A Food Allergy ?

[TakeMe2Disney]

We just found out that our 16 month old has allergies to wheat, dairy, soy, nuts and eggs. I just called and spoke with the Disney Dining line and was told I could indicate the food allergy with my reservations on-line. I went to the reservations but can't find anywhere to indicate the allergies. Am I missing something or should I just call back and see if they can add the information to our reservation?

 

[babyrich]

Poor Baby!!!

I wouldnt worry too much about putting it online. Every restaurant we ate at asked us when we checked in if either of us had any allergies. We do not; but we saw instances where one of the chefs comes to the table to discuss what you can and cannot eat. He continued to explain what he could make for them and I never saw anyone who was disappointed. So you should be ok when you get there.

 

[jasko5990]

Contact the Special Diets department of Disney Dining at the following e-mail address: WDW.Special.Diets@disney.com

Ask them for an electronic copy of the "Guest Allergy - Dietary Request" form, as well as lists of the Allergy Free meals/options at the parks, resorts, waterparks, and Downtown Disney. Once you get the "Guest Allergy - Dietary Request" form just fill it out and e-mail or fax it back to them. You can also call Disney Dining and ask them to list the allergies on each reservation.

My wife & our 16 year daughter have numerous allergies each to include gluten, dairy, strawberrys, coconut, fish, chili peppers, and some others (I'm waiting for them to become allergic to air). Our daughter has just been finding out all of this over the past few months, but my wife has known for years and has visited Disney knowing about the allergies. Disney has always been great and have always made meals & desserts for my wife that she really enjoyed. Now she always looks forward to the meals on our Disney trips more than anything.

 

[hildarumpole]

There's a place with boxes you can check off various allergies on the reservation form. After you've picked a date and time for a particular restaurant, the next page should have guest information. Under that is a sentence about dietary requests. I can't remember exactly how it's stated, but there's a box on the left you click on and it opens up the allergy info where you can click on the various allergies. If it doesn't work for some reason, call and have them added.

We've always had the kids' allergies noted on the reservations, as well as contacted Special Diets. It makes it easier for the chefs to know ahead of time how many and what sort of allergies they'll be dealing with on any given day. The chefs always visit our table and talk to the kids about what they like to eat and what's o.k. for them on the menu. If there isn't something, they offer a specially-prepared safe alternative. Disney has a great system for food allergies.

 

[KristenF]

Contact the Special Diets department of Disney Dining at the following e-mail address: WDW.Special.Diets@disney.com

Ask them for an electronic copy of the "Guest Allergy - Dietary Request" form, as well as lists of the Allergy Free meals/options at the parks, resorts, waterparks, and Downtown Disney. Once you get the "Guest Allergy - Dietary Request" form just fill it out and e-mail or fax it back to them. You can also call Disney Dining and ask them to list the allergies on each reservation.

My wife & our 16 year daughter have numerous allergies each to include gluten, dairy, strawberrys, coconut, fish, chili peppers, and some others (I'm waiting for them to become allergic to air). Our daughter has just been finding out all of this over the past few months, but my wife has known for years and has visited Disney knowing about the allergies. Disney has always been great and have always made meals & desserts for my wife that she really enjoyed. Now she always looks forward to the meals on our Disney trips more than anything.

this! disney sent me sheets outlining where I could find specific allergy safe foods. And the chefs were AWESOME at helping!

 

[AllergyFreeMouse]

I know Disney is enhancing the allergy section of the online reservation form to include other allergies, other than the top 8. Maybe it's missing until the enhancement is available.

However, as mentioned before, the "Guest Allergy - Dietary Request" form is the best way to communicate your allergies. A copy is sent to each restaurant you specify. Additionally, you can request specific items which, if they have time and availability, can often provide when you arrive. Make sure you firm up your advanced dining reservations and then send the Dietary Request form as early as possible.

 

[staceylynnga]

The email address I used was specialdiets@disneyworld.com. They got back to me within 24 hours with a list of foods and what they contain. They also sent me a form to fill out and return to them with all of our reservations and a detail of my son's allergies.

Our son Brendan is also 16 months old and allergic to dairy, eggs, and peanuts. Apparently when you check in for an ADR, they will see the notation on your reservation and the chef will visit your table to make sure your son is ok.

Good luck!

 

[Magical Excess]

We have a similar set of food allergies in our family (no wheat, though-- that one's tough!)

There is no place we've ever felt more comfortable dining in a restaurant than WDW; they are fantastic about handling food allergies.

You will probably have an easier time at table service meals, where even without any advance notice, the chef will come to your table and help you navigate the meal. At counter-service spots, they are prepared to help you do the same, but the staff are not quite as familiar with the ingredient list, so they have to refer to books, or to the manager, all which can take a long time, especially if they're busy.

I'd also go against the grain a bit here and say that if you ask them in advance to provide you allergen-free food, you'll probably end up being served something that nobody wants to eat. Though we were grateful for the care, we were served some inedible substitutes for ice cream, pancakes, etc. I think you're a lot better off just ordering regular menu items that you know to be allergen-free, or asking for a bowl of berries or the like. We've never had one instance where they didn't make it happen for us.

 

[Magical Excess]

One more point: On at least a couple of the occasions on which we did ask in advance for special accommodation for food allergies, they had no record of it, or were not prepared to do so, before our arrival. Nonetheless, as I said, they made it work on the spot.

That is in line with WDW as a whole, really. The further you get from the point of service, the less likely you are to get the assistance that you're looking for. At the point of service, they're the best.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

What about QS restaurants? Specifically, we are hoping to eat at Earl of Sandwich. Can the DTD restaurants accommodate allergies too?

 

[Magical Excess]

At DTD, probably as good a job as any casual dining chain. Though they can certainly accommodate food allergies, the level of training is just not as high as it apparently is at the Disney restos.

At Rainforest Cafe, we had no problem, that is to say, no one ran out having an allergic reaction to anything. Yet I had a lot less confidence during the meal that that would be the case.

I think a restaurant needs to do two things for those with food allergies. First, obviously, they must be sure to provide a meal free of allergens. But also, the staff must assure the diner that they've done so. If they fall short on this, the experience is riddled with worry, and it's just not an enjoyable meal.

For example, when I order, and state that my child is allergic to X, it makes a huge difference when the server says, "that item is definitely fine, but I'll be sure to let the chef know, to be sure to avoid any cross-contamination", and they when it is served, says, "the chef says this is fine for your child", rather than simply have the server say, "Umm, that should be OK." The latter happens far more often (like at RFC), and then we sit through the whole meal wondering if someone along the way made sure of it.

 

[720L]

What about QS restaurants? Specifically, we are hoping to eat at Earl of Sandwich. Can the DTD restaurants accommodate allergies too?

I don't know about the DTD counter service restaurants, but the CS in the parks all accommodate food allergies.