Eating at Disney with severe dairy allergy

[wendow]

I see tons of information on these boards about Disney's great gluten free options but I haven't seen as much about being dairy free. My ds (who will be almost 4) is gonna have a hard time not getting to enjoy all the yummy foods Disney has He's just doesn't understand yet.

This one issue is making me sad and stressed. Especially reading that Disney isn't as good with allergies as they used to be.

Btw, he has a severe milk-protein allergy so he avoids all cow's milk. He also reacts to obvious soy but hidden is not a problem. He drinks almond and coconut milk.

So, any help, suggestions, advice? Thanks

 

[wendow]

Did I post this in the wrong place? I wasn't sure if I should put it here or under dining since I have seen food allergy talk both places. I thought I had seen more of that here so I put it here. Let me know if I should post under dining.

 

[livndisney]

Did I post this in the wrong place? I wasn't sure if I should put it here or under dining since I have seen food allergy talk both places. I thought I had seen more of that here so I put it here. Let me know if I should post under dining.

You posted in the correct place, I think people that have the experience you are looking for have not had a chance to read your post yet.


As far as dairy free. DD is dairy and soy free. Most if not all table service meals have dairy free ice cream, usually either rice dream or tofutti. At least one counter service in each park offers dairy free ice cream. DD has had "ice cream" from the ice cream shop on Main Street in the MK and at Beaches and Cream (just to name a couple). She has also had a dairy free shake at Whispering canyon.

Alot of ice cream carts in the parks also have some sort of frozen fruit bar.

You can ask at counter service locations for rice milk at the resorts. I don't think we have found any in the parks.

 

[wendow]

You posted in the correct place, I think people that have the experience you are looking for have not had a chance to read your post yet.


As far as dairy free. DD is dairy and soy free. Most if not all table service meals have dairy free ice cream, usually either rice dream or tofutti. At least one counter service in each park offers dairy free ice cream. DD has had "ice cream" from the ice cream shop on Main Street in the MK and at Beaches and Cream (just to name a couple). She has also had a dairy free shake at Whispering canyon.

Alot of ice cream carts in the parks also have some sort of frozen fruit bar.

You can ask at counter service locations for rice milk at the resorts. I don't think we have found any in the parks.

So, I need to find out where the rice milk ice cream is served since tofutti is soy based? Isn't it? We don't buy it so I'm unsure. My ds has SID also and is really just beginning to tolerate ice cream.

What about just meals? Chicken tenders will probably only work for him for about one meal. What other meal options are there for kids? I have looked at menus on allears.net quite a bit. How can I find out in advance if the hamburger bun contains milk or the mickey waffles or the peanut butter and jelly?

Thanks for your response! I don't mind waiting for responses I just wanted to make sure I was in the right place.

 

[livndisney]

So, I need to find out where the rice milk ice cream is served since tofutti is soy based? Isn't it? We don't buy it so I'm unsure. My ds has SID also and is really just beginning to tolerate ice cream.

What about just meals? Chicken tenders will probably only work for him for about one meal. What other meal options are there for kids? I have looked at menus on allears.net quite a bit. How can I find out in advance if the hamburger bun contains milk or the mickey waffles or the peanut butter and jelly?

Thanks for your response! I don't mind waiting for responses I just wanted to make sure I was in the right place.

Allergen free chicken tenders can be found at most counter service places. DD was just offered baked chicken at the Sandcastle Club. We do bunless hamburgers and hot dogs. (Since WDW changes providers so often). The dairy free pizza served at Pizza Planet is not soy free. And the fries at most if not all CS places have soy.

 

[Fuhnuh]

DD11 has a dairy, egg, peanut, and tree nut allergies. Most of the Disney treats have dairy in them. There are limited allergy free non-Disney branded alternatives available at the resorts and parks. I haven't been since last August, so I don't know what is offered now as they have changed some of the gluten-dairy-egg free options. If you list some of the foods you were hoping that your son could eat, somebody with more recent experience might let us know what the snack options look like now. We bring snacks from home or go to Whole Foods in Orlando to supplement what treats are available at the parks. As always, you should ask a CM when you're down there, but popcorn and soft pretzels were okay for DD (don't remember about soy content) last year. As far as the packaged Disney goods, very few of them are dairy free, but we have found a few. Baked goods are difficult (maybe less if you don't have to avoid egg also), but fruity sweets are easier to find.

