Food Allergies - non Disney owned restaurants

[tes]

My daughter has a peanut, tree nut and now shellfish allergy and I'm trying to figure out dining plans for Disney in December. The only information I can't seem to find (and I've tried e-mailing Disney but keep getting vague responses) is which restaurants in the parks are the "Operating Participant Restaurants" and not run by Disney. We aren't going to Downtown Disney, so I'm just looking for the ones in Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Also, I read somewhere that Boma has peanut rice. Any comments on Boma with a peanut allergy?

Thanks!

 

[Mary976]

Even the non Disney owned restaurants can sometimes be okay. We ate at Teppan Edo (Japan) which I think is not Disney owned and they were great. They don't actually use peanuts in anything, and with other allergies they will have a manager come out and speak with you and then cook your food in the back. I know that doesn't really answer your questions, but I wanted to throw that out there in case there was a particular place you were considering. Never been to Boma, though, so hopefully someone who has will come along.

Good luck!
Mary

 

[snorris49]

I wish I could give you a comment on Boma with a peanut allergy, but I can only give you a review from when I went (I have a milk allergy and can't have gluten). They were really good as far as telling me what was safe on the buffet (for breakfast) and they also made me an omelet (I can eat eggs) in a separate area, as well as french toast that was GF. They were very knowledgeable though, compared to some other WDW restaurants I've been at, and very accommodating. I had great luck at the AKL and loved Jiko, the other restaurant there. Personally, I think they have some top notch restaurants at that hotel. Good luck, I'd make sure to contact special diets; they can even get you in touch w/the chefs from Boma before hand. I've spoken and emailed many chefs prior to my visits. Good luck!

 

[perry007]

My son too has a severe peanut/tree nut allergy. We have vacationed at Disney once a year for the past 4 years. We have never run into any problems. We make sure we book reservations ahead and have it noted about the allergy. At every spot including counter service a chef has talked with us to indicate what was safe for my son to eat. We haven't eaten at Boma because they do have nut items and was told it could come in contact. Other than that Disney has been wonderful in how they handle food allergies. Just make sure to always ask....they are more than willing to help out! We have eaten in Mexico, Canada and Japan in Epcot with no issues-so enjoy

 

[minniebeth]

My DD has a severe peanut/tree nut allergy and we have eaten at Boma for both breakfast and dinner, no problem. She is a picky eater anyway, but they were wonderful and she had plenty of options.

We've eaten in quite a few restaurants in Epcot with no problem, both CS and TS, the only restaurant we had a problem with was Les Chefs de France. Other than that, everywhere was great (CS is a little harder only because she is so picky, but still did ok with it.)

ETA: you asked about non-Disney owned restaurants: we DID have problems eating at the Pepper Market at the Coronado Springs resort. LOVED the resort, won't be eating at the PM anymore though because of the way they didn't address allergy concerns there like Disney does.

 

[Selket]

My younger son has the same 3 allergies and we've eaten many places in Epcot and at Pepper Market with no problems. I think it TOTALLY depends on the chef you get that night for the most part. Some restaurants have chronic problems but we've done the restaurants in Japan, Germany, Britain, Canada and FRance - those are out favorites.

If you did do downtown Disney I HIGHLY recommend T-Rex - they were VERY accommodating both times we've gone there - including just last week.

 

[lovethattink]

My son is allergic to so many foods. We live close to WDW and we have dined at Disney countless times with no problems. We try to keep our dining to Disney owned restaurants. Although we did eat at T-rex with no problem.

Where we have run into problems are counter service Disney restaurants.

The places where we have had the best experiences eating at Disney have been Ohana, Whispering Canyon, and The Plaza Restaurant. Typically I shoot off an email to Brenda Bennett a week or two in advance where we have ADRs, what he is allergic to, and what he is interested in eating, our contact phone number. Typically, I receive an email from her or someone else at Disney telling me a chef will call. A chef and I will discuss what he can and cannot eat. What they would be able to prepare special or as a substitution. Be sure to get phone numbers and names. Occasionally the chef I've talked to on the phone, was called away to another restaurant or catering engagement and the one at the restaurant at the time of our dining wasn't informed.

 

[SueM in MN]

I’m not sure which email address you used, but there are some to try in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (the thread is near the top of this board or you can use the link in my signature to get there). The specific dietary information is in the alphabetic listing of Conditions and Concerns.
They may not be able to tell you much detail about the non-Disney restaurants, but should at least be able to tell you which ones they are.

I think one thing to be aware of for Boma and the Tusker House in Africa at AK is that peanuts are a common ingredient in African cooking in general.
I have seen people write the same about Boma as Selket wrote - it depends a lot on the chef.
I would suggest not eating at Tusker House with peanut allergies. They have a fabulous buffet and I am quite sure that the chef would point out any problem foods to you, but the children’s buffet included a large container of peanut butter - which was very messy, because children were making their own peanut butter sandwiches.

