was not on the gluten sensitive menu. He said this is a naturally gluten free and dairy free dish. So, I opted to order this.I have to say that of the menu items I've tried at Yak & Yeti, this has been my favorite. The dish was super flavorful and packed full of seafood. It was also a huge portion. I definitely didn't leave hungry. It wasn't super spicy either, so if spice is a concern, you'll find this red curry dish to be quite flavorful and mild. I'd definitely order this again.

Overall

Despite the issues with the gluten sensitive menu, I really enjoyed my meal at Yak & Yeti. I do think there are better options in the park, but having the Landry's Select Club card means it's an easy spot to have a meal without a reservation at the last minute (which is great for us as locals). Thankfully, I have not had any issues with the food I've ordered here, and I've always been able to speak to a chef on each visit. I would recommend if you have celiac disease or allergies to ask to speak to a chef prior to ordering to ensure safety and not order directly from any special diets menus, like the gluten sensitive one they are currently offering.Have you been to Yak & Yeti Restaurant? What was your overall experience? 

Backlot Express -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in May 2018.

Dinner at Backlot Express

Backlot Express is probably the quick service restaurant in Hollywood Studios that we eat most at. With both burgers and allergy-friendly chicken tenders available, we like the easy options and price point when we're in the park. Plus, it has ample seating that includes indoor seating -- perfect for rainy days or hot summer days too. On this particular occasion, we stopped by Backlot Express for dinner during a random trip to Hollywood Studios one evening.

Atmosphere

At first glance, Backlot Express doesn't seem all that well themed. But, if you take a look around, you'll find that it really represents the "backlot" feel of a working studio shop.We usually find seats near the far right (if you're looking at the entrance view) nearest Star Tours. We have found the seating in this area to be a bit tucked away and a bit quieter than other areas of the restaurant.If you have some time, definitely check out the signs and decor in the restaurant seating area. It really does look like a backlot office area -- complete with safety notes too.My favorite view is this little office area. So many cool touches and nods to all that goes into creating movie and TV sets.

The Food

Backlot Express does carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. Typically, we order the allergy-friendly chicken tenders when we eat at Backlot Express. On this occasion, we encountered something new about ordering the chicken tenders. The cast member at the register asked if we wanted 5 or 10 piece chicken tenders, noting that this really meant we'd be getting 3 or 5 chicken tenders versus 5 or 10 chicken nuggets.This was the first time we've ever encountered this at any quick service restaurant ordering allergy-friendly chicken tenders and did double-check to make sure she was marking our chicken tenders as gluten free. She said that they had recently adjusted their ordering system for special diets (typically labeled SDM on the cash register computers) and that this was how the new system worked. We both asked for the larger portion, hoping that this wasn't going to be too much food.When the manager arrived with our orders of Allergy-Friendly Chicken Tenders and French Fries, which are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, peanut/tree nut free, and fish/shellfish free, we both were glad we ordered the "larger" portion. Both of us were still a bit confused by the whole experience of ordering but glad that the chicken tenders were the ones normally served and that nothing else was out of the ordinary.

Overall

Backlot Express is a solid quick service option for those who prefer classic theme park foods like chicken tenders and burgers. Add in ample seating, and you have an ideal quick service option in Hollywood Studios. Though we both like other options like ABC Commissary, Backlot Express is always a good bet.Have you been to Backlot Express? What do you order when you dine there?

Palo -- Brunch -- Disney Dream

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

Brunch at Palo

Palo located on Deck 13 of the Disney Dream is one of the two adults only restaurants on the ship. Palo offers dinner daily and on select days offers brunch. The last time I was on the Disney Dream back in 2014 for a 3-day cruise, they didn't offer brunch at Palo. So, I was thrilled to hear that Disney has been offering brunch on 3-day cruises when you're docked in Nassau. Brunch just might be one of my favorite meals, so I knew we had to book it. Brunch is typically offered from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and I made our reservation for 10 a.m. so that we could enjoy a leisurely brunch.

Atmosphere

Having had dinner at Palo on the last cruise I went on, I knew that it was a beautifully decorated restaurant. But, the vibe totally changes from day time to evening, and I was really wowed by how bright and inviting Palo is during the day.Palo means "pole" in Italian. And, that fits perfectly with the theme of the restaurant which is inspired by Venice. The version of Palo on the Disney Dream is set to resemble a Venetian waterfront, and you'll find examples of poles inspired by the classic gondolas throughout the restaurant.When you first walk through the Palo entrance, you'll notice a beautiful chandelier above. This glass chandelier is actually made to look like different types of pasta and sauces you'll find in classic Northern Italian fare. It's quite stunning, and I highly recommended stopping to look at it a bit more closely.As we learned from our server Corinne and later when we went on the Art of the Theme tour, Palo is expertly themed from the artwork to the chairs and everything in between.Even the metal artwork near the seating area is inspired by Venice.Palo has plenty of seating for all sizes of groups and seating preferences. Whether you prefer a cozy booth, a seat in the back, or a close-up view outside, you'll find it at Palo.On our visit, we had a lovely window seat. If you're having dinner at Palo or brunch during a day at sea, you'll have spectacular views of the ocean. Since we were dining while docked in Nassau, we didn't really have a great view (it looked out onto the Carnival ship docked next to us), but we still enjoyed the brightly lit restaurant and cozy environment.Hilariously, our server Corinne remarked that we had our very own Gondolier while at Palo, as one of the cast members cleaning windows came by. I have to admit that we both chuckled at this but were also fascinated by the cleaning and repairs that happen while docked.

The Food

Of course, the best part of Palo brunch is the food. Having dined here for dinner back in 2014, I knew that the food was going to be quite good, so I was looking forward to all the options.Before Corinne went over the meal options and brought out the chef, she brought us each a Mimosa (orange juice and champagne) to start out brunch.I also ordered an unsweetened iced tea, and was super excited to see that the tea was served with iced tea cubes. This is perfect for those who love tea but don't like that their tea gets diluted by regular water ice cubes melting. Talk about a nice touch!After getting our drinks, the chef (whose name I forgot to write down), walked both Brandon and I through the buffet. Since Brandon is allergic to fish and shellfish, the chef advised him what he could and could not eat, in addition to walking me through the buffet. One of the things I liked most about the buffet is that there were several tables with food sections. For instance, their was an entire seafood table that Brandon avoided, while I avoided the pastry / bread table.The chef also offered to bring me a plate of food from the kitchen if I preferred, and he also noted that when I was ready for dessert he would bring me a plate from the kitchen automatically. He offered to do the same for Brandon as he noted some desserts contained gelatin.Because I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet, the items I ate at brunch did have a good amount of dairy present. Guests who are dairy free shouldn't worry though, as they have lots of options that are dairy free or can be made dairy free.With the buffet, I ended up getting a good amount of seafood -- much of which was gluten free and dairy free. This included a scallop with fresh tomatoes and basil, crab legs, two different types of seared tuna, bloody Mary shrimp cocktail, and poached shrimp. I also tried prosciutto wrapped melon, several kinds of aged cheese, and caprese salad.Everything I enjoyed on my buffet plate was outstanding. The seafood was super fresh and well prepared. The scallops and seared tuna were definitely my favorites of the seafood options. The other item I liked the most was the caprese salad which was just outstanding and so light and fresh.In addition to the buffet, Palo also has an a la carte menu with breakfast and lunch offerings. Both the chef and Corinne recommended that I try a few dishes to get a taste of all that Palo had to offer. First up, I ordered the famous Palo Grape and Gorgonzola Pizza. This is made on a gluten free crust (I believe currently Udi's Gluten Free on the Disney Dream). Pizza options are listed on the Palo menu, but this particular combination is not. But, if you ask the culinary team, they can still make it for you.The pizza is such a unique option, that we just had to try it. It is served with a red sauce, mozzarella, Gorgonzola, grapes, and a red wine reduction. Talk about decadent. Both Brandon and I tried this. I liked it a lot; Brandon thought it was just a bit too sweet for his taste. I would definitely get this again, though next time I might ask for it to be a white pizza without the red tomato sauce base, as I think I would have liked it more without it.The chef also said they can make gluten free (and dairy free) pancakes and waffles. The waffles are typically served as one giant Mickey shaped waffle (you can see a photo of it on Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures). But, I was told that their large waffle maker was down that day. Still, I got to enjoy 2 smaller Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles topped with powdered sugar and 100% pure maple syrup. I also had the option of ordering strawberry sauce or apple cinnamon sauce.These tasted just about identical to the versions of allergy-friendly Mickey waffles at Disney World and, I believe, were made using Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix. They were nice and crispy and super tasty, and I would definitely order these again at Palo brunch. Hopefully, next time we go, they'll have the big Allergy-Friendly Mickey waffle maker working again!Although I did not ask for it, our server Corinne insisted I try a gluten free pasta, since we were in an Italian restaurant. She ended up bringing me Gluten Free Pasta with Smoked Salmon, Baby Spinach, Tarragon, Cracked Black Pepper, and a Cream Sauce. I didn't eat a ton of this, but I did try it. If you like seafood, it was quite good. It's not a dish I'd probably order again, but I was glad to try it.As you can see from this photo of our table, Corinne made sure we did not go hungry. In fact, we were both just plain stuffed by the end of the brunch. I really appreciated that she encouraged us to try lots of dishes, but next time we'll definitely reduce the amount of items we order!As if I could even eat another bite, Corinne brought out a plate of desserts for me from the chef. Three of the four desserts on the plate contained dairy, so if you're dairy free, be sure to ask for other options. The gluten free and dairy free dessert on my plate was a champagne gelatin with fruit. It was actually my least favorite of the desserts (I tried a bite of all of them), as I did not like the gelatin texture. But, I'm super glad that it was an option and something that was nice and light compared to the other desserts.The desserts included an espresso mousse (far left), vanilla panna cotta with mango, blueberries, and strawberries (center), and a raspberry mousse (far right). Every single one of these were very good. The panna cotta was probably my favorite with the raspberry mousse a close second. The espresso mousse was also very good and perfect for anyone who loves coffee.

