Food allergy at USF/IOA? Forget it!

[livndisney]

Lots of people bring their own lunch.

Personally, I have never had to deal with this issue but am just reporting on what people have posted here.

On the Universal Orlando website, under the prohibited list is "Picnic lunches". Do they make exceptions now for those with allergies? What do we need to show security (had a nasty run in a few years ago) to bring in allergy safe food?

 

[Planogirl]

There is quite a loyal -- and somewhat hostile US following on this side on the boards, isn't there?

Yes, I agree -- I should have done more advance research on USF/IOA. The full story is that we planned to eat at Mythos on our IOA day -- and offsite on our USF day. We changed plans at the last minute on both days. I did not research plan Bs for the allergies in our group. My bad.

My initial comment was directed at the difference we experienced at the Universal parks versus the Disney parks. At Disney - the word "allergy" set off a protocol whereby those with food allergies are very well cared for -- virtually everywhere. No advance planning required. We walked into a counter service at Disney and the children's allergy needs were cheerfully met. At Universal, when we said "allergy" we experienced confused and uneducated or undereducated employees and very limited options. It's not hard to have dairy free or gluten free hamburger or hot dog rolls stocked at counter service restaurants, for example. If Disney does it, why is it so hard for their direct competitor?

We don't expect our allergies to be accommodated in the "outside world". We usually select restaurants that we know can meet our needs. When we travel, we lower our expectations and sometimes are pleasantly surprised -- other times not. As I said, the issue here is that in our experience (which apparently is not the same as everyone else's) one set of theme parks handled the issue beautifully -- the other did not.

I agree that it would seem wise for them to stock special bread just in case. You're enlightening because I had no idea such a thing existed!

Also... Yes, people do defend Universal here. You probably have no idea how badly Universal is maligned at times complete with distortions and untruths so it's often necessary. I don't doubt that you had some issues though but as you can see others had different experiences. You must have run into some TM's who just didn't know any better.

 

[Albytaps]

No offense, but shouldn't people with food allergies know what they can and can't eat? Why was it so hard?

 

[fairyprincess88]

A gluten allergy is more complex than most because it's just not as easy to avoid in even the simpliest of foods. Also, the risk of cross contamination is extremely high. Take french fries for example, gluten free yes, but if they are fried in the same fryer as chicken nuggets then they are no longer safe. Avoiding dairy is also not as easy as simply not eating ice cream or milk/cheese products. If it is used in the batter or even as a binder, it can cause bad reactions. This is why with some allergies you do need a chef to speak to you about what is safe and unsafe to eat. It's not always as simple as just avoiding a certain food.

 

[damo]

On the Universal Orlando website, under the prohibited list is "Picnic lunches". Do they make exceptions now for those with allergies? What do we need to show security (had a nasty run in a few years ago) to bring in allergy safe food?

One of the locals that frequents this board also frequents USF and says she always brings her own lunch. What they don't allow is for you to bring in a large, hard sided cooler. You are allowed to bring in food in a small soft sided cooler. You can bring in your own non alcoholic drinks as well.

 

[livndisney]

No offense, but shouldn't people with food allergies know what they can and can't eat? Why was it so hard?

It is not just knowing the foods to avoid, it is also in how food is prepared. Cross contamination is a big problem. The food I am served may not have my allergen on it, but the knife you used to cut my food also cut the allergen. SO now my safe food is contaminated. Grills, pans, etc also need to be free of the allergen to provide "safe" food.

It also helps to know the ingredients. We spend a lot of time reading labels.

 

[Babboo]

There is quite a loyal -- and somewhat hostile US following on this side on the boards, isn't there?

Sure are a loyal and faithful following just like on the Disney side - and it's awfully unusual how so many avid Disney visitors are getting in here trying to create issues where none really existed.

It's also odd that people posting information (links to sites with all the menu information from US including restaurants and info from the CS locations you said would not accommodate you - people who pointed out the obvious like a little forward planning would have prevented the issue - and the all around sentiment that it's your allergies and the store / restaurant doesn't have to cater to you but rather you need to keep your condition in mind when you order) are considered "hostile". Folks here were trying to help so you would know there are alternatives - just like at Disney.

