Club level worth it for family with kids with severe allergies?

[loganpaulsmom]

So, I asked the question yesterday about the best resort for first timers.. Now, I am asking about club level for my friend. She has 2,kids that have lots of allergies. Money isn't an issue but she is very nervous as she has never taken her kids on vacation to a place where someone else was cooking for them. She is looking at the yght club and they only have club level available. Would Disney do anythhing for them with regards to their allergies with club level?

 

[cmurray234]

severe food allergies ARE scary. Maybe your friend would want to consider getting a DVC room with a full kitchen.

In my experience Disney chefs are VERY good with food allergies, but for peace of mind, DVC might be the way to go.

 

[havoc315]

More than any place I have ever seen, Disney will bend over backwards for food allergies. There are plenty of potentially dangerous dishes, but at every table service restaurant -- a chef will gladly meet with the family and discuss the safe dishes. The chef will typically even prepare something special if necessary. That's regular restaurants...

I can't speak for certain about the club level, but I doubt there would be quite as much customization, as they basically just lay out buffets. I'm sure they could get information about the allergens in the foods.
The "value" of the club level is quite subjective. Some would say, it's not worth is for anybody -- Even if you eat all the food provided, you probably are not getting your money's worth in terms of food, compared to the price of a regular food.

You can research what types of dishes are generally available at the club level at the Yacht Club. Depending on the children's allergies, much of the food may be very friendly, or very unfriendly.
One can say that the allergies diminish the value of the club level -- if much of the food would be off limits for them.
On the other hand, one can say that the club level adds extra value with severe allergies -- As the club level includes concierge and trip planning, which could help the family contact the chefs and arrange for allergen-free meals.

My own son has some severe food allergies, but at this point, it's basically nuts, peanuts, and some egg products. It's been pretty easy to avoid those items at Disney and elsewhere.
For people with glutton or dairy allergies, for example, it can be much more challenging.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Club levels will work with them to make sure tht there is food stocked for them that are safe for them to eat. It may not be gourmet but there will be options. When they are sent the IPO information form to fill out she will need to make this a special request and ask what sort of accommodations for food can be made. Most times they will even stock the fridge for you.

This is our experience at Poly and CR Club level. We have not stayed at Yacht club

 

[TDC Nala]

This question really doesn't have anything to do with the restaurants and far less to do with the dining plan - I'm going to move it to Resorts.

Would also want to know exactly how severe the allergies are - would it be a problem if her kids came in contact (not necessarily physical) with persons who were eating the items they're allergic to? Is cross-contamination due to people eating those items and putting their hands on chairs, etc. a concern? That may be of note as according to the OP this family has never been anywhere on vacation that didn't allow them to cook their own meals.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In my experience the Club Level Cast Members will always help regarding getting items they don't have available in the lounge, especially when it comes to food allergies.

 

[clanmcculloch]

We've had very good experience with allergies at Poly CL and are getting ready for our 3rd CL stay there with laundry lists of allergies. From the reviews I've read, it can vary a lot from resort to resort as to how well allergies are handled. I've read poor reviews of WL and both good and moderate reviews of YC and BC. CR I think have been mostly good reviews though I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly since we're not interested in CR for totally non-food related reasons so I don't pay much attention to that one. The most recent reviews I've read of AKL are not good. I don't recall reviews of GF (either RPC or Sugarloaf) or BWI.

ETA: Poly IPO was terrible when I contacted them before our first trip to ask about what to expect. They actually sent me a link to Garden Grocery and told me I should order my own food if I wanted to be sure that there would be safe food. I don't count on IPO for anything. The chefs when we arrived were wonderful. IPO on another trip did arrange for a cake for us from Babycakes (I paid for the cake; all they did was make the arrangements but this was before Babycakes was delivering so arranging for it to be delivered to us at 'Ohana was a big deal) so I wouldn't say you can't use IPO but don't use them for arranging for allergy food. Go through Special Diets for that and then also speak with the chefs when you arrive.

 

[Butler_chic07]

We got married at Disney this summer.

My 2 flower girls and their mother have SEVERE, and several food allergies (Mom's is worse than the girls). And mom loves Disney vacations because it is the one place that they can go where she feels safe. They made special meals for them at our wedding. Where ever they are eating on property they usually call ahead, and then inform their waiters, then the chef comes and speaks with them directly to make sure he/she understands their family needs.

They stayed a week, this wasn't their first trip, but like I said she LOVES Disney because they do everything in their power to provide the safest environment for your family. She loves them. (And she has some weird allergies that are uncommon).

I can't speak to club level as they haven't stayed there, but I am sure with it being Disney they would do all things possible.

