Latex allergies

[OceanSunfish]

I had read somewhere on here that Disney World used latex balloons, which could potentially kill someone with severe latex allergies. I was very outraged by this so I wrote Disney and asked them how the park
accomodates guests with severe latex allergies. I told them I was specifically concerned about latex balloons. This is what they wrote back:

"We checked with the vendors within our theme parks and they indicated that all the balloons in our
parks are Mylar and all our food service locations use an acrylic glove."

I just thought that the people worried about their allergies at Disney should know. Even though I do not have these kinds of allergies, I am glad that Disney World is no longer a dangerous vacation for people with them!

 

[MidgeD79]

thanks for the info

 

[lovethattink]

We were at the Magic Kingdom the other week, and they were indeed selling latex balloons. I was ticked. My son has an anaphylatic allergy to latex. For at least a couple years they have only carried mylar. I should have gone to guest services, but we did not have our allergic ds with us luckily. He was out of state with his grandparents. They were red Mickey balloons. I should have asked what material they were made from. I suppose they could have been nitrile, but they really looked like latex to me. Or they could have been from misterballoon. They carry a latex-free balloon.

Here is a link to the American Latex Allergy Association http://www.latexallergyresources.org/

 

[WantToGoNow]

"We checked with the vendors within our theme parks and they indicated that all the balloons in our
parks are Mylar and all our food service locations use an acrylic glove."

Those pretty, colorful Mickey head balloons are definitely latex. My son has a latex allergy and I have done a lot of reserach trying to find normal looking balloons that are not latex. Mylar balloons are the shiny metallic looking. The regular stretchy type balloons are latex. They do sell vinyl balloons (not at Disney) but they look more like a ball than a balloon.

There was a very heated "discussion" on this very topic a few weeks back.

 

[G8RFAN]

Never heard of this allergy. Interesting. How common is it? I couldn't find that info. Did see that medicinal stoppers are still mostly made of rubber and may cause reactions. Funny (in an ironic sense) how the medical/pharmaceudical industry has not attempted to accomodate for this allergy. Does latex paint cause reactions?

 

[OceanSunfish]

Those pretty, colorful Mickey head balloons are definitely latex. My son has a latex allergy and I have done a lot of reserach trying to find normal looking balloons that are not latex. Mylar balloons are the shiny metallic looking. The regular stretchy type balloons are latex. They do sell vinyl balloons (not at Disney) but they look more like a ball than a balloon.

There was a very heated "discussion" on this very topic a few weeks back.

This is completely unacceptable. Looks like I'm going to be writing more concerned letters to Disney!

 

[lovethattink]

Keep in mind that there are many restaurants on site that are not Disney owned and may use latex gloves. For example, Disney quest often uses latex gloves in food prep and serving. (They are owned by the Cheesecake Factory, not Disney.)



From the website I posted above

Latex Allergy Statistics
The current statistics for people sensitized to natural rubber latex are broken down by risk groups and are as follows:
8-17% of health care workers
Up to 68% of children with spina bifida (related to frequent surgeries - anyone who has multiple surgeries is at risk)
Less than 1% of the general population in the U.S. (about 3 million people)

 

[canda]

This is completely unacceptable. Looks like I'm going to be writing more concerned letters to Disney!

I know a joke thread when I see one and this is not it.
I have never flamed anyone before, but here goes.......Your post is completely unacceptable. This cannot be your only 2nd post on these boards to start a topic like this. You opened a new screen name to start another battle with a topic that affects peoples lives.

. Even though I do not have these kinds of allergies,

So stop whinning about it. People with allerigies know what to do and how to take care of themselves without LIB's stepping in.

You would not happen to be a State rep. from Mass. would you?
(you know the anti-Fluff rep.)

And I guess that KFC frying chicken in oil is completely unacceptable too,

 

[lovethattink]

Let me say, that my son ended up in the hospital for 4 days from a Balloon at Ponderosa. He was lucky. He had an anaphylactic reaction to the balloon. He could have ended up dead. He couldn't breath, turned purple. We now carry an epipen everywhere we go. A simple balloon, rubberband, pencil eraser, could all mean death to him.

