Is DL as conscientious about allergies as WDW is?

[rhettreaux]

Hi Everyone!

One of the biggest reasons that we choose to visit WDW every year and get the dining plan is that they are SO good about fixing food that my daughter who has multiple anaphylaxis-level allergies can eat.

She rarely feels safe eating out after a few occasions when we have had to use the epipen on her and take her to the hospital after a restaurant accidentally served her dairy. It is only at WDW that she really feels like she can relax and eat whatever the chef/waiter brings her. They are always so accomodating and make her feel special, instead of feeling deprived.

Enough fawning about WDW, I guess. Are DL restaurants the same way?

 

[disneychrista]

They are but there are also less table restaurants, so it is more difficult to get accomidated. Not sure what the allergys are, but you can call and talk to the chef and he can let you know what is safe and help make special meal arrangements at Table Service.

 

[Huff]

You shouldnt have trouble at all. Like WDW the Disney restaurants are very used to it. The difference is that WDW is full of restaurants everywhere. At Disneyland there are only 3 Disney resorts each with a couple table service restaurants and counter service. The parks have a couple of each as well. Downtown Disney has several restaurants of every level.

I would stick to the restaurants on Disney property or the upscale ones at the nearby non-Disney resorts. Always ask to talk to the chef before ordering.

 

[Scaramedic]

From the website for the San Diego Food Allergy Support Group. I can't post links until I have 10 posts but here is the article...

Tips for Enjoying Disneyland with Food Allergies by Carol D'Agnese

As a parent of a food allergic child, I thought vacations; REAL VACATIONS where EVERYONE has a good time was something I was not going to be able to do because of the ever present threat of an allergic reaction. I remember reading something about how aware Disneyland was about food allergies so I decided to check it out. That was three and a half years ago and we have taken our children to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure numerous times, safely and without an (allergic reaction) incident. It does take some planning, but you too can make your vacation at Disneyland a walk in the park!

After doing personal research and phone calling, below are guidelines, agreed upon by Disney’s own Food Operations Business Center (that’s the group that deals with all the Food at the parks), that describe the best way to handle getting food allergy information to help you and your family have a great time at the Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks.

Call Ahead
If you have specific questions, you may call the Disneyland Resort Parks Food Operations Business Center at 714-781-4650. Someone there will be able to answer your questions, or they will connect you with a Chef de Cuisine from the Parks Restaurants who can help.

Make Reservations
There are several eating establishments in the parks that take reservations. This is a great option because you can plan your day and not worry about finding a safe place to eat. Call Disney Dining at 714-781-3463 to get a list of these restaurants and to make reservations. When speaking with Disney Dining, let them know your child has food allergy and have them note it on the reservation. Also, ask for the lead chef's name at the restaurant so that when you get to the restaurant, you will have some familiarity. Disney Dining may or may not know the chef's name but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Arriving for your meal
Please try to arrive at least 10 minutes before your reservation time. When checking in, let them know your child has food allergy and you would like to speak to the Chef. They will make sure you get to do that. Each time we have gone to dinner at the park, we have always been greeted at our table by the lead chef who has walked through the menu or suggested food items that my son would safely eat and like.

Going to a quick service or walk-up restaurant that doesn’t take reservations?
You can do that too, just follow these guidelines: Try to go to these establishments during non-peak times, ask for the Head Chef and explain that your child has food allergy and what they are allergic to. Please be aware that there may be instances in these types of facilities where they may or may not be able to accommodate the allergy due to the limited variety of food offered at the location, but again, if you call ahead, you should be able to find out what venues will work with your food allergy restrictions.

In The Future
I have been told by Disney’s Food Operations Business Center that they are always reviewing and fine tuning their customer service approach to Food Allergy and hinted that they are planning to roll out a program that will even better assist those with special dietary needs including Food Allergy. I will keep you posted!!

