Dining with Food Allergies

[heatherfeather24]

Anyone with some food allergy dining tips for DL? We've been previously, and had a good experience but it's been a good 5 years and DS is a lot more interested in food than he was last time around. Primary allergy is milk (anaphylactic) and some nuts. Nut allergy is minor and much less of a concern.

Any places better than others? We'll probably only do 1 TS and a character breakfast. Otherwise we hope to do mostly CS.

 

[figment_jii]

From what I've read, most Disneyland locations are pretty good about helping guests deal with allergies. At Counter Service locations, you may have to wait a bit longer to get your food because they may have to prep it specially back in the kitchen. Most TS locations will also work with you to identify which dishes can be safely ordered and which would require modification (and if modifications are possible).

That being said, I would probably avoid anything that was a buffet. They can (and will) prepare you a plate in the back to avoid cross contamination, but from what I've heard, it can take a bit of time.

 

[BensWife]

We were just in DL, and I really liked the Carnation Cafe. My food allergies are fairly mild (no anaphylaxis for me), but enough that it can be a huge problem (especially sesame for me and a lot off places use sesame oil). But, the chef himself came out to discuss what I could and could not have. Explained to me he would us all different pans, knives, preparation space, etc. They were very nice and the food was very good. I didn't have to worry about other places we ate as I had eaten at them before and new the items I ordered were safe. I usually find at least one item on a menu and order that every time I go. It is not the best plan for variety, but at least that way I know I at least have one item I know will be safe. Good luck!

 

[gottalovepluto]

At TS just tell the waiter and the chef will come out just as described above (we've had this happen at blue bayou, cafe Orleans and carnation cafe). We had a gluten and dairy allergy in our party and this made my younger sister so excited because instead of no you can't have the rolls, you can't have this, you can't have that, the Chef would tell her what to avoid and then point out everything she could have, like gluten free rolls that weren't on the menu, and even offered to make special items that would fit her needs. Before our last trip we had no idea Disney was SO good about dealing with allergies. I think that was her favorite trip to eat on ever. At CS talk to a CM. Sometimes they have to cook something up special and it will take a little more time.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Oh, and at buffets just talk to your waiter and they can help you from there.

 

[VicMom]

All I know is that the Special Menu (I believe that's what it was called) person that I had a few emails with already wasn't very helpful.

I even narrowed it down to 2 specific places that my son saw photos of and really wants to eat at (Flo's and Sally's) but if he can't eat at them, I would like to know ahead of time so that we can deal with it now (he'll be 3.5 and he has autism so he can't always be flexible with things). I was just told to ask to see the allergy book when we get there and talk to them. But that's going to be really hard, if say for example he can't eat the cone that the food comes in at Sally's and we don't know until we get there.

I guess I just find it frustrating that all the food allergy info for WDW is easily available ahead of your trip but nothing is available for DL.

 

[jina]

Both DL and WDW are wonderful re: handling my and my husband's gluten allergy (celiac). On our last trip to DL, I was in line in front of a family who had a child w/ a peanut allergy and the chef came out to tell the mom what is safe and then went and made the meal fresh in the back as he was concerned there could be cross contamination out front w/ one of the sauces. This was at the mexican TS restaurant next to big thunder mountain railroad. We've also eaten at Blue Bayou, the pizza place next to Space Mountain, the Country Bear cafe, Ariel's Grotto and Flo's - all were great at finding safe food for me and my husband and we even had DD4's kids meals made gluten free so she could share with us (which made her very happy). We've also had ice cream sundae's at the place on Main Street and it was the same process- manager came out, took our order and made it in back with freshly opened packages so no chance for cross contamination. Eating out is always a risky endeavor but I've found Disney resorts are among the best in understanding and executing on safe food. This time we're going to try Jazz Kitchen (in DTD) and the BTMR BBQ. Can't wait!

 

[mikana876]

All I know is that the Special Menu (I believe that's what it was called) person that I had a few emails with already wasn't very helpful.

I even narrowed it down to 2 specific places that my son saw photos of and really wants to eat at (Flo's and Sally's) but if he can't eat at them, I would like to know ahead of time so that we can deal with it now (he'll be 3.5 and he has autism so he can't always be flexible with things). I was just told to ask to see the allergy book when we get there and talk to them. But that's going to be really hard, if say for example he can't eat the cone that the food comes in at Sally's and we don't know until we get there.

I guess I just find it frustrating that all the food allergy info for WDW is easily available ahead of your trip but nothing is available for DL.

I get what you're saying. It frustrates me as well. Is there anyway one person in your group could go in to the restaurant first to check menu items for you and then come out and report on what's safe and not safe?

 

[VicMom]

I get what you're saying. It frustrates me as well. Is there anyway one person in your group could go in to the restaurant first to check menu items for you and then come out and report on what's safe and not safe?

That's pretty much what we're going to have to do. But I'm not really thrilled that we're going to have to stand in the line twice to get food (and possible 3 or 4 times if the first place doesn't work out). That's just a lot of wasted time-worse when you have a hungry 3 yr old-all because they won't post the info like they do at the other park.

 

[rms123]

I had mixed luck at the buffets. I have a citrus anaphylaxis. Some buffets the chef would walk through each item. Others they would just guess. Goofy's kitchen was especially bad. You can probably get someone on the phone with menus for a couple of restaurants and check ahead of time.

 

[heatherfeather24]

Thanks, everyone! Sounds like the CS situation is about the same as it was 5 + years ago. We found, too, that it really depends on the CM that you happen to speak to at each counter as to how "helpful" the information was. In some places they just kind of tossed the allergy book at us and in others they offered more guidance.

