Gluten Free Travel Blog

The Gluten-Free Travel "Gold Standard" -- Disney World, Orlando

 BLOG HOP, DAY 3: Yesterday, I recommended some top cities in the U.S. for gluten free travel. I touched on the Orlando area of Florida, noting how "gluten free friendly" Disney World and its parks, hotels, and resorts are. (To read peer reviews of Disney's  restaurants from a GF perspective, enter Lake Beuna Vista into the search box on our Search/Mapping page of GlutenFreeTravelSite). In fact, whether you are a fan of "the mouse" or not, it's hard to argue with the fact that Disney World has become somewhat of the “gold standard” for “gluten-free friendly” travel destinations. They were early to embrace special dietary needs of all sorts, likely due to the rising prevalence of Celiac Disease, dietary intolerances, and allegies -- especially in children. They know that family travelers are their bread and butter, and no family destination wants kids to feel left out for any reason. So instead, they make kids (and adults) with special dietary needs feel like rock stars.

Their attention to detail and desire to accommodate all diners has earned them an especially devoted following in the gluten-free community. When you dine at a sit-down restaurant at any of Disney World’s hotels, resorts, or parks, a chef personally visits your table to discuss your dining options. Even “quick service” restaurants make sure a manager is available — and well-trained to know what is safe to order if you’re following a GF or other special diet. I wrote a detailed article about our family’s magical experience at Disney World a couple years ago.

One important note: You can expect similar high-touch service at Disneyland, but NOT Disneyland PARIS. Our family visited Disneyland PARIS a year ago, and it could not have been less accommodating. Their lack of gluten free knowledge — and the almost non-existent GF options at their restaurants — reminded us of the level of GF knowledge in the U.S. about 7-8 years ago. You can read my Blog post about our experience. 

So stay stateside if a trip to Disney is on your radar, and get ready to feel like a true gluten-free prince or princess!

Have a comment on today's post? If so, leave it below and you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

Great Bets for Gluten Free Travel in the United States

BLOG HOP, DAY TWO: In this second installment of my Gluten Free Dining and Travel Series, I wanted to cover the subject of gluten free DOMESTIC travel opportunities. I'll be covering international locales in another post.

When it comes to locations in the U.S. that afford gluten free travelers plenty of safe dining options, there's no better place to start than our annual contest winners. Each year, GlutenFreeTravelSite awards one particular location the title of “World’s Most Celiac-Friendly Destination.” The contest recognizes locations that offer a wide range of dining choices for people following gluten-free diets. The results are determined by tallying the number of user-submitted dining and travel reviews received throughout the year for each location on GlutenFreeTravelSite. Here's what I'd recommend if you want to if you want a true "vacation from worry." These destinations have so many GF dining options, you'll want to extend your trip!

2008 Winner: New York

Not surprisingly, New York was the winner in the first year of our contest. New York -- especially Manhattan -- is a great place to visit if you have Celiac Disease. Awareness is good, and restaurants are eager to cater to the increasing number of local and visiting GF patrons. Gluten Free diners have their pick of many regional and national chain restaurants with gluten-free menus, as well as numerous independent neighborhood restaurants throughout the state -- some with gluten-free menus and others willing to tailor just about anything on their menu, within reason. You'll find many small, independent restaurants that offer GF menus -- many times as a result of a family member or friend being diagnosed with Celiac. Scan our page of New York reviews or better yet, enter a specific town or zip code on our Search/Mapping page.

2009 Winner: Florida 

Florida was the winning destination our second year, due in large part to the numerous reviews submitted for the Disney properties.  So if you have kids (or just love theme parks), you really ought to consider a trip to Disney World. It's become the “gold standard” in terms of catering to guests with special dietary needs. Disney takes this job seriously, and they do a great job of making everyone feel welcome at their restaurants, parks, and resorts. There are gluten free options available on the menu at almost any Disney-operated restaurant, and the chef or manager will personally discuss safe menu options with you. Plus, the entire Orlando area and other Florida cities are also home to many national restaurant chains that have developed Gluten Free Menus. Read Florida reviews or enter a specific town (Lake Buena Vista for Disney) or zip code on our Search/Mapping page.

