Microwave in Baby Care Centers

[SDSorority]

Hi everyone. DH needs to follow a special diet (low residue and AutoImmune Protocol) and his food needs to be cooked before he eats it. I am planning on bringing food with me to the parks on certain days where he has energy to be in the parks all day- is it possible to use the microwave in the Baby Care Center to heat his food? We are planning on getting a DAS- is this something we should ask to add to the DAS?? Or can anyone use the microwave and it's no big deal? We do not have children.

TIA!!

 

[HarleenQ]

Hi everyone. DH needs to follow a special diet (low residue and AutoImmune Protocol) and his food needs to be cooked before he eats it. I am planning on bringing food with me to the parks on certain days where he has energy to be in the parks all day- is it possible to use the microwave in the Baby Care Center to heat his food? We are planning on getting a DAS- is this something we should ask to add to the DAS?? Or can anyone use the microwave and it's no big deal? We do not have children.

TIA!!

You can't add things to a DAS. It's strictly a singular system to help with ride lines.

I don't think it'd be a problem, but if first aid has microwaves I'd probably choose that first.

 

[gap2368]

I have never been in the baby care center but you might want to think of a plan B incase you can not use the wave

 

[RainbowCrow]

If you haven't already, I would recommend contacting the special diets team at WDW ( Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com ). I contacted them about some concerns with my DH's special dietary needs and they were tremendously helpful. There may be more resources available to you than just the First Aid or Baby Care center. They may be able to give you alternate locations with microwaves you can use while in the different parks or put you in touch with people at the parks to assist you.

 

[SDSorority]

I have never been in the baby care center but you might want to think of a plan B incase you can not use the wave

Plan B is going back to the room to eat there, it's just a lot of time going between the two. Though, we will probably need the break anyway.

 

[SDSorority]

If you haven't already, I would recommend contacting the special diets team at WDW ( Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com ). I contacted them about some concerns with my DH's special dietary needs and they were tremendously helpful. There may be more resources available to you than just the First Aid or Baby Care center. They may be able to give you alternate locations with microwaves you can use while in the different parks or put you in touch with people at the parks to assist you.

I will reach out! Thank you!

 

[mamabunny]

Most of the resorts have a microwave in the QS (the one exception I can think of off the top of my head is Boardwalk, there may be others). Since every park has a Resort nearby, you may want to have a Plan B to fall back on that includes visiting a nearby Resort to have lunch at the QS and use the microwave.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are microwaves in the Baby Care Centers.

I know the restaurants won't be able to warm it in their microwave or on their stove for you (because of food service rules, they are not allowed to bring 'outside' food into the kitchen).
If you are able to heat it enough using a pot of boiling water, they could provide hot water in a teapot or other container.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I will reach out! Thank you!

restaurants will not be able to allow you to use microwave if it is in the kitchen because outside food is not allowed for fear of cross contaiming, that would be my worry with using baby center microwave as it might not be cleaned between uses. the rule is not a Disney rule so special diets can not change it for you

 

[SDSorority]

Thanks everybody! One thing I just thought of is I have something called a Hot Logic which is an insulated lunch bag that has an electric hot plate on the bottom that sort of acts like a slow cooker. It takes about an hour to heat up the food and it needs plugged in in order for it to work. I would imagine this would be allowed to be brought in, I would just need to sit by an outlet somewhere for an hour. Which would be ok- our feet will need a break I'm sure.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thanks everybody! One thing I just thought of is I have something called a Hot Logic which is an insulated lunch bag that has an electric hot plate on the bottom that sort of acts like a slow cooker. It takes about an hour to heat up the food and it needs plugged in in order for it to work. I would imagine this would be allowed to be brought in, I would just need to sit by an outlet somewhere for an hour. Which would be ok- our feet will need a break I'm sure.

I assume that would be doable but not sure where

 

[gap2368]

Thanks everybody! One thing I just thought of is I have something called a Hot Logic which is an insulated lunch bag that has an electric hot plate on the bottom that sort of acts like a slow cooker. It takes about an hour to heat up the food and it needs plugged in in order for it to work. I would imagine this would be allowed to be brought in, I would just need to sit by an outlet somewhere for an hour. Which would be ok- our feet will need a break I'm sure.

I know they have size limit on bags bring brought in I do see people charging there phones and other things so there are plugs that you can use. I would be a little concerned about the safety of other guest if the out side gets hot you may run into problems with other guest getting burned by it. and Disney may not let this in to the parks.

 

[Gracie09]

I know they have size limit on bags bring brought in I do see people charging there phones and other things so there are plugs that you can use. I would be a little concerned about the safety of other guest if the out side gets hot you may run into problems with other guest getting burned by it. and Disney may not let this in to the parks.

not to mention is the current environment, bringing a bag with wires and electrical components through security could just be asking for trouble.

