For those with food allergies or sensitivities, planning meals while on vacation can present a challenge. From verifying safe kitchen practices to making sure there are appealing options on the menu, securing a place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner involves much more than simply making a dining reservation. Fortunately, the chefs and food service cast members at Walt Disney World are highly trained and take many precautions to ensure that guests with food allergies are not only safe, but that they also have an enjoyable experience during their meal.
This was most definitely the case at the popular Akershus Royal Banquet Hall located in the Norway Pavilion in EPCOT. This venue offers character dining with Disney Princesses at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving meals all-you-care-to-enjoy family style. As someone who requires a gluten-free diet, I was initially concerned about the availability and quantity of safe items that I would be able to consume for the $55 price for breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Those worries quickly disappeared as I was not only treated with care, but served my own gluten-free royal breakfast feast.
The usual family-style meal consists of a first course made of danishes, meats, and cheeses. Even though I was the only one in our dining party consuming the gluten-free foods, I was also served my own first course platter specially tagged as allergy-friendly. Included in the platter was a gluten-free roll, muffin, and chocolate Danish alongside a sample of berry compote. A selection of hard and soft cheeses, salami, and ham accompanied the fresh pastries that actually tasted moist and fresh unlike many gluten-free baked goods that are often dry and crumbly. A single allergy-friendly bowl of fresh fruit was served to the entire table along with the first course of pastries, meats, and cheeses.
The family-style main course is a warm skillet of Norwegian waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, and potato casserole. The gluten-free main course was exactly the same as the usual family-style platter, substituting only gluten-free waffles for regular waffles made with wheat flour. The gluten-free waffles even arrived in the same charming heart-shape!
I would most definitely recommend breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for any guest who requires gluten-free dining. While the quantity of food I received as a single gluten-free guest was far more than I could have ever eaten in one seating, it made this special character meal even better knowing that I was able to not only meet the royal leading ladies promenading around the grand dining hall, but also fully partake in the delicious food offered on the menu.
My positive experience at breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall as a gluten-free guest mirrors the delicious gluten-free breakfasts that I have also enjoyed at Topolino’s Terrance at Disney’s Riviera Resort and Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Which is your favorite gluten-free breakfast in Walt Disney World? Tell us in the comments below!
Written by
Shelley Wehler
Contributing Writer
Shelley is a stay-at-home mother of two girls living outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her love of all things Disney has grown even more as she sees the magic come alive through the lens of her young daughters. She spends her free time keeping up with the latest in Disney news and daydreaming of her next trip to the parks!
