HELP, PLEASE HELP: Travelling To Dolphin May 29th With DD1 With Food Allergies!!

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

We are SO stressed!!!

This is the first time I've really needed everyone's help. Our DD1 now has food allergies to milk, soy, wheat, eggs and peanut butter. We're trying to plan what to do about her daily eating at the Dolphin (and in the parks). She can basically eat meat, vegetables, rice bread/crackers, and any product that doesn't have the above products in them.

I've basically assumed that we'll have to bring our own food for her to eat. However this will be really limited as we'll be flying down to Florida. This being said I really need help. We are not familliar with the Disney/Florida area for grocery stores or health food stores that offer products for kids with allergies.

Here are some questions that we're wrestling with.

I'm really looking to the Dolphin staff to help us too. Do they offer any support for kids with food allergies?

We'll be staying club level can they bring in "special foods" like rice bread?

How can we get food for our DD at the Dolphin when we are not renting a car. Should we rent a car just to get her food?

Can to dolphin provide a toaster if we bring her own bread or waffles or should we pack one?

If we need to freeze food what can we do? Do the in room fridges have freezers or is there another option?

Please help. Any advice for us at all would help.

Thanks
Andy

 

[wasabi girl]

I haven't dealt with this level of allergies myself (DD only has problems with milk which is easy to avoid). I am in the hospitality business however. I would call the hotel immediately and explain your daughter's situation. Ask them very specific questions about the availabilty of rice milks, breads, cereals and so on, if they do not have them, ask if you can bring your own, meats, fruits and veggies shouldn't be a problem. Good luck, and don't be afraid to call. If they know ahead of time they will be able to help you and be prepared themselves, if you just show up with allergy issues, they will be scrambling to come up with something. Good luck!

 

[Disney Fool]

Maybe I can calm your fears. Click on this link from Deb Wills' site, Allearsnet.com http://www.allearsnet.com/din/guestfood.htm As you will see, Disney has had plenty of experience dealing with children with severe food allergies. Even if the Dolphin cannot address all your needs, the myriad restaurants surrounding the Dolphin can. Don't worry. Make priority seatings, and when you do, ask for a number to call for allergies. Then call that number one week before you arrive to make sure the chefs have what you require on hand. They will happily discuss the menus with you and plan accordingly. I've taken children with egg, dairy, wheat, and peanut allergies to Disney, and they ate just fine! The chefs often go out of their way to provide cute desserts. At the Poly, we ate there without planning, and mentioned to the waiter that the children couldn't eat eggs. No problem, he came back with an eggless Mickey Waffle. Trust me, they're prepared.

 

[Emmaline Lola]

1st of all there is a health food store called Chamberlins Market and Cafe located in the Dr. Phillip's Marketplace about a 25 minute drive from Disney. Their telephone number is 407-352-2130. They may have some of the "specialty" items you are looking for for your DD.

There are TONS of Publix supermarkets EVERYWHERE down here. These are the main chain supermarkets in Orlando. If you want directions to a specific location just ask me. However, it sounds like since you are not renting a car, you will be using a car service to take you around. Any driver can take you to any one of the "millions" of Publix stores in the area. If you are looking for a phone # for one to call and ask specific questions here is one that is located across the street from the Chamberlins Maket and Cafe. It is in Plaza Venezia at 7640 Sand Lake Road 407-226-3315. (I gave you that location, thinking it would save travel time if you are going to Chamberlins.)

As far as the Hotel goes, since you are staying on club level, I would start by contacting the concierge at the hotel. The main # for the concierge staff at the dolphin is 407-934-4025. If it were me, I would ask to speak with the concierge manager directly to see what can be done. She may put you through with the food and beverage staff, but I would start with her first.

Working in hospitality for many years and being a new mom, I would make sure to take care of things myself, and either bring foods she can eat or make a special trip to the supermarket to stock up on foods once you are here. I don't think you need to specifically rent a car for this purpose. Make one trip and buy enough.

If you depend solo on the Dolphin restaurant staff or Disney restaurants there is always room for error. I do not doubt they can take care of things, but I have seen some of the staff and worked closely with them, to know that "the light is not always on" Catch what I am saying here?

Why take a chance, and have your DD get sick on vacation. If I can be of any other assistance let me know! I will leave my phone book by the computer!

Just plan ahead and everything will work out!

el

 

[monorailsilver]

I feel your pain.

We are leaving in 60 days, give or take & my 20 month old has food allergies to dairy, nut (tree & peanut), straight eggs (they can be mixed in food) & some forms of beef.

We are flying but I do plan on bringing a cooler with me with some 'safe' food. I am also shipping non-perisable foods down ahead of time.

I thought about doing wego for my groceries but then I would be upset if they brought the wrong food so I feel safest bringing/shipping stuff down. Plus we are not renting a car.

We are only doing 2 sit down meals on our week long trip. I know I have read to do sit down meals but that gets expensive & as it is I am spending a bundle to be there.

Will your dd eat almond butter? It is like peanut butter but made from almonds. I have seen it in Trader Joe's. I haven't bought it (I buy the soy kind) since my son has a nut allergy but I have heard it is good.

I was going to bring a bag of Tyson chicken nuggets for my ds since those are safe for him but I think I might just get the pre-packaged deli meats & bring them instead this way I don't have to worry about keeping the chicken frozen in that tiny freezer compartment of the fridge.

Don't forget about canned fruits too & those jello pre-made things too.

I would call the Dolphin & see if they have a microwave/toaster in their food court area-or where you can get a quick meal. I know at the Poly there is a microwave but I can't remember about a toaster. I do not think by law you are allowed a toaster in the room because that is against fire code.

If you ever need to vent you can PM me.

 

[Lily]

My son has severe peanut and tree nut allergies. We have traveled to Disney for the past 2 years and stayed at the Dolphin - concierge level, and the Grand Floridian. We pack a small suitcase with his cereal, crackers and various other snacks/desserts. For breakfast, ds had milk and fruit (banana/melons) from the concierge lounge along with the cereal we brought from home. I would be careful about using the toaster because you do not know what has been toasted in there prior and cross-contamination issues may arise. Target sells inexpensive small toasters maybe you could bring your own and use it in the concierge lounge.
A wonderful source for you at this point would be peanutallergy.com which has a travel thread with many Disney tips on it. We have had enjoyable and comfortable experiences dealing with the allergy-aware chefs. Guest services has also gone out of their way to make our vacation planning sucessful. Contact them for ingredient lists of counter service items in the parks. Feel free to pm me for specifics. Bring lots of wipes for the rides.
Have a safe and fun trip!
Lily