Special Dietary Needs Options

[cy1229]

Hey! I copied/pasted this from the AllEars newsletter:

-- As reported a few weeks ago, a brand new Gardens kiosk at Disney's Animal Kingdom has opened. Catering to guests with allergies and special dietary concerns, cast members are available to advise guests on the best places within Animal Kingdom to eat. In addition to prepackaged snacks like Lundmind's Rice Chips and Rocky Mountain Caramel Popcorn, guests can also purchase some tasty gluten-free, vegan treats made by BabyCakes NYC. Or try the gluten-free beer, Omission Lager Gluten-Free. More vegetarian items can be found in the park. Get the refreshing Noodle Salad and Edamame across the way at Mr. Kamal's. We also like the addition of the Falafel Sandwich (served on a Pita with Lettuce, Tomato, and a Tahini-Based Sauce) and Samosas (pea and potato turnovers ) served with a Raisin and Carrot Slaw and Mango Chutney for dipping, or try the hummus with fresh vegetables and pita.

[Wizzard419]

I'm kind of surprised they would do that for the simple reason that they are already so accommodating in the first place and they pride themselves on being able to cater to most (excluding things like Halal and kosher) when you arrive at the establishment.

Though gluten free... if you aren't diagnosed with a gluten allergy, please stop that crap and stop it now.

[Amy]

I think this kiosk will be a popular stop with so many people having more and more dietary concerns. We've always been quite pleased with how accommodating WDW is. And we eat primarily at the quick service restaurants!

[Wizzard419]

I would imagine those with dietary concerns are used to planning ahead or asking at the establishment, and the hotels themselves. It will be interesting to see if the booth will actually have that much use since it is kind of at a weird point in the chain.

[Amy]

I would imagine those with dietary concerns are used to planning ahead or asking at the establishment, and the hotels themselves. It will be interesting to see if the booth will actually have that much use since it is kind of at a weird point in the chain.

I think people that have the gluten allergies are most likely to take advantage of purchasing the snacks found at the kiosk. I think Animal Kingdom is a good fit for this kiosk and I'm sure it is a tester. If it sees a lot of visitors, then I would expect to see kiosks added to the other parks.

[Wizzard419]

That is another thing, people with real gluten allergies (the fake ones can die in a fire) probably won't give any food stand a second look because they have been trained to avoid them for the simple reason that they normally won't carry food they can eat.

[Amy]

That is another thing, people with real gluten allergies (the fake ones can die in a fire) probably won't give any food stand a second look because they have been trained to avoid them for the simple reason that they normally won't carry food they can eat.

I think WDW is trying to reach out to those people though by carrying food that is gluten free. Prepackaged items that have labels they can look at to decide for themselves if they are able to eat it.

[Wizzard419]

Which will win out, their conditioning or marketing? Speaking of, Disney isn't exactly a huge fan of hard sells in the parks, like with their time shares, so I can't imagine there is going to be a giant "We have Gluten Free stuff" sign.

[kcarts]

Wiz, should I go die in a fire? My GF has celiac disease and can only eat gluten free. So, being supportive, I eat gluten free as much as I can. I think the kiosk is a great idea. Will make it easier for us when we visit. And I find ironic that someone from SoCal, the home of fads, you would have such a reaction to a dietary fad.

[Wizzard419]

That isn't quite the same, I am referencing the "self-diagnosed" where they say "Oh I have this disease/allergy, I haven't gone to a doctor, but I know I have it." they also inflict their restriction on their friends by making us feel guilty for eating anything they choose, not can't, eat. They also trivialize the disease when they do crap like that since it throws serious cases in the same boat.

[dstrawn9889]

and then the pundits weigh in. my wife is a full-blown celiac, and i show the same signs when i eat wheat(but not as badly as her), so i just try to hang back. this is a good idea, just like the kiosks with fresh fruit and juice, and not just coca-colas... and have you seen the tests for celiac? it not just a blood draw you know, a full on endoscopy is done and biopsies.

[Cardinals314]

Disney is opening a healthy snack food option in New Fantasyland that is similar to the one in Animal Kingdom. It will be called Prince Eric's Village Market.

[Amy]

Disney is opening a healthy snack food option in New Fantasyland that is similar to the one in Animal Kingdom. It will be called Prince Eric's Village Market.

I figured they would be adding similar kiosks in the various parks. There is definitely a desire and a need for such food options.

[BenB]

Disney is opening a healthy snack food option in New Fantasyland that is similar to the one in Animal Kingdom. It will be called Prince Eric's Village Market.

I figured they would be adding similar kiosks in the various parks. There is definitely a desire and a need for such food options.

I'd just like to see them bring back the higher quality food they had 5 years ago. There was a definite change right about 4 years back - the food took a sharp turn downhill. (I'm talking about quick service here. I rarely have the funds to go to the real restaurants everyone else talks about.)

[Amy]

Disney is opening a healthy snack food option in New Fantasyland that is similar to the one in Animal Kingdom. It will be called Prince Eric's Village Market.

I figured they would be adding similar kiosks in the various parks. There is definitely a desire and a need for such food options.

I'd just like to see them bring back the higher quality food they had 5 years ago. There was a definite change right about 4 years back - the food took a sharp turn downhill. (I'm talking about quick service here. I rarely have the funds to go to the real restaurants everyone else talks about.)

We must have missed the really good years then. We weren't super impressed with quick service food when we used to go, over 13+ years ago. But the last two times we went, in 2010 and 2011, we found the quick service food to be quite good.