Food Allergies around the World

[erinch]

Hi--I posted this question on the restaurant board, and rather got flamed, so I thought I would try you more sympathetic folk here.

The Background--We have a 13yo DS with life-threatening anaphylactic food allergies to milk, egg, tree nut and peanut products. Also severe asthma. Also have a 5yo perfectly healthy drip-dry DD, who loves characters, and, particularly, princesses.

The Situation--We have always found the chefs at Disney to be very sympathetic to our predicament and go out of their way to give him a special meal he can eat. (All labels have to be checked for whey/sodium caseinate as well as the obvious culprits.) We have had restaurants send out for sorbet from a sister restaurant so he could have dessert like everyone else. Disney has always been our safe haven where our kid can feel "special" in a world which can be pretty miserable to live in if you're 13, and have food allergies.

But--last time we were at WDW--with a character-loving Princess in tow--we made reservations with some trepidation at the Crystal Palace, which is buffet rather than individually prepared entrees. I had talked with the restaurant when I made the ressie, which assured me it would not be a problem to order alternative food. I talked with a chef the day before to confirm, and we agreed upon what would be provided. (We're not talking fancy, mainly a chicken breast and potato without butter, and saving some jello without cool whip). When we arrived for our ressie my daughter fell in love with piglet, we were sucked in the door, and they had no record of the pre-order for my son. They even brought out sherbet, rather than sorbet, which would have killed him if he ate it. And they weren't in the least apologetic, which was a very new experience from the genuine concern we'd always experienced.

So--my questions:
1) Has WDW changed its policy regarding a commitment to special food preparation for food allergies?
2) Do they provide alternative foods at buffets, or only at individual serving restaurants?
3) If they will not do alternative food at buffets are there any character meals with individual food preparation which would give him safe food and keep the Princess of the Universe happy?
4) And the biggest question of all--my daughter wants more than anything on this planet to have breakfast at Cindy's. Has anyone had any success with ordering an alternate meal in that pre-plated environment?

thanks for your time,
Erin

[SueM in MN]

I don't have any answers for you, but just wanted to offer moral support.

I can't see why they would stop doing special food preparation for people with allergies, so I doubt that they have. your problem at Crystal Palace was probably just a bad communication problem.

[Wheelsie]

May I make a better character meal suggestion?? Garden Grill in the Land....

Its a sit down restaurant and the food is brought to your table so Im sure they would be more likely to help you on the spot! :)

Altho there are no princesses at this meal there IS..


Mickey
Pluto
Chip
Dale


They are all decked out in their BEST farmin' bib 'n' tucker!! :)

I also like this restaurant because its a revolving restaurant so you never look at the same view twice! :)

[Michigan]

I try to only do the preplate character meals because it's eaiser then trying to get my 2 kids in their wheelchairs through the buffet. Artist Point used to be our favorite but they aren't doing pooh breakfast anymore. That being said we have also done Cindy's (I think the food stinks at the castle) but both places told me they would fix whatever I requested if my kids couldn't eat what they had on the regular preplate menu.

I wonder if you called the reservation number and asked for special guest assistance if they couldn't help you out.

[disykat]

erinch, I just want to write in support of another family with peanut allergies. The flaming posts this topic has brought up lately have been disheartening, to say the least. I think Disney's policy is to try to accomodate, but we have to be prepared for people who refuse or mistakes that are made. We leave tomorrow and are not planning any character meals so I have no advice on that issue. Best wishes!

I might not get back to check the boards again before leaving, but I am curious as whether other people with disabilities have experienced such negative comments from other DISers. Prior to this experience I had been so pleased with the friendliness and accepting attitude on this board.

[SueM in MN]

As anyplace, there are postitive and negative experiences. Many of the DIS posters with disabilities, come to the disABILTIES Board to discuss any special needs. It's sort of like a safe haven, where most people have "been there, done that". Because of that, I don't think I've ever even had to post a "play nice" warning on this board. I have done that and/or referred posts to the moderator on other boards.

[mummajea]

My DD also has a severe allergy to nuts and peanuts. So many people just do not understand these allergies it drives me nuts!!! (no pun intended).

we went to make ressies at the Wonderland tea party, but then found out that they serve PBJ's. as well as chicken sandiwches. We asked if they could only serve the chicken sandwiches the day we wanted to attend , and they said yes, but they couldn't guarentee us that the tables and chairs would be throughly cleaned. You know how kids are with sticky fingers and all!!! We decided that it wasn't worth the risk.

