Intolerances versus Allergies- mention or no?

[pangyal]

I have recently been diagnosed with severe intolerances to both dairy (casein) and wheat. Apart from the heartbreak of giving up my favourite "treat" foods, I am waffling about whether to call Disney Dining or not regarding our upcoming reservations for August, October, and December. I certainly don't want to put anybody out, and I feel uncomfortable with the idea of pulling a chef away from his or her station in the midst of crazy prep and service during a mealtime just to talk to me. They are definitely not allergies, just severe intolerances, so they are certainly not life-threatening in any way and I feel like I would be making a bigger deal out of this than it might deserve and, most importantly, take away time the chef could be spending in putting out meals for other diners.

Can anyone offer guidance? Should I just leave it for now and ask for a gluten/dairy free option when we sit down at table service or buffets and hope they have a menu I can order from? This is all new to me!

 

[Westcoastwild]

I would call them. They want to make your experience positive. It doesn't have to be deadly to ruin your day.

 

[adisneyaunt]

I would call them. They want to make your experience positive. It doesn't have to be deadly to ruin your day.

I agree... if it will impact ur health/visit, it's worth a call.
Best of luck!

 

[allsaintsatx]

Don't worry! Every restaurant has a separate allergy menu you can pick from, printed out like a regular menu in most cases. You just have to ask for it.

And Disney don't care if it's an intolerance or not! They're going to send the chef anyway!

I'm gluten intolerant and I always have to talk to a chef - table, quick, it doesn't matter. The only time they don't is when I say that this isn't my first visit to this restaurant and I've spoken to the chef on a previous trip and I know what to order.

But, I gotta say, talking to the chef is definitely the way to go!! You always get way better GF options after talking to the chef.

At Boma, for instance, you don't have to tell them you have an allergy, and you could pick out some "safe" stuff on the buffet line like eggs, sausage, fruit etc etc. But I told them I needed GF options, and the chef walked me down the line and told me what I could and could not eat (even some stuff that I thought was a no go was actually a go! Bobotie! So good!) and he made me my own GF plate, and filled it with waffles, pancakes, donuts and a muffin!

Same deal at Ohana, I got my own appetizer plate and my own dessert!

Part of the vacation, for me, is being able to eat all of these great GF foods that they have readily available at WDW.

Enjoy!!

 

[squeezle]

Just because something is not life-threatening does not mean it is not a serious health concern, and Disney is very used to dealing with gluten-free/dairy free meals.

I am wheat-free, (cow) dairy-free, and peanut-free and I have never called, but I do mark it on my reservations. I also request the allergen menu and sometimes ask to speak with a chef. I agree with everything @allsaintsatx said, and have noticed that I end up with a better meal when I do speak with the chef.

There is no place in the world more accommodating to food allergies/intolances, so enjoy the perks when you are there!

EDITED TO ADD:

You can also check out some of the allergen menus here: http://www.glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com/menus/
It is likely that they could change, but you can get an idea of how Disney handles some of the common allergens.

 

[Dis703]

I would not even use the word intolerance when you go. And there's really no need to call ahead if dairy and wheat are all you are avoiding. If it was an unusual allergy or multiple complex allergies it's worth a call, otherwise just note it when you check in for your ADR and mention when ordering at QS locations. You can speak to a chef if necessary or order off the allergy menu. There may be more options than the menu they give you though, so if nothing appeals to you it can't hurt to ask.

I have 3 kids with food allergies that are not your typical reactions. Some can even tolerate certain types of dairy (yogurt or butter), but have severe reactions to milk or ice cream. When we go to Disney I just stick to dairy free for them and lump dairy as a whole into all of their allergies. If you are not trace reactive you can let them know this. In cases like a buffet if you are still comfortable eating from the line they will walk you around and tell you what you can and can't have. If your intolerance is severe enough that even accidental cross contamination can be an issue you can ask for foods to be brought out straight from the kitchen.

Disney chefs want you to have a good time and enjoy your vacation. Whether it makes you a little sick or can send you to the ER they don't want to see any of those things happen. They'll take precautions to make sure it's safe for you to eat.

 

[mistysue]

My experience telling them I had a dairy intolerance two weeks ago was that they said no to anything that wasn't the normal menu. It only came up twice because otherwise I could easily get something that works.
I hate that I'm saying this (having a son who has anaphylaxis to a dozen foods) but just say you are allergic. They have special menus now so just order from that. I wouldn't get the chef unless the allergy menu doesn't work but it should.
Don't call. First of all because the website says only contact them for 3 or more allergens and there are people who actually can't eat if they don't get through. Then because for dairy and gluten they already have you covered.