 

[zuzu310]

Wow, these threads take an ugly turn fast. I don't know about OceanSunfish's intentions but...if you are going to flame somebody make it over something good. In fact, I have a rant of my own. If you are going to flame somebody, then please take the time to spell words right and use proper English. It really defeats the whole purpose of your argument if you spell words wrong when you are spewing hate.

 

[steffali]

My daughter has Severe Latex allergies, we carry around an Epi-Pen and Benadryl at all times. I hope WDW is not carrying Latex Ballons again but if they are we will hopefully stand clear of anyone that has them.

 

[Hannathy]

Canda I was thinking along the same lines! The person who started the other thread tried it on 2 different forums and did not get the response they liked so wait a while and then start it again under a different name.

My oppinion is the whole world can not change for a small minority of people. THEY need to take personal responsibility.

 

[lovethattink]

My oppinion is the whole world can not change for a small minority of people. THEY need to take personal responsibility.

In the close confines of crowds or queues, it's hard to keep a blowing latex balloon away. Trust me anyone who nearly had their child die in their arms, WILL take personal responsibilty to protect their child. And I sure hope no one else has to go through what we have, with a scare like that!

Latex allergies are not a joke.

 

[Buzz & Woody]

but does Disney have to remove everything in the parks and resorts that may cause an allergic reaction? There are so many things that people are allergic too, they can't possibly cater to everyone

 

[CarolRN]

I am a nurse with a severe latex allergy. I also have a DD3 with the same allergy. I carry Epi on me at all times. It's in my purse, my car, my home, work and my daughters daycare. Since I am in the healthcare field and around latex products on a daily basis I am well aware that there are many products manufactured with latex in them, many of which we are not aware of. But to expect anyone or any place to be totally latex free is unrealistic. Those of us with the allergy know what to watch for and are prepared for a reaction should it happen. Unfortunately, if you have not been diagnosed with the allergy and have a reaction it is scary, but this is not and will never be a latex free world.

 

[MidgeD79]

I started the other 2 threads and I did NOT start this one. We can protect ourselves if Disney gives the correct info. Either they ARE selling latex balloons or they're not!

 

[canda]

Canda I was thinking along the same lines! The person who started the other thread tried it on 2 different forums and did not get the response they liked so wait a while and then start it again under a different name.

My oppinion is the whole world can not change for a small minority of people. THEY need to take personal responsibility.

I am the bad guy here on this post. I used bad gramar and incorrect spelling, due to both fast typing and lack of proper education. I said nothing to "make light" of allergic reactions, only that people know how to take care of themselves. I was not adding or taking away from the debate of balloons in the park. I was trying pointing out how in society, many people with nothing else to do cause a big stink about things. Regardless if it is KFC, Fluff or Balloons.

We do not keep latex in my house do to allergies to latex. It is just skin rashes thankfully, but we take the steps to avoid any potential outbreaks.
It is what I said before, folks with this problem take the steps they need to protect themselves, they cannot rely on a company policy to keep them safe.

I am sorry if those who suffer from this allergy were offended earlier, I was not talking to you. I was just pointing out the OP was trying to start a battle. Due to my "HATE" filled reply with bad spelling and gramar, they have set out to accomplish their goal.

I welcome a learning opportunity to turn this into a positive and to teach me how the post should have been typed. Please respond by re-writing my post with the proper gramar and correct spelling so I can learn.

 

[mking624]

Oh great, here we go again.....

We can protect ourselves if Disney gives the correct info. Either they ARE selling latex balloons or they're not!

The easiest answer to that is to just protect yourselves regardless of what info is correct.

 

[lovethattink]

Certainly the world, weather Disney or elsewhere isn't latex free. However, Disney is great at working with people and their allergies. We are easily able to find out about food preparation, grips on golf clubs, handles on rides. Disney really does go out of their way to ensure their guest's safety.

On the cruise, they used streamers for parties instead of balloons.

Once my son got a reaction from Darth Maul's gloves around his neck. It only took them a few minutes to call costuming to find out what the gloves were made from.

 

[HollisterSweetie]

but does Disney have to remove everything in the parks and resorts that may cause an allergic reaction? There are so many things that people are allergic too, they can't possibly cater to everyone

No bashing here! I completely agree with you.