Great Destinations
A reader asks about traveling to Disney World with her son. And the responses received have been quite positive!
Disney World is SO accomodating!!!! You need to call and speak with them in advance and tell them you have food allergies. EVERY restaurant the chef will come out and speak with you and your son about what he wants to eat and they will make it for him. Don’t hesitate to do the special dinners/lunches/breakfasts, they will all accomodate.
In addition, you can talk with someone about which places have ready made food and which foods they are that he can eat. My daughter has the same allergies (wheat, dairy, egg, soy, nuts, sesame) with the exception of soy and she was able to eat everywhere. They even have a popsicle that has no dairy (although I’m not sure about soy).
I think you call someone in food services, but to get the number call their main reservation number and they will direct you. This quickly became one of my favorite places to travel because they were so fabulous. The restaurants in the hotels have a much easier time accomodating than at the actual park, but we were able to make do with burgers with no buns, salad, etc.
Also, Seaworld, not as great as Disney with it. And Disney was great at each park!!”
We have had great success in our three trips to DisneyWorld with a son, now 13, who is allergic to eggs, nuts and peanuts. One restaurant I highly recommend is Spoodles, located on the Boardwalk near the ESPN Zone restaurant. The staff has been so courteous and knowledgeable—on our first trip the chef came out, shook my son’s hand, then sat down with him, discussing what he might like for dinner. I would recommend dining on the early side, as it gets crowded; when you give your name, also tell them your son’s allergies, so that they can be prepared to discuss options with you when you sit down.
The parks all have variations of the same foods. For instance, we know that a certain chocolate-covered ice cream bar is the same all over. We can count on the food at the Pirates of the Caribbean restaurant being the same as the food at Land of Tomorrow. That said, the international restaurants over at Epcot are more independent. Disney management is really helpful with dealing with “special needs”, so do contact them ahead of time to find out about menus at the parks. Again, I would suggest that, whenever dining (especially lunch), go on the early side, before the wild crowds all get hungry!
We went to Disney World in March with our four year old son who is allergic to peanuts (and also avoiding all tree nuts and shellfish per his allergist’s advise) and had a very good time there. We had dinner with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom, which is a buffet-style restaurant. Normally, we avoid buffet places because of the risk of cross-contamination, but we had heard such good reports about Disney World that we were willing to try it. We called in advance to make the reservation and to inform them of our son’s allergy. At the restaurant, the chef came to our table and took us to the buffet tables to tell us what was safe for our son and what was not. He also brought some items directly from the kitchen for us (to reduce the risk of cross-contamination). All in all, it was a very pleasant experience and I was impressed with how “allergy aware” the staff was. My only reservation about the Crystal Palace was that they did serve peanut butter at one of the buffet tables, so depending on your comfort level, you may want to order food directly from the kitchen. I’ve also heard from a friend who went there with a nephew with multiple food allergies that the chef custom-cooked many foods for him. So what your son can eat won’t necessarily be restricted to what is being served in the buffet. I hope you and your son will have a great time!
Also, from AllEarsNet.com
Requesting and Finding Vegetarian, Vegan, Kosher, and Other Special Dietary Needs While at Walt Disney World
All WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort table service restaurants which accept Priority Seating can accommodate special dietary needs (such as allergies to gluten or wheat, shellfish, soy, lactose or milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or eggs).
Are you vegetarian or vegan? Do you keep kosher, or do you have another special diet? Not to worry—you’ll find that WDW is wonderfully accommodating of your food needs.
THE WORD FROM DISNEY: If you or someone in your party has special dietary needs, Disney recommends the following:
1. When making an Advance Reservation (1-407-WDW-DINE), alert the Cast Member to your special needs, and they will make a note on the file.
2. Special dietary needs can be accommodated if requested at least 72 hours in advance at 407-WDW-DINE (no longer 24 hours). The more specific and individual your needs are, the more lead time the restaurant will require! This new time frame began in February 2005.
OTHER NOTES: With only a few exceptions, WDW restaurants use only canola oil in food preparation. Peanut oil, however, is used in restaurants featuring Asian cuisine, because of its higher smoke point. (This is an important consideration for items being stir-fried, for example, as other oils tend to burn when used at such high temperatures.)
If you have specific inquiries or would like recommendations regarding the food served at the park restaurants, you are welcome to call the executive chefs or Food and Beverage managers, at the telephone numbers listed below. If no one is immediately available when you call, please be sure to leave a message and a telephone number where you may be reached.
Magic Kingdom Park: 407-824-5967
Epcot: 407-560-7292
Disney-MGM Studios: 407-560-1347
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 407-939-7536
(Please note Walt Disney World Company operates no full-service restaurants in this park.)
BRINGING SNACKS INTO PARKS: As an exception to standard policy, guests who have specific food allergies are permitted to bring their own small snack items with them into the theme parks. However, picnic baskets, ice chests, and coolers are not permitted.
Disney World is SO accomodating!!!! You need to call and speak with them in advance and tell them you have food allergies. EVERY restaurant the chef will come out and speak with you and your son about what he wants to eat and they will make it for him. Don’t hesitate to do the special dinners/lunches/breakfasts, they will all accomodate.
In addition, you can talk with someone about which places have ready made food and which foods they are that he can eat. My daughter has the same allergies (wheat, dairy, egg, soy, nuts, sesame) with the exception of soy and she was able to eat everywhere. They even have a popsicle that has no dairy (although I’m not sure about soy).
