Rare Food Allergy

[NeuroCindy]

I'm going to be at Disney World in 12 days! However, I have a very severe allergy to mint/menthol. I go into anaphylaxis and carry an epi-pen. My allergy is severe enough that if someone is chewing particularly fragrant gum, I'll get a nosebleed. It sucks, and mint is in way more things than people realize (lots of medicines, soaps, shampoos, etc). I'm not concerned about the general public that might happen to have gum or smell minty, I can move away from them. I am worried about food.

We are doing the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party one night, and I have already contacted the Dietary services and gave them my reservation number and everything, they said they'd get back to me. Are CMs at food stands generally okay with being asked questions about the food they sell?

Lastly, I heard some of the rides use scents to enhance the experience (I think Soarin' I was told?). Does anyone know if any of those scents are mint?

Any other advice for trying to handle WDW with a food allergy?

 

[geek+nerd]

When you eat at counter service, just let the cashier know that you have a food allergy. The manager will be paged. He or she will review your options with you (usually the ingredients binder) and then the manager will be the one responsible for preparing and bringing your order out to you.

As far as other advice, I would recommend contacting your resort to see about what cleaning products might be used. I know that people with allergies can request a special type of deep cleaning of their room.

Good luck on your trip!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Soarin' scents are: Orange blossoms, pine forests and ocean spray. No mint.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/soarin.htm

 

[mistysue]

As geek+nerd said every time you go to order food, you tell them you have an allergy and a manager or chef will come out. This is true at both counter service and table service. Then assuming they make a special allergy order your food will come out directly to you, not sent through the normal window. Count on meals taking a little longer so they can take their time to help you. Usually it's only about 5-15 minutes more than a regular order.

I really recommend you contact your resort as well to ask what sort of toiletries are provided in addition to the cleaning products. If you are on-site, every hotel has a scent they use for the lobby, it may be worth asking just in case. I can't think of any being mint but that does seem like one that would sneak its way in often.

Honestly the dessert party is probably going to be the experience that has the most trouble. Allergy reviews from the parties are generally a let-down but I don't know how much the bakeries or kitchen involved utilize mint. If there is reason for concern with cross contamination you may find yourself with some tea and prepackaged cookies but hopefully they will plan better since you have already made contact. At meals you will likely be very surprised at how well they work with you. Food carts should have ingredient lists and are normally nice even if you ask way too many questions.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . then the manager will be the one responsible for preparing and bringing your order out to you . . .

And, to clarify,
1) At CS/QS, the manager has a book of options
. . . there is not chef to assist, just the manager or designated kitchen person
. . . they only prepare & serve what/how is on the list
. . . they do not reformulate food for your particular allergy
2) At TS, the chef will actually prepare food around your individual issues.
. . . they will be "creative" and sometimes simply make something up
. . . other times, they go by a standardized recipe for identified allergies

 

[mistysue]

And, to clarify,
1) At CS/QS, the manager has a book of options
. . . there is not chef to assist, just the manager or designated kitchen person
. . . they only prepare & serve what/how is on the list
. . . they do not reformulate food for your particular allergy

Is this a newer thing that they have to make exactly what's on the list? If so, that would explain a LOT. It seems there used to be more reviews of CS with good meals, now they ask you questions and in my experience sort of run down a list and turn you away- when there are even menu items that seem appropriate. Park CS was mostly useless to us last year while the year before the big issue was it taking too long for allergy orders.
(allergens are wheat, soy, egg, dairy, peanut, tree nut, sesame, buckwheat and shellfish- basically we end up with meat, rice or fries and steamed veggie)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Is this a newer thing that they have to make exactly what's on the list? . . .

1) CS/QS do not have "chefs" on duty.
2) They only have managers.
3) Thus, they can only follow the prescribed "book" listings & recipes.
4) They cannot make/invent individual recipes, as can be done at TS locations.
5) If you have a specific issue not usually covered,
. . . call ahead
. . . tell them the allergy/problem
. . . sometimes they can plan ahead and have a menu item ready for you
. . . this happens all the time for kosher meals at CS/QS *

* Kosher meals are made off-site, sealed, and brought to the QS or TS for
reheating and serving.

 

[Dashzap]

FYI, the Dolphin has mint in their toiletries right now.

 

[NeuroCindy]

FYI, the Dolphin has mint in their toiletries right now.

Thank you! We're staying off site for this trip. I heard back and none of the desserts for the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert party have mint in them. I'm still nervous about an accidental exposure, but then again, I almost always am.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I'm still nervous about an accidental exposure . . .

1) Personally, I think this is a greater danger than food stuffs.
2) There is no way to control what other guests may be eating or chewing.
. . . additionally, some athletes apply Wintergreen to their skin as a muscle aid
. . . helps greatly during exercise, exertion, or long walks *
. . . this could really cause a proximity or contact problem

* We used this when playing college football. It is GREAT to warm the muscles
to avoid strains. It also *seems* to make the use-recovery period shorter.
I use it even today on calves and forearms, before starting yard work.

 

[bidnow5]

As the pp said I would be worried about other guests I have asthma and perfume is one if my bad triggers that's why we never take busses and sometimes we let a bunch of people go ahead of us in lines. The strong smell of mint can be a problem for me and have had to move away from people a few times