Latex Allergies and WDW

[mrmagicmph]

Since there has been some talk before about latex allergies at WDW, I thought it would make sense to put together a thread specifically all about it. In the next few days or weeks, I'll be adding a bunch of posts, starting with my first (in a few minutes) about balloons at WDW. So, if you've got any questions or comments, here's the place!

Enjoy the Magic and stay safe!

 

[mrmagicmph]

Recently I had posted what Disney's own balloon supplier had told me (via Guest Relations & Brenda Bennett) about the balloons at WDW. Unfortunately, having come back from our trip (9/29-10/8/07), I have to say that they were mistaken concerning the latex "risk".

As you can see from this picture,

while their latex balloons are encased in a non-latex "outer" balloon, there DOES remain a latex risk that is not insignificant. If you look at the bottom of the red balloon where air/helium goes in, you can see that the latex balloon (the red balloon inside the clear balloon) extends past the bottom of the clear outer balloon. When walking through the parks, especially on a blustery day (sorry, had to borrow from Winnie The Pooh), the large bunches of balloons carried by the vendors will often be blown down into your face, and those bunches can be VERY hard to avoid.

Additionally, while down there (sorry, I don't have a picture of them), I did see many balloon animals in several of the parks. Balloon animals were all made using obviously latex balloons. So, yet another potential problem.

All in all, WDW is very good with allergies, but latex they're not QUITE as up to speed on as they'd like to think they are. I'll probably be writing to them in the near future about this very issue. Of course, I'll let everyone know whatever their reply may be.

In the meantime, be safe, and Enjoy the Magic!

 

[Schmeck]

One thing about the latex situation - even if WDW stops using latex balloons, it won't be latex free. Guests could be wearing latex on their wrists (bracelets) and hands (people have mentioned weering latex gloves for compromised immune system protection) and that could be rubbed off onto everything anyone could touch at the parks, at the resort, on the buses, etc. Also, any of the ride vehicles with tires could have latex residue in the air, which could be dangerous in enclosed buildings/rooms. Think Test Track...

 

[mrmagicmph]

One thing about the latex situation - even if WDW stops using latex balloons, it won't be latex free. Guests could be wearing latex on their wrists (bracelets) and hands (people have mentioned weering latex gloves for compromised immune system protection) and that could be rubbed off onto everything anyone could touch at the parks, at the resort, on the buses, etc. Also, any of the ride vehicles with tires could have latex residue in the air, which could be dangerous in enclosed buildings/rooms. Think Test Track...

Actually, Test Track & the Lights, Motors, Action stunt show were going to be my next post, so let me zoom on ahead to them right now.

Both of these are likely to be a higher-than-normal risk for latex allergy sufferers. TT because the vehicle goes through several skids/stops, as well as their heating room, all of which are likely to increase the amount of latex released in the air. LMA is especially of concern because they almost always "burn rubber" several times as part of the show, releasing a considerable amount of latex into the air.

As a latex allergy sufferer, I'm all too well aware of the potential for touching something that someone who was wearing a latex glove had touched; however, at the same time, the number of people who are likely to touch whatever the item is WITHOUT gloves, "rubbing" some of it off, tends to reduce my level of risk. There are some things, however, like TT as you pointed out, that are an increased risk that (for me) would be at an unreasonable level.

Next time out, unless someone asks a question... one or two of the highly unexpected risks that you might be surprised about!

In the meantime, stay safe, & Enjoy the Magic!

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/latex.htm

They go into an in depth articles about latex allergies and those foods which people allergic to latex seem to also be allergic to.

 

[mrmagicmph]

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/latex.htm

They go into an in depth articles about latex allergies and those foods which people allergic to latex seem to also be allergic to.

mechurchlady,

Thanks for posting the link to that article. While I've not admitted it before on here, it's about time that I do so. I'm actually the author of that article and am going to working on updating and revising it, both about food and about several other latex allergy related things, many of which you may end up seeing here first on the Dis. I'm glad you think that it's helpful!

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm going to add a link to this thread in the disABILITIES FAQs thread so it doesn't get lost if it doesn't get posted to for a while.

Thanks for starting it, mrmagicmph.