 

[pangyal]

Thanks everyone!

I was only wanting to call to see if they needed to add the information to our existing reservations, since there was nothing noted at the time they were booked and everything on the Disney page says they need to be noted on the reservations in advance. If this doesn't need to be done, that's great! Sounds like I won't go hungry after all

 

[marjorieeeee]

Tell the hostess when you check in, that's all the advance notice you need if you have basic food allergies/intolerance!

 

[sarahann77]

With severe reactions, certainly tell them when you are there. I tried to email to ask about Boma as I have a tomato and clove intolerance so wanted to make sure there'd be something I could eat as I still wanted to experience the restaurant. Base response to just tell them when I got there. For that reservation I had marked the "Other" allergy box. No issue walking around with the chef. Just make sure to have it noted on your reservation and you should be able to be accommodated. I have other intolerances that aren't severe that I just manage around myself. I only check the box when I think there could be an issue when it could be hidden somewhere or the restaurant is heavily influenced by that ingredient. If a reaction is going to cause you unhappiness definitely mark the allergy boxes and talk to them when you get there.

 

[MooksterL1]

My oldest son has several anaphylactic allergies and Disney has always been very accommodating. I would definitely let them know as has already been stated.

I also wanted to add a caution that an intolerance can grow into an allergy with exposure. We found my son's soy allergy the hard way on vacation a few years ago. We had not been able to identify what was causing the itchy throat and stomach issues until he ate a protein bar. It is an experience that I pray I never have to repeat.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I would agree with everyone here. Certainly tell them.

I will add, please don't go back and forth with being dairy and wheat free, while eating out. I'm not indicating in any way that you would do it, but many others have.

If you are avoiding an ingredient, avoid it throughout the meal. I've been out with people that just couldn't pass up the incredible looking dessert. So they order it. And since it won't make them terribly sick, it isn't a big deal.

But that makes everyone question the next person that comes in.

 

[keiraliz]

Definitely tell them. I have gluten intolerance and eat gluten free for other health reasons, and I always make a note of it on my reservations. I may not have an allergy, but I don't want to risk getting sick while I'm on vacation. Disney is very accommodating, and I certainly don't go hungry while I'm there!

 

[book_junkie]

If you have MDE, you should be able to add your intolerances to your reservations- look for add special request under make changes. If not, just call the dining line and let them know. That way it can be on the reservation in advance, things will be smooth, and they'll know to give you the allergy menu and not tempt you with stuff you cat have anymore.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Always tell them. In fact, while it may seem like you're inconveniencing the chefs, every one we've ever dealt with seems to find great joy in being able to cater to their guests with special dietary needs. Just have it added to your ADRs and make sure you bring it up when you check in for your meals and with your servers. In some cases, they have such a routine in place that they don't even need to call the chef.

 

[disneydreamer781]

No not mentioning. I'm allergic to bananas. It's what is referred to as pollen food syndrome but not a latex allergy. If I mention it they probably won't serve it to us. As long as they're cooked I'm fine so I've decided I won't mention it at Ohana. I'll try the bread pudding but will just avoid the bananas.

 

[aussietravellers]

I have recently been diagnosed with severe intolerances to both dairy (casein) and wheat. Apart from the heartbreak of giving up my favourite "treat" foods, I am waffling about whether to call Disney Dining or not regarding our upcoming reservations for August, October, and December. I certainly don't want to put anybody out, and I feel uncomfortable with the idea of pulling a chef away from his or her station in the midst of crazy prep and service during a mealtime just to talk to me. They are definitely not allergies, just severe intolerances, so they are certainly not life-threatening in any way and I feel like I would be making a bigger deal out of this than it might deserve and, most importantly, take away time the chef could be spending in putting out meals for other diners.

Can anyone offer guidance? Should I just leave it for now and ask for a gluten/dairy free option when we sit down at table service or buffets and hope they have a menu I can order from? This is all new to me!

I have severe, life threatening allergy to peanuts and many other nuts. But I am also intolerant to gluten. Now it may only be an intolerance, but the reaction I get, within about 20 minutes of eating, is horrendous (won't give TMI).
I tick on all of my ADR's about the nuts/peanuts and the gluten/wheat. Allergy or intolerance, only you know how it affects you, how much the reaction is to your body. Do not think twice about adding the intolerances to your bookings. They are not going to ask you if it's an allergy or intolerance. I mean really, all of the yummy, delectable things containing dairy and gluten, as if you would not eat them if you didn't have to. I am not sure if you can add the dietary requirements to ADR's after they are made online? If you don't have many you could certainly call, but you can certainly tell them once you get there.

They will be happy to assist you I believe.