 

[momsavealot]

I’m not sure which email address you used, but there are some to try in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (the thread is near the top of this board or you can use the link in my signature to get there). The specific dietary information is in the alphabetic listing of Conditions and Concerns.
They may not be able to tell you much detail about the non-Disney restaurants, but should at least be able to tell you which ones they are.

I think one thing to be aware of for Boma and the Tusker House in Africa at AK is that peanuts are a common ingredient in African cooking in general.
I have seen people write the same about Boma as Selket wrote - it depends a lot on the chef.
I would suggest not eating at Tusker House with peanut allergies. They have a fabulous buffet and I am quite sure that the chef would point out any problem foods to you, but the children’s buffet included a large container of peanut butter - which was very messy, because children were making their own peanut butter sandwiches.

Thanks for the info on Tusker House! I was thinking of going there but will pass on the tub o' peanut butter!!!

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'm one of those who sticks strictly with Disney owned restaurants. If we only had a few allergies and only common ones to deal with I'd likely give some others a try, but we have huge laundry lists of allergies including some not as common ones so we prefer to stick Disney owned restaurants. We did try a few non-Disney owned restaurants before we knew that there was a difference, and I did feel confident in their willingness/eagerness to keep our kids safe, but they just simply did not have the same kinds of ingredients on hand to give our kids any real options for foods. We can get plain steaks or bunless burgers with plain baked potatoes or salads without dressing anywhere back home. One of the main reasons we travel repeatedly to WDW because of how amazing they are with special diets so when we're there, we're going to really enjoy all the amazing options made available to us which means eating at restaurants owned and operated by WDW.

I did decide for our December trip to give Tokyo Dining a try because one of my girls is completely obsessed with Japan (it's her autistic area of interest) so I figured this might be her only opportunity in the US to safely eat at a regular Japanese restaurant. Well, the chef told me that he feared for our safety with our particular lists of allergies so I had to cancel. Sigh..... We'll continue to stick with Disney owned restaurants.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

My niece has severe allergies to nuts, tree and otherwise, shellfish and sesame seeds. She goes into anaphylaxis. Her throught closes up and it can be scary. She ALWAYS carries an epie pen on her. We even have one at our house in case she is visiting. My sister is a dvc member. They have only once had a problem at disney and that was at a non disney resteraunt. They now bring their own eating utensils. Anyway sis swears by the resteraunts at WL. She will also recomend to others downloading a book called openmouse through passporter. It helps with all kinds of disAbilities. I use it also but not for allergies.

To pp: glad to see I am not the only one from NH on these boards. Sometimes I begin to wonder.

 

[clanmcculloch]

To pp: glad to see I am not the only one from NH on these boards. Sometimes I begin to wonder.

LOL I've seen a few others. What part of NH are you from? We're in the south with easy access to Boston, not that we ever make it down there.

I love Open Mouse as well. I haven't looking in it in a long time beyond the resort maps and travel times but it was great for learning how to navigate special needs at WDW.

 

[LilyWDW]

I did decide for our December trip to give Tokyo Dining a try because one of my girls is completely obsessed with Japan (it's her autistic area of interest) so I figured this might be her only opportunity in the US to safely eat at a regular Japanese restaurant. Well, the chef told me that he feared for our safety with our particular lists of allergies so I had to cancel. Sigh..... We'll continue to stick with Disney owned restaurants.

At least he was truthful and up front about it so you found out now instead of when you were there trying to eat.

All restaurants will try their best to accommodate dietary restrictions. However, the Disney owned and operated places will in general do a better job and have more options. This is due to the way places are run, pure and simple.

I thank the fates everyday that the only allergy we have to worry about normally is of mushrooms (my mother). We will have an additional allergy of eggs when we do our grand gathering, but luckily it does not include baked good and the like. Mostly, it's just eggs by themselves (or something like eggs in fried rice for example).

 

[clanmcculloch]

I absolutely agree that it was great that he was upfront with us. I'm grateful for how forthcoming he was with this. I wasn't trying to criticize for it. I was merely pointing out that there is a difference.

 

[LilyWDW]

I absolutely agree that it was great that he was upfront with us. I'm grateful for how forthcoming he was with this. I wasn't trying to criticize for it. I was merely pointing out that there is a difference.

Oh I know! Wasn't saying you were criticizing for it, but rather just commenting that it was good to see them be so upfront and truthful about it even if it meant possibly upsetting someone. I was happy to read that they took it so seriously, though I did wish for your sake it would be okay.

