Disney Trip Summer 2026: Heat, Miles, Magic, and Gluten-Free Wins

This past Christmas, we decided to give the kids something a little different. They still had a few things to open, practical things they needed, but the real gift was an adventure: Disney World. We figured this might be one of our last big trips like this with all the kids, and it was my daughter’s very first time going. Even better, she turned 15 while we were there, which made the whole trip feel extra special.

My husband, who is absolutely the planner of our family, was up at the crack of dawn making dinner reservations and ride plans. This was not his first Disney rodeo and thank goodness for that. Over six days and five nights, we walked 70.2 miles, survived the July heat, packed every day with rides and pool time, and even managed to sneak in a date night and a date morning. That is definitely one perk of doing Disney with teenagers.

Let’s start with packing, because with our crew, packing is practically its own event. The planner in the family made an Excel spreadsheet for every single person, down to shirts, shorts, phone chargers, medication, toothbrushes, and everything in between. And somehow, even with a checklist, I still forgot my hairbrush and the girls forgot phone chargers. A few days before we left, I stocked the suitcases with snacks, both gluten-free and non-gluten-free, because the kids were on vacation too. Our gluten-free staples were IQ Bars, Crunch master crackers, and MadeGood granola bars. For the kids, we added snack-size Goldfish and Rice Krispies Treats. Having snacks in the room and in the parks saved us a lot of money and prevented a lot of hungry meltdowns. We also packed refillable water bottles for everyone, which was a lifesaver because Disney has refill stations throughout the parks, and vendors will give you a free cup of water if you ask.

Departure morning started early. We were up at 3:30 a.m. and out the door by 4:00, which honestly went smoother than expected because we had loaded the car the night before and only had a few last-minute things to toss into a carry-on. Our only hiccup was not being able to check in online because of an issue with DCA’s system, so we had to do it manually at the airport.

Airports can be one of the hardest places to navigate with celiac disease because safe food options are limited. In the past, my husband might have grabbed an overpriced yogurt and hoped the granola would be packaged separately. This time, he had an IQ Bar and a MadeGood Granola bar ready to go, which felt like a small, but important, win.

We landed in Orlando by 11:00 a.m. and were at the Beach Club Resort before noon. It was too early to check in, so we dropped our luggage with the resort and headed straight into Epcot. Since it was my daughter’s first visit and her birthday week, she was given celebration buttons to wear around the park, which made everything feel even more magical. The kids immediately started working through their ride list, while we still managed to sneak in a few of what I call “adult rides” because I am not exactly a roller coaster person. Mission: SPACE, living with the Land, Soarin’, and of course a photo in front of the Epcot ball made it onto the list.

By lunchtime, the kids were still running on airplane snacks and excitement, but the adults were officially starving. We stopped at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s World Nature area, and it ended up being a great first gluten-free meal. My husband and I both ordered the wood-fired salmon with rice, green beans, and chimichurri rojo sauce. It was gluten-free, reasonably priced for Disney, and actually really good. The salmon was cooked perfectly, which I do not say lightly because I grew up fishing with my dad almost every weekend in the summer and can be a little bit of a seafood snob. After lunch, hydration, and some much-needed air conditioning, we headed back out and finished most of Epcot, saving the countries for another day.

Dinner that night was at San Angel Inn Restaurante in Mexico, and the atmosphere was a huge hit with the kids. It is decorated like a 17th-century hacienda at the base of Mayan ruins, with a slow boat ride passing through the restaurant and a tequila shop nearby for the adults. One thing that impressed me right away was how consistently Disney staff asked about allergies and dietary needs. Our server knew the menu well and helped talk through what was safe. The corn chips were announced as corn-based when they came to the table, and we ordered guacamole topped with mango and pumpkin seeds, served with chicharrónes. With five of us fighting over the last bite, I definitely should have ordered two. That night, everything we ordered was gluten-free, including chicken tacos, Baja tacos de pescado, chicken enchiladas, and pescado a la Veracruzana for my husband. Between the food, the dim lighting, and the feeling of dining under an open sky, it was such a fun first Disney dinner. And yes, we looked for hidden Mickeys.

Day 2 started bright and early. We were up and moving by 7:00 a.m., then headed to Beach Club Marketplace for breakfast before making our way to Magic Kingdom. The Marketplace had quick made-to-order breakfast options, grab-and-go foods, groceries, drinks, adult beverages, and plenty of Disney merchandise. What impressed me most was how seriously they handled allergies. They had an allergy specialist confirm that Mike’s entrée was gluten-free, prepared it separately, and placed it in a labeled bag to help prevent cross-contamination. He ordered the bounty platter with scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage links, and a gluten-free Mickey waffle.

After breakfast, we raced to the monorail and made it to Magic Kingdom right around 8:00 a.m., just in time to take advantage of early entry since we were staying at a Disney resort. Of course, our first stop had to be a picture of the kids in front of the Magic Kingdom entrance before the day got too busy.

