My name is Amy Perry, and I’m a new agent at Small World Big Fun. Although I am new to the agent world, I am definitely not new to the Disney scene. Since 2011, our family has been traveling to Disney with our son who has food allergies. While eating out can prove to be a challenge, it is more than manageable at Walt Disney World since they easily accommodate people who have the eight most common food allergens:
- Gluten or wheat
- Eggs
- Fish
- Milk or lactose
- Peanuts and tree nuts
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Corn
Quick Service Dining with Allergies
Quick Service dining requires a bit more of a wait for our food, but it’s worth it. When we first arrive, we inform the Cast Member that we have a food allergy order. We are then given an allergy-friendly menu, where safe items are listed by the top eight common allergens. You can also request to speak with a manager to ensure safety.
Some of our favorite Quick Service locations are:
- Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom® Park
- La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico in Epcot®
- Flame Tree Barbecue in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Table Service Dining with Allergies
The Table Service allergen-free options are practically endless at Walt Disney World® Resort. These choices typically require an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR), which can be booked 180 days in advance of your trip. When making Table Service restaurant reservations, you can note your allergies on the form, which will prompt the host at the restaurant to inform your server of your allergies. Your server will then either provide an allergen menu or ask the chef to talk with you to address your needs. If you’re interested in a menu item that’s not friendly to your allergen, many restaurants can adapt to your needs.
One of our favorite interactions with a Disney Cast Member was with Chef Ken of Plaza Inn Restaurant. Our son couldn’t decide between two sandwiches, so Chef Ken combined them. After we ate, he came out to visit with us to make sure that our son was happy with his food. He sat with us for at least ten minutes and even had a chef hat made for Grant!
Buffet experiences are also easy. Upon being seated, the server has one of the chefs come out to walk around the buffet with you to let you know which items are safe choices, or they will give you an allergy menu. You can then eat straight from the buffet line or have the chef prepare a fresh plate for you in the kitchen. We have done it both ways. When there are many “scary” allergy-inducing items on the buffet, we have had a plate prepared in the kitchen, which always comes out with way more food than my small child can eat!
Overall our food allergy experiences have been excellent at Walt Disney World. Our son is always pleased, and Disney goes above and beyond to make sure he has what he wants and needs. He has always been kept safe, and we truly appreciate the attention and care. This has made Disney destinations our favorite vacations and has ultimately led to my career change. I would love to help your dream vacation become a reality, food allergies or not! Contact me at 501-912-6944 or [email protected]