Crohns disease

[dawgfan]

A member of my party has recently been diagnosed with Crohns disease. Her diet is strict at this point and she will need some special attention to meals when we go in three weeks. We are new to dealing with this disease and the info available about it can be confusing. The diet is bland at this point and contains a great deal of baked or grilled chicken. One of the things we have planned is a trip to the Hoop de Doo Review. There is nothing on that menu that she can really eat. Can you order a special meal that will accomodate this restrictive diet?

Also, for anyone that may be familiar with this disease, any advice on meal/ restaurant selection would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tinkgirl1984]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's at 15, so I've been dealing with it for quite a while. Disney is one of the very best places you could go while trying to deal with diet restrictions. The problem with Crohn's is that there are no two patients with exactly the same triggers or symptoms. Something that would kill me, she may be able to eat with no problem. If her diet is that restrictive right now though, it sounds like she's in the middle of, or just getting over a flare up. My best suggestions would be to stay away from the majority of counter service places. Fried greasy things aren't going to be tolerated well. Look for places with lighter offerings, which may be difficult depending on whether or not she can tolerate salads and wraps (it's very possible she can't right now). Off the top of my head, good CS options might be Colombia Harbor House in MK. Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. Possibly Starring Rolls in DHS, they have a pretty good turkey sandwich. Maybe Tusker House at AK. They have a pretty good turkey sandwich also. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney should both be fine. Table service is much easier. Disney is very good at accommodating dietary needs, and with Crohn's they're usually pretty simple things like leaving off sauces and substituting sides. Speaking from experience, the ones I would stay away from right now are Chefs de France (everything's heavy), Teppan Edo (everything's a little greasy as it's all cooked in oil on your tabletop), she may or may not want to deal with Italian (just ask her how she does with it). Probably no Mexican. As much as I love it, I wouldn't go to 'Ohana (I tried one year during a flare up and spent the rest of the vacation in the room, all of the meats are spice rubbed), I'd probably stay away from Boma also, everything's pretty heavily spiced. In fact, buffets in general are probably not a good idea. Plated meals are usually easier, but if there's a buffet that's an absolute must do, I'm sure she'll be able to find something. The chef at 1900 Park Fare made me plain grilled chicken and grilled fish once. I can't help you with Hoop De Doo. I'm sure if you called dining though, they can tell you if there's an alternate meal choice. I hope that helps and you have a great trip!

 

[Nadjalu]

You would probably get more advice and experiences if you post under the disabilities forum.

There are many food related threads and advice there.

Good luck and have a good time!!

 

[MHSweb79]

http://allears.net/din/special.htm

The above link is a good resource as well. You can also view menus which may help you choose eateries in advance.

 

[addiln]

also when booking they will ask you if you have any food allergies or need any special dietary needs. let them know that at that time. if you already booked your dining then call up and user your confermation number to have it added to the res.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

i too have crohns and have been in an active flare for over 2 years now. in that time we've done disney 3 times. i've seen the chefs at different restaurants come out to accomidate special diets and talk to the guests, disney is very happy to help out in this area.

one thing i will mention, quick services are probably going to be a challenge...all the buns and pizza dough are multigrain. this kills me during our trips, and if she is newly dx'd her system is still out of whack and she's trying to get it under control hence the bland diet(so dont miss those days!). while there last month i spoke to a wonderful waitress at 50's ptc and she said that even the quick services could accomidate and give me plain old white buns/dough. of course this was the last day of our trip so i didn't get a chance to ask about it. best thing i can suggest is make sure your travel agent has it docummented on all your ressies. for me i know what to avoid so i steer clear of it, but being so new to it she may not know her triggers 100%. i agree with the above poster about spicy things(mexican) and heavy grease....but if shes on the bland/low sodium/low residue diet she knows to avoid these already and had probably been given a list of whats allowed and whats not. even now for me 18 years later i can't tolerate those very well.

if by chance you get to a place and she doesn't see anything to eat, remind the waiter/ress about her needs and chances are they'll send the chef out to discuss what she can eat/need. disney wants people happy and coming back so they are more than happy to accomidate dietary needs.

 

[ZoZo]

Hi! 20-year Ulcerative Colitis sufferer here. I'm lucky not to have very many food triggers, but wanted to make a suggestion.

If there are things you can bring with you or ship ahead (things that are low-residue food items such as individual servings of applesauce), that might be a good solution. It's nice to have some familiar things with you that you know are safe to eat.

 

[mousesweetie]

Crohn's here. I stay away from Salads (raw veggies overall) spices, multi-grain and high fiber foods, gravys, tomato sauces, and spicy foods. Otherwise I'm usually fine. Esp, when I travel, like to the World. I usually "eat safe" there. Turkey sandwiches(no lettuce) baked or grilled chicken(ask for no spices or rubs= I eat everything PLAIN).

Disney is really good with accomodating people with allergies/food restrictions.

Best of luck!

 

[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.

 

[minuet]

Hi there,

My parents returned from a trip to Disney 4 weeks ago. My dad has suffered with Crohn's for over 25 years. In preparation we planned every meal in advance knowing exactly what he would pick at each restaurant. I agree with the poster who said no 2 people have the same trigger items although my dad is on a fairly limited diet. (no whole wheat, no raw veggies, no greens etc.)

