Peanut Allergy

[Glory49]

I am fairly new at posting questions on the Boards so please bear with me. We are going to WDW in July with friends. One of our friends developed an allergy to peanuts just a few months ago. He is a gentlemen in his early 60's. I know that when in a sit down restaurant you ask to speak to the chef but what do people with peanut allergies do when ordering counter service meals. Can anyone suggest snacks other then fruit that can be eaten in the parks? What about Ice Cream? We are pretty new at this and we want to make the trip as enjoyable as possibe without worring so much about everything he eats. The whole thing needless to say is very nerve racking. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[vettechick99]

DD has a peanut allergy. It's actually easier than you think. When we make ADRs we make note that she has one. Remind them at the podium and usually a chef comes out. Or we order the foods we know are safe. They are pretty good about not hiding nuts in foods you don't normally have them. I believe most if not all counter service places have nutritional content guides. That should help out lots.

You have to be most careful with baked goods (they are almost all off limits), buffets (talk to chef), and desserts.

If you check out the disabilities board, there is lots of information on peanut allergies.

 

[justgeorgi]

There are SO many choices for him!

Ice cream, fruit, baked goods, etc. (I always suggest a pineapple dole whip float in Magic Kingdom) and of course the good ol stand by...a Mickey Bar ice cream treat!

But honestly even at the counter service places you can just ask them if they prepare anything with or near peanuts or peanut oil. They are all very accommodating!

 

[shaun&miranda]

I have seen people at counter services asking if particular dishes contained particular things they were allergic to. I even saw a lady asking about the oil they used for deep frying the fries and the counter service server got the chef who even brought out the oil container to help them verify if it was ok for them.

They were super helpful each time I saw this happen at counter services (maybe 3 or 4 times in the last 6 years)

It's Disney - they want to help you, not poison you!

Hope this helps

Miranda

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to the disABILITIES Forum and look at Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs. There is a large section in that post dealing with special dietary needs, as well as many related links. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by following the link in my signature.

This is a very common topic of discussion in the disABILITIES Forum.

 

[joe1946]

You have to be most careful with baked goods (they are almost all off limits)

There are SO many choices for him!

Ice cream, fruit, baked goods, etc.

Who to believe?

 

[vettechick99]

joe, I've been told by the chefs there (and read on these boards) that WDW can not guarantee anything made in WDW bakeries to be peanut-free. There is too much of a risk of cross-contamination. However, they do have some products that are peanut-free but I'm pretty sure they buy them from other companies. The chef at Boma sent DD a cookie that was commercially wrapped - not Disney's.

Same goes for some of their ice cream products. Plain old ice cream seems fine, but some people have found peanut remnants on Mickey Bars.

 

[antree]

My DS has a peanut/tree nut allergy. When you eat at counter service tell them about the allergy and ask for the ingredient book too. Also they sell French Meadows Brownies that are peanut/wheat free my DS and mother loves them, they are sold in the bakery on Main Street and on the Boardwalk, that I recall, and Divves is also sold there, you can get popcorn and jelly beans and cookies from Divves. The Mickey Head ice cream on the stick and Itzakoodize Popsicle are safe. Everywhere you go let them know about the allergy, Disney is great about it. When ordering ice cream at the ice parlor they will even open a new container for you.

The popcorn and soft pretzels are not safe because of the oil used. Bakery items are not safe. We never had a problem there and my son ate everywhere we did. Remind them, remind them and your friend will do fine.

Good Luck.

Maria

 

[justgeorgi]

I would be very surprised to find a Mickey Bar with any trace of nuts on it...they don't offer a "nut" covered on in the first place. I'm not an expert but I would say its pretty safe (and delicious!!!)

 

[720L]

Antree---I'm assuming the popcorn is popped in peanut oil? My DD has a tree nut allergy I'm hoping the popcorn is ok though. She can eat peanuts. Are the chicken nuggets ok? Of course I'll ask when we get there, I'm just wondering. I've found quite a few restaurants where the chicken nugget breading isn't ok.