 

[Meredith]

I guess I am just curious... whomever in the group that has the allergies, do they check with EVERY restaurant, fast food or sit-down in their own home town b4 eating? If this allergy is that serious, I believe I would most definitely find out the facts BEFOREHAND? It just seems to be serious by the way you are describing it, to leave to chance. Not to mention, if you are a disboard reader, you are probably an obsessive planner like the rest of us. Maybe someone just didn't do their homework first?? I don't get the need to say you'll never go back to US/IOA because of this.. the parks are amazing even if you don't eat there. We've gone and just not eaten in the parks because we were on club level. Can't you even give the parks credit for all the other wonderful things you experienced those days??

Edited to say: We sat next to a family at Mel's diner today who pulled out a small cooler and their homemade sandwiches... so no coolers/off-site food is incorrect!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

No offense, but shouldn't people with food allergies know what they can and can't eat? Why was it so hard?

It really depends on what is hidden in the foods being served. WE take responsibility for my 10yo ds' allergies but his are difficult (as are many other allergies) because he's allergic to tree nuts which are easy to avoid but he's also allergic to coconut and anything with palm oil in it - if you are a label reader I know in Canada palm oil is in pretty much every prepared food - and coconut oil is hidden in foods you wouldn't expect to find it in - such as hot chocolate and any frozen ice cream treat with chocolate on the outside of it.

Not always as easy as just knowing what you can and can't have when you get into items with many ingredients in it.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Edited to say: We sat next to a family at Mel's diner today who pulled out a small cooler and their homemade sandwiches... so no coolers/off-site food is incorrect!

Bold = key words. A small, soft sided cooler is permissible. If it can be collapsed when empty, it can enter. Large coolers (the kind you take to the beach/camping/etc) are no go.

 

[Meredith]

Which is exactly what the family had. Just enough for sandwiches. We only noticed because we are total cheapies who get cups of icewater. Hope everyone knows that you can just walk up to any counter service restaurant and ask for an icewater and they will give you little plastic cups with icewater!!! Not sure about other places, a couple of times we were told they didn't have taps, but they graciously directed us to the closest place that did!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Next you'll say you smuggle in crystal light/kool-aid singles packets to mix in with your water if you want flavored water!

 

[Meredith]

hahaha!! nope and we don't split double cheeseburgers either! Just the water as we are regular water drinkers and not soda drinkers. (did wittness the double cheeseburger extra bun exchange at Mel's diner also! haha) my kids are too old to do any splitting.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

(did wittness the double cheeseburger extra bun exchange at Mel's diner also! haha)

People do the strangest things to save $. When I save people $ there (I will not reveal how), I usually tell them to use the $ they saved to go buy a butterbeer.

 

[Meredith]

Oh butterbeer is a sad story for us... well, not really depending on how you look at it!! haha Son (18) bought his own BB on the way to FJ at like 8am (on-site entry)... since the day before it had taken us about 45 mins to do the 60 min line he thought he'd be able to finish it. Lucky for us (not his BB) we walk all the way through the que and straight on the ride.. oh wait, CM stopped son to say... it has to go in trash for you to get on. haha He chunked it as FJ is WAYYYYYYYY freakin' better than a BB! hahaha Ride is AMAZING!!! BB, give or take! lol

 

[La2kw]

The food at Universal is much better than the slop Disney serves at most of its fast food restaurants now. I would never do Universal's all you can eat pass because it's only accepted at the worst of Universal's restaurants (with the exception of Louie's which is the one decent place.) I have a lot of allergies myself and have never had a problem with finding decent options for dining at Universal. Sounds to me like you didn't find out your options in advance, Universal is just like Disney in that it helps to do your homework before you go.

 

[La2kw]

There is quite a loyal -- and somewhat hostile US following on this side on the boards, isn't there?

Yes, I agree -- I should have done more advance research on USF/IOA. The full story is that we planned to eat at Mythos on our IOA day -- and offsite on our USF day. We changed plans at the last minute on both days. I did not research plan Bs for the allergies in our group. My bad.

My initial comment was directed at the difference we experienced at the Universal parks versus the Disney parks. At Disney - the word "allergy" set off a protocol whereby those with food allergies are very well cared for -- virtually everywhere. No advance planning required. We walked into a counter service at Disney and the children's allergy needs were cheerfully met. At Universal, when we said "allergy" we experienced confused and uneducated or undereducated employees and very limited options. It's not hard to have dairy free or gluten free hamburger or hot dog rolls stocked at counter service restaurants, for example. If Disney does it, why is it so hard for their direct competitor?

We don't expect our allergies to be accommodated in the "outside world". We usually select restaurants that we know can meet our needs. When we travel, we lower our expectations and sometimes are pleasantly surprised -- other times not. As I said, the issue here is that in our experience (which apparently is not the same as everyone else's) one set of theme parks handled the issue beautifully -- the other did not.