Then it was straight to Space Mountain. I am not a roller coaster person, and I also get motion sickness, but I was told this one would be “okay.” Within the first 30 seconds, I knew I had been lied to while my husband yelled, “I am so sorry!” through the whole ride. Note to self: when someone says a ride is safe for me, maybe do not believe them.

The kids, however, were just getting started. They got off Space Mountain and immediately ran to their Lightning Lane time for TRON, one of the fastest roller coasters at Disney World. The girls were thrilled to get the front lightcycles. Throughout the day, they also checked off Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain, Journey of the Little Mermaid, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and my personal favorite, the PeopleMover. In between all the rides and racing to make our Lightning Lane times, we managed to squeeze in a few family pictures in front of the castle.

By the time everyone was hot, tired, and officially ridden out, we ducked into Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe to choose our ornament for the trip. That has become one of our family traditions: every adventure gets an ornament with the year on it. We also always buy some kind of bird figure and write the date and place on the bottom. This year’s ornament was six toy soldiers, each one with one of our names on their hat, which felt like the perfect little keepsake from this trip.

For our late lunch/early dinner, we went to Liberty Tree Tavern. Walking in, you are greeted with wood paneling, candelabra chandeliers, and large brick fireplaces that give the whole restaurant a cozy Colonial Williamsburg feel. While you eat your family-style Thanksgiving meal, you can spot portraits and artifacts tied to pivotal figures in U.S. history, including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, and George Washington.

Once again, I was blown away by how seriously the staff took food allergies. Mike received his own personal gluten-free Thanksgiving feast with roasted turkey, roasted pork, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, stuffing, and an apple crumble dessert topped with vanilla ice cream. The rest of us had the same meal served separately, plus the famous toffee cake with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream for dessert. After all of that, we were beyond stuffed and more than ready to spend the rest of the evening relaxing by the pool.

Day 3 started with our usual breakfast at Beach Club Marketplace before heading to Animal Kingdom. We arrived right at 8:00 a.m. and made a beeline for the Tree of Life so we could grab a few family pictures before the park got too crowded. I love that tree. Every time I look at it, I notice another animal carved into it that I somehow missed before. After documenting the moment, we headed straight to Africa for Kilimanjaro Safaris, an 18-minute guided ride through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The guide points out animals along the way and shares details about the reserve, but my favorite part was when the giraffes, including a baby giraffe, walked so close to us that it felt like we could reach out and touch them. We did not, of course, but it was incredible. I would absolutely recommend this one.

Next, we made our way to Pandora, one of my favorite areas in Animal Kingdom. I still cannot get over the floating mountains and all the details Disney built into that space. Na’vi River Journey is full of glowing bioluminescent color as you drift through the rainforest by boat, and Disney did such a beautiful job bringing the world of Avatar to life. Then there was Avatar Flight of Passage, which was worth every bit of motion sickness. You are seated on what feels like a winged mountain banshee for a 3D flight over Pandora, and you can actually feel the banshee breathing beneath you. My daughter, who has loved How to Train Your Dragon and Avatar since both came out, could not believe how realistic it felt. Of course, afterward we headed to Satu’li Canteen for the famous Cold Brew Ube with ube sweet cream, butterfly pea tea whipped topping, and hibiscus powder. Mike and I had literally been dreaming about that coffee for a year. I also really appreciated that Satu’li Canteen lists allergy-friendly menus online, including gluten/wheat, peanut, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, sesame, and soy options.

From there, we ran over to Asia so the kids could use their Lightning Lane passes for Expedition Everest, and then we wandered through the Maharajah Jungle Trek to see tigers, Malayan flying foxes, water buffalo, and other wildlife. We finished the park day with a late lunch/early dinner at Rainforest Cafe. Between the thunder, rain sounds, nighttime jungle atmosphere, banyan trees, animated animals, and colorful fish, it really does feel like you are dining somewhere deep in the Amazon. Our waitress was quick with drinks and just as quick to walk us through what could be made gluten-free and peanut-free. I continue to be amazed by how well Disney staff know the menus and how every restaurant seems to have someone who understands allergy needs. Most of us ordered burgers, while my daughter went for fish and chips. I have to say, the gluten-free bun looked just as good, if not better, than the regular buns, and Mike said it was the best hamburger bun he had had in years.

After Animal Kingdom, we spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool before getting cleaned up for a late dinner at Space 220. We actually picked this restaurant because it was one of the only Epcot reservations still available that evening, so we went in without doing much research. The experience starts before you even sit down. You walk into what looks like a spaceship elevator, and as it begins to “rise,” you watch Epcot shrink below you until you are suddenly in space. When the doors open, you are greeted with a panoramic view of Earth and outer space. Dinner is a three-course meal, and there were quite a few gluten-free options. Our favorites were the Andromeda Wagyu Beef appetizer, Short Rib Slow Rotation, Orbit Filet Mignon, and the gelato and sorbet dessert. Our son decided this was the day he was going to try Pad Thai with crispy tofu, which would have been cute if it had not come with an $80 price tag. What we did not realize when we booked on a whim was that dinner was $80 per person and even the cheapest drink, a soda, was $10. So yes, we were a little shocked when the bill came out to around $600. Overall, the food and atmosphere were amazing, but we definitely learned to check the menu before making another reservation.

