Rude CM vent

[DawnCt1]

"overkill", "micromanaging"? For those of you who don't have life threatening or serious food allergies please for the love of pete stop assuming you know how to better deal with it. I think that those of us who have to deal with it for ourselves, our spouses or our children might just know what we need to do to keep ourselves safe.

I think she stated in her first post that his allergy is "not life threatening". I don't think most adults stay home unless they notify the restaurant FIRST. I have certainly had family members with food allergies, so this is not new to me. I also react to bee stings; each reaction within a season becomes more severe, but I don't notify establishments ahead of time to clear out the bees. In fact, I pulled a toddler out of a pachysandra patch who was being stung by ground hornets. He was screaming and his parents weren't in the immediate vicinity. I received over 20 stings while I was running and pulling off his clothes. WE both went to the ER.

 

[LoraJ]

But it was already noted on her ressie. So wouldn't she have been better served to notify the restaurants themselves, just to be safe?

And I do think the dining CMs are most likely very busy today too. Keep in mind that the codes that were relased are for dates that are pretty close at hand. Well within the time frame to book dining. I'm sure they are getting swamped with calls too.

being busy is no excuse to be snarky and rude to a customer.

 

[LVSWL]

Apparently Niki ran into a CM who was ignorant. Disney needs at least 72 hours notice for food allergies. They also request that you note the allergy on your reservation:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/allergies.htm

Well, would you look at that. I guess that is why the OP wanted to be sure it was noted on her reservation.
OP, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[nascarcheshirecat]

I disagree that informing anyone of an allergy is overkill.

as for the micromanaging comment,
that was just.....well, the better part of me says ignore the post. Food allergies can KILL people.

 

[maxiesmom]

being busy is no excuse to be snarky and rude to a customer.

Giving a "yes" in reply to a question is neither rude nor snarkey. And if the tone was a little off, then be understanding and give the CM a break. They are not little Disney robots, they are human, and sometimes it shows. And who can say that they have never ever so much as had a little off tone of voice at work? No one. It is not worth getting that worked up over.

 

[teacherforhi]

Okay, I am severely allergic to strawberries. About 2 years ago, I took one bite of cake with frosting that has been made with strawberries in it. (I didn't ask; like an idiot I assumed that frosting was made with food coloring). Within one hour, I had broken out in a head to toe rash. That was from one bite of frosting.

Having said all that, I have never felt the need to inform anyone in advance that I am allergic to strawberries. Typically entrees aren't prepared by the same people doing desserts. If I have a question about the dessert, I ask the server. I ate at the Coral Reef last year and simply ask the server to check on the fruit in the desserts and let me know which ones typically had strawberries on them. It wasn't a big deal at all.

 

[bumbershoot]

But it was already noted on her ressie. So wouldn't she have been better served to notify the restaurants themselves, just to be safe?

She said:

We are leaving in 9 days for our trip DH has a food allergy to strawberries and for some reason last year it did not show up on our ressie and we almost had a problem at a resturant. So to make sure it didnt happen this year, I made sure to call and confirm

 

[Doe]

I think she stated in her first post that his allergy is "not life threatening". I don't think most adults stay home unless they notify the restaurant FIRST. I have certainly had family members with food allergies, so this is not new to me. I also react to bee stings; each reaction within a season becomes more severe, but I don't notify establishments ahead of time to clear out the bees. In fact, I pulled a toddler out of a pachysandra patch who was being stung by ground hornets. He was screaming and his parents weren't in the immediate vicinity. I received over 20 stings while I was running and pulling off his clothes. WE both went to the ER.

But she also stated that it is serious. Because he's an adult and his allergy is only considered serious they shouldn't take any precautions?