 

[lanejudy]

I believe the Hot Logic includes a Pyrex dish, which is glass; glass containers are not allowed. Can you use a regular plastic container with it? You may not find the most comfortable places to plug-in for an hour where you can sit close, but there are plugs around the parks. I would not count on the Baby Care Centers to allow you to use the microwaves; if they are busy I have seen people asked to leave if they did not have a young child using the facility; if you can plan your meals for off-hours, it might be an option. I like the suggestion of a nearby resort food court as a good plan B.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

not to mention is the current environment, bringing a bag with wires and electrical components through security could just be asking for trouble.

I think that could be an issue - along with having a Pyrex food container.

Could you give us more details on the food you are trying to heat?

Does the food actually need to be cooked or just warmed?

What temperature is it starting at (are you cooling it until it is eaten or is it just kept at room/outdoor temperature?

How dense is it? If it's not very dense, you could possibly have it in ziplock bags and heat it in a pot of very hot water.

Can it be eaten at room/outdoor temperature if you are not able to warm it more than that?

That could give us more idea for suggestions to think about.

 

[SDSorority]

I think that could be an issue - along with having a Pyrex food container.

Could you give us more details on the food you are trying to heat?

Does the food actually need to be cooked or just warmed?

What temperature is it starting at (are you cooling it until it is eaten or is it just kept at room/outdoor temperature?

How dense is it? If it's not very dense, you could possibly have it in ziplock bags and heat it in a pot of very hot water.

Can it be eaten at room/outdoor temperature if you are not able to warm it more than that?

That could give us more idea for suggestions to think about.

THANKS SUE- I've been wracking my brain for what we can make work.

My husband follows a low residue AutoImmune Protocol diet to help manage his Crohn's symptoms. He can only eat certain cooked (and peeled) fruits, cooked (and peeled if applicable) low fiber vegetables, and most all meats (which of course would be cooked as well). No seasoning other than salt, pepper, and herbs. No nuts/seeds or their oils, nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes other than sweet potatoes, peppers, eggplant), eggs (yolks have tested fine for him thus far though), dairy, gluten or grains of any kind, corn, soy, or artificial colors/sweeteners. So, the food wouldn't need to be hot necessarily- he could eat a cold hamburger and cold cooked vegetables. I'm not sure how appetizing that would be, but we could make it work.

We are staying in a DVC studio at the Boardwalk, and I'm bringing along a ton of cooked and frozen meat to hopefully keep cold in the mini-fridge. I'm also bringing an electric skillet and my Hot Logic. The Hot Logic can heat foods in microwave safe plastic containers (like those Ziplock ones), so the glass pyrex would be a non-issue. Dining at restaurants would be ok if we had to- I just know how expensive a plain burger and some steamed carrots would be.

The kicker to all of this is he is overcoming anemia from the Crohn's, and because of the iron pills and rebuilding his hemoglobin, he's hungry every couple of hours despite eating huge portions of food at a time. He does fine with certain beef jerky and a banana as a snack, but that can only go so far. So I'm just trying to think creatively and not run back to the room for a meal every couple of hours. At his current trend, he should be out of anemia by the time our trip rolls around in September. Another month or so and he'll be at the low end of normal, and he may be able to go longer between meals.

So that's the gist of it- he's eating a lot of prepared and cooked vegetables, fruits, and meats throughout the day, and he is seeing improvement in his energy levels and weight gain, and (knock on wood) hasn't had a Crohn's flare in a while. So what we're doing is seeming to be working... I'm just concerned we're going to be spending a ton of time running back and forth to the room so he can eat a warm meal that fits within his dietary restrictions.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm not familiar with the specific diet but it sounds like he doesn't technically have to each the food warm or hot, it could be eaten cold. You can cook it in advance and bring an insulated lunch bag into the parks. I'm thinking the fruits should be fine cold; I make applesauce that has absolutely nothing else added, just cooked apples and a little water (used to cook the apples) and put through a food mill. You can do the same with pears, though if pears and apples are too high fiber you probably do similar with other fruits. Or even chunks of the fruit, depending how mushy/solid you cook it. What about cold chicken or beef cut into strips, like one might add to a salad?

I'd honestly go for the cold foods for snacks and lunches in the parks if that's at all possible and appetizing. Pack yourself a cold lunch as well. Then plan warm/hot foods at your studio for dinner and deal with restaurant meals only if you so choose.

My cousin has suffered severe Crohn's since he was a child. I know it's challenging. Best of luck to your DH and enjoy your vacation!

