Do I need to talk with the chefs?

[daraweb]

Headed to WDW in 12 days (YAHOO!) for the first time since my DD9 was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I have noted a gluten "allergy" on all of our ADR's (which I made online).

I called specialdiets and they told me that I don't need to do anything else. They assured me that the QS at our hotel (WL) is always stocked and ready for GF. She is only celiac (no other food allergies or restrictions).

I am wondering if this is accurate information. I know many of you have spoken with chef's at TS restaurants before your trip. Do I need to do this?

In my mind, DD is probably a pretty easy specialdiet to acommodate since it is only gluten she needs to avoid, but I want to be sure they are ready for us. For example, GF Mickey waffles at WL QS.

Any input would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[livndisney]

Headed to WDW in 12 days (YAHOO!) for the first time since my DD9 was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I have noted a gluten "allergy" on all of our ADR's (which I made online).

I called specialdiets and they told me that I don't need to do anything else. They assured me that the QS at our hotel (WL) is always stocked and ready for GF. She is only celiac (no other food allergies or restrictions).

I am wondering if this is accurate information. I know many of you have spoken with chef's at TS restaurants before your trip. Do I need to do this?

In my mind, DD is probably a pretty easy specialdiet to acommodate since it is only gluten she needs to avoid, but I want to be sure they are ready for us. For example, GF Mickey waffles at WL QS.

Any input would be appreciated!
Thanks!

If your ADR is noted with an allergy, the chef will come out and speak with you.

If you mention an allergy at CS, a chef/manager will come speak with you before you are allowed to order.

You do not have to speak with a chef before your trip (and in most cases it is a wasted effort).

 

[MSSANDRA]

If there is any mention of the special food need made, they will bring NOTHING to the table until the chief gives the ok. One place they would not even bring out our drinks. Of course you are going to need to order special food for your child, so just plan that it will take a few extra minutes to order and get your food.

We were pretty easy (PA & direct eggs) and every chief we had was fine but none were outstanding. The guy at the wave was the best and most knowledgeable.The guy at garden grill had the least amount of interest in us.

 

[Suellen]

If your ADR is noted with an allergy, the chef will come out and speak with you.

If you mention an allergy at CS, a chef/manager will come speak with you before you are allowed to order.

You do not have to speak with a chef before your trip (and in most cases it is a wasted effort).

Funny.... we have a death causing allergy in our family and I ALWAYS mark it on the ADR and the last trip was the first time ever we had a chef come out at almost every meal.

My primary concern (where it is so severe) is cross contamination. I know now to just ask if they don't offer.

By the way.... do you know how many menu items at Disney have some sort of a berry in it???? A LOT!

We have never called ahead though. Maybe we should.....

I say just ask!

 

[livndisney]

Funny.... we have a death causing allergy in our family and I ALWAYS mark it on the ADR and the last trip was the first time ever we had a chef come out at almost every meal.

My primary concern (where it is so severe) is cross contamination. I know now to just ask if they don't offer.

By the way.... do you know how many menu items at Disney have some sort of a berry in it???? A LOT!

We have never called ahead though. Maybe we should.....

I say just ask!

Hmmm, in over 6 years of living near the parks (going weekly if not more), plus week long on property trips-we have never had a meal without speaking to a chef/manager.

Per Special Diets-that is their policy. I have emails from them explaining how it is their policy to not serve without speaking with Chef/manager, so I can't speak for your experience.

 

[Fuhnuh]

We have had about 50 tables service meals with DD11 who has allergies to dairy, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts and have had to issue a reminder at check-in about half the time and additionally remind the server about 1/6th the time. What we do is restate DD11's allergies at check if the don't mention them and again (gently) with our server if he or she does not bring it up. We had a chef/manager meet with us for every meal before ordering to let us know what DD11 could have. It's been a great experience for us, but we have found that you have to be proactive like you would outside the World.

 

[Suellen]

Glad to know we aren't the only ones they seem to forget the allergy thing on. I never re-mention it while I am checking in or even to the server directly.

Will definitely start doing that now. We typically eat at about 30 sit down meals at Disney each year and I've been putting it on there the last three and a half years and like I said until this last trip in December 11 ~ never had one person mention it ever. Maybe because I check the "other" box since her allergy isn't listed?

 

[livndisney]

We have had about 50 tables service meals with DD11 who has allergies to dairy, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts and have had to issue a reminder at check-in about half the time and additionally remind the server about 1/6th the time. What we do is restate DD11's allergies at check if the don't mention them and again (gently) with our server if he or she does not bring it up. We had a chef/manager meet with us for every meal before ordering to let us know what DD11 could have. It's been a great experience for us, but we have found that you have to be proactive like you would outside the World.

I have to agree about being proactive. I certainly would not eat something without knowing it was "safe". And without speaking with a chef/manager -it can be hard to know what the food contains. I would certainly check before eating (or feeding my deathly allergic child), especially where cross contaimination is a concern and when dealing with an unusual allergy. When in doubt ask.

 

[Suellen]

I have to agree about being proactive. I certainly would not eat something without knowing it was "safe". And without speaking with a chef/manager -it can be hard to know what the food contains. I would certainly check before eating (or feeding my deathly allergic child), especially where cross contaimination is a concern and when dealing with an unusual allergy. When in doubt ask.

What a loaded statement. Yeah I'm a crappy parent who doesn't care about my kids life.

Trust me I know what she can and can't safely have. There are some things I don't let her have that she probably COULD have because I don't risk it.

Try not to be so judgmental.... life will be much easier.

Are you the same one that told me my daughter shouldn't be allowed to fly because she has an Anaphylactic reaction to something even by touching it? The kid can not live in a bubble.

