Has anyone cruised with peanut/nut allergies?

[JanetMB]

My 4yo DD has severe peanut/nut allergies. DCL says they will accomodate her but I was wondering if anyone had actually dealt with this? They told us they have a seminar on food allergies but that's all the info we have.

TIA!

 

[MarkRG]

We were in a party with such issues. Make sure you have done the following.

-Contact DCL directly and report it to them so they have it on their records. Sounds like you may have done this already, but make sure they have it listed on their end, if your DD has to go to the medical bay they'll know already.

-Talk to anyone who is going to be involved with your DD(dinner servers, Oceaneer's Lab, etc..) and make sure they are aware of it. They will go out of their way to guarantee this is covered in what your DD eats.

 

[ivanova]

My husband is allergic to nuts (not peanuts) and the servers were FANTASTIC about it.

The Head Server came to our table every night, told DH what he should avoid on the menu, and the night before we pulled into Castaway Cay he reviewed the CC BBQ menu for DH as well.

 

[PiperG]

DS8 is very allergic to peanuts, and we felt DCL did a great job accomodating him on all of our four cruises. We fill out the medical form in advance, which is how the servers are advised to the allergy. They will let us know which breads are safe etc. . .Of course, as a result of his allergy, DS is pretty picky. Mac and Cheese is a "safe" staple, and he had that for dinner every night and often at lunch. (he compares all other Mac and Cheese offerings to the DCL gold standard )

Of course, we always advocate for DS, and he is learning to do that as well. For example, we asked about some of the desserts at Topsiders upon emarkation. The staff found DS a chocolatte pudding that had no risk of cross-contamination. We also talked with the counselors when he had dinner at the club, and found the cookies did have a risk, so he didn't eat those. We already know Mickey Bars are safe, so he would have one for dessert.

They were all very accomodating, but I would say to use the same practices that you would at home if you went to a restaurant.

 

[Kissimmee_Family]

My 4yo DD has severe peanut/nut allergies. DCL says they will accommodate her but I was wondering if anyone had actually dealt with this? They told us they have a seminar on food allergies but that's all the info we have.

A family on our Magic cruise (ending today) checked a nut allergy child into the Oceaneers's club the day we boarded. The club had a procedure to check their Eppy pen in and out with the child so that a staffers knew where it and the child were at all times. Sounded to me as I listened that they deal with this all the time.

 

[JanetMB]

A family on our Magic cruise (ending today) checked a nut allergy child into the Oceaneers's club the day we boarded. The club had a procedure to check their Eppy pen in and out with the child so that a staffers knew where it and the child were at all times. Sounded to me as I listened that they deal with this all the time.

That was one of the things I wanted to know. Thanks!

We've contacted DCL and they seem like they'll be great about it but weren't sure about the Epi-Pen. Also, I didn't know if she'd be able to eat in the club. We're pretty paranoid about her eating meals away from us (although I know that will end when she starts elementary school). I guess we'll just have to see if we feel comfortable with what they serve.

 

[CM_Mom]

FYI, if a child with peanut allergies is eating in the club then NONE of the kids get the chocolate Chip cookies which may be a problem. They don't take a chance on someone "sharing". Just be sure you remind them every time Ds checks in the club. For things like this, I'd rather be told too many times than not enough.

 

[rsjj]

FYI, if a child with peanut allergies is eating in the club then NONE of the kids get the chocolate Chip cookies which may be a problem. They don't take a chance on someone "sharing". Just be sure you remind them every time Ds checks in the club. For things like this, I'd rather be told too many times than not enough.

yes! our DS was 4 when we traveled last year, and when we checked him into the club, we informed the counselor about his peanut allergy. our DS is really good at asking others if there's any peanuts in it, is just really "aware" of his allergy, and how important it is that he makes sure that there's no peanuts, etc. (yes, we've trained him well! hee hee). anyways, we were concerned, because we knew he'd have to eat with the club twice (for our palo dinner & brunch). and the counselor at the club informed us that if he's coming to lunch/dinner with the club, all the kids from the club won't get the cookies, (or whatever) because there was a child (our DS, or others) with a peanut allergy was eating with them. we felt bad for the other kids missing out on their cookies/dessert...but the counselor also informed us that they make something else to compensate. and i'm just glad that they do this to all the kids, so there'd be no "mistakes".

 

[lenshanem]

We already know Mickey Bars are safe, so he would have one for dessert.

FYI - I was recently told for our WDW trip a couple weeks ago by email from MK dining that the Mickey Bars are no longer safe. Possible cross contamination. Just a heads up.

Also, awhile back I had called the actual manufacturer directly since I was reading conflicting info and was also told they wouldn't guarantee them any longer.

It made my daughter so sad, she loved those things!

Does DCL have those Iztadoosies?

 

[JanetMB]

Thanks rsjj. DD is very aware, too, but also trusting. If the CM told her the cookie didn't have nuts (being unaware of traces) she would eat it. We planned on putting stickers on her that say "nut allergy" to remind everyone. If they don't serve anything with even traces when she's there, though, then it doesn't sound like that will be necessary.

I appreciate the heads-up on the Mickey bars, lenshanem.

 

[lenshanem]

Janet, I think they put a bracelet on them when they go into the clubs so you might not have to worry about the sticker. Can anyone confirm this?

We just did the Neverland Club at the Poly and they put a bracelet on my daughter there, matter of fact now that I think about it... They put a bracelet on her at the Alice tea party a year ago at the GF. I bet the cruise does, too.

Have you already booked?

 

[JanetMB]

Janet, I think they put a bracelet on them when they go into the clubs so you might not have to worry about the sticker. Can anyone confirm this?

We just did the Neverland Club at the Poly and they put a bracelet on my daughter there, matter of fact now that I think about it... They put a bracelet on her at the Alice tea party a year ago at the GF. I bet the cruise does, too.

Have you already booked?

Great to know. I also have her Medic Alert bracelet. It won't be a big deal just to throw them in in case the club doesn't have a system but it sounds like they're really on top of things!

We booked last month - June 11-18th West Coast. I still have to get the doctor's statment then we're ready to go!

 

[bpicard9]

When my nut/peanut allergic DD went last September to the clubs, they'd Sharpie a red Mickey head to her name tag and bracelet to identify her as an allergic kid. She had dinner once with them. She said no problems.

Our servers were terrific, always told us at meals what was safe and even called the chef out to confirm certain desserts when they weren't certain.

 

[pclaire]

My daughter will be so upset. Is the worry about cross-contamination with peanuts or tree nuts as well? (She's allergic to tree nuts, but luckily not peanuts). Its things like this that cause parents of allergic kids to worry to death. If you asked my daughter right now, she'd say of course I can have a mickey bar, I've had them before with no reaction. She's 6, and very careful, but you can only ask so much of them, you know? Does anyone know if disney is just being more careful in informing about the risk of cross-contamination, or if the processing facilities have changed?

 

[lenshanem]

I was told that the Itzadoosies, frozen orange and strawberry bars were the only things safe in the ice cream carts at WDW and this was just earlier this month. (Along with some of the soft serve locations throughout the parks.)

FYI - Those huge pretzels aren't safe either!!!

When I called the manufacturer I was told it was a chance of cross contamination, but I can't recall if it was a shared line or just a shared facility. It has been awhile...

To be safe, I think I'll always contact WDW before each trip. Things just change to often.

They sent me an email. When you make PSs for an MK restaurant they give you a number to call. It was from there I requested info sent to me. Mk dining seemed more helpful than the other parks this past trip. JMO