Overall

Both Brandon and I absolutely loved the brunch at Palo. We really enjoyed that it included both a cold buffet and a la carte options. The cold buffet was super high quality with lots of options for any preference or special dietary need. We also found the a la carte options to include unique dishes that we might not have otherwise tried (Brandon enjoyed celery soup and artichoke ravioli -- both of which he would not typically order) and classic brunch favorites. Brunch also gave us a chance to enjoy Palo without missing out on our regular rotational dinner too.The atmosphere in Palo at brunch is so relaxing and our server Corinne was so great, that it made for a wonderful experience that we're both still raving about even after the trip. We wouldn't hesitate to book brunch again, though we both agreed that we want to go to Palo for dinner on our next cruise.Have you been to Palo for brunch or dinner? What did you think of the options available to special dietary needs guests? 

Royal Palace -- Breakfast -- Disney Dream

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

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Royal Palace is one of three main dining rooms used for rotational dining, along with breakfast, and lunch on the Disney Dream. I had eaten breakfast at Royal Palace on my the cruise I took with my mom on the Disney Dream back in 2014, and I had a great meal. So, I knew that when it came to breakfast on our most recent cruise, I wanted to have breakfast at Royal Palace at least one day. Although the breakfast menu is the same whether you dine at Enchanted Garden or Royal Palace, I really loved the theme of Royal Palace. Plus, we weren't going to get a chance to eat dinner there on this cruise, since we had dinner reservations at Remy on our last night. I had breakfast at Royal Palace on day 3 of our cruise, before we disembarked for Castaway Cay.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace is definitely inspired by Disney princesses. You'll see touches of that from the moment you step into the restaurant.Royal Palace has a totally different theme and atmosphere from Animator's Palate and Enchanted Garden. Of all three main restaurants, I would say that Royal Palace is the one that feels the most "fancy."There is plenty of seating in the restaurant and everything from the chairs, to the flooring, to the lights make you feel like you're truly in a royal palace.Another reason I enjoy breakfast at Royal Palace is that it gives you a chance to dine at the restaurant without a ton of crowds and to see the theming with bright, natural lighting. It really does change the feel and vibe of the restaurant.How cute are all the little details, like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage at the end of this banister?!I had a lovely seat near the large portholes that gave a terrific view of Castaway Cay. Although you can't see it well in this photo, I can definitely say that the views were spectacular.

The Food

Unlike dinner, the menu for breakfast did not have any gluten free or dairy free listings.Having had breakfast at Royal Palace before, I knew that I would be able to get things like gluten free pancakes and different styles of eggs.My server Henry recommended the Eggs Benedict, which I was surprised to hear could be gluten free. But, he told me it was an easy modification, replacing the English muffin with gluten free bread. So, I decided to go with that. I knew I didn't want a ton of food, since we had Remy reservations that night and also planned on getting something to eat at Castaway Cay.I also ordered some apple juice, unsweetened iced tea, and water. Gotta hydrate before you head to Castaway Cay!Although I did not ask for them, Henry kindly brought me some Cinnamon Sugar Kinnikinnick donuts. These are gluten free and dairy free and very tasty. I was served these from the main dining rooms for breakfast and at Cabanas, the buffet on deck 11, so they were very easy to get. You can also get the Kinnikinnick vanilla glazed donuts too (which Brandon loved).Having some donuts was a nice touch, and I enjoyed these before my main entree arrived.Since I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet, I've been a bit more adventurous with trying breakfast items I haven't had in years. So, the Eggs Benedict was quite a treat. This gluten free breakfast option was definitely one I'd get again. The base was a gluten free bun (it tasted like Udi's Gluten Free and was definitely not Ener-G), and the Canadian bacon with poached egg and Hollandaise were super delicious. I loved the lemony flavor of the sauce.The dish was also served with a grilled tomato and sausage. I tried both, and they were good. But, for me, it was all about the Eggs Benedict. On previous visits, I have ordered eggs, bacon, and pancakes, so even gluten free and dairy free, I felt like I had a lot of options.

Overall

Royal Palace is a lovely spot to have breakfast when you're on the Disney Dream. I have always found the food options to be very good and quite tasty. Plus, you just can't get better than the theming and views from this restaurant. It's a perfect spot on any Castaway Cay morning before you head off the ship to explore the beautiful island. This will definitely continue to be my go-to spot for breakfast on the Disney Dream.Have you been to Royal Palace for breakfast? What did you think of the breakfast options?  

Enchanted Garden -- Dinner -- Disney Dream

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

Dinner at Enchanted Garden

On the second night of our 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, we had dinner at Enchanted Garden. Located on deck 2, this restaurant is a part of 3 main dining rooms that guests rotate through on their Disney Cruise. We had enjoyed our embarkation lunch at Enchanted Garden the previous day and were interested to see how the main dining and evening impacted dining here.

Atmosphere

Enchanted Garden is themed after the gardens of Versailles. And, you can see lots of garden inspired touches everywhere you go in the dining room. Having dined at Enchanted Garden for lunch, we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at dinner to see completely different lighting.As you can see by the photos, Enchanted Garden looks like it's twilight in France, complete a dimly lit fountain and soft lighting throughout the restaurant.As our dinner started, we noticed that the restaurant was slightly brighter, and as the meal progressed the lighting shifted.The lamps were also lit a beautiful pink that added a bit of color and charm to the meal.While we were seated in the booths at lunch time, we found table 61 (our table in main dining throughout the cruise) to be situated near the middle of the restaurant. We were a bit close to the drink and food staging areas, which meant it was slightly busy, but also gave us lots of action to take in. All of the tables were nice and bright, which contrasted well with the decor and theming.

