Food allergies at universal

[HeatherL]

I apologize of this has been asked. My son, age 11, is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. We have been to Disney many times, and have had great experiences with the restaurants there. Will we have a similar experience in Universal? We plan to stay on site. Thanks.

 

[delilah18]

Also wondering

 

[macraven]

the darkside does understand people have food allergies.

you can contact guest services by phone or email and get help from them to work around your allergies.

if you are told which places can accomodate your allergy / food needs, you can plan your trip in advance for the eateries

 

[mnmom4disney]

We have 2 daughters with both peanut and tree nut allergies. Yes, Disney is outstanding with dealing with allergies. We've been there numerous times.
We went to Islands of Adventure in 2011 mainly to only see Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We had a terrible experience with food allergies there. Absolutely no quick information available. Expect nothing like Disney. We did call in advance with no good results. No information. They had no information at places where they sold food at carts. They had to pull the ingredients from the box at 3 Broomsticks. Took lots of time.

We are going back this year or next spring to both parks to see Diagon Alley. I plan on calling in advance to see if anything has improved in this area. Especially since they are going to be so busy with the new HP attractions. Good Luck!

 

[macraven]

We have 2 daughters with both peanut and tree nut allergies. Yes, Disney is outstanding with dealing with allergies. We've been there numerous times.
We went to Islands of Adventure in 2011 mainly to only see Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We had a terrible experience with food allergies there. Absolutely no quick information available. Expect nothing like Disney. We did call in advance with no good results. No information. They had no information at places where they sold food at carts. They had to pull the ingredients from the box at 3 Broomsticks. Took lots of time.

We are going back this year or next spring to both parks to see Diagon Alley. I plan on calling in advance to see if anything has improved in this area. Especially since they are going to be so busy with the new HP attractions. Good Luck!

what you experienced 3 years ago, won't be the same now when you return.

contact guest services about a month out before your next trip.
it's no fun having to be worried about foods that can create havoc with your children.

 

[schumigirl]

Our friends that have 3 kids, 2 of which have severe allergies found Universal parks and the onsite hotels to be excellent when dealing with them.

Any restaurant they went to the chef usually came out and spoke to them beforehand and certainly made them feel very confident about what they were giving their kids.

They had no issues at all with counter service either and this has been in the last 2 years so hopefully you should have no issues.

 

[EvangelineG]

We contacted Universal for allergy info in advance of both our trips (2011 and 2012). We received friendly service, and were able to get some info in advance of our trips.

In 2011 we only ate at Three Broomsticks (2 snacks and 2 meals) with our sons (peanut, tree nut, egg and other life threatening food allergies). Our experience there that time around was outstanding. We were directed to their "allergy expert", a lady named Pam, who was able to give us detailed allergy info about all of the dishes and their preparation. We ate there with confidence, and our sons loved it!

In 2012 our experience at Three Broomsticks could not have been more different. Pam was not there on the days we visited. No one else seemed to know anything. At my insistence, each time, a chef would come out to speak to us but seemed quite bothered to do so (bear in mind these were off peak times and the restaurant was not busy). We ended up safely ordering the same foods as the previous year, but it was like pulling teeth to get the information needed. I would have been really upset if that was my first experience with allergies at Universal. We had a similar experience to a PP with ingredient info being really hard to obtain at food carts as well.

We are returning again this year, and I am a little nervous. We are enormous HP fans, and really hoping to return to Three Broomsticks, as well as trying meals and snacks in DA. I really hope that Universal has upped their game as far as allergy info readily available at their quick service locations, and consistency of service. It would make it easier on their allergic customers as well as their staff.

 

[AGoney]

We visited in 2011 with our food allergic child ( milk, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, eggs) and it was horrible! No one could ever give me a confirmation on the ingredients and everyone I asked seemed very irritated. Of course we were there in July and peak times. We are BIG Harry Potter fans are we are planning to go back in the spring. I will continue to pack all of his food...

