Food Allergy Talk on the Podcast--Thank you!

[lemonpan]

Thanks for the lively food allergy talk on the recent podcast!

My Disney story:
I've had severe food allergies my entire life. Eating out is a nightmare. The first few times we went to Disney, we stayed off-site and I cooked all my food in a condo kitchen. During my second trip, an offhand conversation with a cast member opened my eyes to the fact that Disney offered options for people with food allergies. That night, we went to AKL and I ate at the Mara. (a half chicken, I still remember it!)

Now we stay on-site! And one time per year, I get to eat out and enjoy a variety of foods during the week. Why? The chef comes to the table and ensures my meal is safe.

So thanks for the discussion about how important it is to talk to the chef. It's nice to hear non-allergic folks talk about the issue without implying that those who have special dietary needs are whining or picky.

 

[disneysteve]

So thanks for the discussion about how important it is to talk to the chef.

I haven't heard the show yet but I totally agree, and Disney is excellent about this.

My wife is allergic to seafood. It isn't particularly hard to avoid seafood but it can be challenging to avoid cross contamination. She has had reactions when ordering non-seafood items because they were grilled on the same grill as the fish for example.

Last year, we had lunch at Landscape of Flavors at Art of Animation. There were a couple of options that were appealing to my wife but the same station also had seafood options. She asked about it and the chef came out, spoke to her, and proceeded to make her meal on a separate grill that hadn't been used for fish. He even made her a fresh batch of french fries in a different fryer. And all of this at a value resort food court. We were impressed.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I haven't heard the show yet either, but I'm going to. I have a new fish allergy that just came on suddenly and unexpected. Not only am I learning how to plan our first WDW trip (so much more complicated than DLR), but now I have the added complexity of learning how to live with a food allergy. I don't even know if how badly I'd be affected by cross contamination. I just know it is very bad if I eat the tiniest bit of fish. Off to go listen now. Thanks!

 

[Q-man]

Disney's handling of food allergies is a large part of why we are regulars. It is a real treat for us to not spend a large amount of vacation time on where and what can the food allergy two eat and plus also not worrying that the staff really knows what is in something.

 

[HubbDave]

Talk to the damn chef!!! Lol


Disney is great about this. I was surprised that Craig's server took care if that themselves

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I agree that Disney does an amazing job handling food allergies. They're top-notch when it comes to that, and it offers a wonderful experience for those who have these concerns.

On the flip though, I can also understand Craig and Kylie's point of view here. I can imagine that it is very difficult having to be "on guard" every day as to what can or cannot be consumed. And, like Craig mentioned, this is something that they have to cope with whenever they go out to eat because restaurants rarely have a policy like Disney does.

It all comes down to doing what is right for you and your family. I'm glad that Disney offers this service to those needing it.

 

[wiigirl]

Talk to the damn chef!!! Lol


Disney is great about this. I was surprised that Craig's server took care if that themselves

 

[PinkBudgie]

Just listened. OK then, I'll talk to the chef!

 

[Ravens girl]

a quick question. in May 2014 I am going to Disney with my step-sister. She has been sober for 19 months now. Should we put alcohol down as a dietary restriction? It's easy not to order a drink, but she is concerned about alcohol being used as an ingredient in food.

 

[disney david]

a quick question. in May 2014 I am going to Disney with my step-sister. She has been sober for 19 months now. Should we put alcohol down as a dietary restriction? It's easy not to order a drink, but she is concerned about alcohol being used as an ingredient in food.

No when you get to the restaurant you can see if the sauces would have alcohol and ask for it not to come with it. Unless the food also marinated in it then she have to order something else. You should only let them know ahead of time if it a life threating allergy or where you can get sick from. If it not a allergy then they don't need to know about it ahead of time.


https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/

 

[magchavez]

My dd has celiac. Disney was absolutely amazing last year. We talked to the chef at every restaurant and only the chef handled her food. At the buffets, the chef would walk us around the buffet and point out what was safe and what was made with gluten. Then they would go to the back and prepare a fresh dish of whatever she wanted to avoid cross contamination. The chefs were awesome! At Cape May Cafe, the chef told my dd he had GF banana bread, donuts, cupcakes and cake. She said she just wanted a donut. The chef brought her a donut for her dessert, and, a to go box with one of each of the other desserts he mentioned to take with her. The chef at The Plaza made her GF croutons for for her salad and told us how to make them at home. He also sent her home with a bag of GF choc chip cookies. And at the Wishes Dessert party, they brought out a tray full of GF desserts just for her. It was more than any one person could eat. She loved all the special attention. In fact, when we got home, she kept asking where the chef was that was going to bring her her dinner. It was so nice to be able to walk into any restaurant and not have to worry about whether we would be able to find something safe for her to eat. They did an amazing job taking care of us.