The Food

I have to admit, that Brandon and I were really not at all that hungry when we arrived at Enchanted Garden for dinner. We had brunch that morning at Palo, and I swear I was still full. But, we had promised our servers we would be at dinner since we would not the last day due to a dinner reservation at Remy. Plus, it was pirate night, and we totally had to wear our pirate bandanas to dinner.I also have to admit that when we looked at the menu, neither of us were actually all that keen on the options. But, Noel, our server, came to the rescue and made some great recommendations for entrees that we both really enjoyed.As you can see from the menu, there were a few gluten free options listed.Prior to ordering, Noel brought out some Ener-G rolls again. I nibbled on these a bit, as they were well-heated. But, didn't eat too much of them, since I was still not all that hungry.Up first, Noel brought me a Spinach and Raspberry Salad with Baby Spinach tossed with fresh Raspberries, Toasted Pine Nuts, crumbled Gorgonzola, and a Raspberry Vinaigrette. This is gluten free and can be made dairy free by omitting the Gorgonzola. I was not a very big fan of this salad mostly because it was just too sweet for me. I definitely prefer my salads a bit more savory or to have a better balance of sweet and salty.The other gluten free appetizer on the menu is the Cucumber Garden Roll. I know that Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures has tried it on her recent Disney Cruises, and I would probably try that on my next visit.For my entree, I ordered Marjoram-Scented Roast Chicken served with Baked Crushed Sweet Potatoes, Buttered Baby Spinach, and a Thyme Red Wine Chicken Jus. This dish was gluten free. Even though I had ordered chicken the night before at Animator's Palate, I chose chicken based on Noel's recommendation and the fact that I had already had a version of the Slow-Roasted Prime Rib marked gluten free on the menu during embarkation.I have to say that this was a much better chicken dish. I found the chicken to be very flavorful and the sweet potatoes and spinach were excellent accompaniments. Plus, the Thyme Red Wine Chicken Jus was just outstanding. I was pleasantly surprised at this recommendation and would definitely order it again.While we were eating dinner, I noticed that the table next to us were being served Indian food. This isn't listed on the menu, and I was curious how they got it, as I love Indian food. It turns out that Noel (who was from India) worked with the kitchen to prepare authentic Indian food for that table. I asked about it, and he mentioned that he could order me Indian food too. Since we weren't going to be dining in main dining the next time due to Remy reservations, I was a bit bummed. But, the table who was served Indian food offered to share their food with me, if it was safe to do so. Noel ensured it that everything was gluten free and actually made me a small plate of Chicken Curry and Curry Potatoes with Basmatic Rice. How cool is that?!And, I have to say that the plate I had was out of this world good. The curry chicken was super flavorful and the chicken was super tender. The potatoes were a bit spicy and went really well with the milder chicken curry. I was so surprised by the bonus food, and really wowed by the level of service from the team and the kindness of our next door table-mates. Talk about a magical dining moment!As you can imagine, I was so full after my second plate with the Indian Food, that I really didn't want dessert. Noel brought me some Mango Sorbet which is both gluten free and dairy free as something easy to finish the meal. Mango sorbet is usually one of my favorite sorbet flavors, but I found this one to be extremely freezer burnt. The taste was not the best and the texture was very icy.

Overall

Although I think both Brandon and I thought this would be the restaurant we liked the least for main dining, we were both pleasantly surprised by the flavors and quality of our main entrees. Neither of us loved our appetizers, but the entrees definitely made up for it. It's not our favorite restaurant on the ship, but they do offer solid entree options and the theming of the restaurant is very lovely.Have you been to Enchanted Garden for dinner? What did you order when you dined there?

Animator's Palate -- Dinner -- Disney Dream

*This dining experience took place in May 2018. 

Dinner at Animator's Palate

On day one of our cruise on the Disney Dream, we dined at Animator's Palate. This is one of three main restaurants available through Disney's rotational dining, which changes nightly on your cruise. Because we had reservations at Remy on our last night, I made sure to request Animator's Palate be on one of our first nights of rotation on the cruise. Of course, requests are not always possible, but we were glad this one was. Animator's Palate is probably one of the most well-known restaurants on Disney Cruise Line, with its unique theming and "show" that goes on throughout the meal. Having dined here in 2014, I knew this was a must-do with Brandon on his first cruise.

Atmosphere

The theming is what makes Animator's Palate so popular. Every Disney Cruise Line ship has an Animator's Palate, but each one is a bit different. On the Disney Dream, you'll find a Finding Nemo and Turtle Talk with Crush inspired theme and show.The art of animation is the theme at Animator's Palate. Even the menu animates as you hold it up and down. Pretty neat!As you arrive for your dinner at Animator's Palate, you'll see bright and vibrant pops of color and tons of art throughout the restaurant.Brandon and I were seated at table 61 throughout our cruise. Most cruise restaurant seating pairs you with other guests, and you share tables. However, you can request to be seated only with your party in advance, which is what we did. This made for a low-key and relaxing meal with just the two of us at our table. I loved that our table number looked like a canister for paint brushes!Throughout the meal, the restaurant not only comes to life with interactive talks with Crush, but the color also changes depending on where you are in your meal.As you can see, the lights changed from dramatically throughout the meal.

The Food

On my last visit to Animator's Palate, I'll be honest, I didn't love the food. I thought it was OK, but nothing special. This trip was slightly improved in terms of the food, but I still wasn't wowed by the overall experience. Brandon enjoyed his meal a lot, so I think it may be due to the limited gluten free options on the menu.Our servers at our main dining each night were Noel and Juni. They did a really great job at ensuring we both had safe options and making good recommendations. I have to admit that the dishes Noel recommended were typically the best ones I had.Up first, he brought some Ener-G rolls, which are both gluten free and dairy free. They were heated much better than our at our embarkation lunch at Enchanted Garden, so I was pleased with that.For my appetizers, I tried two options. The first Jumbo Shrimp Salad with Poached Tiger Shrimp tossed in a Lemon Olive Oil, served on diced Cucumber, Egg and Red Onion and garnished with Roquette Leaves. Oddly, this dish is marked gluten free, but not dairy free. When asked I was told that it was not marked dairy free because there is egg in it. They said the same thing to me when we dined at Animator's Palate in 2014, so it's amazing to me that they still haven't updated it or realize the difference between dairy and egg. So, for those who are dairy free, this is technically a dairy free dish, and it's worth asking about.While I wouldn't say this was my favorite dish, I did like the freshness of the salad and the shrimp with dill. It's definitely a decent salad option, though I'd like to see a bit more flavor in the dish. It just seemed bland.Because I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet, Noel also suggested that I try the Smoked Salmon Tartar with Dill, Capers, Onions, Pickles, and a Horseradish Cream. It is marked gluten free on the menu. He said this is his favorite appetizer, and honestly, it did not disappoint. It was delicious. If you can have dairy, this is a fantastic appetizer. Pretty sure I could eaten this appetizer every night of the cruise. It was that good.For my entree, I ordered Lemon-Thyme Marinated All Natural Chicken Breast on top of Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables and Grain Mustard Jus. This is marked gluten free on the menu but does contain dairy. I thought this dish was just OK. The roasted root vegetables appeared to be all beets, which are not my favorite, and the chicken was fairly overcooked. I wouldn't say it was terrible by any means. But, I probably should have just ordered the the sirloin steak with garden vegetables and potatoes on the Lighter Note Offerings portion of the menu that Noel recommended.Brandon ordered the Ginger-Teriyaki dusted Angus Beef Tenderloin served on Wasabi Mashed Potatoes with Bok Choy and a Tamarind Barbecue Reduction and really thought his steak was well-done. So, next time, I'll probably stick to steak.Throughout our meal, our server Noel gave us some puzzle challenges. This one involved us having to figure out how to move one crayon that would change the direction of the crayon giraffe he created for us. I'm not going to lie, we were not very good at these puzzles!For dessert, Noel brought me the Crunch Walnut Cake with Dark Chocolate Mousse and Raspberry Coulis. This is marked gluten free on the menu and does contain dairy. I only ate a bit of this cake, but I liked it a lot. The best part was definitely the walnuts on the bottom of the cake. For those with special dietary needs, always check with your server for options, as they had another chocolate cake, ice cream, and even sorbet as options on the night I visited Animator's Palate.

Overall

The theming at Animator's Palate really can't be beat, and it's a restaurant we have to dine at on each visit just for that. But, I wouldn't say the food options I have had have been amazing there (except the salmon tartare I had, which was outstanding). The food options have been decent, but just not my personal preference. Still, I have to give major kudos to my server team for always making sure that we had safe options.Have you been to Animator's Palate? What did you think of your dining experience there?

Enchanted Garden -- Embarkation Lunch -- Disney Dream

*This dining experience took place in May 2018. 

Embarkation Lunch at Enchanted Garden

We recently went on a 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream. Disney Cruise Line offers some unique dining experiences, including adult dining and also offers rotational dining, where guests dine at a different restaurant each night of the cruise. One of these restaurants is Enchanted Garden. While we did dine there for dinner, we also got a chance to dine here for lunch on embarkation day.When my mom and I went on the Disney Dream back in 2014, we also ate at Enchanted Garden during embarkation. But, it was a buffet then. Now, Enchanted Garden offers an a la carte menu. Guests wanting a buffet can still enjoy the buffet up at Cabanas on deck 11. Because I have found the buffets to take a bit of time to get special dietary needs meals, we decided that Enchanted Garden might be a calmer and easier bet. In addition to my special dietary needs, Brandon is also allergic to fish and shellfish, and we wanted to make sure he was extra safe on the cruise ship where there's a ton of seafood.

Atmosphere

The theming in Enchanted Garden is set to represent the gardens of Versailles in France. You'll see lots of whimsical touches and bright colorful decor.Our favorite part of the restaurant had to be the entry seating which included gorgeous booths. On embarkation day, we actually got to sit in these as we were one of the first groups in the restaurant. They're beautifully themed and super cozy!You'll notice lots of garden theming even in the ceiling of the restaurant, as well as the light fixtures.And, of course, the centerpiece of the restaurant is a beautiful fountain.As you can see, the lighting in this restaurant is quite beautiful. We loved it at night, when the lighting changed quite a bit. But, more on that in our dinner review!

