Personal experience with food allergies and buffets?

[CJK]

Some friends of ours are going to Disney soon. Their children have serious food allergies. How does this usually work at buffets? Do the chefs prepare specific food for them?

 

[mom2of2]

it should be notated on all their dining reservations that there is an allergy. If it's not then they need to let the podium know when they check in...this is VERY important. What will happen with buffets is the Chef will do a table visit and explain what is available that is safe for the person to eat. He may or may not take them up to the buffet and show them what is safe. If there isn't anything that the person can eat then yes, a seperate meal will be made for them

 

[HeidiGW]

I believe that Chef Mickey's is PT free now. I haven't heard of anyone getting special food at buffets. I could be wrong.
I have food severe allergies to legumes--ironically, everything except peanuts. Now a chef is always willing to come out and answer any questions about what is in the food. And at TS they always will come out and discuss them menu and will specially prepare what you order....

 

[Tricia1972]

Some buffets will make special food for you, but it's much better if the chefs know ahead of time that you're coming.

My son has a beef allergy, and I just sent an email to WDW.Special.Diets@disney.com yesterday to ask them about buffets and CS locations.

They were very prompt in their reply and sent a form for me to fill out and either email or fax back to them. You fill out your contact information, and list allergies, intolerances, and your reservations (dates, times, confirmation numbers).

This may be a duplicate step to noting in on the ADRs, but it's nice for me to have the peace of mind.

 

[CJK]

Thanks a million for all of this information!!! I will definitely forward it onto my friend!

 

[KathyK]

My nephew has serious food allergies including dairy. My sister has it noted on every ADR when she makes them, then she calls X number of days in advance to confirm they have it noted. When she gets to the restaurant, a chef will come out and discuss the allergy with her and then he goes through the buffet with my sister and the allergic child to explain exactly what on the buffet is safe and not safe. I know that on occasion, when there is nothing safe for him to eat on the buffet (it is amazing how many things contain milk, butter, and cheese), they will make something special for him in the kitchen and bring it out. We have vacationed with my sister's family several times, and I am always amazed at how well Disney handles allergies in restaurants.

Now, my husband is allergic to peanuts, but he doesn't want a big deal made about his allergy, so he doesn't ant me mentioning it when I mke ADRs. He can usually tell what he needs to avoid.

 

[mom2of2]

Kathy...I know it might not seem a big deal but with an allergy such as your DH has, it really is important that the Chef know. I have personally seen someone have a reaction to an allergy and when questioned by the Chef as to why it wasn't notated I replied that I didn't know. I absolutely ask each time I check a guest in. Evidently the guest didnt think that a certain ingredient would be used in or near her food prep....it was and she suffered a reaction because of it. Better safe then taking an unexpected trip to Celebration Health....just saying

 

[snorris49]

WDW is really great for food allergies. I can't have gluten and have a milk allergy, and I've eaten at several buffets with success at WDW. Some made me extra things (like Boma--I had an omelet, I'm not allergic to eggs, made in a different area/w. different pan, and french toast that was GF/CF.) While others have just pointed out the safe and not safe things. Most offered me GF rolls and desserts (the allergy free chocolate brownie cake at Crystal Palace is awesome!). Overall, I can't complain with WDW. They are the safest eating out I usually get to do. You might want to check out the disAbilities board here; there is great advice on dietary restrictions and allergies. Also get a hold of special diets; they are a lot of help!

 

[KathyK]

Kathy...I know it might not seem a big deal but with an allergy such as your DH has, it really is important that the Chef know. I have personally seen someone have a reaction to an allergy and when questioned by the Chef as to why it wasn't notated I replied that I didn't know. I absolutely ask each time I check a guest in. Evidently the guest didnt think that a certain ingredient would be used in or near her food prep....it was and she suffered a reaction because of it. Better safe then taking an unexpected trip to Celebration Health....just saying

We have eaten in almost every resaurant on property, and the only time that he had a problem was at a F&W festival kiosk. The dumpling we bough to share did not have nuts listed on the accompanying recipe card, but there were peanuts in the sauce that they put on top. He was able to stop the reaction with a Benadryl that day, and he always has them with him. I did make a note of his allergy for our 'Ohana ADR, because I know that there is a peanut sauce that we shouldn' even have on the table.