Food allergies (egg) experience?

[shelby101301]

I've already emailed and called the specific Disney people and am waiting to hear back other than "check with the chef at each stand" (like I want to spend the trip waiting to see the food book)

I am wondering if any other families have experience with counter service.... With three children under 6, we are opting out of table service...they don't sit well at all, and we can't afford to eat at those all the time anyway.

We have a villa in Kidani so will cook and pack what we can, but it's my vacation too and would like a break.

Anyone know for sure what foods are egg free or have ingredient lists for counter service? It's for my 14 month old, so it can't be just any food, but something a baby with 4 teeth can handle.

Thanks in advance!

 

[amarberry]

Both of my kids are allergic to egg. My DD5 is severe (like off the charts levels and anaphlaxtic). We are also vegetarians by choice, so dining out away from home can be a challenge. We love vacationing at Disney World because they are so accomodating to food allergies.

The counter service restaurants all have binders at the cashiers with ingredient listings. Often, a manager will be called for us once we order to personally take care of DD's meal to minimize cross contamination risks. When we stayed at Pop Century, the chefs were thrilled to make DD egg free Mickey waffles at the food court.

Our last trip was May 2009. At that time (and every other time we have been there with DD), the mac and cheese served at all CS locations, except for Mara, contained egg. The pizza was fine. You'll want to ask if the fries are cooked with items containing egg as well. In our experience, Disney is pretty good about having dedicated fryers.

Some places (I think the Main St. Bakery and some of the CS at the resorts) have Divvies cookies, which are a great treat for DD. In the past, the ice cream at the place on Main St. has been Edy's. The Vanilla Bean is egg free (make sure it's Vanilla BEAN, not just plain vanilla). I believe they also have Tofutti and Rice Dream available. Dole Whips are egg free too.

 

[amarberry]

I've already emailed and called the specific Disney people and am waiting to hear back other than "check with the chef at each stand" (like I want to spend the trip waiting to see the food book)

One more thing...speaking as a parent of children with food allergies, you really have to spend the time reviewing the ingredients every time you order your child food. It's a total pain, but ingredient listings change all the time. We check ingredients on EVERYTHING every time we buy something.

About a year ago, my mother gave DD a marshmellow that she thought was safe, but it had egg whites in it. DD had an biphasic anaphlaxtic reaction from one bite. As I mentioned, my child has a severe allergy, but my point is that you shouldn't listen to me (some stranger online) and assume the pizza at Disney World is egg free. Definitely double check when you get there.

We had another experience a couple of years ago at our local Red Robin. I had emailed the corporate (I do that often with chain restaurants) for ingredient listings for their kids meals. The listing I had said that the grilled cheese sandwich was safe, but when DD ordered it and ate one bite, she ended up with hives all over her face. They probably ran out of bread and used a different product. In that situation, I should have spoken with the manager to confirm that what my DD was eating was egg free.

 

[shelby101301]

awesome info -THANK YOU!!!

And I totally agree about checking. My son's reaction is severe too. But it helps going with a "safe list" so I at least have an idea where to start looking, kwim? as opposed to starting from scratch.

So is that binder pretty handy? It seems like the few times we go out anymore, it's such a hassle to the staff, it's like pulling teeth... Just dreading that down there.

 

[amarberry]

It always seemed pretty handy and right there at every cashier station. If I recall correctly, each item has the allergan statement which makes checking pretty quick. It's a bit of a pain and I always feel bad if there is someone behind me, but I figure that I'm a lot more justified taking a minute or so figuring out what is safe than the person who gets up to the cashier with no idea what they want after standing in line.

We try to grab CS at off times (like lunch at 11 or 11:30am instead of right at noon). It's a little less chaotic and easier to find a manager, if needed.

 

[shelby101301]

Thanks, that's good to know. We'll plan on eating at off times too although I am feeling more and more that I will shop down there and make my own food. I will just bring my ener-g egg replacer with me I think.

 

[hildarumpole]

I thought it would be an enormous hassle going through the binders, but it's not that bad if you go at off times. The managers are usually quick at responding and very helpful. The Pizzafari manager was the best. Sunshine Seasons doesn't seem to have an off time ever and was the most confusing and difficult to deal with. The menu is huge. Managing food allergies at restaurants is no fun, but Disney is the best at making it as painless as possible.

 

[laranol]

Admittedly, we like table service meals. but when daughter was young with an anaphylactic allergy to dairy (which hides everywhere as caseine) the table service/buffet meals at disney were incredible. They'd immediately send out the chef, who would talk to her very seriously (which, as a toddler, she LOVED) and ask her JUST what she'd like to eat. And whatever she said, they'd make. she was always so happy, since anywhere else she'd eat something from home, or be told all she could have was plain rice, etc. it made for a dream vacation for all of us. I have a photo somewhere from a character breakfast, when she was about 2.5, with tigger leading her through the buffet line and telling her to point to what she wanted. the chef followed right behind writing it down, and no more than 15 minutes later, it all came out. tigger made a big deal of admiring her med-alert bracelet, too. she's 16 now and STILL remembers tigger making her a special meal. they really are the best place we've ever dealt with food allergies.

