Question about Dining with an Animal Specialist menu

[roselark]

Does anyone know if substitutions can be made for the lunch menu? I have read that the entree includes butter chicken and green curry shrimp, but I very much don't like shrimp and my fiend is vegetarian. Can I request something other than the shrimp and will my friend be able to get vegetarian items? I am assuming yes because Disney is so accommodating, but I wanted to see if anyone had any experience with it.

 

[roselark]

Bumping in hopes that someone will have some knowledge of this. Thanks!

 

[greentea]

Yes, it should be no trouble. If you've already booked the lunch, call back and add dietary requests so they know in advance. I requested a vegetarian meal when I reserved the lunch and was accommodated with no problems at all. It was on my reservation when I showed up, and the chef gave me a separate vegetarian meal and replaced one of the dessert items that contains gelatin.

I would imagine it's not a problem to have the shrimp dish replaced for your meal, either. We requested that due to a possible shrimp allergy and it was modified... I don't remember what he got instead, I think it was something in a fish sauce. Chef David also modified one of the desserts due to a nut allergy. He was great and super nice, so I wouldn't think there would be any problems. But, even if there was an issue, you won't leave hungry. We were all so full by the end of lunch, and the shrimp dish is just one of 3 sampler items during the hot entree portion. The table shares 2 platters of the naan bread service with all the sauces. Then everyone gets a sampler of 3 salads, then 3 entrees, then 3 mini desserts.

 

[Simba's Mom]

That surprising to me. I've done the lunch with the Animal Specialist three times, and each time there was a selection of three sample sizes of salad, three sample sizes of main entree, and three small desserts per person. The appetizer was a big selection of the bread service. Come to think of it, maybe I've just never dined with anyone who had asked for special requests or had food allergies.

 

[greentea]

That surprising to me. I've done the lunch with the Animal Specialist three times, and each time there was a selection of three sample sizes of salad, three sample sizes of main entree, and three small desserts per person. The appetizer was a big selection of the bread service. Come to think of it, maybe I've just never dined with anyone who had asked for special requests or had food allergies.

Yes, that's what ours table got, except for me and the spouse, so we must have been the only ones with allergies/vegetarian requests that day. Since we did have food allergies, we spoke with the chef just like we did at any other table service. Everyone else in our party received the usual food like you mentioned. They don't ask you if you need anything different since it's a set menu, but it's different if you need the vegetarian option or have an allergy.

I'm not sure if not liking something would be enough to change the shrimp selection, but it's worth asking about if you really can't eat it, roselark.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm pretty sure they will accommodate your requests. When we did the lunch last year, the chef came out to talk to us before the meal started. WDW is so accommodating to special food requests, you shouldn't have an issue!

Have a great time at the lunch - it's so fun!

 

[roselark]

Thanks everyone!! This is awesome info!