How do you deal with food allergies?

[TruBlu]

My DS(7) has a severe cashew allergy. Since cashews are fairly easily avoided we don't usually worry about it too much. Should I tell our server at every restaurant?

 

[Christine]

My son has a peanut and egg allergy.

When we call to make our dining ADR, we let them know (it is then marked in your ADR and the restaurant can view it) and we also tell the server. Usually at that point, the chef will come out and talk to you about what is safe and what is not.

 

[kcashner]

To be totally safe, you should tell WDW when you make ADRs, then call the restaurant (or WDW dining) 24 hours ahead and remind them. THen tell the server at each restaurant. You never know when a nut oil might have been used in food preparation, etc. The server is your key to the kitchen and to avoiding any reactions.

WDW is very sensitive to allergy issues. I have even seen them send the chef out to talk with a guest and make special items.

 

[TruBlu]

I've already made all or our ADRs. Can I call and get them to add the allert to each one?

 

[liamsaunt]

Yes, you can. Be sure to remind your waiter when you are seated also. My december trip was with my nephew who has a life-threatening allergy to crustaceans and an allergy to egg, and Disney made mealtime very easy for us.

 

[TruBlu]

Thanks so much!!!!!
I'm going to call them now.

 

[bomzar]

It only takes two seconds to tell the server that someone has allergies. Think of what could happen if you don't. I see this every single day. "Oh, we already ate, we're just wondering about dessert." Please people, ALWAYS tell the server if you have any kind of allergy. In the past year, I've seen several people taken to the hospital because they didn't tell anyone. We can't help you if we don't know about the allergy.

 

[TruBlu]

I just called. There will now be a note on all of our reservations. The person I spoke to was wonderful! She said that the chef would come out and speak with us before each meal. She also said that since we are doing a couple of buffets the chef would walk the buffet with us to tell us what may be a problem. If DS sees something he would like that is near any food with tree nuts (or oils), they will make him a fresh "safe" batch!
I LOVE DISNEY!!!

She also gave me a special number to call for HDDR a few days before we go. She said they will make sure he has a special tree nut free meal.

Thanks for all the GREAT ADVICE!!!
I ALSO LOVE THE DIS!!!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

We told the CM when we made our ADR's and at each restaurant, when the host/hostess met us to seat us, they either read it off our reservation that there was an allergy or asked which person had the allergy. They then tell you not to order or go to the buffet until the chef comes to see you and the chef will go over each food item on the menu and/or bring you to the buffet tables to show you each food to tell you whether or not you should have it. They were GREAT!!!

 

[kandeebunny]

I have multiple food allergies and have only had a problem at disney once!!!

They are great, and I always make one ADR a day and I always have the chef bringing out my meal, sometimes things that aren't even on the menu. My special meal usually gets comments from other diners, asking what I am eating and where it was on the menu! My favorites are Prime Time, Boma's and the food court at Pop Century! When I stayed at AKL Boma's (and the Mara) made me amazing meals (thank you chef TJ)! Pop (not my favorite resort but I go there for the chefs) always comes up with something amazing (props to chef Michael, Kristen and Mitch!) anf Prime Time made me fried chicken which I haven't been able to have in years! (thank you chef Richard!!!)

 

[Tosie]

We have met almost every chef in the restaurants we've eaten at, including the counter service and food courts.

So we're at Kona last Saturday and we had a really unpleasant waitress. She didn't look at the paper they leave when they seat you so we spoke up and said we need to see the chef, we have milk, peanut and tree nut allergies to deal with. She acted like that was a huge imposition and said what do you need to know? I already knew what dd was having for dinner so I asked a question about the pot sticker appetizer. She said "There are no nuts in them" and started to walk away. I said "What makes the sauce creamy?" and she started rattling off the ingredients. I repeated again, "What makes it creamy?" she said "Heavy cream." Thanks beeotch, you could have killed my kid.

(Guest services will be hearing about that one.)

DEMAND to see the chef. Don't take the word of an overworked waitperson.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Hi Tru,
My friend has sever food allergies to almost everything... She cant have sugar/wheat and a bunch of other things.. Every time she goes somewhere she always calls first but the chef's usally make her something different from the menu. Even though you called, make sure when you go there its noted. Extra precautions just in case!

 

[ruttie]

Just a warning I noticed youwere staying at CSR.. we LOVE CSR but my son who has a peanut allergy.. but is usually fine as long as you don;t smear opeanut butter on him or force it down his throat (or him seeing reeses pieces for the first time and thinking it is M&M's!!) any way we loved CSR and have even gone back for a night since the incedent BUT he had a big problem with teh food court thier.. you might want to test the waters a bit.. it was very crowded and lots of steam from the open air cooking and something did it for him we even went back the next day to make sure that was what it was and he had a reaction again Thankfully benadryl works great if you get it in him fast.... so I am not discouraging youform CSR we loved it and your son may not have a problem but better to be prepared and if he does have a reaction you may be closer to knowing the reason...
enjoy....
oh and we carry an epiphen but i alsoi have benadryl fast melts that i carry in my purse and he keeps 2 in his pocket Just in case...
and we always have it on his ressies and the chef will usually come out and talk to you when we went to the lilo and stitch breakfast at the poly our server told us to stay away from the bread.. that they cannot gaurantee the bread becasue it comes from an outside source....

 

[Leenies]

Have a DS with milk allergy and we have had no problems in 9 years at WDW. Thought it was great when they would send the chef out to talk to us, but one server told us it was policy. We never tell in advance & they have always been wonderful. 1 reason we love WDW! Best experiences were at Liberty Tree Tavern (they make him a large separate platter!), Germany in Epcot (the chef walked him through the buffet & they make almost everything with milk alt), & Hoop-D-Doo Revue (they went to another restaurant to get him fruit & jello for dessert)!

 

[deany]

My sister is severely allergic to all nuts and all fish and seafood. She had French toast once on a cruise and had a reaction. We found out later there were ground hazelnuts in it. So absolutely let them know. You never know when they may add cashews to a dish you are not expecting them too. Have a great, safe trip.

 

[GIGI&MIMI]

Our DD6 is allergic to just about everything, but most fruits/meats.I only wish the rest of the world took food allergies as seriously as WDW does. They've made a large part of our trip much easier to deal with.

 

[Hopefully]

We found in April that at the podium at most restaurants they asked if anyone in the party had any allergies. My DGS has a Peanut Allergy. The chef would come out and talk with us, and they were very accomodating. For example at CRT the chef came out and talked with us. They brought him a special basket of breads and pastries, as some of the pastries in the regular basket are made off-site and they can not guarantee there is no cross contamination. The chef made him special pancakes for his main course.
This type of treatment was our general experience.
I was very impressed and pleased.