allergy: getting cooler/ food through airport?

[shelby101301]

I've submitted a question directly through TSA, but curious. I usually pack a cooler wherever we go with food for my 2 yr old. He's allergic (anaphylactic) to eggs and gluten.

Will they give me grief about the cooler, the ice packs and the epi pen? Will I even get through or will they take the ice packs?

Epi pen? I can't imagine they would take that, no?

TIA!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Ice packs are permitted if they're required for medication. If they're required for food then not so much. Something that IS allowed is bags of frozen veggies. Just pack that instead of ice.

The epi pen is absolutely allowed. Put all injectable and liquid medication in its own bag (it can go in your carryon if you want but make sure the bag is easy to pull out) and put that in a bin so TSA can see it.

What's actually easier is to order food from a grocery service once you get to Orlando. We had a great experience with Garden Grocer. In addition, WDW is the best place in the world for dealing with food allergies.

 

[Winky7650]

No, TSA will not give you any trouble with the cooler, ice packs and/or medications. The qualify as exemptable LGA's (liquids, gels, aerosols). Any medical items or items necessary for travelling with a small child (w/ or w/out medical condition) fall under this category.

I work for TSA (since 2002), and no one should give you any problems at all.

Have a safe trip!

 

[shelby101301]

Thank you both - big help. Never even thought about the veggies as ice packs. that's a great idea. I bet too, once on the plan if things start to thaw, I bet flight attendants would give me some extra ice too.

Still haven't heard back from TSA via email, but it's a holiday weekend, so will give them some more time.

BTw, yes, Disney is great about helping you find food to eat, but

a) it took us sometimes up to a full hour from the time I get in line to the time the food is served - not great for a waiting 2 year old and

b) I need food from the time we check in at the airport - around 2:30 until the time we land 6:30 and then wait for magical express and the time it takes to get to OKW.... That's a long time for a 2 year old, kwim?

Again, thanks for the help. If TSA answers my email, I will come back and post their reply.

 

[krisnme]

Similar issues here, TSA took my ice pack, never had problem with epi for me and DS and we carry several, so does Grandma and Aunt in case we have trouble. pack ice in baggies, dump just before security check then carry extra baggies to get ice from one of the restraunts or venders inside gate area. Veggies work, but thaw fast and then what do you do with a bag of peas? I double bag the ice and never had a problem getting it inside security area, or on the plane. Have a great trip!

 

[akcire]

TSA should not take your icepack, but some fights just aren't worth having.

A couple ideas to avoid the issue:

Frozen grapes are easier than vegetables, and they taste better. Also there is a higher liquid content so they stay colder longer.

Carry an empty ziplock, once through security buy something and have one of the vendors fill your ziplock with "secure ice".

 

[shelby101301]

I did hear from TSA finally, unfortunately they did not really do more then send me a form response. Per their response, no, I can't bring the frozen thingy's for my cooler. I wonder how other's do this? I placed a grocery delivery order so I will have something eventually.

I did find some rice pasta in a sealed bag I am hoping they will let pass. I will bring a note from my dr to assist and just hope for the best. My 2 yr old will just have to go hungry from 2:30 - 9pm when we go shop is scheduled to deliver.


kind of frustrating, but I think will absolutely use the above poster's suggestions to see if I can get some home made chicken nuggets through, and of course I will bring some snack bars and an apple or two. Thanks!

 

[disfan07]

Why dont you just bring stuff for those 7 hours that do not require refrigeration or ice? Thats what I always do. I only eat something purchased form the airport if it is at a chain sit down restaurant because its safer for me that way.

I am anaphylactic to peanuts, allergic to eggs, shellfish as well as sodium benzoate (a preservative).

I'm not trying to be snotty but I don tunderstand why he would have to go without food from 2-9:30. Just bring stuff that is not perishable.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I was kind of wondering the same thing as disfan07. Why can't he just eat foods that don't require refridgeration? We bring small containers of apple sauce that are only 3.2oz each, cereal bars, chips, fruit, gummy snacks, cookies and other such things. I don't bother with sandwiches but that's also an option.

I place an order with Garden Grocer for quick and easy breakfast foods for the morning so we don't have to waste time in the food court when getting ready to head to the parks as well as a few snack foods to bring us up to the $40 minimum required by Garden Grocer. Other than that, we just eat food prepared by WDW.

As for the lines once you're at WDW, I commented on what we do about that in another thread.

Rice pasta is a solid so there's no reason that TSA would have a problem with it unless it's got a sauce with it. A doctor's letter will not necessarily help you get a container of sauce through security. If the pasta's already tossed in the sauce then it'll likely be fine but if it's in a separate container then TSA will likely make you toss it.

 

[shelby101301]

Because eating snack food to me for that long for a 2 year old child is unacceptable. He doesn't get gummies snacks (choking hazard),chips are a rare treat ditto cookies... I really don't prefer to feed junk food to a child so young. Sandwiches require a cooler (I choose not to bring pb & j on a plane for obvious reasons). He doesn't like apple sauce. My options are a rice bar, cereal bar and fresh apple (pears and bananas don't travel well).

