Celiac on a Disney Cruise: Our Gluten-Free Experience

Our family just took our first Disney cruise with two family members who have celiac disease. My wife has been strictly gluten-free since 2020, and our 3-year-old was recently diagnosed. Finding safe dining options is a huge part of our lives, so ensuring they would be accommodated on the cruise was a top priority.

Check out Sean's adorable family at beautiful Lookout Cay!

Main Dining Rooms:

Each night our server would bring out warm gluten-free rolls as soon as we arrived. On the first night, our head server went over the menu with us about all of the items that were gluten-free or possible modifications.

For our 3-year-old who can be quite picky, loved the pasta with red sauce. They also had chicken strips, mac and cheese or pizza for her to choose from. She always requesting the french fries as a side so that she could get her ketchup in the shape of Mickey Mouse (which, by the way, she now requests at home too!). Her favorite part? Dessert! She loved the giant ice cream Sunday with chocolate syrup or strawberries.

My wife’s favorites were the fried Brie and the Crème Brûlée at Royal Palace.

At the end of our meal, our head server brought out the menu for the next night so they could pre-select their meals, ensuring they’d get what they wanted without delays.

Buffet:

When we arrived at the buffet, we would find a server to place an order for gluten-free items. For breakfast, my wife would order an omelet, hashbrowns, fruit and some pastries. Our 3-year-old ordered yogurt, fruit and of course Mickey waffles.

After placing our order, the server follow us to our table to ensure they delivered the food to the right spot. This process was simple and food usually arrived within 5-10 minutes.

Quick Service:

Ordering our food at quick-service locations worked just like the buffet. We let a server know our dietary needs, and they wrote down our order.

Luigi’s Pizza – Gluten-free pizza

Tow Mater Grill – French fries

Ramone’s Cantina – Taco bowls (delicious and similar to Chipotle!)

Fillmores Favorites – Radiator Springs salad and fresh fruits

Eye Scream Treats – Bonus: They even had gluten-free cones!

Lookout Cay (Disney’s newest Private Island):

We were initially concerned about finding gluten-free options on the island, but Disney had it covered.

The night before, our server gave us a menu to pre-order lunch. When we arrived at True-True BBQ, there was a dedicated pickup window for allergy-friendly meals (on the far left side, labeled Flavorful Fish). We simply gave them our cabin number, and our meals were ready within minutes—no need to wait in regular buffet lines.

They also had self-serve ice cream machines, and when we asked a crew member about gluten-free cones, they had them! My daughter was thrilled.

Room Service:

We also took advantage of room service, once for breakfast and again for a late-night snack.

Since we had an early excursion in Nassau, we wanted a quick breakfast. We used the door-hanger menu in our stateroom, writing “GF” next to our selections. Our order included muffins, bagels, donuts, and fruit—all gluten-free. The donuts did not last long!

Final Thoughts:

Disney made dining with celiac incredibly easy, from main dining to quick service and even at our private island lunch. The staff was knowledgeable and accommodating at every step, giving us peace of mind so we could fully enjoy our cruise.

So…Would we do it again?

Absolutely, We already have a place holder for our future Disney cruise!

Sean is dedicated to planning memorable and stress-free vacations. I handle all the details so you can focus on enjoying your trip. Whether you're looking for a relaxing resort getaway or an adventurous cruise, I'm here to make your travel dreams a reality.

I specialize in planning theme park vacations, all inclusive resorts, ocean cruises and river cruises.

Ready to hit the high seas?

Contact Sean at SLogan@travelcnc.com for your next ocean adventure.