DS with peanut/nut allergy, please help

[kyirish25]

I haven't read the other responses yet but want to tell you how great WDW is in dealing with peanut/tree nut allergies. My DS is 3 yr old and we just got back in December. Every chef meets with you and goes out of the way to make sure you are 100% comfortable in knowing what is or isn't safe. They even offered to fix things for us if we weren't comfortable with the buffets.

This was our 2nd trip to WDW knowing DS was peanut allergic and it has been the only place in 2.5 years besides my own home that I wasn't watching him like a hawk as he ate.

 

[ducklite]

I skip China but have eaten at Teppanyaki and Yakatori house many times. I'm also allergic to cocnut and scallops, and they've been super about not cross contaminating on the grill.

Anne

 

[DVCDawn]

KYMommy,

My DD 5 is severely allergic to peanuts as well. As you probably do too, we also avoid tree nuts. As a matter of fact, the only reactions she's had since diagnosis are from undeclared cross-contaminated tree nuts.

Anyway, most of what everyone has said here is true. In general, WDW uses canola oil except in the Asian countries of Epcot where peanut oil is used due to higher smoke point. And, you should avoid Boma, as there are plenty of dishes that contain peanuts. That said, we have had 4 completely uneventful (and I mean that in the best way possible -- as in no reactions) visits to WDW since we found out about the allergy.

My best piece of advice is to visit Disney's website and find the Contact Us section. Send a note that says something like "My family and I are visiting WDW in May and my son has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. Can you provide information regarding safe dining experiences for my whole family?" In return, you'll get a form letter outlining some of what previous posters have said along with (and here's the best part) the phone number of the Executive Chef/Food and Beverage Manager for each park. I strongly encourage you to call each of them. When you make the call, explain your situation. Often the person who answers the phone will be able to help you. The net result of all this legwork is most every park has a master ingredient list for all food sold in their park. This includes food sold from carts and at counter service. The Magic Kingdom person is especially helpful, down to being able to name the two places in WDW where the ice cream is completely nut-free. (This is a huge issue for my DD, who just loves ice cream). I print out all the lists, shove them in my pocketbook and consult them before we decide on a place to eat a meal.

Also, always mention the allergy when making PS arrangements. When making a PS for our last visit, the CM told me why this should always be done, if possible. She said that about once a week the chef at each restaurant is given a list of priority seatings that have been made. They scan the list for any dietary restrictions and put them up on a white board in the kitchen. For example: Monday dinner - 1 gluten allergy, 1 seafood. This way they can be prepared ahead of time. In fact, the last time we ate at the California Grill I made a PS and was sure to add that my DD had a peanut/tree-nut allergy. The chef knew we were coming and prepared a special dessert as a surprise for our daughter. I'm sure if he hadn't known about this ahead of time, this wouldn't have happened.

I hope I didn't dump too much info on you, but I can't tell you how pleased I've been with Disney and how they handle this visit after visit. It has become a worry-free vacation for our entire family. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

DVCDawn

 

[eeyore0062]

Make your PS early... when you do be sure to tell them of your children's allergies... this will go into the data base. The CM at the Dining Line will give you a phone number for you to call 48 hours prior to your PS to talk directly to a chef, so they can make sure that they have the proper ingredients to fix what your children can eat. When you arrive for your PS, the host/hostess should ask you about allergies, and it should be on her data base. If he/she overlooks that, don't feel shy about mentioning it, and asking to speak to a chef. He/She will get a chef to come out and explain all of the ingredients in all of the foods on the menu/buffet/family style meal. They have done this for me and my allergy to onions.

They really do a great job taking care of those with food allergies. You will be very happy with the care you recieve.

 

[KYmommy]

We stay away from orintal food in general also. To add to what you said, DH has read that some restaurants use peanut butter to keep their eggrolls together.
Thanks,
Kris

 

[KYmommy]

Kaycee,
Thanks for the info. I am slowly learning, but love the boards. Such great info.
Yes, I live in Kentucky

 

[KYmommy]

Thanks for all the great info.
I will use it all.

How sweet that DVCDawn's DD was surprised with her own dessert.

Kris

 

[nutsforgolf]

My son is also allergic to peanuts and eggs...I have a couple of questions...

1) Does anyone know if the icecream is safe (egg free).
2) What desserts do you recommend..this is always the hardest time of dinner because my daughter can eat cake and cookies and my son cannot, and he is only 2 so he is too young to understand.
3) How far is the closest hospital in case he has a reaction (and yes we also carry an eppi pen). Also, how do I get there since we will not have a car.

