Food Allergies at Universal?

[indyannamom]

My older dd has a less common food allergy. We're used to how Disney handles food allergy info...can anyone give any insight on their experiences with food allergies at Universal? We're planning on 2.5 days at Universal at the end of our January trip and want to be prepared.
TIA for the help!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

What is her allergy?

My youngest is allergic to scaled fish and pine nuts, both odd allergies. The fish is easily avoided but pine nuts can be a bit more difficult. Our experiences with various restaurants or QS counters have been very positive.

 

[Chelley00]

I didn't have a good experience, but that was 2 years ago so I'm hoping things have improved. I didn't prepare myself well so I will totally take responsibility for that. Really research the menus and prepare yourself because they may be able to accommodate you, they really aren't as knowledgeable and well trained as Disney (and I'm not saying that as an only Disney kool-aid drinker....promise) I'm planning on packing my own food just in case this time but I've picked out places that seem like their menus will be a little easier to work around my allergies

 

[starwars272]

Had a really good experience today the chef at the leaky cauldron arguably one of the busiest restaurant personally came and talked to me today so give them a chance at least

 

[indyannamom]

She's allergic to several things added to color foods...but they're in surprisingly more things than you would think.

Food grade colorants are also often added to make ups, facepaints, lotions, and she reacts even in topical (skin) applications. she's allergic to titanium dioxide too (which sadly, yes ,they do put that in foods) so sunscreens can be an issue too. We can control the topical issues on vacation...but the food ones get tricky. She's 9 and just wants to be able to have fun and enjoy things like her younger brother and sister can.

We'd need them to access their ingredient lists, not just the common allergy info that companies often put on a spreadsheet.

Cross contamination isn't usually an issue. It's getting them to actually look at the ingredient info, instead of overacting and saying "it could have those colorings so she can't have it"(which is a reaction we get a lot).

 

[macraven]

universal has a policy that people that have food allergies can bring their own food into the parks.

if you can't connect with someone at the darkside prior to your visit, plan on bringing food with you to handle your child's dietary needs.
if it was my child, i would be doing the same thing you are, checking now and working in advance prior to the trip for safe foods.

you can never be too careful when it comes to having severe food allergies.