Need Help making ADRs for food allergic 2 year old

[RxforDisney]

Which table service restaurants are my best bet to get child friendly dairy free, egg free, peanut free foods (e.g. chicken nuggets, pasta, burgers, fruit, Tofutti, etc.)?

I know all of Disney's restaurants have the reputation of being very accomidating, but 2 year olds are PICKY!

Does anyone have any experience to share?

 

[Tosie]

My 5 year old dd has milk, peanut and tree nut allergies. We've successfully eaten at:

1900 Park fare
Chef Mickey's
Crystal palace
Cinderella's Royal Table
Le Cellier
Boma
Kona Cafe
Pop Century food court has Van's waffles - I would imagine they all do
Boatwright's
Mama Melrose's
Sci Fi Dine In
Sunshine Seasons
Akershus (Princess breakfast)
Alfredo's
Planet Hollywood

Speak to every chef at your ADR before your trip AND before your meal and you should be fine. If there's nothing on the menu to please your 2 year old, they will make something special.

We were able to get Tofutti and/or Rice Dream almost everywhere. The ice cream shop in MK on Main Street is supposed to carry Tofutti too but you have to ask for it.

Edited to add: On dd's 1st trip she was still allergic to eggs and Chef Cristian at CRT made her special egg-free, dairy-free chicken strips - they were GOOD!

 

[Selket]

My 4 yr old son has a severe peanut allergy and is a type 1 diabetic (both happened right after he turned 2 yrs old).

We've been several times with him since and we especially have liked:

Crystal Palace - our favorite - for lunch or dinner
CRT (before they changed it - we used to eat dinner there)
Le Cellier - probably took the most care in making sure food was safe. Was willing to make anything.
Mama Melrose - another favorite and must do
Biergarten

We've also dined at many places without problems: LTT, SciFi, 50's Primetime, Boatwrights (made DS a special Mickey sundae!), etc.

Frankly our only less than stellar experience was with Chef Mickey's where the chef was a real backside. The ONLY dessert he said was safe was plain vanilla ice cream (no sprinkles, nothing). Well my son was not an ice cream eater at all at the time. The rest of us literally took turns walking around the restaurant eating our desserts (so he couldn't see - he was 3 at the time). After dinner we got him a safe dessert (some things we'd brought with us) from back at the room. I had called Chef Mickey's in advance so they knew we were coming. At least if you go there (and I would go back myself I guess if the kids wanted) I would MAKE SURE to arrange a dessert ahead of time that you child will want.

As for picky I've found that if I called the restaurant in advance and told them what to have available they've done it. We've arranged for hot dogs in places that don't serve them usually for example. Mama's made him a special olive and tomato plate (not on the menu). Our requests are usually simple (hot dog, noodles, peas, etc). I've had no problem making substitutions. We've also had good luck doing the same for the kids meals at our hotel food court.

Note that the mickey shaped cheese crackers (like Goldfish style crackers) are "may contains."

You should contact Brenda Bennett of Magic kingdom foods (many posts here have her contact info) - and she will email you a list of unsafe (and safe) foods and help you with the restaurants.

Many have had a mixed experience at Boma - there seems to be a good deal of danger of cross-contamination. TJ is a chef there that folks have liked so perhaps make the ressie and try to talk to him - see how you feel about eating there.

 

[HaleyB]

We too deal with food allergies and we go to WDW so often BECAUSE they are so very good about it at the TS places.

We had a great chef at Cape May make special Mickey shaped waffels for my son, which was a first. Normally we are just told they are not safe for our son.

Last year we were able to get Rice Dream ice cream everywhere. We try to limit soy (my son is allergic to many protiens so we worry about triggering one with too much soy). I think it tastes better too.

We had a very good chef at Boma. She totally understood the cross contamination fear and was very careful. We have eaten there three times with no problems.

I am sure you carry an Epi pin, but one tip I picked up here that has been great is to get an extra set so both parents can carry one. Then there are no worries if you split up for any reason. Also if you do not have the new double shot in one pen Epi it is worth a co-pay just to get it- they are much smaller and come with a case!

 

[DVCDawn]

My DD7 is allergic to peanuts and DD4 is allergic to tree nuts. In addition to the TS restaurants already mentioned we have had very positive experiences in Flying Fish, Narcoosee's, Artist Point and California Grill.

As previous posters have mentioned, just let the CM know about any allergies in your group when you make your ADRs. I have been told (when making ADRs myself) that each chef gets a weekly list of who has ADRs for their restaurant, what their allergies/dietary restrictions are, and which day they're coming. It is posted on a board in the kitchen so that everyone with a hand in preparing your food knows what they're dealing with at each meal. Letting them know ahead of time also gives them a chance to prepare for your visit. On more than one occasion, we have been surprised with special tree nut/peanut-free desserts!

Have a great time!
DVCDawn

 

[FigmentsBiggestFan]

My DS is now 5 and has been PA since he was 18 months old. We've been to WDW many, many times and have never had a problem. We've eaten at most all of the restaurants and most all of the kid's meals are already peanut free. We did skip the Coral Reef when they had the peanut butter playdough dessert (wasn't about to even try and get the tables clean).

You used to HAVE to speak to the Chef about the food, but I'm finding more and more that the servers can help you now. Of course, you are dealing with many more allergies that I have to. Not one time did any Chef or server give us any kind of attitude when we were talking with them.

Chef Mickey's was the only place that we had any trouble with and it was only the dessert. Just like someone else posted, the only dessert safe was the ice cream. We got lucky in that the server brought us some "fresh" sprinkles from the back and DS was fine. We're lucky that vanilla ice cream with sprinkles just happens to be one of his favorites!

Oh, and just in case you happen to have a reaction, just go to any Cast Member. I'm sure you'll have your own Epi-Pen, but in Florida the paramedics are allowed to carry epinephrine. If you tell them it's an anaphylactic food allergy, they will hurry. If you tell them it is a CHILD with an anaphylactic food allergy reaction, they will hurry even faster!

Have a great trip!!

 

[FigmentsBiggestFan]

I am sure you carry an Epi pin, but one tip I picked up here that has been great is to get an extra set so both parents can carry one. Then there are no worries if you split up for any reason. Also if you do not have the new double shot in one pen Epi it is worth a co-pay just to get it- they are much smaller and come with a case!

Haley, do you have any info on this new Epi Pen? We just got DS's refilled for the new school year and they were the same as before. I'd love to have a smaller one, especially one with a double dose!

 

[Selket]

Someone recently posted a link to a site that will give you a free one: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1171555

 

[FigmentsBiggestFan]

Someone recently posted a link to a site that will give you a free one: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1171555

Wow - thank you!! I will be sending this off in the morning. It would be nice only having to carry one device for two doses. The Epi-Pen Jr.s are necessary, but a bit bulky.

Thanks again!!!