I haven't seen anything but rice and soy milk available anywhere at Disney World. As livndisney stated, Tofutti and Rice Dream are available at limited locations. Sorbet is also available at some locations. Not as exciting as a Mickey Ice Cream Bar or pineapple Dole Whip, but if you look and ask, there should be some alternatives available. There are usually a couple of non-Disney popsicle like treats. Keep asking questions here. The more details we share about what's currently available at the parks, the better our allergen free trips are going to be. I hope we can help you get ready for a wonderful trip with your family.

 

[wendow]

Allergen free chicken tenders can be found at most counter service places. DD was just offered baked chicken at the Sandcastle Club. We do bunless hamburgers and hot dogs. (Since WDW changes providers so often). The dairy free pizza served at Pizza Planet is not soy free. And the fries at most if not all CS places have soy.

Ok, thanks for the info. I'll say that is somewhat discouraging. I've always read how great Disney is with food allergies on other allergy boards and homeschooling boards. But, it's not seeming that way right now.

Maybe it's just my ds's age but his favorite part of a hamburger or hotdog is the bun. He has sensory issues as well as speech and other delays. A major meltdown will ensue if everyone else has a bun and he doesn't I guess I need to plan on packing some to take when we eat. And I'm thinking we'll just need to plan most of our meals in the room which is a bummer.

 

[wendow]

DD11 has a dairy, egg, peanut, and tree nut allergies. Most of the Disney treats have dairy in them. There are limited allergy free non-Disney branded alternatives available at the resorts and parks. I haven't been since last August, so I don't know what is offered now as they have changed some of the gluten-dairy-egg free options. If you list some of the foods you were hoping that your son could eat, somebody with more recent experience might let us know what the snack options look like now. We bring snacks from home or go to Whole Foods in Orlando to supplement what treats are available at the parks. As always, you should ask a CM when you're down there, but popcorn and soft pretzels were okay for DD (don't remember about soy content) last year. As far as the packaged Disney goods, very few of them are dairy free, but we have found a few. Baked goods are difficult (maybe less if you don't have to avoid egg also), but fruity sweets are easier to find.

I haven't seen anything but rice and soy milk available anywhere at Disney World. As livndisney stated, Tofutti and Rice Dream are available at limited locations. Sorbet is also available at some locations. Not as exciting as a Mickey Ice Cream Bar or pineapple Dole Whip, but if you look and ask, there should be some alternatives available. There are usually a couple of non-Disney popsicle like treats. Keep asking questions here. The more details we share about what's currently available at the parks, the better our allergen free trips are going to be. I hope we can help you get ready for a wonderful trip with your family.

Thanks for your response

I'm not even sure what I'm hoping to find for him in the way of food. It's just that he LOVES to eat. He couldn't eat any foods at all until 2yo and lived on an amino acid-based formula so once he could eat, he went crazy. WHich I'm so thankful for!! But it's hard for little ones to want what others have and just hear "no, that isn't safe for you" all the time. I don't want to spend the week doing that to him. So, I guess I just want reasonable options for him like anyone else.

The popcorn and pretzels would be great options for snacks! He might would do a popsicle and maybe rice dream ice cream. I had thought about going to DTD and picking up some things from BabyCakes to have as special treats for him. When my other dc are plowing into some big piece of cake or brownie with ice cream, I'm pretty sure he'll revolt if I hand him a popsicle Honestly, I would too!

So, my bigger issue might be actual meals. He loves pb&j's but I understand the "Uncrustables" contain milk. He loves spaghetti with meat sauce, burgers, and hot dogs. I wanted to do a character dining for breakfast but he'll want waffles or pancakes (love those) and eggs...which I now read contain dairy. I would have never thought of that

I'm just not sure how others are pulling all this off successfully. How do you find out what is safe ahead of time so you can plan your meals?

