Food Allergies

[crashbb]

Does anyone had any advice about eating at US/IOA/City Walk with food allergies/intolerances (specifically gluten). I've done WDW and was able to get, in advance, a list of 'safe' foods and the chefs at the sit down restaurants were amazing (two actually called me a few days before my reservation). If there any sort of central system for the studios?

 

[livndisney]

Does anyone had any advice about eating at US/IOA/City Walk with food allergies/intolerances (specifically gluten). I've done WDW and was able to get, in advance, a list of 'safe' foods and the chefs at the sit down restaurants were amazing (two actually called me a few days before my reservation). If there any sort of central system for the studios?

There is not a central system that I have been able to find. It is NOT like WDW. We have come to conclusion that it is just not safe for us to eat at US. We bring our own food in. The folks at the counter service places don't know what it is in the food and they don't have the ingredient binders like at WDW. A week ago we set out to find some ice cream my DD could eat. The people at the carts had no idea on ingredients. On a whim we stopped into First Aid. A nice woman there called several numbers with no success. She even had a Chef call her back with no luck. She suggested on our next visit to bring in ice cream for my DD and she would store it in HER freezer.

 

[Chipmunk89]

My DS8 has a peanut allergy, and he could eat at UO. Where ever we ate they checked the oils and other products. We also went to CW, and ate at NBA City. When we informed the server, he notified the chef. Then the chef came to our table went over the menu, told us what was safe, and even prepared a special appetizer for DS8. They were wonderful with us.

However, trying to avoid gluten must be VERY hard. Good luck with your trip.

 

[happymommy]

I am also very concerned about this. For years, we went to WDW between once and three times a year. It was the only place I felt safe for my DS with his dairy and egg allergies. We could spend a week, and he could eat safely everywhere! His allergist is the head of the Pediatric Allergy at Johns Hopkins, and has heard more good stories about patients going to WDW than anywhere!

So... we are also planning a long weekend at US. I'd love to hear some good stories about this at US. We're staying in a club room at PBH - usually club level food is off limits - they don't know what is in it, and it often involves fried foods, cheeses, and other dips and stuff. At least he'll have drinks there, and fruit and stuff. I don't usually even trust any breads at all, unless they can show me the packaging.

Do the counter service places really NOT have ingredients? I find that hard to believe, and also frustrating. I may call the hotel or US food service later to find out. We have a month. I'll also call the club concierge to see what they typically have, so I can pack some granola bars or something if need be.

Yes, gluten is a super hard one to avoid, but I would think they should be able to accommodate you somehow! It is a common problem - do you have celiac disease?

As a super happy side note, my DS WAS allergic to peanuts and sesame seeds, but was one of the lucky few who outgrew those early on! The peanut exposure was only through breastmilk so his level was pretty low (he never ate it while allergic) and by age 5 he outgrew it! Sesame oil used to make him break out for days with horrible rashes - now he can eat the seeds and all! There are so many great studies underway now, so hopefully they will both find a cure as well as find out why food allergies are increasing so rapidly.

 

[happymommy]

bumping... no one?

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Sorry HappyMommy I can't be of help to you, my children didn't have allergies. But my suggestion would be to contact the Portofino and tell them of your concerns and about the allergies. Maybe something can be done? I would also contact places like Mythos and ask them if you were to come in for lunch or dinner if a special meal could be made. I would stay away from counter service for reasons you've stated. Maybe even email the restaurants in City Walk and the hotels where you would like to eat.

Try emailing this lady that Goofy posted in the Loews First thread, maybe she can help you.

Juanita Paguirigan
Administrative Asst to the Executive Assistant Manager
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
5601 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
jpaguirigan@loewshotels.com

 

[crashbb]

Thanks for the help.

It looks like eating mainly at Citywalk might work best - the big chains often make it easier to find food ingredient information.

I'll also contact the hotel (I'm staying onsite) before I go to see if they can provide any advice.

 

[happymommy]

Tizzy Meliss

Thanks - I emailed this lady today. I got a phone call only a couple of hours later from the most super helpful lady!

We're staying in a couple of weeks at PBH in a club room. She said the counter service and full service restaurants will be able to provide info for my dairy and egg allergic son. She was also going to talk to the head chef about the restaurants at the hotel as well as the club lounge food. She'll get back to me via email, as well as with menus so we can decide ahead of time where we may want to eat.

Honestly, this was a faster response than we've gotten from Disney in previous times. We've had such good experiences at Disney, and had no idea how it would be at Universal. I'll update after our trip to let you guys know how they did! The only challenge we've had at Disney is some of the countries in Epcot have a hard time letting you know what is in stuff, but those instances are few and far between even.

I think contacting them ahead of time was a good idea!

 

[macraven]

i have heard others say if they contact universal in advance, they have been satisfied with the restricted menus.

they wouldn't want any of their guests to have a bad food experience.
i don't think disney would either.

i don't have food allergies but if i did, i would request a listing of the counter service places that would fit my needs.
the table service places would not be an issue, just the fast food eating places.

enjoy your trip that is coming up.
would like to add, it is so nice to hear universal is staying on top of a future guest's request and special needs.