Is this CM correct? - diabetic ?

[duckyfordonald]

We recently found out that my Dad, who will be joining us on our next Disney trip in Sept., is a diabetic. I called a CM this morning to add this info. to our ADR's, and she said that there was "no place on her screen for this info." and that we should just mention it when we check in at each restaurant. Is this normally how this is handled? I thought that if you had dietary restrictions that you needed to give more of an advance notice so that they may be able to prepare/provide something that my Dad would be able to eat (we are most concerned about desserts). I would normally say, just skip the dessert, but he is really depressed about having diabetes and all of the restrictions, and I would like for him to be able to have something that he can eat and enjoy! Thanks in advance!

 

[rgf207]

I would try calling back. They usually can note that in the ADR. They can note birthdays and anniversaries so I dont see how they cannot note this. But it would not hurt to mention this everywhere you go. They will definately accomadate you. A lot of times, especially at buffets, the chefs will personally come to your table and tell you what you can and cannot eat.

 

[budbeerlady]

I am a vegetarian who cannot do mushrooms. I called and had it noted on my reservations where the vegetarian dishes had mushrooms. I also noted it with the server. I only had a problem at Le Cellier.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

There is a comment field in the Dining System where they add all the little notes like that they told you that theme park admission is required, that they told you it is a non smoking location, etc etc. They can add anything to this comment field, birthday, anniversary, dietary needs, etc. Call back and speak to someone else, tell them you know you can tell the server when you arrive, but you would feel better having it noted on the ADR's in advance as well.

Don't worry too much about the diabetic thing, Disney is very good with dietary needs. They usually have a sugar free dessert option or can make something for you and as mentioned above the chef will usually come out and talk to you personally if he knows that you are there. I had gestational diabeties when I was pregnant and they were always very good about my needs.

 

[duckyfordonald]

Thanks everyone! I am going to call back and try to get it noted on our ADRs. I thought that was how it was usually handled, but the CM I spoke to insisted that it wasn't necessary (or even possible).

 

[Brit17]

I would also call back ... my DM has an allergy to shellfish and when I made our ADR's the CM asked me if anybody in my party had any dietary restrictions and I told her ... when we actually arrived for all our ADR's, my DM's allergy was already noted & all the servers knew without us telling them again ...

 

[Chloesmom]

Call back. My Dd has type 1 diabetes and they always list in on my ADRs and at TS the chef always somes out to see if there is anything I can do for her. They even went to another restaurant once to get her cubed cheddar cheese to eat in place of the normal appetizer at Garden Grill.
Be aware though that sugar free simply means no refined sugar has been added. It could still have sugar alcohols or have been sweetened with fruit juice. I found this to be the case with DD on our first trip and decided that she was better of just splitting a dessert with me since their SF desserts had just as many carbs in it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) There is, indeed, a comment screen (birthdays, diet info, etc)
2) However, restaurant CM's don't always read it.
3) Call the restaurant 24-hrs in advance, then tell them again at the podium

 

[SB in KY]

By September your Dad should be really adept at managing his diet and will really not need special accomodations. An older adult with Type II Diabetes is not nearly as regimented on types and timing of meals as a Type I Diabetic like Chloe.

He may have a hard time making the adjustments needed now, but he will probably be much more comfortable with what he can eat lots of and what he should only eat a little of by the time your trip roles around. For a type II diabetic there is no reason he cannot have a little desert once in a while and as Chloe's mom stated he is probably better off having a small amount of a regular desert than a plateful of a "sugar free" one...both for taste and health reasons.

All of the walking he will be doing will allow him a few extra carbs each day that he can enjoy where he pleases.

It might be more embarassing to him to have the chef come tell him what he can and can't eat than to let him make his own healthy choices. There will always be good choices available for him at table service meals. Might want to check with him before making special arrangements.

 

[Laurafoster]

I would always mention it when you check in for your ADR's though! I have always found Disney to be very helpful with dietary requirements!!

 

[castleri]

By September your Dad should be really adept at managing his diet and will really not need special accomodations. An older adult with Type II Diabetes is not nearly as regimented on types and timing of meals as a Type I Diabetic like Chloe.

He may have a hard time making the adjustments needed now, but he will probably be much more comfortable with what he can eat lots of and what he should only eat a little of by the time your trip roles around. For a type II diabetic there is no reason he cannot have a little desert once in a while and as Chloe's mom stated he is probably better off having a small amount of a regular desert than a plateful of a "sugar free" one...both for taste and health reasons.

All of the walking he will be doing will allow him a few extra carbs each day that he can enjoy where he pleases.

It might be more embarassing to him to have the chef come tell him what he can and can't eat than to let him make his own healthy choices. There will always be good choices available for him at table service meals. Might want to check with him before making special arrangements.

I agree with this and if he is working with a dietician now it might be a good idea for him to talk to that person about the upcoming trip and about eating out in general. They can help him wil some general rules about keeping his diabetes under control while enjoying the trip.

 

[Chloesmom]

Thanks SB.. you reminded me of my #1 advice to a diabetic at WDW.. test more often because your blood sugar will be anything but normal. My Dd gets excited and hers goes sky high for a few days and then drops SUPER low because of the activity. She dropped to 38 one evening and wouldnt you know that I had nothing to give her to corrct her low sugar. We had set out to DTD to eat and shop and she just had a snack in the room so I figured she was OK so I just grabbed my purse and left her snacks behind. So my lesson learned was to always carry some sort of quick carb regardless of what you THINK is going to happen.
So test alot, always have quick carbs on you ( she likes airheads ), take more supplies than you ever think you could use ( we had a meter break. that was ugly) and HAVE FUN!