Food allergy question

[PixieTink]

Hi! My 4 year old son has a life-threatening shellfish allergy. It makes it very difficult to dine out.

In past trips, we have brought most of our food, and eaten in the hotel, or just done counter serve places. Breakfast was about the only "safe" meal for us to eat in a restaurant.

But, we are sick of just burgers, or PB&J. Not that these are bad, but just getting boring, especially with all the wonderful menu choices!

I have read that WDW is sensitive to allergy issues. Just wondering if anyone has had experience making priority seatings, etc. and how things were handled. How much notice is needed, etc. Obviously, we are smart enough to avoid places that are heavy on seafood offerings, just wondering if there will be any nice sit-down meals that are do-able for us?????

 

[tamman]

I had a little girl in my classroom last year and she was (is) deathly allergic to peanut products. They go to Disney every year and I think that one of the restaurtants that they always dine at is Chef Mickey's. I remember her mom telling me how wonderful the chefs were and very sensitive to her allergies. She can't even touch anything that was made in any type of peanut oil. I will check with her mom and see if she has any other advice. I will make a post with the information for you. Good Luck!!!

 

[PixieTink]

Thank you so much! I do not envy that family, peanuts are so hard to avoid. Shell fish is at least mostly avoidable. I will watch for and am grateful for any info!

 

[buzz5985]

All food allergies are life threatening. My DS 6 is also allergic to Peanuts and Sesame. He is very good about telling people. Playdate - I'm allergic to, etc. His isn't so severe that he can't be near people with peanuts, the sesame is more of a problem, just have to be extra careful around stir fry, etc.

We also have a little girl at school with a Severe Allergic Reaction to Peanuts, she has to sit at a peanut free table, and they rotate the kids to sit with her. So sad.

Shellfish - very hard. There is a food allergy network- don't know how to post a link - sorry - but in case you don't have it - www.foodallergy.org/allergens/html#fish Good Luck.

 

[cgdmom]

My daughter is allergic to milk, egg, chocolate, and peanuts. She has finally outgrown her wheat allergy. We go to wdw every year speciffically because of the time and concern that the cm and ths chefs give us reguarding her allergies. Mention the allergies when making priority seatings and AGAIN when checking in at the podium. Your server will bring the chef to the table and he\she will discuss at length the menu and or walk through the buffet with you. IF there is nothing on the menu that you feel is totally safe they will make something off the menu for you or run to another restraunt close by and get something for you. Since my daughters allergies really limit the food she can eat, they order in special items for her such as non dairy icecream and butter. When making priority seatings you can ask for the phone number for what ever restraunt you will be dining at and speak to the chef in advance. Even if you do this make sure you talk to the chef personally when you arrive. THey have all been very nice and concerned that my daughter be given safe and delicious food that she likes to eat. Counter service is a different story - however- they are so busy that I really don't blame them. At counter service we stick to hambergers too. Have Fun--Remember they are there to help-- Talk to the chefs!

We usually eat at:
Chef mickey
chrystal palace
mama melrose
1900 park fare( they made egg free cupcakes for us!)
liberty tavern
crt
tonys
espn
hollywood and vine( chef leduc at mgm is THE BEST)
o hanas

 

[CamColt]

DS is allergic to peanuts and we have never had a problem. We have never mentioned it when making PSs either. We are always sure to check with our servers and they gladly check with the chef. DS is a picky eater so there isnt really too much that he will eat(mostly hotdogs, pizza, pasta, off the kids menu), however the only time he has had to suffer was at Cindys. I guess the chocolate muffins arent made there, so the chef wasnt sure if they did contain peanuts or not. So obviously, DS didnt eat them.

With only a shellfish allergy, I see no reason why you cant eat out. Just be sure to check with the server & chef , and of course, carry the epipen. You should be fine. Good luck & enjoy!

 

[ducklite]

I'm allergic to all tree nuts, plus coconut, water chestnuts, and scallops.

I've eaten at over half of the WDW restaurants, and haven't had a problem yet.

My friend who is allergic to wheat and lactose intolerant has gone with me to WDW twice, and didn't have a problem either.

The very best for dealing with allergies are:

Kona Cafe
GF Cafe
Hoop Dee Doo
Mama Melroses
50's PT
Citrico's (EXCELLENT!)
Jiko


The worst for allergy problems:

Palio
Tony's
pretty much any buffet (even if the food is allergy free you've got cross contamination issues from other guests) That said I take my chances at a few and am very careful.

Anne

 

[PixieTink]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies! I am going to check menues based on the suggestions you have all provided.

Have epipen, will travel & eat!

Buzz, thanks for that link it is very helpful; I had never been to that site before.

 

[justhat]

I am allergic to tree nuts and would avoid buffets as a result. At Boma at AKL, the chef couldn't tell me if certain foods had nuts or alcohol since the sign said it had either but didn't specify which one. Also, Narcoossee's couldn't tell me what kind of nuts were on the banana split. The chef said sometimes they use walnuts and sometimes pecans but didn't know what kind they were that day.