 

[wendow]

Also, we are using the ME so we will not have a car. I'm going to have to order from Garden Grocer.

 

[rlmsanderson]

This is my first post so I hope it show up, Please don't be discouraged. DD10 also has a milk/milk protein allergy and we have been to Disney World with her 4 times. We have several friends with kids with multiple food allergies that have also been and we all have have found Disney to be the absolute best and least stressful place for our kids to eat. I would recommend that you make ADRs (reservations) for any table service places you would like to eat. You will be able to indicate your son's allergy on the reservation. When you arrive the chef will come out and talk to you about safe options. They have always asked my daughter what she would like to eat and have been able to prepare her a milk free option, including hamburgers with milk free buns. We have eaten at a variety of restaurants including buffets like Chef Mickeys and Boma and if there isnt something on the buffet she would eat they would prepare her something special (grilled chicken etc). The chef at Ohana created a special milk free chocolate brownie/rice cream dessert tower that she still talks about. At Chef Mickeys they brought out rice milk ice cream with multiple bowls of milk free toppings for her. Disney also has a Special Diets department (you can find contact info on the disney world website) that will send you a list of counter service and snack options. It is a bit easier at the table service restaurants but the counter service locations will also get a manager or chef to come talk to you. We stayed at the French Quarter and the counter service chef prepared my daughter milk free mickey waffles almost every day. We were also able to find milk free cookies and brownies (Divvies brand) for snacks. So just wanted to have you hear from a family that really can't say enough positive things about how great Disney has been, so contact the Special Diets group and they will give you the latest information.

 

[livndisney]

This is my first post so I hope it show up, Please don't be discouraged. DD10 also has a milk/milk protein allergy and we have been to Disney World with her 4 times. We have several friends with kids with multiple food allergies that have also been and we all have have found Disney to be the absolute best and least stressful place for our kids to eat. I would recommend that you make ADRs (reservations) for any table service places you would like to eat. You will be able to indicate your son's allergy on the reservation. When you arrive the chef will come out and talk to you about safe options. They have always asked my daughter what she would like to eat and have been able to prepare her a milk free option, including hamburgers with milk free buns. We have eaten at a variety of restaurants including buffets like Chef Mickeys and Boma and if there isnt something on the buffet she would eat they would prepare her something special (grilled chicken etc). The chef at Ohana created a special milk free chocolate brownie/rice cream dessert tower that she still talks about. At Chef Mickeys they brought out rice milk ice cream with multiple bowls of milk free toppings for her. Disney also has a Special Diets department (you can find contact info on the disney world website) that will send you a list of counter service and snack options. It is a bit easier at the table service restaurants but the counter service locations will also get a manager or chef to come talk to you. We stayed at the French Quarter and the counter service chef prepared my daughter milk free mickey waffles almost every day. We were also able to find milk free cookies and brownies (Divvies brand) for snacks. So just wanted to have you hear from a family that really can't say enough positive things about how great Disney has been, so contact the Special Diets group and they will give you the latest information.

I understand you are new to this site-I just wanted to point out (as mentioned many times on this board) that Special Diets does not have a current list of what is safe. Divies products are no longer part of WDW allergy free offerings. WDW is in the process of changing allergy food service providers.

 

[rlmsanderson]

Oh no! I didn't know that about the Divvies, we were just there in October and I just started looking through the boards and this post caught my eye. The Special Diet group has sent me a list of locations in the past where the milk free chicken tenders and other allergy friendly foods were available but this was before this recent change. And we always check with a chef or ask to read the ingredients at the counter service to confirm. We are planning a trip later this year so I will check with the Special Diet group before we go. Thanks for letting me know

 

[wendow]

