Shrimp allergy...your opinion on these restaurants

[bangzoom6877]

Yesterday I took my 5-year-old son to the allergist and he tested him...sure enough, he is allergic to shrimp. We went to a Japanese restaurant a few days ago and he ate shrimp sushi for the first time and he got hives and his eyes swelled up and got all red. The doctor will also be testing him for other shellfish, as well as regular fish. He prescribed EpiPen Junior (even though his reaction was not anaphylaxis) for him and I picked it up yesterday. I will be carrying this with me wherever we go.

I am going to call Disney Dining and have them add his allergies to all of our ADRs as soon as they finish testing him for the other types of fish and shellfish. Our trip is in July. We have ADRs at the following restaurants (I will include whether it is for breakfast, lunch or dinner):

1. Chef Mickey's (dinner)
2. Hollywood & Vine (breakfast)
3. Whispering Canyon Cafe (dinner)
4. Cinderella's Royal Table (dinner)
5. Akershus (lunch)
6. 1900 Park Fare (breakfast)
7. Cape May Cafe (dinner)
8. Le Cellier (dinner)
9. 50s Prime Time (lunch)
10. Captain's Grille (dinner)
11. Kona Cafe (dinner)
12. Crystal Palace (dinner)
13. Les Chefs de France (dinner)
13. Cape May Cafe (breakfast)

The one that worries me most is Cape May Cafe. I don't know why it should worry me more than the others though...Crystal Palace had peel 'n' eat shrimp on the buffet when we were last there, Kona serves shrimp, etc.

Any advice on handling this? Do any of you think I need to change any of my ADRs?

 

[Hootch]

doctor for a little more information. Several of the restaurants on your list serve shrimp and/or crab (if he is allergic to other shellfish) but I don't know if that should cause you to change ADRs.

I'm no expert on allergies, but if your sun ate shrimp and had a reaction, but one I would describe as somewhat mild, then how much of a reaction would he have from being in the same room with shrimp? I know kids that have peanut allergies that are hypersensitive. Since I'm no expert and this is a young child, I would ask the doctor for advice. I had an injury shortly before a recent trip and discussed what limitations I should put on myself during the trip.

You have two good things going for you; 1) Disney is very good and experienced about helping people people with allergies and 2) Shrimp is considered a premium product so it is normally identified. The one area it might not be is when it is used for a seafood stock.

 

[Tricia1972]

I think your best bet is to talk to your allergist to discuss the severity of his allergies.

I'd also check out the disABILITIES forum and get the number of the allergist specialist at Disney and call her directly to discuss what your allergist says and ask her opinion on these restaurants.

Disney is fantastic about allergies. Generally at all restaurants, especially at buffets a chef will come and talk to you about your sons allergies. At that time, if your son can't safely eat off of the buffet, due to cross contamination, they will make fresh items for your son. (i.e. The shrimp is next to the pasta salad that he wants to try, they'll bring out a fresh plate of pasta salad) However, even knowing how fantastic Disney is generally, I am wholly unqualified to answer your question about your son because I am not your sons allergist and don't know his case specifics.

 

[TDC Nala]

I would agree with the above and consult your son's allergist before you consider cancelling any restaurants because they serve shrimp. If he's ok to be in the same restaurant with the shrimp and with others who are eating shrimp, you can let Disney do the rest. They will make sure your son has food that is safe for him to eat.

 

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

While I agree with consulting with your allergist for his advice, I will say this, my husband has a severe allergy to all shellfish and we have eaten at all those restaurants and he's never had an issue. Hope that helps!

 

[Missytara]

I have a severe allergy to seafood. If I ate any type of seafood, containing iodine, I would eventually choke to death.

It has been made easier over the years, by more stringent laws, mostly frying.... i.e., you cannot fry seafood and regular food in the same fryer. That's where I really get concerned. Also, I steer away from buffets where stuff could have seafood contained in it that I cannot see very readily.

A few years ago, at POR, they had filet mignon with a crawfish hollandaise sauce. I told the server about my allergy. The chef came out a few minutes later and explained to me that he made two totally different batches; one with crawfish and one without.

Honestly, at Disney, they do a wonderful job of working with people with allergies.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I would be concerned about dinner at Cape May Cafe, particularly if you find that he is allergic to other shellfish. I've never been there, but the menu makes it seem like there's an awful lot of shellfish in one place.

I've never been officially tested, but it's pretty clear that I react in the presence of shellfish. Personally, I will still go to a restaurant that serves shellfish, IF it's not the primary thing on the menu. Same with my mom, who has a confirmed (anaphylactic) shellfish allergy. We both have done fine. Obviously, talk to your allergist, but, in using that "rule", the majority of your ADRs look safe.

 

[sherabby]

My son has severe fish allergies. He reacts to the smell of it frying. We stay clear of any seafood type restaurant like Coral Reef as an example. He also reacts to touch on his fish allergy so if it was on the tables his eyes could swell up. It is a chance that I don't want to take with him. He also has a dairy and peanut/tree nut allergy which are not as severe. We can eat at Texas Roadhouse (peanuts on the floors) and nothing happens to him.
We have never had any issues at buffets and if you don't feel comfortable with something the chef will prepare alternatives for your child. We asked for plain Mickey mouse noodles at Chef Mickey's since he could not have the mickey shaped mac and cheese.

 

[belleatheart]

I would talk to the Allergist first. They will be able to tell you best on how allergic he is etc. The good news is that Disney is amazing when dealing with allergies. My aunt is severely allergic to shellfish, like to the point that she struggles with going out to eat. Her throat will immediately start to close, epi pens work for her, but she still needs to be rushed to the ER because they only work for about 30 min. Disney though has always accomadated her, we have eaten at Kona, Flying Fish...yep a seafood restaurant, Spoodles, not there but another one, Le Cellier, and Boma. They either prepared her food separately if a buffet, or took extreme caution. I have a soy allergy, which really puts a damper on many things let me tell you. When it comes to disney they have always worked beautifully even if it means the chef has to go out that day and get items that are not soy based. The chefs have contacted me the day before I go and asked what items I was looking at eating etc. I really have not had a huge issue when it comes to anything. I have even eaten at most buffets too

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

We have another appointment at the allergist next week so my son can be tested for non-shellfish. Then we will go one more time for the other shellfish he wants to test. I will ask the allergist what we should do regarding ADRs. I will also contact the allergist at WDW, thank you so much for letting me know there is one there I can speak to before the trip!

I was very grateful that my son's reaction to eating the shrimp was not anaphylactic, and that it only gave him some mild hives. I know, however, that any allergy can become severe, so I want to avoid anything nightmarish happening. We have the epi-pen now and I carry it with me everywhere. We have a twin-pack. The doctor told me to use it if he has a severe allergic reaction, then call 911 immediately and get him to the hospital.

If need be, I will change our ADRs, after seeing what the allergist says. Any suggestions if I need to do this?