Food Options

Thought I'd go in a different direction today and discuss food options at the parks. I mean, ya gotta eat, right?

Let's set aside the notion that you want to save money by eating outside the park, and assume you're going to eat at the parks.

Often times, people would call me and ask about bringing food into the parks because they have a special diet. Well, the "Disney" answer is that they want you to consume all outside food before you enter the parks. However, most bag checkers aren't going to raise an eyebrow unless you're bringing a big cooler or picnic basket. If you've got some bottled water and granola bars, you're usually good.

What some people don't know is that every restaurant or quick-food service area at the parks is required to give you a free cup of water, if you ask for it. The reasoning behind it is that they don't want people getting dehydrated, because shutting down an area of the park for an ambulance can be costly and annoying. Another trick that I often use is bring my own bottled water into the park, and then refill it at the drinking fountains throughout the day. All of the fountains feature filtered water, so you don't have to worry about drinking "Anaheim's finest" straight. Something else you can do to avoid that dreaded "tap" flavor, is to bring those little one-serving packets of water flavoring with you to make instant Koolaid. Doesn't hydrate you as well as straight water, but it's better than nothing.

Also, if you go to the Tortilla Factory in California Adventure, you can get a free corn or flour tortilla to eat! And if you're wearing a birthday button, they give you a small bag of them to take with you! Neat, huh?

Now, for people with very special diets. I've had people insist that there was nothing for them to eat at the parks, even people who've been there for years. Actually, nothing could be farther from the truth. It all starts with the phrase "I need to speak with a head chef." If you explain your limitations as far as food, the head chefs will talk to you about options. They are perfectly willing to make you a custom dish, off menu, to suit your particular needs. I went to the parks with a family whose mother and son were gluten-free. I assured them that they could indeed eat pizza at Redd Rockett's Pizza Port. They were skeptical at first, but watched in awe as the head chef herself opened up a new package of plates, pulled fresh utensils out of the dishwasher, got out the special gluten-free crusts and other ingredients and made their pizza right in front of them. And they charged the same amount as the regular pizza. The mother, having tasted the creation, was almost in tears over how precise they were in making the food just so they wouldn't get sick. Her son happily chowed down, not knowing anything was different. She smiled at him and said "You don't know how special this is, kid!"

If you go to Disneyland City Hall, you can ask for their "Gluten Free Menu," which has the listings of all the places that offer gluten free meals. Go each time, because menus change. But rest assured, they will have things for you to eat. Even ice cream! Even cake! Given two days notice, a Disney restaurant will make you a custom cake that adheres to your special diet. I was there! It was a deliciously decadent chocolate gluten free cake that none of us could finish because it was so rich.

Yes, there's the price tag... But there's also the amount of service that kinda makes you start to appreciate the price that comes with it. So always remember to ask! Whatever your dietary needs, Disney is there to work with you and make sure you get fed!