Unless you are living under a rock you know that the Universal Orlando Resort is a hot spot for Harry Potter enthusiasts! With the new addition of Diagon Alley, people have been coming in by the masses to see how their beloved books and movies have been brought to life. There are many amazing deals being offered to stay on property and even a special Harry Potter exclusive event coming up! Plus, you will be amazed at how much fun is in store for you when you explore Universal Orlando Resort! If you plan on visiting the Universal Orlando theme parks and have never been before, those traveling with food restrictions will be pleasantly surprised as Universal has stepped up their game and has much more to offer us.
During a recent visit to Universal Orlando, I felt they understood that they must have more options to compete with ahem….Disney. They are still a ways away from having as many dining options available for those with food allergies/intolerances but they have taken some major steps in the right direction to help those traveling with food concerns such as myself, but you can definitely go enjoy all the parks have to offer and have a stress-free vacation.
A couple of restaurants that I visited during my recent stay are worth mentioning if you are spending time within the parks and are traveling with Celiac disease. Lombard’s Seafood Grille is a waterfront, full-service restaurant serving lunch and dinner. It is conveniently located near Diagon Alley so if you want to step out for a break after riding Escape from Gringott’s you may want to check out this little gem. It has a wonderful, elegant ambiance and an eye-catching aquarium as the room’s centerpiece. You will take comfort in knowing that many of the regular menu items have a “G” next to them which means they can be prepared gluten-free! Always make sure to alert your server of your allergy/intolerance prior to ordering. They were very accommodating at Lombard’s and the food was very good! I had grilled salmon on a bed of quinoa and vegetables and it was all prepared gluten-free….yum!
If you are enjoying both parks, you may find it easier to stop at a quick-service restaurant but you may be worried about your choices. I found one great quick-service restaurant called Thunder Falls Terrace. Located right in front the Jurassic Park ride at Islands of Adventure, they have a delicious and gluten-free Rotisserie Chicken Salad with a crisp citrus dressing. Just remember to ask for no plantains! To make it even better, you can sit and enjoy your salad while watching folks get soaked on the Jurassic Park ride.
If you are visiting both parks and enjoy City Walk then you must go to the Hard Rock Café. There are many reasons to love the Hard Rock, but they’ve now given us suffering from Celiac disease one more…gluten-free menu options! They have delectable gluten-free buns and gluten-free fries made in a separate fryer! Score! You can have a stress-free lunch or dinner while enjoying the awesome environment of this massive restaurant paying tribute to some amazing rock legends.
Last, but certainly not least, ALL BUTTERBEER is gluten-free! You heard me right, so make sure you stop in Three Broomsticks Tavern for some delicious and gluten free butterbeer!
That’s it for now! Remember always alert your server and the manager if possible of your gluten intolerance or food allergy. Vacationing with food restrictions has never been easier!
Enjoy!
Are you ready to visit Universal Orlando? Click REQUEST A QUOTE today for MMP Travel agent Laura Pankow.
Laura Pankow is a travel agent with MMP Travel who lives and travels with Celiac disease. She specializes in helping travelers with food restrictions enjoy safe and stress-free vacations. Contact Laura at laurapankow@mmptravel.com to plan your next trip and remember what it’s like to enjoy traveling again!