How to Enjoy Disney World Solo Gluten Free

I had the amazingly rare opportunity to spend an entire day in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom BY MYSELF!

That is right, just me. It has always been a dream to do this. The idea was that I could eat what I wanted, ride what I wanted, rest when I wanted, and stay as late as I wanted.

To be honest I decided at 10PM the night before I went, so my pre-game planning was limited. I was in Florida for work and decided I could carve out a day to spend with Mickey, so I went for it.

I got to the park around 11:30am on a Friday in April. I was hoping for rope drop but had to attend a few meetings first.

I was on my first ride by 12:10pm and it was off to the races from there. I rode everything I wanted to! I found a comfy spot for the parade and peacefully waited 45 minutes for it to start. I was blown away by the Happily Ever After fireworks display. Seriously, go to Magic Kingdom just for this show – amazing!

PERKS OF VISITING DISNEY WORLD SOLO

• You ride what you want
• You can cover more ground, quickly (I did over 7 miles of walking in 10 hours)
• You can choose to wait in lines or not
• It is easier to get just 1 Fastpass for a ride
• When you get close to the front of the line, they are always looking for single riders. I got pulled up on 4 different rides, saving me a ton of waiting time
• You eat what you want, when you want

DOWNSIDE OF BEING SOLO IN DISNEY

• You have no one to talk to while you wait in line. I read kindle books to pass the time.
• You have no one to share the experience with.
• You feel slightly guilty that you are there without your kids. I didn’t actually tell them until dinner time the day I was in the park! Big time mom-guilt!

Tips for a Disney solo trip

• Wear walking shoes, flip-flops or sandals will kill your feet
• Bring a backpack to carry your goodies – I used this one
• Bring sunscreen
• Bring bottles of water or a refillable water bottle
• Eat your meals early or late to beat the crowds
• Bring a cooling towel if you will be there in warmer months
• A small towel to sit on for the parade and fireworks helps a lot
• Download the Disney World app and live by it
• Bring a backup phone charger, you will drain battery quick looking up wait times

EATING GLUTEN FREE IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM

The Gluten Free options in Disney World are ridiculous. You can seriously eat anywhere and you have so many options!

LUNCH

Columbia Harbour House – Chicken tenders, fries and green beans

This is a quick serve restaurant so you place your order and then wait for them to prepare your food. If you order off the allergen menu they give you a pager. Expect to wait 5-10 minutes for them to make your food.

DINNER

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – Bacon cheeseburger and fries

This is a quick serve restaurant but they didn’t give me a pager, they just told me to wait on the side. My food came out on a green tray to show it was an allergy meal. They have a toppings / condiment bar that is use at your own risk. They bar has gluten items that can cross over between items, so use your own judgement on if you feel the lettuce, tomatoes and pickles are safe.

SNACK

Food cart – Olaf Strawberry Lemonade Bar

The allergy binder with ingredients gave the standard “shared facility” warning but the ingredients were safe. On a 84 degree day in Florida it was just want I needed while waiting in line for a ride.

GLUTEN FREE BEIGNETS

I did slip over to the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort Saturday morning before my flight. Why you ask… Gluten Free Beignets. These will change your life and so worth the time in the car, the calories, whatever. If you are close – get these beignets.

I ordered 3 to go and enjoyed them outside. I ate every last crumb. When you order them, they tell the chef who goes into the kitchen and makes them for you in a dedicated fryer. You have to wait a few extra minutes, but come on just look at the air bubble!

If you and your family are planning a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL know that you will be well feed and taken care of.

I will be back in July WITH the family. We will hit all 4 parks so I will have the full details then.

NOTE: if you ask an employee if something is Gluten Free they will not answer (thanks lawyers) but will hand you a book/ binder with the ingredients list. I was told this was so they didn’t tell someone something was safe and it not be. I was able to ask broad questions many times to find out what I needed to know. Like if the restaurant had GF bread options or a dedicated fryer.

Hopefully this has been helpful. Enjoy your next trip to visit Mickey Mouse and eat some Beignets for me!

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