Special Diets at Disney.

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

How do they handle this when you go to one of the character buffets? If I am on a special diet and can only eat very little and it must be all protein, how would I get something special at one of the character buffets liek crystal palace? Do I call ahead of time or that morning?

 

[disneysteve]

I'm not sure that you can request something special at a buffet since food isn't being cooked to order, but the buffets have a broad selection of food - red meat, chicken, fish, veggies, etc. I wouldn't think you would have trouble choosing a nice piece of fish or poultry to get your protein.

As for sit-down restaurants, they will certainly try their best to accomodate your needs. Just ask the server to have the chef adjust a menu item to eliminate ingredients you can't have.

Steve

 

[Lewisc]

An Atkins type of protein diet isn't that special and you shouldn't have a problem.

If you have some food alergy you should call a day or 2 before.

 

[mom2smjn]

I am worried about this too as my mom has gastropariesis (paralyzed stomach) and can only eat minute amouts of certain foods...I hate to see her pay $$$$ for a buffet and eat 3 tbl of applesauce! I wondered if there was a way to work it out for her BEFORE we got there so she is not embarrased.

I know from the disabilities board that it will not be a problem in sit down restaurants and that you can pay a 'entertainment fee' and not eat at the buffets but she does need to eat SOMETHING.

For awhile the only thing she could eat was a special vitamin enhanced milkshake....now she can have thing like mashed potatoes, applesauce,white bread, icecream, ect.



Any ideas?

 

[disneychrista]

You should have no problem finding high protein items at a buffet. The kicker is that regardless of how much you eat you are going to be paying the same as someone who will eat 4 - 5 platefulls.

As a vegetarian I find I am better off to avoid buffets and stick to from a menu places, otherwise I do not feel I am getting my money's worth. You too may feel the same way.

Also at sit down or counter service places do not be afraid to ask for something. I had no trouble getting the meat left off of things. So I am sure you will find the same thing.

 

[lilsonicfan]

there are some great ideas/stories/tips here regarding special diets - might be worth looking into!:

http://www.wdwig.com/special.htm

 

[mickeyc]

Disney is very accomodating concerning special diets. I attended a breafast buffet at the Poly and they made me and my friend a special buffet. As a vegatarian I was suprized they had soy and rice milk along with tofu. The chef came to our table offered suggestions and made items to order. The meal was great.

It should be noted this was not unique to the Poly. Wherever, we went throughout Disney the chef would come to our table, if necessary.

I do agree vegtarians do not always get great value at a buffet. The buffet as the AK is very good especially if you are on a vegan diet (meaning no animal products). Enjoy your cusine!! Bon Appete!!

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

This is not merely an "atkins" diet. I just had gastric bypass surgery and am extremely restricted in what I can and cannot eat. I do not want to take any chances and get sick or anyting while at disney.
When we go I will be 5.5 months into my surgery and should be pretty good by then, but I wanted to totally prepare myself for our trip with the new me!

I appreciate any info on this subject of dining at disney. I did realize afterwards that this should maybe be posted in the restaurants forum. Sorry about that!

 

[Alfie]

We were at the Crystal Palace in May, my son is allergic to dairy/egg, when I called for our ps seatings I informed them of our situation. When we got there the chef came out and walked me around the buffet, pointing out what he could and couldn't have, he told me if we didn't like what they had out he would make him something else, they were wonderful, they even had his rice dream dessert and a chocolate non-dairy muffin that was delicious, I don't think you'll have a problem at all

 

[Daxx]

OK - don't know if this will help much, but I can tell you that they are very accommodating. We went to the Garden Grille's Ice Cream Social and DH cannot eat ice cream b/c he's lactose intolerant. When I booked the PS's, I asked if there was any way we could get one frozen yogurt or lactose-free ice cream. They said sure, no prob. When we got there, the chef came over and brought DH his own, personalized "make your own sundae" while the rest of us had the standard Garden Grille Ice Cream waffle sundae. DH thought he was the cat's meow w/the special treatment!

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

THis is great! Thanks everyone!

 

[prncess674]

I am familiar with this surgery. I would talk with your doctor about you will be eating at 5 months post op. If you have had no complications you should be on a "regular" diet.

Lots of people here talk about asking for a children's buffet price but personally that brings attention to yourself and you really need to learn to eat in a normal setting. While it does seem wasteful to pay an adult price when you are only eating a child portion it is just something you will need to learn to deal with. Chalk up the price to the entertainment value of meeting the characters. In a regular menu restaurant you could order a child's meal or split a meal with someone else in your party. I don't recommend ordering the child's meal because they are usually high in fat and carbs. Splitting an adult meal is probably your best solution.

You should have plenty of choices at breakfast. You can have eggs, milk, cheese, and "fruit" as your dessert. Dinner buffets will have chicken, beef, seafood choices. Skip the heavy sauces.

Bypass surgery diets at 6 months stress protein first but you should also be eating some grains and veggies and fruits as well.

If you haven't already done so check out the site http://www.obesityhelp.com/

This site has a question and answer forum that talks about how to handle just about any eating situation as a gastric bypass patient.