Thanks

 

[LokisMom]

I've dealt with a severe peanut/tree nut allergy for all my 27 years, so I know how frustrating and scary it can be. I also can't eat anything in legume family, peas, beans, etc. I have never had any issues at Disney. My DH and I have gone 3 times in the past 5 years, and each time the staff everywhere has been wonderful. We have eaten in the restaurant in China many times and I loved it. I had to be careful in Morrocco, there seemed to be a lot of almonds on that menu. Desserts I always avoid, I'd just rather not chance it. Fried foods haven't been an issue for me. I hope this helped a bit. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Maggi

 

[jeancbpugh]

My best piece of advice is to visit Disney's website and find the Contact Us section. Send a note that says something like "My family and I are visiting WDW in May and my son has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. Can you provide information regarding safe dining experiences for my whole family?" In return, you'll get a form letter outlining some of what previous posters have said along with (and here's the best part) the phone number of the Executive Chef/Food and Beverage Manager for each park. I strongly encourage you to call each of them. When you make the call, explain your situation. Often the person who answers the phone will be able to help you. The net result of all this legwork is most every park has a master ingredient list for all food sold in their park. This includes food sold from carts and at counter service. The Magic Kingdom person is especially helpful, down to being able to name the two places in WDW where the ice cream is completely nut-free. (This is a huge issue for my DD, who just loves ice cream). I print out all the lists, shove them in my pocketbook and consult them before we decide on a place to eat a meal.

Also, always mention the allergy when making PS arrangements. When making a PS for our last visit, the CM told me why this should always be done, if possible. She said that about once a week the chef at each restaurant is given a list of priority seatings that have been made. They scan the list for any dietary restrictions and put them up on a white board in the kitchen. For example: Monday dinner - 1 gluten allergy, 1 seafood. This way they can be prepared ahead of time. In fact, the last time we ate at the California Grill I made a PS and was sure to add that my DD had a peanut/tree-nut allergy. The chef knew we were coming and prepared a special dessert as a surprise for our daughter. I'm sure if he hadn't known about this ahead of time, this wouldn't have happened.
DVCDawn

DVCDawn, this is the clearest and most succinct description of the process that I have seen. May I quote you on the Travel board at peanutallergy.com?

 

[liznboys]

DVCDawn, thank you for the great info.!!!!

 

[DVCDawn]

Jean,

Sure you can post this at peanutallergy.com. I read those boards all the time. Maybe someday I'll be famous!

 

[lenshanem]

I also have a PA daughter who is 6 1/2. She has been to WDW more times than she is years old and we've only had a problem once. She reacted at Boma despite the chef trying to accommodate us. Just a heads up.

A few things -
I have noticed the last couple trips it has gotten harder and harder to get hold of anyone with the number they give you to call when you make your PSs. Has anyone else noticed that? Regardless, I would say I still feel very comfortable even if I don't get hold of a chef beforehand. They most always will come out and talk to you. I've only had a couple times where they didn't in all the trips we've had. Plus, at least now it is noted on your PS. It wasn't always like that.

We usually get the Smores at 50's Prime Time. They use Hershey's bars. I go over the ingredients with a chef each time and so far we've had great success. It really thrills my daughter since there are so few desserts she can eat.

She used to eat the Mickey Head Ice Cream bars, but now they won't guarantee them. So she gets the frozen fruit bars and seems happy with that. She has also had the Dole Whips and any of the soft serve ice cream sold elsewhere, like at that dinosaur in MGM.

Has anyone eaten at Tusker House? I saw they have PB&J on the menu. Are they those Incrustables? Are they using them pretty much everywhere on property now?

For girls, the Alice tea party at the GF was FAB. They are now a peanut free event, plus they still had my daughter's food wrapped separately AND sat her next to Alice. They give you a pager and we went and ate. It was very nice.

She wanted to do the pirate cruise for this spring break, but I was very disappointed with their response. I was told they still serve PB&J on the boat and would just sit her in the front with a different sandwich. I asked about her Epi and was told they'd take it on board, but she'd have to give herself her own shot. I hated to disappoint her, but I just didn't feel good about this at all. True, they give you a pager, but they are out on a boat!

Sooo, anyone have any thoughts on the kid clubs? She wants to do something on her own with her little sis so badly. I thought about Simba's at AKL? Maybe hubby and I could go to dinner and they could play for a couple hours. I saw most of the kid clubs have a buffet with PB&J and that freaks me out. I don't think Simba's has the buffet. Anyone have any experience with these clubs???

 

[lenshanem]

LokisMom,
I just saw you have eaten at the restaurant in China?!? I love Chinese food, but haven't eaten it since my daughter first reacted 6 years ago. I was told a few years ago by an Epcot food manager to avoid that restaurant. I thought they cooked in peanut oil. I find this very interesting! I wonder if they have changed their cooking?