This is my first post so I hope it show up, Please don't be discouraged. DD10 also has a milk/milk protein allergy and we have been to Disney World with her 4 times. We have several friends with kids with multiple food allergies that have also been and we all have have found Disney to be the absolute best and least stressful place for our kids to eat. I would recommend that you make ADRs (reservations) for any table service places you would like to eat. You will be able to indicate your son's allergy on the reservation. When you arrive the chef will come out and talk to you about safe options. They have always asked my daughter what she would like to eat and have been able to prepare her a milk free option, including hamburgers with milk free buns. We have eaten at a variety of restaurants including buffets like Chef Mickeys and Boma and if there isnt something on the buffet she would eat they would prepare her something special (grilled chicken etc). The chef at Ohana created a special milk free chocolate brownie/rice cream dessert tower that she still talks about. At Chef Mickeys they brought out rice milk ice cream with multiple bowls of milk free toppings for her. Disney also has a Special Diets department (you can find contact info on the disney world website) that will send you a list of counter service and snack options. It is a bit easier at the table service restaurants but the counter service locations will also get a manager or chef to come talk to you. We stayed at the French Quarter and the counter service chef prepared my daughter milk free mickey waffles almost every day. We were also able to find milk free cookies and brownies (Divvies brand) for snacks. So just wanted to have you hear from a family that really can't say enough positive things about how great Disney has been, so contact the Special Diets group and they will give you the latest information.

Thank you! Your experience is what I have always heard before. It's one reason we decided on a Disney vacation. I have another child with an ana peanut allergy and my MIL who is going is GF. So, Disney seemed to be the perfect place for us all. But now I am reading all these different stories and it's making me nervous. I do thank you for sharing your family's experiences! I love what some of the chef's did for your dd. How sweet! My ds would love that milk free chocolate brownie and rice milk ice cream tower. THat is awesome

 

[livndisney]

Thank you! Your experience is what I have always heard before. It's one reason we decided on a Disney vacation. I have another child with an ana peanut allergy and my MIL who is going is GF. So, Disney seemed to be the perfect place for us all. But now I am reading all these different stories and it's making me nervous. I do thank you for sharing your family's experiences! I love what some of the chef's did for your dd. How sweet! My ds would love that milk free chocolate brownie and rice milk ice cream tower. THat is awesome

Right now, the packaged brownies offered as allergen free at WDW are OMG brand and they are not dairy free, but are GF

http://omgitsglutenfree.com/product/gluten-free-brownies/

Do you know about Babycakes at DTD?

 

[wendow]

Right now, the packaged brownies offered as allergen free at WDW are OMG brand and they are not dairy free, but are GF

http://omgitsglutenfree.com/product/gluten-free-brownies/

Do you know about Babycakes at DTD?

I do know about Babycakes I think we'll go there early on to get treats for my ds to have. So, the "allergen free" brownie contains dairy???

 

[livndisney]

I do know about Babycakes I think we'll go there early on to get treats for my ds to have. So, the "allergen free" brownie contains dairy???

I didn't say they were good changes LOL. Right now the prepacked "allergen" brownie is not dairy free. There HAVE been chocolate chip cookies spotted from OMG that according to the website are dairy free.

http://omgitsglutenfree.com/pdfs/Complete-Product-Guide.pdf

We have not tried them yet, but will be spending more time at WDW next week so I will have some more information.

 

[wendow]

I didn't say they were good changes LOL. Right now the prepacked "allergen" brownie is not dairy free. There HAVE been chocolate chip cookies spotted from OMG that according to the website are dairy free.

http://omgitsglutenfree.com/pdfs/Complete-Product-Guide.pdf

We have not tried them yet, but will be spending more time at WDW next week so I will have some more information.

I look forward to what you report back after your time at WDW We aren't there until Sept. so I have time to get all this figured out.

 

[clanmcculloch]

My 11yo who is milk free but can eat gluten LOVES the OMG chocolate chip cookies. She said they taste like real cookies (her words, not mine). My 14yo can't eat them because of eggs. I thought they were pretty good (I'm gluten and milk free so I'm used to gluten free), though they're not so great in a sundae because they get very hard when cold (chefs used to use brownies but the OMG do contain milk). Enjoy Life chocolate chip cookies and chocolate bars are also safe.

The Udi's buns are milk free. I'm used to gluten free breads so I thought they were pretty good. My 11yo who doesn't usually eat gluten free breads thought they were ok. She ate Udi's bagels for breakfast almost every day.

You can very easily get milk and soy free Mickey waffles at just about any CS or TS location that carries waffles. They'll also be gluten free but they are tasty.

