Allergies: how late is too late?

[kwitcherkicken99]

So I have been having allergic flare ups to certain foods here lately and I can't get in to have the test run until Sept. 22 - three whole days before we leave on our trip. The main triggers have been MSG and sorbital (both preservatives) but today I had a bad reaction to salad dressing. I will have the test results back about 3 hours after taking the test so I'll know right away.

So the question is: How late can I call Disney and add the dietary restrictions to our restaurants? We are eating at Akershus, Coral Reef, Chef Mickey's, Boma, Le Cellier, Crystal Palace, and T-Rex.

Is there a time limit or should I just wait and tell the servers when I get there? I've heard about all of the wonderful accomodations (when made ahead) most of the places are when dealing with allergies, I don't want to be a pain to the staff.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

So I have been having allergic flare ups to certain foods here lately and I can't get in to have the test run until Sept. 22 - three whole days before we leave on our trip. The main triggers have been MSG and sorbital (both preservatives) but today I had a bad reaction to salad dressing. I will have the test results back about 3 hours after taking the test so I'll know right away.

So the question is: How late can I call Disney and add the dietary restrictions to our restaurants? We are eating at Akershus, Coral Reef, Chef Mickey's, Boma, Le Cellier, Crystal Palace, and T-Rex.

Is there a time limit or should I just wait and tell the servers when I get there? I've heard about all of the wonderful accomodations (when made ahead) most of the places are when dealing with allergies, I don't want to be a pain to the staff.

You should add this info to your ADR's. You can do this online if you did them to your resort reservation. I am terribly allergic to MSG and the only place I had an issue in Disney was a couple years ago at Teppan Edo.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Okay, kinda glad we didn't make and ADR for Teppan (it was a finalist!!)!

My only problem is that I don't know all of the triggers yet. I've had reactions to certain Chinese foods, gummy bears, deli turkey (2 different kinds), mini muffins, and now swiss rolls .

I'll pop online and mark up the MSG issue. Hopefully it won't be too big of a problem adding stuff last minute! Daggone doctor being booked up! LOL! I think I'll keep checking for a cancellation!

 

[pigletforever]

Better safe than sorry. If they are listed and you don't need to utilize them great.

 

[KS Dis Mom]

You might be allergic to glutun! All the food you mention have gluten in them (even the lunch meat unless it is Buding Brand).

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I will probably cry (for the first couple months anyway) if it is gluten! It will be a huge change in lifestyle, but I know it's doable.

My throat swells up to 3x it's normal size when I have a reaction, though thankfully it's never closed - it's very uncomfortable for several days until it subsides. I'm armed with an epipen now just in case.

I hope that there is a cancellation and I can get in sooner. I'm afraid to eat a lot of foods now. I don't even want to eat out because of it.

 

[lilpooh108]

Did they test you for dairy? Mini rolls, muffins and deli turkey all may contain casein (the turkey would have it in the wrap part).

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

No test yet... I have to wait until September 22... three whole days before we leave for WDW.

I do have a lactose intolerance and I have asked about that, but doc said it may be a lot worse of symptoms.

I'm guessing something along the lines of milk, gluten, soy, and maybe some preservatives (MSG/sorbital). We'll see - as the waiting game begins!

 

[MournNStar]

Its never too late to inform Disney of your allergies... If you don't have a chance to add that info to your ADRs you can always tell them when you first arrive at the restaurants. They'll make a note of it on your reservation at the front.

 

[pigletto]

Hmm.. that sounds like it could be a sulfite allergy as well. All the foods you listed contain them. There is no reliable test for sulfite allergy. However you would have reactions to many things like foods and medications, and that is how they determine the allergy. They are an additive. Just wanted to pass that on in case you come up negative on the other tests.

 

[liriel]

You can notify them in advance, or when you get to the resteraunt. They will accomodate you. If you know what you are allergic to when you check in you can always go to guest services desk and ask them if they can add it to all of your reservations for you. I had forgotten to do a couple of our ADR's for my son's allergies and the guest services folks took care of it for me.

 

[CathieArms]

I wouldn't stress too much about whether they get the information far in advance. When we were there last year, I had a macadamia nut allergy noted on my 'Ohana reservation. I know I mentioned it more than once (as I juggled around that 'Ohana reservation), and yet they STILL didn't have it noted on my ADR when I arrived. I mentioned it to the host or the waiter (can't remember which) and, while they were surprised, they sent the chef out to talk to me right away. If anything, Disney is wayyyyyyyy more cautious about allergies than the average person and they'll do everything they can to accommodate your allergy. Just make sure to mention it to the host/waiter at the restaurants.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I was concerned on our trip a few weeks ago because DS5 has a shellfish allergy, and although I contacted Disney way in advance with all our set ADRs, we did make a few minor changes in our ADRs while we were already at Disney! We switched Biergarten to a different day and I told the hostess and the server and they sent the chef right over to our table, no delay. We added a dinner at Marrakesh and I told the host and also the server right away, and they also sent the chef over to our table right away, no delay. So, it can be done last-minute. I think it just depends on what you are allergic to, since depending on what it is, it may be difficult if the restaurant is not prepared for you? I don't know if they make special arrangements to have different foods or ingredients that they don't normally have in that restaurant if they know further in advance that you are coming and have a particular allergy.

Oh, and on another occasion on our trip...we had a dinner ADR at Cape May. I knew they served shellfish on their buffet, but I have brought my son to buffets and a la carte restaurants that have shellfish and he has been fine, unless he ingests it. Although I knew Cape May served crab legs, I didn't know they steam them right out on the buffet. When the hostess brought us inside the restaurant, as soon as we walked by the buffet, they were steaming the crab legs and my son had a reaction. Thank goodness it was very mild. His nose got all stuffy and his cheeks started to turn red, as well as his eyes. I brought him right out of the restaurant to the lobby of the Beach Club and within a couple of minutes he was fine. The manager handled it very well and made arrangements for us to eat somewhere else. We chose Kouzzina because it is closeby, and we were staying at the Boardwalk. They had no problem accommodating my son's allergy at the last minute.

You may have an allergy to preservatives. My cousin and her son have that allergy and they have to be very careful when they go places. They can't eat packaged baked goods either.

 

[distherapy]

Add xantham gum to your list to check for!

And think of all the lovely, fresh and healthy preservative-free foods you'll get to eat! There has to be a bright side, right?