Keeping Kosher at Walt Disney World

Kosher Quest Disney style

You may have noticed guests eating what looks like airline food at Walt Disney World? It is not airline food, they are eating kosher meals at The Walt Disney World Resort.

Kosher foods are foods permitted by traditional Jewish dietary law. They cannot contain both milk and meat products and cannot contain pork, shellfish or other prohibited animals. In addition, any animals have to be slaughtered in a specific way under the supervision of a rabbi.

Keeping kosher at Walt Disney World is not too difficult.  You can eat breakfast in your hotel room before leaving for the Park.  Pack snacks and sandwiches for lunch, which can be carried into the Park.  And at night you can eat a kosher dinner at restaurants within the Disney Parks.

 Kosher meals for select table-service restaurants may be requested 48 hours in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463.  If you look on the web page for Disney World it states that you can call 24 hours in advance but when calling, they informed me that it is a minimum of 48 hours to order, so plan accordingly.

Calling can be tricky so be  patient. The Cast Members may not be familiar with Kosher options.

 honey-glazed chicken

The menu consists of salmon, chicken, Passover chicken tenders, Passover egg- lasagna, pizza and brisket; Chocolate cake is the option for dessert.

The soup was a matzo ball soup

Remember that it is the same menu at all of the restaurants so choose where you eat based on what kind of experience you want. For a memorable and uniquely Disney experience, kosher Character Dining and Dinner Shows can be arranged.

If you are looking for a fine dining atmosphere I suggest that you head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to Jiko.  O’hana in the Polynesian Resort also offers the addition of cheese blintzes.  A blintz is a filled, egg-based pancake similar in texture and flavor to French crepes.

If you are looking for classic characters while you dine, Chef Mickey’s for breakfast will also have the cheese blintz option and omelets.

 The meals come completely covered in plastic wrapping. They are airline-style dishes that will be microwaved. It is great to be able to stay at the park the entire day without having to go back to the hotel to eat and then come back again to see the fireworks, etc. The local Kosher restaurants do offer delivery to the hotels but you will have to wait for them and it will take time out of your fun.

I know a family who recently ordered food twice from Cohen's Deli . They found that it was extremely stressful and the food arrived very late. With Disney, you set it up a day in advanced and you don't need to worry about it being a problem.

 Guests are allowed to bring food into Walt Disney World theme parks and dining locations. When entering a park, simply inform the Security at bag check. Because there are no restrictions on bringing food or drinks into the park, I suggest that you pack snacks to bring with you. If you are renting a car you can shop in Florida and save room in your luggage. You can also have a box sent to your resort. I have done that before.  You can also take advantage of a personal Disney shopper or have Garden Grocer deliver items to your resort.

http://www.gardengrocer.com/ For information

 If you are looking for snacks with a Disney design to add to the fun; try freeze dried fruit. You can find them at some grocery stores near the canned fruit or order fruit snacks from Brothers all Natural. They come in several flavors and the pouches are easy to take and are a healthy choice. I like the apple and pear ones the best. http://www.brothersallnatural.com/

Hekshered snacks can be found at any local store. Stoneyfield farm and Horizon organic "squeezy" yogurts are great for a snack and have a heksher. Peanut butter crackers in little packs are filling, but tend to crush so keep that in mind when you pack them with fresh fruit or heavy items. Granola and cheese sticks are healthy options.  Oreos and other Nabisco cookies are good to have for a quick treat. There are so many examples of kosher snacks but you will know what your family enjoys. Just add some Disney stickers or cute containers and you are ready to go.

Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel should ask the Front Desk to have a refrigerator placed in the room if there is one available. You should request one at the time you make your reservation but all of the rooms have them now. You can Keep disposable tableware in your room and have cereal and milk or juice in the refrigerator for a quick breakfast or late night snack.

I suggest that you go to Guest services when you get there and speak to a Cast Member and they will help you find what you are looking for.

 If you go to a snack vender at WDW they will pull out a book and show you what is kosher and what is not. This makes it easy to find what you are in the mood for. Mickey Premium Bars are kosher and make an excellant treat. They are my favorite Disney snack.

Kosher meals are available without advance requests at the following locations:

Animal Kingdom - Pizzafari

Disney's Hollywood Studios - ABC Commissary

Epcot: Liberty Inn - American Adventure

Magic Kingdom - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - Tomorrowland

All Star Food Courts: World Premiere (Movies)

Intermission (Music) and End Zone (Sports)

Caribbean Beach - Old Port Royale Food Court

Pop Century - Everything Pop Dining

Port Orleans French Quarter - Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

Port Orleans Riverside - Riverside Mill Food Court

Kosher meals not offered at Garden View Afternoon Tea, Teppanyaki Dining Room, Gulliver's Grill, Palio, House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, Fulton's Crab House, Portobello Yacht Club, Yak & Yeti, Rainforest Cafe, Shula's Steakhouse, Todd English's bluezoo, and Fresh Mediterranean Market. However, call several days in advance to inquire.

Prices for entrees are the same for adults and children except when ordering a kid's meal entree. 

Dinner Show Prices: Guests are charged the regular dinner show prices. Guests will only receive one meal, this will not be all-you-care-to-eat.

Buffets and all-you-care-to-eat locations: Guests will only receive one meal, this will not be all-you-care-to-eat. Guest will be charged Kosher Meal price.

Credit Card Guarantee: Credit card is required as a guarantee. Full price of ordered meals will be charged if guest do not show up.

 Disney invites anyone with special dietary requests to email SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com or call (407) 824-5967.