Concierge/Club foods with Alleriges (APO Resort board)

[clanmcculloch]

My family loves Disney because of how amazing they are regarding our food allergies. Because of the great deal on Club level rooms, we're considering our first time in a Club level room. My question is, will the resort provide any special foods for people with food allergies? I do understand that the food provided at the continental breakfast, snacks and evening wine&cheese are free (wine's not free but the cheese & hors d'hervs are) but you do pay more for Club rooms and this is part of the reason for choosing Club level. Typical continental breakfasts and fingers foods and cheese besides fresh fruit are not safe for us (gluten & dairy issues).

I'm not looking for judgements about whether or not we should expect them to accomodate us considering these things are "free". I'm just trying to get an idea of the reality so we can correctly set our expectations and make decisions about an upcoming trip based on real answers.

TIA!!

 

[crashbb]

I was told that they wouldn't bring in special food for me (also gluten and dairy issues). This was the YC Club level. You might have more success.

I actually assumed that they wouldn't (as you say, the food is free), so it wasn't a big deal.

 

[allyphoe]

My recollection is that AKL Club Level asked my gluten-free mother what she'd care to have, and arranged for a plate to be sent up to the lounge for her. That would have been December 2007.

 

[mechurchlady]

The food in concierge lounges and the Club level is not free. They are amenities that are added onto your level of hotel room. When you pay more for a hotel room, cruise line cabin or a train berth then you usually get additional amenities. Amenities can be personal service like a butler or concierge, free meals, a plush bathrobe, and better quality sheets.

Definitely have your travel agent or yourself if you did the reservation to contact the resort and explain your dietary needs for the club level so that they are prepared. You can also contact special diets and see what they can do. Part of special diets is that the chefs and managers need to know ahead of time what to stock. If everyone lets them know then they can have enough food but if you just show up then they may be out of stock and all you get is rice pasta in ketchup.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I was told that they wouldn't bring in special food for me (also gluten and dairy issues). This was the YC Club level. You might have more success.

I actually assumed that they wouldn't (as you say, the food is free), so it wasn't a big deal.

Technically, the food's not free. It's included in the premium price that's paid for the club level rooms. Some do see it as free but it's actually not. I just didn't want to get flamed for asking about something that some might see as a freebie.

I'm surprised you were give a flat out no. I wonder if this is a case of if you had have asked a different CM you would have gotten a different response?

My recollection is that AKL Club Level asked my gluten-free mother what she'd care to have, and arranged for a plate to be sent up to the lounge for her. That would have been December 2007.

This is the kind of things I was hoping to hear. Thank you!

The food in concierge lounges and the Club level is not free. They are amenities that are added onto your level of hotel room. When you pay more for a hotel room, cruise line cabin or a train berth then you usually get additional amenities. Amenities can be personal service like a butler or concierge, free meals, a plush bathrobe, and better quality sheets.

Definitely have your travel agent or yourself if you did the reservation to contact the resort and explain your dietary needs for the club level so that they are prepared. You can also contact special diets and see what they can do. Part of special diets is that the chefs and managers need to know ahead of time what to stock. If everyone lets them know then they can have enough food but if you just show up then they may be out of stock and all you get is rice pasta in ketchup.

I do understand that it's not free. I worced my original post as I did figuring people might flame me for questioning something that seems free to some people (this was originally posted on a nother board; I know people on this board aren't likely to flame for questioning anything). I do understand it's a paid for ammenity. I'm actually researching this BEFORE booking because I know that I can't afford to pay for the increased cost of club level and have to pay for every meal; the increased cost of club level would offset a portion of our meal cost. If we can't take advantage of the ammenity then we won't use the club level (it's a huge benefit).

I think I'll call the resorts that we're considering to find out what kinds of accomodations can be made so we have a good idea of what can be done at each of the resort.

Thank you everybody for your responses. You've been very helpful!!

 

[Selket]

I'm curious to hear what you report back. My younger son has a few serious but common food allergies and I am curious if they would accommodate him for food.

It seems they could prepare a special plated option for mornings and evenings if they normally have some items available in the restaurants. Restaurants have sometimes just brought out a plate of options for him - some fresh and some packaged - and they ask us to keep the packaged items if we don't plan to eat them right away (Divvies cookies, some brownie item, etc).

 

[mechurchlady]

Just clarifying stuff. I emphasis the food is not free because it is something you are paying for. It is something that you should be able to enjoy.

It is good you are asking the questions before you make the reservations instead of afterwards. Good luck on the plans/

 

[dawnball]

My recollection is that AKL Club Level asked my gluten-free mother what she'd care to have, and arranged for a plate to be sent up to the lounge for her. That would have been December 2007.

I recall that it went more like "What on display is gluten free?" "Let me check" *a few minutes pass* "The chef will send up a plate, is it just for one?" And about an hour later, a plate would be ready.

When they asked how many the plate was for, she could say something like "yes, and I just want something sweet" or whatever, but nothing really specific. I did call/email in advance and verify with the IPO folks that there would be gluten free options available in the lounge.