tree nut allergies at restaurants

[MadNic]

Hi all!

I've heard WDW is great with dealing with food allergies. I just want to hear personal experiences. And if you have any personal experience at Disney with a tree nut allergy.

Thanks

 

[scard192]

Hi all!

I've heard WDW is great with dealing with food allergies. I just want to hear personal experiences. And if you have any personal experience at Disney with a tree nut allergy.

Thanks

my niece has tree nut allergies. Last years trip the allergy was noted in all our ADRs. We reminded the server about it when we were seated and the chef came out everytime and spoke to my sister about what menu items to avoid and walked the buffet line with her and did the same.

 

[wilkeliza]

Hi all!

I've heard WDW is great with dealing with food allergies. I just want to hear personal experiences. And if you have any personal experience at Disney with a tree nut allergy.

Thanks

No personal experience but fair warning of the sitting area in Norway by the bakery. They offer pastries that have nuts on them there. I work close by the Norway bakery and one of the scariest days on the job was watching a little boy be wheeled out of the sitting area because he came in contact with nut residue (not sure if your family member has that sever of a reaction) the parents had no clue he was allergic and the poor mother's expression was heart breaking. The bathrooms are very close to that sitting area as well so I like to always give people a heads up so they know to be a little more vigilant there after the incident.

 

[karenklo]

My DH has tree nut allergies and he never has a problem at WDW. They are great in the restaurants. Now walking around the park, people can be walking around with things that have nuts. Just be aware.

 

[epcotmexicopavilion]

Raw botanical food allergy sufferer here! My affliction: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_allergy_syndrome

Every time I voiced a concern or question about this to my server, the chef always personally came out to discuss it, even at the Grand Floridian Tea time!

By the final day of our trip, we learned that it is official policy for the chef to come out and talk to allergic diners when mentioned, almost 0 exceptions.

 

[hildarumpole]

My kids have tree nut, peanut, and shellfish allergies and have never had even a mild reaction at Disney. Make sure you note the allergy on ADRs and remind the server when you are at the restaurant. At CS, let the order-taker know about the allergy. They will either get a manager or hand you a binder listing ingredients of menu items. The carts even have ingredient binders.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Yes, I have personal experiences.

When you get your table, tell the server that you have allergies (most of them ask if anyone has any allergies when you first are seated anyway) and they will send the chef out. When the chef came out at Boma, he walked down the entire buffet with me explaining what items I could have, and NOT have, etc.

If it is a menu place (not buffet), they will explain everything to you. They are typically VERY nice about it and will really spend a little time with you explaining.

.

 

[minniebeth]

We've been going to Disney for years in part because of how they handle food allergies.

You can email Special Diets at WDW to give them your allergy lists and they will send you a list of safe foods from carts, etc. (ie popcorn, pretzels, ice cream, etc.)

At Table Service restaurants, make sure you note it when you are making the reservation. There will be a place where you can check which allergies apply to your party. When you check in, they should mention the allergy. If they don't, you should mention it then, before you sit down so they can notify the chef to come talk with your table. We've been scolded (yes, really ) a few times for not mentioning it then before we sat down (but few and far between).

Counter Service restaurants, they have a manager come over and take the order. They show you a binder with the ingredients most of the time so you can double check. They put the order in specially to avoid contamination.
Be prepared to put your patient hat on, sometimes this process takes a while (mostly by having to wait until a manager can come over to take the order.)

It may be a process, but Disney takes food allergies very seriously, so it's worth it. My DD has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy and has thankfully never had any type of reaction, and we go several times a year.

A lot of people says they will make special items for you~ that used to be more prevalent than it is now. It seems like they have plenty of items to accommodate different allergies now, so that special treatment has become more scarce now than it used to be. This is just our experience. Most of the alternative items for peanut and tree nut allergies seems to be the gluten free options. Gluten-free bread, cookies, desserts, etc.

My tip is to be consistently vigilent. Just because a burger bun is ok in one place doesn't mean it's ok in another. Same with chicken, pizza, ice cream, etc.
If you are doing Counter Service on the Dining Plan, you can substitute out a bottled water for a dessert since many of them are not ok.

