How to order at Counter Service with allergies?

[HotdogDncrs]

Hello allergy experts:

We will be heading to WDW next month with a food allergy (peanuts) for the first time. Although it will be our 2 year old son's 7th trip to WDW, it will be the first time travelling with his peanut allergy (or at least know knowing about it). We have all of our dining reservations made for our table service meals, but am wondering how you handle counter service restaurants or snack places? I've read in another thread that you let the cashier know before ordering, does this also apply at places like Contempo Cafe where you order from the kiosks and not a CM? I am guessing you go straight to the cash without ordering?

I know that this trip is going to be very different for all of us, as we will need to learn what is safe, and will undoubtedly have to say "no" to foods at he previously enjoyed in the past like Mickey ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cones

Any tips are greatly appreciated!

 

[SueM in MN]

Hello allergy experts:

We will be heading to WDW next month with a food allergy (peanuts) for the first time. Although it will be our 2 year old son's 7th trip to WDW, it will be the first time travelling with his peanut allergy (or at least know knowing about it). We have all of our dining reservations made for our table service meals, but am wondering how you handle counter service restaurants or snack places? I've read in another thread that you let the cashier know before ordering, does this also apply at places like Contempo Cafe where you order from the kiosks and not a CM? I am guessing you go straight to the cash without ordering?

I know that this trip is going to be very different for all of us, as we will need to learn what is safe, and will undoubtedly have to say "no" to foods at he previously enjoyed in the past like Mickey ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cones

Any tips are greatly appreciated!

Contempo had touch screen which did have pictures and some information about the foods.
You can always go to the pay station to ask - when we were there last, people were asking questions about allergies, but also just how o order.

There is more information about WDW with food allergies in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature.

 

[Mary976]

Just tell a cashier that you have allergies and they will call a manager to assist you. There have been some CS places where I knew exactly what I wanted (like Amy's Mac and Cheese) but the cashiers would tell me a manager still had to put the order in. Not sure if this is still the same or not, our trip was a year ago. At the places with the touch screen, the cashiers at the payment counter can assist you.

Have a great trip!
Mary

 

[jeepster93]

With an allergy (and I have many), it is important to get to the CS places EARLY. If they open for lunch at 11 AM, have lunch THEN. Have an early dinner, say, 4:30. The reason is that it is much easier to get allergy food when the place is somewhat free of mobs of people. Usually, the manager comes out with a book and shows you what is in it, and then you order. They will bring it to you at the counter (although some places do bring it directly to you). This process is immeasurably more easy when it is not crowded, and more pleasant, too. You won't be packed in like sardines with the folks who see the hands of the clock hit noon and say "WE MUST EAT LUNCH, NOW (because the clock says so)".
Good luck! Disney is great with this stuff

 

[ashley0139]

Whenever I go into a CS place, I tell a worker (there is usually one greeting/directing/handing out menus) that I have an allergy. Sometimes they will get a manager immediately, sometimes they will say "okay, let the cashier know when you get up there." They are very equipped to handle allergies, so as long as you let someone know you will be fine. It doesn't really matter who. I believe when I went to Contempo I mentioned it to a cashier and they called a manager out for me. Or I just went up to the line where people were getting their food and talked to someone. It doesn't really matter; as long as you let someone know they will take care of it for you.

 

[HotdogDncrs]

Thanks for the great tips everyone. We typically try to avoid the lunch rush, but a good pointer for us to remember.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Poly's CS location Captain Cook's is set up the same way with those computers for ordering. I don't go to the computers. I go over to the bakery counter (there are never guests over there but there's always a CM nearby so that's why I choose that counter) and ask to speak with a manager who comes out and takes our order while going over our allergies in detail. Sometimes she gets a chef because we've got a lot of allergies but if we're just ordering something simple like allergy chicken tenders or burgers on allergy buns then the manager takes care of it herself. She then walks us over to a cashier who rings in our order as detailed by the manager. We're then handed a buzzer and we wait for our meal. When the buzzer goes off, the manager is who hands us our meal.

 

[sb682]

At most CS places, the cashier will call a manager as soon as the word "allergy" escapes your lips. The manager will come by in a few minutes and haul out a giant binder and go over what you can and cannot eat based on your allergies. They'll prepare it and bring it to you on a separate tray. It took about 10-15 minutes longer to get our food than to get DS's "regular" order. I would definitely go for an early or late meal to simplify the process and get your food faster.

 

[nfceagles]

Other posters are right in general. Tell any greeter or cashier that you have an allergy order and they'll call a manager out for you.

We've stayed 3 times at BLT so we eat at the Contempo fairly often. It sounds like you are familiar with the place. When we eat there, I bypass the computers and head to the area where they pass out the food. Tell the first person you find behind the counter that you need to place an allergy order and they'll send the manager out to you. She'll write you up a slip that you take to the cashier for ringing up. For that order you never need to use the computers. I usually send DH to order the regular food from the computers while I order DS's food from the manager.