On a daily basis, I struggle with what to feed my child. I feel like I feed him the same thing over and over and then he gets tired of it and refuses to eat anymore. Making it to go and non-perishable just makes it that much tougher for me.

Getting food at sit down restaurants is ridiculous for us. And the time involved is even worse - not willing to miss my flight. And keeping a 2 year old from grabbing food off the table is pretty tough too, and I will be alone with him (DH on meeting us in FL).

So glad you don't have a problem with it, but that is not my experience. And I am not willing to risk my 2 year old.

So yes, I am concerned about them letting me get perishable foods through. The pasta is indeed pre-packaged in sauce. Again, I will hope for the best and try the ice idea.

Thank you for the comments that were constructive.

 

[casper_jj11]

DD is allergic to peanuts. We bring healthy snacks on the plane including grapes, cheese and crackers, cheese bagels, bananas etc. Generally I don't worry about keeping food cool as I bring nonperishables but we also had to travel with antibiotics that needed to stay cool before as well. I took ziploc bags and place the meds in sealed ziploc bags. Once thru security, ask for ice. Any restaurant will give it. Fill a larger ziploc bag with the ice and place the smaller ziploc with the meds or food into that. Its getting thru security with ice/liquids that is the problem. Once you get thru, you can bring whatever you want on the airplane. Once it melts, dump the ice and if the food isn't gone, ask for more. It will keep the food cool constantly.

 

[shelby101301]

Thanks again. Will definitely try the ice thing - and lots of dry plastic bags! LOL

We can't bring crackers/bagels because of the no wheat or oats thing (no granola bars either). But string cheese is probably a good try. For some reason, he likes square white cheese, but not string cheese. Maybe I should try that again..

 

[Hannathy]

Why can't you bring PB& J if you won't eat it on the plane,then why can't you keep it in your bag till you land and then eat that?

There are a lot of foods that don't need refrigerated or that can be out of the refrigerator for a few hours.

Can he eat cheese? that can last a very very long time without refrigeration.

I see you said he does since I started posting so bring cheese and snacks for the plane and then have PB&J when you land.

 

[shelby101301]

Hannathy- I seem to recall (I think, not 100% sure...I think it was a lunch room issue maybe?) from other threads, that we need to respectfully agree to disagree.

While peanuts are not life threatening to my child, I refuse to bring them onto a plane where they could be harmful to someone else. I do believe it can be airborne. I feel like I get precious little support from other moms in keeping my son safe. I won't do that to another mom. You don't have to agree with this, but this is my choice.

I am going to bring

2 apples,
2 glutino bars,
2 cheese sticks,
a rice bar,
the packaged rice pasta
home made chicken nuggets (don't you just love Bob's red mill products?) and baggies for ice.

I might cook some cauliflower and broccoli too, and let him eat it cold. He has trouble still (choking) with raw carrots and celery. I'll freeze the nuggets to start and then grab ice. I'm hoping I can easily find a carton or bottle of milk too, milk fills a tummy better than juice.

If it seems like I am planning this on my own, it's because I am. I am surprising my husband with this trip for our 10th wedding anniversary. Older kids are staying with my parents and in-laws. But no one is brave enough to take LO with allergies, so he's coming with.

Unfortunately, after I booked everything, I got stuck working as in, I have to leave overnight the Friday Sat and Sunday we leave. I got someone to cover the last 5 hours for me, but I will have to have everything and everyone mostly ready and packed before I leave for work.

I never realized how much input from my DH I rely on!!! We always do this together and I feel like I am hanging in the wind here. Haven't decided whether or not to get the QSDP or to just go with the flow (I have DS's food being delivered by We go shop from Whole foods to Kidani. He's not even old enough to get on Dining plan)

CAn you say totally stressed about this trip?

 

[casper_jj11]

Hannathy- I seem to recall (I think, not 100% sure...I think it was a lunch room issue maybe?) from other threads, that we need to respectfully agree to disagree.

While peanuts are not life threatening to my child, I refuse to bring them onto a plane where they could be harmful to someone else. I do believe it can be airborne. I feel like I get precious little support from other moms in keeping my son safe. I won't do that to another mom. You don't have to agree with this, but this is my choice.

I am going to bring

2 apples,
2 glutino bars,
2 cheese sticks,
a rice bar,
the packaged rice pasta
home made chicken nuggets (don't you just love Bob's red mill products?) and baggies for ice.

I might cook some cauliflower and broccoli too, and let him eat it cold. He has trouble still (choking) with raw carrots and celery. I'll freeze the nuggets to start and then grab ice. I'm hoping I can easily find a carton or bottle of milk too, milk fills a tummy better than juice.

