?? about possible food sickness from GF

[mandasbutterfly]

Ok everyone I need some advice. I just got back from POR and the Grand Floridian. I had the best time of my life except for the last night. I haven't posted about my trip and I will get to that hopefully this weekend. I however have a question. My boyfriend~ hehe now my Fiance' (I will get to that later when I post) got very very ill and was sick all night long. It was coming out of both ends- sorry don't mean to be gross. He never ever gets stomach sicknesses where he throws up. I have had some really bad ones and he has always taken care of me and has never gotten one in the last 5 1/2 years we have been dating. Well he ate chilie from Gasparilla at the Grand Floridian and thinks that may have gotten him sick. I didn't eat it and I didn't get sick and believe me if he had a flu or something I would have gotten it. TRUST ME!!! I really believe he got food poisioning. We ate all three meals at the GF that day and ate different things so I guess it could have even been something else although he thinks it was the chilie. Well we called and spoke to a manager and they said they would have a food manager call us. They did and the only thing they offered was soup and ginger ale which we declined as we were checking out in just under an hour. I am not sure what I was expecting but I guess something more than that. I am sure it is hard for them to believe his possible food poisioning because the do not know him but I truly believe that is what happend. I guess my question is should I just let it go and remember the awesome time we had prior to that or should I report it to someone else and who if I should? I am pretty upset by this as it happend to be the weekend he proposed and we missed our lunch and tea the next day because of this. I am usually not a complainer but it was the most important time of my life so far and it ruined the last day of it but also I do not want anyone else to get sick. I am also not trying to start any rumors or anything this is just what I believe happend. Thanks for any advice anyone. You guys are the best!!!

 

[skiwee1]

I would let it go and not expect anything out of WDW management. For one thing you don't even know for sure what caused his illness. Sure, he may never get sick but going to WDW exposes one to all kinds of crap! LOL! Also it would be too late now to prove it was food poisoning. Just remember the good things about your trip and forget the one small negative. It could have happened anywhere.

 

[Efastpitch]

At this point I would just let it go. I feel that if other people had become sick also, than the GF would have responded differently. Your DH could have simply picked up a bug somewhere else. I don't think you will ever know for sure. Hope everyone is well.

 

[luvdzny]

I agree with the other posters that say "let it go." I am sure that if other guests had complained they would have looked into any possible problems with the food. At this point there is really nothing that can be done. IF it was food poisoning there is nothing that could be done now. Just look back at the good times and try to put this behind you.

 

[mandasbutterfly]

Thanks for the replies. I really am not expecting anything from the managment nor trying to pursue anything where I would need to prove that is what he really had... more of just reporting it to someone who will look into it to make sure no one else was sick or will get sick you know what I mean? I still believe it was a food sickness as he got sick within 5hrs of eating and it stopped a few hours later, and we asked several nurses that we know and my mother who works at a hospital and because they know him and how he has a cast iron stomach so to speak they are the ones that actually said he probably has food poisioning. I will probably just let it go as we had a great time up to that point. I just would have thought that the Grand Floridian would have been a little more sympathetic to the situation but oh well I guess. I know it is hard for anyone to believe I know and truly understand that and yes there is still a posiblity that he did catch a bug although I very seriously doubt it. Thanks again you guys for the advice!!! I aprreciate it!

 

[PamOKW]

I would let it go and remember the good times on your engagement trip. Since he didn't go to the hospital and/or submit a sample for testing, there's no way to be sure it was food poisoning. Even if it was, there's no way to know for sure where he got it. People come to WDW from around the world -- bringing along all sorts of "bugs" with them. It's also possible to pick up things on the airplane. On any given day, I bet there are quite a few sick people throughout WDW. A few years back we had a massive outbreak of food poisoning at an outdoor festival. A friend was among those hit by it. She was deathly ill for days and many others were hospitalized. Your fiance should be glad it passed quickly enough to let you head home.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

While I agree with everyone else that it's probably best to let it go at this point, I am convinced that WDW needs to improve in this area. I rarely get sick yet I was sick on my last two trips. It didn't feel like a viral infection (didn't last too long and no other symptoms) and I am convinced that it was food on both occasions. I think WDW should do a better job with training those employees who handle food. I think that on my next trip I will be eating offsite as much as possible. From what I've read on these boards, there are many excellent restaurants in the area. I would guess that some of the better ones are safer than any of the WDW restaurants.

