Uncommon food allergy-is Disney good with them?

[Twilghtsprkle]

So we're considering a trip to Disney, but this is the first time we would be going with food issues. Both my kids have Nightshade intolerances - they can't have tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, plus a few less common things. Intense stomach pains and vomiting are not things I want to deal with on a trip. So I'm wondering how Disney would deal with such an uncommon issue. Potatoes are everywhere on their menus.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

They will definitely work with you. If possible, have allergies noted on the reservation. When you check into the restaurants let them know you have an allergy and they will provide menus or options available. Make sure you are armed with the information for what they can't have because you can't always expect the chefs to understand all the intricacies. It should go pretty smoothly for you.

 

[disneyjr77]

My DBF has a pepper allergy, with all the same symptoms, and i called them and added it to our reservation and each of ADR's. The lady on the phone was great and very helpful.

 

[disneyvoice]

Yes, they are great with uncommon allergies. I am allergic to ginger and when I have mentioned it the chef has typically come out to tell me what I can order with no adjustments, what can be prepared specifically without ginger, and what I cannot have because the item is pre-made and already has the ginger added or due to cross contamination potential.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

You'll be fine. Communication, communication, communication, and they'll find something for your kids.

Also, be sure to pack a ton of allergy appropriate snacks or have them delivered via grocery delivery.

 

[Helvetica]

They’re usually really good with accommodating people, but I’d call in to let them know your situation. The earlier the better.

I’d also call a week before just to be sure that it’s noted on your reservation and let your server know their allergies at each restaurant. A laminated index card would probably be helpful.

 

[AnnaKate]

Yes, they are great with uncommon allergies. I am allergic to ginger and when I have mentioned it the chef has typically come out to tell me what I can order with no adjustments, what can be prepared specifically without ginger, and what I cannot have because the item is pre-made and already has the ginger added or due to cross contamination potential.

Wow - I'm also allergic to ginger but only fresh, not the ground dry spice, and was wondering about this myself. Is there a way to note this on your reservation in my disney experience or is it best to call? I typically just stay away from Thai/Asian food outside of a few local places at home, especially on vacation.

 

[armerida]

Disney is food allergy paradise! As others mentioned, do note the allergy on your reservation beforehand, whether through the app or by phone. As soon as you arrive at any restaurant, the host will confirm your allergy, fetch a separate allergy menu, and explain their process. Our servers explained how they actually use 3 separate tickets to triple-check any allergy meal before it goes out to your table.

I had zero problems with multiple food allergies (gluten and shellfish) and had some of the best meals of my life. We even met a chef at the food court of our resort (Art of Animation) who specifically started working for Disney because of his three daughters' food allergies and the difficulties they had dining out as children!

 

[wisteria1019]

disunplugged did a great vlog/YouTube about that very thing. Super informative.

 

[disneyvoice]

Wow - I'm also allergic to ginger but only fresh, not the ground dry spice, and was wondering about this myself. Is there a way to note this on your reservation in my disney experience or is it best to call? I typically just stay away from Thai/Asian food outside of a few local places at home, especially on vacation.

I do think there is a place on ADRs that you can add a message about allergies and you can call and have it added. Like you, I am usually able to figure out the things that are more likely to contain ginger so I just stay away from those things. At Trader Sam's however, I got really hungry and decided to ask about it. That was the first time I had ever mentioned it and the chef was sooooo nice and helpful.

 

[KevM]

As others have said, Disney is great with food allergies. Mine isn’t uncommon (dairy), but the same concept works. The chef will come out and talk to you to see what you can eat.

 

[AnnaKate]

disunplugged did a great vlog/YouTube about that very thing. Super informative.

Thanks for the info, everyone!
I will definitely find and listen to this. I have recently started listening to several of their podcasts/youtube videos and find them extremely helpful.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

They’re usually really good with accommodating people, but I’d call in to let them know your situation. The earlier the better.

I’d also call a week before just to be sure that it’s noted on your reservation and let your server know their allergies at each restaurant. A laminated index card would probably be helpful.

At home we almost never go out. They are still young enough that they get upset that they can't have fries or a pizza with red sauce anymore. They aren't sold on white pizzas yet.

The only hidden ingredients I have to watch out for are paprika and potato starch.

Thanks for all the replies. I know chefs are used to the more common allergies, and I am glad that they'll work with us on these.

 

[2manypets]

Here's an excerpt from the Disney World site and it's really useful for multiple unusual allergies (I'm allergic to several preservatives that are very common in most food ie. Sulfite, Maltodextrin and Nitrates. ) It's helpful to give the chefs a heads up.


Metabolic Disorders and Multiple Allergies
Guests with the following concerns:

• Any allergy or intolerance not listed above under common food allergies
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Metabolic disorders
• A single Guest with 4 or more allergies/intolerances or multiple Guests with allergies/intolerances within the same party should contact Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com after booking dining arrangements for their visit and at least 14 days prior to their arrival:

Our team will assist you in navigating the dining process. Be sure to communicate your dietary restrictions upon arrival at the restaurant. You will have the opportunity to speak with a chef or special diets-trained Cast Member if desired. While our restaurants will do their best to accommodate dietary requirements, we cannot guarantee that they will be able to meet all requests.

 

[Chelley00]

There is a Facebook group called disney chefs rock food allergies. There is so much information on which restaurants are better than others. Some of the Epcot and Disney Springs restaurants are not Disney owned so they can be hit or miss. I also have a tomato allergy (among overs) and the only place I’ve ever been sick at Disney has been La Hacienda de San Angel.

 

[CynBeth]

I have 1 family member who can’t have dairy plus any hot spice like black pepper and another who can only have 600 mg of sodium a day and they do well at Disney. We eat all 3 meals TS and the chefs do a great job. We have even been to buffets and dinner shows.

 

[KevM]

I’ve found the chefs at the buffets to be especially good. They’ll walk you through the buffet point out exactly which items you can & can’t have. Plus the chefs at the breakfast buffets would then specially make two non-dairy Mikey waffles for me, so I could still have them:

 

[Ladyfish77]

We were at Trail's End one night. There was obviously some allergy issue at a table near us. Chef walked them through the buffet. At the end, the Chef came out and asked if they'd like dessert. He came out with an amazing dessert that I would have love to have eaten! It had an amazing presentation and the little boy was thrilled!