A Disney World vacation should come with a warning label: “May cause joy, magic, and possibly… mystery illness?” That’s exactly what one guest experienced—not the joy and magic part (although probably that too), but definitely the mystery illness.
Day after day, this guest reported feeling run-down. Headaches, stomach discomfort, and that overall “I-think-something-is-wrong” feeling you just can’t shake. Naturally, the usual suspects were considered. Was it something they ate? Heat exhaustion? Just the whirlwind of a busy Disney itinerary?
Nope. The real answer was something way less obvious.
Turns out, the straws were to blame. Yes, straws.
What most people don’t realize is that some of the paper straws used throughout Disney’s theme parks aren’t just paper. They’re made with wheat-based adhesives—something completely fine for the average guest, but a serious issue for anyone who’s gluten-intolerant or has celiac disease.
This particular guest, who happens to have a gluten sensitivity, was unknowingly sipping on drinks through wheat-containing straws all vacation long. Every soda, every iced coffee, every lemonade—they were getting a small dose of gluten without even knowing it. And when you add that up over several days? The symptoms start to make sense.
To be clear, Disney goes above and beyond when it comes to food allergies. They’ve built a reputation for being one of the most accommodating destinations for guests with dietary restrictions. But straws? Those just aren’t on most people’s radar. It’s a small item that somehow slipped through the cracks—and it’s causing some guests to feel the effects.
If you or someone in your family is gluten-sensitive, there’s an easy solution. Pack your own reusable straw. Silicone, metal, collapsible—you’ve got options. Many quick-service spots at Disney don’t automatically hand out straws anyway, so it’s easy to switch to your own without drawing any attention.
This is a great reminder that even the tiniest detail can matter, especially when your health is on the line. Whether you’re at Disney World or traveling somewhere else, a little preparation can help you avoid an experience like this one—and make sure your vacation is memorable for all the right reasons.
I am allergic to wheat and noticed my mouth and lips burned after using a paper straw while in Florida in March, before our Disney vacation started. I now avoid all straws. I thought it was just me. Thank you for pointing this out to everyone!
I bought a box of 2000 straws from ebay, and I take our own straws when we go to Disney or anywhere else. We both hate paper straws ( they taste terrible) and don’t want to mess with straws we have to wash, so we just take our own. Works great for us.