Dealing with Food Allergies at Disneyland

Dealing with food allergies and restrictions can be a miserable experience, so combining them with a Disney vacation seems like a recipe for disaster - right? Well, it doesn't have to be! Disney can be very accommodating when it comes to food allergies, although the process is not consistant between the parks. This post looks at how Disneyland deals with food allergies and restrictions.

This Dole Whip looks delicious - but is it allergy safe?

In general:

• Make sure that your travel agent is aware of your food allergies from the beginning. This will help them determine which restaurants to recommend and ensures that the information is noted on any dining reservations are made.
• Guests are allowed to bring safe food into the parks in reasonable quantities (a whole cooler for example, would not be permitted). Let the person at the Security Checkpoint know that someone in your party has a food allergy, and there should be no issues. Please note that Cast Members are not allowed to touch, store or prepare food brought in by Guests.
• City Hall/Guest Relations is always a great place to start - the Cast Members there can do things like give you lists of gluten-free foods.

Table Service Meals:

When you or your travel agent makes reservations (by calling 714-781-DINE), let the Cast Member know about your allergies. They will be noted on your reservation. It is a good idea to also mention your food allergy to your server immediately upon being seated at the time of your reservation. Usually the chef (or manager on duty) will come to your table and go over the menu with you, letting you know what's safe and where substitutions can be made.

Common allergies can be accommodated at most table-service restaurants. Common allergies include:

• Corn
• Eggs 
• Fish
• Gluten or wheat
• Lactose or dairy
• Peanuts and tree nuts
• Shellfish
• Soy

More complicated requests require an additional step. Guests with any of the following should contact the Disneyland resort at DLRspecialdiets@email.disney.com at least 14 days prior to their vacation, and steps will be taken to accommodate as best as possible:

• Allergies other than those listed above
• PKU
• Metabolic disorders
• One person with multiple allergies or more than one person with allergies in a group.

Can I eat this Mickey Waffle?

 

Quick-Service Dining Locations

There are a number of Quick-Service dining locations in the parks that have products that are (or can be requested to be) suitable for people with common allergies.   They are:

• Village Haus Restaurant (Fantasyland - Disneyland)
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante (Frontierland - Disneyland)
• River Belle Terrace (New Orleans Square - Disneyland)
• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill (Pacific Wharf - Disney's California Adventure)
• Lucky Fortune Cookery (Pacific Wharf - Disney's California Adventure)

Other locations may have suitable foods (I hear that Redd Rocketts in Tomorrowland at Disneyland serves a mean rice pasta), so be sure to ask!

More information on food allergies at Disneyland can be found on Disney's official page.

As always, if you would like more information on a Disneyland vacation (with or without food allergies), please contact me by e-mail - I would love you help you plan a Disney vacation that is perfect for your family!

***Please note that all information is subject to change at any time - I try my hardest to stay accurate, but sometimes things slip through the cracks! ***