Huge praise for allergy dining!

[disfan07]

So in December when we went to DL, we ate at Cafe Orleans, Taste Pilots, Village Haus and Rainforest Cafe. At that time, I was allergic to peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, and shellfish. We got horrendous service at Taste Pilots and Village Haus. Luckily, I generally knew what was okay to eat (the burgers and fries). Cafe orleans was pretty good (again, I know what I can eat there) but Rainforest Cafe was AMAZING!!! I have always thought accomodating allergies is was something that WDW does 100x better than DL.

So when I had plans to go back to DL this past weekend, I was very concerened. Mainly because my allergy list has grown. On this trip, I was avoiding peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, brocolli, thyme, ginger, oats, and wheat. After our last experience, I was very very concerned. I have to say I was very very pleasantly surprised this time. maybe they've changed the way they do things or maybe they've just gotten better training, or maybe we just had horrendous luck in December but I was so happy with the service on Saturday.

We were only there from noon-midnight and we only ate at 2 places but OMG, I have never had so much food in one day before. We went to Stroytellers in the GCH and Rancho del Zocalo in DL.

Storytellers: we told our waiter that I had allergies and I had actually printed a list of them for the chef. I knew I wanted french fries (I was craving them for some reason). So the chef came out to speak to us. I really wanted the burger but I cannot have the gluten free buns (they are Udis and I'm allergic to eggs) so instead, he offered to make me a hamburger using the gluten free pizza crust instead! OMG it was sooooo amazing!! The pizza crust was so good and crispy. It was perfect! I just wish that since it was my birthdya that they would have had something safe for dessert

Rancho del Zocalo: We went there because I knew they had a wide variety that was gluten free and it was something different than burger and fries. When I lined up for tacos, I told them I had allergies. The manager came out and wrote down my allergies and I told him I wanted the veggie tacos with corn tortillas. He went to double check with the chef on the ingredients and then came back out and made my dish. It did take a little longer than usual but so worth it. The food was amazing! but there was so much of it! Definitely one of my new favorite places.

All in all, my faith in DL has been restored when it comes to dining in with food allergies. I'm a first time permium AP holder and I'm very happy to know that I iwll have enough to eat while there! I'm just hoping that on Monday when I go back for dinner, I will no longer have to avoid wheat (I have allergy testing on Monday....I find out for sure about it) and it will be even better!

 

[squirrel]

Thanks for the update on your experience with allergies in the park. Not a lot of people post. Sounds like they are trying to do what WDW does with allergies.

I hope your testing goes well and you can cross an item off your list of things to avoid.

 

[Beee]

This is great to hear, I have just had to go gluten free and it is hard enough to get my head around what I can eat at home let alone on holiday! So fantastic to know they are helpful as I really was starting to worry how I would cope on our trip in december

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

This is great to hear, I have just had to go gluten free and it is hard enough to get my head around what I can eat at home let alone on holiday! So fantastic to know they are helpful as I really was starting to worry how I would cope on our trip in december

Make sure you stop by at City Hall and pick up a list of where/what you can eat for gluten free dining.

 

[KaChow]

I too have recently gone gluten free, so it's great to hear I'll have options!

 

[mmlover74]

OP: Great news on the positive experience. When you have to first go GF, it is hard, but there is a lot out there.

 

[disfan07]

OP: Great news on the positive experience. When you have to first go GF, it is hard, but there is a lot out there.

yeah i've noticed that. The only problem is, a lot of stuff also as eggs in it which makes it difficult becasue I'm very allergic to eggs (even in baked things). I'll know for sure on monday whether or not I have to adjust to this permanantly. Funny thing is, that since going gluten free for the past 3 weeks, I've been feeling worse than I have in a long time. My GI problems and my eczema have been getting worse over the past 3 weeks.

 

[FarFromHome]

Thanks for the info. I have food allergies, but not nearly as many as you.

