Food allergies and dining plan

[mbell67]

I posted the ? about snacks and desserts for those with allergies over on the DDP board. No replies yet!

The Mickey ice cream bars were safe the last time we were there (October 2007) and we had them on the Disney cruise in Oct. and that was fine. I haven't gotten the latest info from Brenda since we're going in March. I'm guessing they are still safe though and will be this Spring but I"ll find out for sure before we head off.

If I cannot get good answers about safe snacks and CS desserts I will call Brenda and talk to her about it. I would really like for the Divvies (at least the 2 pack of cookies) to be a snack on the plan. We never normally get dessert at the CS places so I have no idea what the desserts usually are. I'm guessing cookies and the like - which are not safe for his peanut allergy.

He is also a type 1 diabetic. I generally don't bring that up as he can eat desserts in moderation (does not have to be sugar-free) but there are some things that are better than others for him (especially something where we know the carb count). I guess the bottom line is that I'll just buy OOP for him whatever I need to but I'd prefer to get what we paid for.

It would be nice if there was a spot in each park where they had some items for those with different allergies, etc to use as substitutions on the DDP. They did an AMAZING job for William at the MNSSHP - we stopped by Guest Services on the way out and told them about his allergies (most of the candy handed out was not safe or much of it was). They gave him an amazing bag of nut free items that he was over the moon about!

How do you get in touch with Brenda? I tried the email address shown on this forum and it kicked back to me. Our son has just been diagnosed with peanut & tree nut allergies and we already had this trip booked, I'm freaking out a bit - still in the shock phase as well, and I'm franticlly trying to get as much information as I can.
Any info would be appreciated.

 

[mbell67]

can you forward me Brenda's email address please, we are traveling to Disney in March and our son has just been diagnosed with peanut & tree nut allergies.

Maria

 

[pugluver31902]

Another post in the DDP forum had a picture taken at POP of a sign that listed all items available as snack credits. It listed this:

*special dietary brownie
*special dietary chocolate chip cookies

I'm guessing the brownie is the sugar-free one and the cookies are the Divvies cookies. The Divvies choc. chip cookies is made without nuts, milk or eggs and they are *wonderful*.

When we were there the special dietary brownie was a gluten (wheat, oats, barely, rye) free brownie that was out of this world! The allergy snacks we saw that could be used on the dining plan were divvies cookies, caramel corn, and jelly beans, and gluten free chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

 

[Selket]

When we were there the special dietary brownie was a gluten (wheat, oats, barely, rye) free brownie that was out of this world! The allergy snacks we saw that could be used on the dining plan were divvies cookies, caramel corn, and jelly beans, and gluten free chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

That is great news!

 

[BeckyScott]

It's Brenda(period)Bennett at disney.com

 

[SueM in MN]

How do you get in touch with Brenda? I tried the email address shown on this forum and it kicked back to me. Our son has just been diagnosed with peanut & tree nut allergies and we already had this trip booked, I'm freaking out a bit - still in the shock phase as well, and I'm franticlly trying to get as much information as I can.
Any info would be appreciated.

It's Brenda(period)Bennett at disney.com

The email in the disABILITIES FAQs thread is correct. If you click it, it should open your mail browser to send an email. Or, you can highlight, copy and paste it into your email.
Someone had posted an email address in a reply for Brenda without the period.

 

[d-man's mom]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1696217

Here's my dining review from this past weekend. Hope to have photos up this week for everyone.

 

[RxforDisney]

When we were there the special dietary brownie was a gluten (wheat, oats, barely, rye) free brownie that was out of this world! The allergy snacks we saw that could be used on the dining plan were divvies cookies, caramel corn, and jelly beans, and gluten free chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

 

[sparrowgirls]

What a great site! For those of you who have let your allergy kids eat -did you feel very confident -and were there any problems? My 13yr old milk allergic daughter is thinking about her options at disney for July.We usually stay at a vacation club and cook. She loves to go to the Disney restaurants but does not eat. I am terrified of dealing with anaphylaxis on vacation. But what a joy if she could eat! Cross contamination is my biggest concern-who does the cooking for these kids?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi Sparrowgirls and to both DisBoards and disABILTIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The top item is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, iespecially Page 3 under the Diets area.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

 

[Talking Hands]

While allergy accommodations are very good they are not prefect. As a diabetic who is also severely reactive to nutrasweet and sugar alcohols there has been very little for me to have as a dessert. All the prepared stuff is made using the things I can't tolerate. Only a few times have a chef made me an acceptible dessert. I had them made at the Grand Floridian, AKL Boma and at Ft Wilderness (but it came from the GF chef). Grand Floridian made me a whipped cream with berries sweetened with splenda, Boma made me chocolate dipped strawberries, and at Ft Wilderness I had a birthday cake made with splenda (a ginger cake) Other than that nothing and a few times waiters have tried to pull the wool over my eyes by saying they didn't have the label for me to verify the ingredients but they were sure it was fine. Nope. Didn't eat it. I have had the best success when I have informed the restaurant well in advance of my needs.

 

[RxforDisney]

What a great site! For those of you who have let your allergy kids eat -did you feel very confident -and were there any problems? My 13yr old milk allergic daughter is thinking about her options at disney for July.We usually stay at a vacation club and cook. She loves to go to the Disney restaurants but does not eat. I am terrified of dealing with anaphylaxis on vacation. But what a joy if she could eat! Cross contamination is my biggest concern-who does the cooking for these kids?