The Food

Of course, the big thing we were there for was the food. Neither of us had eaten much for breakfast, so we were ready for a nice lunch. Our server during lunch was not our regular server (you get a team of servers that follow you to you each restaurant for dinner). But, Jude, who assisted us, was a rockstar. He asked immediately if we had special dietary needs and worked to ensure we both had something tasty and safe.The Disney Cruise Line does not offer an allergy-friendly menu, like the Disney Parks, but they do note gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian dishes on the menus.As I learned on my 2014 cruise, there are often more dishes than are noted that are actually safe to eat or easy to modify when asked.If you have a special dietary need, usually, you will discuss options with your server who will speak to the chefs on your behalf. I have heard others say chefs have come to their table, but that has not been my experience, except at Cabanas, Palo, and Remy.Prior to ordering, Jude brought me some gluten free and dairy free rolls. Disney Cruise Line is currently serving Ener-G rolls at most main dining locations. They do not offer vegan buttery spread, so guests with dairy allergies or intolerances or are vegan should ask about extra virgin olive oil. Unfortunately, during this meal, the rolls were not well heated and turned hard as a rock almost immediately, so I didn't really eat much of them.For my appetizer, I ordered the Sliced Smoked Salmon with Lemon and a Honey-Mustard Dill Sauce which was marked both gluten free and dairy free on the menu. Overall, I thought this was good, but not amazing. I really enjoyed the mustard though and thought it paired very well with the salmon.For my entree, both Brandon and I got the Sliced Roasted Beef Sirloin with Double Baked Potato, Green Beans, and a Thyme Red Wine Jus. This was marked gluten free and is also fish/shellfish free too. The potato did contain dairy. So, if you are dairy free, you can swap out for a plain potato. Because I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet, I did not modify the dish. This was a very solid entree, though quite filling for a lunch. We both agreed that the double baked potato was our favorite part of the lunch entree.For dessert, there are no options marked on the menu gluten free or dairy free. Jude brought me a Chocolate Mousse with Chocolate Syrup that was gluten free but did contain dairy. I have seen a ton of photos online of vegan diners who have had different types of mousse made for them with dairy free options, so it's worth asking if you're dairy free too. I took a few bites of this, and I really enjoyed the light, chocolatey flavors of the mousse and thought it was a nice ending to the meal.

Overall

We both agreed that dining at Enchanted Garden for lunch on embarkation day was a much calmer and easier option than Cabanas, which was kind of nuts. We both felt we had decent options and were pleasantly surprised at how solid the meal was. We're already thinking about another cruise and definitely would visit Enchanted Garden for lunch again too! Huge shoutout again to our sever Jude for this meal. We literally saw him at other points on the cruise, and he always remembered our names and that we had special dietary needs. Talk about Disney Cruise Line magic!Have you been on a Disney Cruise? Where do you go on embarkation day for lunch? 

Yak & Yeti -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in April 2018. 

Dinner at Yak & Yeti

Yak & Yeti Restaurant is a table service location in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. Though it is not owned and operated by Disney (It's a part of the Landry's restaurants chain), it has been an extremely popular dining location in the park for many years now. We visited last year after a pretty lengthy hiatus and really enjoyed our meal there. So, we decided to have dinner here before we went to a DVC Moonlight Magic event held in the park.

Atmosphere

One of the things that we really love about the Yak & Yeti is the theming. Located in the Asia section of the park, you can see the Asian influence in the restaurant's decor. In fact, we were told by cast members that many of the items in the restaurant are authentic from specific Asian regions.There is both downstairs and upstairs seating in the restaurant. We found the downstairs seating to be a bit more hectic than the upstairs seating.On this visit, we actually did not have a dining reservation, but Brandon's mom has a Landry's card, so we were able to get seated within 10 minutes of arriving, which was fantastic.We were seated upstairs, which was fine by us. While the dining area was a little crowded when we arrived, it got a little calmer about 20 minutes into our dining experience.As you can see, the seating areas are lovely. We found our table to be fairly spacious too.

The Food

Yak & Yeti does not carry an allergy-friendly restaurant per se. They do now offer a gluten sensitive menu, but even with this menu, they made sure a chef came out to talk to me about options.I was pleasantly surprised by all the options on the gluten sensitive menu that were available to me.Prior to our meal, we did opt for some drinks. I got a classic gin and tonic, but they have a variety of options for whatever drink you like.For a starter, I got the Chicken Consomme which came with tofu, scallions, and carrots. This was both gluten free and dairy free. I really enjoyed this soup -- it was super light and had great flavor. It's definitely a dish I'd get again, though I have to admit, I want to try the Lettuce Cups on my next visit.For my entree, I ordered the Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Chili Plum Sauce, Jasmine Rice, and Steamed Vegetables. I also got a side of gluten free soy sauce too. Like the soup, this dish was both gluten free and dairy free.While I wouldn't say this was the best entree I've ever had, it was good. The shrimp portion was generous, and I loved the sauteed vegetable blend that included bok choy (one of my favorite veggies). The Jasmine Rice with plum sauce was also really good too.

Overall

Everyone agreed that the meal experience overall was quite good. We had excellent service and were really surprised by how quickly we were seated using the Landry's Card (we actually got one ourselves that evening). The food was also decent, with lots of gluten free options. For the Animal Kingdom theme park, this is a great table service option, especially considering that the other table service locations are either an all-you-care-to-enjoy character meal or signature dining. We will definitely be enjoying a meal here again in the near future.

The BOATHOUSE -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in March 2018.

Dinner at The BOATHOUSE

The BOATHOUSE has quickly become one of the most popular table service restaurants in Disney Springs. Known for offering huge portions and tons of seafood, it's gotten quite a reputation over the past few years since it opened. Admittedly, we had only been once 2 years ago and haven't been back. It's not that the food wasn't good. It was just that it always seems jammed, and as locals, we tend to not make dining reservations far enough in advance. But, we recently made a random trip to The BOATHOUSE and were reminded why we need to make an effort to eat here more!

Atmosphere

The BOATHOUSE is just that a boathouse. The theming is nautical from the moment you walk up to the restaurant entrance.Having only dined here once, we decided to try to explore the restaurant as much as we could. And, our table was in the back of the restaurant, so we really got to see how The BOATHOUSE transforms from the entrance all the way into the far interior. You can see how the shift goes from a light and airy boathouse feel all the way to a dark and cozy wood paneled inner dining room.We were also pretty surprised at how large this restaurant actually is since we've only really been in the front of the restaurant on our prior visit.

The Food

The BOATHOUSE is not owned & operated by the Disney Company. This means that they do not have an allergy-friendly menu. Thankfully, that was no big deal as the chef will come and talk to you to discuss options. Our server (whose name I forget but was outstanding) told me prior to the chef coming out that there were lots of options. And, the chef said they could make a majority of the menu gluten free (and lots dairy free) with some easy modifications or as is.There were so many options that I had a really hard time deciding. Ultimately, I ended up with a burger because I'd heard tons of rave reviews about them. Odd for a seafood restaurant, I know, but it just sounded good that night!My Classic Cheeseburger came on a gluten free bun (it tasted like Udi's Gluten Free to me). I did add cheese since I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet in limited amounts. But, the burger can be easily made dairy free by omitting the cheese. The burger itself was pretty good. I wouldn't say it's the best burger I've ever had. But, it was tasty and a solid choice. I'd order this or another burger variation again.For my side, I got Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Sherry Gastrique and Bacon. Unfortunately, The BOATHOUSE does not have a dedicated fryer, so fries were out. But, holy moly. For those who think Brussels Sprouts are gross, please try this dish. It will change your mind. This was a fantastic side dish and would I would not hesitate to order again.The chef also mentioned that they offer a gluten free and dairy free (and fairly allergy-friendly) chocolate cake for dessert. We decided to split this. They brought dairy-filled ice cream for Brandon on the side, although we could have gotten sorbet too. The raspberry sauce on the side was both gluten free and dairy free. The chocolate sauce on the side contained dairy.Both of us thought this was good, though maybe not the best GF chocolate cake we've ever had. Still, it was nice to see that The BOATHOUSE thinks of special diets guests and offers something more than just plain old sorbet.

Overall

We had a really good meal at The BOATHOUSE. In fact, we both said after the meal that we need to go back again soon. We were impressed with the level of service we received too. In fact, it just might have been some of the best service we've had at Disney in a really long time. Add in some really great special diets options, and you have a solid dining option at Disney Springs. We're looking forward to going back again and trying out some new dishes!Have you been to The BOATHOUSE? What did you think of your meal there? 

Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in March 2018.

Breakfast at Boma

Boma: Flavors of Africa is probably one of my most favorite restaurants on Disney property for breakfast. And, I've probably written more posts about Boma breakfast than any other restaurant meal here on the blog. So, when I say I'm a fan of this restaurant, it's definitely true! I recently stopped by Boma for breakfast with my family to celebrate Easter. We decided that instead of cooking a big dinner, that we would get together for a nice meal that someone else cooked. My family also wanted to go to breakfast the day before Easter, so we would avoid the crowds.

Atmosphere

Although I have to say that the atmosphere is probably the thing I pay attention the least at Boma (hello, Mickey waffles!), the restaurant is beautifully themed and decorated. The restaurant's name, Boma, means enclosure. And, the name really reflects that theme. From thatched roofing over the buffets to wooden fences, you see nods to the restaurant's name everywhere.The seating is plentiful. And, I love getting a table with views outside. On the morning we visited, we got a great view, which also provided lots of light into the restaurant seating area.

The Food

Upon arriving at the restaurant, the hostess provided me with an allergen guide. Because Boma is an all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurant, they do not have an allergy-friendly menu. But, this guide will help you navigate the buffet and determine which items might be safe for you. Because any type of buffet setting has an increased chance of cross-contamination, I highly recommend speaking to a Disney chef and discussing options. You can also ask the chef to bring you items from the back of the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination, which I do on any visit I make.On this visit, I got a chance to see Chef Frank, who is always really awesome! He does a great job handling special dietary needs requests. Because I have been so many times, I actually knew exactly what I wanted to order from the kitchen. Otherwise, Chef Frank normally takes me through the buffet. You know you've been to a restaurant a lot when you know the menu practically by heart!While Chef Frank was preparing my food, our server Tristin brought out drinks. Don't forget to try to the Jungle Juice while you're at Boma. It's a great juice option (although a little sweet) made with guava, passion fruit, and orange juices.I did opt to go to the buffet area for the carving station, breakfast meats, and grilled asparagus. All of these are in areas where there is low chance of cross-contamination. So, I feel comfortable getting those few items there.While I was chowing down on my plate from the buffet, Chef Frank brought out a bounty of food. First up, a ham and onion omelet and tater tots. Both of these are gluten free and dairy free. The omelet was perfectly cooked. But, the tater tots. Omigoodness. These were so good. Honestly, every breakfast should include tots.One important note about the tater tots. These are not safe on the buffet. And, the team actually has to make these in the Mara side of the kitchen. So, there is always a chance that this might not be an option when you visit. I have had tot-free breakfasts on occasion at Boma. And, oh, how I missed them!Chef Frank also brought me two allergy-friendly Mickey waffles and an Udi's Gluten Free blueberry muffin toasted with some Earth Balance vegan buttery spread and 100% pure maple syrup.I have to say that my favorite way to have the waffles here were inspired by a suggestion from Chef Frank. On this visit, I got banana chips (I also usually add walnuts), along with the Earth Balance and maple syrup. It's a fantastic gluten free and dairy free combo!As you can see, I had a huge spread that also included dairy free pap, hot quinoa with brown sugar, and fresh pineapple. I must have been enjoying way too much as I forgot to get them in the photo too.

Overall

Boma's stellar breakfast options make it a perfect place for guests with special dietary needs. The chefs here are fantastic. And, I never feel like I leave hungry. In fact, it's usually my only meal fo the day after dining here. Add in some great atmosphere, and you have a great breakfast option whenever you travel to Disney World. It's a breakfast spot that is a must-do for my family.Have you been to Boma? What did you think of the breakfast options? 

Satu'li Canteen -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in March 2018.

Dinner at Satu'li Canteen

Satu'li Canteen, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom, is a quick service restaurant that offers a bit more than just your typical burgers and fries fare. In fact, their lunch and dinner offerings are some of the more unique and healthful quick service meal options you'll find on Disney property. We recently stopped by Satu'li Canteen for a quick dinner while exploring Pandora: The World of Avatar where this restaurant is located.

Atmosphere

The theming, like the food at Satu'li Canteen, is unique. The building itself is an old mess hall that has been converted into a restaurant that highlights the art and the food of the world of Pandora.From the moment you arrive, you'll find bright, earthy tones and art made from natural materials. The combination of a modern mess hall mixed with the traditional Na'vi handiwork make for a rich and detailed setting to dine.There is both indoor and outdoor seating at Satu'li Canteen, and while we like the exterior seating, we really love the inside seating. It's cozy, and even on the busiest days that we've been, we have been able to find a seat.

The Food

Of course, the thing that keeps us coming back to Satu'li Canteen is the food. As a special diets diner, your best bet are the custom bowls. With lots of different combinations of proteins (from chicken to chili-spiced tofu), bases (including rice and salad greens), along with some tasty sauces -- you can mix and match with ease. If you're not sure where to start, Satu'li Canteen does carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu.On this visit, I chose the Mixed Whole Grain and Rice base, which is marked gluten free but not dairy free. But, in looking at the ingredients binder, I could not identify any dairy. You can see a screenshot of the ingredients on Vegan Disney World's blog.I chose wood-grilled chicken as my protein and asked for both the Charred Green Onion Vinaigrette and Creamy Herb Dressing on the side. The Creamy Herb Dressing is actually gluten free and dairy free but does contain egg, as it is mayonnaise based.This is probably my most favorite combination at Satu'li Canteen. I love the rice and the hearty chicken, and the creamy herb is perfect with the chicken. I also enjoy the Red & Sweet Potato Hash with Beef too (which is what Brandon usually gets). But, you really can't go wrong with any of the bowl combinations!

Overall

The only thing we noticed on our most recent trip to Satu'li Canteen is that the portions in the dishes seemed a bit smaller -- especially the meat portion. Mine wasn't as noticeable. But Brandon's beef was very skimpy. We're hoping it was just a random occurrence and not a sign that they've reduced the portion sizes overall. Still, we enjoy Satu'li Canteen for their variety of options and for something different. Plus, it's great to take just about anyone because the different combinations give everyone the flexibility to find what they like. It's definitely a must-do when we go to the Animal Kingdom.Have you been to Satu'li Canteen? What's your go-to bowl combination? 

Las Ventanas -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Coronado Springs

*This dining experience took place in March 2018.

Breakfast at Las Ventanas

There's  nothing I enjoy more than a good brunch or breakfast at Disney World. Recently, I stopped by Las Ventanas, a table service restaurant at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort for a Sunday brunch that was quiet and relaxed. I hadn't dined here for breakfast since 2014. So, it seemed like a good opportunity to check out the restaurant once again.

Atmosphere

Las Ventanas is located near Pepper Market, the quick service restaurant at Coronado Springs Resort, and the convention center. However, when I arrived, the doors to the restaurant were closed. When I looked inside, the restaurant was empty. After some investigation, I discovered that the restaurant was temporarily located in Maya Grill down the hall due to a kitchen refurbishment.I finally made my way over to Maya Grill. Having never dined here before, I was interested to see the restaurant interior. I wouldn't say the restaurant was overly themed. But, it was bright and spacious with lots of tables.I have to admit, the restaurant interior actually reminded me a lot of the main restaurant at the resort I stayed at when I went on vacation in Cozumel, Mexico several years ago.One of the things I liked the most about dining here was that it was very quiet. There were only about 7 tables with guests in the entire restaurant, which made for a quiet and calm brunch experience.

The Food

The restaurants at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort are not owned and operated by the Disney Company. This means that they do not offer an allergy-friendly menu. Upon arrival, my server did note that the chef could come to my table to discuss options.Thankfully, breakfast tends to be fairly easy gluten free and dairy free. And, the chef did let me know that I had quite a few options. They do carry allergy-friendly Mickey waffles now, along with gluten free French Toast.I decided to stick to the basics and order the Ventanas Breakfast which came with eggs any style, Pepper Bacon (or choice of breakfast meat), scallion potatoes, and gluten free toast. All of the items on the Ventanas Breakfast were gluten free and dairy free.Overall, I liked the breakfast entree. But I wasn't wowed by it. The pepper bacon was by far the best part of the breakfast, as everything else was a bit bland and under-seasoned. Adding some salt and pepper helped though.In addition to the main entree, my Ventanas Breakfast also came with allergy-friendly bread. Las Ventanas uses a brand called Hilltop Hearth which contains soy but is gluten free, dairy free, and egg free. Back in 2014 when I ordered it, I wasn't a huge fan. But, on this visit, I liked it a lot more. It had almost a challah like taste and texture and was very soft. I also brought my own dairy free buttery spread from home. So, that may have also impacted the flavor too. Currently, Las Ventanas does not carry an dairy free butter alternatives.When the chef told me about the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, I asked if I could get a side of them too. He noted that they weren't using Bob's Red Mill or Namaste pancake & waffle mix and said he would let me know the brand. Unfortunately, he never came back to the table with the brand. And, my server kept forgetting to ask the chef again.The allergy-friendly Mickey waffles were good, but not my favorite. I still don't know what brand they used. But, I found them to be quite gummy inside. The outside was super crisp (almost a bit too crisp). But, the inside was definitely under-cooked. I really liked that they dusted the waffles in powdered sugar, which was a nice touch. I can't say for sure, but the mix almost tasted like it had a bit of cinnamon in it. Definitely not my favorite version of allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. But, they weren't bad either.

