Eating gluten-free at Disney World is no challenge- they have so many allergy-friendly options.  One of those is the delicious gluten-free churros Animal Kingdom offers!

Though eating a gluten-free diet can be tough on most vacations it certainly isn’t when visiting Walt Disney World.   Gluten-free meal and snack options are plentiful, and Animal Kingdom is no exception.

This blog is all about gluten-free churros Animal Kingdom style!

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By the end of this blog, you will know all about the gluten-free Animal Kingdom options, including the gluten-free churros at the lovely Nomad Lounge.

Gluten-Free Churros Animal Kingdom: A delicious Allergy Friendly snack at Nomad Lounge Disney

The need for allergy-friendly Disney World food options is on the rise.  Approximately 30% of people in the United States eat gluten-free.  In Western countries, approximately 13% consume a gluten-free diet.

My son and I both have gluten intolerance and we go to Walt Disney World often so we have scoped out all of the gluten-free snacks, entrees, and desserts.  One of our very favorite options is the gluten-free churros available at two locations in the Disney World resort area.   Let’s talk gluten-free churros Animal Kingdom style, and we’ll also go over some other yummy gluten-free Disney World snack options and where you can find them!

Nomad Lounge Disney World- Animal Kingdom

Nomad Lounge is a lovely, relaxed outdoor and indoor lounge that you may be tempted to stay at all afternoon! This is my favorite Lounge on Disney World property.  You will find Nomad Lounge between Discovery Island and Pandora.  It is attached to the restaurant Tiffins.  My favorite part of this lounge is the outdoor seating area, it really feels like you are hanging out on a back porch on a river, having someone bring you delicious food and cocktails.

The gluten-free churros at Animal Kingdom’s Nomad Lounge are made in a certified gluten-free fryer from Cup4Cup gluten-free flour.  They arrive warm and sugar-coated, served with vanilla crema and chili-strawberry sauce for dipping.  Churros are an amusement park and Disney park staple but delicious gluten-free churros are unique and not to be missed at Animal Kingdom!   It is such a relief to find a place where you don’t have to specify that you need your snack gluten-free, all of the churros at Nomad Lounge are 100% gluten-free- no need to feel awkward or different.  This can be very empowering for kiddos with a gluten allergy or intolerance!

The menu at the Nomad Lounge also features other gluten-free options like the Chicken Manchurian Nomad Bowl, Tuna Poke Bowl, Impossible Sliders (you can order these with a gluten-free bun), Grilled Beef Skewers, or Grilled Shrimp.

And don’t forget the cocktail menu- it’s definitely worth checking out at Nomad Lounge! I have thoroughly enjoyed the Sinaloa Sangria, Hightower Rocks, and the Boto-rita.  The Mustang Coffee also has quite a kick to it.  Enjoying a snack or cocktail on the patio, and watching the character flotillas go by is quite the experience!

Now let’s talk about how you actually get a seat at Nomad Lounge! Unfortunately, it’s not easy like it used to be.  Luckily, Disney World has added a walk-up waitlist option for Nomad Lounge.

Using a walk-up waitlist is easy- here’s how:

Download the My Disney Experience app

You will need this app for all plans you make while you visit Walt Disney World.

On the My Disney Experience app go to “Check Dining Availability”.  Next, the restaurants that have Walk-Up waitlist availability will appear so scroll until you get to Nomad Lounge.  If Nomad Lounge doesn’t show up it may be that they currently don’t have walk-up waitlist availability, or that you aren’t close enough to the restaurant.  You must be in Animal Kingdom to be able to join the waitlist.

Talk to a cast member at Nomad Lounge after they open at 11 a.m.

Another option is to walk to Nomad Lounge at 11 a.m., when they open, and put your name on the walk-up waitlist via talking with a cast member.  You can easily do this when you are leaving Pandora and heading to Asia or the Tree of Life.

Remember to stay relatively close

When you are on a walk-up waitlist you would do better to stay close to the vicinity of the restaurant.  If you get a text that your table is ready but you’re across the park, you can text them back to let them know you’re on your way.  

Keep in mind though that the posted wait time may be quite inaccurate as it’s hard for the restaurant or lounge to predict.  If they quote you 45 minutes it could be as soon as 10 minutes so try not to join any other attraction queues that you can’t get out of quickly.

If you need a faster way to get back to Nomad Lounge from Africa, be sure to take the “short-cut”.  There’s a back path that goes just beyond the Festival of the Lion King building.  It follows along the river and is quite beautiful and peaceful and leads straight into Pandora.

 

Other Gluten-free Animal Kingdom Snack Options

Dole Whip Float at Tamu Tamu Refreshments

Dole Whip is a Disney Park classic and it’s always been gluten-free! You can find it at Tamu Tamu Refreshments over in Africa at Animal Kingdom.  You can also turn your Dole Whip into a cocktail like the Kings Cooler or a spiked Pineapple float or cup by adding coconut rum.

Build a Bowl at Satu’li Canteen

This is one of my favorite gluten-free Animal Kingdom entrees! Satu’li Canteen is a quick-service restaurant located in Pandora, with ample seating.  They offer build-your-own bowl options with proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu and veggies/slaw, served with your choice of base and sauce.

Flame Tree Barbecue

There are a number of gluten-free options on the menu at Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom.  These include the St. Louis Ribs, Chicken, and Pulled Pork, as well as various sides like baked beans and fruit.  They also have gluten-free cookies!

Restaurantasaurus

This quirky restaurant in Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland has some classic food available gluten-free like fried chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, and both plant-based and beef burgers with gluten-free bun options.  I love their gluten-free vanilla milkshake as those can be very difficult to find (the malt usually gets in the way).

Harambe Fruit Market

Similar to Flame Tree Barbecue, there are a number of gluten-free options at Harambe Fruit Market. This location healthy snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as cold drinks.  But the best snack they have is gluten-free and delicious- the Street Corn.  It sounds boring but it’s not to be missed!

Bonus Gluten Free Churro Disney World location!

With their crispy exterior and soft, doughy interior, churros are a must-try for any visitor to a Disney park. Whether you have celiac disease or simply choose to avoid gluten, these gluten-free churros provide a guilt-free indulgence that will leave you craving more.  That’s why it’s great to know they offer them outside of an actual Disney Park too- no park ticket required.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill is located in the middle of Lago Dorado – the large lake at Coronado Springs Resort. And, the restaurant itself is actually inside a building labeled Villa del Lago.  This charming restaurant serves gluten-free churros too!

In conclusion, if you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom and need a yummy gluten-free snack check out the gluten-free churros Animal Kingdom option of Nomad Lounge! Don’t forget the other gluten-free Animal Kingdom options too, and Three Bridges Gluten-free churros too.  You can count on Disney to provide allergy-friendly menus at all restaurants to rest assured you can eat safely- and well- on your next Disney World vacation!

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