Good morning! If you haven’t been on Facebook (or the official Disney Parks Blog) in the last few days, you may have missed a first look at the new Encanto themed topiaries being featured at this year’s EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival. The festival just opened on March 1 and runs until July 5 this year.
One of the highlights of EPCOT festivals is all the limited-time food and beverage offerings. Before I was diagnosed with my food allergies, my family was a fan of snacking our way through World Showcase. And Disney has done a great job of ensuring that there are several “gluten-friendly” options. Gluten-friendly is just their way of relaying that there’s always a risk of cross-contact, but Disney has pretty strict protocols to avoid this from happening. I ALWAYS recommend you speak with a cast member at the booth, let them know what your food restrictions are, and they can verify whether things are safe for you.
For items that aren’t on this list, you may be able to have a modified version if they leave off a component or two. Again, speak with a cast member to see if they’re able to accommodate you.
Gluten-Friendly Options
- Chilled Potato and Leek Soup “Vichyssoise” with Bacon Lardons, Potato Croutons, Chive Oil and Crispy Leeks (EPCOT Farmers Feast – Near Test Track presented by Chevrolet®, on the Early Bloom Menu, available from March 1 to April 8)
- Barbecued Seared Pork Tenderloin with Summer Succotash, Herb Butter, and Grapefruit Vinaigrette (EPCOT Farmers Feast – Near Test Track presented by Chevrolet®, on the Summer Solstice Menu, available from May 20 to July 5)
- Quesadilla de Flor de Calabaza: House-made Masa Tortillas filled with Squash Blossoms, Bacon, Onion, Zucchini and Cheese (Jardin de Fiestas – Mexico)
- Taco Vampiro: Barbacoa Beef in a Corn Tortilla with Crispy Grilled Monterey Jack Cheese, Salsa Ranchera and Esquites (Jardin de Fiestas – Mexico)
- Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market – Germany) (this is also a Garden Graze item, more on that below!)
- Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions and Herb Sour Cream (Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market – Germany)
- Grilled Kebabs with Carrot-Chickpea Salad and Garlic Aïoli (both the Lamb Kefta and Chermoula Chicken!) (Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina – Morocco)
- Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Neuske’s Applewood-smoked Bacon (Northern Bloom – Canada)
- Pineapple Skewer with Tajin Seasoning (Refreshment Outpost – Between the China and Germany Pavilions)
- Dole Whip (Pineapple Promenade – near Port of Entry)
One More Thing…
Late this month, I’ll be updating this page with what we learn in terms of any potentially unlisted Gluten-Friendly options while we are on the ground in Orlando. My wife has celiac disease, but is a major foodie. She’s never found her options at Walt Disney World too restrictive; they do a great job making sure she has safe options that still taste amazing. Stay tuned closer to April for updates!
Access the Mouse 