 

[PinkBudgie]

That's pretty much what we're going to have to do. But I'm not really thrilled that we're going to have to stand in the line twice to get food (and possible 3 or 4 times if the first place doesn't work out). That's just a lot of wasted time-worse when you have a hungry 3 yr old-all because they won't post the info like they do at the other park.

What other park posts allergy info? I just got back from WDW and they don't post any allergy info anywhere. I had to go up to each CS and find out if I could eat there and what I could eat. Then wait longer while it was made special. The only place that was a little more helpful was DAK where they have a booth just for special diets. There you could check the binders for the restaurants in one place and I even got a little pamphlet with some of the restaurants' meals that are safe for your allergy. I was wishing they did that at all the parks and would LOVE for them to do that at DLR!

It is frustrating not to be able to know these things earlier. I wanted to do that for WDW too, but could not. Maybe you could have him occupied not far away while you check, that way you could order if it works out and he can be brought over.

I have not been to DLR since my food allergies started. Now I'm going to have to check all my favorites foods and places to see if they are safe. FA's are a pain but I'm thankful that in my case it's me and not my child. My heart goes out to all the allergy parents always on high alert worrying about their child.

Does a manager come out at the CS? At WDW, when I said I had an allergy, they had to call the manager. The CM could not put the order in himself. Does DLR not do that?

 

[Plutos Mommy]

My daughter has a severe allergy to dairy and dairy by products. We have found if you ask to speak to the chef they will come out and talk with you. At the buffets they will point out what is safe to eat, they have even made something for her in the back to avoid cross contamination. In fact we find the parks to be the most accommodating to her dairy allergy than anywhere else.

In DL we eat at Big Thunder Ranch a lot for lunch as we know she can have everything except the cornbread and desserts there. The Hungry Bear chicken sandwich is another of her go to meals. In DCA she likes the salads in the sourdough bread bowls, and she sometimes gets a stir-fry

 

[chabelita545]

My son is also highly allergic to dairy and I totally get where you're coming from. I know how frustrating it can be to try and make a restaurant experience safe and "normal" for your child. It's so hard when other people are eating pizza and ice cream etc. and your kid gets left out. On our one and only trip to WDW, I spent over an hour one day running from CS place to CS place waiting in line to ask for the allergy book, then leaving for the next restaurant when there wasn't anything dairy-free. After the third place, I was able to get my son a hot dog with no bun. I was just about in tears with frustration. My experiences at DLR have been much better, though the options are still limited. (Why do the chicken strips have to have milk in them? Ack!)

Check out this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3149681&referrerid=355921

In one of the posts, I listed everything my dairy allergic DS ate while we were in DLR last summer. (Double check ingredients, because menu items can change.) We have never done a character meal, but have eaten in several restaurants.

Before you go, make sure you send an email to the head chef. I got a return phone call last summer from Chef Chris that was helpful and reassuring. (Details in my other thread.)

Have a safe and magical trip!

 

[heatherfeather24]

Thanks for linking your other post. I had NO idea Dole Whip was Dairy Free now?!?! I haven't had one in years because if we're in a group, I'll skip the things that DS can't eat so that he isn't alone. Maybe now we can both indulge.

 

[chabelita545]

You're very welcome, Heatherfeather24. You are a good mom to abstain from foods your son can't eat. Kids with food allergies need to feel like they aren't alone. Good luck, enjoy those Dole Whips and please report back with what your son was able to eat. I'd love to know for our next trip.

 

[mommy2mygirls]

Disney is so good with food allergies. I have a friend whose son is allergic to peanuts, milk, eggs, and wheat. I forget which restaurant it was they told me about, but their son's meal came with a desert which was a scoop of ice cream with cookies to make Mickey ears (the ice cream was the head.) They said not to worry about it because of his allergies and then the chef brought out soy ice cream with egg and gluten free cookies. They were blown away by how great Disney was.

 

[chabelita545]

Disney is so good with food allergies. I have a friend whose son is allergic to peanuts, milk, eggs, and wheat. I forget which restaurant it was they told me about, but their son's meal came with a desert which was a scoop of ice cream with cookies to make Mickey ears (the ice cream was the head.) They said not to worry about it because of his allergies and then the chef brought out soy ice cream with egg and gluten free cookies. They were blown away by how great Disney was.

If it isn't too much trouble, would you please ask your friend which restaurant it was? Last year I was told there was no soy ice cream anywhere in the parks, and this treat you described would make my kid's day.

 

[mommy2mygirls]

If it isn't too much trouble, would you please ask your friend which restaurant it was? Last year I was told there was no soy ice cream anywhere in the parks, and this treat you described would make my kid's day.

She said it was at the Plaza Inn.

 

[abbydancer]

Both my nieces have celiac, and we took them to Disneyland in September. In general, it was great. We did breakfast at Carnation, and Plaza Inn and each time the chefs came out. At Plaza Inn it was a character breakfast. The chefs told them what they could eat off the buffet, and then brought them each a Mickey waffle beautifully plated. They were both tweens at the time, but they loved being able to get a Mickey Waffle there, and pancakes at the Carnation restaurant.

They were able to get gluten free buns at Taste Pilots. When my sister ordered, they told her 15 minutes, so she let the kids go over Rip Roaring Rapids to do single rider. The burgers came much quicker, well before kids got back (didn't help that older one is directionally challenged, and turned left out of the ride and walked to the back of the park before coming back.)