Orlando Road Trip: Mickey's Very Special Christmas Party

It was Jersey Week in the Orlando area this month, and we were there.

We went down to Florida mid-week and stayed for about 10 days, mostly visiting Walt Disney World. If you haven't already experienced WDW, you should. The Disney company is VERY accommodating to gluten-free diets, as well as food allergies.

On the final night of our trip, we visited the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This extra-ticket event offers smaller crowds, rare characters meetings, special shows and free treats from stations throughout the park. It's that last part that celiacs might be wary about, since many of the treats are baked goodies.

I had been tipped off ahead of time that gluten-free treats would be available if you just ask for them, and that proved to be exactly the case.

Upon entry, we encountered our first station, from which cast members where distributing Santa-shaped sugar cookies to the masses. Upon asking for the "allergy" option, I received a packaged gingerbread cookie that was soft and very tasty.

Over the course of the evening, other stations were giving out to gluten-free visitors Enjoy Life's chocolate chip cookies, non-dairy hot chocolate, sno cones, chocolate milk and apple slices. We did skip a couple of stations, so there might have been more gluten-free treats, but the Enjoy Life cookies and sno cones were repeated at some stops.

At first, I was disappointed with the apple slices, which were given out to celiacs alongside a really yummy looking traditional treat. However, I split them with a child, and she was happy to take a break from the carb-loaded sweets, so all was well. And, any "replacement" treat is better than none at all.

In addition to treat stations, gluten-free foods were found at quick service restaurants and concession kiosks. We filled our popcorn bucket a couple of times, but the real winner was the chocolate yule log dessert at Pecos Bill Tall Tales Inn & Cafe.

I was wary of the yule log at first, because it looked too yummy and cake-like to be gluten-free, but was reassured by the chef, who brought out the ingredients for me too read. The log is a chocolate cake rolled with chocolate mousse and covered in chocolate icing. A decorative sign is also made of confection. Once I was confident that it was safe, I ate a few delicious bites before sharing with my dining companions.

Known for its Mexican food, Pecos Bill also carried gluten-free non-dessert food during the party. I split a bowl of black beans, rice and seasoned grilled chicken, which was tasty and satisfying.

Overall, the party was a very pleasant experience for this celiac. I just loved that every treat station had something to accommodate gluten-free diets and other food allergies.