 

[escapetodisney]

On an attachment from Brenda Bennett a year or so ago I noticed that the oil they pop the popcorn in is produced in a facility that also processes coconut oils. Just wanted to let you know if you are checking for cross-contamination possibilities. My Ds loves popcorn but it's out of our comfort zone as he is peanut and tree-nut allergic and our allergist has said no coconut as well.

We have made several trips to WDW and it is one of the few places I feel confortable eating out with our PN and TN allergic child.
Ask questions of your server and chefs. They are always so nice about helping us. have a great trip!

 

[Schmeck]

I would be very surprised to find a Mickey Bar with any trace of nuts on it...they don't offer a "nut" covered on in the first place. I'm not an expert but I would say its pretty safe (and delicious!!!)

I got a Mickey Head ice cream with a 'pimple' on it that turned out to be a good chunk of a peanut. This was quite a few years ago - I think it was about 10 years ago.

 

[justgeorgi]

I got a Mickey Head ice cream with a 'pimple' on it that turned out to be a good chunk of a peanut. This was quite a few years ago - I think it was about 10 years ago.

Hmmm...good to know...I guess they must have made them with nuts at one point? Safest bet is to check the package because it should mention if it was made in a factory that makes other products with nuts.

I've never had an issues in the 17 years I've been going to Disney getting a nut on my Mickey bar. I'm the only NUT I've had to worry about

 

[twokids0204]

Interesting topic - in Toronto the schools take Peanut allergy VERY seriously... and I just assumed that it was like that every where. The schools here have bans on ALL nut products in all schools.

Last year we were at DTD and Giradelli's was giving out chocolate samples, and the chocolates they were giving out was Peanut Butter, I was floored, I couldn't believe it. My daughter (6) walked up and asked for one, and they gave it to her - I was back a few yards just watching, and they never asked if it was ok with a parent, or informed her what it even was. She is not allergic, but easily could have been

Even Costco here in Canada doesn't give a child a free sample - due to potential allergies.

 

[kkacar]

I too was concerned about allergies. I have a deathly seafood allergy. But as long as I remind people when I check in for TS and generally avoid Columbia Harbor House I seem to be ok. I was more concerned about bringing my shot in then I was the actual food.

kelli

 

[antree]

Antree---I'm assuming the popcorn is popped in peanut oil? My DD has a tree nut allergy I'm hoping the popcorn is ok though. She can eat peanuts. Are the chicken nuggets ok? Of course I'll ask when we get there, I'm just wondering. I've found quite a few restaurants where the chicken nugget breading isn't ok.

720L - My son lives off of chicken nuggets and he has had them everywhere in Disney. If I recall right Brenda Bennett from Disney told me the popcorn wasn't safe because of the oil and I thought she said it was peanut oil.
We have had great experience in Disney for the last 7 yrs that my son has been going.

I haven't contacted Brenda in about 3 years. I think before this coming trip I am going to contact her and get an updated list.

The only place I say stay away from is Wolf Gang Puck's in the restaurant they use peanuts/oil everywhere and on everything. Just double check for tree nuts.

Have fun!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Interesting topic - in Toronto the schools take Peanut allergy VERY seriously... and I just assumed that it was like that every where. The schools here have bans on ALL nut products in all schools.

Last year we were at DTD and Giradelli's was giving out chocolate samples, and the chocolates they were giving out was Peanut Butter, I was floored, I couldn't believe it. My daughter (6) walked up and asked for one, and they gave it to her - I was back a few yards just watching, and they never asked if it was ok with a parent, or informed her what it even was. She is not allergic, but easily could have been

Even Costco here in Canada doesn't give a child a free sample - due to potential allergies.

