Gluten Freedom-- The DDP with a Food Allergic Kiddo (Updated with Toy Story Pizza PL)

[hellokittiemama]

oh Wow!!

Wow! Wow!

That is amazing I got chills just reading it, completely can relate and definitely booking Ohana for dinner now!!!!

Thanks!!!!!!

 

[PPP_NKY]

Thank you for doing these reviews. I am tearing up after reading them (I want to hug Chef TJ for you...what a great soul) and am hopeful we have similar experiences. This will be the first time ever I possibly allow my 4 year old to eat cooking other than my own. I am so nervous but am gaining hope from reading this. I will try in the morning to get a reservation at Ohana (maybe luck will shine on me?)

ps - did you find any quick snacks that you liked or did you bring those?

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

We have a soy-allergic dd14, who was diagnosed only two years ago, right before a WDW trip. I cried (in a good way!) in so many restaurants that trip because the chefs were so helpful. Dd felt "normal" that week after a month of serious stress and change.

I'm enjoying your reviews

 

[momsavealot]

Great dining report so far!!! I have to admit, as one with kids with peanut allergies, I never even considered Ohana b/c of the peanut sauce on the tables. But, I've heard about the famous Chef TJ before, and reading your report, it may be time to go there! I know what you mean about kids getting to eat "normal" food for once. I have one big question. When we went last August, I was told all breads were off limits for peanut allergic b/c they were brought in from off premises and they couldn't guarantee ingredients. Did things change? It sounds like he is eating bread everywhere. Also at Cosmic Ray's, we were able to get the manager to give us Divvies cookies for dessert and they were safe. I would also like to personally recommend the Chef from Tony's in MK - he made a safe meatball for my daughter that was huge!!! She felt so special - biggest meatball in the place! Keep up the good work!! We are going this August again and I am looking for new restaurants to try!

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Thank you so much for posting about your GF eating in WDW. As a GF adult, I'm very encouraged to learn that WDW is really helpful about pointing out the GF foods and/or making GF substitutions. I can't wait for our trip!

I'm so glad your son had a wonderful time!

 

[scanne]

I am in tears reading your reviews. Not in a bad way - I'm so touched by the amazing service you received for your son.

I am in the beginning stages of trying to diagnose a possible food allergy in my DD4. We're starting day 1 of the elimination diet tomorrow. I went to Whole Foods tonight and reading the labels was mind-numbing. We have a trip to WDW in 34 days and reading your post has given me the confidence to know that IF something should turn up with my DD and a food allergy, I know our WDW vacation won't be ruined.

Thanks so much for sharing. I am looking forward to reading more!

 

[ekatiel]

Sorry for taking so long to update, guys! It's my kiddos' last week of preschool, and we've been super busy (I really think I'm going to burn through my whole freezer stash of cupcakes for Brendan before the week's over-- there have been so many special snacks at school!). I will try to get the Crystal Palace review out sometime this evening.

Thank you for doing these reviews. I am tearing up after reading them (I want to hug Chef TJ for you...what a great soul) and am hopeful we have similar experiences. This will be the first time ever I possibly allow my 4 year old to eat cooking other than my own. I am so nervous but am gaining hope from reading this. I will try in the morning to get a reservation at Ohana (maybe luck will shine on me?)

ps - did you find any quick snacks that you liked or did you bring those?

So, were you able to get the ADR? I hope you guys have a great time while you are there! It really was neat seeing Brendan eat like a normal kid.

As far as snacks go-- Brendan liked the popcorn, the itzakadoozies and the Mickey's Ice Cream bars. He used a lot of his snack credits on the ice cream bars. We went to Sea World (in San Antonio) last summer, and the Shamu bars have egg in them, so we were really happy to find out that these were gluten, nut and egg free! He also had hand-scooped ice cream once (which we NEVER do at home). We told them about the allergies, and they called a manager to the stand (it was the ice cream place right outside of ToT at DHS). The manager showed us the binder with all the ingredients and opened up a new carton for us to avoid cross contamination! Brendan also had a rootbeer float at Aloha Isle with the vanillla Dole Whip and rootbeer (I think it was Barq's). He enjoyed that, too. Oh, and we found out you can use a snack credit to buy a PEZ dispenser at the Pop food court! That was a great way to use up a credit on the last day!

We have a soy-allergic dd14, who was diagnosed only two years ago, right before a WDW trip. I cried (in a good way!) in so many restaurants that trip because the chefs were so helpful. Dd felt "normal" that week after a month of serious stress and change.

I'm enjoying your reviews

I still cry when I think about his experience at 'Ohana. I sent Brenda Bennett a thank you email a few days ago, and I was crying as I was typing ! We can't wait to go back!

