Specialty food shopping at WDW? (allergies)

[thepeach80]

My ydd has lots of allergies so her and I have a very limited diet. We're staying at AKL and would like some safe foods for us for breakfast and such. There's not much on the shopping list that we can use, no milks on there for us etc. Those of you who have gone through this, what did you do? We're only there for 4 days and then we cruise (I need to call them as well to see if we can bring food on board w/ us). Any other helpful tips for doing WDW w/ allergies?

Right now we're dealing w/ dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, corn, tomato, and cherries as her big ones. She's nursing and I have things I can eat that she can't. We're hoping to trial some things soon and have a more open diet or at least a better idea of foods that we can't do on our trip.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'm glad you decided to post over here. I'll respond here rather than on the family board.

There's a milk product called DariFree by Vance Foods. It comes in powered form making it really great for travel as you don't need to worry about spilling or leaking in your luggage. The only one of your allergens that may be of concern would be corn. It's free of all your other listed allergens. Here's what they say about corn:

No corn products, such as corn syrup solids, are added to DariFree™. Most processed foods contain ingredients derived from corn, such as crystalline fructose, which is used in the making of DariFree. Because the crystalline fructose in DariFree™ is so highly refined, however, most individuals, including those with high corn sensitivity, can consume DariFree with no problems.

We like to pack some easy breakfast foods so we can get out to the park quickly in the morning. What kinds of breakfast foods do you eat at home? If any of them are dry goods (not liquid, no refridgeration needed) then they will fit easily in your suitcase. One bonus to this is that on your way home, you'll have extra space for souvenirs.

We've honestly found WDW to be an AMAZING place for food allergies. I'm hoping to do a cruise next and I've heard they're just as great. Please read through the stickies above. In the stickies, in addition to all sorts of great info on WDW with food allergies, you'll also find contact information for Special Diets. You'll definitely want to contact them. They will give you all the most recent up to date information about what foods contain what allergens.

The gluten free mixes that they use at WDW are primarily Bob's Red Mill. The brownie mix does contain corn unfortunately. A few places I believe carry the Namaste cake or brownie mix so if you ask Special Diets to have a chef from your resort contact you then they may be willing to make up a batch of safe ones for you (using apple sauce instead of eggs and apple juice instead of milk; though you'll want to confirm that the ascorbic acid in the brand they use is corn free). The pancake mix by BRM also contains corn unfortunately. The all purpose mix doesn't so maybe a chef can do something for you as far as pancakes or waffles go.

Before they started carrying the allergy chicken fingers that they now have (they have corn so not safe for you), chefs at my resort and at TS locations custom made chicken strips for my daughter using BRM all purpose mix. They even made some DELICIOUS fried chicken for me (you wouldn't believe how wonderful it is to eat fried chicken when you haven't had it in over a year; I've since learned how to make my own at home).

When you talk to Special Diets, ask to have chefs from your resort and from each TS location where you have an ADR call to discuss your options. Look over the menus on www.allears.net as well. Some places you can easily see will have something (like steaks that are prepared without seasonings or sauce) that you can eat.

 

[thepeach80]

Thanks so much! It's that darn corn that causes all the problems, lol. We're seeing a chiro/naturopath right now in hopes we can get some of these under control. Her stomach is so out of whack that we think if we can get it working better she won't react to so many things. I always forget about Dari Free b/c it's just too much of a hassle here at home, but we'll be sure to try that w/ her before we go. That'll be a good thing we could bring w/ us. Thanks for that idea. We haven't tried anything like that since corn is in everything. Rice Dream Original is corn free. I wonder if I could mail some things there?

 

[clanmcculloch]

We love the chocolate DariFree to use as hot cocoa. We just mix it with hot water instead of cold water and voila, instant cocoa. I even put it in little ziploc baggies in single serving portions to send for girl scouts of sleepovers at friends. It's then like any other single serving packet.

You can definitely mail stuff to Disney. On the budget board I know there have been posts about shipping packages to your resort at WDW. It's another thing I've never done so I don't have any info on it.

I also believe that wegoshoping will pick up any brand of item you request and will shop at whatever store you request. Does Wal-Mart typically carry Rice Dream? We use Silk (my kids are ok with soy) for DD12 and we don't really care which brand of rice milk for DD9 so I honestly don't know. I would think that they'd even shop at Whole Foods Market for you if you asked them to. I've never looked into it before. If you can find a phone number for them, call and ask.

Another option is to place an order with an online store and have your parcel shipped directly to your resort. Lots of people order cases of water this way.

Many would condemn us for this, but I have packed cartons of liquid milk in my luggage. What I did was put the carton inside a ziploc bag then pack disposable ponchos all around it inside another ziploc bag with the seal of the inside bag facing the bottom of the outside bag. We bring the ponchos anyway so I use them as packing to save space. It hasn't been a problem yet. We don't bring home whatever's left in the carton so yes there is some waste, but a carton of milk doesn't cost much so I'm not concerned.

Have you checked the Pacific brand of rice milk? That's what they carry at WDW last time I asked.

 

[thepeach80]

I'll check Pacific, thanks. Yes, Wal-Mart is where I usually get my Rice Dream at. Wal-Marts here are hit and miss as to what they offer for allergies. We're o.k. w/ having to take a taxi or renting a car just to go grocery shopping once, but would like to avoid it if possible and we wouldn't know where we were going anyways. We were going to order from whereever for water and breakfast/snack stuff for everyone else anyways, Liv and I just make it a little harder, lol. Last time we went we just fed Ilana baby food stuff as she had just gotten done nursing. Since then we've had Liv and it seems now I react to wheat as well so we'd have to deal w/ that no matter what. Wheat free is almost normal now though so that's getting easier. Thanks so much for all the help! We're 3 mos from leaving and I'm having to get everything together finally. I need to call Carnival too about the food on the cruise. Oh boy!