 

[vettechick99]

DD has a severe peanut, nut, and egg allergy. We went in July and the chefs always came out to the table. In fact, at Boma they were wonderful! She showed me all around the buffet telling me what was good and bad. I was able to slap some food on a plate and voila! They even found a nut-free cookie for her for dessert.

WDW takes food allergies pretty seriously. I would ask to speak with the chef...that's the easiest way to be safe and get correct information.

 

[snorris49]

WDW is the BEST for dietary restrictions. I am gluten and dairy free and they have been so accommodating with it. TS is the best IMO, but CS is also very helpful and tasty. (there are just more choices and flexibility in TS, imo)

I know that they try to make things for dietary restrictions that cover multiple allergies/intolerances. For example, the mickey waffles they make for dietary restrictions are gluten, dairy, and I believe egg free. Crystal Palace makes this awesome brownie cake that is gluten, dairy, egg, and nut free. It is so rich and decadent. They make it in house too! It's very yummy! Plus, Crystal Palace is a fun place for kids and the food is really good too.

Boma and Jiko at AKL were extremely helpful and tasty. I never felt deprived ever. In fact, I felt stuffed by the end of my vacation!

Good luck! I think you'll be able to find lots of choices. Hopefully, Special Diets will get back to you with a list of things; I have only received a gluten free list from them, and I've been trying to get a dairy free list, so I feel your frustration. It would be nice to have for counter service reference.

 

[shelby101301]

Thanks everyone! Your comments are really helpful. We are only planning a few table service meals (it's not just getting kids to sit - we have to go back to the hotel every day for the baby nap so that and a ts meal it's up a full half day) But i am very comfortable with everything I've read about the chef's coming out.

Maybe we will try a buffet. CP will be closed while we are there, but maybe we will try another. And we are staying at Kidani so Boma may be an excellent fall back.

I promise while I am there I will keep track of what we eat that's egg free and post it here for the next person that searches on egg free. Like amarberry suggests, it always prudent to check each time, but I think it helps to have a "starter list" to check than to start from scratch.

Moderators, if you're reading, maybe consider starting an allergy section for people to post on. Allergies are so prevalent in today's world...

 

[Bomabaconlover]

Hi, I am deathly allerigc to eggs and milk. I am a teen so I have experience dealing with this. My mom and I have stayed at the AKL for the past three years and are in love with the Boma buffet. Chef Jenny is great, she introduced us to the ener-g egg replacer as she had it there to make muffins and pancakes. I completely recommend Boma. We also frequently go to the Crystal palace, the chef there is great! Each time he has walked us around the buffet showing us everything I can and can't eat. Disney is great with this stuff, a reason we always go back, and will make sure you feel safe and at ease.

(P.S. have gone 14 times and not had a single problem with food allergies)

 

[TDC Nala]

Moderators, if you're reading, maybe consider starting an allergy section for people to post on. Allergies are so prevalent in today's world...

This is generally covered by the DISAbilities board. Posts here are usually asking about specific restaurants. It's only once in awhile we get one like this.

 

[Nancyg56]

I promise while I am there I will keep track of what we eat that's egg free and post it here for the next person that searches on egg free. Like amarberry suggests, it always prudent to check each time, but I think it helps to have a "starter list" to check than to start from scratch.

Moderators, if you're reading, maybe consider starting an allergy section for people to post on. Allergies are so prevalent in today's world...

Ialso suggest that you try the DISabilities forum. My DD posts there often, her DD had a dairy and egg allergy. We used mainly TS but had good luck at CS as well. The chefs will make egg free pancakes and wffles for you. It takes a while, they cook on separate cookware and make the batters fresh for you. The chefs and managers take the allergies very seriously and will try very hard to keep your child safe.

Kady was lucky at most CS for lunch, there was food for her most of the time. The folks on the DISabilities board will have more up to date info for you.

 

[shelby101301]

Chef Jenny is great, she introduced us to the ener-g egg replacer as she had it there to make muffins and pancakes.

I love ener-g egg replacer - it's awesome! We use it to bake with all the time! Glad you have not had any problems!

 

[shelby101301]

This is generally covered by the DISAbilities board. Posts here are usually asking about specific restaurants. It's only once in awhile we get one like this.

Thanks! I will check there too. I was positive that if I posted this anywhere else it would be moved to here LOL Good to know. Got great info here so am looking forward to what others can share.

 

[Nancyg56]

I love ener-g egg replacer - it's awesome! We use it to bake with all the time! Glad you have not had any problems!

I have also used soy flour as a substitute. The direction in on the bag but I think it is 1 TBS soy flour and 2 Tsp of water for each egg.