Restaurants and IBD

[Lights]

Didn't know where to post this, but I figured since it's about food it was appropriate, if not Mods, move this to where it should be.

I am going to Disney World in September with free dining (yay!) with part of my family. One of my family members suffers from Inflammatory Bowel Disease and although she tries to keep it controlled, more often than not it becomes something diffucult. She (and the rest of us) of course would love to enjoy the food as much as she can, but she still fears that some days it might not be so easy.

My question is, if she's got a Doctor's note, would she be able to take her food to go in Table Service restaurants?

 

[sharonabe]

We've never had a problem with a TS boxing up what we couldn't finish, so it may be she will have to order, have it plated and placed before her, and then ask for a box. With that said, it's going to be very inconvenient to either take the food back to your hotel or carry it around with you in the park. What do you plan to do with her "leftovers?"

 

[Malibustyle23]

Didn't know where to post this, but I figured since it's about food it was appropriate, if not Mods, move this to where it should be.

I am going to Disney World in September with free dining (yay!) with part of my family. One of my family members suffers from Inflammatory Bowel Disease and although she tries to keep it controlled, more often than not it becomes something diffucult. She (and the rest of us) of course would love to enjoy the food as much as she can, but she still fears that some days it might not be so easy.

My question is, if she's got a Doctor's note, would she be able to take her food to go in Table Service restaurants?

Getting meals to go should be fine everywhere except buffets. No buffets or ayce will allow that of course.

 

[Lights]

We've never had a problem with a TS boxing up what we couldn't finish, so it may be she will have to order, have it plated and placed before her, and then ask for a box. With that said, it's going to be very inconvenient to either take the food back to your hotel or carry it around with you in the park. What do you plan to do with her "leftovers?"

She was thinking of taking the food back to the room and eat it there where she will be more comfortable. It wouldn't be a problem if we had to carry it even if for a bit if she doesn't leave right away.

 

[Lights]

Getting meals to go should be fine everywhere except buffets. No buffets or ayce will allow that of course.

We do have a few buffets. Hopefully, those days she won't need to leave. We just want to know all of our options so we know what to do. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Nancyg56]

We do have a few buffets. Hopefully, those days she won't need to leave. We just want to know all of our options so we know what to do. Thanks for the reply!

Just to let you know, a CM will not read a DR note. I hope your friend can stay and enjoy the buffet food, but if she does ntonot want to eat, she will still be charged. I know that you did not ask, but I did not want you to be blindsided if you got to the restauant thinking the note would be honored as a reason to just sit with the family. This is one area that Disney generally will not budge on.

 

[Lights]

Just to let you know, a CM will not read a DR note. I hope your friend can stay and enjoy the buffet food, but if she does ntonot want to eat, she will still be charged. I know that you did not ask, but I did not want you to be blindsided if you got to the restauant thinking the note would be honored as a reason to just sit with the family. This is one area that Disney generally will not budge on.

That we knew, which is why we hope she can at least enjoy the buffets. They are spread out through our days and we mostly have restaurants that are not buffets.

 

[sharonabe]

She was thinking of taking the food back to the room and eat it there where she will be more comfortable. It wouldn't be a problem if we had to carry it even if for a bit if she doesn't leave right away.

I'm still thinking through the logistics of this. Whether you use Disney transportation or your own car, going back to the room to eat could easily take a couple hours out of the day. The easiest way to make that somewhat seamless would be to make the majority of your a la carte TS meals at lunch. That way she's not missing out on evening entertainment.

 

[Lights]

I'm still thinking through the logistics of this. Whether you use Disney transportation or your own car, going back to the room to eat could easily take a couple hours out of the day. The easiest way to make that somewhat seamless would be to make the majority of your a la carte TS meals at lunch. That way she's not missing out on evening entertainment.

