Food Allergies Resource - Universal Orlando

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

Not sure if this should be 'pinned' elsewhere, but I emailed a designated Food Allergy email address for Universal Orlando and they emailed me back a 36 page allergen guide, along with a separate pdf of gluten-free fryers located on property.

email: Food.Allergy@universalorlando.com

Thought this might help anyone with food allergies or a loved-one with them when planning a trip to Universal resort!

 

[michellej47]

I have it, but it isn't useful for those with multiple food allergies. You have to keep cross referencing. I wish theirs was more like Disney.

 

[happymomof2]

Oh awesome. What did you request from them? This would be so helpful because both of my kids have severe food allergies and we are going in May.

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

I just requested a food allergy guide and gluten free information. They sent me both the 36 page guide (lists quick service options for separate food allergies at IoA, USO, & Volcano Bay parks). The gluten free pdf lists gluten free fryers located at citywalk and the parks.

They said that table-service would have a chef discuss options with you to custom-make something.

 

[happymomof2]

Wonderful, thanks

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

I have it, but it isn't useful for those with multiple food allergies. You have to keep cross referencing. I wish theirs was more like Disney.

I feel like Universal's method is much easier than Disney's regarding multiple allergies at quick servic locations. With Universal's guide you can see everything at all qs locations at once. At Disney, you still have to go into each individual restaurant location on the MDE app and cross reference menu items for multiple allergies (my DD is dairy and gluten free) and that's IF the restaurant has chosen to release the info on the app. There are plenty of locations that have allergy friendly food missing from the app and it is only available if you are in the know to ask (I'm looking at you, gf/df cornbread at P&J's Takeout at Fort Wilderness that can't be ordered on the app, only in person and there's no mention of it being offered other than word of mouth). Disney won't respond to you via email when you contact special diets about allergens in foods other than sending you a form letter about how they can't get into specifics about ingredients ahead of time. Universal has been very prompt about responding to emails about allergens and they provided me with help on specific questions about multiple allergens in food items.

Perhaps I am missing something that makes quick service at Disney easier with multiple allergies?

 

[michellej47]

I feel like Universal's method is much easier than Disney's regarding multiple allergies at quick servic locations. With Universal's guide you can see everything at all qs locations at once. At Disney, you still have to go into each individual restaurant location on the MDE app and cross reference menu items for multiple allergies (my DD is dairy and gluten free) and that's IF the restaurant has chosen to release the info on the app. There are plenty of locations that have allergy friendly food missing from the app and it is only available if you are in the know to ask (I'm looking at you, gf/df cornbread at P&J's Takeout at Fort Wilderness that can't be ordered on the app, only in person and there's no mention of it being offered other than word of mouth). Disney won't respond to you via email when you contact special diets about allergens in foods other than sending you a form letter about how they can't get into specifics about ingredients ahead of time. Universal has been very prompt about responding to emails about allergens and they provided me with help on specific questions about multiple allergens in food items.

Perhaps I am missing something that makes quick service at Disney easier with multiple allergies?

Disney sent me a guide in advance that had a list of foods at each site and what allergens were contained in each. I also had the chance to speak to the chef at every quick service restaurant when we went. They take very good care to ensure that there is no cross contamination. We have been to Disney many times with my peanut, egg, and dairy allergic son and they have always responded to my requests for information with a very detailed guide.

The email I received from Universal basically said that they cannot guarantee anything at quick service due to cross contamination and that they suggested we eat at a sit down restaurant. That would get a bit pricey for my 5 day trip. We plan to have a few sit down meals, but for the rest, we will go back to the resort and Doordash my son some dinner. I'll pack him a sandwich in the park for lunch. I cannot take my chances with cross contamination since his peanut allergy is severe.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Disney sent me a guide in advance that had a list of foods at each site and what allergens were contained in each. I also had the chance to speak to the chef at every quick service restaurant when we went. They take very good care to ensure that there is no cross contamination. We have been to Disney many times with my peanut, egg, and dairy allergic son and they have always responded to my requests for information with a very detailed guide.

The email I received from Universal basically said that they cannot guarantee anything at quick service due to cross contamination and that they suggested we eat at a sit down restaurant. That would get a bit pricey for my 5 day trip. We plan to have a few sit down meals, but for the rest, we will go back to the resort and Doordash my son some dinner. I'll pack him a sandwich in the park for lunch. I cannot take my chances with cross contamination since his peanut allergy is severe.

I am sorry to hear that Universal's special diets recommended you only eat at table service. I can see how that would be frustrating and a cause for concern.

Disney's special diets stopped sending me their lists about 6 years ago. For the past several years I only receive their form letter about suppliers changing, etc and items couldn't be guaranteed ahead of time. I miss the days of their detailed special diets lists that included the product brands as it made meal planning so much easier!

During our 3 week August 2021 trip we ate mainly at WDW QS and only spoke with managers, aka their 'special diets trained cast members'. No chefs to be found at any QS in the parks or resorts to discuss allergy issues with us. We couldn't use the QS at the Beach Club where we were staying because of the lack of a trained allergy chef or cast member on-site. When I placed an order at lunch they had to go to another location to find a chef to make DD's sandwich (just turkey on allergy bread) which took about an hour. Due to mandatory mobile ordering in some places, cast members initially refused to let us in to Pecos Bills and Ronto Roasters to look at the allergy binders since we didn't place a mobile order first. There's no way to place a mobile order with the modifications we needed for DD. We had to plead our case for why we didn't use mobile ordering so we could be let through. Disney also has a 'cya' statement in the MDE app that states they can't guarantee cross-contamination won't be an issue.

We have another trip to WDW and Universal next week. I am hoping our allergy experiences are better and Disney doesn't continue to have staff shortages so we can actually speak to chefs at QS.

 

[happymomof2]

I am sorry to hear that Universal's special diets recommended you only eat at table service. I can see how that would be frustrating and a cause for concern.

Disney's special diets stopped sending me their lists about 6 years ago. For the past several years I only receive their form letter about suppliers changing, etc and items couldn't be guaranteed ahead of time. I miss the days of their detailed special diets lists that included the product brands as it made meal planning so much easier!

During our 3 week August 2021 trip we ate mainly at WDW QS and only spoke with managers, aka their 'special diets trained cast members'. No chefs to be found at any QS in the parks or resorts to discuss allergy issues with us. We couldn't use the QS at the Beach Club where we were staying because of the lack of a trained allergy chef or cast member on-site. When I placed an order at lunch they had to go to another location to find a chef to make DD's sandwich (just turkey on allergy bread) which took about an hour. Due to mandatory mobile ordering in some places, cast members initially refused to let us in to Pecos Bills and Ronto Roasters to look at the allergy binders since we didn't place a mobile order first. There's no way to place a mobile order with the modifications we needed for DD. We had to plead our case for why we didn't use mobile ordering so we could be let through. Disney also has a 'cya' statement in the MDE app that states they can't guarantee cross-contamination won't be an issue.

We have another trip to WDW and Universal next week. I am hoping our allergy experiences are better and Disney doesn't continue to have staff shortages so we can actually speak to chefs at QS.

Have a great time and keep us updated about your trip and the food allergy dining experience as we have a trip in a month and I am a nervous wreck at the thought of staff shortages, and the lack of trained staff.