Wine and Dine with Disney, Gluten Free Style!

Walt Disney World offers amazing food year round from all over the world.  Throughout the Walt Disney World Resort you can try all sorts of food, anything you’re in the mood for.  Some of the most diverse food can be found at Epcot.  There are eleven wonderful countries in the world showcase all with uniquely delicious dishes for you to try. 

But once a year Disney hosts the Food and Wine Festival.  This is truly an amazing time to go down to Disney especially if you’re an adventurous eater or just love food.  The Food and Wine Festival not only features classical dishes from the eleven countries normally found in Epcot, but also features all different countries from around the world at kiosks around the world showcase.   They also have demonstrations for all the guests to see where chef’s prepare at talk about all different things, wine and food

With all the different food and beverages surrounding guests it’s understandable for those guests with food allergies to be a little wary.  I know I was at first.  But fear not, even at the Food and Wine Festival at the different kiosks the chefs and servers know about food allergies at can provide you with food so you can share in the experience as well.  Going into the Food and Wine Festival you can visit their main information area, which is located by The Universe of Energy.  There you can see presentations as well as learn about the festival.  It was there that I learned that each kiosk has a recipe and ingredient book for their dishes.  All the booths had at least one gluten free meal to accommodate for that allergy in particular.  With that assurance my family and I made our way to the world showcase.  Each time we got up to the counter we just asked which item was gluten free.  If the chef did not know it off of the top of his head he was certain to pull out the binder and find out.  They even had gluten free adult beverages!

You do not have to be twenty-one to enjoy the Food and Wine Festival , the first time I experienced it I was not.  At the time I also didn’t know I had a food allergy of any kind.  The food is always amazing gluten free or otherwise.  There is such a wide variety so don’t feel like you have to stop at every kiosk.  Also don’t feel like you’re going to fill up quickly.  The portions are very small appetizer size portions.  It is just to give you a taste of that country’s flavors and cuisine.  There’s also no limit on how many times you go back and try it again!  The Food and Wine Festival may be a great way to expand a child’s palet, with fun names and a variety of colorful food.  And for the adults you can get a taste of sophisticated wines and other beverages from around the world.

The Food and Wine Festival is a fun way to learn about food and drinks from around the world.  Young or old you can enjoy and appreciate tasting dishes that are not always readily available, even in Disney.  It’s no surprise that Disney thinks about those with food allergies even at a food festival.  They want everyone to enjoy their experience and so they are accommodating and conscious of food allergies even then.  So if you are in the Orlando area in the fall take a look at Epcot between September and November and see if the Wine and Food Festival is there when you are.  It is definitely worth it!  So give your faith and trust to Disney and enjoy their pixie dust in the shape of amazing food and wine!

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Jess was born and raised on Long Island, New York but once college began so did her adventures. She’s lived in Florida, Wisconsin, and now South Carolina. Her family is part of the Disney Vacation Club and has been visiting since she was a little girl, and continuously goes every year. Besides being a big Disney fan she has also been a Disney Cast Member working in Magic Kingdom, and she counts it as one of the most magical experiences. She worked with everyone’s favorite elephant Dumbo, Cinderella’s Carousel, and Mickey’s Philharmagic. Jess has also visited Disneyland, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, and gone on two Disney Cruises. She has so many great memories from Disney besides running half marathons and 5ks, birthday parties, and family reunions. If asked where she would want to go it is almost always Disney, and when asked why, it is almost always because she can eat awesome gluten free food! And it doesn’t hurt that there is always faith, trust, and pixie dust with magic in the air!