 

[SDSorority]

I'm not familiar with the specific diet but it sounds like he doesn't technically have to each the food warm or hot, it could be eaten cold. You can cook it in advance and bring an insulated lunch bag into the parks. I'm thinking the fruits should be fine cold; I make applesauce that has absolutely nothing else added, just cooked apples and a little water (used to cook the apples) and put through a food mill. You can do the same with pears, though if pears and apples are too high fiber you probably do similar with other fruits. Or even chunks of the fruit, depending how mushy/solid you cook it. What about cold chicken or beef cut into strips, like one might add to a salad?

I'd honestly go for the cold foods for snacks and lunches in the parks if that's at all possible and appetizing. Pack yourself a cold lunch as well. Then plan warm/hot foods at your studio for dinner and deal with restaurant meals only if you so choose.

My cousin has suffered severe Crohn's since he was a child. I know it's challenging. Best of luck to your DH and enjoy your vacation!

Thanks for your tips! Cold meat might be our best option. I also just read that there is a sweet potato cart in Liberty Square- that will be a lifesaver as well to help round out the meal! For all the times we have been to Disney, this is the first time with all of our extra considerations so I'm just trying to think creatively ahead of time so we have some options in place.

 

[disfan07]

To be honest, his diet sounds very similar to mine. Mine is because of severe food allergies, systemic mastocytosis, eosinophilic colitis, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The only difference seems to be white potatoes and spices. I eat a lot of meat (beef, chicken, turkey, pork), all fruit has to be peeled and cooked (I can typically only handle apples, plums, peaches, nectarines, pears), all vegetables have to be cooked and peeled as well (typically beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, mushrooms), and as for carbs I can eat rice so that's a difference.

I had an amazing steak with sweet potato fries at Grand Floridian cafe (the chef made extra fries to take back for a snack)
At Caribbean Beach Food court, I had some wonderful burgers and grilled chicken with no buns (I'm gluten free and egg free and the buns they used had eggs) and I was able to get bacon, sauted onions, sauted mushrooms and a choice of fresh hand made sweet potato fries or regular fries (those meals were AMAZING!!)
The wave I was able to get grilled chicken, green beans, baked sweet potato, and rice
Chef mickeys was our brunch and my one chance to get Mickey waffles so I had GF/allergy free Mickey waffles, bacon, sausage, and chicken tenders
Crystal Palace I had beef, chicken, mashed sweet poatoes, roasted beets, rice pasta, oven roasted apples and pears

All the meals were wonderful. The only one I did not eat was The Wave. My dietary restrictions are allergies so cross contamination is a huge concern, and I had 3 anaphylactic reactions in the week before Disney (one was the day before we drove to Disney from Plam Beach). I also had a mast cell reaction while waiting for our table at the Wave because of the perfume/fragrance in the lobby. The presentation of the food seemed sloppy and came out with the rest of the food which usually doesn't happen for allergy meals for me so something in my gut told me not to eat it. I just didn't trust the chef that it was safe. We did get the meal refunded but I didn't order anything else. But if his diet is not because of allergies, he probably won't have the same concerns.

But other than that, the meals were so good. The chefs and managers were amazing and so helpful. I'm also on TPN for various reasons so I can only eat a small amount which I told them, but they still came out with huge portions and always brought out to go boxes for a midnight snack....lol. I did mark my allergies when we made reservations, but most allergies I have are not listed. I never contacted the restaurants, or special diets ahead of time and still got amazing service.

One piece of advice. Create cards for each meal that lists what he CAN eat. I make cards that list my allergies because I'm more concerned about them forgetting an allergy than anything else. I don't care if I get a grilled chicken breast and a sweet potato. As long as it's allergy free I'm happy. But the chefs and managers have always been so appreciative of the cards because it takes a lot off their shoulders because they have the list of foods that are either okay, or not okay. It helps them a lot. Those kitchens are busy.

Hope you have a great trip. Disney is seriously amazing for special diets.

 

[RainbowCrow]

After hearing your criteria, it does seem like something the special diets team would be able to help with. My DH has severe allergies to egg, dairy and gluten. We contacted special diets and asked which quick service locations in each park would be able to accommodate his allergies. Table service has never been a problem as we note the allergies on the reservation and they always make him something. Quick service is trickier since they don't have as many options on hand.

The special diets rep was able to go through their database and send us very detailed information as a PDF that DH simply pulled up on his phone if he needed the reference. I would have printed it out, but he's a tech guy. As you say, there is a sweet potato available in Liberty Square. There may be other places in the parks that have other things he can eat. Special diets monitors everything that's currently available in each park and may be able to provide other options.

We were able to get both chicken breast and rotisserie chicken at Cosmic Ray's that may work for your husband. We found that at each location they had a binder with the specific ingredients of each food item right down to the brand of cooking spray used on the grill. So you should (theoretically) be able to see what kinds of oil, spices, etc. are used to prepare the food. Everyone we interacted with took it very seriously and was very helpful. We were never make to feel like we were inconveniencing anyone, which I also appreciated.