Food Allergies

[drcoulsey]

My 3-year old granddaughter has severe food allergies to eggs, dairy and peanuts. I would love to have her come to WDW on our next trip but we are very concerned about her safety and what she can eat there. How can we find out about ingredients at any of the quick serve restaurants? Are there any sit-down restaurants that you know of that are more accommodating than others?
Any advice is appreciated.
~Linda

[bakerworld]

My 3-year old granddaughter has severe food allergies to eggs, dairy and peanuts. I would love to have her come to WDW on our next trip but we are very concerned about her safety and what she can eat there. How can we find out about ingredients at any of the quick serve restaurants? Are there any sit-down restaurants that you know of that are more accommodating than others?
Any advice is appreciated.
~Linda

Better way is just to state DD allergies when making ADRs or 'walk-ups' - they'll adjust their menus for her allergies - another way to make her 'special'

[goindowntofla]

I am in the severe allergy world myself with my son and there has hardly EVER been a place more accommodating to allergies than all of WDW.

Of course, it isn't that the food is all safe - but, as far as I have seen, CMs really know what they are doing when it comes to allergies. If a CM doesn't know allergy info - there is a binder at their location where they can look up the details of any food produced/sold at their establishment.

When we stated our allergies on our reservation to Kouzzina, for example, the chef came out and asked what the allergies were and what the concerns were, was SUPER gracious and accommodated us. He knew in detail all of the ingredients, of course, and kept us safe.

In another example, the Sweet Shop at the Boardwalk, they sterilized the ice cream scoop for us before scooping for my son - I wasn't expecting that!

I have a close friend whose son has exactly the same allergies as your granddaughter. Their allergist is the head of the Allergy department at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - super reputable place for allergy care. She is always concerned about eating out and asks her doc a lot of questions. He told her that Disney World is exemplary in the allergy department and recommended she vacation there.

So, I really believe it isn't just my experience. I think they are really known to accommodate these issues. So, personally, I would not hesitate.

Of course, our best defense to protect our kids is our own understanding of foods, food production and the allergy - so, we know where when and how to ask the right questions. So, if you are armed with your own understanding, Epi-pens (as always) and the well-trained staff, it is a better place than most. Of course, if you don't feel your questions are being answered to your satisfaction, probe deeper or ask to see a superior CM. They have been extremely gracious to us and make us feel that they are more concerned with our safety than they are about the inconvenience the allergy places on them, which is nice.

Last thing, out of view of all of our experiences at WDW, medical staff are lurking everywhere. When an emergency does occur, I have seen them spring out of everywhere to assist. (I witnessed an injury once, a boy took a bad spill - not related to a ride).

I hope this helps. And I hope you are able to go and enjoy WDW together!!!

[drcoulsey]

Thank you for this very positive information. I am now more encouraged when I read how WDW handles children with severe food allergies and have forwarded your response to my son.

[Dismom]

My 3-year old granddaughter has severe food allergies to eggs, dairy and peanuts. I would love to have her come to WDW on our next trip but we are very concerned about her safety and what she can eat there. How can we find out about ingredients at any of the quick serve restaurants? Are there any sit-down restaurants that you know of that are more accommodating than others?
Any advice is appreciated.
~Linda

Hi Linda!
Disney is fabulous with food allergies. I have two little ones with allergies. One is treenut, shellfish and one is egg. I have never had an issue at WDW. Good luck with your trip!
I just posted about food allergies on my Disney blog not too long ago. Check it out for more info -
http://www.cafemouse.com/2012/03/28/...-expectations/

[drcoulsey]

Hi Linda!
Disney is fabulous with food allergies. I have two little ones with allergies. One is treenut, shellfish and one is egg. I have never had an issue at WDW. Good luck with your trip!
I just posted about food allergies on my Disney blog not too long ago. Check it out for more info -
http://www.cafemouse.com/2012/03/28/...-expectations/

Loved reading your Disney blog. Great information. Thank you.

[denlo]

My 3-year old granddaughter has severe food allergies to eggs, dairy and peanuts. I would love to have her come to WDW on our next trip but we are very concerned about her safety and what she can eat there. How can we find out about ingredients at any of the quick serve restaurants? Are there any sit-down restaurants that you know of that are more accommodating than others?
Any advice is appreciated.
~Linda

I agree that Disney is very careful and does a good job cooking food for someone. But never hurts to confirm the ingredients on a specially made dish before it's eaten. Someone here on the DVC news reported despite all warnings the chef didn't read the ingredients on one favorite seasoning and his wife ended up in the hospital.

I'll try to find the thread and post the link here. But since children often have a limited menu or food they will eat, I would expect Disney is has it more controlled than the specially created dishes made for DVC Mike's DW.

Here's the post. There are some follow up posts in the same thread, regarding Mike's discussions with Disney on how to prevent it in the future and since happened at the same restaurant six weeks earlier why was it happening again?

[idratherbeinwdw]

This information from AllEars might be of some help:

http://allears.net/din/special.htm

[goofyjames]

We have 2 with allergies.. and our first 2 trips it was kinda neat to have the chef come out and talk to us and that kind of thing, but it also becomes very limiting with choices. My DD has allergies found only on allergy testing that we mentioned, and it became a bit of a chore to find something she could eat. They will make them SOMETHING, even if they have to do it from scratch, but be prepared to say "I Know that looks wonderfully delicious, but you can't have it!" Now, we only mention allergies which we know she has had bad reactions to. It's easier to carry Benadryl!