Please assist-special needs

[terrifictoys]

I cannot get a straight answer from disney regarding what exactly happens with special food requests. I have called and emailed the special diets department and haven't gotten a response back...twice. Here is what I am wondering...

With allergy requests does the chef just come out and assist with choosing something off the menu that doesn't contain the allergen?

OR

Do they actually have items on hand to alter the recipe to accommodate the needs? Ex: will they be able to make mickey waffle with rice or soy milk instead of cow's milk??

I keep hearing that the chef will come out at the resteraunt but how this is accomodated may determine whether we want to eat somewhere or not.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have dined with those with special needs or requests. However none included a milk allergy. But I think the process would be pretty much the same.

I always include all special dietary needs when I make the ADR.
I also mention it to the server. Although they always seem to know it anyway.
Often the chef will come out and speak to the guest.
But I have seen where I assume they are just too busy and rely on the server to convey the message.
And usually the server will go speak to them and come back out and give whatever information or options.

Have never had an issue at any place. And all have always been very accommodating.

 

[sherabby]

My son has a dairy, peanut, tree nut, shell fish, and severe fish allergy. We have never had any issues in our last 5 visits (since 2007). We always have a chef come to the table and if there isn't anything on a buffet that you feel safe with they will make something safe. They walk you through a buffet. There can always be a risk of cross contamination though so if you don't feel safe just ask. I've had the chef make my son special veggies, mickey waffles, eggs his way etc. Some of the special waffles though will have to be gluten free. That is the way they make them even if you can have wheat. My son doesn't mind them at all. We've also asked for dairy free donuts and the chef has brought them to us. One brand did have a peanut cross contamination warning thought that we avoided. There are divvies for dessert if you ask. Rice dream and tofutti as well. You should post this on the disabilities board. You will find a lot of help there.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

 

[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.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I am lactose intolerant and if I could eat at Disney every day, I would. We have eaten at buffets and non buffets alike. I have had an excellent experience everywhere. At the buffets the chef will walk you through the buffet and tell you what is safe and what is not. Also, some buffets have special items. For example: If you have breakfast at Crystal Palace they have waffles and blueberry muffins that they can bring out for you. If there is something specific you want, just nicely ask. Sometimes at Crystal Palace they offer without me asking, sometimes not. It just depends on the chef you get. However, they have all been very very accommodating. The waffles at Crystal Palace were not Mickey waffles, though they were good. At Chef Mickey's they did make Mickey waffles using soy or rice milk..I forget which type.

When choosing an item from a menu the chef has helped me to decide by telling me what on the menu was dairy free. A lot of places will have rice dream ice cream for dessert or a fruit bowl, or something along those lines. It's super easy and I haven't had a bad experience with accommodations.

Enjoy!

 

[TDC Nala]

You can't get a straight answer because each restaurant will handle it differently.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I am lactose intolerant and if I could eat at Disney every day, I would. We have eaten at buffets and non buffets alike. I have had an excellent experience everywhere. At the buffets the chef will walk you through the buffet and tell you what is safe and what is not. Also, some buffets have special items. For example: If you have breakfast at Crystal Palace they have waffles and blueberry muffins that they can bring out for you. If there is something specific you want, just nicely ask. Sometimes at Crystal Palace they offer without me asking, sometimes not. It just depends on the chef you get. However, they have all been very very accommodating. The waffles at Crystal Palace were not Mickey waffles, though they were good. At Chef Mickey's they did make Mickey waffles using soy or rice milk..I forget which type.

When choosing an item from a menu the chef has helped me to decide by telling me what on the menu was dairy free. A lot of places will have rice dream ice cream for dessert or a fruit bowl, or something along those lines. It's super easy and I haven't had a bad experience with accommodations.

Enjoy!

I had the same experience in October. My DD has severe milk/lactose intolerance and we had no problem gettign something for her to eat.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Thought of something else;

All counter service places have a notebook of ingredients and a manager will come out to help. Almost every CS place has a vegan brownie, which is quite good. After being on the ddp for a week, I really missed having a brownie after every meal. LoL.

This is one of the reasons WDW is my favorite vacation spot. I can eat anywhere on property without fear of hidden dairy, or someone not thinking about the fact that fries might have dairy in the breading, etc.

Btw, the fries are safe At least they have been, always double check. Also the regular hamburger buns have been fine, which is good news because the special diet ones are gluten and everything else under the sun free.

 

[Luv2Roam]

After being on the ddp for a week, I really missed having a brownie after every meal. LoL.

Oh, the things we get used to on a dining plan.