 

[Cielei]

I think the biggest thing would be calling in advance - about 1 month like Mac suggested so that the chef or allergy specialists in places you would like to eat will have time to do research about the specific allergens and get back in touch with you before your trip. Resteraunt kitchens are busy even if it doesn't seem like it's crowded in the dining areas, and they don't always have the packaging readily available to read off the ingredient list. Remember too that the term "chef" should be applied loosely as many of these places are more akin to quick service rather than fine dining where you would have an actual trained chef creating meals for you. Many of these "chefs" are following recipes that a head chef for all of the park restaurants has created and may not know the individual contents of everything they are working with. Keeping this in mind, I am sure that there is some hesitation from the kitchen staff to absolutely guarantee that it is 100% safe from contamination. All the what if scenarios would run through my mind and make me very nervous about giving assurances when someone is dealing with life threatening allergies. Hopefully, it will all go well and your families will be able to enjoy everything they want!

 

[lazer]

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for any other comments. My son, who is 5, just started having reactions to peanuts. So, we're seeing the allergist next week. Thanks for your posts & feedback so far.

It's crazy how far restaurants have come in the last few years and I hope it continues to improve

 

[janetkay272]

I have a peanut allergy as well. I have already called regarding allergies in the new diagon alley and was told to call back early july. I know that they will have a peanut butter based ice cream in the new ice cream shop. Knowing how most ice cream shops reuse ice cream scoop and then dip them in water this is a HUGE problem for all of us with peanut allergy. I am hoping this is not how they will be operating in florean fortescue's. I will post what I find out but the more people who are vocal about this concern the more likely universal will work to prevent cross contamination especially with their peanut butter ice cream.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I am researching now for a summer 2015 trip. I haven't been to Universal since 1993 and that was only one day during a WDW trip. I am so worried about what/where we will eat. We only have a dairy allergy and so-far no near-death experiences. The Universal website lists which items can be gluten free and lists which items can be something veggie - meaning, some menus list what can be vegan and some list what can be vegetarian. Um... there is a huge difference between vegan and vegetarian. Never-mind that I don't need either, though "vegan" should be safe. But if some list vegetarian and some list vegan - do they even know what they are talking about? Then there is the option to bring your own food granted to guests with allergies who are advised to use plastic containers in soft sided cooler and notify security of your allergy so that you are allowed to bring your food. Then goes on to list that you can store your allergy needed food in the hotel fridge IF you request one and pay extra for it. None of this is my definition of "able to handle food allergies." I will call when we are closer to our travel date, but I am rather discouraged at the moment It looks like we may have to plan this as if it were a backpacking trip - but then we have to put the backpack in a locker most of the time. My head is spinning.
Anyone with a dairy allergy who has enjoyed food on Universal property? Please!

 

[lazer]

I am researching now for a summer 2015 trip. I haven't been to Universal since 1993 and that was only one day during a WDW trip. I am so worried about what/where we will eat. We only have a dairy allergy and so-far no near-death experiences. The Universal website lists which items can be gluten free and lists which items can be something veggie - meaning, some menus list what can be vegan and some list what can be vegetarian. Um... there is a huge difference between vegan and vegetarian. Never-mind that I don't need either, though "vegan" should be safe. But if some list vegetarian and some list vegan - do they even know what they are talking about? Then there is the option to bring your own food granted to guests with allergies who are advised to use plastic containers in soft sided cooler and notify security of your allergy so that you are allowed to bring your food. Then goes on to list that you can store your allergy needed food in the hotel fridge IF you request one and pay extra for it. None of this is my definition of "able to handle food allergies." I will call when we are closer to our travel date, but I am rather discouraged at the moment It looks like we may have to plan this as if it were a backpacking trip - but then we have to put the backpack in a locker most of the time. My head is spinning. Anyone with a dairy allergy who has enjoyed food on Universal property? Please!