Great dining report so far!!! I have to admit, as one with kids with peanut allergies, I never even considered Ohana b/c of the peanut sauce on the tables. But, I've heard about the famous Chef TJ before, and reading your report, it may be time to go there! I know what you mean about kids getting to eat "normal" food for once. I have one big question. When we went last August, I was told all breads were off limits for peanut allergic b/c they were brought in from off premises and they couldn't guarantee ingredients. Did things change? It sounds like he is eating bread everywhere. Also at Cosmic Ray's, we were able to get the manager to give us Divvies cookies for dessert and they were safe. I would also like to personally recommend the Chef from Tony's in MK - he made a safe meatball for my daughter that was huge!!! She felt so special - biggest meatball in the place! Keep up the good work!! We are going this August again and I am looking for new restaurants to try!

Brendan is contact allergic to peanuts, and he did not have a problem at 'Ohana-- I think it's defnitely worth a shot since chef TJ is there now. As far as the bread goes-- since DS is allergic to the three gluten containing grains, we can't do regular bread. All his bread is gluten free. I'm not sure if the regular bread is safe for a peanut allergy or not (many gluten free products are ok for peanut allergies but have tree nut warnings (b/c of almond flour in the factories)-- we tend to just bite the bullet and try these anyways, b/c DS is pretty much only avoiding tree nuts b/c of his peanut allergy and mildly elevated RAST numbers for tree nuts. Maybe someone else can pipe up about the regular bread. I'll have to think about Tony's for our next trip. That chef sounds great!

Thank you so much for posting about your GF eating in WDW. As a GF adult, I'm very encouraged to learn that WDW is really helpful about pointing out the GF foods and/or making GF substitutions. I can't wait for our trip!

I'm so glad your son had a wonderful time!

I'm glad you're finding this review helpful-- I know it's got a ton of "kid" food on it.

oh Wow!!

Wow! Wow!

That is amazing I got chills just reading it, completely can relate and definitely booking Ohana for dinner now!!!!

Thanks!!!!!!

I hope chef TJ is working the night you're there! He really was incredible.

Thank you soooo much for that review!! I made ADR's for Ohana when we go. I'm sitting hear with tears in my eyes as I read your review. I know exactly how your heart sinks every time your son has to "bring a dessert from home". He must have felt so special with that dessert! That's what i love about Disney----even if it's just for a short time my son feels like the special one not the "odd" man out!! Thanks again for this great review!

I hope you guys have a great time-- be sure to post after you return and let us know how it went. Give chef TJ a hug for us!

I will try to post the Crystal Palace review after I get the boys in bed tonight!--Katie

 

[ekatiel]

Tuesday morning we had our first (and only) breakfast ADR. We thought it would be nice to switch things up a bit since all our other ADR's were for dinner, so we decided on a late breakfast at Crystal Palace.

We arrived about 10 minutes early for our 10:30am ADR. We mentioned the allergies, and once again, we were told that they were noted. Once we were seated, the chef came out and walked me through the buffet. He mentioned what was safe and what we needed to stay away from for Brendan's allergies.

At first, he did not offer to cook Brendan anything in the back, so I asked about waffles or pancakes. He then offered to get him some Vann's waffles (basically gluten free eggos). In my best polite southern girl voice, I told him how thrilled Brendan would be if he could have a pancake shaped like Mickey Mouse. The chef then seemed to perk up a little and told me that he would bring a Van's waffle out now to start, and then try to make Brendan some mickey pancakes . I was thrilled!!

The pancakes looked great. Along with them, and his Vann's waffle, Brendan had bacon, cheese cubes (he LOVES cheese), grapes, and skillet potatoes. I think he pretty much filled up on the waffle b/c he didn't eat much of his Mickey pancakes. He was very happy to have them on his plate, though. So, I guess the moral of this story is-- find out before you leave what the chefs have available (I knew they had GF pancake mix), and ask nicely for something if they don't offer it! Here are a few pics:

The boys with Pooh:

Brendan's food, including the mickey pancakes!:

Brendan with Tigger:

Aidan with Tigger:

We all had a great time and really enjoyed the characters! I'm thinking we may try Crystal Palace for dinner next time and Chef Mickey's for Breakfast, just to switch it up!

Allergen Free Food Rating: A
Chef Rating: At the beginning: B-; By the end of the meal: A
Other Food Rating: A-

 

[sleepingbean]

Thanks for that Ohana review! I have been very curious about that one. We tried Kona, and it was a TOTAL BUST! Like one of the very worst places we dined with allergies in WDW and I have heard bad reviews from others with allergies at Kona, as well, so I was thinking that Ohana would be the same?! But From what you posted, I guess not!

