Food Allergy

[KATHINOWA]

Does anyone have information on how food allergies are handled at Universal? My 8 year old is severely allergic to peanuts. Is there anything we should definitely avoid?

Thanks!

 

[cheesekate2005]

I, too, have serious food allergies. I am heading to Universal for 2 and I have not been able to find any information on how they handle food allergies. When I called guest services they told me that all I had to do was speak to the manager at each restaurant. The little bit on information I have found was on this site and it was not reassuring.

 

[phamton]

Go to Guest Services when you arrive. Let them know you would like to speak to the food manager for the entire park. They will have him come in or you can talk to him on the phone there, which ever works best for you.

 

[KATHINOWA]

Thanks for the info!

 

[cheesekate2005]

Thanks for the information!

 

[minniebeth]

I am trying to be polite and diplomatic here, but we just got back from US/IOA and staying at RPH for 8 days. It was a big headache for us with a peanut allergy in our family! As a whole, and I stress in OUR experience, they are not food allergy friendly. Yes, they will accomodate you but it just seemed like it was always a hassle. Beware, it seemed like peanuts abound.
Stay away from any of the multitude of buffets. Ask if they prepare or fry anything together with any peanut products. RPH since it is Asian infusion food, had peanut products in sooo much. Even many of the other restaurants serve PBJ for the kids, so we had to ask to make sure that anyone who touched it even to serve, keep our DD's food separate.
DD DID have an allergic reaction,we caught it early, after eating chicken nuggets and french fries at Hard Rock Cafe. Don't know what the deal was, but it wasn't a good situation. That was our first meal of our trip, so it was almost a blessing to be twice as aware.
If they offer you info. from the manager of chef, I guess they are trying to be accomodating, but it was always made a big deal of at our table in front of everyone which totally embarassed our DD all the time. She is just at that age. We tried a lot of different places to eat but then stuck to what we knew was safe and good.
Good luck!

 

[phamton]

it was always made a big deal of at our table in front of everyone which totally embarassed our DD all the time.

That is why I recommended going to guest services and speaking to the food manager (not the chef) of the park. They can give you more information and it would not be in front of everyone at the restaurant.

 

[KATHINOWA]

We've stayed at Hard Rock without incident before, but I am leery of Royal Pacific for that reason. I don't know where we're going to stay.

Thanks for your story. I'm glad your daughter ended up being ok.

 

[crazymama]

Thanks for the information. Our DD is 6 and VERY peanut, sesame and salmon allergic. I am a little freaked out because she just had another peanut exposure on the school bus last week. Despite 2 years of discussion and warnings... she still ate some Easter chocolate that a class mate gave her. Yes, it was full of peanut butter. The bus driver was close to our house and got her to our driveway immediately. This was the worst we have seen her and gave her the Epipen for the first time. Each exposure has been worse. I will need to go to Orlando with a case of Epipens!! It is a good reminder for all you parents that, even though your little one seems to get it, they are still just children! I guess, more upsetting, the mother of the little girl knew the classroom was peanut free but allowed the child to bring the foil wrapped bunny for show and tell. Just told her not to eat it. I know this to be true because the mother told me this herself when she called to apologize for sending it to school Take this candy to school but don't eat it? Yeah, that would have worked when I was 6 too.