do i need to call ahead for dining confirmation?

[sleepingbean]

I have all my ADRs. I specified when I made them that we have allergies to gluten and dairy. I am wondering, do I need to call ahead to each place 2-3 days prior? Is that really a necessary step? I emailed Brenda B, but she's out and the backup email address is kicking back to me.

I did make all those calls last time, but it seemed like it was a bit of a waste of time, as all the people I talked to were different people then who I ended up working with once we got there?

I know to ask for the chef once we get there. Is that enough?

And if you do call ahead, do you need to call just 2-3 days in advance, or could I make all my ADR call aheads 2 days before our trip starts (which would be 9 days before we eat at our last ADR)?

 

[DVCDawn]

My DD is allergic to peanuts and nuts. Like you, I make sure that her allergies are duly noted on all our ADRs. I also call before I leave to confirm that this info is still attached to each of our ADRs and I recommend you do too. Here's why: While talking to the chef at Artist Point a few years ago, he thanked me for letting them know ahead of time that we were coming and what our restrictions were. He said that in his kitchen (and many others in WDW) he has a white board where he posts the incoming dietary restrictions for the week for the entire kitchen staff to see -- like Monday: 4 peanut allergies, 6 dairy allergies and 8 celiac sprues, etc. He said this keeps cross-contamination issues at the top of the staff's mind and reminds those responsible to be sure they have enough gluten-free bread, etc. to accommodate the guests.

I know it seems like a pain to call, but it helps everyone, including you, to be prepared.

DVCDawn

 

[Marie14625]

Probably a courtesy call would not hurt. But, let me tell you about something I experienced. While at MK, Kim and I ate lunch at the Cosmic Cafe in tomorrowland. It is counterserve. Anyway, a man ahead of me was ordering for two family members with milk allergies. The manager got our a large book, looked up milk allergies and helped the man make his menu choices based on that. It seemed to mean leaving certain things off his order.
So, you may need to remind your server, or a host or hostess when you get there too. I assume all restaurants have such a manual.

 

[hildarumpole]

Those are common allergies, so you probably don't have to make the calls. I had my kids' peanut/treenut/shellfish allergies noted on the ADRs. I didn't call each restaurant prior to our trip and had no problems whatsoever. The chefs came out at each TS and talked to us about what they could eat. At buffets, the chefs walked us through the lines and even offered to make something special if they didn't see anything they liked. Disney has it down pat helping people with dietary restrictions.