Anaphylactic allergies

[sharonel]

My son has severe allergies to peanuts (requires the use of an epi-pen). Has anyone had any experience with how Disney handles Peanuts and/or peanut oil - is it well advertised, is staff aware?

Five years ago we had tickets to the Polynesian Luau and had to leave when the tables each had a peanut satay of some sort on them - even though it was outdoors the odour was enough to start a reaction.

Many restaurants are becoming very cautious where I live - in fact one of the major donut/coffee chains will no longer serve peanut butter on bagels - peanut butter is only provided in individual containers to the customer - thereby eliminating cross-contamination.

 

[Talking Hands]

Disney is almost too careful about this. The concierge level at AKL has perpared peanut butter sandwiches but removed them at the request of a parent of such a child. Since I was grabbing these to combat hypos I was not pleased at all. I have a peanut allergy child too but she has never been allowed to go up to a buffet table anyway and get her own until she was old enough not to grab one. I did get them back though from the castmembers who would grab me one from the back when I needed one. Didn't make the parent happy but my needs are as important as her child's and when I go hypo I don't have time to find something else that will serve. I don't like rides to the ER.

 

[Figaro]

Hi sharonel!

I'm pretty sure that you can call and talk to the chef at any of the restaurants that you have PS's for and they will do a good job of making sure none of the food has been contaminated with peanuts. The buffets might be difficult.

A friend of mine has a son with a peanut allergy and she always travels with the clorox wet wipes and has a rolled up placemat (hard to describe, as it is thin, but tough) that she puts down on the table at counter service restaurants after she wipes everything done with the wipes. This has seemed to take care of most of the problems with stuff left on the tables, but isn't of much use if someone sits down right next to you and is eating peanut butter I suppose.

I've always found the people at Disney are willing to go the extra mile in trying to help out, so I would suggest you mention it to the CM's and ask their advice.

Hope you all have a wonderful trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's the phone number for the WDW Executive Chef's Office: (407) 824-5967
They deal with all the menus at WDW (from full service to food carts) and will be able to help with your questions.
For full service restaurants, let them know when ou make your PS. People have posted that the chef came and talked to them right before they ordered to explain ingredients and any special preparation needs.
The things I have heard about problems with were some of the kids activities, like the Pirate cruise, where lots of kids like PB&J sandwiches, so they might serve some. Also some of the buffets (but you could find that out from the Executive Chef).
For the placemat idea Figaro mentioned, there are some disposable cutting sheets (tough, you can cut on them) that would work well and ou would not have a reuseable one to clean and carry with you.

 

[momof2inPA]

Thank goodness Disney takes our children's peanut allergies so seriously. There are ingredient lists at most of the restaurants in the World, and the only place we have had problems are in Epcot, because of a language barrier, and the restaurant on the main street of Disney World (the one on the left nearest the castle, if you are facing the castle).

When making ps's, they will note your daughter's allergy, but remind them when you arrive. Insist on speaking to a manager or the chef if you have any questions, and have a great time.

I know there is also good info. if you do a search at http://peanutallergy.com , and I believe there is info on the FAAN website.

My son's favorite places to eat are the McDonald's, Casey's at Mk, and the American restaurant in Epcot. If we eat at a nice place, I will sometimes carry in food from one of those. I would avoid the restaurant in Mexico, they have lots of peanut stuff on the menu, and I think the beaver tails were cooked in peanut oil (something to check).


Talking Hands, can you also take cheese crackers? I understand these are full of protein. The problem with the peanut butter sandwiches may have been from cross contaminating other things with the same knife used for the peanut butter. I know that happened to my son at a restaurant, which resulted in anaphylaxis for my son. Luckily, this did not happen at Disney.

