Food Allergy Issues-Fresh Apeel, Earl, MVMCP

[DCDisney]

We just returned from a GREAT trip to WDW where we had great experiences at both TS and QS places (all WDW owned) except for Fresh Apeel, Earl of Sandwich and at Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party. I think lots of food allergy people are trying to eat at Fresh Apeel since it's located in the same restaurant as babycakes but they were truly AWFUL in terms of food allergies. I wanted to get a Chicken Caesar salad which is usually ok and if it's not I can usually get it without dressing. So I ask the salad prep guy if they can get a clean bowl (they reuse them for multiple orders) and about nuts and soy. He said he thought it was ok but would check with the Chef. He came back still seeming confused so I asked him to get the Chef who said definitely no nuts or soy but also seemed a bit puzzled when I asked if the dressing had worchestire sauce which sometimes is a hidden source of soy. He started listing ingredients and then gets to TOFU and I said ummm tofu is SOY He had NO idea. SO I knew I couldn't eat there safely at all in terms of ingredients or cross contam. So I ate a turkey sandwich at Earl and then later that week ordered another and they showed me the label with soy protein. Luckily I didn't react as it was a small amount but clearly the 1st manager didn't bother to check. At MVMCP they had no ingredients for the coccoa but could give me a packet of sugar free coccoa with ingredients on it. That was fine with me but some people don't like the artificial sweetners. They also had cookie issues. The regular cookies are produced with nuts. They had 2 types of allergy safe cookies. 1 had nuts?????? and the other was gluten free but had many allergans including soy, dairy, eggs, and coconut. Nothing French Meadow, Enjoy Life, or Diviies that I normally can eat. I'm an adult so I was ok but if you have a kiddo who wants a cookie you might want to carry something with you.

 

[disfan07]

The sell Divvies and french meadow at main street bakery. So you should have been able to get some as long as they were open.

 

[DCDisney]

As part of the party admission cookies, cocoa, juice, and apples are included. In order to eat with our group I needed to be able to get food safe for my allergies at the places open during the party I was not able to do so and felt like letting others know that the normal WDW allergy safe items are NOT available at the parties might be helpful. Managers weren't able to pull out other items they carry so even a place that carries divviies during the day HAD to only give out the allergy safe items they were given for party use.

 

[livndisney]

As part of the party admission cookies, cocoa, juice, and apples are included. In order to eat with our group I needed to be able to get food safe for my allergies at the places open during the party I was not able to do so and felt like letting others know that the normal WDW allergy safe items are NOT available at the parties might be helpful. Managers weren't able to pull out other items they carry so even a place that carries divviies during the day HAD to only give out the allergy safe items they were given for party use.

This has been our experience as well. Just because WDW has "safe" items during the day doesn't mean those safe items are available during parties. It would seem to me there is a very simple solution, but WDW doesn't seem to "get it".

 

[SDSorority]

We ran into this same type of problem at The Wave, Chefs de France, and ESPN

 

[ccgirl]

We just returned from a GREAT trip to WDW where we had great experiences at both TS and QS places (all WDW owned) except for Fresh Apeel, Earl of Sandwich and at Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party. I think lots of food allergy people are trying to eat at Fresh Apeel since it's located in the same restaurant as babycakes but they were truly AWFUL in terms of food allergies. I wanted to get a Chicken Caesar salad which is usually ok and if it's not I can usually get it without dressing. So I ask the salad prep guy if they can get a clean bowl (they reuse them for multiple orders) and about nuts and soy. He said he thought it was ok but would check with the Chef. He came back still seeming confused so I asked him to get the Chef who said definitely no nuts or soy but also seemed a bit puzzled when I asked if the dressing had worchestire sauce which sometimes is a hidden source of soy. He started listing ingredients and then gets to TOFU and I said ummm tofu is SOY He had NO idea. SO I knew I couldn't eat there safely at all in terms of ingredients or cross contam. So I ate a turkey sandwich at Earl and then later that week ordered another and they showed me the label with soy protein. Luckily I didn't react as it was a small amount but clearly the 1st manager didn't bother to check. At MVMCP they had no ingredients for the coccoa but could give me a packet of sugar free coccoa with ingredients on it. That was fine with me but some people don't like the artificial sweetners. They also had cookie issues. The regular cookies are produced with nuts. They had 2 types of allergy safe cookies. 1 had nuts?????? and the other was gluten free but had many allergans including soy, dairy, eggs, and coconut. Nothing French Meadow, Enjoy Life, or Diviies that I normally can eat. I'm an adult so I was ok but if you have a kiddo who wants a cookie you might want to carry something with you.