If it seems like I am planning this on my own, it's because I am. I am surprising my husband with this trip for our 10th wedding anniversary. Older kids are staying with my parents and in-laws. But no one is brave enough to take LO with allergies, so he's coming with.

Unfortunately, after I booked everything, I got stuck working as in, I have to leave overnight the Friday Sat and Sunday we leave. I got someone to cover the last 5 hours for me, but I will have to have everything and everyone mostly ready and packed before I leave for work.

I never realized how much input from my DH I rely on!!! We always do this together and I feel like I am hanging in the wind here. Haven't decided whether or not to get the QSDP or to just go with the flow (I have DS's food being delivered by We go shop from Whole foods to Kidani. He's not even old enough to get on Dining plan)

CAn you say totally stressed about this trip?

Good plan but just a few thoughts. I wouldn't freeze the nuggets first. I'd keep them cool in the fridge and before you leave, place them in a bag with ice. When you get to security, throw away the bag with ice, keeping the bag with nuggets. Get another bag full of ice on the other side. Two concerns with freezing teh nuggets: 1) they'll get soggy when they thaw 2) if they don't thaw in time, its going to cause a problem

I prefer the regular dining plan over the quick serve. The chefs are wonderful and go out of their way to make food that the allergic child can eat. While your son is too young to get the dining plan, he is covered by it. He can either eat from your plate (you could request your food cooked in a way that is safe for him) or he can eat freely from the buffet (while I realize that this may not feel safe, you can ask the chef at the buffet restaurant to prepare safe food for him or to point out the items that he can safely eat). As others have mentioned, WDW is wonderful for children with allergies. They really do go out of their way to ensure your child is safe and also has enjoyable food to eat while there.

At quick serve, while they try, and they can point out what is safe or not, the menu is limited and the chef, I expect, is unlikely to prepare something unique ... lahtough I haven't asked about this so I could be wrong.

 

[shelby101301]

Joanne - thanks for your good thoughts!

(One) of the reasons we have stayed away from TS is because it takes so long. Our kids have never really sat well during long meals, so we spare ourselves the grief.

*But*, perhaps with only one, it might be worth considering, especially if we go Buffet heavy (meaning quicker meal). Another reason too, is we are still nap dependent. So fitting in a sit down and a nap pretty much eats up the whole day.

I thought about seeing if you can substitute a table credit for a CS credit. You used to be able to do that. With DVC, I need to add dining 48 hours before, so I still have time to decide.

Again - thanks for your input!

 

[Hannathy]

Hannathy- I seem to recall (I think, not 100% sure...I think it was a lunch room issue maybe?) from other threads, that we need to respectfully agree to disagree.

While peanuts are not life threatening to my child, I refuse to bring them onto a plane where they could be harmful to someone else. I do believe it can be airborne. I feel like I get precious little support from other moms in keeping my son safe. I won't do that to another mom. You don't have to agree with this, but this is my choice.

I'm not sure why you are getting snarky. I said bring it with you and eat it AFTER you have landed. I never said eat it on the plane. but sealed in a plastic bag on the plane is NOT a danger to anyone.

 

[shelby101301]

respectfully agree to disagree

 

[casper_jj11]

Joanne - thanks for your good thoughts!

(One) of the reasons we have stayed away from TS is because it takes so long. Our kids have never really sat well during long meals, so we spare ourselves the grief.

*But*, perhaps with only one, it might be worth considering, especially if we go Buffet heavy (meaning quicker meal). Another reason too, is we are still nap dependent. So fitting in a sit down and a nap pretty much eats up the whole day.

I thought about seeing if you can substitute a table credit for a CS credit. You used to be able to do that. With DVC, I need to add dining 48 hours before, so I still have time to decide.

Again - thanks for your input!

We usually do table either for breakfast (8am only so before parks open) or dinner (around 5pm). When they did nap, we'd leave the park for a break at 1pm anyway, break, and return at 4pm for 5pm adr then, out by 6pm to enjoy a few hours then. In feb, the hours are shorter so I may do things differently but we always take break. You could always do TS at lunchtime, say 1pm, then nap from 2pm to 4pm.

As for trading credits, I believe you can use a TS credit for CS but not the other way around (even to, for ex, use two CS for a TS wouldn't work) If you only wanted to do one TS, you could just pay OOP for that one. We like doing one per day though. Makes for a nice break, more relaxing than the chaos of quick service (while some times are definitely better than others, we find TS more enjoyable overall)

 

[itradehilton]

I have a school age child who eats a hot gluten free lunch every day at school. I found a quality thermos and heat his food in the morning. The food stays warm for the next 6 hours. This way he can eat his favorite hot food as well as healthy snacks. The same thing should work for the plane. Just pack a "lunch" in the morning and take it on the plane. I know it is one more thing to pack but it is just something I have gotten used to doing. I put his food and entertainment in a backpack just for him.

Also there is a whole foods in Orlando and they carry a ton of foods for special diets.