On the whole we avoid buffets, even at home. It just isn't worth it to us. I would rather spend the extra bucks and not have the emergencty room visit.

All in all though, when I have talked to Disney, they have assured me that they would make special accomadations for diets. We were told to check in with our hotel adn have them help us contyact restuarants, adn the main chefs to arrange special meals.

I am going to do a second post with the answer I recieved from WDW site when inquired about meals. hope it helps.

Jean

[mummajea]

Thank you for contacting WALT DISNEY WORLD!

We appreciate your interest in learning what arrangements might be possible in
our theme park and resort restaurants for guests with specific dietary
restrictions. First, please know that the chefs and managers in our
full-service restaurants are always happy to provide information regarding not
only the ingredients of menu selections, but also how items are prepared. In
many instances, food may be specially prepared to accommodate particular dietary
restrictions.

It is also sometimes possible for our restaurants to prepare food items using
special ingredients (gluten-free flour, for example). For this reason, we
encourage you to make your particular restriction known when booking priority
seating arrangements for our full-service restaurants, so that the appropriate
notation may be made. Priority seating may be arranged up to 120 days in
advance for selected restaurants by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

You may also be interested to know that with very few exceptions, our
restaurants use only canola oil in the preparation of our food. According to
our Epcot Executive Chef, canola oil contains the lowest percentage of saturated
fat of all the commonly used cooking oils. Peanut oil, however, is used in our
restaurants featuring oriental cuisine, because of its higher smoke point. This
is an important consideration for items being stir-fried, for example, as other
oils tend to burn when used at such high temperatures.

If you have specific inquiries or would like recommendations regarding the food
served at the park restaurants, you are welcome to call the executive chefs or
Food and Beverage managers for our theme parks, at the telephone numbers listed
below. If no one is immediately available when you call, please be sure to
leave a message and a telephone number where you may be reached.

Magic Kingdom Park: 407-824-5967
Epcot: 407-560-7942
Disney-MGM Studios: 407-560-1347
Disney's Animal Kingdom: 407-939-7536 (Please note Walt Disney World Co operates
no full-service restaurants in this park.)

We would also like to mention that as an exception to our standard policy,
guests who have specific food allergies are welcome to bring their own small
snack items with them into the theme parks. However, picnic baskets, ice
chests, and coolers are not permitted.

We hope this information is helpful, and we look forward to future opportunities
to entertain you.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence, and allow up to 72 hours for response to
E-Mail.

Thank you - and have a DISNEY day!

Sincerely,

William Ferguson

On Line Guest Service
WALT DISNEY WORLD Reservations
P O Box 10,100
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0100

[sha_lyn]

mummajea..please check you prvate messages I sent you one concerning a post on peanut allergies. For anyone else interest I was outraged by the reactions some people were have toward the parents of children with peanut allergies. I posted on the debate board becasue I felt the post by the mothers of allergic kids were getting vey heated. I could not believe the insesitivity some of our own Dis'ers were having concernign a couple of simple questions concering what airlins have peanut free filghts or wraning other mothers that the pirate cruise menu was changed to include a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich.
Please check out the thread if you can stand to read some very nasty remarks about children with allergies should not be allowed out of their homes and inconvience the general public with their life threatening conditions. Debate board (http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=399068#post399068)

[faeflora]

erinch and mummajea,

I have no information on disney's policy for adjusting meals other than what was discussed previously in this post however I would like to offer my support and understanding in this issue. I had no idea how serious peanut allergies were until I had first hand experience. My Dh and I were traveling to Wilmington NC to visit our closest friends, they have a daughter named Arielle and so we were going to visit the whole family and play at the beach. When we arrived at their home there was a note saying they had rushed to the hospital something was wrong with Arielle. Turns out they had chosen to serve peanut butter crackers as a snack that day, Arielle had gotten some on her finger and rubbed her eye, she started swelling up and had trouble breathing. They had no idea she was allergic to peanuts since neither the mom or dad were allergic. Now they know and there is always an epi kit ready, we take great precautions to insure that there are no peanut or peanut products in her area. They just enrolled her in a Montessori school who immediately banned all peanut items from the school.
I am amazed that in other posts regarding this subject there have been flames toward the parents of children with this life threatening allergy. I am so sorry that this has occured on what I feel is an overall infomative board.
I also welcome you to the disAbilities board, where I have never seen flames only support and understanding.