I think you call someone in food services, but to get the number call their main reservation number and they will direct you. This quickly became one of my favorite places to travel because they were so fabulous. The restaurants in the hotels have a much easier time accomodating than at the actual park, but we were able to make do with burgers with no buns, salad, etc.
Also, Seaworld, not as great as Disney with it. And Disney was great at each park!!”
We have had great success in our three trips to DisneyWorld with a son, now 13, who is allergic to eggs, nuts and peanuts. One restaurant I highly recommend is Spoodles, located on the Boardwalk near the ESPN Zone restaurant. The staff has been so courteous and knowledgeable—on our first trip the chef came out, shook my son’s hand, then sat down with him, discussing what he might like for dinner. I would recommend dining on the early side, as it gets crowded; when you give your name, also tell them your son’s allergies, so that they can be prepared to discuss options with you when you sit down.
The parks all have variations of the same foods. For instance, we know that a certain chocolate-covered ice cream bar is the same all over. We can count on the food at the Pirates of the Caribbean restaurant being the same as the food at Land of Tomorrow. That said, the international restaurants over at Epcot are more independent. Disney management is really helpful with dealing with “special needs”, so do contact them ahead of time to find out about menus at the parks. Again, I would suggest that, whenever dining (especially lunch), go on the early side, before the wild crowds all get hungry!
We went to Disney World in March with our four year old son who is allergic to peanuts (and also avoiding all tree nuts and shellfish per his allergist’s advise) and had a very good time there. We had dinner with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom, which is a buffet-style restaurant. Normally, we avoid buffet places because of the risk of cross-contamination, but we had heard such good reports about Disney World that we were willing to try it. We called in advance to make the reservation and to inform them of our son’s allergy. At the restaurant, the chef came to our table and took us to the buffet tables to tell us what was safe for our son and what was not. He also brought some items directly from the kitchen for us (to reduce the risk of cross-contamination). All in all, it was a very pleasant experience and I was impressed with how “allergy aware” the staff was. My only reservation about the Crystal Palace was that they did serve peanut butter at one of the buffet tables, so depending on your comfort level, you may want to order food directly from the kitchen. I’ve also heard from a friend who went there with a nephew with multiple food allergies that the chef custom-cooked many foods for him. So what your son can eat won’t necessarily be restricted to what is being served in the buffet. I hope you and your son will have a great time!
Also, from AllEarsNet.com
Requesting and Finding Vegetarian, Vegan, Kosher, and Other Special Dietary Needs While at Walt Disney World
All WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort table service restaurants which accept Priority Seating can accommodate special dietary needs (such as allergies to gluten or wheat, shellfish, soy, lactose or milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or eggs).
Are you vegetarian or vegan? Do you keep kosher, or do you have another special diet? Not to worry—you’ll find that WDW is wonderfully accommodating of your food needs.
THE WORD FROM DISNEY: If you or someone in your party has special dietary needs, Disney recommends the following:
1. When making an Advance Reservation (1-407-WDW-DINE), alert the Cast Member to your special needs, and they will make a note on the file.
2. Special dietary needs can be accommodated if requested at least 72 hours in advance at 407-WDW-DINE (no longer 24 hours). The more specific and individual your needs are, the more lead time the restaurant will require! This new time frame began in February 2005.
OTHER NOTES: With only a few exceptions, WDW restaurants use only canola oil in food preparation. Peanut oil, however, is used in restaurants featuring Asian cuisine, because of its higher smoke point. (This is an important consideration for items being stir-fried, for example, as other oils tend to burn when used at such high temperatures.)
If you have specific inquiries or would like recommendations regarding the food served at the park restaurants, you are welcome to call the executive chefs or Food and Beverage managers, at the telephone numbers listed below. If no one is immediately available when you call, please be sure to leave a message and a telephone number where you may be reached.
Magic Kingdom Park: 407-824-5967
Epcot: 407-560-7292
Disney-MGM Studios: 407-560-1347
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 407-939-7536
(Please note Walt Disney World Company operates no full-service restaurants in this park.)
BRINGING SNACKS INTO PARKS: As an exception to standard policy, guests who have specific food allergies are permitted to bring their own small snack items with them into the theme parks. However, picnic baskets, ice chests, and coolers are not permitted.
Helpful reading
Traveling to Disney World with Special Dietary Needs?
PassPorter’s Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs has detailed information for you! More than 400 pages of information including specifics on every restaurant and eatery!
“Allergy-Free In the Magic Kingdom”
Living Without, Spring 2007, pp. 8-9.
An interview with Chef Joel Schaefer, manager of culinary development and special dietary needs at Disney World.
PassPorter’s Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs has detailed information for you! More than 400 pages of information including specifics on every restaurant and eatery!
“Allergy-Free In the Magic Kingdom”
Living Without, Spring 2007, pp. 8-9.
An interview with Chef Joel Schaefer, manager of culinary development and special dietary needs at Disney World.
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BROOKLINE FAMILIES with FOOD ALLERGIES
BroFFA.ORG is not a professional organization and does not constitute medical and/or legal advice.
If you have medical issues or questions, speak with a qualified personal physician.
BROOKLINE FAMILIES with FOOD ALLERGIES
BroFFA.ORG is not a professional organization and does not constitute medical and/or legal advice.
If you have medical issues or questions, speak with a qualified personal physician.
