Disneyland Team...A Request

TMcDwyer

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 30, 2008
Messages
1,145
My husband and I are taking the kids to Disneyland for the first time Labor Day weekend. (We are running the 1/2 while we are there.) Anyway...here is my request. We found out in August that my son has Aspergers and then in December we found out that he is gluten and dairy intolerant. I know that in WDW we will be able to find food for him, but I have no idea what to expect in DL. I would LOVE to see a Podcast segment on special dietary needs in DL, especially gluten free/diary free options. Thanks so much from a Mom who wants to enjoy the magic and not have to worry about feeding her kiddos. :love:
 
Hi Taryn

Thanks for listening.

I made sure the entire team saw your request. I'm sure we can figure something out. :thumbsup2
 
We did DL gluten free a few years ago. We managed just fine. If any of the DL team want to know what to ask and look for let me know!

Erika
 

We did DL gluten free a few years ago. We managed just fine. If any of the DL team want to know what to ask and look for let me know!

Erika

Do you remember if the fries were GF? This is a HUGE one for us, as it is such a comfort food for DS and when he gets agitated they tend to calm him down. :rotfl:
 
Fries can be a tough one sometimes. You have to make sure that they are fried in oil that is not used for other breaded items. Alot of counter service type places cannot gaurentee no cross contamination. We had better luck with sit down restaurants. Here is some information on food allergies from the DL website;

Table-Service Locations

Table-service restaurants that accept reservations at Disneyland Resort can accommodate most food allergies or intolerances.

Common Food Allergies include:

•gluten or wheat
•shellfish
•soy
•lactose or dairy
•peanuts and tree nuts
•fish
•eggs
•corn
Guests should notate these food allergies and intolerances at the time of booking their dining reservation. Guests are also welcome to speak to a chef or a manager on duty when arriving at the dining location.

Most restaurants offer no sugar added, low fat, low sodium or vegetarian options. Advance arrangements are not necessary for guests with lifestyle dietary requests. Guests can discuss this with their server upon arrival at the restaurant.

Metabolic Disorders/Multiple Allergies

Guests with requests associated with the list below should contact the Disneyland Resort via email at least 14 days prior to arrival and after booking all dining arrangements for the entire visit:

•Allergy or intolerance not listed above under Common Food Allergies
•PKU
•Metabolic disorders
•A single guest with multiple allergies/intolerances or multiple guests with allergies/intolerances within the same party
The restaurants will do their best to accommodate guest dietary requirements, but cannot guarantee they will be able to meet all requests.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/

I would suggest making reservations to make sure you can get the comfort food your DS need :)
 
Thanks so much! I sometimes don't know how I would get my trips planned without my fellow DISers.
 
Hi Taryn! We all got your message!

When I'm staying over for the Tinkerbell Half, I'll check into several places and see what's up. I know these are common questions on the DL boards, and a segment on this was on our list of future ideas that we made up a while ago.

I know the Napa Rose is VERY accommodating to special dining requests, if it's on your list! The places that might have a minor challenge might be the character dining buffets, like Goofy's Kitchen. I'm sure that they make some fresh options for special diets. Erika, did you notice that?

Glad we can help!
Nancy
 
Thanks so much Nancy! :lovestruc. We have faced so many challenges since his DX and I want him to really enjoy this trip without stressing about eating. I know it sounds like a minor thing, but when you have to scrutinize every bite it can be overwhelming.
 
Thanks for the heads up. It never dawned on my to e-mail them with my dietary concerns. I am so used to WDW and knowing the ins and outs of the menus and what the chef is going to say at the places we eat at. I don't expect it to be a problem in DL, as I can usually discern from the menu what I can and can't have, but sometimes there is a surprise.
Thanks again for the heads up!!!!:thumbsup2
 
We have a son with dairy allergies, and when we go to WDW, we email their team and they send us a full PDF packet of allergen free foods, which locations to find them, all of their ingredients, etc. This is SUPER helpful for basic kid foods like chicken strips, french fries, "ice cream", etc. I do know it list items that are dairy, gluten, nut free, etc. Good news is, almost all of their fries are safe from a dairy standpoint at WDW.

I dug a little bit, and it looks like you can email them at DLRspecialdiets@email.disney.com to get the same information for DL. Best of luck to you and I'm curious to see what you find out because we are hoping to head to DL this year ourselves, but I don't want to contact them until we are confirmed.

Have a great trip!!!
 
I'll be sending them an email today, from my personal account, as opposed to my podcast email, to see what they send me. I'll let you guys know!

:surfweb:
 
I received a response from Disneyland's Special Diets Department. This is what they said:

Good morning Todd,

I will forward your information on to the Chefs of these restaurants. As you are seated, ask to meet with the Chef on duty. The Chef will then come to your table and go over options with you. You are also welcome to read any of our food labels prior to making your final decision.

Let me know if I can answer any further questions,
Chef Bill Orton CEC

My food issues are not too difficult to work with, but I am glad that the info was passed on. Whether or not any flags will be tied to my reservation, as there are at WDW, we shall see.
 
I received a response from Disneyland's Special Diets Department. This is what they said:



My food issues are not too difficult to work with, but I am glad that the info was passed on. Whether or not any flags will be tied to my reservation, as there are at WDW, we shall see.

Thanks for the update Todd. Let us know how it goes.
 
Hi Taryn! We all got your message!

When I'm staying over for the Tinkerbell Half, I'll check into several places and see what's up. I know these are common questions on the DL boards, and a segment on this was on our list of future ideas that we made up a while ago.

I know the Napa Rose is VERY accommodating to special dining requests, if it's on your list! The places that might have a minor challenge might be the character dining buffets, like Goofy's Kitchen. I'm sure that they make some fresh options for special diets. Erika, did you notice that?

Glad we can help!
Nancy

We have found buffets to be accommodating as well. Some chefs will walk you through the buffet line and tell you what is safe but we prefer food that has not been exposed to cross contamination possibilities and usually ask to be served from kitchen. All the experiences we have had have been positive and they ave been more than happy to bring us whatever is available.

Erika
 











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