 

[LokisMom]

Lenshanem,

We've eaten there many times on our trips. I always get the honey sesame chicken and my DH and I share the appetizer tri star. I've never had even a faint reaction. I can tell the second something hits my tongue if it has any peanut anything in it. We ate there in 1999, 2000, and most recently, December 2002. I don't know if things were different before then, or if they have changed since, but I really enjoyed their food and will definitely be back the next time we go. Although I will make sure to double check on the oil.

 

[liznboys]

Lenshanem,

We've eaten there many times on our trips. I always get the honey sesame chicken and my DH and I share the appetizer tri star. I've never had even a faint reaction. I can tell the second something hits my tongue if it has any peanut anything in it. We ate there in 1999, 2000, and most recently, December 2002. I don't know if things were different before then, or if they have changed since, but I really enjoyed their food and will definitely be back the next time we go. Although I will make sure to double check on the oil.

Thanks for posting this. Great info.! We never get chinese food since our son's allergy was discovered (used to eat it A LOT), and it would be nice to get it again. Something to look into for sure...

 

[Selket]

When I contacted disney about the food allergies my 2 year old has they also emailed me a list of food in the park food carts (like popcorn or soft pretzels) and in some stores (like the ice cream) that may contain well known allergens.

There are many posts over at the peanutallergy.com boards on trips to WDW and all I've read were positive experiences. Because DS is not only allergic to peanuts and tree nuts but also type 1 diabetic we plan to do at least one sit down meal a day. From all I've read I feel very confident that the chefs are used to taking care of folks with allergies.

Have fun!

 

[lenshanem]

Sooo, since this is bumped up again - Anyone know about those kid programs???

For girls, the Alice tea party at the GF was FAB. They are now a peanut free event, plus they still had my daughter's food wrapped separately AND sat her next to Alice. They give you a pager and we went and ate. It was very nice.

She wanted to do the pirate cruise for this spring break, but I was very disappointed with their response. I was told they still serve PB&J on the boat and would just sit her in the front with a different sandwich. I asked about her Epi and was told they'd take it on board, but she'd have to give herself her own shot. I hated to disappoint her, but I just didn't feel good about this at all. True, they give you a pager, but they are out on a boat!

Sooo, anyone have any thoughts on the kid clubs? She wants to do something on her own with her little sis so badly. I thought about Simba's at AKL? Maybe hubby and I could go to dinner and they could play for a couple hours. I saw most of the kid clubs have a buffet with PB&J and that freaks me out. I don't think Simba's has the buffet. Anyone have any experience with these clubs???

 

[jeancbpugh]

Sooo, since this is bumped up again - Anyone know about those kid programs???

I don't know.

Older DS used to go to Sandcastle Club, but I haven't ever tried with younger DS who has food allergies. I didn't have the nerve considering the menu...

 

[liznboys]

I took your advice, DVCDawn, and emailed WDW about my son's peanut allergy. Here is the reply I got this morning, just wanted to share it with you guys.

Dear Elizabeth,

We appreciate your interest in learning what arrangements might be
possible in our theme park and
resort restaurants for guests with specific dietary restrictions.
First, please know that the chefs
and managers in our full-service restaurants are always happy to
provide information regarding not
only the ingredients of menu selections, but also how items are
prepared. In many instances, food
may be specially prepared to accommodate particular dietary
restrictions.

It is also sometimes possible for our restaurants to prepare food items
using special ingredients
(gluten-free flour, for example). For this reason, we encourage you to
make your particular
restriction known when booking priority seating arrangements for our
full-service restaurants, so
that the appropriate notation may be made. Priority seating may be
arranged up to 90 days in
advance for selected restaurants by calling 407-WDW-DINE
(407-939-3463).

You may also be interested to know that with very few exceptions, our
restaurants use only canola
oil in the preparation of our food. According to our Epcot® Executive
Chef, canola oil contains the
lowest percentage of saturated fat of all the commonly used cooking
oils. Peanut oil, however, is
used in our restaurants featuring oriental cuisine, because of its
higher smoke point. This is an
important consideration for items being stir-fried, for example, as
other oils tend to burn when
used at such high temperatures.

If you have specific inquiries or would like recommendations regarding
the food served at the park
restaurants, you are welcome to call the executive chefs or Food and
Beverage managers for our theme
parks, at the telephone numbers listed below. If no one is immediately
available when you call,
please be sure to leave a message and a telephone number where you may
be reached.

Magic Kingdom Park: 407-824-5967
Epcot: 407-560-7292
Disney-MGM Studios: 407-560-1347
Disney's Animal Kingdom: 407-939-7536 (Please note Walt Disney World
Company operates no
full-service restaurants in this park.)

We would also like to mention that as an exception to our standard
policy, guests who have specific
food allergies are welcome to bring their own small snack items with
them into the theme parks.
However, picnic baskets, ice chests, and coolers are not permitted.

Best regards,

Denise
Disney's Online Guest Services