My understanding is you won't pay for a fridge if there is a medical need. Which, an allergy (that would require you to store food) should fall into that category.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I've read that they often waive the fee if it's for storing refrigerated medication. The Universal website about food allergies specifically states that I will pay for the fridge to store allergy-friendly foods. If they can't do better accommodating allergies then I think they should not charge for the fridge, but their website says that I will pay.

 

[macraven]

if the hotel does not waive the fee for storing of your special foods,
go to the walgreens/stores near PBH and buy a stryofoam chest for $4.

fill it with ice from the machine on your floor.
put it in your bathtub in case there are any leaks.

keep your food in that chest and just refill with ice as needed.

many have gone that route in order to avoid paying for a fridge in the room.

if you don't have a lengthy onsite stay, that might work out for your needs.


if you stay at HRH, there will be a free fridge in your room.
PBH and RPH does not have a fridge in the guest rooms.

 

[lazer]

I've read that they often waive the fee if it's for storing refrigerated medication. The Universal website about food allergies specifically states that I will pay for the fridge to store allergy-friendly foods. If they can't do better accommodating allergies then I think they should not charge for the fridge, but their website says that I will pay.

My uncle stays at RPH 5+ times a year (they live in FL). My cousin has a few food allergies, he just clarified with me that they always request a fridge in advance, and when they arrive they explain (to the manager if needed) that they need it because of food allergies. They have not been charged. Maybe try that and if it doesn't work, go with the ice chest?

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

My uncle stays at RPH 5+ times a year (they live in FL). My cousin has a few food allergies, he just clarified with me that they always request a fridge in advance, and when they arrive they explain (to the manager if needed) that they need it because of food allergies. They have not been charged. Maybe try that and if it doesn't work, go with the ice chest?

We will definitely try it - and have a cooler.
I had wanted to stay at a Loews a couple times prior to our trip so we'd be in their club, but I can't get rezzies when/where we'd need them. I thought they might be more accommodating to a frequent Loews customer, but there just aren't that many so popping in for a quick stay isn't really do-able. I guess I'll find out how much RPH wants to win a newbie over to Loews...

 

[TravelMommy]

At US/US Resorts, this frankly makes me a little nervous reading some of the experiences people have had. I am kind of shocked considering you cannot go into any restaurant and not see some kind of "alert your server to any food allergy issues". I had thought that those with food allergies are protected by ADA??? no?? and as such any places that sold food were required to make ingredient lists available? So disappointing to hear..... I have to honestly say this is one area Disney gets right and has done a fantastic job for us, no, absolutely no reactions for us in Disney restaurants!!!

 

[janetkay272]

At US/US Resorts, this frankly makes me a little nervous reading some of the experiences people have had. I am kind of shocked considering you cannot go into any restaurant and not see some kind of "alert your server to any food allergy issues". I had thought that those with food allergies are protected by ADA??? no?? and as such any places that sold food were required to make ingredient lists available? So disappointing to hear..... I have to honestly say this is one area Disney gets right and has done a fantastic job for us, no, absolutely no reactions for us in Disney restaurants!!!

Frankly it's no different than going to any other restaurant. Some restaurants are really good about food allergies some are not so good. Universal as a company is somewhere in the middle. You just need to call guest services. If guest services can't answer your question ask if they can get you the contact info of the manager of head chef or the restaurant you will be eating at. They will be most knowledgeable.

 

[lazer]

At US/US Resorts, this frankly makes me a little nervous reading some of the experiences people have had. I am kind of shocked considering you cannot go into any restaurant and not see some kind of "alert your server to any food allergy issues". I had thought that those with food allergies are protected by ADA??? no?? and as such any places that sold food were required to make ingredient lists available? So disappointing to hear..... I have to honestly say this is one area Disney gets right and has done a fantastic job for us, no, absolutely no reactions for us in Disney restaurants!!!

I haven't seen any real post:threads on this since 2012. So, not sure what has changed and what it's like now. I agree with the other poster above...it's no different than going to eat at most restaurants. Disney is way better than most, Universal seems to be on par with most. Hoping everything has been changed for the better!