Food allergies and concierge lounge

[jomommy]

I've read that a guest was able to get GF muffins in the CL lounge at BWI. We'll be staying there CL in May and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this.

My DS 4 severe (anaphylactic) allergies to peanuts, milk, eggs, and strawberry. We've been to WDW before and had no problem feeding him at any of the restaurants with special requests and reading ingredients, but I don't know how (or if) the club level concierge staff deals with this.

Can they get a list of ingredients from the restaurants that provide the food? Can I request bread that is egg and milk free?

I'd appreciate any input from someone with experience.

TIA!

 

[snorris49]

While I can't give you a review right now, I will in a few weeks when we get back from WDW. I'm gluten and dairy free, and we are staying club level. I contacted IPO about this and they said that the chefs will order things about 1 week before I arrive. Now, based on my experience with the table service restaurants for breakfast, I should be able to get kinnickick muffins, bagels, etc. The concierge said specifically I could get van's waffles and some kinds of desserts at night. When I asked them to help me get a hold of the chefs, they weren't exactly helpful (unfortunately!). When I queried about the chefs ordering specific types of foods, they said they couldn't do that and that I would have to buy them myself. I'm not sure they quite understood that I was just trying to help them order things I knew I liked. Oh well.

I think I will have better luck when I get there because the chefs were always so accommodating. I hope to have a great review when I get back. I mean I got calls from the GF bakery about the GF tea room and they were going to have sandwiches and desserts for me, so I can't imagine the CL lounge will be too bad. *crosses fingers*

Will let you know when I return.

 

[mickeymom1]

I am also interested to hear anyone's experiences. I just booked BWI CL and my youngest has peanut/treenut allergies. TIA!

 

[hildarumpole]

When I booked our vacation at BC CL, I emailed special diets regarding my kids' peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies. They forwarded my email to someone at CL Guest Services who emailed me back and said they would forward my info to the food and beverage manager at the BC. We're not going until end of May, but I'm interested how well the CL actually handle dietary requests.

 

[aussietravellers]

I have never booked CL because of our peanut allergy. I know the lounges all seem to have those peanut butter filled sandwich/pocket things (can't remember the name off hand, we don't have them in Australia). My main concern is those peanut butter filled sandwich things as I have an airbourne allergy to peanuts so it worries me having lots of people around munching on those things and the peanut protein being airbourne and me having an anaphylactic reaction.

I assume they would be able to provide allergy friendly food as surely the food is prepared in the main resort kitchens wouldn't it. I'm just picturing the BC club lounge (went up there with my mother once when she was staying at BC) and I can't see that they would cook all of the food there, surely the food would be cooked in the kitchen of the restaurants for that resort, so they should be great at making dishes for the different allergies.

I would really love to book CL at BC and AKL for our upcoming trip so look forward to hearing reports back from those going soon on their experiences

 

[dawnball]

My mom stayed CL at AKL in... 2007, I think. The way it was handled then was that she would go up to the lounge and ask if they had anything appropriate for her gluten free diet. The lounge CMs would call down to the chef who would either tell them which options were appropriate - or make up a plate and send it up.

The second option took about an hour, but usually produced a more substantial meal than was available in the lounge at that time of day. There weren't really "options" per se, but she could say "I just want a little something sweet" and get cheesecake and brownies, for example. Very, very good food, but no real control over it, which is in keeping with the way food is usually provided to the lounge.

I would not expect to get specific items or brands. You might be able to arrange the night before for "Could there be gluten free breakfast foods at 8am?", but I think you're more likely to have to go and ask and wait.

We found that the dietary accommodations in the lounge were very good for a day when were hanging around the resort and relaxing, but not so good for a heavy-touring day.

 

[debbiemomto4]

We stayed at GF concierge last year. He is allergic to many things so its a little difficult. They were able to provide rice milk for him. We let them know we were coming a few weeks before and they were able to provide some choices. Usually he was good with the pre dinner offerings but had a little more problem with desserts since he is allergic to milk. At dinner we worried a few times about certain dishes containing peanuts but were told that none of the dishes contained peanuts because of allergy precautions. He is also 16 so he is used to not being able to eat certain things.