 

[8timesblessed]

yeah i've noticed that. The only problem is, a lot of stuff also as eggs in it which makes it difficult becasue I'm very allergic to eggs (even in baked things). I'll know for sure on monday whether or not I have to adjust to this permanantly. Funny thing is, that since going gluten free for the past 3 weeks, I've been feeling worse than I have in a long time. My GI problems and my eczema have been getting worse over the past 3 weeks.

I've heard this is quite typical. Your body is healing from the inside out and your skin is your largest organ so toxins come out your skin and your body is cleaning house and doesn't know what to do. Hope your drinking lots of water to detoxify. Glad you had a great experience in the land.

 

[mmlover74]

yeah i've noticed that. The only problem is, a lot of stuff also as eggs in it which makes it difficult becasue I'm very allergic to eggs (even in baked things). I'll know for sure on monday whether or not I have to adjust to this permanantly. Funny thing is, that since going gluten free for the past 3 weeks, I've been feeling worse than I have in a long time. My GI problems and my eczema have been getting worse over the past 3 weeks.

Good luck on Mon. It does take time. My son is allergic to pork, pineapple, garlic, onion, dairy, gluten, shellfish, codfish, and all nuts. His biggest reaction is the eczema. He had it since he was a baby. We have to wait until next month meeting with his doctor to see if he outgrew some.

One test we did last year gave us immediate reactions and delayed reactions. Delayed was a huge laundry list and said he was allergic to chicken. So, we gave him more pork. Then, the most rescent test in Oct. said he was allergic to pork, but not chicken...confuses me.

 

[disfan07]

I've heard this is quite typical. Your body is healing from the inside out and your skin is your largest organ so toxins come out your skin and your body is cleaning house and doesn't know what to do. Hope your drinking lots of water to detoxify. Glad you had a great experience in the land.

Well, we don't even know if I need to be gluten free. We know that my GI system is not damaged from gluten(I've had endoscopy, colonoscopy and biopsies). My GI and derm both don't think anything is actually healing. They think my body might actually be negatively responding to eliminating wheat because in the past it has actually been one thing that has helped my stomach, not hurt it. So we're just waiting for the testing and hopefully come monday afternoon, I will be eating pizza!

 

[disfan07]

Good luck on Mon. It does take time. My son is allergic to pork, pineapple, garlic, onion, dairy, gluten, shellfish, codfish, and all nuts. His biggest reaction is the eczema. He had it since he was a baby. We have to wait until next month meeting with his doctor to see if he outgrew some.

One test we did last year gave us immediate reactions and delayed reactions. Delayed was a huge laundry list and said he was allergic to chicken. So, we gave him more pork. Then, the most rescent test in Oct. said he was allergic to pork, but not chicken...confuses me.

I have severe eczema and severe asthma as well. I've been allergic to peanuts my entire life. It used to only be a mild reaction. Now its anaphylaxis. I have also had anaphylaxis reactions to eggs and shellfish. For tree nuts, brocolli, thyme, and ginger its just eczema and depending on how much I eat, some GI symptoms. We think oats is dependent on how much I eat. A little bit just causes a delayed reaction with some GI and eczema symptoms. Eating a lot at once causes anaphylaxis. I've gone into anaphylaxis 3 times in the past 3 months (twice from allergy shots, and once "we think" from oats). Unfortunately, since all (except for peanuts) of my allergies have developed recently (over the past 4 years....since I was 18) they are more likely to continue to get worse and most likely will never disappear. But I also have an IgE of 1000 so none of this is surprising!!

I think allergies are one of the most frustrating medical issues to have...at least IMHO. But maybe thats just because I have so many of them!

 

[isisisme]

You can also email ahead if you know where you plan to eat and let them know what you are able to eat and they will be able to take care of you. I am vegetarian and lactose intolerant. I can take lactaid for the dairy if need be, do I don't want to be dealing with remembering all the time. If you are planning on table service, let them know when your reservations are, and they will be ready for you.

The email address is below. So far, the chef for each place I have emailed has responded. Hope this will make your trip even better next time!!

dlr.special.diets@disney.com