my DS has anaphylactic allergies to milk, eggs, and nuts.
We had a mixed experience on the last visit, right before and after Labor Day 2001.
By far our best experience was at Boma's. The head chef came out, personally walked us through the line, knew every ingredient, and made 2 very special desserts. (DS doesn't get dessert very often.)
Donald's Breakfastosaurus also went to a great deal of effort, and made him special pancakes.
ON the other side of the coin, on this trip, Crystal Palace did not have their act together, gave erroneous information about the potatoes, and suggested buying a popsicle on the street for dessert (we had requested they rustle up some sorbet), did not offer to sub or special prepare anything (we had requested a plain baked potato). We would have left, but the 5 yo DD had been adopted by Tigger.
Ohanas was another disaster, with the waitress (refuse to call her a CM) who was unaware that sherbet contains milk, was irritated that we interrupted her hurried spiel to question the ingredients and was actively hostile about bringing out a chef, who was also irritated. They suggested that Ohanas might not be the place for us.
Hollywood and Vine had no record we were coming with allergies, even though I'd talked to them twice.
I had done everything correctly, in terms of calling ahead, staying onsite and checking in again a day ahead. We had always had a wonderful food allergy experience before. But my advice is to follow all the advice about advance warning--but be prepared to be assertive, to check ingredients yourself if necessary, and to follow up with feedback if they don't have a record of you.
We will be back this august, and I'm anxious to see if these glitches have been ironed out.