 

[snorris49]

I'm glad to hear that some other folks had some really good experience at the club level lounges. I was hopeful for my recent experience, but found the Wilderness Lodge club level offerings and the staff helpfulness very disappointing. I ended up with chocolate muffins only all week for breakfast (and they were like brownies) and they said they couldn't give me anything else. They also said the only evening options i had were veggies. (can't eat a lot with the crohn's...raw at least) I did find some things I thought might be safe, and when I asked them to contact the chef to find, the staff were not happy. I was able to eat a few things, but not too much. I was offered french meadow brownies for snack. For the first 5 days I had no dessert options in the evening, but one night when I didn't go down, they had a plate of 3 brownies that were made in the bakery. The CMs seemd very upset that I didn't come get them. (I was never notified) When my mom told them I had gotten sick (small crohn's issues) they still didn't really seem to care. Overall, I found that had the staff been more friendly and helpful, I would have probably had a different experience with club level. But the WL club level CMs were really dreadful. The CMs in the rest of the WL were fantastic and I have nothing but good things to say about them.

I would say if I had the choice, I'd stay in a DVC Villa instead, so that I could make items myself. That seems to be the best way to get some food offerings that suited my dietary needs.

 

[dclfun]

I've found the CL lounges not to be very accommodating- after all, it is different than a restaurant and while the food offerings are a perk, they really don't have to provide options and we're not specifically paying for the lounge foods/drinks. We've asked to see the ingredient lists before but never have they made anything special for my son. If he can't eat what's being served, then we can't really have snacks or food there. There's usually just a few things he can have- juice, veggies, gummy worms come to mind.---Kathy

 

[hildarumpole]

I emailed Disney prior to booking BC CL and asked specifically whether they were able and willing to accomodate my kids' peanut, tree nut and shellfish allergies in the lounge. I didn't want to pay extra for CL if they weren't going to be able to eat anything. They told me that they would make accomodations, so I expect them to. A big part of the cost of CL is for the food and beverage offerings. It doesn't really cost Disney much of anything to have staff order flowers or make some ADRs for CL guests. If Disney is going to claim they are concerned about their guests' dietary restrictions, it should be in all areas of their food services, which includes the CL lounges. The food comes from the resorts' restaurant kitchens. They are used to dealing with allergies. It shouldn't be that big a deal just because the food is going upstairs or wherever.

 

[happymommy]

Our experience with AKL concierge level was that I think they could get soy milk for my DS (allergic to dairy and egg). Other than that, AKL had meats on skewers which were safe for him, and fresh fruits and juice, and I think they were able to find out about some ingredients (we already just avoid any pastries or baked goods).

They didn't offer to provide anything special for him. Now, we did get a really great AP rate, so I couldn't complain, and the rest of us enjoyed much of the offerings (we didn't spend much time in the parks that trip, so did enjoy the lounge a lot). Sometimes, I'd run down to the Mara and pick him up something (the were helpful there!) and bring it to the lounge for him.

At other hotels, like Ritz Carltons, I frequently order room service for my son or both kids to be delivered to the lounge. I've found no concierge level to be especially accommodating for food allergies, and Disney was pretty much the same. The restaurants are very helpful, though, and room service was great (much better at Disney than the Ritz).

HTH

 

[disneyandme]

I emailed Disney prior to booking BC CL and asked specifically whether they were able and willing to accomodate my kids' peanut, tree nut and shellfish allergies in the lounge. I didn't want to pay extra for CL if they weren't going to be able to eat anything. They told me that they would make accomodations, so I expect them to. A big part of the cost of CL is for the food and beverage offerings. It doesn't really cost Disney much of anything to have staff order flowers or make some ADRs for CL guests. If Disney is going to claim they are concerned about their guests' dietary restrictions, it should be in all areas of their food services, which includes the CL lounges. The food comes from the resorts' restaurant kitchens. They are used to dealing with allergies. It shouldn't be that big a deal just because the food is going upstairs or wherever.