To OP ~ the long and short of it ~ if they don't offer ask. Be prepared to ask because contrary to PP it doesn't just happen every single time.

 

[livndisney]

What a loaded statement. Yeah I'm a crappy parent who doesn't care about my kids life.

Trust me I know what she can and can't safely have. There are some things I don't let her have that she probably COULD have because I don't risk it.

Try not to be so judgmental.... life will be much easier.

Are you the same one that told me my daughter shouldn't be allowed to fly because she has an Anaphylactic reaction to something even by touching it? The kid can not live in a bubble.

To OP ~ the long and short of it ~ if they don't offer ask. Be prepared to ask because contrary to PP it doesn't just happen every single time.

I don't know how checking with the chef before I feed my child makes me judgemental.

 

[Suellen]

I have to agree about being proactive. I certainly would not eat something without knowing it was "safe". And without speaking with a chef/manager -it can be hard to know what the food contains. I would certainly check before eating (or feeding my deathly allergic child), especially where cross contaimination is a concern and when dealing with an unusual allergy. When in doubt ask.

Really? This statement is not judgmental?

Perhaps your statement just doesn't translate well through reading.

 

[livndisney]

Really? This statement is not judgmental?

Perhaps your statement just doesn't translate well through reading.

No-a statement about ME feeding MY child is not judgemental. Perhaps you are trying to read something that was not posted.

 

[Suellen]

No-a statement about ME feeding MY child is not judgemental. Perhaps you are trying to read something that was not posted.

Perhaps.

 

[daraweb]

Ok folks. I truly thank all that have repied so far and I think my title might have been misleading and therefore my actual question has gotten lost. Also, I know people (obviously) have strong feelings about how they handle these issues...

No judgement here, but we will definitely be reminding the wait staff about her celiac disease and definitely speaking with a chef or manager at every meal.

My question was, is it necessary to speak with a chef BEFORE our trip. Many people on this board have stated speaking on the phone with specific restaurants and chefs. I want to know if this is needed so that they will have gluten free options on hand when we arrive.

livndisney-thanks. Sounds like in your experience it is not needed and did not help.

Thanks all!

 

[livndisney]

Ok folks. I truly thank all that have repied so far and I think my title might have been misleading and therefore my actual question has gotten lost. Also, I know people (obviously) have strong feelings about how they handle these issues...

No judgement here, but we will definitely be reminding the wait staff about her celiac disease and definitely speaking with a chef or manager at every meal.

My question was, is it necessary to speak with a chef BEFORE our trip. Many people on this board have stated speaking on the phone with specific restaurants and chefs. I want to know if this is needed so that they will have gluten free options on hand when we arrive.

livndisney-thanks. Sounds like in your experience it is not needed and did not help.

Thanks all!

You are welcome! And to claify-no you do not need to speak to a chef before you arrive. You really should note the allergy on the ADR's when you make them. Then if the allergy is not mentioned when you check in-mention it to your server or just ask for a Chef due to an allergy.

Have a GREAT trip

 

[dclfun]

Quick question- the OP mentioned gluten free Mickey waffles. Can these be prepared in a QS location or are they still offering Van's? I know if I was a child, having the Mickey waffles would be important!

 

[livndisney]

Quick question- the OP mentioned gluten free Mickey waffles. Can these be prepared in a QS location or are they still offering Van's? I know if I was a child, having the Mickey waffles would be important!

QS is usually Van's. The only time we have been offered "safe" Mickey waffles is TS.

 

[disfan07]

I am deathly allergic to peanuts (cross contamination is a huge issue), allergic to eggs (all eggs...even baked in other foods) and shellfish. I also avoid tree nuts because of possible cross contamination issues with peanuts.

We have always had the chef talked to us at both TS and CS. At WDW, we have had nothing but outstanding service everywhere we've been.

Since my diagnosis we have eaten at (that I can remember...we've been 3 times since my diagnosis):
Crystal Palace (3 times)
Rainforest Cafe (AK)
50s Prime Time (twice)
Boma
Liberty Tree Tavern (twice)
PLUS probably a dozen plus different CS restaurants

We've never talked to anyone before hand. We just mention it when making reservations. It's always been noted on our reservatoin when we check in. If they don't mention it when we check in, I just politely ask if its listed (its always been listed, sometimes they just havent said it). Same thing with the server. However, we've only had it happen once where they did not notice it on the check in slip (usually ALLERGY its written in big red letters).

If they don't mention it, just politely ask about it.. Sometimes, especially when its busy, they just might overlook it but we've never run into problems.

The chefs at the TS restaurants and the managers at the CS restaurants have always been outstanding. They have made substitutes free of charge, they have brought food from the back at buffets (I got salmon without the aioli sauce at Crystal Palace...so good!!) and everyones always been so nice about it.

 

[Fuhnuh]

Our experiences have been right in line with disfan07's. I just mentioned being proactive to let you know that your allergy notations can be be lost from reservation to check-in, from check-in to service, and from speaking to the Chef to the kitchen (rare and something that I've found to be more or a problem at DLR and Aulani). Our daughter has four allergies, sometimes one is forgotten or misunderstood.

To answer your question about contacting Chef's before the trip, this is probably only needed depending on your situation. If you have a lot or uncommon allergies it might be advisable to contact the Chef's beforehand, so that they can accommodate you better. We never do even though DD11 has multiple allergies because she is fine with whatever meat and plain starch they offer. If she had a more demanding palate, I might consider contacting the Chef's in advance. I have read on this board and elsewhere of Disney doing a wonderful job with this sort of pre-planning also. With a 9yo and a Celiac, I would think that most, if not all, TS and some CS will be able to accommodate you w/o advance contact. Maybe others who have travelled with Celiac or gluten allergy have more specific information.