 

[Talking Hands]

Cheese crackers were not an item on the buffet in concierge. I knew they had the peanut butter things. When I am hypo I don't have time to worry about the fact I may cross contaminate someone else. Also cheese crakers aren't an option for me. I'm allergic to milk as well. The combination of the fast acting sugar in jelly, plus a slower acting carb in the bread and the protein in the peanut butter is what works perfectly for me. Juice would work but then I go high and then crash again plus AKL juice has mango in it and I am deathly allergic to that as well.
Hypos are life threatening events. I rather resent the fact that my needs are constantly put down by parents with peanut allergic children. My family and I know what I need to pull my blood sugar up without causing a cycle of highs and crashes. An hypo left untreated CAN LEAD TO DEATH OR PERMANENT COMA. Not something we intend to let happen.
Even my peanut allergic daughter agrees with this. In fact now that the peanut butter sandwich rounds are available in the freezer we keep them on hand at all times and she just never touches them. Since they are cellophane wrapped she is even able to hand one to me without harm.
I frankly do not see the problem with having them on a buffet as long as they are on a separate plate and already cut ready to serve. Any child with such a servere allergy shouldn't be browsing the buffet in the first place. Children should not be wandering around in the lounge touching others plates and they do not have to even touch the tables if they sit on the floor in front of the tv with their own plate in their lap.

 

[momof2inPA]

Maybe you missed my comment about the knife? The frozen peanut butter sandwiches sound like a great option for you. Perhaps you could take some along and request a refrigerator for medical purposes.

I recognize that your glucose is a very serious issue, no more serious than my son's peanut allergy, but serious. I just thought it was insensitive to bring it up the way you did in this thread. There's always the debate board. Best of luck with your medical problems.

 

[Talking Hands]

Maybe you missed the fact that the ones served at concierge are the frozen ones. And it is quite easy for the knife that cuts them in half to be isolated and only used for that purpose. People who are kosher do this all the time with their utensils. It is not a big deal to do it.
Also in case you didn't notice I have a peanut allergic child so I have dealt with it for a good 20 years now and know that you do not have to deny the entire family peanuts or peanut butter and still keep the allergic one safe. It takes planning but it can be done. I have a harder time keeping onions and blue cheese out of her diet. They are in absolutely everything!

 

[momof2inPA]

The concierge has the frozen ones? Great, they could just pass you one (or a few) in the cellophane and send you on your way. No need to cut them or leave them on the buffet. What a magical solution. This whole thread has helped me realize how accomodating Disney really is to each and every individual's special needs.

FYI: My son's allergist, and many other allergists I have heard, recommend that no peanut products are in the home of someone with a peanut allergy. Now I feel like I have hi-jacked this thread also. I'm done. So sorry to the OP.

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by momof2inPA
FYI: My son's allergist, and many other allergists I have heard, recommend that no peanut products are in the home of someone with a peanut allergy. Now I feel like I have hi-jacked this thread also. I'm done. So sorry to the OP.

My only comment on this on is that doctors will tell you the this because they know that most will not take the precautions needed to make the needs of the entire family work. Fortunately I have the knowledge and determination to consider the needs of both myself and my family since 2 of us have severe medicals needs that sometimes conflict. It can be done but it is work. And now that my daughter is an adult it is finally becoming easier.
Doctors don't expect patients to take the difficult way so give them the easy way out. Unfortunately this attitude of doctors and consequently parents causes demands that are unfair to those without medical problems.

 

[vanluvender4@msn.com]

Hello. I am knew to this board but I find this discussion holds a place very near and dear to my heart. My daughter has anaphylaxis nut allergies to the extent of being airborn. An allergist 6 years ago a year after she was born implied that traveling would be a very high stress situation for her and us. He next went on to tell me how accomdating WDW is in these situations. I now can proudly tell you that 14 trips and 6 years later we know most of the chefs at WDW and my daughter has come to trust them as much as her own mother. This says alot because she will not even take food from family members; but will from these Chefs. I would HIGHLY recommend Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, Boma's, 1900 Park Fare; well anywhere. With children with these potentially anaphylaxis allergies I highly suggest making priority seatings for all your meals. Every sit down meal allows you to make a priority seating and utilize this option to let the chef know you are coming and the accomodations that you will need. Upon making these reservations you tell the specialist and she has boxes that specify specific dietary requirements including tree nut and peanut boxes. The agent will then give you a phone number and inform you to contact the restaraunt two weeks in advance. I always do this and have not yet had one bad experience. Best of luck to you. Laurie