Multiple allergies when heading to the parks

[mmlover74]

We have done recent testing for allergies that was different in the past. I know Disney chefs will work with us wherever we go, but does anyone have experience with multiple allergies that would be better places to eat.

My son is allergic to gluten, dairy, all nuts, pork, garlic, pineapple, and onion. Are their any gluten free desserts such as cakes, brownies, cookies? I really don't want to eat a dessert or get the Mickey beignets when he can't have something.

 

[Cinderpamela]

The Disney staff and chefs were all amazing in how they handled my sons gluten allergies, they made him feel like a VIP rather than being deprived. But you should definitely call Disney Dining ahead of time, just to confirm his allergies and get recommendations on the best places for his specific issues.

You will also need to specify his allergies on any advance reservations as that gives the chef and staff a heads up.
Here is a link to the Disney webpage that addresses this issue and gives the phone number to call:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/

Depending on the restaurant they usually had a gluten free cookie or brownie for my son as a special treat, but again I would confirm with Disney Dining, they are super helpful.

 

[Havebagwilltravel]

At guest services, you can get a list of all the restaurants that have gluten-free products, and what those products are. And if you're unsure, just ask. My aunt has a gluten allergy, and she was amazed at all the things she could eat...and the cast members are great, if they don't know, then they will find out for you. At one restaurant, the waiter even suggested she not partake in any of the desserts, as they were made in one of the bigger kitchens where they can't guarantee what the cross-contamination of foods is.

 

[kwgilley]

Because of your unusual allergies, I would suggest researching what you can ahead of time through Disney dining or having a back-up plan for meals. I think the CM's are probably very helpful with more common allergies i.e. gluten, peanuts, etc., but I did not find them helpful at all with mine (poultry). I did email DD ahead of time and was told to just ask the server when I got there. I tried at several locations on different trips to find out if certain menu items were "safe" and was told to just avoid because they weren't 100% sure. I really wanted to try the loaded baked potato soup and a few other things I can't think of right now, but was told there was no way to find out if chicken broth, etc was used. I know others have had really positive experiences with allergy accommodations! I didn't and would hate for you to have a hungry little boy.

P.S. My nephew is allergic to garlic, so I empathize with that one! "Spices" on ingredient labels is NOT helpful.

 

[Mugglemama]

This will be our 1st time doing DLR since going gluten-free (however, gluten is the ONLY thing we have to avoid....at this point, anyway).

Is it possible that you can just whip up a box of gluten-free brownies or something before you go, and let your son have that when you are trying other things? Hubby and I went gluten-free voluntarily when our kids had to (makes meal prep/grocery shopping a lot simpler for us...), and I'm going to bring some gluten-free brownies with us for the first couple days of our trip.

Or, maybe you could bring along some dairy free chocolate bars for your son to have in the parks? I saw gluten-free chocolate covered pretzels in the grocery store yesterday! Not sure if they are dairy free, but if you can find some, those would be a pretty yummy treat, and easy to travel with and carry into the parks. If I'm not mistaken...Junior Mints are dairy free (and no high-fructose corn syrup either, which is a huge bonus!). Haribo Gummi Bears would be easy to bring in, too. You could easily make some chocolate drizzled popcorn before you left home, or chocolate-drizzled rice chex! Mmmmm.

Good luck! There was a time when we were: egg, gluten, dairy, meat and high fructose corn syrup free...all at the same time...and that was really hard to manage any time we had to actually leave the house.

 

[jennilouwho]

You can email this address DLR.Special.Diets@disney.com

My son has milk and egg allergies. They put me in contact with one of the resort chefs and they have gone above and beyond in helping us. She actually told me that gluten free desserts are easier than the milk and egg allergy. But if you're dealing with dairy too though, I'm not sure what there is. One thing we do if we get a treat is we get our son cotton candy or a bag of Goofy Candy Gummies from the candy store. We usually only do this once since that's a lot of sugar!

 

[mmlover74]

I thought I replied yesterday, but it must have not gone thru...thank you to all who responded and the links for the email. i hope it helps others besides myself.

I plan on bringing snacks, cookies, etc. However, having a dessert Disney style is truly special. He is graduating Kdg. just days before THE trip. My cousin is getting married in Burbank, so we decided to take a few days and spend it in the Happiest Place second to home. I order less desserts at restaurants since he can't have most things. My body has thanked me.

kwgilley: I am sorry your experience was less than great. I have the recipe for the soup and can check for you if it includes chicken broth.

