DisneyLand - Multiple Food Allergies

My family has multiple food allergies. We are wondering if we need to bring food into the park. Or if anyone has any experience with safe allergy friendly restaurants. Thank you.

DLR is very good at dealing with multiple food allergies, sensitivities, and other dietary needs. What are the allergies in question? At TS places, make sure to note clearly on the reservation that there are allergies and what they are. Repeat this when you check in. Repeat this with your server (although you probably won't have to -- your server will probably be asking you). A chef will come to your table to speak with you about what you need. (If this doesn't happen and you want to see someone, ask to speak with a chef.) It is best to book your reservations for non-peak times so that the kitchen staff will have time for you. For CS places, there is a binder behind every counter that lists ingredients for items on the menu. This list changes frequently as suppliers change. If you can't get an answer to your questions, ask to speak with a lead or a chef. Again, it is best to go when the kitchen isn't swamped with other orders. Be prepared to wait, since your food may have to be prepared fresh separately to prevent cross contamination. (Have safe snacks ready to prevent the Hangries while waiting.) You can bring in your own food as long as it is in reasonable amounts and is pre-prepared. For example, you could bring in sandwiches, but not a loaf of bread and sandwich fixings separately. I have multiple allergies and sensitivities, and DLR has always been very good at working with me to meet my needs.

They're supposed to have printed menus that cover the top 8 allergens now. If the menu covers your allergy they won't send out a chef or offer the notebook now, just the menu. I would at least bring some snacks that you know are safe. You may also need to allow extra time for things like gluten free buns and things that need to be made in an allergy prep area, the food usually takes longer. Having some snacks might save you a few times.

And I think there may be limits on flavor choices. For example, for ice cream (Clarabelles? Gibson Girl?), I think the nut free choices are only vanilla and chocolate. We don't get ice cream there, so if someone can update this information, please do.

I'd also like to add that Disney has partnered with Enjoy Life, and a couple other allergy friendly brands. They have repackaged Enjoy Life products in Disney wrapping, labeled Snacks with Character. I know for my daughter specifically, this was a huge deal. She spent several years watching her cousins get a treat in the candy store, knowing there was nothing in there that was safe for her (I always brought safe treats for her). She was thrilled the first time we went into the candy store and saw the Snacks with Character, and she was able to purchase candy along with her cousins. I may have teared up. They also have OMG brownies and cookies as desert options in certain restaurants. We are only peanut, and I know OMG is not top 8 free like Enjoy Life is, but it may be an option depending on your allergies.

Do you have places you'd like to eat? Have you looked at the menus online? After that I'd email guest relations with any specific questions or concerns regarding your multiple allergies. Don't be afraid to reach out before your trip to help you plan this part! Disneyland has been amazing for our person with a dairy & gluten allergy, she loves dining there because she can eat lots of the same stuff as everyone else in gluten free versions. Also, you can speak with a chef at any of the restaurants regarding allergies. Don't be afraid to ask! They can tell you if something you want is possible or not & make suggestions if they can't do what you want.

Last trip they'd fully rolled allergy menus out & the servers give it on request. And, if you don't see what you want there, don't feel confined by the allergy menu. We still often asked to speak with a chef because of her dual allergies, the all-in-one allergy menu just didn't fit what we needed (or her tastes) by itself but it was a good place to start in showing us what was available.

DLR is great for allergies!

I'm 'just' gluten free but in my experience Disney is second to none in accommodating those of us who have dietary restrictions. That being said multiple allergies can be more difficult, whether it's one person with multiple allergies or a group of people with one allergy each.

Here is what is on the DL web page for multiple allergies followed by the link to their dietary needs page. I'd suggest you use the email they provide to discuss your situation:

"Guests with requests associated with the list below should contact us at Special.Diets@disneyland.com after booking all dining arrangements for their visit at least 14 days prior to arrival.

• Any allergy or intolerance not listed above
• Individual Guests with 4 or more allergies/intolerances or several Guests with allergies/intolerances within the same party
• Metabolic disorders
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Our team will assist Guests in navigating the dining process. In addition, Disneyland Resort restaurants will do their best to accommodate dietary requirements but cannot guarantee that they can meet all requests."


https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/


You don't need to book all reservations ahead before you contact them. They can help you work out which eateries will be able to accommodate your various needs. But be aware that as a rule they won't go item by item over the menus to help you choose what to eat. They'll just help you decide where to eat. What to eat will be something you'll work out once you arrive at the eatery. Once you've decided where to eat, look at the menus online and see if there's something that appears to 'fit' or would 'fit' with a few adjustments. Personally, I try to find two things that 'look do-able' ahead of time. Some of the allergy menus can be found online, but you have to google them (i.e. 'Blue Bayou allergy menu' or 'Disneyland allergy menu') as they are on third-party websites and blogs. They are NOT on Disney's official site. At least they weren't last time I looked. But be aware that items/suppliers change so be prepared to be flexible.

Table service usually is your best (albeit most expensive) option. Chefs there have a range of ingredients and can usually whip up something 'off menu' if there's nothing suitable on the menu. CS and QS are pretty much stuck with adapting the items on the menu.

And yes, do bring some 'safe' food. We can't just grab something 'willy nilly' from a street cart to 'tide us over' in the middle of the day. I admit to getting a bit 'hangry' (or more truthfully 'hupset') when I let myself go too long and then couldn't find something 'right then'. Now I always carry a couple of GF snacks, just in case.

I would echo everything the previous posters shared. I have multiple food allergies (wheat, corn, peanuts) plus I am lactose intolerant, and I had very good luck at Disneyland. I did cary some 'safe' protein bars for breakfast on the go and some snacks for other times.

We primarily ate at table service restaurants because we find that experience more relaxing, especially since it can take so much extra time for the counter service places to prepare allergy safe meals. I found many of the servers at the table service restaurants to be very helpful and knowledgable about the allergen menus, and there were a couple of restaurants were I didn't even need to speak with the chef (although I did find that my meal was much more 'exciting' when I did speak with a chef).

I found this website that has a few (but not nearly all) of the allergen menus for Disneyland.... just scroll to the bottom: http://www.glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com/menus/. It helped me plan where I wanted to eat so we could make reservations in advance. However, like @StormyCA said, these are likely to change but they can give you an idea of what to expect when you dine there.

@squeezle

Hey, thank you tons for the allergy menu link!!!

I hope you don't mind but I've cut/pasted your last para with the link to the Gluten Free Superthread. It's going to be very helpful

StormyCA said:

@squeezle

Hey, thank you tons for the allergy menu link!!!

I hope you don't mind but I've cut/pasted your last para with the link to the Gluten Free Superthread. It's going to be very helpful

Click to expand...

I don't mind at all! For those of us with allergies/intolerance eating out can be stressful, and I am just happy that we have a resource where we can all help each other out.