Food Allergies on ABD trips - any experience

[hkeller27]

Hello!

Having done WDW, DL, DCL, and Aulani already, I'm well versed in the accommodations that can be made for guests with food allergies, and more than pleased to say the least! I know ABD is a horse of a different color, especially out of country. We are considering England/France, France, Once Upon a Fairytale.....that general area of Europe

Our family specifically has gluten allergies; while I'm not expecting anyone to have first hand experience with this allergy at these locations, oh would that information ever be awesome!!!

Regardless of the allergy, I would love to know about any experience you have had on a European ABD!

TIA!

 

[sayhello]

I did the ABD Mediterranean cruise add-on in 2010. We had a family of 4 who ate gluten-free. The Adventure Guides managed to find *good* alternatives for them at every stop. This was Italy, France, Malta, Tunisia. In fact, it seemed like a lot of the restaurants we ate at were quite aware of gluten allergies, and were easily able to accommodate them. I have some food issues (reflux) and the restaurants were far more freaked by me not being able to eat tomato products than they were by the gluten-free thing. I think you should do just fine! Call ABD & talk to them about it, but I don't think there should be any issues. The Adventure Guides are quite used to dealing with things like food allergies.

Sayhello

 

[hkeller27]

I did the ABD Mediterranean cruise add-on in 2010. We had a family of 4 who ate gluten-free. The Adventure Guides managed to find *good* alternatives for them at every stop. This was Italy, France, Malta, Tunisia. In fact, it seemed like a lot of the restaurants we ate at were quite aware of gluten allergies, and were easily able to accommodate them. I have some food issues (reflux) and the restaurants were far more freaked by me not being able to eat tomato products than they were by the gluten-free thing. I think you should do just fine! Call ABD & talk to them about it, but I don't think there should be any issues. The Adventure Guides are quite used to dealing with things like food allergies.

Sayhello

Thank you! It has been a LONG time since I've traveled Europe, and never since being diagnosed. Though I have always heard very positive things about allergy awareness over there. This was great to hear, thank you again so much!

 

[sayhello]

Thank you! It has been a LONG time since I've traveled Europe, and never since being diagnosed. Though I have always heard very positive things about allergy awareness over there. This was great to hear, thank you again so much!

You are quite welcome! Having ABD take care of things like this is one of the HUGE pluses of doing an ABD!

Sayhello

 

[SingingMom]

We were on the London/Paris ABD this past May with a guest who had SEVERE food allergies. The guides were wonderful in letting the waiters know ahead of time and a few times the chefs themselves came out to speak with her. Everyone was wonderful and she was so touched by all the concern.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[hkeller27]

We were on the London/Paris ABD this past May with a guest who had SEVERE food allergies. The guides were wonderful in letting the waiters know ahead of time and a few times the chefs themselves came out to speak with her. Everyone was wonderful and she was so touched by all the concern.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

So good to hear this! How did you enjoy the trip overall?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Calling ABD and alerting then is a good idea, but this doesnt replace discussing this with your guides upon arrival.

There have been instances where this information did not travel across the Atlantic to the Guides in Europe.

ABD will do everything they can, but you MUST be proactive and alert the Guides.

You must also be diligent in reminding them and asking questions when being served.

 

[SingingMom]

So good to hear this! How did you enjoy the trip overall?

As Kevin said in his post, speak to your guides about this and definitely mention it to the server at each meal. All were very gracious to the traveller in our group.

To answer your question: YES!! We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The best one of our lifetime ! The history, the sights, the excitement, the beauty. All were amazing!
But even more special were the wonderful friends we made on the trip. We still keep in touch with many, and have visited a few!

Our guides will always have a special place in our hearts! They were phenomenal ! We are set for ABD Germany in July!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[sayhello]

So good to hear this! How did you enjoy the trip overall?

I've taken the London & Paris trip, also, and thoroughly loved it! It's a wonderful way to see both cities. The Guides are always spectacular, and we, also, had a wonderful group of travelers who have kept in touch after the trip. It's been my experience that, in general, ABD attracts a really wonderful caliber of travelers!

Sayhello

 

[abdgeek]

I am lactose intolerant and have done both the ABD add on for the Med Cruise and the ABD Greece trips. My allergy wasn't an issue for either trip. I have medicine to control it as long as I know dairy is in the food I'm eating. The servers on the cruise ship are always very vigilant when I order when I've told them about my allergy.

On the Greece ABD, I was always told during each meal what had dairy in it. At some meals, they had alternatives for me to eat. At others, I would just not eat the dish that had dairy in it if I didn't want to waste a lactaid. Greek meals have multiple courses before the entree is even served. I never left a meal hungry!

I agree with the OP that said to remind you ABD guide of your allergy. They are very attentive and definitely want to make sure you have a great culinary experience wherever you eat. Disney is the one place/company that I have found that will recreate dishes to accomodate food allergies. I never have any fears when I travel with them.

 

[3mmm]

I know this is a little different because we stayed in the US. We did the Wyoming trip last summer and my oldest is epileptic and is on a ketogenic modified Atkins diet which is high fat and extremely low carb. At home I make most of his food.

When we first met with the guides they went through every meal and we figured out what he could eat and where we needed to supplement. We brought some food and travelled with a plug in cooler that they plugged into the front of the bus. (We would have iced it for every bus ride if we had to.) The picnic lunch one day was the biggest challenge and the guides actually went to the store and bought him some things that he could have.

I know it may be more difficult in a foreign country, but I posted for two reasons:

1. the guides were intimately aware of the menu for the trip
2. my son's dietary needs are quite bizarre compared to most and they did not bat an eye. They admitted it was more challenging than most allergies, but they were great!

 

[Tara2004]

My girlfriend is over in france right now, and has a gluten allergy like me. Im actually celiac so I have a bad reaction to gluten. Im always wondering the same thing about traveling in non english speaking countries. I will LYK what she thinks.

 

[CastlesandDreams]

I did the ABD trip to Ecuador and I have a fish allergy. They were so accommodating and the alternatives were quite delicious. They really do a great job when it comes to allergies.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[hkeller27]

My girlfriend is over in france right now, and has a gluten allergy like me. Im actually celiac so I have a bad reaction to gluten. Im always wondering the same thing about traveling in non english speaking countries. I will LYK what she thinks.

We have Celiacs in our family too, I feel your pain! Love to hear what she has to say!