Overall

Las Ventanas served a reasonably priced and solid breakfast. However, the food itself was just OK. And, the service I had while dining there was pretty bad. But, most puzzling was the fact that he came back to the table not once, not twice, but 5 times to ask what I wanted in my order again. Thankfully, I had already given my order to the chef. But, this was not a very confidence boosting meal experience when it comes to handling special dietary needs. With this in mind, I don't think I'd go back for a while. The meal was good but not enough for a repeat visit with so many other amazing options on Disney property. Still, if you're staying at Coronado Springs Resort and want a table service breakfast, you'll find a good amount of options at Las Ventanas.Have you been to Las Ventanas? What was your experience dining there?

Columbia Harbour House -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Magic Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in February 2018.

Dinner at Columbia Harbour House

Columbia Harbour House, located in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom, is one of my go-to quick service spots in the park. Though it's allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu is somewhat limited for guests with special dietary needs, they serve allergy-friendly chicken tenders there -- one of my favorite quick service meal options. On this occasion, we stopped by for a quick dinner in between some fastpasses on a random weeknight in the park.

Atmosphere

Columbia Harbour House has a ton of charm and lots of great theming. Set to resemble a sea-side Colonial New England town, you'll see lots of colonial decor, along with sea-faring art and collectibles. You'll find lots to look at in every nook and cranny of the restaurant.My favorite spot to dine is on the 2nd floor. A lot of guests don't know it exists, but it's a perfect spot to rest, recharge, and refuel with some allergy-friendly chicken tenders.On the night we visited, it was a bit later in the evening, so the 2nd floor was closed. Still, we found lots of seating on the main floor and even tucked away in a quiet side room.

The Food

Although there are some other gluten free and dairy free meal options, I have to order allergy-friendly chicken tenders whenever I dine at Columbia Harbour House. Even though these are the same allergy-friendly chicken tenders you can get a variety of locations at Disney, for some reason they taste best at Columbia Harbour House. Maybe it's because they have frying down to an art?Both Brandon and I ordered allergy-friendly chicken tenders. Brandon actually prefers these over the regular chicken tenders, if you can believe it. So, he's taken to ordering these, as well. We got 2 orders -- 1 with French Fries, Green Beans, and Carrots, and 1 with a double order of French Fries.As you can see from the photo, we had huge portions. The amount of food we both got was way more than we expected. And, we both joked that we could have easily split one meal. Each of us got about 6 allergy-friendly chicken tenders and a huge heaping of fries. I also got the green beans and carrots, which comes with the meal normally (Brandon asked for Double Fries, as he isn't a fan of green beans). The green beans and carrots were pretty bland, but everything else was delicious.I have also started getting a package of Ken's Steak House Cocktail Sauce with my meal. Ken's dressings are marked gluten free. These sauces are not shelved in the main dining area, but are stored in the kitchen area. So be sure to ask a manager if you want a container of this.

Overall

We absolutely loved our meal. At around $10.99 a piece, this is a huge value. Between the large portions and terrific taste, this is definitely a spot we continue to have as our go-to for a quick service dinner at the Magic Kingdom. We always enjoy the chicken tenders and never leave hungry!Have you been to Columbia Harbour House? What's your go-to menu item there? 

Sanaa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in February 2018.

Breakfast at Sanaa

Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite table service restaurants for lunch and dinner. And, back in late 2016, Sanaa began offering a quick service style breakfast daily from 7-10 a.m. Given how much I love Sanaa, I can't believe it took me this long (over a year!) to check out the Sanaa Kuamsha (which means "Awakening" in Swahili) Breakfast. But, now that I've been there, I know I'll be back again soon. Their breakfast has easily become my personal favorite quick service option at Walt Disney World.

Atmosphere

I absolutely adore visiting Sanaa for lunch and dinner not only for the food but the wonderful atmosphere and beyond amazing savanna views. But, visiting at breakfast gave me a chance to experience the Sanaa atmosphere in a totally new way.I arrived around 8 a.m. -- the perfect time of day to see the sun shining on the savanna with mild temperatures. The bright sunshine made for an impressive view inside the restaurant.When you arrive at Sanaa for breakfast, you may or may not see cast members at the front podium. Because it is a quick service style casual breakfast, guests can leisurely walk into the restaurant and turn right into the ordering area and find grab and go stations.Breakfast is currently offered daily from 7-10 a.m. and has a totally different vibe than any other meal at Sanaa. Things feel relaxed, quiet, and casual. There were hardly any other tables filled when I arrived and very few guests in the restaurant, making it a very low-key and easy-going meal, which I loved.Our course, with the bright sunshine flooding in the restaurant, I chose a seat near the windows with a savanaa view. But, as you can see from this photo the entire restaurant gets plenty of sunshine in too.

The Food

Of course, what I was most excited about when visiting Sanaa for breakfast was the food. I'd read lots of reviews about the restaurant and saw that Josh from Easy WDW had given it a very positive review when it opened in 2016, so I was hoping that my experience would be the same.When you first arrive, you'll see several grab and go options, including drinks, and an ordering station. You'll order any of the items that need to be freshly prepared, and they will be brought to your table by a cast member. It reminds me a lot of the newer quick service location offerings like Satu'li Canteen in Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom, which we love.Note, there is no allergy-friendly menu at Sanaa for breakfast (but there is for lunch and dinner). The cast member at the register said that she could let me know what options were available based on what the register told her were options. But, I did ask to speak to a chef. I always find that speaking with a chef gives you a better idea of what is actually available (sometimes menu items that are safe or just need a slight modification aren't listed on a menu) or can be customized easily.Chef Amy greeted me, and she let me know there were several options available gluten free. These included:

• Boere Breakfast (minus the Johnny Cakes)
• Savana Platter (minus the Johnny Cakes)
• Fruit Sosatie
• Fruit Plate
• Safari Waffle (served with Allergy-Friendly Simba Waffles)
• Sunrise Sandwich (served on allergy-friendly bread)

I was definitely interested in the breakfast platters and decided to get the Boere Breakfast with scrambled eggs and a Simba allergy-friendly Mickey waffle in place of the Johnny Cake. Chef Amy had suggested fruit as a substitute, but when she mentioned Simba waffles, I asked if I could have that instead and was super excited when she said yes. Once I had that decided, the order was placed, and I went to get a seat and wait.One quick side about condiments. Sanaa's breakfast includes individual containers of ketchup, maple syrup, hot sauce, and other options. Be sure to check all the labels to ensure they are safe for your dietary need. They may look cute but may not necessarily work for you. You can always ask for condiments from the kitchen that will be safe (including things like maple syrup).Once you place your order, you are given a table marker and can choose any seat you like in the restaurant. I loved my little giraffe placemarker.On a quick drink note, I am a huge iced tea fan. Oddly enough, Sanaa does not offer iced tea at breakfast. The cast member at the register suggested I make my own hot tea and add ice to it. I just thought that was a slightly odd thing about the breakfast. As you saw from the photos above, they don't offer fountain soda either; guests will need to buy a bottle of soda if they want one.My wait for my breakfast was short and soon I had an amazing looking plate of food at my table. The Boere Breakfast can be made gluten free and dairy free by omitting the Johnny Cake and making sure that the eggs served are made without dairy. I checked with Chef Amy and she said the Tanzanian Hash Browns are naturally gluten free and dairy free, which is amazing.I have to tell you, this was hands down the best quick service breakfast I've ever had at Disney. The quality of the food was outstanding. And, of course, I'm partial to African and Indian flavors, so Sanaa's breakfast was a home run for me. The Tanzanian Hash Browns were a highlight. They were crispy and super flavorful and had what I believe was cilantro and some other herbs in them. I could have eaten these all day.My eggs were well cooked and very fresh. They clearly make these to order, and you could tell with every bite. The bacon was good -- nothing special, but as the kiddo at the table next to me said, "Wow! Bacon! I love Bacon." I can't argue with that!The other highlight to breakfast was the Boerewors Sausage a traditional South African style sausage. The flavors were outstanding, and there wasn't anything pre-made about these. If you like breakfast sausage, the Boere Breakfast should be on your list!Chef Amy had told me that she loves the Allergy-Friendly Simba waffles served at Sanaa's breakfast. They are currently being made using Namaste Foods Pancake & Waffle Mix and Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix. The mixes are blended together to make one outstanding waffle. Plus, the fact that they are Simba shaped makes them even better! Adding one waffle in to my meal made it the perfect sweet ending to the breakfast.And, don't forget to ask about 100% pure maple syrup. Mine came in this adorable little single serve cup of syrup!

