Tips, Tricks and Hints for Dining in WDW with Dietary Restrictions

When my husband and I decided that we were going to go to Walt Disney World for our honeymoon, one of the first thoughts that popped into our heads was “when are we going to go?” The second thought was, “what on earth are we going to eat?” My husband and I are both vegans, meaning we choose not to consume animal protein or any animal products. Meat, dairy and eggs were all out of the question, and on top of our lifestyle choice I have a sensitivity to dairy products.

Normally this would make us sweat bullets, as most places in our area cannot accommodate veganism. We eat 98% of our meals at home which definitely helps us save money, but we would like to go on vacation too! Fortunately, there are lots of people out there just like us and Walt Disney World has proven time and time again just how accommodating they are to guests with dietary restrictions. The first thing I did was get in touch with Disney via their Dietary Request Hotline. That number is 407-824-5967.
I cannot stress enough how important it is get in touch with Disney ahead of time. Give yourself an absolute minimum of two weeks to get in touch with them for better results. When I called the number, I was greeted by a friendly automated female voice instructing me to leave a detailed message for them, and they would get back to me via e-mail. The automated message also explained that if I was already in the park and needed to make a request that I could just proceed to the restaurant podium and speak to a chef, as most requests could be fulfilled.

While this sounded fine, I didn’t want to take any chances and left a message detailing that my husband and I were both vegans, and that we weren’t sure about how to go about getting the food we needed while on our trip. Within 24 hours my inbox was graced by a friendly message from the Special Diets department with a dietary request form attached. Before filling out the form (which is short and easy to fill out, promise!), you should make your advanced dining reservations as soon as possible. Once you have gone ahead and done that, filling out your dietary request form is a snap! Just send it back to the Special Diets Department either by fax (they provide the number in an e-mail) or by e-mail.
Within a few days of sending in my form, I received another e-mail in my inbox stating that they received the form and that they had called each restaurant to let them know about our restrictions. A couple vegan friends of mine have had varying degrees of success with this service, but they did not leave Walt Disney World disappointed. Here are a couple simple tips for ensuring success on your trip:

1. Research menus for each restaurant you are interested in. If the rest of your party wishes to dine at a restaurant you think you may have a problem with, don’t worry! As long as you call ahead or ask to speak with a chef, you will most likely be accommodated.

2. Be insistent with your requests, but remember to always be polite. Remember, this is YOUR body so don’t let anyone make you feel as though you have to eat something you can’t or are not willing to.

3. Fill out the dietary request form as soon as you can. If the restaurant you are visiting is located within one of the parks (such as Hollywood Studios), make sure you go to the restaurant to confirm your dietary requests again as soon as you arrive. Once you are being seated at the restaurant, ask to speak with a chef.

4. If you aren’t the type that enjoys extra planning, many quick-service stands can be very accommodating to guests! Ask for a burger with a gluten-free bun, or ask if someone is made with peanut oil. When in doubt, ask questions. Don’t worry about being annoying, remember – it’s your health!

5. Make some phone calls. Ask for the executive chef or the food and beverages managers if you have questions about the food. The numbers for each park are as follows:

Magic Kingdom Park: 407-824-5967

Epcot: 407-560-7292

Disney-MGM Studios: 407-560-1347

Disney's Animal Kingdom: 407-939-7536

Based from a friend's recent dining experience, here are a couple restaurants that went above and beyond the call of duty for them during their visit:

The Tusker House (located within the Animal Kingdom Park) - This buffet features a large assortment of foods that will please almost anybody. They told their server about their restrictions, and the very friendly Tusker House chef escorted them around the buffet and offered to cook them food in separate pans to ensure it met their needs. They said the server was also very helpful, and the food was excellent.

'Ohana - Getting into 'Ohana with a reservation can be tricky, but dining in the Polynesian Resort proves to be a treat for everyone! Whether you are vegan, a raw foodist or allergic to several ingredients, Chef TJ will make sure that you are well taken care of. Best known for amazing creations with those with restrictions, Chef TJ will put a smile on your face and definitely won't leave you going home hungry. Note: Last time I checked, which was within the last month, Chef TJ does not work on Fridays or Saturdays. Plan accordingly!

Experiences may vary depending on who is working that evening, but these two places have been very consistent with the pixie dust. Remember to relax and enjoy your vacation...you’re at Walt Disney World! Be sure to check back next month in late November for my follow-up post to see how my husband and I made out in the parks!