A big part of any Disney trip is food. From choosing the restaurants, to hoping a reservation is available at the restaurants you picked, to deciding what to eat, it’s all part of the experience. You would think this process would be extremely difficult if you or someone you are traveling with has special dietary needs and restrictions, right? Well, I found out firsthand just how easy it can be!
In June 2013, my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma, the deadliest form of cancer. After multiple surgeries, all of the cancer was removed. Due to age and other factors, my father made the decision not to do chemotherapy, but instead to go vegan (This decision was made after extensive research and is not recommended for everyone. Please check with your doctor before making any changes). Although he occasionally eats fish, he cut out all animal protein and byproducts, sugar, and alcohol and now eats a plant based diet. With all of these changes to his diet, you can understand my concern when planning our Disney trip!
Luckily for me and many others in similar situations, Disney makes it easy. From quick service in the parks to table service at the resorts, I was able to find restaurants that would accommodate his needs. When making my reservations, I made sure to mark that there were dietary restrictions so they were aware prior to our arrival at the restaurant (located on the ‘Review Your Reservation’. Look for the special requests section). Many of the restaurants had at least two options available, and if they didn’t, they were willing to make something that would work within his diet. The best meal he had was at California Grill. They had a few menu items that would work, but the chef came to speak to us and offered to make something that wasn’t on the menu using fresh seasonal ingredients. It was a beautiful dish!
So, if you have dietary restrictions, fear no more! Disney is fantastic about working with you to make sure your needs are met! Happy eating!
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