 

[floridafam]

I agree. Think about all of the wonderful things that happened on your trip.

Unfortunately, it is hard to really say for certain if it was food poisoning. I'm not sure Disney would tell you if other people were experiencing the same problem.

The one thing you could do is contact the local health dept. That is what the procedure is in our town. I did this once and he said they encourage people to call and report things like this. They may do a surprise inspection-if that is what they do at Disney. I don't know what jurisdiction they fall in or if they are subject to the same rules as regular restaurants in Orlando.

The health dept. may also know about other possible cases that were reported around the same time. This might at least give you some hope that it won't keep happening. There were quite a few cases of food poisoning a while back at Disney during a Special Olympics event, I think.

Let us know if you contact anyone outside Disney.

 

[twinmomplus2]

I agree with everyone that said this can happen anywhere and it does happen at Disney as well. 2 years ago. we went with alarge group. Out of 11 people only 2 breastfeeding babies, Mom and Nana went to a particular character breakfast. (everyone else slept in. lucky them. Well about an hour later....... I was with the rest of the group at Epcot, On the behind the scenes tour. When I had to bolt!!!! And I mean bolt. Just ran on out of the tour. this was about 2 hours after eating. EMT's were called. And I was taken back to Beach club. Got a different type of behind the scenes tour of the service roads. it was ugly. Sick as a dog for 3 solid hours. And My 2 year old twins were back on the tour with some very befuddled Aunties!!!
Upon entering the room, A 2 bedroom thank god for that second bathroom Guess who was there and had been sick all day? Nana. It was totally the food no doubt. I did report it. I laugh now but it sure was not funny then!

 

[jann1033]

could be different laws, different states but I seem to recall food posioning had to be reported...I did go to the hospital so maybe that made the difference but I know they told me they had to report it to the health Dept.

I guess you can be glad you didn't eat at CHiCHi's! (a bunch... like triple digits.. got hepatitis A from green onions , a few actually died).

you did tell them and nothing was done ( just like the luau a few weeks back) having had it before and knowing how horrendous it can be I would write them a letter and tell them it did ruin a very special day for you. don't think it will do anything but get it off your chest since they did not feel the need to do anything when you were there but if they get enough letters maybe a light bulb will go off in some one's brain since you do not really know if anyone else had the problem but they will. it's kind of funny how people think it is a flu whereas I have seen/read just the opposite,,that it is often mild FP and people do not realize it

edited to say:
sorry I should have read the other posts like floridafam so I agree !

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Mandasbutterfly,

First CONGRATUlATIONS, Second when I read your post I thought why did her Fiance think it was the chilie?? I know that when someone eats tainted food that you can't always taste it and determine if it's bad...but sometimes it does taste off....that's why I woundered, maybe he thought it didn't tast quite right but like my DH ate it anyway...he too has a cast iron stomach. Yep, I think it sounds like a mild case of food poisioning (Mild because he didn't end-up in hospital) I also think GF should have pulled the chilie off the serving line and cleaned the area.

Sounds like the rest of your trip was very special.....

 

[PamOKW]

** error

 

[mandasbutterfly]

Thanks for the support and the congratulations!! I am really glad to hear that some of you also believe it could have been the food. I don't really expect anything to be done now but I think they should have handled it a little better. I don't think they would have told us if anyone else was sick either but I will never know either way. I was thinking of writing a letter and I think I will. It did ruin the rest of our trip and it was a very important trip but I guess in the end we had a great time, are now engaged and we love each other. Yes I do think it was a mild case and for that I am thankful. I appreciate all of your thoughts and will let you know what I decide to do. I have to tell you wer had already discussed having our wedding there and I have to say this now makes me a little nervous mostly because of the way it was handled by the hotel management. Anyway thank you all very much for believing me and knowing that sometimes you just know it was the food you ate and not a sickness. Thanks again!!! You guys are the best!