 

[kwgilley]

I thought I replied yesterday, but it must have not gone thru...thank you to all who responded and the links for the email. i hope it helps others besides myself.

I plan on bringing snacks, cookies, etc. However, having a dessert Disney style is truly special. He is graduating Kdg. just days before THE trip. My cousin is getting married in Burbank, so we decided to take a few days and spend it in the Happiest Place second to home. I order less desserts at restaurants since he can't have most things. My body has thanked me.

kwgilley: I am sorry your experience was less than great. I have the recipe for the soup and can check for you if it includes chicken broth.

MMlover - I would LOVE the recipe! If I make it myself I can substitute

 

[Mugglemama]

However, having a dessert Disney style is truly special. .

Totally agree! And now that I know that bakery carries gluten free items, we'll be heading in there for a special treat, too. Thanks for starting this thread!

 

[mmlover74]

your very welcome mugglemama. I know I am not in the same boat even though my son feels alone. He was playing a game at school yesterday on passing a pretzel through a straw to his neighbor. He was upset he couldn't eat the pretzel like everyone else.

@kwgilley I will have to type the recipe later, but it says you can use vegetable stock. Let me know how you like it.

 

[mmlover74]

Loaded Baked Potato Soup recipe:
1 lb bacon, roughly chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
3/4 c diced celery
4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
4 medium red potatoes, diced
1/4 c flour
2 c. chicken or vegetable stock
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 c heavy cream

optional garnishes: chopped chives, bacon bits, shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses
Serves 6.
1. In a 6 to 8 quart stockpot over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp.

2. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels (reserve half for garnish). In the bacon fat, cook onions, carrots, and celery until the onions are translucent. Add potatoes and cook for 4 min., stirring occasionally.

3. Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly over low heat about 5-7 min. until the misture has thickened slightly. Add stock and half the bacon. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Over medium-high heat, bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 25 min., or until the potatoes are soft. Mash some of the potatoes for thicker, creamier texture. Add cream and simmer for 5 min.

5. Adjust thickness by adding water or stock. Soup should have a creamy consistency.

6. Season to taste, and garnish with toppings as desired.

Cook's notes: Soak diced potatoes in cold water until ready to use them to keep them from turning brown. To make bacon easier to chop, lightly freeze.

I hope you enjoy this.

 

[kwgilley]

Thank you for the recipe!!! I am excited to try it this weekend!

 

[Boiseboone]

My son has multiple allergies too, and while we haven't been to DL yet (38 more days, woohoo!) DL chef Bill Orton has been great about responding to the questions I emailed to the special diets email listed by another poster above.
For what it's worth, I've heard from other allergy moms that Storytellers Cafe in GCH is excellent for allergy-safe dining, and that the chefs there are really good about whipping up something special for the kiddos.
If you have more questions, there's an organization called Kids With Food Allergies that has a really helpful forum specifically for allergy-related questions. Lots of DL and WDW vets over there too. Good luck!

 

[mmlover74]

@Boiseboone: do you have the link for that organization?

@kwgilley: Did you make the soup?

 

[Boiseboone]

This forum won't let me post links because I'm too new and haven't hit the 10-post mark yet.

But just type "Kids With Food Allergies" into google, and you'll find it. It's the first link for me. Or you can just type the name of the organization into your control bar and follow it up with dot org.

 

[Boiseboone]

Sorry, I should have added:

When you're at the Kids With Food Allergies home page, click on "Join" to get access to the forums. Then you can hit the forums button at the top right of the page (If I remember correctly). Go to the main forum and just post your question, or do a search for Disneyland.

I've found KFA to be a huge asset as we navigate my kiddos' allergies. I bet you'll find lots of good stuff there too.

 

[MommaMouseketeer]

I just want to say hi from another mom of children with allergies!

 

[Greysword]

This thread made me go look at the Anaheim area (DW is Siliac), and looky what I fuond...

http://www.sensitivesweets.com/

Yummy!!!

 

[mmlover74]

That is awesome find Greysword. Do you know how close it is to Disneyland? Of course they are not open on Sun. which would be the best day for us.

Thanks Boiseboone. I will have to check it out.

 

[bekkiz]

My SIL is vegan, and we saw at some of the counter service stations, they have a binder with every item and the allergy indications. It was really helpful (I know for sure we saw one at the Boardwalk Pizza/med grill place in DCA, but I think we saw one at the Hungry Bear as well).