Anyone go to WDW with a potato allergy?

[NorweJenNY]

I'm just curious what type of service you've gotten at different restaurants with potato allergies. It's so common for a dish to be served with some form of potato, whether it be mashed potatoes or french fries or home fries... what have you gotten as substitutes?

I know some CS restaurants will offer either fries or apples, which is great because I'd actually prefer apples anyway. But some just offer the one side of potato/fries. Can you simply order the entree minus sides? I had different experiences at different resort CS restaurants too (commonly breakfast there)... I'd order an omelet - I think it was POP that would let me substitute bacon or sausage for the home fries. But I remember another time (at another resort) being told "sorry, it only comes with potatoes," in which case I just told them to leave it off, but then I still paid full price for the omelet with a side even though I got no side!

At TS restaurants, it's been much different. As soon as I say I have a "minor allergy," the server immediately tells me they'll bring the chef out to see what they can do for me. It's not like I'm so highly allergic that some little speck of potato starch will make my mouth bleed... or like I can't have potatoes cooked in the same area as my meat... my skin just breaks out in a dry, itchy rash if I have a significant portion of potatoes. Anyway, the chef came out twice to me at Liberty Tree Tavern because after we decided I could have mac n cheese instead of mashed potatoes, he found there was potato starch in it, and he wanted to be sure I knew. I appreciate the attention, though I hate feeling like I'm taking the chef away from his kitchen! At Chefs de France, the chef offered me green beans instead of the potato/tomato side on the herb roasted chicken.

I'm just kinda curious if anyone has had any trouble at any CS or TS restaurants with a potato allergy...

We've got the Candlelight Processional package on Wed at Rose & Crown - thinking that Bangers & Mash, Shepherd's Pie, and Fish & Chips, might be tricky - those dishes are made to be together with potatoes after all! Guess I'll see what I'll see!

 

[deegack]

I would check on the disabilities board but my understanding is once you say allergy the cm have a procedure to follow. That includes talking to the chef because they know best what is in the food. Disney doesn't want you to be harmed by eating their food so they treat any allergy as deadly. You should contact special diets and let them know your allergy and adrs. This way the kitchen can be prepared. Also stop by the food court where you are stating during a nonbusy time and talk to the chef. They can arrange things that you can eat.

 

[chartle]

I know some CS restaurants will offer either fries or apples, which is great because I'd actually prefer apples anyway. But some just offer the one side of potato/fries. Can you simply order the entree minus sides?

I have only been to park CS but everyone I ate at had either apples or grapes instead of fries. Also you could just get the entree without the side for a lower cost.

 

[clanmcculloch]

At CS locations, it's not advertised but you CAN order an entree a la carte for less than ordering the meal.

CS breakfast: It's pretty typical to allow you to order a non-protein based side instead of a potato side but they typically won't allow you to substitute a meat like bacon or sausage instead of the potatoes. My DH is diabetic and has to watch his carbs and most of the time they won't allow him a non-starch as the sub for his potatoes and biscuit on a breakfast platter. They will definitely substitute for a different type of starch or other non-protein side for an allergy.

CS lunch or dinner: If you do want sides then you'll basically get to choose any of the other sides listed on the menu. As you know, there are apples, but typically there are also things like salads, yogurts, maybe vegetables and other side options as well. They're pretty interchangeable. You'll be speaking with a manager about the options in the parks and at a resort you'll be speaking with a chef.

TS meals: A chef will come to the table to discuss your options. There WILL be side options that you can have as an alernative even if the menu lists potatoes of some kind as the side that comes with your choice of meal.

*** Take note of the fact that if you have issues with cross contamination that fries are generally cooked in the same frier as other fried foods so you need to be careful with any fried foods ***

 

[chartle]

Also every CS has a binder that lists all the ingredients. My wife had to check it out a few times to make sure there was no turkey in things like the meat balls.

I can imagine something like potato starch being in some foods.

As with all allergy issues at CS they can't always eliminate an ingredient since most foods are prepackaged and/or precooked. TS will give you the best options.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to the disABILITIES Forum and look at Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs. There is a large section in that post dealing with special dietary needs, as well as many related links. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by following the link in my signature.

This is a very common topic of discussion in the disABILITIES Forum.