Hmmm...maybe have to change some plans around. Wow, Bean would be ecstatic if she ever got a dessert even HALF that elaborate!
LOL
Heck, she would be thrilled with a scoop of rice dream with some cotton candy on top!

 

[MelanieC]

Awesome review. I had dinner at Ohana once with a vegetarian and Chef TJ came out and made her the best looking dinner! He also brought our table fried oreo's - HEAVEN!!

Loving the reviews so far!

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

This is a wonderful report. SO nice that allergy kids are treated so special.. Now, I have a related question sorta.. My boys have special needs but do not have allergies.. My younger son who is 11 has ADHD, some sensory issues and has been struggling with anorexia.. Puberty may be winning and we have made much progress but mainly because we let him eat what he will eat.. He is still very,very picky and I still need to watch him eat or he is likely to trash the food if I'm not watching. For the most part, he subsists on chocolate milk, baked beans and chicken strips... Since he is now consdiered an adult for disney meals, this makes the restaurant choices harder.... I know many will say "go to buffets", there is something for everyone.... BUT, that leads to son #2... My 13 yr old has Asperger's... Buffets just do not work- too loud, too chaotic, too many people moving around etc...He has recently become an eating machine but his choices are not very adult either....
Has anyone ever been able to get "special" meals made in any restaurants at WDW due to these kind of issues versus allergies??? It has gotten even harder lately since they are making the kids meals so healthy and have gotten rid of chicken strips etc at most of the restaurants they were served at... My 13 yr old will not even consdier eating anything if a veggie has touched the plate....

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for that Ohana review! I have been very curious about that one. We tried Kona, and it was a TOTAL BUST! Like one of the very worst places we dined with allergies in WDW and I have heard bad reviews from others with allergies at Kona, as well, so I was thinking that Ohana would be the same?! But From what you posted, I guess not!

Hmmm...maybe have to change some plans around. Wow, Bean would be ecstatic if she ever got a dessert even HALF that elaborate!
LOL
Heck, she would be thrilled with a scoop of rice dream with some cotton candy on top!

We will definitely be re-doing 'Ohana next trip! Brendan was over the moon aobut that dessert.

Awesome review. I had dinner at Ohana once with a vegetarian and Chef TJ came out and made her the best looking dinner! He also brought our table fried oreo's - HEAVEN!!

Loving the reviews so far!

I'm glad you're liking the reviews! I had heard about the fried oreos and I was REALLY tempted to try and slip some gluten free oreos to chef TJ so that he could fry them up in rice flour. That's probably against health code, though, so I refrained!

This is a wonderful report. SO nice that allergy kids are treated so special.. Now, I have a related question sorta.. My boys have special needs but do not have allergies.. My younger son who is 11 has ADHD, some sensory issues and has been struggling with anorexia.. Puberty may be winning and we have made much progress but mainly because we let him eat what he will eat.. He is still very,very picky and I still need to watch him eat or he is likely to trash the food if I'm not watching. For the most part, he subsists on chocolate milk, baked beans and chicken strips... Since he is now consdiered an adult for disney meals, this makes the restaurant choices harder.... I know many will say "go to buffets", there is something for everyone.... BUT, that leads to son #2... My 13 yr old has Asperger's... Buffets just do not work- too loud, too chaotic, too many people moving around etc...He has recently become an eating machine but his choices are not very adult either....
Has anyone ever been able to get "special" meals made in any restaurants at WDW due to these kind of issues versus allergies??? It has gotten even harder lately since they are making the kids meals so healthy and have gotten rid of chicken strips etc at most of the restaurants they were served at... My 13 yr old will not even consdier eating anything if a veggie has touched the plate....

I would email special diets and tell them about your situation. I'm sure that they will have some suggestions for you (or at the very least give you a list of places that still carry the chicken strips).

I'll try to get the next review up soon. Coming Next: Pop Century Food Court! --Katie

 

[Minnie]

This is a wonderful report. SO nice that allergy kids are treated so special.. Now, I have a related question sorta.. My boys have special needs but do not have allergies.. My younger son who is 11 has ADHD, some sensory issues and has been struggling with anorexia.. Puberty may be winning and we have made much progress but mainly because we let him eat what he will eat.. He is still very,very picky and I still need to watch him eat or he is likely to trash the food if I'm not watching. For the most part, he subsists on chocolate milk, baked beans and chicken strips... Since he is now consdiered an adult for disney meals, this makes the restaurant choices harder.... I know many will say "go to buffets", there is something for everyone.... BUT, that leads to son #2... My 13 yr old has Asperger's... Buffets just do not work- too loud, too chaotic, too many people moving around etc...He has recently become an eating machine but his choices are not very adult either....
Has anyone ever been able to get "special" meals made in any restaurants at WDW due to these kind of issues versus allergies??? It has gotten even harder lately since they are making the kids meals so healthy and have gotten rid of chicken strips etc at most of the restaurants they were served at... My 13 yr old will not even consdier eating anything if a veggie has touched the plate....