They have been great for me and others in the past. My son is anaphylactic to to milk and eggs, and at the time we went in 06, we also were avoiding peanut. The chef always personally came out to talk to us at any table service restaurant, so we could personally talk to them about the severity of the allergy. Here is a link to another thread from last year where I posted my trip report about half way down the page.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1378516

 

[Selket]

What a great site! For those of you who have let your allergy kids eat -did you feel very confident -and were there any problems?

My younger son is anaphylactic to peanuts and he has dined in many of the WDW restaurants without problems. I find table service easier than counter service (though CS can be done). I also find it helpful to talk to the restaurant in advance especially about desserts and arrange for them to have something he likes.

There are many of us here with severely allergic kids (or allergic adults) and there are sometimes issues but I've seen very few reactions reported. Since she has a single allergy and it is something not quite so esoteric it should be easier than for someone with multiple allergies or unusual allergies.

Welcome to the Dis!

 

[5 blind mice]

We are leaving for our trip in less than 2 weeks. I've got all my reservations made, I've connected with Brenda Bennett a couple times and I feel like we're basically ready to go. There is just one last thing that I need to find out. Maybe someone here can help me. Is there anywhere on-site that would sell a 64oz carton of Silk to keep in our hotel room fridge? I don't want to place a Garden Grocer order for one item. Our plan is to eat cereal in our room in the morning, but that's not going to work if we don't have Silk. My son is allergic/anaphylactic to dairy, eggs and peanuts. Also, we won't have a rental car, so we can't make a quick run to a grocery store.

 

[mbell67]

The email in the disABILITIES FAQs thread is correct. If you click it, it should open your mail browser to send an email. Or, you can highlight, copy and paste it into your email.
Someone had posted an email address in a reply for Brenda without the period.

thanks very much, I'll try it again.

 

[ZPT1022]

We haven't used the dining plan since 2006, and my milk, egg, and peanut allergic DS was under 3 at that time, so wasn't on the dining plan. We are going back in october of this year. I am interested in hearing any recent reports on food allergy substitutions and the dining plan.

Since dessert is included in the dining plan (and I know my DH will want dessert), has anyone had an experience where they did not have an allergen free dessert available?

What other experiences have you had?

I was last there in November 2007 and they were awesome. I'm allergic to strawberries, tree nuts and mushrooms, and I'm also a vegetarian. They were very accommodating and very knowledgeable about food allergies. There was maybe twice where the chef wasn't sure about a new menu item so they double checked. I don't need to tell you how nice it is not to have someone guessing.

Between the strawberries and the tree nuts, that eliminated most desserts that I could eat. I had a lot of vanilla tofutti that week

 

[RxforDisney]

We are leaving for our trip in less than 2 weeks. I've got all my reservations made, I've connected with Brenda Bennett a couple times and I feel like we're basically ready to go. There is just one last thing that I need to find out. Maybe someone here can help me. Is there anywhere on-site that would sell a 64oz carton of Silk to keep in our hotel room fridge? I don't want to place a Garden Grocer order for one item. Our plan is to eat cereal in our room in the morning, but that's not going to work if we don't have Silk. My son is allergic/anaphylactic to dairy, eggs and peanuts. Also, we won't have a rental car, so we can't make a quick run to a grocery store.

I don't know where you are staying, but room service is an option (but may be an expensive one). They brought us a large (16 oz??) glass of soy milk when we got breakfast one day. It lasted us a couple more days for cereal. You could always dilute it out a little with some water, and might make it last another day.

 

[5 blind mice]

I don't know where you are staying, but room service is an option (but may be an expensive one). They brought us a large (16 oz??) glass of soy milk when we got breakfast one day. It lasted us a couple more days for cereal. You could always dilute it out a little with some water, and might make it last another day.

That's a good suggestion. I also may pack some of that soymilk that doesn't need refrigeration until you open it. That way, I've got something to fall back on.

 

[sparrowgirls]

Thanks everyone. I had no idea this would be possible. My daughter has not eaten out in 6 years! Last time the food was cross contaminated and off to the hospital. I left email for Brenda and I am looking forward to talking to her. My sister(the real disney chief of the family) made reservations at Chef Mickeys, Cape May Cafe, Crystal Palace, Mama Melrose and Askershus, also breakfast at the polynesian. If I may ask what is an itsakadoozie pop? Do you know what soymilk they use-is it silk or 8th continent? Does anyone know of anyplace in the Disney area that carries earths balance margarine? Sorry for all the questions , I hope I can help someone with something when I get back!

 

[RxforDisney]

Thanks everyone. I had no idea this would be possible. My daughter has not eaten out in 6 years! Last time the food was cross contaminated and off to the hospital. I left email for Brenda and I am looking forward to talking to her. My sister(the real disney chief of the family) made reservations at Chef Mickeys, Cape May Cafe, Crystal Palace, Mama Melrose and Askershus, also breakfast at the polynesian. If I may ask what is an itsakadoozie pop? Do you know what soymilk they use-is it silk or 8th continent? Does anyone know of anyplace in the Disney area that carries earths balance margarine? Sorry for all the questions , I hope I can help someone with something when I get back!

WOW! 6 years! You are going to be addicted to Disney just for the dining freedom. We joined Disney Vacation Club (DVC) primarily because Disney is the best vacation for us due to the allergies, so we plan on going often.

Itsakadoozie popsicles are huge multi colored popsicles. I think they are made by Nestle. But they are milk free - just colored sugar water like the ones you get at the grocery store.

I am not sure about the brand of soy milk, but Brenda can probably answer that.

I am not sure about Earth's Balance, but most grocery stores carry Smart Balance Light - that is what we use. www.gardengrocer.com will deliver directly to your hotel room, and they carry smart balance light.

I hope you and your daughter have a GREAT allergy free trip!