I have read how good Canada as a whole is with peanut allergies in terms of labeling and in their school systems. I just student taught with a kindergarten and had such a hard time b/c 1 little girl was allergic to peanuts and milk and every week someone was bringing in food and she couldn't have anything, it just broke my heart that no accommodations were really made for her. And 1 day the teacher actually gave her a cheddar cheese popcorn ball(containing milk) and the girl was opening it and I took it out of her hand and asked the teacher if she could have it and she said "well, I don't think her allergy is that serious". I spoke with the little girl's mom about a week before I left the school b/c I wanted to bring in something for the kids to snack on on my last day and I wanted to know if Oreos were ok and if it was ok that I brought them in, and she said sure they were fine and told me skin contact with any milk could cause the reaction. I was so upset, I get SO UPSET b/c DD has a peanut allergy and will be going off to kindergarten in Sept.
But rant over....lol.
When in Disney at a quick service meal ask to speak with a manager, they will give you a book with the list of ingredients in whatever it is that you are ordering. The manager at the Backlot Express @ DHS came out and told us that they have a fryer that is a dedicated nut free fryer. So, always ask, it doesn't take too long at all.

 

[Schmeck]

Interesting topic - in Toronto the schools take Peanut allergy VERY seriously... and I just assumed that it was like that every where. The schools here have bans on ALL nut products in all schools.

Last year we were at DTD and Giradelli's was giving out chocolate samples, and the chocolates they were giving out was Peanut Butter, I was floored, I couldn't believe it. My daughter (6) walked up and asked for one, and they gave it to her - I was back a few yards just watching, and they never asked if it was ok with a parent, or informed her what it even was. She is not allergic, but easily could have been

Even Costco here in Canada doesn't give a child a free sample - due to potential allergies.

There are many different types of allergies, and banning only one makes no sense. Are the Toronto schools also latex free, shellfish and milk free, etc? Also, a complete ban is not possible - what about the kid who has peanut butter for breakfast? Do they screen the kids before they come into the school, etc?

We have peanut sensitive plans in our schools - and it works wonderfully. The kids are well monitored in elementary school, but by high school they are more independent and responsible for their own health and safety.

The world is not going to go allergen free - so the sooner the child learns to advocate for himself/herself, the safer that child will be. A 5 year old is quite capable of refusing a free sample if taught early on about his/her allergy. I think the earlier a child learns, the safer that child will be.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

There are many different types of allergies, and banning only one makes no sense. Are the Toronto schools also latex free, shellfish and milk free, etc? Also, a complete ban is not possible - what about the kid who has peanut butter for breakfast? Do they screen the kids before they come into the school, etc?

We have peanut sensitive plans in our schools - and it works wonderfully. The kids are well monitored in elementary school, but by high school they are more independent and responsible for their own health and safety.

The world is not going to go allergen free - so the sooner the child learns to advocate for himself/herself, the safer that child will be. A 5 year old is quite capable of refusing a free sample if taught early on about his/her allergy. I think the earlier a child learns, the safer that child will be.

BUt then look what I experienced. This little girl knew not to take any foods from her classmates but I think b/c an adult, a teacher, someone who knew of her allergy, gave her a cheddar popcorn ball she was ready to dive in b/c she assumed (b/c where it was coming from) that it was safe for her.
Maybe this is OT, but the school I was at CONSTANTLY used food as math manipulative and it drove me nuts, it wasn't even healthy foods it was all junk.
I just wish more people were more aware of food allergies, KWIM.

 

[twokids0204]

There are many different types of allergies, and banning only one makes no sense. Are the Toronto schools also latex free, shellfish and milk free, etc? Also, a complete ban is not possible - what about the kid who has peanut butter for breakfast? Do they screen the kids before they come into the school, etc?

We have peanut sensitive plans in our schools - and it works wonderfully. The kids are well monitored in elementary school, but by high school they are more independent and responsible for their own health and safety.

The world is not going to go allergen free - so the sooner the child learns to advocate for himself/herself, the safer that child will be. A 5 year old is quite capable of refusing a free sample if taught early on about his/her allergy. I think the earlier a child learns, the safer that child will be.

I do not make the rules, I am just reporting my observations. Canada seems to be more sensitive to these safety issues.

But to address your question... Latex / Shell fish / Milk / etc... These allergies, will give you a rash, upset stomach, diarreha, etc...
Peanuts Kill - in minutes. It's called anaphylactic shock, in which your airwaves get obstructed, and you can't breath. And with all due respect, it seems to be enough of an issue to cause concern for the OP (a 60 year old man).