Day 4 was Hollywood Studios, and the kids were ready. They raced toward Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and one of our family favorites, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. I am still in awe of how detailed the Star Wars area is. It truly feels like you have stepped into the movie, stormtroopers and all. Along the way, we watched the Green Army Drum Corps, saw the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, did the catwalk with Edna Mode at the Edna Mode Experience, and jumped on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which was not at all what I expected but ended up being such a fun ride. That only names a few of the things we managed to squeeze in. It was another brutally hot day, but we pushed through, cooled off at the pool afterward, and had a late lunch/early dinner back at Beach Club Marketplace. 

The Marketplace was incredibly accommodating with Mike’s gluten-free needs and went above and beyond every time we ordered there. They had a dedicated chef who handled allergy requests, and they were able to modify sandwiches to make them safe. That day, they made him a pulled pork sandwich on a gluten-free bun, and honestly, it looked better than the bread they used for my meatball sub.

By Day 5, I was convinced Mike should plan Disney trips for families part-time when he retires. Somehow, he managed to front-load the trip with our longest park days, so each day got a little shorter as the week went on. That strategy worked beautifully because Disney World in July is no joke, especially with real-feel temperatures hovering between 102 and 108 degrees every day. This morning, we let the kids sleep in while the adults snuck away for a little morning date. Mike and I grabbed coffee from the Marketplace around 7:30 a.m. and headed out for our own monorail resort tour. If you have never done this, you should. We rode the loop and explored the on-property deluxe resorts on our own, and each one was amazing. Disney carries the themes all the way down to the scents, which is such a small detail but makes everything feel immersive. We were back at the resort around 10:00 a.m., grabbed some breakfast bars from the room, and then headed into Epcot to explore the countries. It was fun walking through the different cultures and getting a small taste of each one. Even though the girls are teenagers, Norway and the Frozen ride were still favorites. Our son loved Japan and immediately started begging us for a samurai sword. The answer was “absolutely not.” Mike and I both loved Mexico, especially the food and that dining-under-the-stars feeling. Since it was another extremely hot day, we stopped at midday for a cold snack, a coppetta for me and a strawberry milkshake for Mike. By 1:00 p.m., we were back at Beach Club and headed straight for the pool before getting ready for our dinner reservation at Coral Reef in Epcot.

Coral Reef gives you a front-row view of one of the largest man-made ocean environments, filled with sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, fish, and more than 60 aquatic species, according to our waitress. What I found especially helpful was that the restaurant had an allergy menu both online and in person, with allergens clearly listed under the entrées that were safe to order. For our family, with both gluten and peanut allergies to consider, that made the whole experience feel so much easier. Mike ordered the mojo chicken and the chocolate mousse bar for dessert, and everyone’s entrées looked delicious. There were no complaints about the food or the atmosphere. After dinner, we let the kids watch the Epcot fireworks while Mike surprised me with a quick date. Did you know Epcot has a speakeasy? It is called GEO-82, and it sits at the base of the Epcot ball facing toward the countries. The lounge is for guests 21 and older and serves small plates, like charcuterie, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You do need a reservation, but once you are inside, you can stay as long as you like. That night, we relaxed in our booth, listened to music, and watched the fireworks from there. If you are in Disney and can sneak away for a little bit, I highly recommend making a reservation and experiencing this hidden little luxury getaway.

For our final full day, we left the plans up to the kids: head back to the parks for more rides or go to Disney Springs to shop. The girls won, so shopping it was. Disney Springs, here we come. Since it was also my daughter’s 15^th birthday trip, she had birthday money ready to spend. We spent the morning wandering through shops, watching a dance parade come through, and soaking up a slightly slower Disney day before stopping at The Boathouse for her birthday lunch. The Boathouse is a waterfront restaurant known for seafood and steaks, its Dream Boat collection from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, and its Amphicars, which can drive on land and float on the water. They even offer a 20-minute guided Amphicar tour on Lake Buena Vista, and one of the restaurant tables is actually inside a Dream Boat. The waitstaff were wonderful with our family’s allergy needs, and the manager came to the table to make sure Mike’s meal was gluten-free and safe. His cedar plank salmon with steamed mixed vegetables looked and smelled delicious, and everyone else enjoyed their meals too. No one had room for dessert, but someone may have mentioned there was a birthday at the table, so the waitress brought out a cupcake for us to celebrate. It was such a sweet way to wrap up the trip.

Looking back, this trip was everything I hoped would be exhausting, hot, expensive at times, full of laughter, and packed with moments I know we will talk about for years. Traveling with Celiac disease and food allergies always takes extra planning, but Disney reminded me that safe and fun really can exist in the same vacation. From the allergy-aware staff to the gluten-free meals that actually felt special, we were able to relax more than I expected and enjoy the magic together. But my favorite part of all was simply spending time with the kids without everyone being buried in their devices—walking, talking, laughing, waiting in lines, sharing meals, and being fully present with each other. More than anything, I am grateful we got this time as a family: miles walked, memories made, and one very happy birthday girl included.