Prince Eric's Village Market Now Open

Offering healthier alternatives than you might be used to seeing in the Magic Kingdom (compared to, say, the Premium Mickey Ice Cream Bar or the countless varieties of cupcakes around the park), Prince Eric's Village Market opened today in the New Fantasyland area. Here are a few of the menu items you can expect to find:

• fresh fruit


• fresh veggies with dip


• hummus and chips


• Greek yogurt


• Odwalla beverages

Disney has been beefing up (so to speak) the presence of healthier and allergen-free fare over the last few years, which makes this health-conscious Mom-of-a-food-allergy-kid very happy. That said, I still caution parents to read labels and check the fine print. The bulk of the items at the new Animal Kingdom Garden Kiosk, for example, are gluten free--but that doesn't mean they are necessarily  free of other allergens. Same goes for Baby Cakes in Downtown Disney. In fact, most of BC's baked goods would be classified as "processed on shared equipment that also processes nuts." All that to say, just because something is sold in a "allergy-friendly" kiosk or market, it isn't necessarily safe for all food allergy sufferers. You can never be too careful when it comes to food allergies.

We're looking forward to trying some of Disney's healthier snacks on our next visit!

 

AllergyEats.com Lists Best WDW Eateries for Guests with Food Allergies

This is a subject near and dear to my heart, as a mom of a child with food allergies. My daughter is careful to a fault--she absolutely will not eat a food of questionable origin. Because of this, we've never had to use the epi-pen we always carry. But my daughter has passed up more than a few treats in her days because she wasn't sure how they were prepared, so I'm always looking for resources to reassure her (and me) and allow her to expand her food horizons.

Enter AllergyEats.com. This website is a great resource for allergen information on restaurants around the country, which is a big help for parents like me. Even better, they have a section devoted entirely to Walt Disney World! It's so easy to use! Simply check the box of the allergen(s) you want to avoid, and the Park or area where you'd like to dine, and you will be provided with a list of restaurants and their "allergy-friendly" rating from guests, with specific menu notes and information. You can even add your own comments to assist future guests in their dining choices.

Unfortunately, many of the restaurants aren't yet rated. But hopefully when word gets out, more guests will add their experiences and ratings (I plan to!). Also, it's important to note that these are guest ratings, and are not meant to replace the due diligence of alerting your server at a particular restaurant of your allergy. Specific items at WDW restaurants are always changing, so it's always a good idea to ask about any menu item before ordering. And if you ever have specific questions about a food item, you can contact Disney directly at SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com or