Sorry so long just felt I had to say something.....



Faeflora

30 days and counting until WDW :bounce: :bounce:

[mummajea]

Thanks for the support. I can't read the debate board thread. I started to and just got disgusted. It is beyaond anger. I just don't undertstand how people can be so self centered. What I try to remeber is the old adasge, "You really don't know how it feels till it happens to you!"

I refuse to get into a debate with people on this issue. My DD new by the time she was 3 years old never to eat anything she wasn't absolutely positive was SAFE!!!

She won't even eat special treats at school, even if she is reassured that the are safe. She doesn't like the feeling of being sick either!! Oh well I guess I will never have to worry about her taking candy from strangers.:( :( :(

[FergieTCat]

I just read in a magazine that nut allergies are particularly dangerous because nuts (or nut products) are found in foods that you'd never even dream of. Why would anyone adopt a blase attitude about that, especially if the end result would be a child being rushed to the emergency room in shock????

I read this board because I find the energy here so positive. I also found lots of hints regarding my various health problems (non-threatening, but Disney is no fun with tendonitis and a resulting back problem).

As I once told a friend of mine, everyone is handicapped. Some people's just aren't initially evident.

Donna

[rascalmom]

Gosh, I'm sorry your guy has to deal with so much! I have a sever seafood/fish allergy & just returned from a trip. My allergy is a little easier to avoid, but I do have to alway check on sauces, etc. (BBQ especially) because they often contain Worchestshire sauce which is made from anchovies (who knew). I went to the Polynesian Luau not realizing they were going to serve family style with Fried Rice containing shrimp. I informed my waitress & she immediately said she would bring me a completely "seafood free" meal. She even double checked w/ the chef on the BBQ ribs. She told me that Disney has done a lot of research in their menus & food contents & that I should always just inform my waitperson. For you Princess loving DD, I can highly recommend the Character Breakfast at Cinderella's Castle. Call a day or 2 before your reservation & make sure they are aware of your son's dietary needs. Good Luck!

[erinch]

thank you all for your support, and the information.

our little guy, who is the bravest person I know, has an amazing spirit.
the entire time he was in elementary school he had to eat in the nurse's office, because he was allergic to the food vapors. His milk allergy is so life-threatening that one time a kid sitting next to him laughed at a joke and accidently spit some milk into Graham's eye. He had to be rushed to the emergency room, and we feared he would lose his eyesight. When a babysitter ate cheese doritos, then touched his face without washing her hand, the hives and lesions took almost a month to heal. This last february he was in anaphylaxis because he got one shred of cheese mixed in with the lettuce on taco bar day.

The attitude of the folks on the debate board is incomprehensible to me. You can only hope they never have to face the same kind of impossible situation. Or maybe you hope that they do. Sigh.

Based on your feedback, I now feel ready to try to wend my way between the Princess and the Allergic DS. Hopefully the Crystal Palace experience was just an aberration.

thanks,
Erin

[mssocks]

Re: The Infamous Debate Board Peanut Thread

I was very disgusted myself with some of the posts on that thread. In fact, I stayed away from the board and put some DIS'ers on my ignore list because of it. If it makes you feel any better ( and I know it won't ) the people who were totally.....uuummmmm.....less than sympathetic? ( can't use another phrase without making it sound like a personal attack ).....are that way about ALL topics, not just peanuts. They seem to find pleasure in taking the unpopular view and heaven forbid if you choose to disagree. Or if you choose to use the phrase heaven forbid too! Everything turns into a bashfest of religion or weight. It's a shame because some of the posters have really good insights and I have enjoyed their presentations on their views. It's also a shame because I am a fat Christian who thinks that people should WANT to do whatever they can to protect a childs health. ( I'm not too popular over there.)

Please don't lump all the debate board people together. Some are wonderful, thoughtful caring people ( even when they disagree with me! ;) ). I know you realize that and were only comments on the "not nice" people.
Gosh, it's hard to say what I mean without being nasty!
Hope I am making sense.....

[lisapooh]

There are many one the debate board that face that and much more every day.
I have to say that we have dealt with my daughter's peanut, shellfish, dairy and onion allergies without asking for a total ban on the products that are problems. She is 23 now and deals with them hereself. We have eaten at the Crystal Palace and have found them to be very accommodating to the point of the chef going and cooking her something she could have. They have also gone to other places to provide her with a fruit ice.
For me they have gone elsewhere to provide a sugar free low carb dessert. Their lovely cheesecake is off limits because just as my daughter I have a dairy allergy.
I use peanut butter crackers as a snack to keep my blood sugar from plummeting without warning. My dh always serves them to me on paper towels so that it never touches a plate.
Some people must balance allergies against other medical conditions in their families.

