Food allergies & Epcot resort area?

[Minnie]

Last summer we spent a week at the WL and I had some fantastic meals made by the chefs at the MK area resorts

This summer we would really like to stay in the Epcot resort area but I'm concerned about food options w/ my multiple food allergies

Any suggestions on restaurants that would be accomodating to food allergies?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The answer basically is "All of them". The only exceptions would be Big River Grill and possibly Kouzzina. And some of the World Showcase may be a problem. But basically if it is Disney owned and operated there should be no problems.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. If you go to Post #3 and scroll down to Dietary Restrictions you will get a lot of answers there.

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

 

[clanmcculloch]

We considered spending part of our December 2009 trip at Yacht Club because I found an amazing deal there. I immediately contacted Special Diets to find out what kinds of food options we'd have for CS meals since we tend to eat CS lunches almost every day back at our resort as part of our touring style. A chef from Beach Club contacted me to discuss our CS options. To put it bluntly, there weren't any. Well, we could order TS food to go but that's about it. A couple chefs from BWI contacted me as well but they were all from TS locations. They could all accomodate us at TS locations but we don't want to spend that kind of money at TS locations. I believe both BC and BWI carry some of the Disney standard allergy foods like the Ener-G buns, brownies, cookies, etc, but the CS locations are primarily sandwich and premade foods type of places so they really don't have wide options. The only allergy kitchens are in the TS restaurants. At value and moderate resort CS locations they have allergy areas in the CS kitchens.

We've basically ruled out Epcot area resorts. I may reconsider at some point but we'll definitely get park hoppers so we can eat inside of Epcot at Sunshine Seasons.

I don't know your list of food allergies to know of you'd have a similiar situation or not. Here are our lists.
DD12: gluten, milk, eggs, yeast, citrus, peanuts, MSG
DD9: milk, citrus, blueberries, cranberries, hazelnuts, brazilnuts, peanuts, sesame

 

[Minnie]

We are trying to decide between the YC and the Poly.

Would one be a better choice than the other with regards to food allergies

Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is really no difference.

At the Poly you have 'Ohana, Kona Cafe and Captain Cook's. And you are just a monorail ride away from the Contemporary and the Grand Floridia.

At Yacht you have Yahtsman's Steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, Captains Grille, Beaches and Cream, and the carryout in the Marketplace, as well as walking distance to the Boardwalk and Swolphin.

All of these are very good at handling allergies; there is really no difference.

 

[hildarumpole]

We stayed at BC last year and will again this summer. Two of my kids are allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish. At the resort, we ate at Hurricane Hannahs, the Marketplace and Cape May Cafe without any problems. We really enjoyed the convenience of being able to walk to EPCOT for a meal. The TS restaurants are generally very accomodating. As CF mentioned, the non-Disney owned restaurants may have some difficulties. In the WS this can be more of a problem, depending upon the allergies, but not impossible. We also had great allergy-friendly service at Mama Melrose and H&V at DHS, which is only a boatride from the resort. Be sure to note the allergies on your ADRs and contact www.specialdiets@disneyworld.com to get an allergy form and a list of common ingredients for CS and snack places.

 

[Selket]

It depends on your allergies perhaps. We've never had a problem with CS restaurants in the deluxe hotels including BC, Poly, CR, and AKL but the allergies are peanut, tree nut and shellfish. We did have one chef come to consult with us on the CS at the BC last summer and he seemed quite clueless - not even bothering to tell me they sold Divvies there. I think we ended up buying him a lunchable from the fridge case. I have to say the BC was not the best so probably the YC wouldn't be either. Seems like no problem at Beaches and Cream though for breakfast and we ate at the restaurant by the pool there with no problems.

In the other hotels the chef had plenty of options (like sandwiches) and offered to make things. Both at the Poly and CR the chef from a TS came over and either made or directed how to make his food.

That being said, we didn't rely on CS at BC/YC too much.

If Chef TJ is still at the Poly then I'd stay there cause he is the mostest awesomest chef in the universe when it comes to food allergies.

The TS places at Epcot were fine - CS places were ok - we relied on hamburgers.

If you have more extensive/unusual allergies or celiac - then YMMV.

 

[gigi1313]

allergies aside, there are just very very few Quickserve options in the epcot resort area... the boardwalk bakery is a good option for some, but not us, due to allergies... if you want good QS options, your best bet is to stay mod or value, as they have the best choices/most variety/etc... and they are very attentive to allergy needs

 

[aussietravellers]

I have eaten at the all the BC and YC restaurants before with Peanut and tree nut allergies and never had a problem. I have also eaten in many of the Epcot restaurants and also never had a problem with any of them. They all took the allergy seriously and did everything they could to accommodate me.

I am staying this time at BC for two weeks and will be eating there again and at the YC restaurants and have made many ressies at Epcot restaurants. I have noted the allergies in every ADR as usual and do not expect to have any problems. I think if I ever got to a restaurant and I didn't feel safe eating there, then I would leave.

 

[clanmcculloch]

We are trying to decide between the YC and the Poly.

Would one be a better choice than the other with regards to food allergies

Thanks!

It REALLY does depend on your allergies and your dining preferences. If your resort dining is primarily TS restaurants then they're both great. If your resort dining is primarily CS then values and mods are much better but Poly will be better than YC. If your allergies are primarily peanuts nuts then I'd say YC will likely be better because of the potential for cross contamination from the peanut sauces at the Poly restaurants (only an issue if residue smudges from people who have dined there rubbing on things in the lobby will be a problem). If your allergies are primarily gluten and/or dairy then I'd say Poly will be better. If you'll be eating mostly at parks then you need to figure out which parks you want to spend most of your time at regardless of allergies. If you share more info about your preferences and habits then we can give you better advice.

 

[TaraZ]

My DD has a rather severe (Cat 5) peanut allergy... we have stayed at the Poly twice with no issues at all. We've dined at Kona multiple times, attended the Luau, and had breakfast at Ohanas.... great chefs that were very attentive all places. I love the MK resorts- not only for location but the way they treat my little girl. She feels like such a grown up talking to all the chefs! Good luck!