With this in mind random counter service can be difficult with the whole wheat buns and fries with skins on them but here is where he ate and what he ate:

Chefs de France - ham and cheese quiche with fries subbed for the side instead on salad. He really enjoyed this and didn't find it heavy.

ESPN Club - Burger without the lettuce and tomato with fries

Rose and Crown - Fish and Chips

Le Cellier - New York strip cooked plainly with the steak fries

Sci-Fi - burger without the toppings and fries

Liberty Tree Tavern - the Thanksgiving dinner (he didn't eat the salad, beans or stuffing but was stuffed on the potato, mac and cheese, meat and rolls - the table came with 6, he had 5 of them. They also gave him plain ice cream for dessert since he couldn't have the crisp)

Main Street Bakery - ham sandwich with the lettuce and tomato taken off (this was the same day as LTT so the smaller lunch left lots of room for supper)

Earl of Sandwich - club sandwich with just the meat and regular mayo, no lettuce or tomato

Yak and Yeti Counter Service - chicken balls with sweet and sour sauce and white rice, he just didn't eat the peppers and onions

Grand Floridian Cafe - Breakfast - the All-American but no sausage as that was deemed to be spicy

The Plaza - Club sandwich without the lettuce and tomato on sourdough bread with fries

La Kringla - Roast beef sandwich with swiss cheese. The onion was taken off.


snacks included: Milk shake from Min and Bill's in DHS, pineapple dole Whip, Rice Krispie treat from Goofy's, cloudhorn from Norway

Fries at the above locations did not have skins and the burgers had white buns.

If in doubt, just ask. Disney is awesome at accommodating special needs.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[daisyduck123]

DD16 had Ulcerative Colitis for two years (I say "had" because she had a total colectomy three months ago).

During our WDW trips, she was able to enjoy many of our TS meals because we go to a lot of buffets, and there she had a variety of foods to choose from.

 

[mousesweetie]

I forgot to add that I cant eat anything with seeds or kernels (popcorn) bc like many others with this illness, dr's advise against because those foods can get stuck in the intestines and cause very bad, sometimes deadly results.
So might wanna steer away from those. Not trying to scare ya, but just advising.

 

[dismichael]

Disney is AMAZING with accommodating people with diet restrictions. I have a deathly nut allergy, and a gluten sensitivity, and they are amazing at dealing with it. The chef comes to the table, and will offer to make something completely separate for you without any contaminants. Only two places I wouldn't recommend would be Boma and the Wave. The chefs were a bit ignorant there. Best was Kouzzina for breakfast. Ask for chef Marylin

 

[mousesweetie]

agreed with p.p.

 

[lilsk8nmac]

Disney is AMAZING with accommodating people with diet restrictions. I have a deathly nut allergy, and a gluten sensitivity, and they are amazing at dealing with it. The chef comes to the table, and will offer to make something completely separate for you without any contaminants. Only two places I wouldn't recommend would be Boma and the Wave. The chefs were a bit ignorant there. Best was Kouzzina for breakfast. Ask for chef Marylin

I agree with previous poster. I have crohn's as well as really bad multiple food allergies. The chef's are GREAT about accomodating those with sensitivities and illnesses. Best of luck and have a great vacation!

 

[kacaju]

I agree with previous poster. I have crohn's as well as really bad multiple food allergies. The chef's are GREAT about accomodating those with sensitivities and illnesses. Best of luck and have a great vacation!

I agree! My husband has crohns and when we went to Disney the chefs all came out and talked to him about what he could and could not eat. It was great.

 

[DCDisney]

I have eaten at Hoop Dee Doo and it won't be a problem. They have plain chicken breast ready to grill for those with allergies/dietary restrictions. If you put dietary restriction on the reservation the chef walks around while they take drink orders and figures out what you need. My special food (nicely grilled chicken and a very large serving) arrived with the regular food. Because the same kitchen supplies Trail's End buffet they have numerous fruits veggies and meats that they can substitute for you.

 

[KigerKat]

I was diagnosed about 18 months ago wit Crohns. Ironically, my diagnosis came a few weeks after our last trip to Disney, which was miserable for me food-wise.

Not knowing what I had or that I was in the middle of a flare up, I had absolutely no appetite. I was exhausted all the time and my upset stomach could not be helped by over the counter medicine.

We were on the free ddp, and it was a good thing we were because I wasted so much food. I would eat about 5 bites and then want to vomit if I looked at my plate again. Before this trip, I had been living on granola bars and apple juice - pretty much all I had an appetite for.

Aside from all that, we still managed to have a great time! I only felt bad around meal times and the crowds made it easy to take our time walking around and not doing too much.

Now that I know what's wrong with me, I try to watch what I eat when I'm eating out or traveling. It was hard to do this on our last cruise in December with the constant buffets everywhere you look and Christmas being right after, but I managed just fine.

Lucky for me, there are not big food triggers that I know I can't eat. I try to avoid greasy, fried or really cheesy foods and drink a lot of fluids.

I would most definitely call Disney and let them know of your situation. I have seen a lot of people here on the Dis talk about dietary restrictions and how well Disney has accommodated them. Disney understands that with the thousands of people that eat in their restaurants every day, they need to offer options for their guests with special needs.

Good luck to your friend, and I hope they enjoy their trip!!