I am concerned with the statement that Disney says they are good for alleries and should do it in all food areas. I have to respectfully disagree. Disney chooses to help those with food allergies, but are not required to do so. Asking for alternatives is a wonderful options, but expecting them to do it is another thing.
We love Disney becuase I am a child who is allergic to more than she is not allergic to. I am willing to be prepared with a backup for her for when things don't work out than take the chance that Disney will find it is cost prohibitive to make food friendly choses available in all food area at all time.

 

[ClareH37]

I think that might have been me that posted about the wonderful GF muffins available at the BWI CL

I had emailed IPO before I arrived and they handled everything for me, I did just double-check the evening I arrived with the CL staff and they confirmed everything had been sorted for me, the next morning I went along to the lounge and was given 2 huge GF muffins, they were made at the Boardwalk Bakery and they would send me up 4 each day I could only manage half a day lol

I've never had any luck with evening offerings but TBH I'm quite happy with crudites and cheese as I enjoy going to eat a 'proper' meal in a restaurant, so the cruidites and cheese act as an appetiser for me.

The only GF desert that the BWI CL had available for me were chocolate covered strawberries - I note your DS has serious issues re. strawberries, they are on display in the lounge, after coming from the kitchen, so I don't know if you'd be concerned about a cross-contamination issue?


Another thing to note, just in case it matters, is that all the food comes up from the various restaurants on the Boardwalk, it's sent up to the CL kitchen (next to the lounge) and then is put out in the lounge itself. So again if cross-contamination is an issue for you, you may want to double check that there is a separate preparation area in the CL kitchen like the Disney restaurants as I'm not 100% confident there is. Any special food is kept in the kitchen (e.g. my GF muffins) and I just had to ask each morning for one.

 

[minniejack]

We're not going until August, but I, too, had contacted special diets several times about gf in club level before I booked. I specifically said that I wanted to make sure there were gf choices for breakfast and evening because it would turn out to be a very expensive glass of wine--especially if we couldn't make it back every night.

I was assured that they would work with me and my family of 4 gf'ers.

Today, after having to change my dates, I'm saying club level is worth it just for the meal reservations alone. I know I couldn't have done it without them. They could see park hours, parade times, fireworks and help me accordingly.

A BIG Mahalo to Michael and Brittany in Poly Club for helping me change everything and for helping with birthday cake plans (x2)

way different than club at Loew's Portofino when we booked last year--yes they got us some gf muffins and cookies, but the head concierge rudely informed me that club WAS NOT to be a replacement for dining elsewhere.
Yeah, tell that to the huge crowd that takes 10 plates and gorges themselves to oblivion--like a crowd of ravenous lions... Live and learn

 

[happymommy]

way different than club at Loew's Portofino when we booked last year--yes they got us some gf muffins and cookies, but the head concierge rudely informed me that club WAS NOT to be a replacement for dining elsewhere.
Yeah, tell that to the huge crowd that takes 10 plates and gorges themselves to oblivion--like a crowd of ravenous lions... Live and learn

We also stayed at the Portofino once, and they were absolutely no help. They couldn't help with any ingredients for my son, who just had soda mostly there. We actually got no help (or barely any) at any restaurants there or at Universal. It was still an okay time, but definitely not great.

We hardly used the lounge, and didn't use them for any reservations. They were the least helpful concierge team I've encountered in a while.

 

[minniejack]

We also stayed at the Portofino once, and they were absolutely no help. They couldn't help with any ingredients for my son, who just had soda mostly there. We actually got no help (or barely any) at any restaurants there or at Universal. It was still an okay time, but definitely not great.

We hardly used the lounge, and didn't use them for any reservations. They were the least helpful concierge team I've encountered in a while.

I feel your pain...both my DS and I were glutened in the club on New year's eve 2009. As you can see by my siggie, I love Uni--for their coasters and FOTL, but now that we need to be gluten free, we will try to vacation where they at least try to accommodate us. And we never used them for ressies either.

We felt we got our money's worth by using the Mandarin spa--DD and I would snag a few toiletries every time we went, which was about 2x a day. Used their hot tub, deluxe lotions, makeup, teeth whiteners, etc. Hey, a girls gotta do whata girls gotta do...