I would ask this question on the disabilities section of the boards. There are some great people there who are experts with these types of questions

 

[Minnie]

Thank you for writing this report

I was diagnosed with a food allergy that really makes it difficult to eat out. On a quick one evening trip to WDW (end of a business conference) I tried to get CS at the Poly and had a horrible experience

I have been very worried about our upcoming week long trip so this report gives me hope

 

[dd53]

Thanks so much for your reports! We are traveling to DW in August for our first trip ever with a gluten free 9 year old and we are booked for dinner at 'Ohana! I so hope Chef TJ is there that night!!!!

 

[MeLaNie9]

Thanks for that Ohana review! I have been very curious about that one. We tried Kona, and it was a TOTAL BUST! Like one of the very worst places we dined with allergies in WDW and I have heard bad reviews from others with allergies at Kona, as well, so I was thinking that Ohana would be the same?! But From what you posted, I guess not!

Hmmm...maybe have to change some plans around. Wow, Bean would be ecstatic if she ever got a dessert even HALF that elaborate!
LOL
Heck, she would be thrilled with a scoop of rice dream with some cotton candy on top!

We have avoided Ohana because we (the adults) didn't like the food on a prior trip, but maybe we should go back when chef TJ is there!!!

I have to say that we just got back and ate at Kona on our last night and had a wonderful time as far as my DS2's allergy - maybe above poster had a different chef??? The chef on our visit was wonderful and made everything I asked for, including throwing in a 2nd hot dog when DS2 inhaled the 1st. And, at dessert time, when DH ordered the Kona cone and DS2 was eyeing the cotton candy, he brought out a huge pile of cotton candy just for him just because the cotton candy on the cone could have possibly touched the ice cream. Frankly, we had great experiences at every TS meal this visit! The servers and chefs were all extremely attentive!

 

[ekatiel]

So, after our late breakfast at Crystal Palace and an afternoon at MK, my mom and I headed over to the GF for afternoon tea (which was WONDERFUL, BTW), and DH and my dad took the boys swimming at the resort and then ate dinner in the food court. DH said everything went really smoothly, and Brendan was able to have some GF cookies that the chef had prepared for him earlier in the week.

Let me back up a little bit to let you know what a great job Pop did preparing for us: Chef Dan from Pop actually called us the day before we left to ask what kind of cookies Brendan would like him to make!! I was REALLY impressed that he called us before we left for Oralando. He also asked us to "stop by" when we arrived jsut to introduce ourselves and say hi. So, the day we arrived, we stopped by the food court and introduced ourselves. Chef Dan wasn't there, but the chef who was on duty told us that Dan had made cookies for Brendan . So, fastforward to Tuesday evening, and I was glad that the boys would get to eat at least one meal at Pop, and that Brendan would be able to try his cookies! Brendan was able to have a cheeseburger on an Ener-G bun, french fries, and of course, the Gluten Free Kneads cookies that chef Dan had made for him! I don't have any pictures of his food, b/c my mom and I were off enjoying our tea. But, Dh said everything looked good, and they saved the cookies that Brendan wasn't able to finish so he could eat them later. Overall, they had a nice experience at the Pop Food court.

Allergen Free Food Rating: A
Chef Rating: A+
Other Food Rating: B (DH and my dad both said their food was ok, but not great)

Next review: Toy Story Pizza Planet Lunch (and I have pics this time! )

 

[momsavealot]

So glad to hear about POP and food allergies. We'll be staying there in August. Can I ask, how did Chef Dan know to call you? Did you do anything with Disney prior to your stay regarding the food allergies? I would like the Chef to prep for our arrival too.

 

[sleepingbean]

Great to hear you were so well taken care of at the Pop Food court!

 

[ekatiel]

So glad to hear about POP and food allergies. We'll be staying there in August. Can I ask, how did Chef Dan know to call you? Did you do anything with Disney prior to your stay regarding the food allergies? I would like the Chef to prep for our arrival too.

In my emails to Brenda Bennet at special diets, I had realized that WDW didn't offer any prepackaged gluten free AND egg free desserts, so I requested the Gluten Free Kneads cookies. Brenda called Pop about the cookies and found out that they had them in stock. She told me that they would make some for Brendan. It was a complete surprise when Chef Dan called to ask us what variety we'd like, though! Anyhow, if you'd like the chef to contact you, I'm sure that if you let special diets know, then they will make sure that the chef calls you! Have a great trip! --Katie