[SueM in MN]

I don't want this thread to turn into a debate, but I feel like I need to say something about the debate board and the discussions there.
One of the problems with communicating in writing is that all you get is the written words, not the tone of voice or facial expressions that might give the message a different meaning. When talking with someone, you can respond and clarify at the time, also cutting down on misunderstandings. Sometimes I write something that sounds really good to me, but I know what tone and feeling goes along with it. Someone who doesn't know that might read the message as something very different than what I think it says.
I do have to agree that most of the people on the debate board are very nice people; some are very passionate about their beliefs and want to get information out. I also have to agree that some people seem to post to the debate board because they do enjoy taking an unpopular view. Sometimes the best thing to do is leaving the debate before any feelings get hurt.

[mssocks]

Well stated, Sue!

[disykat]

Yes, Lisapooh, we all understand and sympathise with your situation. Once again I will reiterate that NOT ONCE HAVE I SEEN ANYONE HERE ASKING FOR A BAN! (There is a big difference between asking for a ban and checking beforehand to find which places are peanut free) We simply want a place to get questions and concerns addressed - please allow that.

We just got back from our trip and it was wonderful! We did have to worry a bit about sticky fingers because of all those PBJ sandwiches we saw (no different than any playground) but never had any problems with restaurants etc. We ate mostly fast food in the parks and had no problems finding safe foods. On the cruise the head waiter met with my son and personally double checked his meals - they really went above and beyond.

[lisapooh]

Glad your son was well treated at DIsney. They always do a first class job in my experience.
You may have never seen anyone ask for a ban but I have so don't yell at me. I don't appereciate being put down by you.
I will not discuss it agin with you. Any further comments by you and I will place you in my ignore file. I don't need your attacks.

[disykat]

To all my fellow Dis'ers I would like to apologise that my obvious anger and resentment toward's LisaPooh's opinions on Peanut allergies are coming through as attacks. I will try to contain my fury better. If you are interested in the history behind this argument, please refer back to my original peanut question in the transportation forum.

[teachbrooks]

This is a very interesting thread. Allergies are so difficult for those dealing with them, and they are very hard for those never associatied with them to understand. Those of us with allergies look so normal. Unless we are in a full blown reaction, we look as healthy (generally) as the healthiest person around.
We found WDW easy to deal with during our last trip. Our sons extreme allergies to many chemicals,dyes, food dyes, and a few foods (thankfully not nuts) make it hard to deal at times. Our only surprise on the trip was that I, the 50 year old mother, applied some lotion without first checking the ingredients. So who do you think had the reaction on our trip. How stupid can a woman who has dealt with allergies her whole life be. My family does not let me forget it.
Anyway hang in there, and enjoy the world with your children.

[cinderella73]

I am new here . Never saw the old board. I cant even tell if this is a very old post. Is there a date listed somewhere? I searched for the topic with the search engine in the hopes I could wean some info before heading there myself with my 3 beautiful children. One of whom is deathly allergic to nuts. I live in horror everyday that the ignorance of others could harm him. It makes me angry and sad that people can be so cold and insensitive! Even though I never saw the other board I am understanding in the sense that I have dealt with it myself first hand when at resturants and even familys !!! My aunt says he will outgrow it. Which is false peanut is the only one u cant and gets worse with time. But my aunt knows better! My mom says that well then he should try almonds because they are not peanuts and she bets those would be fine and they have lots of protein! Alsp not true! While I agrue the point with them the fact that even my own family just " doesnt get it" is scary. Strangers are even worse. Seriously .. Someone needs to do a public awareness ad. Where are the allergy networks and org.'s and why arent they stepping up to the plate??? Maybe it will take a bunch of people like us to keep get it done? I have decided to write a book on food allergies and how to deal with family trips when u have them. Disney called me the other day and they were very nice. But in truth you can never be 100 percent safe. My heart breaks for all of you parents who are goiong through this as well. I heard that food allergys have been on the rise with peanut doubling in the last few years. And yet still not enough people even have a clue. I was planning on doing some planned meals at Disney. But I am not so sure. Problem is that not all your meals are sit down ones. Sometimes you have to stop at a pizza planet or snack stand. If its 3 in the afternoon and hot and your kids are hungry and you cant bring food in you are forced to. Snacks wont cut it. Its not exactly easy to take kids all the out of the park go eat and come back. About 2 hours of day gone not to mention difficult! I have a number they gave me the other day to get specifics. But I got the feeling that the one guy who although he was very very nice didnt undertand when I asked about ingredients at Pizza Planet that it was important to know about " possible cross contaminants" as well as ingrediants. As he was all to happy to say they have no nuts there. Did you know Pizza Hut has peanut warnings on their sauces!!! Boy I sure didnt for the longest time.. Unless they are just trying to cover themselves. Which so many companies are now. Its a whole different subject. But what a sad thing to take food out of a kids mouth like that by lying. Kudos to Disney though for trying as hard as they do! I mean its not a foolproof system . It needs improving. But I give it to them for being a bit more ahead of the game than anyone else. Maybe if group of moms got together and expressed concern they could help develop a system. Like I asked for a park map with the nut vendors shown on it so you could avoid airborn vapors. Little things.. If anyone would do this .. Disney would. Sorry about the typos.. No contacts in! lol