You go the reaction you got because of your implications that Universal was inferior to WDW and that you would never go to Universal again because they didn't treat you and your allergies like royalty. What kind of reaction did you expect from a Universal board? It's been our experience that quite often, Disney brainwashed folks will come here to trash Universal because it's not Disney. Anyone who is a fan knows Universal is not Disney, and that's often the appeal for us.

 

[JenM]

A gluten allergy is more complex than most because it's just not as easy to avoid in even the simpliest of foods. Also, the risk of cross contamination is extremely high. Take french fries for example, gluten free yes, but if they are fried in the same fryer as chicken nuggets then they are no longer safe. Avoiding dairy is also not as easy as simply not eating ice cream or milk/cheese products. If it is used in the batter or even as a binder, it can cause bad reactions. This is why with some allergies you do need a chef to speak to you about what is safe and unsafe to eat. It's not always as simple as just avoiding a certain food.

Exactly - I have a friend whose roommate has celiacs disease (the gluten allergy) and she had a seizure because the crumbs from her boyfriend's toast got on her toast by mistake. They have separate toasters now.

My little cousins also have celiacs disease, and if you use the same knife to cut regular bread to cut the gluten-free bread, that's still enough to get them violently sick from the exposure to gluten. We had a barbecue at their house this weekend, and everything is carefully seperated to keep things from being cross-contaminated.

I don't think they've been to Universal, but they've been to WDW a few times and they've said they're great with the gluten-free stuff. They also plan ahead like crazy, which helps.

I would be nervous if anyone working at one of these restaurants (Universal or anywhere) had no clue about certain allergies when asked about them.

 

[JenM]

You go the reaction you got because of your implications that Universal was inferior to WDW and that you would never go to Universal again because they didn't treat you and your allergies like royalty. What kind of reaction did you expect from a Universal board? It's been our experience that quite often, Disney brainwashed folks will come here to trash Universal because it's not Disney. Anyone who is a fan knows Universal is not Disney, and that's often the appeal for us.

Certain allergies need to be treated like "royalty," especially the allergies the OP mentioned. If WDW handled the the situation better (which I've heard from my own family that they handle beautifully), then so be it.

Yes, the OP should have planned ahead better...but if this is really what happened during a trip, I would be plenty mad too. There are kids in my family with this allergy, and if we'd gotten a "What's gluten?" from a restaurant employee, I would have been terrified to let them eat anything. It's a legitmate gripe, even if it is a knock against the mighty Universal (which I enjoy just as much as I enjoy WDW).

And I don't doubt that Universal has great alternatives for people with severe allergies, and that the OP just ran into what's hopefully a bad situation. But even with the improper planning, I don't blame the OP for being upset about it.

 

[damo]

Disney policy doesn't sound different from USF's.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...estServicesSpecialDietaryDetailPage&bhcp=1#ak

They still want you to call in advance, do not have specific allergen free foods at all locations, and do not guarantee that there is no cross contamination.

Call the Disney's Dining Reservation Center at 407-WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463†.
Indicate to the Cast Member at Disney's Dining Reservation Center your special dietary requests.
Know that your special dietary request will be noted by the Cast Member on your reservation.
Write down the dining location phone number(s) that the Cast Member provides you, as well as your reservation number and the day and time of your reservation.
Contact your dining location at least 72 hours in advance to discuss your special dietary request with the chef, manager or food and beverage representative.
Please feel welcome to speak to the chef or manager on duty when you arrive at your dining location.

The Walt Disney World® Company will use reasonable efforts to prevent the introduction of the allergen of concern into the food through close attention during our sourcing, preparation and handling processes. However, it is ultimately always up the Guest to use his or her individual discretion to make an informed choice regarding whether to order any particular items, since Walt Disney World® Company cannot guarantee that allergens may not have been introduced during another stage of the food chain process, or even inadvertently, by us.

Food Allergies and Intolerances
All Walt Disney World® Resort Table Service Restaurants that accept reservations can accommodate most food allergies and food intolerances (such as gluten or wheat, shellfish, soy, lactose or milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or eggs) if requested at least 72 hours in advance by calling (407) 939-3463†.

If you have multiple allergies, please contact one of our representatives before you finalize your trip to Walt Disney World® Resort to discuss your allergies, as we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet your requests. Please note we do not have separate kitchens to prepare allergen free items or separate dining areas for Guests with allergies to dine.