 

[monkeyboy]

 

[rie'smom]

I think she stated in her first post that his allergy is "not life threatening". I don't think most adults stay home unless they notify the restaurant FIRST. I have certainly had family members with food allergies, so this is not new to me. I also react to bee stings; each reaction within a season becomes more severe, but I don't notify establishments ahead of time to clear out the bees. In fact, I pulled a toddler out of a pachysandra patch who was being stung by ground hornets. He was screaming and his parents weren't in the immediate vicinity. I received over 20 stings while I was running and pulling off his clothes. WE both went to the ER.

But it was already noted on her ressie. So wouldn't she have been better served to notify the restaurants themselves, just to be safe?

And I do think the dining CMs are most likely very busy today too. Keep in mind that the codes that were relased are for dates that are pretty close at hand. Well within the time frame to book dining. I'm sure they are getting swamped with calls too.

I think she stated in her first post that his allergy is "not life threatening". I don't think most adults stay home unless they notify the restaurant FIRST. I have certainly had family members with food allergies, so this is not new to me. I also react to bee stings; each reaction within a season becomes more severe, but I don't notify establishments ahead of time to clear out the bees. In fact, I pulled a toddler out of a pachysandra patch who was being stung by ground hornets. He was screaming and his parents weren't in the immediate vicinity. I received over 20 stings while I was running and pulling off his clothes. WE both went to the ER.

being busy is no excuse to be snarky and rude to a customer.

I didn't notice Disney requesting this information for life threatening allergies. It's what Disney requests, the OP complied and got a rude CM. Not the OP's fault that the CM doesn't know his/her job.

She rechecked because they had screwed it up last year. After all even the pixie dusted CMs at Disney World screw up, we read about it everyday on the DIS.

Absolutely, if CMs can't handle busy, they need to find another job.

 

[DawnCt1]

But she also stated that it is serious. Because he's an adult and his allergy is only considered serious they shouldn't take any precautions?

She should take precautions. He should take precautions. Telling the server at the point of service, where you establish a friendly relationship by making eye contact, being pleasant, etc. is taking precautions. She has direct contact with the kitchen/prep people, not a notation on a reservation.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Giving a "yes" in reply to a question is neither rude nor snarkey. And if the tone was a little off, then be understanding and give the CM a break. They are not little Disney robots, they are human, and sometimes it shows. And who can say that they have never ever so much as had a little off tone of voice at work? No one. It is not worth getting that worked up over.

Unless it happens to you (the general you) when you are excited and planning your vacation and you are met with a big deflater. That's how she took it. She's allowed to take it that way. It didn't sound like the OP was worked up to me. She sounded disappointed. She was venting for pete's sake.

OP, enjoy your vacation!

 

[DawnCt1]

If anyone has allergies that are that troublesome, they should ALWAYS carry benedryl and when necessary, an Epi pen. I wouldn't depend on any strangers for my safety.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Wow. REALLY? 4 pages huh.

This needs this And this and possibly this

OP. I'm sorry you got a tired CM (bratty, grumpy, sleepy, dopey..whatever)

Everyone else. It's how she wanted to deal with it (the way Disney wants to deal with it too) SHE followed their protocol to save her DH's hiney (I'm sure he could've called too, yes..we've heard the he can be in charge of it argument..) and they want you to call to save THEIR hiney.

 

[sha_lyn]

If anyone has allergies that are that troublesome, they should ALWAYS carry benedryl and when necessary, an Epi pen. I wouldn't depend on any strangers for my safety.

No one has suggested otherwise

 

[LVSWL]

Do you seriously think that they aren't going to make an effort towards CYA in their written policies? but if you really think that notifying reservations is "effective", I am going to be sure to tell them that I cannot tolerate an naproxyn at all. SO, if the chef gets joint pain, make sure he doesn't drop any, accidentally, in my food. This isn't quite the same as a peanut allergy, where peanut butter is often added to chile and other foods for flavor and texture. This is about strawberries. A food that is not used that often and that the server, at the point of service can deal with. We are also talking about an adult here. Can we really envision that this couple does not eat out without informing the management that he is allergic to strawberries prior to their arrival? For an adult, this is overkill. I also think that it is an example of how many people totally overplan any trip to WDW. Perhaps she should tell the hotel which type of towel animals she would like.