[Selket]

This is indeed a super-old thread - from 2001. Before my son who has peanut allergies was even born! There isn't a debate board (Officially anyway) anymore on the Disboards.

If you look in the FAQ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713 on the 3rd post there is info on dining at WDW with food allergies.

We've dined in the parks many times with my peanut allergic son and had no problems. The folks at Crystal Palace (the place mentioned) have been especially great. I highly suggest talking to Brenda Bennett before going and ask them to send you email documents they keep of items in the park (at counter service and food stands) that could be a problem for those with peanut allergies (or other issues -depending on your need).

As for counter service - they are supposed to have binders with the ingredients listed. You can ask to see the binder when you get to the restaurant. Then you need to look through it yourself. Especially if you had multiple food allergies the book is cumbersome to deal with.

Also the date for the thread is in the upper left hand corner on the blue bar - above the name of the poster.

I think for the most part you should not have problems dining at WDW - especially with sit-down meals.

[Chuck S]

My mom and I both have some food allergies, though not to nuts/peanuts and nothing life threatening, but with very unpleasant effects. Residue contact isn't a problem for us, while we rarely eat at buffets, we have always asked the chefs about ingredients, and they have been very accommodating.

If I had a severe allergy that could be triggered by PBJ or other residue on tables/chairs I would definitely avoid buffets, and possibly counter service as well. Full service venues seem best equipped to handle the severe allergies. For character meals you may want to try pre-plated or full service restaurants, like Liberty Tree Tavern at MK or Akershus at the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT. However, I think residue is probably a bit of a problem at any restaurant, Disney or not.

[Talking Hands]

May I make a better character meal suggestion?? Garden Grill in the Land....

Its a sit down restaurant and the food is brought to your table so Im sure they would be more likely to help you on the spot! :)

Altho there are no princesses at this meal there IS..

Mickey
Pluto
Chip
Dale
They are all decked out in their BEST farmin' bib 'n' tucker!! :)

I also like this restaurant because its a revolving restaurant so you never look at the same view twice! :)
You would think but not true. I am diabetic and allergic to nutrasweet (Equal, aspartame) as well as mango. What was I offered for dessert. A Rice Krispie Treat!
Best experience I have had was at the Grand Floridian Princess Meal. A dessert you would not believe. sugar-free, aspartame-free and low-carb. :yay: Also had a good experience at Hoop Dee Doo and at Boma. Mama Melrose was not a good experience at all.

Some of these chefs don't take diabetes seriously as they have noncompliant family members.

[cinderella73]

Thank u everyone 4 ur help. I see now how old the thread was. I guess the whole food allergy topic fired me up. But I will say that Disney was really really helpful. I am actually considering cancelling my universal visits and just spending all week at wdw instead just because of this! My son loves Spidey but their policys at Universal studios are not to par with wdw. Maybe one day . Or next trip when I have longer and have time to leave the parks to eat and come back. Chuck , I agree residue is a issue but sit down or counter service is all the same. I am just avoiding places that serve and PB sandwiches as its a hard residue to wipe up. But thing is you just cant completly avoid it no matter where you go. I do bring anti bacterial wet wipes with me and wipe down the tables as best I can and usually pick ones in areas of less traffic. Brenda is calling me back monday and I will ask her about the places we thought might be ok. My son is sooo set on pizza planet so I hope its alright.

