A Gluten Free Guide to Disney Cruise Line

If you’re gluten-free and dreaming about a Disney Cruise, you might be wondering: Will I be able to eat safely? Will there be options? Will I feel like I’m missing out?

As someone with a gluten allergy who regularly sails with Disney Cruise Line, I’m happy to report: Disney Cruise Line does an incredible job taking care of guests with food allergies—and that includes those of us who are gluten free.

Is it perfect? Not always. But with a little planning (and the right expectations), you can enjoy delicious meals, tasty treats, and peace of mind throughout your sailing.

Here’s what you need to know about eating gluten-free on Disney Cruise Line:

First Things First: Note Your Allergy on Your Reservation

When you book your cruise, be sure to let Disney Cruise Line know about your food allergy. You can do this by calling them directly or, if you’re working with a travel advisor (like me!), we’ll make sure it’s properly noted on your reservation.

This step is key—it sets the stage for how your allergy will be handled throughout your trip.

Rotational Dining: Consistency You Can Count On

One of my favorite parts of cruising with Disney is their unique rotational dining system. Each evening, you’ll rotate through different themed restaurants—but your wait staff rotates with you. That means you’re not having to explain your allergy over and over to new servers.

On night one, your main server will confirm your allergy with you and walk you through what’s safe to order. They’ll flag any cross-contamination concerns and offer suggestions or alternatives.

If nothing on the menu looks appealing, don’t be afraid to ask for something custom. I once requested a salmon salad when nothing else caught my eye—and they happily made it happen. Disney’s servers are trained to accommodate with grace and flexibility.

Just know that gluten free meals do take a little longer to prepare. Allergy orders are handled separately in dedicated areas to avoid cross-contamination, so be patient—it’s worth the wait.

Yes, There Are Gluten Free Desserts!

Good news: gluten free doesn’t mean dessert-free! Most nights, there will be gluten free dessert options available. Think flourless chocolate cake, mousses, panna cotta, or even specialty cupcakes. And if you don’t see something listed, just ask—sometimes they have off-menu options available.

Pre-Ordering Your Meals: Pros & Cons

At the end of each dinner, your server will ask you to pre-order your breakfast and dinner for the next day. This helps the culinary team prepare allergy-safe meals in a separate area to avoid cross-contamination.

The downside? It limits some spontaneity. Buffet-style meals (like at Cabanas or Marceline Market) are not safe for gluten allergies due to shared utensils and open-air serving.

Instead, allergy-friendly meals are prepared separately, and they take more time—especially at places like Cabanas and Marceline Market. When dining at these buffets, you’ll need to let a crew member know you have an allergy, and your meal will be brought out from a separate kitchen. It’s safe—but slow.

Breakfast: Why I Prefer to Skip the Buffet

On mornings when we eat at the buffets (Marceline Market or Cabanas), I check in with the head server and let them know I have a pre-order. But honestly? My family is done eating before my food even arrives. Every single time.

Now, I prefer eating breakfast in one of the ship’s main dining rooms. It’s quieter, calmer, and the food comes out at a more relaxed (but predictable) pace. Plus, your regular dinner server often checks in during breakfast to make sure everything is perfect.

Plus, our main dinner server came over each morning to make sure everything was just right. That kind of personal touch made it feel extra special—and way more relaxing.

Bonus tip: you can often pre-order items like gluten free pancakes or waffles at dinner the night before!

Note: if you want gluten-free Mickey churro waffles (served only on one day of your sailing), you do have to go to the buffet for that!

Pool Deck Favorites: Mickey’s Festival of Foods

Each ship has a variety of quick-service spots near the pool (like Mickey’s Festival of Foods, Flo’s Café, or similar depending on your ship). These are great for casual bites—and yes, they have gluten free options!

Here’s how to order safely:

• Let the cast member know you have a food allergy.
• A trained crew member will take your order.
• Your food will be prepared separately—no shared fryers or cross-contact.

Some of the gluten free pool deck wins I’ve personally enjoyed include:

• Gluten free pizza
• Chicken tenders
• Burgers with gluten free buns
• And—my personal favorite—gluten free soft-serve cones (yes, real cones!)

🏝️ Gluten Free on Castaway Cay

When you’re spending the day on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, you’ll still be able to eat safely—just with a few extra steps.

Once again, you will pre-order your meal the night before your Castaway Cay day with your main server. That’s why it’s important to go to your dining rotation the night before your Castaway Cay day. Don’t skip it in lieu of the pool deck or room service.

The meals are pretty simple—think grilled chicken, ribs, burgers, coleslaw, fries, and fruit—but they’ll prepare yours in a separate area to keep things safe.

When it’s lunch time, head to Cookies BBQ (not Cookies too) and go to the window on the left. That’s where all the allergy orders are served. You’ll let them know you’re there and they’ll give you a pager. When your meal is ready, you’ll be paged and can go back to the window to pick it up.

🛎️ Room Service: A Hidden Gem

Room service is included with your cruise, and yes—you can request gluten free options!

One of my go-tos is the gluten free chicken tenders. Just call in, let them know you have a gluten allergy, and ask for the safe options. It may take longer to arrive, but enjoying crispy tenders in your stateroom while in your PJs? Worth every second.

Note: room service is not available the first night of your cruise.

Final Thoughts: You Can Cruise Gluten Free with Confidence

Disney Cruise Line goes above and beyond to keep guests with allergies safe and well-fed. Are there a few extra hoops to jump through? Sure. But I felt supported, informed, and most importantly—included—every step of the way.

If you’ve been hesitating to cruise because of a gluten allergy, I hope this helped ease your concerns. With the right prep and expectations, your Disney Cruise can be just as magical (and delicious) as you dreamed. Have questions or want help planning your trip? I’d love to help! At Where To Go Travel Co, my goal is to make your dream vacation as seamless and stress-free as possible, from start to finish.