 

[bowbat]

So, I asked the question yesterday about the best resort for first timers.. Now, I am asking about club level for my friend. She has 2,kids that have lots of allergies. Money isn't an issue but she is very nervous as she has never taken her kids on vacation to a place where someone else was cooking for them. She is looking at the yght club and they only have club level available. Would Disney do anythhing for them with regards to their allergies with club level?

While I have heard great things about Disney restaurants with regards to food allergies, I'm not sure about CL. At a restaurant, you are ordering your specific meal. At CL, it's kind of you get what you get, you know? I'm sure they could help her in knowing what's safe & what to avoid, and could probably provide a few alternatives, but they're most likely not going to provide an entire custom menu just for her family. I would recommend she look at photos of the lounge, so she can get an idea of how the food is offered & served, and look at their typical offerings. It really depends on the ages of the children, the severity & type of allergies, and how they would plan to use CL. The food is all self-serve, so is cross-contamination a concern? IDK, it sounds like they might be better in a villa with a kitchen where she can control the food options herself.

Good luck to her. That's a tough one. Hope it works out.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Just as a general note....any time someone with severe allergies travels, it pays to be prepared. I recall a thread where a girl had severe allergies, and since she was old enough to normally avoid her allergy, mom did not bring epi pen. The girl ended up having a reaction. Anytime I see a thread about food allergies, I recall that thread and feel compelled to relate that story. (That was the posters request! My family also has food alleriges, so I can relate.)

Even still, I recall the mom saying WDW was great at taking care of girl's reaction. Mom was just sorry she hadn't thought to carry epi pen. (also in an accidental exposure, immediate benadryl might help. That has saved us numerous times from developing a severe reaction!)

I'm not sure I can answer your questions. We have food allergies, and we have stayed club level, but we've never asked WDW to do anything different for the club level food.

It's worth mentioning that WDW is not the only area to consider - though you did not say - it may be helpful to tell the airline. Most airlines will make special arrangements - like not serving peanuts. It pays to get early morning flights -as most airlines clean their planes overnight.

One more thing -besides the food they serve in the lounge per say - the club level staff is there to help answer all sorts of questions. They may not be able to help do everyting, but often they can answer all sorts of questions. Like once we lost a pocketbook, and they knew eactly what number to call to get it back. All WDW staff is great, but sometimes you have to wait in line oron the phone to get an answer - on the club level -there's almost never a wait to talk to someone- which makes it much easier to ask a question.

In that sesne, I think that club leve may be especially of value to any family traveling with any special requirements. Club staff can't do everything, but they are informed. Like if this family has to call special needs diniing, they have the number handy.

I also know that all Disney resort guests can request that their room havea special allerggy cleaning prior to your arrival. You odn't have to stay club level to get it, but maybeclub level staff will make sure the request is on the reservation?

Other hotel chains have similar allergy cleaning options, but not all are nearly as good as WDW.

 

[Mrs K]

We have tons of experience with severe food allergies and staying CL. The Poly was the best for my DD. She has peanut, tree nut, seafood allergies. She has severe reactions if she even touches a surface that has peanut butter on it. While she couldn't eat everything in the lounge at the Poly, she did have options. They have an ingredient book
available, and were very good about getting her stuff she could eat. We have stayed there many times and would recommend it. We have also stayed CL at the GF. We found that there were far fewer options for her. The CM did look up ingredients for us, but didn't go out of their way like they did at the Poly. We loved the GF and would stay there again, but if we were staying CL for food options only, it wouldn't be worth it for her. Every WDW restaurant we've eaten at has been great with her allergies.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We've only stayed CL at CR but I would be worried about eating anything out in the open. Cross contamination would be a real concern since guests can serve themselves the food.

 

[AllergyMama]

So, I asked the question yesterday about the best resort for first timers.. Now, I am asking about club level for my friend. She has 2,kids that have lots of allergies. Money isn't an issue but she is very nervous as she has never taken her kids on vacation to a place where someone else was cooking for them. She is looking at the yght club and they only have club level available. Would Disney do anythhing for them with regards to their allergies with club level?

We had an amazing experience with Club Level at AKL when we were there two years ago. My daughter has SEVERE nut allergies, and the staff at the Club Level ensured that the breakfast and snack bar was stocked with foods she could eat. They even went to get unopened boxes of cereal for us.

Also, the best benefit we found to staying at Club Level was that we had white glove Concierge service the whole trip. They confirmed multiple times with all of the restuarants that her allergies were noted on the reservations, they called ahead each day to reconfirm and even asked the staff at Cinderella's Castle to make a special breakfast just for my daughter. It was an amazing experience. We will never stay at any other level other than Club Level because of this!

Hope this helps!

Best,
Christie