Overall

I was beyond pleasantly surprised after having breakfast at Sanaa. Their quick service options were great for guests with special dietary needs and just plain delicious. I also loved the calm atmosphere and low-key vibe for breakfast. It made visiting Sanaa and the Animal Kingdom Lodge a real treat. If you're a guest staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, this is a must-do for breakfast at least one of your days on your trip. The prices were reasonable, the food excellent, and the atmosphere was great. It's definitely a spot I'll be going back to again soon as a local for another delicious breakfast. In fact, I want to go back and order several breakfast items to split since my first meal was so great!On a side note, they do not currently offer any discounts at breakfast (including Disney Vacation Club or Annual Passholder).Have you been to Sanaa? What do you think of their breakfast options? 

Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in December 2017.

Breakfast at Boma

Boma: Flavors of Africa is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. And, their all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet breakfast is one of my favorites too. As you'll learn in this review, even though it's a buffet, there are plenty of safe options to enjoy with special dietary needs. So, much so that I always end up beyond full by the end of my meal. Recently, my family and I went to Boma for breakfast during the holidays.

Atmosphere

I love everything about Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. And, the inside of Boma is no exception. The word boma means enclosure. And, the restaurant reflects this theme with lots of thatched roofing and coverings.I also love the dark wooden tables and chairs that make you feel super cozy and comfortable during your meal.

The Food

But, my favorite part about Boma is the food. Because it's a buffet style restaurant, you might be wondering how safe it is to eat there. Luckily, the chefs at Boma are fantastic and will work with you to not only show you safe items on the buffet but also make you food in the kitchen, to avoid cross-contamination.When you arrive at your table, you will be presented with a breakfast allergen guide. This guide tells you what allergens are contained in the dishes typically served on the buffet. But, don't be discouraged by this list. My recommendation is to always ask for a chef to discuss additional options, as there are many dishes that can be easily modified or prepared in the back in the kitchen. If you go to Boma for breakfast chances are Chef Frank will be on duty. If so, you're in luck. He does an excellent job with special dietary needs and always makes sure I get plenty to eat.While waiting for Chef Frank to come to the table, our server brought us Jungle Juice. This juice is a combination of Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava juices. It's super sweet but super delicious.When Chef Frank came out, we chatted about options that would be safe for me gluten free and dairy free. While you can get custom omelets, Chef Frank said he would make mine in the back. I opted for a custom omelet with ham and onion in it. This is one of my Boma breakfast must-do's and is always really good. You can get just about anything you want in your omelet, so feel free to customize and load up on your favorite meats and veggies.Because I know Boma really well, I did opt to get a few things off the buffet line at the pods where cross-contamination is less of a risk. So, I got grilled asparagus, sausage, bacon, carved ham and carved turkey -- all of which are gluten free and dairy free.If you check out your allergen guide, you'll see that pap (essentially grits) is made with dairy. But, if you speak to a chef, they can actually get you pap from the kitchen that is dairy free. Chef Frank also made me tater tots -- which are one of my favorites at Boma -- and are not listed as safe on the allergen guide due to a shared fryer. This is one of the biggest reasons I ask to speak to a chef. If I hadn't, I might not know these would be an option.And trust me, tater tots are ALWAYS worth asking about.Boma also carries a selection of gluten free and dairy free breakfast pastries that are not on the regular buffet. Chef Frank brought me a Kinnikinnick vanilla glazed donut and Udi's Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin, toasted with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread. This is one of those tips that Chef Frank turned me onto a while back. And, now I always have to get my Udi's blueberry muffin toasted. So good!I also got a bowl of the hot quinoa with raisins and apples. You can top it with brown sugar. But, be sure to avoid the toasted quinoa that's also a side option, because it is fried in a shared fryer. I wouldn't say the hot quinoa is my favorite breakfast item at Boma. But, I always feel like I should get it to be a little "healthy."One of the best parts about Boma are the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. These are the stuff dreams are made of. And, the ones at Boma are some of the best at Disney World. These appear to be made currently with a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix and are so good. Super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they really are my favorite part of any breakfast.Chef Frank is always so great at making suggestions, and the one he suggested a few years ago is a version I still order. I always get allergy-friendly Mickey waffles with 100% pure maple syrup and a side of toasted banana chips and walnuts. I don't know what it is but the combination is SO good.These waffles make for one decadent and sweet way to end your meal at Boma and a must-do on any breakfast trip to this table service restaurant.

Overall

Boma continues to be one of my favorite breakfast spots on Disney property. It may be a little pricey, but it's totally worth it. Not only is the atmosphere great, but the food is outstanding. There are so many gluten free and dairy free options to choose from, that I never worry about going hungry at Boma. Add to that amazing chefs like Chef Frank who really truly work to make sure you have safe and delicious options, well, that truly makes it even more special.Have you been to Boma? What meal do you prefer when you go there?

Backlot Express -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in November 2017.

Dinner at Backlot Express

Backlot Express is a quick service restaurant in Hollywood Studios. There's not many great quick service food options in Hollywood Studios these days, with the construction of Star Wars Land. But, Backlot Express is a good go-to spot still if you're looking for a quick bite to eat with special diets friendly options. We recently stopped by Backlot Express for a quick dinner while checking out some of the holiday decorations in the park.

Atmosphere

Backlot Express might not seem like much to look at. But, we actually really love the decor in this quick service restaurant. It's actually supposed to be a working studio lot prop shop. And, you can see these touches when in the seating area of the restaurant.We always grab a spot in one of the back corners of the restaurant. There, you can see lots of signs, props, and hidden details.There's even a giant mural that is supposed to be a matte painting in progress for a movie set backdrop.Overall, the theming is a bit understated. But, if you take the time to look around, there's lots of fun details to check out.

The Food

Of course, the main reason to visit Backlot Express is to get a meal. The restaurant does carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. And, if you have questions or concerns, you can always ask to speak with a manager too. On this visit, we did not consult with a manager, as we knew we wanted the allergy-friendly chicken tenders.The allergy-friendly chicken tenders served at Backlot Express are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, peanut/tree nut free, and fish/shellfish free. They took about 8-10 minutes to make. And,They are also made in a dedicated fryer. The manager brought me my chicken tenders, and typically, your chicken tenders will come on a different color tray than those for regular orders.As always, the allergy-friendly chicken tenders never disappoint. They were nice and crispy. And, the French fries were also pretty good. In fact, on this visit, Brandon ordered regular (non-gluten free) chicken tenders and proclaimed that the allergy-friendly chicken tenders are by far and away better. Pretty high praise from someone who doesn't have to eat gluten free. He actually said he would prefer to order the allergy-friendly chicken tenders from now on since he likes them better.

Overall

Backlot Express is a no frills quick service restaurant, with a pleasant atmosphere, ample seating, and several special diets options. We almost always get allergy-friendly chicken tenders here. But, they do offer burgers and salads too. It's a nice spot to get a quick service meal when you're in Hollywood Studios.Have you been to Backlot Express? What did you think of the options there?

Whispering Canyon Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Wilderness Lodge

*This dining experience took place in December 2017.

Dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort that is known for good food and fun hijinks. If you enjoy the charm of 50's Prime Time Cafe's servers, you'll love Whispering Canyon Cafe where if you ask for ketchup, you're bound to get more than you bargained for. Recently, my family enjoyed a meal here during the holiday season. It's been 2 years since my last dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe, so I was looking forward to a some good BBQ.