[grumpy.uncle]

I can't imagine having to deal w/ peanut allergies. When you think about how many children have PB&J as a staple in their daily diet, it would be quite easy to be exposed to peanut residue. When you have to deal w/ peanut allergies, do you have to travel w/ sanitary wipes and wipe down everything? I don't deal w/ severe food allergies but I am diabetic. When dining at WDW sit-down dining establishments, I found that they all asked when you were seated if you had any food allergies. That happened at every sit-down restaurant we went to. Counter service would be another matter. I guess you would have to really do your research beforehand to know what was safe to eat or not. Overall, I think Disney trys its best to accomodate the majority of their visitors. Considering how many people are there on a daily basis, I think they do a pretty good job. Unfortunately, it is a more serious matter when an error is made w/ someone who has life threatening food allergies.

[disneynewbeemom]

What is Brenda Bennett's email address? We have two sons with peanut, tree nut, fish, and corn allergies and will be going back to WDW in October. We had a terrific first experience last year. The chefs were wonderful! Thanks.

[lovetoscrap]

I just wanted to point out that you said that you are not allowed to bring food in but that is actually a huge misconception. There is no Disney policy against bringing food and drinks in. As long as you have a soft sided cooler (no wheels) you are free to bring in what you would like (except alcohol). Of course you have to keep up with it, but you can always rent a locker and if you have lots of ice packs or can come up with non perishible items it would be be just fine.

I traveled last year with family friends with peanut and milk allergies. Fortunately theirs are not as severe as most, but they were still extra vigilant. We had a plan for where we would eat each day for CS meals and we chose places that didn't serve PBJ and she had called ahead to make sure everything would be okay. She also scrubbed the tables and chairs down with Clorox wipes since you never knew if someone might have had a PBJ from home with them. She also talked to the manager/chef of each place and looked in the binder. Even at the buffet place (Chef Mickey's) the chef made up fresh plates of food for the allergic girls to ensure that there would be no cross contamination issues. We had a great week and no one was sick.

We carried with us lots of "safe" snack foods and juice boxes so that we knew that no one would be hungry and we would make it to the designated restaurants of the day. We didn't want to have to make "emergency" food stops at places we hadn't prearranged with.

Make sure you keep your epi pen handy at all times and any other meds. Sometimes with the lack of routine on a vacation and the rush, rush, rush, it can be easy to forget. I think at least one morning there was a dash back to the room for the bag with the inhalers, benadryl and epipens.

[cinderella73]

Yeah Pb is such a big staple and easy thing 2 pack that its so hard to avoid. And the oily residue is so hard to wipe up. They did a study of a kindergarden room not the cafeteria but the classroom and they found Pb residue all over! I actually homeschool because of this. I know not everyone can and god bless those of you that have to put ur kids on that bus everyday and worry. That is a hard thing to do. But yes defiantly bring any wipes and wipe everything! My son once had a reaction after touching a shopping cart handle in a graocery store. Some kid might have sat in cart with sticky residue left over on their hands. I even wipe my shopping cart handles now. Thank god for anti bacterial wipes! Clorex has travel size disinfecting wipes now. I have gotten some strange looks from people when they have seen me wiping cart handles and resturant tables. ( we dont eat out whenever possible but sometimes its unavoidable) .You always have to check the ground to.. Its crazy how much it can affect your life.

[Selket]

Everyone has a different comfort level with dealing with allergies. William is anaphylactic to peanuts/tree nuts and we do eat at buffets at WDW and have had great service for him. Crystal Palace is one of our favorites and they do serve peanut butter on one side of the buffet - we dine there every trip.

Sometimes your experience also depends on how good the chef is that you talk to - some really go out of their way and some just hand you the tofutti cause that must be what's in the fridge! Good service is the rule though and not the exception.

Brenda's contact info is:

Brenda Bennett
MAGIC KINGDOM Foods
407-824-5967
brenda.bennett@disney.com

[DVCDawn]

My DD8 is anaphylactic to peanuts and nuts and we have had many wonderful, reaction-free trips to WDW and VB. Regarding Cindy's Princess Breakfast specifically, we have eaten there twice with no problems. We let the CM know when we made our ADRs and reiterated the allergy situation at the front desk as well as with the waiter. He was sure to tell us that our daughter's meal was peanut- and nut-free as well as the fact that it was prepared in separate pans.

Hope this info helps!

:tinker: DVCDawn