 

[mechurchlady]

mrmagicmph that is an excellent article. You did forget green onions. I get mine in bunches with rubber bands on them as well as flowers with rubber bands. I am recovering from a big crash from chocolate, soy dressing and cheese. A lot of people do not understand cross contamination and I love reading about any type of allergy so I can learn more.

Now you have me thinking of other sources of latex contamination. Thank you for both this thread and the article. Well written.

 

[mrmagicmph]

I'm going to add a link to this thread in the disABILITIES FAQs thread so it doesn't get lost if it doesn't get posted to for a while.

Thanks for starting it, mrmagicmph.

Sue,

Thanks for deciding to put a link in the FAQs. I'm glad to help. I hope in a few days to have my next "chapter" here on the Dis and at some point have it all ready to go for AllEars.

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I know it's been a long time since this particular thread has been updated, so I thought I would post a copy of the information I just received from Brenda Bennett re: latex and food prep at WDW:

WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort
Dietary Statement Request


Thank you for making us aware of your concerns pertaining to latex allergies, and inquiring about latex free options available within our dining locations. Typically, the gloves used to perform food handling tasks within our food establishments are made from raw materials that do not include latex. Unfortunately, the potential exists that some food service areas and other areas in our various facilities may utilize latex gloves, therefore we cannot assure you that our foods or foodservice establishments have not been exposed to latex. Please use your own best judgment and discretion to determine whether you should eat any particular item of food based on your own evaluation of your latex allergy, since we cannot guarantee that latex may not have been introduced inadvertently by us or by manufacturers, shippers or others during some stage of the food chain process.


Approving areas and date:
F&B – May 7, 2006
FS&H – May 7, 2006
Legal – May 7, 2006

 

[SueM in MN]

I know it's been a long time since this particular thread has been updated, so I thought I would post a copy of the information I just received from Brenda Bennett re: latex and food prep at WDW:

WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort
Dietary Statement Request


Thank you for making us aware of your concerns pertaining to latex allergies, and inquiring about latex free options available within our dining locations. Typically, the gloves used to perform food handling tasks within our food establishments are made from raw materials that do not include latex. Unfortunately, the potential exists that some food service areas and other areas in our various facilities may utilize latex gloves, therefore we cannot assure you that our foods or foodservice establishments have not been exposed to latex. Please use your own best judgment and discretion to determine whether you should eat any particular item of food based on your own evaluation of your latex allergy, since we cannot guarantee that latex may not have been introduced inadvertently by us or by manufacturers, shippers or others during some stage of the food chain process.


Approving areas and date:
F&B – May 7, 2006
FS&H – May 7, 2006
Legal – May 7, 2006

Thanks for the information.
sounds very 'maybe', 'maybe not' and defineatly went thru the legal department who don't want any chance of being sued.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Thanks for the information.
sounds very 'maybe', 'maybe not' and defineatly went thru the legal department who don't want any chance of being sued.

Yup. And I sure didn't find it very reassuring.

It just reaffirms that we made the right choice for our family when we bought into DVC -- having our own kitchen takes care of the risk of exposure via food prep.

 

[Schmeck]

Yup. And I sure didn't find it very reassuring.

It just reaffirms that we made the right choice for our family when we bought into DVC -- having our own kitchen takes care of the risk of exposure via food prep.

Except you really can't guarantee that the handlers in the grocery store didn't use latex either, can you? Or that in the processing latex was used? I think that the letter from Disney pretty much states a general tone for all things purchased anywhere - you can't be 100% sure, that's all...

 

[SueM in MN]

Except you really can't guarantee that the handlers in the grocery store didn't use latex either, can you? Or that in the processing latex was used? I think that the letter from Disney pretty much states a general tone for all things purchased anywhere - you can't be 100% sure, that's all...

I would agree with that. No one ever has total control; they don't know what happened in the steps before the food got into their control. I think their letter is covering those other steps and saying 'we don't what happened in the past'. For most people with latex allergies, it isn't going to matter as long as the people who are actually preparing the food are aware of not having any contact with latex.
One of the things I think they are covering for are situations like mechurchlady mentioned with rubber bands holding together bunches of green onions. For some people, that might make a difference and for others it might not, depending on the severity of their situation.

The whole thing is written in very 'legal' language.
I think one other aspect that they are trying to cover is that some of the food stations/restaurants are Disney owned and operated and some are not. They can control the ones they own, but they don't have as much control over the others.