 

[disneyandme]

I agree that corn is the hardest since it's in nearly everything. Have you tried a puffed rice cereal? There are some out there that are just rice (and air). We bring most of my DD food when we come because the corn is so tough- we may try letting her have scrambled eggs made at Disney this time. (got to watch the cooking spray and salt as they can use corn) Good luck.

 

[thepeach80]

We've tried rice before and we don't think it went well, we need to try again, along w/ many other foods, lol.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Did the chiro/naturopath do testing to determine these allergies or are you doing trial and error? I'm asking because I'm wondering if some of these might be more of a problem with a lack of enzymes rather than true allergies or intollerances. My 12 year old has to take digestive enzymes when she eats anything with starch. She does also have a sizable list of intollerances (none are true allergies) but she is able to eat rice, corn and pototoes and high sugar fruits (ok, and junk food too; sigh) if she takes her enzymes. Without her enzymes, she bloats up like she's 6 months pregnant, burps really stinky burps and sometimes throws up. With the enzymes, as long as she's not going overboard (like half of a huge bag of chips; again, sigh) then she's fine.

Carb Digest is the name of the enzymes we use. Her GI doctor prescribed them. Well, he told us to use them; they're not prescription. They really only come out to $1 per day, which is SO worth it for us. Since you're using a naturopath, he/she may be familiar with them. Discuss them with your health care provider.

There's also some puffed Amaranth cereal which may be ok if it's not just a problem with all starches and grains. There are a few types at my local Whole Foods Market.

Have you ever looked at Larabars? They're individually wrapped bars that are just fruits and nuts. They travel REALLY easily and they make great on-the-go breakfast bars or snacks.

 

[thepeach80]

LOVE Larabars, lol. We did trial and error and the Dr. Sears total elimination diet to pinpoint her issues. She's not the first of my kids to have problems, just the worst. I've heard of the enzymes before, but never really looked at them. The chiro is putting her on some herbs that are supposed to help her stomach work better and get things moving (we think she's slow moving down there which doesn't help her reflux). The products aren't in yet so we haven't started and we have to start one at a time in case of reaction.

 

[itradehilton]

There is a Whole Foods store on Turkey Lake Road. We have Whole foods near DH's work and they have a great selection of foods for people with allergies.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Probably the best source for gluten-free or other special dietary foods is the Whole Foods Market in the shopping center between I-4 and Turkey Lake road, just on the South side of Sand Lake Road.

To get there take I-4 in the direction of Orlando and get off at Exit 74, Sand Lake Road. Stay in the left lane and turn left, going under I-4. Ignore the traffic light for the other off-ramp (unless it is red, then stop). The next full intersection is Turkey Lake Road. Turn left here and then make the first available left into the shopping center. Note the Whole Foods Market faces Sand Lake Road.

If you are driving from the airport and want to stop there on the way to WDW, take the Beach Line (SR-528) to where it ends and head in the direction of Orlando. The first exit after you get on I-4 is Sand Lake Road.

 

[thepeach80]

Thanks! We're doing Disney Transportation so if we needed to, we could rent a car that first day and go shopping.

 

[Terry2]

I was also surprised to see a lot of specialty, natural foods at the Winn Dixie that's very close to Disney.

 

[disneyfreak1972]

My son has many food allergies and we too are working with a chiro/naturpath dr. Corn is the worst. We have been to WDW many times when he was younger before the allergies developed and in August we are going again for a week (first time since the food allergies were an issue). I am planning now and the information on here is priceless.

Thanks for sharing!
disneyfreak1972

 

[MudEJeep]

Instead of using Disney transportation, we rented a limo (they actually came in an Escalade-bigger trunk space) that provided a 30 minute grocery store trip in their price before going to the hotel. I was able to buy all of my daughter's treats and breakfast items before we got to the hotel, and get most of the brands we used. She's allergic to tree nuts. peanuts, eggs, shellfish and pumpkin, The Disney restaurants were fantastic for her.

MudEJeep

 

[disneyfreak1972]

A Limo! Cool idea...I like people like you! Talk about making your kid feel awesome! Neat...hats off to you!

 

[happymommy]

My DS is allergic to dairy and eggs (he outgrew peanut and sesame by age 6 luckily), and we've found Disney to be very helpful. At a sit down restaurant, a chef will come speak to you and they can make wonderful things - they've made plain grilled fish and meats, plain rice or potatoes, special desserts, etc... The counter service places will have ingredient lists as well.

I sometimes pack a small box ahead of time and ship it down, to have certain snacks in the room. It saves us time!

The Disney cruise was good, but honestly they aren't as helpful as Disneyworld. Not bad at all, as they even made my DD a big dairy and egg free birthday cake so my DS could eat it too. I just read you're on a Carnival one, so oops. Don't know about them.

My DD was dairy allergic, and I nursed her until she weaned herself at about 14 months. She reacted when I had dairy, so I had to avoid it. It was hard, but worth it!

I understand you're seeing a chiro/naturopath, but also recommend blood testing. My kids both started having an annual RAST done at age one, and it helps to identify specific allergens (with it, we saw my son's level for peanut and sesame drop every year until it was almost zero, then we did the food challenges and he did fine). We go to Johns Hopkins, as we live near Baltimore, but any allergist or pediatrician can order the test.

I think you can bring packaged foods onboard, but nothing homemade.

I hope this helps! Definitely, we ship a box to the resort - nothing liquid, as I'm afraid it would leak, but dry snacks.