I know it's a lot to comprehend when someone has a condition that takes a lot from them, the things they'll do to feel somewhat normal. She doesn't want to necessarily miss things, but she knows and the rest of us know that there might be some sacrifices to be made. It's not like she does anything on purpose, but her condition requires a lot from her and whatever she needs to do to feel okay, that's what we'll have to adapt to. She already feels bad enough as it is, because she doesn't want to ruin anyone's vacation, but as family we just want her to to what makes her feel comfortable.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Take freezer bags or collapsible plastic bowls to the TS. We do this every meal just in case we want to take the dessert to go. They take up no space in a backpack till you fill them.

 

[Donald - my hero]

You should pop over to the DisAbility board and ask if anyone has experience dealing with IBD while at Disney. You know, things like where all *best* restrooms are because that is a HUGE issue for someone who might be worrying how they will deal with this. We *ONLY* have IBS to anticipate so I completely understand the need to be prepared before you eat in an unfamiliar environment. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Tell her to be proactive and ask for food that is safe for her, Disney is wonderful at helping out with dietary issues.

 

[lorenni]

You should pop over to the DisAbility board and ask if anyone has experience dealing with IBD while at Disney. You know, things like where all *best* restrooms are because that is a HUGE issue for someone who might be worrying how they will deal with this. We *ONLY* have IBS to anticipate so I completely understand the need to be prepared before you eat in an unfamiliar environment. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Tell her to be proactive and ask for food that is safe for her, Disney is wonderful at helping out with dietary issues.

I second this - lots of us with dietary/health restrictions (celiac, crohns, etc) have great success with Disney Dining and a lot of the discussions are over on the DISabilities board. Best of luck!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I hope the resort you are staying has multiple food options. It might be easiest for her to plan to consume most meals at the resort/from the resort. Then she can have fresh hot food in the comfort of her room

Also, when using wdw transportation allow up 60-90 minutes to get from place to lace if she won't have a car. Those bus rides could be an issue

Good luck!

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

OP, I have IBD and I've gone to WDW over 20+ times in my lifetime and while I take it a bit easier than others while there I still don't constantly concentrate on my condition (and it's not my only condition). I do what I have to do in prep for the trip and then take it as I go while there. I watch what I eat and never eat trigger foods or possible trigger foods, make sure to get enough rest, drink plenty of water (I always have a bottle of water on me while touring the parks etc), take my meds, and know where all the bathrooms are in case (and I always do) need one at least once or twice whilst there. I've toured the parks 4 years ago while in the middle of a "flare" period with my disease. It can be done.

Also, Disney is the best place for those of us with chronic illnesses as well as food allergies. All she would have to do is let them know that she has special dietary needs and they will accommodate her. Also, this IBD(UC) sufferer goes no where w/o a bottle of Immodium on her lol.

I wish the best for your family member that has this and hope you can all make the best of it and have fun.

 

[Ali]

I'm concerned with food poisoning issues with carrying food around in Florida. I realize you are looking for a solution that makes the sufferer potentially more comfortable but I don't know that it is feasible. Oh, and there is no take out from TS places so you would have to order and have it serve before you could pack it up as someone else said. Does this person have to eat with y'all? Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.


I have dealt with suddenly needing a bathroom on many Disney trips and the best thing we have done is always have a car. I worried so much on bus rides that I wouldnt be able to make it to a bathroom in time, that. Wasn't in co troll of where we were going or when we would get there. We also park at a hotel close to the theme park we are going to and walk there if possible, not with AK.

The best bathrooms are the ones with the fewest visitors, I'll say .

Didn't know where to post this, but I figured since it's about food it was appropriate, if not Mods, move this to where it should be.

I am going to Disney World in September with free dining (yay!) with part of my family. One of my family members suffers from Inflammatory Bowel Disease and although she tries to keep it controlled, more often than not it becomes something diffucult. She (and the rest of us) of course would love to enjoy the food as much as she can, but she still fears that some days it might not be so easy.

My question is, if she's got a Doctor's note, would she be able to take her food to go in Table Service restaurants?