This. My Nephew is allergic to several things so she always brings snacks with him. She would never think that they should gave a gluten fre cookie without soy,dairy,eggs, and coconut. There are so many different allergies; it is very hard to accommodate everyone. I think they do a great job.

 

[Evi]

On our most recent trip I had a food allergy issue at Jiko's. Chef came to the table and asked me what my allergies were I listed them and she said I should have wrote them down. I explained that I had and had fowarded the information to the allergy dept and had included that reservation. Chef responded that it wasn't good enough and suggested I had buisness cards made with my allergies. She seemed very annoyed to have to deal with my food allergies. Mind you I ordered the steak. Obviously it wasn't good enough because on both my appetizer and entree I found items that I am allergic to. Micro Basil and Peapods. Funny since I clearly stated I have an anaphalactic allergy to peas. I was super sick for the next week with non stock stomache issues as was my fiance who has no food allergies. When I called for a manager of the restaurant I was told none was available and when I called the dining line I was told I could email guest services.

Honestly It was good advice even though it was given to me so rudly to have buisness cards printed with all my allergies on it. I have since done so via vista prints. But I know that when I stay at AKL again I will stick with Sanaa and Boma I never had a problem at either and found the chefs to be super friendly and helpfull.

 

[kkandaj]

This. My Nephew is allergic to several things so she always brings snacks with him. She would never think that they should gave a gluten fre cookie without soy,dairy,eggs, and coconut. There are so many different allergies; it is very hard to accommodate everyone. I think they do a great job.

There ARE brands of cookies free of these products that are available at WDW during the day. I think her point was that these are NOT available during the party.

As a mother to a 3 1/2 y.o. will life threatening allergies to milk, soy, eggs and nuts--I also bring all food/snacks for DS. BUT--WDW is his/my safe place where he FINALLY gets to eat in a restaurant like normal people. Knowing the stress involved with making all his food from scratch and bringing food EVERYWHERE we go, I guarantee the mother of your DN (not sure if it's SIL or sis) would LOVE to have safe cookies for her DS at the party.

Thank you for the review OP. Soy is so difficult to avoid--and it is extremely scary when the chef doesn't know that tofu is soy. We will not be going there in May!

 

[ccgirl]

There ARE brands of cookies free of these products that are available at WDW during the day. I think her point was that these are NOT available during the party.

As a mother to a 3 1/2 y.o. will life threatening allergies to milk, soy, eggs and nuts--I also bring all food/snacks for DS. BUT--WDW is his/my safe place where he FINALLY gets to eat in a restaurant like normal people. Knowing the stress involved with making all his food from scratch and bringing food EVERYWHERE we go, I guarantee the mother of your DN (not sure if it's SIL or sis) would LOVE to have safe cookies for her DS at the party.Thank you for the review OP. Soy is so difficult to avoid--and it is extremely scary when the chef doesn't know that tofu is soy. We will not be going there in May!

It is SiL. ANd, no...she doesn't trust anyone so she always brings something for my DNiece.

 

[livndisney]

It is SiL. ANd, no...she doesn't trust anyone so she always brings something for my DNiece.

And that works for her. I think the point trying to be made is it would be nice if the "safe" cookies normally available during the day, would be available at the parties. For what ever reason "party" cookies tase better (atleast according to DD). It is hard to explain to a child, that they could have cookies at the park yesterday, but for a party they can't.