You're right that Tofutti is soy based. The Rice Dream ice cream should be safe for you. Unfortunately, it's not available at as many locations as the Tofutti but it is available at all of the places that are ice cream parlours, all the places that make milk shakes and it seems like all resort TS and CS locations. It's just some of the park locations that are more hit and miss. There are also a handful of TS locations that carry sorbet which would be another option that he should be able to eat.

There's also rice milk available at many of the same locations that carry the ice cream. I think it's Pacific brand but I didn't think to ask when we were there recently. No coconut or almond milk anywhere that I know of.

The frozen fruit bars should be safe. I don't recall if the popcorn contains soy or not. It is definitely milk free.

I'd ask for the ingredients on the french fries and decide for yourself if the amount of soy is safe for your DS. For those who can handle trace amounts, they may be safe. If I recall, the soy ingredient was pretty far down the ingredient list.

As others have said, do NOT go by the lists provided by Special Diets. Many of us have contacted both Special Diets and Guest Relations to voice our concern over the completely wrong information being sent to guests but nothing seems to be changing. Chefs and managers at WDW will have the up to date info and will do everything they can as they always have but unfortunately it is more difficult to plan. I'm personally very grateful to info that's been shared by some of the locals on this board so that I knew what to expect when we were there recently.

 

[wendow]

My 11yo who is milk free but can eat gluten LOVES the OMG chocolate chip cookies. She said they taste like real cookies (her words, not mine). My 14yo can't eat them because of eggs. I thought they were pretty good (I'm gluten and milk free so I'm used to gluten free), though they're not so great in a sundae because they get very hard when cold (chefs used to use brownies but the OMG do contain milk). Enjoy Life chocolate chip cookies and chocolate bars are also safe.

The Udi's buns are milk free. I'm used to gluten free breads so I thought they were pretty good. My 11yo who doesn't usually eat gluten free breads thought they were ok. She ate Udi's bagels for breakfast almost every day.

You can very easily get milk and soy free Mickey waffles at just about any CS or TS location that carries waffles. They'll also be gluten free but they are tasty.

You're right that Tofutti is soy based. The Rice Dream ice cream should be safe for you. Unfortunately, it's not available at as many locations as the Tofutti but it is available at all of the places that are ice cream parlours, all the places that make milk shakes and it seems like all resort TS and CS locations. It's just some of the park locations that are more hit and miss. There are also a handful of TS locations that carry sorbet which would be another option that he should be able to eat.

There's also rice milk available at many of the same locations that carry the ice cream. I think it's Pacific brand but I didn't think to ask when we were there recently. No coconut or almond milk anywhere that I know of.

The frozen fruit bars should be safe. I don't recall if the popcorn contains soy or not. It is definitely milk free.

I'd ask for the ingredients on the french fries and decide for yourself if the amount of soy is safe for your DS. For those who can handle trace amounts, they may be safe. If I recall, the soy ingredient was pretty far down the ingredient list.

As others have said, do NOT go by the lists provided by Special Diets. Many of us have contacted both Special Diets and Guest Relations to voice our concern over the completely wrong information being sent to guests but nothing seems to be changing. Chefs and managers at WDW will have the up to date info and will do everything they can as they always have but unfortunately it is more difficult to plan. I'm personally very grateful to info that's been shared by some of the locals on this board so that I knew what to expect when we were there recently.

Thank you for the helpful information Great to know that I don't need to pack in hamburger buns and that we can find him some safe waffles!!

His soy reactions are only when he actually drinks soy milk or we use soy cheese. Otherwise, he eats many products that contain soy so I am thinking the fries are probably fine. He eats fries everywhere without an issue.

Milk is definitely his biggie. This is all feeling more doable! Thanks again for your help. I thought I'd find almond milk at least in the park so that is good to be aware of that there isn't any. Kind of strange to me. We know tons of toddlers and preschoolers who are DF/SF and almost all drink almond milk and NOT rice milk

 

[clanmcculloch]

I suspect they chose rice milk over almond milk because rice milk is safe for those with tree nut allergies. Almond milk would cover a smaller allergy base.