 

[cinderella73]

Same thing here. We last stayed at Universal when my kids were babies. We have a peanut allergy to deal with now. I made some phone calls to see what they could do since we wanted to return. It was like I was speaking a foriegn language. And this is when I got the hotel manager on the phone! He was very polite and tried to help but you would think he never heard of food allergies before.

Turns out they do leave jars of peanuts on the beds with certain packages ( on the actual bed !) . Of course they have nuts in the mini bar . They dont have any real system in place to deal with food allergies at all. And unlike disney no special cleaning they do.

They were willing to "try" to accomodate us but were very unsure as to what to do . I had to tell them and them played phone tag with housekeeping , etc. . Never did get a english speaking housekeeper. We just told them nevermind and booked at Disney.

I didnt get to catch up on what the other posters mentioned but I know that from similar past experiences Disney would most likely provide you some alternative snacks. They sell gluten free brownies and rice crispy treats ( other stuff to I think ) in the food courts and on main street bakery . ( They get them from outside vendors.) What they usually do if you are paying for a service you cant fully partake of due to allergys ( like a table service meal with dessert included) is get some of the allergen safe snacks for you ahead of time They have never charged extra since you were already paying for a service. I am sure they would be more than happy to do this since you are paying for club level . BUT make sure to ask. Some cast members would be happy to offer this up but some dont even know they can. Ask for it and then check back when you arrive to make sure its noted. If you are paying for the service you might as well get your moneys worth.

 

[dclfun]

I still don't expect the concierge CM's to have a chef prepare special things for my son for the lounge. I have a choice as to whether it's worth it to me to book concierge or not based on the value I perceive. As another poster mentioned, Disney is not required to prepare or provide special foods even in the restaurants and when they do, if we're not on the DDP I am prepared to pay extra. That said, it doesn't hurt to ask for accommodations but I don't think it's reasonable to demand special foods in the CL lounge- and no, I'm certainly not accusing anyone here of being demanding. I'd also rather ask about this and other accommodations vs. getting there and being disappointed.---Kathy

 

[clanmcculloch]

I've gone back and forth as to whether or not to book concierge. I understand that Disney is under no obligation to provide alternative foods for my kids with food allergies and one of the reasons we return time after time to WDW is how accomodating they are at restaurants. That being said, if I speak with somebody from WDW who states that they WILL provide safe foods then yes I do expect for there to be safe foods. Somebody from WDW making a statement like this would be part of my decision making factors and would affect my perceived value. I require this kind of upfront information one way or the other to make informed decisions. I cancelled an ADR on my last trip because a chef told me that there clearly wasn't anything that he could safely prepare for one of my kids. I'm not bothered by this in any way. In fact I appreciate this up front kind of information. The same needs to be done with the concierge lounges. We all just need to know. It's not a criticism of Disney to ask these questions. Informed decisions can not be made without information. That's not entitlement IMO.

 

[dclfun]

I've gone back and forth as to whether or not to book concierge. I understand that Disney is under no obligation to provide alternative foods for my kids with food allergies and one of the reasons we return time after time to WDW is how accomodating they are at restaurants. That being said, if I speak with somebody from WDW who states that they WILL provide safe foods then yes I do expect for there to be safe foods. Somebody from WDW making a statement like this would be part of my decision making factors and would affect my perceived value. I require this kind of upfront information one way or the other to make informed decisions. I cancelled an ADR on my last trip because a chef told me that there clearly wasn't anything that he could safely prepare for one of my kids. I'm not bothered by this in any way. In fact I appreciate this up front kind of information. The same needs to be done with the concierge lounges. We all just need to know. It's not a criticism of Disney to ask these questions. Informed decisions can not be made without information. That's not entitlement IMO.

Part of the problem here is getting in touch with the right CM to give you the information. A reservation CM *cannot* guarantee you that you'll have allergy-free foods or advise as to how foods are prepared and delivered to the concierge lounge ( if there's a chance of cross-contamination, etc). You would need to speak directly with someone in concierge at the resort where you are planning to stay or perhaps with Brenda Bennett or someone in her department. If it were me, I'd want to hear it from the concierge CM's as they are the only ones who can deliver what was promised, if anything. I don't think anyone said anything about entitlement- while we are not entitled to having special foods prepared for our family members in the lounge, we are entitled to information.---Kathy