Looking for advice on first trip since my daughter developed severe food allergies

[TMJR]

My teenage daughter developed a severe tree nut/peanut allergy 2 years ago. We are planning an August trip, and I just didn't know how it worked in restaurants and at quick service. Do we just inform our server or do we need to call in advance? And are most quick service counter staff well versed on the allergens in the food they are serving?

Thank you for any advice...this is all relatively new to us.

 

[gap2368]

I can not touch tomato at all and when I went to a QS restraint I just told them I could not have tomatoes they had on my recite allergee ( or something like that ) and then the person that took my order went back and told them what my allergee was and a manager was the one to fill my order this was how it was handle at a QS it did take a few extra minute ( like 3 or so) to get my order but I was glade they took the extra time to make sure I did not have any tomato ( sometimes if the person making my food had tomatoes on there gloves that will cause a reaction for me)

 

[Betty Rohrer]

one thing to remember other guests are allowed to bring food in with them and eat anywhere they want so you could find peanuts or tree nuts while in line for rides. at CS when you get to ordering station ask to see the notebook which will tell you what is safe for your teenager. at TS have the Peanut/tree nut noted on ressie. Chef will come to your table and help make safe choices for teen

 

[mistysue]

Not to downplay it, but with two common allergies currently taken seriously in our society, such as peanut/tree nut, it's likely that it will feel like it was too easy.

Many locations have been coming out with menus for common allergies and with nuts specifically there will be warnings for places that use them a lot. You won't need to notify anybody in advance, just show up and tell them when you are checking in or ordering and they will essentially walk you through it. If the allergies are particularly severe ask for a chef or manager if you feel any anxiety about ordering. It's better to be safe and they will understand. You aren't going to be mistreated for just verifying that everybody is on the same page. The only place I would be extra on-guard is going around the world showcase. The table service locations in the world showcase are run by outside companies and can run into some language barriers so you need to be sure they understand what you are talking about. For example, you might need to name specific tree nuts instead of just saying "tree nuts" - with my son it's come up that if we say dairy some people don't get the scope of that unless we say "dairy- as in milk, butter, cheese, yogurt..." and you see a little light go on in their eyes. You might run into that one guy saying "oh, I didn't realize almond milk was nut"
When you don't have to think about these things sometimes you don't realize the extent.

 

[happymommy]

I agree about being extra careful with WS restaurants, and the language barrier. That is the only time we've had a bit of concern for my son (he's dairy and egg allergic). He loved the QS place in Japan, and their chicken and rice is always safe for him.
For CS places, we have had good experiences, sometimes over the top! At AK, we ate at restaurantasaurus, and he couldn't eat the kids' chicken nuggets (this was years ago). The manager came out and swapped a hot dog with no bun (he couldn't eat the buns) and she went in the back to make sure they also changed their gloves when handling his food (he was also touch hypersensitive). The next day, we were there again at lunch, and the same manager was there, AND she not only remembered us but also what he wanted to order!
He's never had one reaction to food in all his trips to Disney!
For nuts, I am sure their policy is new gloves, but you can ask.
Desserts will get tricky, as once on the dining plan (before the new change) we'd just get the packaged cookie (he couldn't eat it) and bring it with us. Some ended up tossed (what a waste).
I think there is a kiosk at AK (or there used to be) that sold safe snacks for many common allergies!
At TS a chef always came to talk to him, and after explaining what on the menu was safe, he or she would ask what my son wanted them to make for him (off the menu a bit).
You should be safe, but bring liquid benedryl and your epi-pen (duh!).
By the way, Walgreens now carries the individual teaspoons of liquid benedryl (their brand) now. My son carries a few of them with him always, in case of slight reactions.

 

[tink9702]

TS restaurants are easy. We put it on our reservations and also mentioned it at check-in. The chef came to our table to clarify & tell us what was safe. I'd make sure to clarify that it's both peanuts & tree nuts, even going so far as to say Almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews & keep listing. It's amazed me how many people don't realize ALL nuts means ALL nuts!

Do note that desserts are quite difficult with nut allergies, especially at buffets.

 

[TMJR]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the advice!