Atmosphere

Whispering Canyon Cafe definitely has a rustic charm to it. Unlike the rest of the lodge and restaurants, like Artist Point, Whispering Canyon Cafe features bright colors in its decor.From the moment you see the sign, you know you're in for a rootin' tootin' good time!We visited during the holiday season. And, one of the things I loved most were the holiday decorations. Even the wreaths had a bit of that rustic decor incorporated into them.As you can see, Whispering Canyon Cafe features chairs and tables with lots of art on them. Watch out for those antics! During your meal, big and little kiddos can take a spin around the restaurant on wooden horses.We loved that the restaurant included some holiday decor to it, which made for an even more festive experience. You'll also notice that there are a lot of big tables in Whispering Canyon Cafe. We definitely noticed a lot of larger parties (including our group) dining there.

The Food

Whispering Canyon Cafe has two claims to fame: The BBQ skillets and the server antics. Usually when you dine here, you are given a card that says you want to either participate in the antics or just watch. We didn't get that option. So, our server was all antics all the time. I definitely don't mind antics, except when special dietary needs are concerned.When I mentioned that I have celiac disease, my server said, "I don't care," and it took me a bit to get her to bring the chef to the table. While I know this was part of the schtick (and even the chef got into the antics), I still was a little off put by that. Usually, the servers break character when it comes to discussing special dietary needs. I've been to Whispering Canyon Cafe enough times that I wasn't too fazed by it. But, I could see how this might be off-putting. So, just be aware that this could happen on your visit. Whispering Canyon Cafe does have an allergy-friendly dinner menu that you can look at too, which helps.Up first, I was brought the Whispering Canyon Cafe allergy-friendly cornbread with Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. The cornbread is made to be gluten free, dairy free, and fairly allergy friendly. And, it's delicious! Made with Namaste Vanilla Cake Mix as the base, if you love a more cake like cornbread with a hint of sweetness, this is your cornbread. My family actually prefers this version too.Don't forget to ask your server for more too, if you only get one piece. I could eat this cornbread just about any day.I ended up getting the All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Skillet meal which also comes with Family-style Mixed Greens tossed in an Apple Vinaigrette Dressing. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. You can make it dairy free by omitting the cheese in this dish.This was a really nice salad with bright, fresh flavors. The apple slices in it were nice -- though they were a tad grainy. The blue cheese added a nice rich tang to the salad. Overall, I think the salad is really nice both with and without the cheese. And, I really enjoy the fresh fruit in it too.Once we finished with our salad and cornbread, the table was brought out a giant skillet to share. I ended up getting my own skillet on the side, but the main All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Skillet meal is actually safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies, as is. It comes with Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Roasted Glazed Chicken, Oak-smoked Beef, and Western-style Sausage served with Seasonal Farm Fresh Vegetables, Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, and Cowboy-style Baked Beans.My family loves this skillet and everyone really enjoyed it. Brandon said the mashed potatoes were really delicious too.I didn't want the mashed potatoes for my entree and asked if I could get roasted potatoes (which are gluten free and dairy free) instead. So, I was brought my own mini All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Skillet meal. It came with Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Roasted Glazed Chicken, Oak-smoked Beef, and Western-style Sausage served with Seasonal Farm Fresh Vegetables, Roasted Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, and Cowboy-style Baked Beans. This dish is safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Milk, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies with the potato modification.The is such a hearty meal. I have to say that the oak-smoked beef was probably my favorite of the proteins, then the pulled pork. But, they were all really good. The only thing on the skillet I don't really love are the Baked Beans. They just seem like they should cook a bit longer, and I don't love the BBQ flavor in them all that much. Still, for this meal it's a huge portion with lots of great bold flavors.I was also served a huge plate of roasted potatoes on the side. And, they were delicious. Both Brandon and I ate these and were wowed by the nice roasted flavor on them. I would definitely ask for these again.

Overall

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a fun and charming restaurant to visit. The food is always plentiful and tasty, and the atmosphere makes it even better. If experiencing some hijinks during your meal is not your thing, Whispering Canyon Cafe may not be for you. But, if you don't mind a bit of silly fun throughout your meal, it's a great option for guests who enjoy a good barbecue meal.Have you been to Whispering Canyon Cafe? What did you think of your experience dining there?

Roaring Fork -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Wilderness Lodge

*This gluten free dining experience took place in December 2017.

Lunch at Roaring Fork

Roaring Fork, a quick service restaurant located at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, is a hidden gem of a quick service resort restaurant with lots of rustic charm. I recently stopped by Roaring Fork with my family for a low-key lunch while they were staying at the Wilderness Lodge during the holiday season. I hadn't been to Roaring Fork since they had been closed for refurbishment, so I was looking forward to trying out some of the new menu options.

Atmosphere

One of the things I love most about Roaring Fork is the rustic decor. The decor takes a lot of nods from the overall rustic lodge feel of the resort.Inside, you'll find a lot of grab and go stations, including a prominently featured Snacks with Character display. Snacks with Character is Disney's special diets friendly snack line. And, in Roaring Fork, I saw several options and even some special diets brands like Glutino and Surf Sweets featured.Once you order your food, you'll find yourself in the seating area. It's not super spacious. But, it does provide a nice spot to sit and enjoy a meal. It reminds me of a bit of the cafeterias or mess halls of the camps that I used to work at as a college student.

The Food

Roaring Fork did not have an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu when I visited. One of the cast members said this may be because of the recent menu change. But, the good news is that you can speak to a manager or chef to ask about options.Because I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet in limited amounts, I decided to get the Brisket Burger with Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, Cranberry Barbecue Sauce, Cast Iron Onions, and Apple Frisée on a Gluten Free Bun. The cheese and cast iron onions would need to be removed in order to make the dish dairy free. I also got a side of Baked Potato Barrels (aka tater tots) because everything is better with a side of potato barrels.The burger was definitely a huge step up from most of the burgers you find at Disney. The brisket served on top of the burger was tender and super delicious. I also really enjoyed the cranberry barbecue sauce and totally wish I would have ordered a side of it for the potato barrels. The potato barrels themselves were also really delicious -- though maybe not as good as fried ones. Still, it was nice to have a different option.One thing to remember about the potato barrels is that because they are baked you may have to wait a bit longer for your order. Mine took about 20 minutes to get due to the baking time.

Overall

I was pretty pleased with the meal I had at Roaring Fork. The burger was outstanding and the potato barrels made for a perfect side dish. I'd also like to try several of the other dishes, especially the pulled pork sandwich, which I was told could also be made gluten free too. Overall, I thought they had some nice options for a small quick service restaurant. And, I'm looking forward to going back again sometime soon. Between this and Geyser Point Bar & Grill in the new Copper Creek DVC area of the Wilderness Lodge, there are definitely some really nice quick service options at the resort.Have you been to Roaring Fork? What did you order when you dined there? 

Liberty Inn -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Epcot

*This dining experience took place in December 2017.

Dinner at Liberty Inn

Liberty Inn, located in the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot, is a quick service restaurant that offers standard favorites like burgers, fries, and chicken tenders. Owned and operated by Disney (many of the World Showcase restaurants aren't), it's one of my go-to spots when we go to Epcot for a quick service meal. On this occasion, we stopped by for a quick dinner before heading to the DVC Moonlight Magic event in the park that evening.

Atmosphere

Liberty Inn isn't the most themed restaurant in Disney World, but guests will appreciate it's ample seating area and open spaces inside.I do also really like the colonial style theme and decorations inside the restaurant too. On this visit, I didn't get many photos because it was super chilly for Florida (low 40 degrees Fahrenheit), so we were ready to get inside and enjoy a warm meal.

The Food

Liberty Inn does have an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. You can order with a cashier from this menu, or you can request to speak to a manager about options. On this visit, I chose to order without consulting with a manager, since I wanted to get allergy-friendly chicken tenders. These are pretty standard and are both gluten free and dairy free.The allergy-friendly chicken tenders with French fries are a great gluten free and dairy free choice. Made in a dedicated fryer and prepared by the manager, they make for a safe option that almost anyone will enjoy. In fact, Brandon prefers the allergy-friendly chicken tenders over the regular gluten-filled ones on property, which is a pretty big testament to how good they are.Liberty Inn also always gives such a large portion. I had 5 large pieces of chicken tenders and a generous portion of fries too. Overall, it was a super solid meal and one that really hit the spot on a cold evening.

Overall

Liberty Inn is always a great option for quick service in Epcot. They do a great job at providing a lot of different options. And, they even have the new Beyond Burger for those who are vegan and looking for a vegan and gluten free option. So, it's fair to say that Liberty Inn really has something that can accommodate a lot of special dietary needs. Of course, I almost always get the allergy-friendly chicken tenders here. But, it's great to have options, when I want them. Want to read more about the Beyond Burger? Check out Vegan Disney World's review of it at Liberty Inn.Have you been to Liberty Inn? What do you like to order when you dine there?