Food Allergies

[Famof3]

Hello
We are planning our first DVC Disney trip for the end of April with our son who will then be 3. While we have been to Disney many times (before child), this will be our first trip with a child.

My concern is this. Our son has severe lactose intolerance and we must be very careful about what he eats. He cannot eat any food that has dairy products in it or that has come into contact with dairy products. I read a few places that food from the "outside" is not allowed into the parks. This is the offical policy, but a few other books seem to indicate that it is not enforced or only enforced occasionally. Is this true? Is food from the "outside" allowed or not? If the official policy is no outside food, yet they sometimes allow it, what can I do to make sure that when I bring food for my son, that it is allowed in?

If they won't allow food in, how I can find food in the parks that I am sure won't have dairy in them?

Thanks for any info.

 

[maps]

can he take chewable lactaid tablets? my son was born lactase deficient and so far we haven't had any problems as long as we give him the lactaid tablets before he eats anything with dairy. the tablets are individually wrapped, easy to carry and supposedly taste like vanilla ( my sons seems to like them). we've gone on vacation a lot with him and so far he's done fine. good luck

 

[Famof3]

Hello
Unfortunatly no. They do not seem to help in the least, which is not uncommon for certain strains of this condition, or so I am told.

So, a good idea.. but it won't help us :-(

 

[Jordan's MOM]

You will have not problems bringing in what your little guy needs. Even the offical policy allows for special diets, but they do allow anyone to bring in food. I'm not taking a while picnic, but toddler food and snacks are fine for sure. I have not delt with this but all the things I have read indicate that WDW is wonderful with allergies. For any sit down Ps's you make, let them know that you have a child with allergies. They will go out of thier way to accomidate him. Most counter service places should have a list of ingrediants for all thier foods. Just ask. You might also check over on the disability board as this topic is often adressed there.


Jordan's mom

 

[escapetodisney]

Our DS3 has food allergies and we have found that Disney is the best vacation place in terms of the restaurants accomodating his allergies (dairy and peanuts). (We've been 3 times with DS.) We always carry a soft cooler with at least 2 travel sipcups of soymilk and safe snacks into the parks and have never had any problems with security or any of the CMs. I would just tell them what it was if they ask but they never did. Some of the restaurants also even had soymilk. Another thing to keep in mind is that different restaurants will be able to accomodate non-dairy requests to different extents. You will get the most information from PS restaurants where the chef will come to your table to discuss what they can make for your child. They are cautious and understand cross-contamination. They will make sure your son's food is not prepared with the same utensils and pans as the other foods. The only restaurant we were uncomfortable in was Boma's due to the nut allergy and so many peanut dishes. In terms of dairy, the most frustrating thing for my son was not having the breads and rolls. At some PS restaurants like LTT they will make dairy free rolls and the Chef at Chef Mickey's was able to make my son a pizza with no cheese (crust, tomato sauce and pepperoni). That made his day and was his favorite meal of the trip.
Plan ahead, take safe snacks and have a great time!
Be glad to answer more questions.

 

[maps]

if you check www.allearsnet.com there is a special section about food allergies. lots of info about who to call ahead of time and what to do once you're at the restaurant. my son is also allergic to peanuts but we had no problems at boma; mostly because he doesn't eat anything! i always packed stuff for him for both the parks and the restaurants and no one ever batted an eye.

 

[momx2]

Disney is GREAT for kids with food allergies. My DD (2) has severe allergy to all dairy products. We usually do at least one PS a day and they give you a number to call a week ahead to speak with the chef. I do that, but some I am not able to get in touch with, but it is still noted when you check in and the chef will come to your table and take you through the buffet (if its a buffet) and show you everything they can eat. The will make special foods for you also without any hesitation. At alot of places they have tofrutti or some other dairy free icecreams in the back. It makes my DD feel soooo special to have her own icecream. We have even asked counter service place to make her scrambled eggs with no dairy and they were great about it.

I think this is one reason we come here so often, because they will help out so much with this situation. Good luck and have a great trip!

PS: I just found at WalMart 3 packs of vanilla soymilk boxes that would be great for the trip.