This has to be one of the biggest miracles I could have ever pulled off! I know that going to Disney can seem incredibly far out of reach for many and after the year of challenges, I thought there was no way I could pull this off. I believe in big dreams, but more importantly, I believe in big goals. Yes, I had managed to take my daughter a few times and for some people just one trip to Disney is a big dream. I should probably tell you that I have managed to figure out Disney on the world's tightest budget. My mom passed away a few years ago and I stashed some money after that to pre pay for tickets to the parks, pass holders, actually. I had credit card points that paid for the hotel. My incredibly kind boyfriend paid for the gas to drive down and back and my friend that I went down with agreed to pay for some snacks in the park since I covered the hotel expenses. When I think there's no way I can pull something off, I need to remind myself of this miracle. Disney is one of our favorite family travel destinations as it is one of the most gluten free friendly places to go, and yes, we sported our celiac awareness shirts throughout the park.
We have been to Disney during the holidays, but this was our first time taking advantage of Epcot's Holidays around the World. I was super excited to see several gluten free options in different countries. You can find the full menu here. Look for the notes that say gluten/wheat friendly. (Yes, I know that's confusing wording on the website, but it's clearer in person on the signs.) Disney, if you're listening, I would absolutely love some more gluten free options next year, especially in Bavaria. :-)
In an effort to keep this trip super low budget, we ate most of our real meals in the hotel, but we definitely enjoyed some splurges. My daughter had been saving up for months for this trip and because I normally limit her sugar intake, part of how she wanted to spend her money was on enjoying some of the gluten free sweet treats at Disney. Since I enjoyed some adult beverages, she wanted some of the kiddie friendly refreshments. Epcot was probably our biggest treat day. While I enjoyed a Grand Marnier slushie from Les Vins des Chefs de France, she went with her standard vanilla ice cream. I highly recommend the slushie!!
I spaced out my Bavaria trips throughout the day, which wasn't great for efficient timing, but I happen to have a few special ties with Germany, so I wanted to try two different options. The cider flight sounded great, except it also included a beer. The cast member kindly subbed an extra cider for the beer to maintain my gluten free health. Maybe it was the heat or the fact that we were trying to get to our next fast pass or the fact that I am a lightweight when it comes to drinking alcohol, but maybe I should have split my flight of ciders. Nah, they tasted too good to share. I went back a little later in the day to try the Glühwein. I was intrigued by the idea of wine that was intentionally served warm. It was an interesting experience and if you like sweet wine, it's a good option.
Part of our timing with the trip at the holidays is that it's when school is out (yes, also the busiest time at the park, but still fun). The other part is that it's right between our birthdays, so we also consider this part of our birthday celebration. This was our fourth Disney in December visit and also the one when we learned that Club Cool at Disney apparently gives a free slushie for birthday guests. (You can also get free dessert for your birthday at most sit down restaurants in WDW, in case you happen to have missed out on that one. This was one of those awesome discoveries when we went to celebrate my 40th birthday.)
And we have Magic Kingdom's fun as well. I'm not sure how my daughter managed to go eleven years before having her first caramel apple, but she did and my, did she enjoy it! She also learned that buying a super sticky treat that is best enjoyed over time is probably not the easiest thing to eat while walking around a large amusement park and figuring out how to properly store it and get the stickies off her hands. Note to fellow parents: remember the wet wipes in the backpack. A visit to Magic Kingdom wouldn't be complete without enjoying a cup of LeFou's Brew at Gaston's Tavern. I'm fairly sure this drink with apple juice, marshmallow, and passion fruit-mango foam probably has a week's worth of sugar in it, so I recommend this as a shared treat. The sugar high can only push your kids through the park for so long. I wanted to get the souvenir cup this time though.
Our final day is always reserved for Disney springs just before we hit the road. Normally when we get pizza, I split one with my daughter and do half and half. Since we know we're going to take it on the road and it's a long drive, we each get a pizza and know we have something safe to eat on the drive home. (You never know if the bladder is going to be timed right with safe places to stop and grab a bite to eat.) There are some cautions that I want to give though regarding cross contamination. Blaze Pizza is equipped to handle those with celiac. (If you refuse to eat in a pizza place that isn't completely gf, you're going to want to skip this though.) Here are the tips for what to request that I have learned to ensure safety: glove change, clean surface (note: this happens to be away from the prep area where they are making the other pizzas, so they will disappear to prep your crust), fresh sauce and condiments (below the counter, not the ones sitting right behind the glass that have had gloves with flour dipped in them all day), and separate cutting utensils. I prepare you with these tips because somebody warned me and I have learned that it depends on who is handling my pizza as to how they respond. Yes, some of the younger kids have given me the annoyed looks, but I can take the look as long as we are safe, especially on what can be between a nine and eleven hour drive home, pending stops and traffic. It's probably best to ask for a manager to handle your pizza.
Then we head to Erin McKenna's for our to go box. We keep a stash of special sweet treats individually wrapped and ready in the freezer and they often come from our trips here. Since they use coconut oil for most of their frosting, you will want to come prepared with a cooler and ice packs so that your desserts don't melt on the way back to your hotel or on the drive home. (You will also want to keep this in mind if you freeze them and need to later thaw them out.) Erin McKennas's has so many awesome options, you can't go wrong and we love to mix up our selection: lemon cake (they're known for this!), blondie cupcake, french toast cupcake, stuffed cookie, among many other options and then there's the delicious creation that got its own picture. I don't know what it's called, but I called it dump cake in a cup. It's basically pieces of several different treats piled on top of each other for a rather sinfully delicious treat on the way home. I don't know if I lucked out with some irregulars that day or what, but if they offer this, just say yes!
Overall, I know Disney can be on people's big dreams list and seem out of reach, but with proper planning, splitting the hotel cost, and bringing your food or hitting Publix, and renting locker at the parks for your small cooler, it definitely can be managed on a much tighter budget than most would expect, while also knowing you're maintaining your strict gluten free lifestyle. Where is your favorite place to eat gluten free at Disney?
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