2010 Winner: The Washington, DC Metro area (including Maryland and Virginia suburbs) 

The Washington, DC metro area had a particularly impressive showing in 2010. Reviews of many independent restaurants as well as chain restaurants offering gluten-free menus give visitors to the D.C. area a wide a range of “safe” choices. No matter what type of food you desire -- haute cuisine or casual family dining, Italian or Ethiopian -- you can always find plenty of places offering great gluten-free options. Read Washington DC reviews or enter a specific zip code on our Search/Mapping page.

2011 Winner: California 

Californians have always been at the forefront in the areas of health and wellness. Northern Californian restaurateurs, in particular, have risen to the challenge once again and met the demand for gluten-free options. Visitors to this state will typically be met with knowledgeable and accommodating chefs that are aware of the gluten-free diet and its importance. When dining at a restaurant, just be sure to let the server, manager, or chef know that you require a gluten-free diet out of medical necessity, since there are many celebrities in California (and elsewhere) who follow a gluten-free diet by choice. Scan our California reviews or enter a specific town or zip code on our Search/Mapping page. 

Happy Traveling...we look forward to hearing about your journey -- and receiving your reviews of the places you discover!

Have a comment on today's post? If so, leave it below and you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

Submit Your Reviews for our Annual "World's Most Celiac-Friendly Destination" Contest

As some of you may remember, each January we tally the prior year's gluten-free dining and travel reviews submitted to our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite. We then name the location with the most reviews from the prior year the "World's Most Celiac-Friendly Destination." 

In 2009, when we first started the contest, the winner came as no surprise: New York. As most of us know -- whether we've visited the Big Apple or not -- New York City is fast to embrace food trends, although using that word sometimes makes me shudder, since we all know that gluten-free diets are not a choice -- and a lot more than a "trend" -- for many of us. Nonetheless, New York City was among the first cities to give gluten-free diners dozens of safe restaurant options. Many of these restaurants are NON-chain restaurants...independent, neighborhood restaurants who may have initially been motivated to create gluten-free choices (and safe practices) for a family member, employee, or regular customer who was suddenly diagnosed with Celiac. 

In the contest's second year, Florida was bestowed with the honor, due to the Disney theme parks and resorts -- and the surrounding Orlando area -- emerging as a gluten-free diner's magical paradise. And indeed, the numerous glowing reviews submitted to our site attest to that fact. Just about every restaurant in each of Disney's hotels, resorts, and parks has gluten-free options, and lists are even available to guests in advance on their trip, by contacting the Special Dietary Needs Department (more information on this, along with the contact names and numbers can be found on our site's Resources page). 

Last year, Washington, DC emerged as the front-runner, thanks to the numerous reviews submitted by members of a very active local Celiac support group: DC Celiacs. Their members seem to have frequented all the "gluten-free friendly" hot spots, and most got rave reviews. (To search the reviews in these -- or any other city or state -- visit our Search Reviews page. 

Will the East Coast continue to earn bragging rights? Or will this year's winner, announced in early January, be a state west of the Mississippi? California shows some potential, but we'd love to get even more reviews from that state's many diverse towns and cities. Do YOU have some reviews to share from YOUR state -- or perhaps a destination where you've traveled (and enjoyed a wide range of "GF friendly" dining establishments)? If so, please submit your reviews soon (how about taking a few minutes right now?) to make sure they're factored into our tally to select our next WINNING DESTINATION! 

If your review is particularly helpful or has wide appeal, we may even select it to showcase as our Featured Review of the month -- and offer you a choice of two great prizes: a set of four different Triumph Dining restaurant cards, or a gift certificate to a restaurant with a Gluten Free Menu! 

Best of all, you'll know your feedback is helping so many others looking for gluten-free dining and travel guidance. Thanks so much for all your contributions and feedback!

 

 

GlutenFreeTravelSite Awards Washington, DC Area the Title of "World's Most Celiac-Friendly Destination"

GlutenFreeTravelSite, our sister website, today announced that the Washington, DC area, which includes its Maryland and Virginia suburbs, is this year's winner of our “World’s Most Celiac-Friendly Destination” contest. Now in its third year, this contest recognizes locations that offer a wide range of dining choices for people following gluten-free diets. New York was the winner the first year, and Florida was the winning destination last year, due in large part to how accommodating Disney World and the surrounding Orlando area are to gluten-free guests.

