Disney with baby with MSPI

[WeLoveLilo05]

Hi all,
I know Disney is great with food allergies, as I have a daughter with a peanut allergy and they have always handled everything exceptionally well.
However, I have a little one who was diagnosed with MSPI (Milk/Soy protein intolerance) she will be close to 13 months when we go. I plan on being done with nursing by then, however I don't know what will she snack on? Do I order her separate stuff, how would they handle feeding a 13 month old since they don't really eat a ton. And does the staff know how to handle a Milk/Soy protein intolerance or will they look at me like I have 9 heads?
And I don't know what kind of milk she will be on by then, do they have coconut/almond/hemp milks somewhere?

 

[Mum23]

You will need to pay for her meals if you don't intend on sharing meals with her (you would need to order your meals M/S free). At that age, I would think you will be better off planning on packing her food honestly. The only alternative I think they have at many places is soy (won't help you) and a lot do have rice milk as well. Also, I wouldn't expect them to understand MSPI, it would be easier to say allergy and make note in all your ADRs.

 

[lanejudy]

You can have it noted on your ADR's like your older daughter's peanut allergy. At buffet's I know they'll point out what is safe and prepare her a plate in the kitchen so as to be safe. I'm not sure at a la cart TS -- I would just order something safe as my meal to share with her. Someone else will chime in with how that is handled for a little one who wouldn't normally order a meal.

But I wanted to mention my experience with "intolerance" at WDW, since you have labeled your child's issue that way. I know my food intolerances can have a range of avoidance levels -- some foods are ok, some not at all, some ok at times or in small portions or if cooked, etc. I do not note my food intolerances because I prefer to manage my choices and cross-contamination isn't a concern for me such as with a food allergy. We learned the hard way that an intolerance noted on ADRs might be handled much more strictly than you'd wish with no understanding of that gray area where a food may be ok at times. Of course, it all depends on how your daughter reacts to her specific intolerances plus your comfort in making appropriate selections for her. I just wanted to share my experience.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

You can have it noted on your ADR's like your older daughter's peanut allergy. At buffet's I know they'll point out what is safe and prepare her a plate in the kitchen so as to be safe. I'm not sure at a la cart TS -- I would just order something safe as my meal to share with her. Someone else will chime in with how that is handled for a little one who wouldn't normally order a meal.

But I wanted to mention my experience with "intolerance" at WDW, since you have labeled your child's issue that way. I know my food intolerances can have a range of avoidance levels -- some foods are ok, some not at all, some ok at times or in small portions or if cooked, etc. I do not note my food intolerances because I prefer to manage my choices and cross-contamination isn't a concern for me such as with a food allergy. We learned the hard way that an intolerance noted on ADRs might be handled much more strictly than you'd wish with no understanding of that gray area where a food may be ok at times. Of course, it all depends on how your daughter reacts to her specific intolerances plus your comfort in making appropriate selections for her. I just wanted to share my experience.

Enjoy your vacation!

I would not necessarily expect them to prepare a plate in the kitchen for buffets.
We have been at WDW and eaten at multiple buffets with people with food allergies, including one little boy with multiple severe (anaphylactic) allergies. The chef met with the guests and pointed out things that were safe or not safe, but we never had a plate of food prepared in the back. Our people just ate the safe things for them off the buffet. It's possible they would have made a plate if asked, but as far as I know it wasn't offered except in one case when the chef made a dessert since he said none of the things on the dessert table were safe.

As was mentioned, you will find soy milk in multiple places, which will not help you. I have seen Rice Milk, but not seen Almond milk (I would remember that since my son in law is severely allergic to almonds).

Since most 13 month olds eat very little, the majority of people feed them off of the adults' plates - even in table service restaurants. There is no problem with bringing food in for her - drinks, snacks and whole meals. Just be aware they can't heat the food for you. They can provide a cup or bowl of hot water that you could use to heat it, but food service rules prevent them from taking anything into the kitchen to heat.

I agree with lanejudy that if you say "allergy" they will be very cautious (and rightly so) when maybe you don't need quite that amount of caution.

 

[Mum23]

I would not necessarily expect them to prepare a plate in the kitchen for buffets.
We have been at WDW and eaten at multiple buffets with people with food allergies, including one little boy with multiple severe (anaphylactic) allergies.

Yes, they will if you ask. Cross contamination from people at the buffet lines is a very big risk for food allergies. I would never feed my kids with multiple life threatening food allergies eat off a buffet line- too large a risk. My DS had AMAZING meals at Hollywood and Vine and Tusker House, both buffets. Both times the chef went through the buffet line with me and we discussed what was safe for DS (sometime with modifications) and would go get it from the kitchen.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, they will if you ask. Cross contamination from people at the buffet lines is a very big risk for food allergies. I would never feed my kids with multiple life threatening food allergies eat off a buffet line- too large a risk. My DS had AMAZING meals at Hollywood and Vine and Tusker House, both buffets. Both times the chef went through the buffet line with me and we discussed what was safe for DS (sometime with modifications) and would go get it from the kitchen.

It all depends on people's comfort level.
My main point was not to expect if you don't ask - if it's important to you, ask.

In my son in law's case, the food on the buffet was safe for his allergies, but the chef said none of the desserts were safe.

Our friends, whose son has multiple very significant allergies felt safe eating some things off the buffet, but others not. He did get some food brought to the table from the back, but they asked.

 

[philschrek]

Our children were all allergic to dairy, egg, and soy at 1 year, when they each took their first trips. I'm sure it's up to the discretion of the chef but even at buffets like Chef Mickey's and Cape May Cafe where he isn't a paying guest, the chef came out to talk to us and then offered to make allergen-free waffles and potatoes (we don't eat meat so I'm not sure what else they would have offered if we had). Last time they even brought our son a babycakes donut and a rice milk.

It's quite common actually, we went with no expectations and were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was and how much the staff deals with allergies.

 

[Dis703]

You have a few options. One is to order dairy/soy free meals for yourself and just feed your LO off your plate. Order dairy/soy free meal for your LO and pay for it. Or bring your own snacks and foods. Or a combo of those things. I doubt at 13 months your LO will be eating a ton of food. At buffets they will prepare something if needed and you won't be charged for an infant. And I agree just call it a milk/soy allergy don't even bother with MSPI.

FWIW, our 3 children all have food allergies and every buffet we have eaten at has made food from the kitchen for them to avoid cross contamination. If you are comfortable eating off the buffet that's fine but they will special prepare things in the kitchen for people with food allergies.

As for milk substitutes I mostly see soy milk as the only milk alternative. I know they have rice products and may have rice milk in places but not certain where as it's one of our major allergens. Never seen almond milk, which is what my boys drink.