Actually, strawberries seem to be used more and more these days, in both sauces, soups, salads, to garnish the dish so it is a pretty common ingredient in many restaurants where we eat in WDW.
Towel animal comment=snarky

 

[larry's girl]

Do you seriously think that they aren't going to make an effort towards CYA in their written policies? but if you really think that notifying reservations is "effective", I am going to be sure to tell them that I cannot tolerate an naproxyn at all. SO, if the chef gets joint pain, make sure he doesn't drop any, accidentally, in my food. This isn't quite the same as a peanut allergy, where peanut butter is often added to chile and other foods for flavor and texture. This is about strawberries. A food that is not used that often and that the server, at the point of service can deal with. We are also talking about an adult here. Can we really envision that this couple does not eat out without informing the management that he is allergic to strawberries prior to their arrival? For an adult, this is overkill. I also think that it is an example of how many people totally overplan any trip to WDW. Perhaps she should tell the hotel which type of towel animals she would like.

I don't normally comment on threads that begin to take on a debating tone, but this is an issue my daughter and I deal with every day and have dealt with numerous times at WDW, so I'm going to weigh in here. The example given above of naproxen is really not applicable here, as it is highly unlikely that a chef will take medication while standing over food preparation areas. However, I would think that strawberries would be present in every full service restaurant's kitchen since they are used in desserts, fruit salads, sauces, as garnishes, etc. It is not micromanaging or overkill to do EVERYTHING possible to ensure that no cross-contamination takes place, especially when a severe reaction is likely to occur without that safety net. A reaction from cross-contamination does not have to be life-threatening to ruin the better part of a vacation - trust me, I know.

Each time I am going on a WDW trip, I e-mail Brenda Bennett - she deals with special dietary needs for WDW guests on a daily basis - to let her know our trip dates and what ADR's we have. She responds to me by e-mail, making sure our special dietary needs are noted on each ADR and attaching copies of what counter service foods are safe for my daughter and myself at each park and resort. When we arrive at each ADR, the server notifies the chef so that we can discuss the menu items available to us and what modifications can be made. By notifying them ahead of time, they are prepared for modifications or substitutions that they might not otherwise be able to make. This alleviates stress for us and them, and we always have a great meal without any negative physical reaction at all. In speaking with one of the more talkative chefs at Turf Club, he recently shared with us that he checks all ADR's AHEAD OF TIME so that he can see what dietary restrictions he needs to be prepared for - and that was straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

I can't comment on the rude CM aspect that the OP relayed in her original post since I didn't hear the conversation (and we all know that the way something is said is just as important as what is said) - I just wanted to say that noting dietary restrictions on ADR's is not micromanaging, overkill or WDW wanting to CYA - it is what the chefs themselves want us to do because it makes their jobs easier for them and our dining experiences safer for us.

 

[maxiesmom]

Unless it happens to you (the general you) when you are excited and planning your vacation and you are met with a big deflater. That's how she took it. She's allowed to take it that way. It didn't sound like the OP was worked up to me. She sounded disappointed. She was venting for pete's sake.

OP, enjoy your vacation!

Again, it was a "yes" and a "sigh". Hardly worth getting deflated over. And really not very vent worthy. Honestly when I opened this thread I expect to read something horrible. I can't imagine letting a sigh put a damper on your vacation.

 

[yeartolate]

She should take precautions. He should take precautions. Telling the server at the point of service, where you establish a friendly relationship by making eye contact, being pleasant, etc. is taking precautions. She has direct contact with the kitchen/prep people, not a notation on a reservation.

That sounds about right to me.

 

[rie'smom]

I have a suggestion, those who don't agree with Disney's policy about noting a food allergy when making an ADR, please call or email them. I just hope you don't get a snarky CM.