 

[Chuck S]

Well, it could have been the food, but possibly NOT food poisoning, at least not bacterial. Not to be graphic, but my mom gets the exact same symptoms you describe from a food allergy to a seasoning. We've finally narrowed it down to a seasoning known as Savory, a member of the mint family, although she can eat mint While not used often at WDW, we have found it at DL in the Blue Bayou's "dirty rice". Also, now that RFC is owned by Landry's, we can no longer eat there, either.

 

[Wendi]

Congratulations Lovebirds!!!!!!!!!!

I am so tickled that you had such a memorable event in the MOST MAGICAL Place. You must feel like a Princess.

I agree with most about letting it drop, BUT I would send a letter to the General Manager of the Grand Floridian (Susan something) and inform her about everything. I would let them know HOW SPECIAL this trip was, what cancellations the illness caused and why you feel it was the chili. I would try to be specific and let them know that you talked to the Food Manager and explain why you declined the offering of soup. I would include information such as they didn't offer to pull the chili, as well as any other details. Details are Very important. Not that you want anything, but they need to make sure that other guests are NOT getting sick as well. Also, some managers might not pass on the information for whatever reason. Also, Not everyone would report food poisoning, they might think it was something else. They might just deal with it and go on. I have unfortunately gotten food poisoning 6 times and I know that it's food poisoning by the time frame and symtoms. Let her know that you plan on visiting again still have many good memories.

What a way to get engaged! Best wishes for stress free Wedding Planning.



Wendi

 

[safetymom]

On one of my last trips to WDW we went to dinner at Bahama Breeze. That night I was up all night running to the bathroom. By morning I was fine but tired. Others in the party had the same food and they didn't get sick. I think there was some ingredient that didn't agree with my normally cast iron stomach.

I don't blame Bahama Breeze because I think it could have been from a number of factors. Who knows that I didn't catch something from someone walking around in the parks?

 

[epcotfan]

Could also be due to rotavirus which is spread easily because it can be transmitted by merely touching a surface or object that has been contaminated by an infected person.
On every trip I inevitably see kids playing with all the cutlery in fast food restaurants and then they put it back I've also seen a many adults leave the washroom without washing hands. So, needless to say there are lots of germs at WDW. I carry antibacterial hand wipes or lotion and always use it prior to eating. I also make a point not to touch my face thereby lessening the chances of picking up some nasty virus.
Sorry your trip was crummy. I got really sick on one trip and the last three days were ruined for the same reason.

 

[Cinderella37]

The GM of the Grand Floridian is Kent Mitchell (as of August). I would write a letter, but don't expect an answer - My fiance and I got food poisoning at the GF about four years ago (we ate the exact same thing, our symptoms occurred around the same time - so I'm 99% sure it was fp). Concierge only offered Tums (which would have had no effect on our symptoms) and spiritedly rejected our suspicions that it was food poisoning. My fiance has the same cast iron stomach as yours does; he never gets sick.


Unfortunately for us, this was about halfway through our trip and we were made to feel like we were fabricating the entire thing (why we would do something like that, I have no idea) when our only reason for reporting it was to save others, especially kids, from getting sick. The GF should have been glad we were trying to save them some grief, as we are not the type to sue or cause problems.

 

[mandasbutterfly]

Thanks for all the replies!! And thanks for the GM's name Cinderella37. I may write a letter if for nothing else than if this does happen to someone else maybe they would handle it differently. I know this can happen anywhere and may or may not have been fp although we really believe it was fp. I just wish is was handled differently but there is nothing that can be done now and that is ok, we had the most wonderful trip of our lives before this happened and that is what we are remembering. Thanks for the advice and thoughts, there are really appreciated.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I agree about writing the letter. I think it will make you feel better if nothing else. I often get sick like that when we go to WDW - I am not sure if it food poisoning or just extra germs my body is not used to. I have to take papaya enzyme anytime we eat out alot. So I can definately feel for your fiance.

Congrats on your engagement!!