There is no hiding my love for Disney! As I write this, I have a playlist going in the background of music played in the theme parks, lolz. So I’m choosing to embrace my childish, nerdy side and make Disney a part of my blog. It’s not the main focus, as this blog is about living with food allergies and sensitivities, but Disney does play a significant part in my blog, as it’s the one place I know I can go and still have good food that won’t hurt my stomach. And so, without further ado, here is my experience eating out in Hollywood Studios, specifically at the Backlot Express!
The Backlot Express is the first quick service meal option that I’ve tried at Disney since I’ve known about my food sensitivities. Before that, I really had only experienced buffet/character dining (usually in the same meal), table service, and signature dining, all of which are pretty easy to make allergy friendly by request. I was definitely intrigued and excited to see what it was like to experience quick service dining.
When we entered the Backlot Express, we were greeted by a cast member who asked if we would like a menu. Having read my fair share of blogs before leaving (my friend Kaylin and I often joke that the Disney Tourist Blog in particular is our “Disney Bible,” as we consult it regularly), I knew that I needed to ask to see an allergy friendly menu. The cast member, who I later found out was the manager, immediately went to get me an allergy friendly menu from the back:
I liked this menu, particularly because it broke down all of the food allergies into sections, like milk, egg, and wheat, and so all I had to do was pick an option that was listed under all three categories to match my food sensitivities. I decided to go with the 1/3 lbs Angus Bacon Burger with a side of carrot sticks.
Once I had decided on my order, I let the cashier know that I was ordering from the allergy friendly menu and what my order was. The cashier was very nice and super knowledgeable and let me know about all of my options. He provided me with a recipe to keep and present to the person who prepared my meal to ensure that I was given exactly what I had asked for. He also let me know that the wait time would be a little longer for my food, as it was prepared fresh for me in the back.
For the most part, it was pretty easy to find something I could eat at the Backlot Express. However, there were some of my food sensitivities that were not listed on the menu that I knew to look out for. Technically, according to the menu I was presented, I could have ordered my burger with an allergy-friendly bun. However, because I know that all bread, allergy friendly or not, is baked with yeast, I knew the bun was out and asked for my burger to be lettuce wrapped. I also chose not to get french fries, because they can sometimes have gluten fillers, and they are usually cooked in a ton of oil, which gives me a stomachache.
Additionally, I technically should not have gotten ketchup or mustard to put on my burger because both have a vinegar base and ketchup has added sugar. Both vinegar and added sugar can sometimes cause my yeast sensitivity to flare up, so I normally avoid them. Since I had done so well finding food that I could actually eat, I gave myself a little bit of wiggle room and got a small amount of both ketchup and mustard to put on my burger. I only had a slight twinge of a stomachache and it went away, which is what I expected would happen, but everything else worked out perfectly for me, PLUS it was a pretty decent meal!
I was very pleased with my quick service meal at the Backlot Express, particularly since Hollywood Studios is known to have limited quick service food options compared to the other three parks on the property. Typically, I tend towards the introverted side and don’t like to ask for other menus with allergy friendly options when I’m out (hence my lack of places listed in this blog, lol), but I am never afraid to ask at Disney because I know that their training involves the nicest, best accommodations they can make.
I hope you enjoyed my allergy friendly take on the Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and here’s to living our best and most delicious lives! <3
~ Meagan
Meagan has been living with many food allergies and sensitivities since she was 19 years old. She is currently a Personal Vacation Advisor for Magical Vacation Planner, specializing in helping her guests book trips to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Meagan enjoys researching fitness and nutrition and has taken a special interest in finding allergy friendly options at Walt Disney World.
Interested in having Meagan help you plan your next trip? Send her an email at m.slone@magicalvacationplanner.com or get a free quote at https://magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/meagan-slone/!
