Looking for Guidance concerning Iodine Allergy (food/contact) at WDW

[jewelspirit]

Since my first trip to WDW last year, I've been saving up to take my whole family (Dad, Mom, and 2 Brothers). After much scheduling conundrums, I booked for late December, and we now have flights/dinner reservations/etc. so everything is pretty much set.

Wanting to make this a wonderful vacation for my mom (asthma, food allergies, allergies in general), I've researched and read up on special diets at WDW, looked carefully at TS restaurant options to avoid, and feel like I've been making notes all over the place.

Anyway, just looking for some guidance/experience/thoughts concerning my biggest worry (and my mom's most serious allergy), Iodine, plus a possible medical diet.

Ever since a shot of Iodine Contrast for a CT Scan about 7 years ago triggered it in a serious way , she has reactions to both eating anything with Iodine, touching iodine containing solutions/item, and even strong iodine in the air (particularly in the form of fish/shellfish "air/scent", though a science experiment with Potassium Iodide did wonders once...)

Also, my mom has been on a very strict Medical Diet (with medical anti-inflammatory "food" plus one meal a day) for the last month, in preparation for a surgery tomorrow (admittedly here to keep my mind off of what I can't control-surgery-, and focus on what I can- research -). No carbs,no sugars, only XYZ vegetables, and ABC fruits, but no mixing of veggies and fruits at same meal....etc.
She'll probably be on this strict diet for another month, then to a less strict version, but not sure if she'll be ok to be off a diet by December.

To make it simple:
Allergies-
Fish/Shellfish (common)
IODINE

Diet-
Vegetarian (for health reasons, and is ok with chicken/beef broth and picking meat out of dish)
Currently on very Strict Medical Diet (likely less strict by December, or maybe no Medical Diet at all)

Biggest Concerns/Questions
1. Iodized Salt- Here at home (California), most restaurants have iodized salt on the table, but not in the kitchen. At least, when she orders a dish, she rarely has a reaction, but if she ever puts table salt on anything she'll have an allergic reaction.
Does anyone know the status of Iodized Salt usage at WDW? Would Special Diets know?

2. Any restaurants/fishy areas to avoid? I.E. we are calling Coral Reef the Death Trap, and not because of the menu. On our no-go list: Ohana (skewers of shrimp parading around), California Grill, Columbia Harbor House, Seafood-focused restaurants in general, The Seas at Epcot, possibly Typhoon Lagoon due to the swimming with the fishes area.

3. I plan on emailing Special Diets, but not sure on when would be the best time. I've made my dining reservations... and they are mostly set. But is it too early to do it now? And since my mom's medical diet is in flux, should I wait until we know a bit more of how it's going to be? Or just figure that a medically restricted diet is a medically restricted diet and we'll probably have to discuss it with chefs while there anyway.

I think that's it for now. Just really wanting to make my mom's First Trip to WDW spectacular .

 

[gap2368]

I really do not have much to DD just that this is disney and I would bet they have seen every food allergee and special diet you can think of I think you have done great in your planing I would email special diet and let them know ( maybe a little closer to your trip) and also talk to the chef

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You REALLY need to email Disney.
2) Most restaurants have some kind of shellfish on the menu.
3) If the allergens floating in the air are harmful, I see no way t halt these.
. . . odors and particles will wafting from the kitchen.
. . . additionally, nearby guests may be having shellfish, and odors/particles may drift to you from these tables
4) For salt,
. . . she might want to bring a shaker of sea salt or kosher salt
. . . tell the chef, so contamination in the kitchen is eased
5) Also, try to avoid fast food ("Quick Service") eateries as much as possible, as their ability to avoid these allergies is minimal.

 

[Thing 1]

You mentioned that your mom does eat out at home. If she does that, I'm sure WDW has the ability to work with her needs. I would think that most CS would not be an option as most of those items are full of sodium and my guess it is the plain salt that contains iodine. If just the smell of seafood triggers reactions, you will want to carefully scan the menu to avoid those places. What does her medical diet restrict? WDW has seen it all.