Hope that helps a little~ plenty of safe options! Have fun~

 

[eelinds]

My sister has a tree nut allergy. We made sure to note it on all of our reservations- and every time the chef came and talked her through what she could and could not eat. Hers isn't as severe of an allergy- but it was nice to hear them telling if certain things may have come in contact with nuts.

 

[edk35]

After 25 trips to Disney, with three kids, now 23, 20 and 15.. ALL WITH PEANUT allergies and ONE with tree nut.... WE HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE. We have eaten a lot of Disney TS and CS and snack carts. Just note it on the ADR and the chef will come out to your table and ask questions at the CS places as well. Obviously we carry epi pens/ and benadry with us no matter what, but our kids have done great. I think Disney takes allergies very seriously.

 

[quakechicago]

We were there in February and fortunately we don't have nut allergies but my DD has a severe reaction to msg (and soy) and I'm terribly allergic to mustard (including canola oil).

We upgraded to the deluxe plan based on a CM's suggestion with severe allergies to only do sit downs. Many restaurants had a special chef and kitchen section JUST for allergies so there is no cross-contamination! It was awesome. Really mind-blowing from what we're used to.

We noted the allergies on the reservations and told the server when we sat down. In many meals we had ONE snarky server (who a manager replaced) but our food was all freshly made and safe! DH who doesn't have allergies was able to have what he wanted too (mostly, he does have to kiss us lol)!

Really, you're in good hands if you just stay vigilant. For our next trip in November I again upgraded to the deluxe. It was that great!

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

We've been going to Disney for years in part because of how they handle food allergies.

Same here. I love Disney, but I would never go every year until the birth of my girls. I know they will be very well taken care of and I don't need to prep all the meals for the trip.

 

[MadNic]

Thanks for all the replies. We have gone to Disney many times, but not since finding out about the allergy to tree nuts. He had an anaphlaxic reaction from eating Moose Munch when he was 3.5. I have already noted the allergy on are ADR's. I think I'll email them like mentioned for more info. That way I can have a plan if he suddenly wants a snack and not freak out trying to find one at that moment that is safe.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

just to give you a heads up, one grandson has peanut allergy never a problem eating but reacted after touching chains in line and touched face. we had a trip to ER because of reaction. you will find people eating snacks and uncrustables in lines. food is allowed to be brought into the parks, so meals are not the only places to worry about

 

[DCDisney]

As long as you stick to WDW owned restaurants they will always have safe foods but there are very few baked goods that he will be able to have because of cross contam. Usually they offer ice cream or packaged enjoy life cookies instead. It is sometimes nice to bring some extra treats to have in a pinch if he gets tired of the standard allergy safe desserts.

 

[courtneybeth]

Resident nut allergy person here. We make a note when we check in to restaurants and the chef comes out and explains all of the best things to have that won't be affected by nuts.

They really are extra careful and go the extra mile to not contaminate. Your food may take a little longer but it's worth it to not get sick!

 

[seetheworld]

My son has a severe tree nut allergy and WDW has been extra careful with him. We have never had a problem in any way!

 

[techman20]

I have a tree nut allergy and visited the park earlier this year using the dining plan.

Like the other posters said, mark it on your reservation and talk to chefs at the restaurants.

I can tell you that sit down restaurants will be easy to work with. At pretty much every restaurant we went to, almost all of the main course offerings were nut safe (save 1-2 at each). Nuts are such a common allergy that the chefs can accommodate it easy. In fact, most chefs responded along the lines of "just a tree nut allergy? ah, that a simple one..."

The main thing to watch for is baked goods. Most desserts are considered nut unsafe and the breads that come with the meals are usually off limits. Baked goods are usually made in a central location that is not nut safe. Burger/sandwich buns can often be problematic too. Ice cream is often safe (though always ask). Be Our Guest has desserts that are nut safe.

Breakfast platters at the food courts were safe. Some counter service in the park were a little iffy (mainly because of things with buns), but you should be fine with chicken nuggets or pizza.

Also, check out sites like http://www.allergyeats.com/disney/ which are useful in helping you choose restaurants. All should be able to accommodate you, though some are better than others (World Showcase can be spotty).

Hope that helps!