Dining with Allergies

[SLThomas318]

Planning a family trip for next Thanksgiving and 1 member of our group has multiple food allergies. I've done a little research and know there are allergy menus and that we can request to talk to the chef, but was wondering if people find quick-serve or table service to be easier? We are planning on breakfast and maybe even lunch in the room (DVC and small kids so we take a break mid-day anyway).

 

[WishesQueen]

Planning a family trip for next Thanksgiving and 1 member of our group has multiple food allergies. I've done a little research and know there are allergy menus and that we can request to talk to the chef, but was wondering if people find quick-serve or table service to be easier? We are planning on breakfast and maybe even lunch in the room (DVC and small kids so we take a break mid-day anyway).

My DD has a dairy allergy and I have a shellfish allergy. We do fine with QS just using common sense and asking a few questions and making a few requested. But TS is amazing with allergies, especially if you added them to the reservation. They check every item you order and have some awesome suggestions and special items not listed or on the allergy menu.

 

[Miffy]

It depends on the allergies, but, generally, you'll have better luck with TS restaurants, since there you can speak to the executive chef and they will be able to make sure the food is prepared to your specifications.

For dairy and nut allergies, it's much easier, and you can probably do more TS restaurants, since these two allergies are listed on the menu.

 

[SLThomas318]

Thanks! I was assuming table service would be best. A few of the allergies are more common (dairy, egg, peanut/tree nuts), but then there are a few others.

 

[Miffy]

Thanks! I was assuming table service would be best. A few of the allergies are more common (dairy, egg, peanut/tree nuts), but then there are a few others.

I know what you mean. I'm vegan, which is relatively easy to do at WDW (love that about WDW), but I'm also allergic to some weird things, like ginger, so I have to be careful.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Thanks! I was assuming table service would be best. A few of the allergies are more common (dairy, egg, peanut/tree nuts), but then there are a few others.

If it's complicated, allergy menus won't work for you, so CS will have a helluva time trying to accommodate, so I would do TS only, and I would list the allergies on each reservation prior to attending.

 

[CynBeth]

We do much better at TS with the allergies my family members have. We have to skip some of the ones in WS at Epcot or at AK that are too exotic but can eat at most restaurants including buffets such as Boma. We just tried LTT in November it was our first time doing the platter instead of the a la carte lunch menu which they don’t have anymore and it was great.

 

[Miffy]

We do much better at TS with the allergies my family members have. We have to skip some of the ones in WS at Epcot or at AK that are too exotic but can eat at most restaurants including buffets such as Boma. We just tried LTT in November it was our first time doing the platter instead of the a la carte lunch menu which they don’t have anymore and it was great.

Just to note that at DAK, the chefs at Yak & Yeti have always been terrifically accommodating for allergies, preferences, etc. There are many off-menu items that they regularly make and they'll be happy to prepare something special for you. At least that's been my experience.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

While we have had some wonderful cast members at quick service locations who have helped tremendously with allergy orders, I've found TS to be a lot easier when it comes to food allergies. Ours are common allergies, so I just add them to our ADRs and address it with our server at meal time, but for some family members that sometimes tag along with more uncommon ones, it can't hurt to reach out to Special Diets. As for the restaurants themselves, every now and then, we'll get someone who isn't overly knowledgeable (had a debate about tree nuts and coconut) and we've also had a couple of hiccups (ex. peanut sauce brought to our table), so it's still best to proceed with caution.

 

[SLThomas318]

While we have had some wonderful cast members at quick service locations who have helped tremendously with allergy orders, I've found TS to be a lot easier when it comes to food allergies. Ours are common allergies, so I just add them to our ADRs and address it with our server at meal time, but for some family members that sometimes tag along with more uncommon ones, it can't hurt to reach out to Special Diets. As for the restaurants themselves, every now and then, we'll get someone who isn't overly knowledgeable (had a debate about tree nuts and coconut) and we've also had a couple of hiccups (ex. peanut sauce brought to our table), so it's still best to proceed with caution.

I did see some info on Special Diets and was going to reach out. I think it mentioned if one person had 4 or more allergies then you should reach out a couple weeks before (if you had dining reservations). Just from the little bit of research I started doing it seemed like we would have much better luck with Table Service. Thank you!

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Chefs at sit down are better for allergies, but be aware that depending on what you can’t have you may end up with something very plain. My kids and I can’t eat nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes& peppers). A lot of time we have to go with a chicken or steak with just salt & pepper because the sauces have something we can’t eat.

 

[Cakes]

Table service all the way! I also have a fairly severe food allergy and Disney is really on top of it with their table service staff. They always send a chef out to speak with me personally!

 

[BarlowFamily]

The mobile order allergy friendly menus are so helpful. However, we found those allergy friendly meals took much longer to prepare. Both at Rosie’s in Hollywood Studios and Regal Eagle in Epcot, the person our group that ordered the allergy friendly meal waited more than 20 minutes longer than the rest of us (group of single girls, individual orders). She asked about it both times. They explained they prepare those meals in a separate space, further from the restaurant etc. Still a bummer for her. Table service, I didn’t notice our meals taking longer than other tables around us and her food was served the same time as everyone else’s.

 

[philharmagic fan]

The mobile order allergy friendly menus are so helpful. However, we found those allergy friendly meals took much longer to prepare. Both at Rosie’s in Hollywood Studios and Regal Eagle in Epcot, the person our group that ordered the allergy friendly meal waited more than 20 minutes longer than the rest of us (group of single girls, individual orders). She asked about it both times. They explained they prepare those meals in a separate space, further from the restaurant etc. Still a bummer for her. Table service, I didn’t notice our meals taking longer than other tables around us and her food was served the same time as everyone else’s.

We haven't had that experience - when we mobile order, they time it so both our meals (DH is gluten-sensitive, I have no food allergies) come out at the same time. Prior to mobile order, DH sometimes got his gluten-free meal first and I had to remind them that I was waiting for my portion of the order.

As far as TS is concerned - DH is generally OK with choosing off the allergy menu, but the servers ALWAYS ask if he'd prefer to talk with a chef.