O'hana and peanut allergy

[dandemom]

I have 2 children with moderate allergies to many things including peanuts. They get a lovely rash if they ingest them. They are not anaphylactic and respond very well to Benedryl.

I thought I had read somewhere but I cannot find it now that we should avoid O'hana like the plague. I had to change my ADR's around and the only thing I could get for dinner at a reasonable hour around the MK was at O'hana. (I take that back, I did not try for Tony's or LTT)

Has anyone eaten there with a peanut allergy? I'd love to eat there, but not if it means a risk to my children. Any suggestions?

 

[mechurchlady]

Allergies get different responses based on the severity of the reaction. A person with inhalation relate allergies should avoid a restaurant where the allergen is served where as the same restaurant is safe for a touch sensitive person and others. A touch sensitive person would have to wipe down furniture and be served special meals that make sure the food is allergen free for example.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=25
http://allears.net/menu/menu_oh.htm

Ohana for someone who only gets rashes would be safe there. They do have peanut sauce but you can ask the chef to make an allergen free meal for you. The chef may just walk you through the buffet line and point out what is safe and not safe. Us who have allergies have to be careful of buffets because people will use the same spoon or tongs for many foods. At DLR's Taste Pilot Grill I watched a lady get pickles, onions, tomatos, and lettuce with tongs but for a person allergic to tomatos that lady could have sent a person to the hospital.

Make sure your ADR has your allergies noted. When you get to any restaurant greeter they will already have that in the system so they can plan ahead especially for the people like me who are multi allergen. The number is in FAQs. I have never heard anyone say not to eat at Ohana other than those who have severe allegies like inhalation.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

My 2 year old son has severe anaphalactic Peanut Allergies( I carry an epi- pen everywhere... including Disney). We ate at O'hana's a few months ago for breakfast and he had absolutely no problems. The fresh fruit is great and I had no real concerns. But, I don't know about lunch or dinner there. I always ask specific questions and let servers know of his situation. Usually Disney is great at accomodating us. Good luck, have fun, and try to enjoy your meals.

 

[Selket]

The absolutely hands down MOST wonderful chef in all of WDW when it comes to food allergies or special diets is now a chef at O'Hana - Chef TJ. I saw a report recently that he was still there - he used to be a Boma.

I know in the past that people have had mixed results with O'Hana but if you can find out if Chef TJ will be there on the night you are to dine....then your children will be in very good hands and will get a memorable meal.

My son is touch allergic and anaphylactic to peanuts (treenuts and shellfish too) and I plan to book O'Hana's. If I find out Chef TJ isn't there I might cancel the ADR.

 

[ILuvMulan]

My 2 year old son has severe anaphalactic Peanut Allergies( I carry an epi- pen everywhere... including Disney). We ate at O'hana's a few months ago for breakfast and he had absolutely no problems. The fresh fruit is great and I had no real concerns. But, I don't know about lunch or dinner there. I always ask specific questions and let servers know of his situation. Usually Disney is great at accomodating us. Good luck, have fun, and try to enjoy your meals.

My son has a mild/moderate peanut allergy as well. We had no problem with O'hana at breakfast either but have not had dinner or lunch there. However, even though he has never had an anaphalactic reaction we always carry an epi-pen just in case there is a first time. The cast members and chefs are great and if you will notify them they will do everything in their power to keep your child safe.

 

[Gdad]

We have two young children with similar allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, milk and eggs. We have had both breakfast and dinner at O'hana (as well as many other Disney restaurants) and never had anything less than a completely positive experience. Our experience has been the head chef comes to the table to discuss the allergies and our dining options- then prepares, plates, and serves the food personally. This makes an enjoyable meal with very little worry of contamination. I wish the restaurants around where I live did half as well with this.

 

[dandemom]

Thank you all for your help. I feel much better about dining there. I must be spending WAAAAY too much time researching everything because apparently now my mind is making up things that aren't true!

I have already sent Brenda my allergy form. So we should be all set.

Thanks again!

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

My ds6 has a peanut allergy...he vomits and breaks out in a rash if ingested. I do have an epi pen but have never had the need for it (Knock on wood!!). Anyway, we told our server at Ohana about his allergy and they just told us to avoid the noodles because they have nuts in them. Everything else was fine. He's not a big eater anyway so he basicaly just munched on the wings and a couple shrimp. Go and enjoy! It was our favorite meal of the trip.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Chef TJ is now at Ohana????? Holy cow, we might be able to eat there with dd14's soy allergy!!!

 

[Selket]

Chef TJ is now at Ohana????? Holy cow, we might be able to eat there with dd14's soy allergy!!!

I know what you mean - I probably wouldn't go to O'Hana's at all if he wasn't there. The problem is that you have to make an ADR and hope it is his night to work I guess!

 

[ekatiel]

I had read on another thread to avoid 'Ohana, too, so I decided to call the dining line and ask about it. They transferred me to the special diets phone line. I left a message there, and someone call me back within a couple of hours. She talked to me about the restaurant and then had the chef call me. I'm not sure which chef called me, but he was really on top of his game, and I am 100% comfortable with eating there now. He told us that we could ask for the table to be wiped down again when we arrived (and that I could even go to the table with the bus boy to make sure it was wiped down well enough), and that he would make DS (who has multiple food allergies) whatever I asked him to make, even if it wasn't on the menu. He was WONDERFUL!! I can't wait for our dinner there, now! --Katie

 

[DisneyMom14]

My son also has a peanut allergy. The female chef we had for our breakfast at O'hana's was WONDERFUL! Our waitress was just as wonderful and we were well taken care of.

Disney is the least stressful way to vacation for us because they are the BEST when it comes to accomodating food allergies.

 

[Louisebshp]

My son (6) has a peanut allergy too - he loves O'hanas as do we.

The chef came over and we agreed his order, and then he suggested a grown-up drink - an apple juice inside a hollowed out pineapple shell with all the usual cocktail bits and pieces. A was so impressed with this he ate rather a lot of salad with his chicken & steak, which normally he would refuse.

I would say that eating most places in the World is so easy for A and much less stressful for me than home in the UK. The staff understand and its the "make you feel special not different" attitude - its wonderful.

Louise

 

[DCDisney]

With a moderate allergy I think you'll do fine. I personally wouldn't risk it with a severe allergy because they do serve the peanut dipping sauce so there have to be peanut traces on the chairs, tables, etc.