Allergy advice for summer trip

[bmwolff40]

Our family is going on a WDW trip this summer! This will be our first trip since we have had kids so it is a whole new excitement! We have a DD that will be 5 on the trip and a DS that will be 2. Our ds has 2 severe allergies to peanuts and eggs. He even has skin reactions with contact. We are nervous about this trip and having a reaction. He does have a epi pen...thank goodness we have not had to use. I have been reading a lot of past posts on this issue and soaking up some great info! I was just going see if anyone has some advice for us regarding the plane ride, TS and CS, Port Orleans and wiping down rides. We love Disney and excited to share the magic with our kids!

 

[clanmcculloch]

You'll get a lot more answers on the disABILITIES! board. There are a lot of people over there with peanut and egg allergies.

Here's a recent thread on the transportation board about flying with peanut allergies. Surprisingly, this one didn't become heated and there were a bunch of helpful suggestions made regarding flying with allergies. http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3171426

Look over menus online. I wouldn't eat anywhere that serves peanut sauces or peanut butter. The kitchen will do a good job making sure the food is safe but it'll be difficult to be sure that sticky little fingers covered in peanut sauce or peanut butter haven't been smearing their hands on backs of chairs, windows, or other surfaces that your 2yo will be able to reach. I normally don't suggest this kind of extremity but you said he even has a contact allergy. Is the contact allergy for eggs as well? If yes, it'll be difficult to avoid possible contact on chairs, windows, etc. anywhere that they serve breakfast. Restaurants where they serve plated meals rather than buffets would be a lot safer since kids aren't up and down all over the restaurant, the exception being 'Ohana where they have parades around the restaurant.

What do you do at places like grocery stores and playgrounds? You'll want to take the same kinds of precautions, possibly even more vigilant because of being away from home, as you do right now when you go out.

Make sure you note on your resort reservation that you have a medical need for a deep cleaning of all surfaces as well as a change of bedspread. I probably would still do a wipe down of all hard surfaces myself but at least they can get the majority of it. Make it clear what you need and don't need because you don't need things like an air filter change or detergent free linens.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Been there...done that. DS egg allergy is not life threatening, but the peanut one is. WDW is wonderful at keeping people safe.

Planes- Try to book the first flight of the day, less chance that someone was eating peanuts before you get on the plane. You can call and request that peanuts not be served on the flight and they can request that no one eat peanuts on the flight but can not forbid them doing so. One idea that seems to work well is to carry a nice selection of peanut safe snacks and offer one to anyone sitting close to you that has an unsafe snack. Some suggest having regular M&Ms. While they are not safe for your child, it is safer for someone to eat those near your child than the popular peanut M&M's that often are offered on planes. Take plenty of epi-pens (our doctor recommends one for every 15 minutes of flight time), and try to pre-board to wipe down seats.

WDW food- They are very good. Note it on your ADRs and mention it as soon as you are seated. A chief will come to the table and talk with you. All will make it safe, some will make it special. Desserts are pretty limited. You might want to bring some sweet treats with you. At CS, ask to speak to a manager and to see the ingredients list. Understand it will take a bit longer to get your food. Do your research and understand the labeling policy on some of the products. For example the Micky Bars are made by I think it is Nestle. Some people are ok with them being safe, others are not. Ask lots of questions and be very clear on what your needs are.

Resort room- Ask for a special cleaning and still inspect the room really well...we found an m&m under the bed once.

Wiping down ride- We do not....really not practical or possible. Rides load fast. Just wash hands often and try to keep them out of his mouth. Be alert at all times. We have had to get out of line when someone in line was eating peanut butter crackers. We do wipe down benches because a lot of people do sit there to eat, and of course tables. The disposable place mats are a must have.

Try to relax and have a great trip!