 

[Lights]

You should pop over to the DisAbility board and ask if anyone has experience dealing with IBD while at Disney. You know, things like where all *best* restrooms are because that is a HUGE issue for someone who might be worrying how they will deal with this. We *ONLY* have IBS to anticipate so I completely understand the need to be prepared before you eat in an unfamiliar environment. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Tell her to be proactive and ask for food that is safe for her, Disney is wonderful at helping out with dietary issues.

Thanks for the tip! I might have to ask there so that I can let her know. This situation has her worried but I know it's not impossible!

 

[Lights]

OP, I have IBD and I've gone to WDW over 20+ times in my lifetime and while I take it a bit easier than others while there I still don't constantly concentrate on my condition (and it's not my only condition). I do what I have to do in prep for the trip and then take it as I go while there. I watch what I eat and never eat trigger foods or possible trigger foods, make sure to get enough rest, drink plenty of water (I always have a bottle of water on me while touring the parks etc), take my meds, and know where all the bathrooms are in case (and I always do) need one at least once or twice whilst there. I've toured the parks 4 years ago while in the middle of a "flare" period with my disease. It can be done.

Also, Disney is the best place for those of us with chronic illnesses as well as food allergies. All she would have to do is let them know that she has special dietary needs and they will accommodate her. Also, this IBD(UC) sufferer goes no where w/o a bottle of Immodium on her lol.

I wish the best for your family member that has this and hope you can all make the best of it and have fun.

Thank you for this reply. I will have to show it to her. It's the first time for her doing WDW and going somewhere far from home since being diagnosed and she just worries that she might not be able to do much and her biggest worry is that she'll ruin our vacation but we tell her that's impossible! We understand that she's going through something and right now all we want is for her to feel okay and give her our support. I also tell her Disney is just the best in working with its guests.

 

[Lights]

I'm concerned with food poisoning issues with carrying food around in Florida. I realize you are looking for a solution that makes the sufferer potentially more comfortable but I don't know that it is feasible. Oh, and there is no take out from TS places so you would have to order and have it serve before you could pack it up as someone else said. Does this person have to eat with y'all? Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.


I have dealt with suddenly needing a bathroom on many Disney trips and the best thing we have done is always have a car. I worried so much on bus rides that I wouldnt be able to make it to a bathroom in time, that. Wasn't in co troll of where we were going or when we would get there. We also park at a hotel close to the theme park we are going to and walk there if possible, not with AK.

The best bathrooms are the ones with the fewest visitors, I'll say .

She has considered eating by herself when she feels up to it, but of course it's a family trip and we want as much as possible at least to sit down and have a meal. If it's not doable, at least we tried!

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Thank you for this reply. I will have to show it to her. It's the first time for her doing WDW and going somewhere far from home since being diagnosed and she just worries that she might not be able to do much and her biggest worry is that she'll ruin our vacation but we tell her that's impossible! We understand that she's going through something and right now all we want is for her to feel okay and give her our support. I also tell her Disney is just the best in working with its guests.

You're welcome! I have had this for at least 15 years now and after awhile you learn how to work with it better and function to the best of your abilities with it lol. Even now I sometimes feel like I have to apologize for "ruining" things even though I'm not and people have told me that, there's always that guilt to some degree with those of us that have it.
Disney is great working with guests, esp if you are able to give the restaurants you have ADRs at a "heads up" in advance of her illness and what she would need. They will do their best to help out in any way they can.
Just tell her to try not to stress out because that makes her condition way worse. If you need anything feel free to hit up my PM box.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks for the tip! I might have to ask there so that I can let her know. This situation has her worried but I know it's not impossible!

I think that if you have any kind of condition that needs some special considerations, DIsney is the place to be. I also second heading to the DISabilities forum. The folks over there are so knowledgeable and will have suggestions to make your family member's trip easier. They are kind and they always want to help.

It is not the same thing, but my DDIL will have flare us that send her careening for a restroom. She tries to avoid the trigger foods, but you never know. She also travels with her Imodium in her bag at all times. Tell your family to not worry. When you are family you just roll with the little glitches that happen, it's okay.