Each year, the results are determined by tallying the number of user-submitted dining and travel reviews received throughout the year for each location on GlutenFreeTravelSite. The Washington DC metro area had a particularly impressive showing over the past year.

GlutenFreeTravelSite benefits from a close relationship with the DC Celiacs support group, and many of its members have contributed to the site by providing personal, detailed feedback on DC-area restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores. Reviews of many independent restaurants as well as chain restaurants offering gluten-free menus give residents of and visitors to the D.C. area a wide a range of “safe” choices.

“Many cities in the DC area, like Bethesda and McLean, offer numerous gluten-free dining options,” said DC Celiacs member Sandra Robins, who is also the DC Gluten-Free Examiner and Gluten Free Optimist Blogger. “In Bethesda, Maryland, diners can enjoy delicious gluten-free crab cakes at both Lilit Cafe and Chef Tony's. New gluten-free menus are being discovered regularly, providing diners with significantly more choices than four years ago, when I was initially diagnosed with Celiac Disease."

I think those that live here would agree: The DC area is a great place to be if you’re on a gluten-free diet . No matter what type of food is desired -- haute cuisine or casual family dining, Italian or Ethiopian -- you can always find plenty of places offering great gluten-free options. How to find those places? Well begin with a search of area dining reviews on GlutenFreeTravelSite, of course!

 

Gluten Free Restaurants and Dining at Disney World

Don't miss the article about dining gluten-free both inside and outside the parks at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Whether you stay on the Disney property or off, there are numerous options for safe, delicious gluten-free meals. In this article, within the new Articles section added to GlutenFreeTravelSite, I provide helpful resources, phone numbers, and links to help you plan a memorable trip -- a true "vacation from worry" for you and your family. 

Dining Gluten-Free at Disney World: A "Magical" Experience

I recently wrote an extensive article about our family's trip to Disney World in the Fall of 2009. It is currently published on the Special Food Groups website. I cover everything you need to know for a successful gluten-free vacation to Disney World and all its theme parks -- when to go, the best places to stay, and dining options both in and outside the Disney parks. I even include contact numbers to call to get lists of gluten-free items available in each of the Disney theme parks. Be sure to also visit our Travel Resources page for much of this information, including a special discount we've arranged for lodging if you choose to stay outside the Disney property.

Florida Named Best for Gluten-Free Dining and Travel by GlutenFreeTravelSite.com

The results are in...at GlutenFreeTravelSite.com we have chosen the winner of our second annual contest to find the "World's Most Celiac-Friendly Destination." 

Last year it was New York, and this year it's FLORIDA...the geographic location with the most restaurant, grocery store, and hotel reviews submitted to our site over the past year. (Read the Florida reviews.) 

Congratulations, Florida...and to those of you lucky enough to live or travel there frequently! The results are due in large part to the number of reviews we've received for restaurants in and around Disney World. Not only are all the parks and Disney-operated hotels and resorts very Celiac-friendly, but you'll find many of the restaurant chains that offer gluten-free menus located in the Orlando area as well. 

If YOU have a favorite gluten-free destination, please share your opinion with us by submitting some reviews of YOUR favorite places today! It can be restaurants or grocery stores in your hometown -- or a hotel or resort where you've stayed while traveling. We'll be tallying this upcoming year's submissions and announcing another winner at the end of 2010! 

But regardless of the destination chosen each year as our winner, YOU have a chance EVERY MONTH to be a winner...

Each month, we select one particularly helpful review to showcase on our Featured Review page. The winner receives a FREE set of four Triumph Dining Restaurant Dining Cards (for American, Italian, Chinese, and Mexican cuisines). 

Gluten Free Dining and Traveling In Ireland

You've probably heard that Ireland has one of the highest rates of Celiac Disease in the world. So it should come as no surprise that it can be a very safe place for Celiacs to travel, as long as you do the same advance preparation you'd do before any other trip (contacting restaurants and hotels to articulate your special dietary needs, if possible). 

This month, we received a glowing review of two Irish hotels on GlutenFreeTravelSite.com, and we chose to showcase it as September's Featured Review. (If you're not aware, our sister website, GlutenFreeTravelSite, holds a monthly contest and chooses the most helpful review from the prior month's review submissions to present as our Featured Review of the Month. It can be a review of a restaurant, hotel, resort, cruise, or grocery store anywhere around the world that accommodates people on gluten-free diets. The winning reviewer receives a FREE set of four Triumph Dining Cards -- one each for American, Italian, Chinese, and Mexican cuisines -- so submit your own review today! 