The key to having a good time at Disneyland, or anywhere you may travel, is preplanning. It takes some effort, but the result is a more pleasant vacation for everyone.

Carol D’Agnese is the mother of 2 sons, one of which has severe food allergies to milk, egg, peanut and tree nuts. She is also the Co-Chair of the San Diego Food Allergy Support Group.

 

[ArchOwl]

Hubby and I were eating at the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose this past Friday and we noticed the care and attention devoted to spotting and avoiding allergy causing foods. Before every order would go out, the chef manning the "pass" would double check with the chef who made the food that an allergy had been avoided. The chef that made the dish would announce allergy or no allergy when preparing the food as well.

I have traveled with someone who had celiac disease (gluten) and can confirm that EVERY attempt was made to accomodate her including visits from the chef when necessary. She did not have any adverse reaction.

 

[JennyN]

I was interested to read the comments as next year we will be travelling with a girl who has caeliac problems. What about the dining places on south harbor? I looked on some web sites eg. Denny's, IHOP, Millies and Cheesecake Factory. None of them seemed to mention food for people with medical conditions. Does anyone have any experience with the restaurants outside DL.

 

[JennyN]

Hi, I'm bumping this in the hope that someone will have some experience with the restaurants. Thanks.

 

[sonnyjane]

Hi, I'm bumping this in the hope that someone will have some experience with the restaurants. Thanks.

PF Chang's at Garden Walk has an extensive (and yummy!) gluten-free menu. http://www.pfchangs.com/menu/?sid=9841

Cheesecake Factory's menu has a billion things on it, so I'm sure you'll be able to find something, they just don't have a separate GF menu like PF Chang's has.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I was interested to read the comments as next year we will be travelling with a girl who has caeliac problems. What about the dining places on south harbor? I looked on some web sites eg. Denny's, IHOP, Millies and Cheesecake Factory. None of them seemed to mention food for people with medical conditions. Does anyone have any experience with the restaurants outside DL.

Here is some info. from Yelp that might be helpful to you:
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Gluten+Free&find_loc

 

[jennilouwho]

I struggled last time with finding food for my son who had milk/egg allergies. I would ask if the counter service places had ingredient lists and I was told no, other than at the pretzel cart. He ended up mostly eating pretzels. After we got home, people on these boards mentioned there were ingredient list binders, so we must have hit bad luck on our visit. Next time I'll ask for a manager if the person at the counter can't help me. I was also told to call disney dining and ask to speak to the allergy chef before we go to get more info, to leave him a message and he'll call back.

Most chain restaurants have info for ingredients/food allergies/celiac on their websites. You can check before you go. Ihop didn't last time I checked, but maybe they do now.

 

[JennyN]

Thank you so much for your help sonnyjane, disneyfan4ever54 and jennilouwho. This will help me with my planning for next year. I want my friend to feel confortable and not feel that her condition is a problem to anyone, so it seems that advanced planning is the key.

 

[gary1955]

you should have no problem at the sit down restaurants. have had mixed experience at counter service locations, some CM's know what is in the products, others have to look it up in a binder and then are not sure.

could not get any information on the WOC picnic meals or the Fantasmic! Dessert trays over the phone or by visiting guest services. that was last year, don't know if there have been changes.

the CM's at the Fantasmic! Dessert seating are good though. my sister has a problem with milk products and the CM's gave us her tray for the rest of the party to share (even though one is more than enough). then he must have gone to one of the nearby food locations and brought back a fruit platter.

 

[mystic_path]

You should have no problem at all. My friend is allergic to soooooo many different types of foods that she finds it very frustrating going to restaurants and was very concerned about going to Disneyland last year. She did bring in her own snacks so she knew what she was eating, but when it came to sit down meals, Disneyland was very accommodating about checking with the kitchens about what is in the meals and what they could do for her. Even with having the WOC dining package at Wine Country where they have a limited menu, she was able to have something accommodated for her. She was very thrilled not to have to worry about anything at the parks on her stay.