Group plans with coeliac disease: a checklist

Group trips and nights out mean more venues and less control over where you eat. Big venues and coeliac societies publish information that makes planning easier.

Choosing the food

1. Pick the restaurant first and share it. Coeliac UK suggests finding venues in advance and calling ahead. When the group already has the address, there is no last-minute search.

2. At Walt Disney World, choose table service. Disney says its table-service restaurants are better equipped for special diets. Many carts and kiosks have no allergy-friendly menu, but you can ask to see the packaging. Guests with four or more allergies can email the Special Diets team, no earlier than 14 days before arrival.

3. At Tokyo Disney Resort, ask for the Special Dietary Menu. It is made without five major allergens, including wheat, at selected restaurants. Guests with dietary limitations may also bring their own meals into restaurants, and some have microwaves. The tableware is not allergen-free.

4. Check the venue's own-food policy. Rules differ: Walt Disney World chefs may not prepare or reheat food brought in by guests.

Drinks

5. Know what is gluten-free. Coeliac UK lists cider, wine, sherry, spirits, port and liqueurs as suitable. Beer, lager, stout and ale are not, unless they are made gluten-free.

6. Read beer labels by country. In Australia and New Zealand, a "gluten free" claim means no detectable gluten, and food made with malted gluten cereals cannot carry it. Elsewhere, gluten-free beer can contain up to 20 ppm.

Events built for it

7. Look for gluten-free events. The Dutch Coeliac Association (NCV) holds gluten-free markets several times a year, mainly for members. The next one listed is in Zwaag on 20 March 2027.

8. Book activities with food included. A gluten-free cooking class or festival means the whole group eats the same food.

On the site:

• Vianen, Netherlands: the NCV gluten-free market. See Vianen activities.
• Efteling, Kaatsheuvel: coeliac visitors report a dedicated fryer at De Eigenheymer. See Kaatsheuvel activities.
• Austin: at Rodeo Austin, one stand had a board with gluten-free bread. See Austin activities.
• Stellenbosch, South Africa: The Fat Butcher is a steakhouse for a group dinner. Ask about sauces and marinades. See Stellenbosch restaurants.

Sources: Walt Disney World · Tokyo Disney Resort · Coeliac UK · Coeliac Australia · NCV