Food issues - DDP vs BYOF?

[Scuttle]

For those of you dealing with food issues? From your personal experience, would we be better off renting a car, going grocery shopping and bring meals into the parks for my DD, thus keeping the rest of us off the DDP. Or do we use the ME and go the route of DDP for all of us?!

I just can't wrap my head around what will work best for us, so figured that I would ask the experts what would be your preference if given the options!?!

At home, I always pack food for my daughter, because it's just easier than trying to find the foods that she really can eat while we are out and about, but since this is vacation, and Disney seems to be accommodating, I was curious if I could truly have a vacation from all of that? OR, is it all too much to be true, and Disney isn't as accommodating as they seem?!

TIA!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Go to Post #3 and scroll down to dietary restrictions. There will be both information and links related to special dietary needs.

Also, there are a few threads, usually on Page 1 of the index, which are reports on special dining. I think you will find these useful.

As a matter of fact, there have been several people who say they come to Disney on vacation as they know their special needs will be taken care of and they don't have to cook for the kids.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[Scuttle]

THANK YOU for your warm welcome!

I think that all my research is part of my problem - I am on info overload!! I feel like I have read all the posts about food restrictions and dining, but I am still having trouble making the decision!

I know that the ultimate decision is up to us, but figured it would be nice to post a wwyd post if there weren't any restrictions on free DDP vs being able to cook at your hotel, being able to rent a car vs using ME. More of a given-the-ultimate-freedom-wwyd?!

It's my motherly nature to be protectively picky and a little neurotic about my DDs diet, but seeing how that translate into WDW is still a bit of a mystery to me!

 

[LilyWDW]

What in particular are the food issues? What will she eat? How much will she eat? How old is your daughter?

If you don't mind giving a few more details I think it would be easier then for people to help. Some kids have more sever food issues then others, so it is really hard to say in general what we would suggest.

 

[Scuttle]

Sure, no problem.

My DD will be seven when we travel.

We eliminate from her diet:
gluten
dairy (we do allow goat milk products though)
soy
dyes/food colorings
artificial flavors, MSG
artificial sweeteners

 

[Scuttle]

So are we completely out of luck with these food limitations for my DD??

We have been trying to make a decision about getting the DDP vs renting a car and porting all the food for my DD during our trip. I am still not sure what the right thing would be for us to do....

FWIW, I limit everyone in my household's intake of food colorings and I can't help but notice that a LOT of their items (esp desserts) have different colors in them.

OR

Do I "feel the magic" and just embrace Disney, dyes and all?!

 

[Scuttle]

I found this searching for more information about gf/cf at Disney, and it's too good not to share. It was from a couple years ago, but I can only hope that they have gotten better with their choices over the years.

This is from DisMember - sleepingbean http://glutenanddairyfree.com/restaurants.html

Maybe there is hope?!

 

[clanmcculloch]

You've got several options with your list of limitations (we've got all of those except the colourings as well plus a bunch more). We've been very happy with how well our kids can eat at WDW.

Don't make any decisions about the DDP until you've decided where and when you'll eat because once you make that decision, the decision about whether to buy the DDP or not will become much easier (it either will or won't fit). Focus on whether you want to eat in the Disney establishements or bring food with you. Focus on that decision only so you're not as overwhelmed. The DDP decision is just adding confusion to the mix.

If you choose to get groceries, keep it simple and order through either Garden Grocer or We Go Shop (both have great reputations; I've been very happy with GG and haven't tried WGS). No need to drag your family through a grocery store and add to your busy arrival day. You can take advantage of the ease of DME and their luggage pickup and the grocery service will deliver your groceries to your resort. Keep things simple for yourself.

Have you checked with Special Diets to find out what kinds of colourings/dyes are in the allergy desserts such as the cookies and brownies? I haven't checked; does Rice Dream ice cream have colourings/dyes? What about the allergy chicken tenders (quite yummy even for adults) and french fries?

I love sleepingbean's blog. Check out snorris' as well (link is in her signature; she's also a disABILITIES! board regular).

What it really comes down to is what kind of vacation do you want to have? Eating in restaurants with allergies does take longer and you'll encounter foods she's not used to. How will that affect your vacation? Would it be easier to bring familiar foods for her and have everybody else eat CS? Do you want to have some sit down TS meals? What kinds of foods does she like?