If you're considering a trip to Ireland, be sure to read the Featured Review for detailed comments about gluten-free dining at the Killarney Avenue Hotel in Kerry and the Mespil Hotel in Dublin -- as well as some recommendations of other Celiac-friendly eateries nearby. 

And if you haven't already, be sure to visit the bottom of our Home page on GlutenFreeTravelSite to sign up for our Monthly Newsletter. We share news about gluten-free dining and travel -- including restaurants that have introduced gluten-free menus -- plus you'll be among the first to be notified when we post a new Featured Review. 

Boston area has wide range of restaurants with gluten-free menus

On a recent trip to Boston, we were pleased to find so many great restaurants offering gluten-free menus. Although we weren't able to try them all on this trip (we would have liked to have eaten our way through the city!), some noteworthy ones include Burton's Grill (which coincidentally has been reviewed THREE times on our sister website, GlutenFreeTravelSite.com (choose Massachusetts when you Search Reviews by location). They have both a gluten-free lunch AND dinner menu and even serve brunch on Sundays. 

No matter what type of cuisine you're in the mood for, it seems Boston can satisfy your gluten-free tastebuds with a wide range of restaurants offering gluten-free menus. There's a local pizza place called Stone Hearth Pizza (with three Boston-area locations) which now offers gluten-free crust. Elephant Walk, also with three Boston locations, is a rare find...a Cambodian/French restaurant offering gluten-free brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. Not Your Average Joe's, with locations all over Massachusetts, offers "creative casual cuisine" and some nice gluten-free menus.  If it's Mexican (true Mexican, not Tex-Mex) you're in the mood for, try Zocalo Cocina Mexicana, also with three locations in the suburbs of Boston. 

And of course there are the well-known national chains like Legal Seafoods, Carrabbas, Chilis, and Fleming's Steakhouse, On the Border, P.F. Chang's, and Uno's. But if you're traveling to the Boston area, why not forgo the national chains and try one of the smaller local chains unique to the area? 

Note: Many of these restaurants are reviewed in detail on our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite.com, or listed on our Gluten Free Restaurant Menus page, which has links to each restaurant's gluten-free menu.

New York Wins GlutenFreeTravelSite's Most Celiac-Friendly Destination Contest

The reviews have been tallied, and the results are in...New York is the winner of GlutenFreeTravelSite's first annual contest to find the World's Most Celiac-Friendly Destination. If you're lucky enough to live there, you're probably familiar with the numerous restaurants adding gluten-free options to their menus and grocery stores adding gluten-free items to their shelves. This is a great place to live if you have Celiac Disease...awareness is good, and restaurants are eager to stay relevant by catering to the fast-growing group of diagnosed Celiacs lobbying for more dining options. You have your pick of many regional and national chains with gluten-free menus, as well as numerous independent neighborhood restaurants throughout the state...some with gluten-free menus and others willing to tailor just about anything on their menu,within reason. Many of these independent restaurant owners began offering gluten-free items on their menu when they, a family member, or a friend was diagnosed with Celiac. 

Coincidentally, our family recently returned from visiting relatives in Rockland County, New York (a suburb just 30 minutes outside of New York City). We were so excited to finally try so many of the restaurants our gluten-free sister-in-law had raved about like Peter's Restaurant in Manhattan and Posa Posa, a popular local Italian restaurant serving gluten-free pizza in a nearby suburb of Nanuet. (Read full reviews of these two restaurants -- and dozens of others in the New York section of GlutenFreeTravelSite.com.) And the grocery stores...there's one in New City called Back To Earth, with a second location in Nyack. They have one of the best selections of gluten-free food I've ever seen...it's like a mini Whole Foods Market, but with even more gluten-free items...literally every brand you can think of. I stocked up on many items I typically have to mail order. 

New York...the honor of World's Most Celiac-Friendly Destination is, in my humble opinion, well deserved. For those of you who live there, I'm jealous. For the rest of us...oh, what a great place to visit! So many (gluten-free) restaurants to try...so little time!