 

[MadiWI]

Our son has PN and TN allergies, and we've been to Disney several times. This last visit included Boma and Tusker House. While the food was good and the chefs were very helpful, peanuts are very prevolent in the buffets and can be found in entrees, side dishes and desserts. While we had no issues, we will not eat at those restaurants again just because it think the risk of cross contamination is higher than in most Disney restaurants.

We have eaten at Teppan Edo with no problems - nuts are not common in Japanese food, and the kids loved it.

We do avoid the restaurants not owned by Disney. On our first trip a couple years ago, we had dinner at Le Cellier and had a horrible experience with the chef. I've read enough not good reviews of the various non-Disney owned places that it isn't worth it to take a risk. We go to Disney specifically because they are so good at handling allergies, so we aren't going to bother with a place that may not be helpful.

 

[clanmcculloch]

We have eaten at Teppan Edo with no problems - nuts are not common in Japanese food, and the kids loved it.

We do avoid the restaurants not owned by Disney. On our first trip a couple years ago, we had dinner at Le Cellier and had a horrible experience with the chef. I've read enough not good reviews of the various non-Disney owned places that it isn't worth it to take a risk. We go to Disney specifically because they are so good at handling allergies, so we aren't going to bother with a place that may not be helpful.

Teppan Edo is not owned by Disney. Le Cellier is owned by Disney. I do understand why Teppan Edo would be safe for nut allergy sufferers and they do have the best reputation of all the non-Disney owned restaurants but I just wanted to clarify their ownership is not Disney. They were actually the one restaurant I was willing to take a chance on based on the reviews I've read and was disappointed that they didn't believe they could take care of us safely (it does go to show their high level of understanding and concern for food allergies though so I would definitely continue to recommend it for food allergies).

I was surprised at LC that they didn't seem to have the same kinds of options that other restaurants do. Luckily DD12 is a real carnivore who likes her blood rare steaks and the french fries were extra salty just like she likes them (kind of like the potatoes had been marinating in salt water before cooking; they gladly substituted the rissotto for fries) so she was very happy, but there was only 1 dessert that was safe for her and it wasnt' something that she liked (I think it was a raspberry sorbet). I was surprised they didn't even have Tofutti ice cream, something found at every other Disney owned restaurant we've ever dined in.

 

[momsavealot]

Our son has PN and TN allergies, and we've been to Disney several times. This last visit included Boma and Tusker House. While the food was good and the chefs were very helpful, peanuts are very prevolent in the buffets and can be found in entrees, side dishes and desserts. While we had no issues, we will not eat at those restaurants again just because it think the risk of cross contamination is higher than in most Disney restaurants.

We have eaten at Teppan Edo with no problems - nuts are not common in Japanese food, and the kids loved it.

We do avoid the restaurants not owned by Disney. On our first trip a couple years ago, we had dinner at Le Cellier and had a horrible experience with the chef. I've read enough not good reviews of the various non-Disney owned places that it isn't worth it to take a risk. We go to Disney specifically because they are so good at handling allergies, so we aren't going to bother with a place that may not be helpful.

Can I ask what happened at LeCellier? We have a ressie there and my dd has PA.

 

[snorris49]

I was surprised at LC that they didn't seem to have the same kinds of options that other restaurants do.

I agree with this. I was there in February and was quite unimpressed (a shame, since prior to food allergies it was a favorite in my family) and so was my family (who do not have allergies). The chef came out and asked me what I wanted, to which I replied, "Why don't you tell me what you think the safest options are and I'll make a decision based on that." He kept repeating what do you want? And when I would say what I wanted he would tell me he couldn't possibly make that. Um, this is why I am asking you what YOU think would be safe.

In any event, we agreed on a salad with a vinaigrette and a pork chop entree with roasted potatoes. The entree (which my mom got as well) did not require much modification, but I really, really did not enjoy it. Very overly spiced. Plus, the meat was under cooked (I realize you can have pork now medium rare, but I do not in any way like pork that raw).

The food was mediocre and the chef was not very helpful at all. (He didn't even really want to cook plain salmon) It seemed like he just wanted me to pick the item on the menu with the least modifications so he could just make it and not worry about dealing with an "allergy." However, that was my own perception of the experience, and maybe others have had some good experiences there lately. For me, though, we won't be doing Le Cellier again unless I hear some vast improvements.

 

[HETRICKL]

We had a great experience at LeCellier. My DD9 has TN, Shellfish, Sesame, Peas & mango.

The chef was nice, helpful and was able to give her something off the menu that worked. She also wanted a smoothy and because they make a mango one, they were aware and used a different blender so there would be no chance of cross contamination.

We ate there Jan 2010.