Picky Eaters & Allergies Return to the World!

[Minnie]

Although we have made many trips to the “world” and have wrote several “picky diner” reviews this year would be very different…. I was diagnosed with a food allergy last year that has turned the way I eat upside down. I have what is called fructose intollerence. Consuming anything with sugar, fructose or anything breaking down to these levels causes extreme gastro problems and chest pains the works (last reference to this in a food review I promise)!

Anyways before the trip I read a review that helped me prepare for my first trip with a food allergy to the world so hopefully I can help others We are also notoriously picky eaters so this makes things interesting….

Our first night we grabbed quick service from Roaring Forks (quick service at the Wilderness Lodge). I let the CM know that I had a food allergy and questioned the ingredients in the evenings special “Chicken Alfredo” (a favorite of mine). The CM made a call and informed me it was safe to eat! It came in a small paper tin and although it was a bit dry (not enough sauce) it was a comforting first meal. DS (turned 16 during the trip) and my mom shared a cheese flatbread and both got icecream (return favorites for both).

Rating

After a successful evening I was looking forward to another great quick service meal and then on with the day…. Well the only option with my food allergy at the RF was the runny scrambled eggs (yuck)! I was soooo disappointed to find that WDW uses sugar as ingredient in all bread products, pizza crusts, biscuits, and pancakes (really missed my Jiffy mix)! I soooo wanted Mickey waffles (sniff sniff). DS went with a favorite from a previous trip – Egg and bacon croissant (this would be a return favorite) and mom went with the yogurt and berry parfait (let’s just say this was the one and only time she went with this choice….)

Rating - Not even up to getting a mouse from my side but DS enjoyed his croissant so

Next up our first sit down dinner – Whispering Canyon Café

 

[Minnie]

As we did not have ADR’s for this evening we went to the podium at the WCC as soon as they opened for dinner and asked about availability. We were seated right away though in the extra – back section of the restaurant. IMO if we went again I’d request to sit back there… much quieter and plenty of antics by the servers to feel part of the action.

I let the CM at the podium know I had a food allergy and was told the Chef would be out to see us to discuss options. I have to say my options at the WCC were very limited as most of the selections had a rub or sauce that included an ingredient that I could not have. I ended up with a penne pasta, grilled chicken and parm cheese. It was a large bowl but it was really quite bland – not something I would order again. The pasta from the counter service the evening before was much better!

Mom went with the skillet and DS ordered off the kids menu – cheeseburger, fries and chocolate chip cookies. Mom really enjoyed her skillet and DS of course loved his meal but their favorite was the corn bread (which was off limits to me due to the allergy). The Chef was awesome about checking for bread options but nothing was fructose free.

We had a very enjoyable time though at the WCC. DS enjoyed the ketchup antics and the CM was really “on” with the antics!

Rating -

Up next: Sunshine Seasons - Allergy friendly

 

[disneycruising]

Love the tread. I can't wait to hear more.
I have 2 boys with food allergies, so we completely understand how hard it is to eat out.

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

Really enjoying this! Keep it coming! My DS and DN have several food allergies, so this is captivating me.

 

[Minnie]

Love the tread. I can't wait to hear more.
I have 2 boys with food allergies, so we completely understand how hard it is to eat out.

I couldn't believe how difficult it was to find something to eat. Course part of it was that I didn't speak up and just ask for what I wanted. Started doing this later in the trip and it got much better The chefs really do want to make you something tasty and safe

Really enjoying this! Keep it coming! My DS and DN have several food allergies, so this is captivating me.

The food courts were less than stellar but I have an unusual allergy which makes many common foods off limits. Most of the sit down restaurants did really try to do their best

 

[Minnie]

After the well less than exceptional breakfast at the RF the morning before we decided to try Sunshine Seasons at Epcot. The plan behind this was that it got us to Soaring to grab a FP and then a quick breakfast before going on with our plans. Also would allow us to have a little extra sleep

Well best made plans….. mom and DS had similar breakfasts – muffins (very large) and tasty according to DS (they were done eating by the time I got started). After looking at the offerings there wasn’t much that looked as even a possible option. Runny eggs or runny eggs (sigh)…. The food court “chefs” weren’t interested in offering any other options and actually directed me to the pastry counter but said probably nothing over there either….

So I ended up with nasty runny scrambled eggs and nothing else… I didn’t even eat much of them This is a definite do not return from my side! Food courts I’m learning aren’t the best at accommodating allergies. What they have is literally what you get.

Next up: Lunch at the Coral Reef - would I finally get something to eat????

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

We just returned from a trip with my niece who has a gluten and lactose intolerance. I will agree that food courts and counter service were our hardest to get something that tasted good. Even some of the sit down places had very limited options. But we also had some amazing things too. I think some chefs are more willing than others to accomodate those with allergies.

 

[Minnie]

We just returned from a trip with my niece who has a gluten and lactose intolerance. I will agree that food courts and counter service were our hardest to get something that tasted good. Even some of the sit down places had very limited options. But we also had some amazing things too. I think some chefs are more willing than others to accomodate those with allergies.

I totally agree! Our experience was very similar in that the food courts were very hard to find anything safe let alone tasty to eat. We've since come up with a better option but it was an interesting week trying to eat quickly.... The sit down restaurants were much better if expensive for what I had

 

[Minnie]

Lunch at the Coral Reef has been a favorite of ours ever since we gave this “fish” restaurant a chance! I have to admit I was concerned how accommodating the restaurant was going to be with my new allergy but…. I was soon to find out that my concerns were for nothing!

We were in a booth on the lowest level (dancing banana) near the large sea turtle so my son was thrilled. This restaurant is such a nice cool relaxing place away from the busy crowds of Epcot – also in FW so not a long walk which is always a bonus.

After we were seated the CM noted the allergy on the ADR and stated the chef would be out to speak with us and got our drink orders (love the blue glass by the way). The chef could not have been more accommodating and actual after hearing my allergy just asked what I would like to have for lunch. I ended up with chicken (this was grilled with great flavor), roasted potatoes, and green beans. The chef actually apologized for not having desert options (I wasn’t expecting any but this was a nice gesture).

Although DS wasn’t thrilled with ordering off the children’s menu… nothing on the adult menu was anything he would enjoy so he ended up with cheese pizza, carrots/celery, and the make your own sundae. The pizza is one of his faves and with the view he was one happy guy.

Now mom was surprised at the change in menu. She had been looking forward to the barbequed salmon sandwich, which has been removed from the menu. She ended up ordering the grilled Mahi Mahi which was the best part of her meal. She also ordered the no sugar added strawberry cheesecake which she only ate a bite or two. The CM came back soon after serving and asked about the dessert. Mom noted it was “bland” and the CM said he was not surprised – this was a common complaint! Then why don’t they make a change?????

Overall this was definitely the best meal of the trip so far. I could have easily returned several times for my meal and the attention of the chef couldn’t have been better!

Rating : (would have been 5 execpt for mom's bland cheesecake).