Peanut allergy at WDW

[Captain's Wife]

If this has been addressed before, please point me in that direction.

It looks like my 4 y.o. nephew will be joining us for our trip in late August. Yay! I'm so excited!

He is allergic to peanuts/peanut butter and tree nuts. We often have him for days at a time, and, while our home isn't "nut free" on a regular basis, it certainly is while he's here. I've gotten used to reading labels religiously, and we know what he can safely eat at the fast food restaurants here in Canada. We also subscribe to the "when in doubt, skip it," practice.

I want to know what I can do to ensure his safety while we're at WDW. His allergy is one of the reasons his mom has been reluctant to let us take him on vacation in the past, so I want to be able to offer her some reassurance as well.

We will likely only be eating counter service this trip, although if we do manage an ADR for a character meal I will be sure to be making enquiries ahead. Cross-contamination is also a concern with the peanut allergy. We always ask, obviously, but I realize that servers, etc. may not always be completely aware of ingredients used and so on.

Is there a list somewhere of common counter service offerings that are nut-free/cross contamination safe, etc? Is there anything else I can do, or a number I can contact at WDW that would give me more information?

Any advice you can offer is warmly appreciated.

Shelley

 

[fi46re129]

My son is severely allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. We have never had a problem at the world! The chefs have always been above and beyond with allergy knowledge and helpful with deciding on the best menu choices for my son at quick service and table service restaurants! I'm not sure when you are traveling but if it is in the near future and you are going to do a sit down make it 1900 park fare. That is where Chef TJ currently is and he is known to be the best with allergies! Hoop de doo revue was another meal he was able to eat everything including dessert.

The only foods we have really found to be cross contaminated have been some of the breads at table services in the bread bowl and the desserts. Our nut free go to dessert is the mickey ice cream bar. If you are at a table service with no other dessert options I always ask for the mickey bar and they always provide one.

We do however always make sure to have extra epi-pens with us as well as benadryl at all times... The benadryl in the the pre-measured spoons are great because you don't have to worry about a medicine cup or the bottle spilling.

Hope this helps!

 

[hildarumpole]

Contact specialdiets@disneyworld.com. They will email you a list of common counter service and snack foods with allergy info. However, it's important to also double-check before you order. Manufacturers and ingredients can change at any time. At CS restaurants, let the cashier know about the allergy. They will usually get the manager, but sometimes hand you an ingredient binder. I would suggest trying to eat at off-times or you may encounter longer waits for help. Have an allergy note added to your ADRs. You can just call the dining number to do this. When you get to the TS restaurant, let the CM who checks you in know about the allergies, as well as your server. They will have a chef come to your table to discuss safe food options. At buffets, the chef will walk you through the buffet line to point out anything that's not o.k. Dinner breads, salads, and desserts are the most common foods they have to avoid. Sandwich breads and buns are usually fine.

Two of my kids have pn/tn and shellfish allergies. We've never had a problem at Disney. At Chef Mickey, none of the desserts were safe, so the chef brought them giant plates full of gummies, Divvies chocolate chip cookies, and safe brownies. The cookies and brownies are often available for purchase at resort gift shops and the Main St. Bakery at MK. We usually pick some up to have on hand for treats during the trip. Dole Whips are another yummy treat. They also have safe soft-serve ice cream if your nephew doesn't like pineapple.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[jlr9882]

I took my son to Disney for the first time when he was 2, and he had 20 allergies at that time. Disney is awesome! We went to Chef Mickey for breakfast, and the chef there was great! He came out to talk to us, then brought him fresh fruit, eggs, and allergy friendly mickey waffles. We did mostly sammies and snacks that we brought to the park, but we are on the dining plan this time. I will do a review when we get back on all the places that we go to eat. I am not sure where you are planning to stay, but I have heard that the chef at POP is wonderful with dealing with allergies. Send Disney's special diets team an email, and they will start helping you right away!

 

[Forevryoung]

I just took my cousin (7) with me to Disney. She's not with me 24/7 like your nephew so I completely understand how different it is vs having it be your own child.

I was actually very surprised at how easy it was- most bread (sandwiches) was avoided due to processing in the same facility however hamburger and hot dog rolls were safe (she is also allergic to tree nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish).

We made it standard practice when we entered a CS restaurant to have her pick what she wanted to eat before I talked to anyone. If she couldn't find anything that she wanted to eat, we went to a different CS restaurant (happened once at the MK)

I really never had to say "no" to anything (minus several bread issues) or even have it altered (aside from having them minimize cross contamination).

FYI I found that all the standard "kid food" was safe (minus the pb&j obviously)- chicken fingers, french fries, hamburger, hot dog... and yes, I double checked each time I ordered

 

[antree]

My son has peanut/tree nut allergy. All counter service area will have a book with all food ingredients, let the cashier no about the allergies and they will get the book and the chef for you. Even though it is counter service the chef there will speak to you and make sure there is no cross contamination. In MK we have found Cosmic Rays to be really good with the allergy. We have ordered off the chicken side. Also the chef in The Plaza is wonderful! In Epcot The Electric Umbrella has also been really good. DHS at the Backlot Express has been good with it. I don't feed my son in AK I just am afraid because I associate it with too many different type food. They are the counter services that we go to regularly and always had great experience with. Just let everyone you talk to about the allergy, always have the Benadryl and epi-pen with you.
Divves pre-packaged snack are safe, they they are peanut/tree nut free. You can find them at the Bakery in MK, also the Gluten Free brownies that are pre-packaged are safe. My son LOVES the brownies. We never had a problem with the Mickey head ice cream on the stick. Some people are iffy but we feel safe with it. I am strict when it comes to my son and the food he tries, that's why I stick with what we know.
All sit down reservations have marked with the allergy at time of making the reservation. The chef will come to the table and talk to you, remind them of the allergy when you check in. Just ask away and I'll give you all the info I know from our trips. My son is now 9 and he has been going to Disney since he was 10 mos old. We will be there Aug.23.
Have fun!

 

[Lisha428]

Disney is probably one of the best vacation spots for allergy kids. My son has a severe peanut allergy also and we've had nothing but wonderful service from all CS and TS restaurants we've eaten at. Chefs are very willing to come speak to you personally, just mention to your server that your nephew has an allergy. My son has eaten at many WDW restaurants and really hasn't had to avoid very much at all in any of them.

Have an AMAZING trip and enjoy!!