The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has honored Walt Disney Parks and resorts with a corporate leadership award for its commitment to food allergy awareness, education and management.
The Orlando Sentinel today quoted Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs:
“Our parks in the U.S. alone accommodated well over 400,000 special dietary requests from guests last year. And while some places might see this as a challenge, at Disney, we see it as another opportunity to make a visit unforgettable.”
We are one of the 400,000 guests with food allergies helped by Disney parks each year. My 8-year-old daughter, Katie, is severely allergic to eggs and all tree nuts. While it does restrict what she can eat, it’s not crippling. Some families have it much worse than we do – her reaction, so far, has been to throw up. In a worst-case scenario, that’s not as bad as it could be. We do carry an epi-pen with us, but we haven’t had too many problems at Walt Disney World.
I attribute our success rate to the incredible service. Whenever we make an ADR, we’re asked if anyone in our party has any food allergies. When we arrive to check-in at the podium, it’s noted again. When we’re seated, it’s noted a third time. That’s when the legendary Disney attention to service kicks in. The chef comes out and sits down at our table to go over the menu, offer some off-menu options, and ensure that there won’t be a problem. They take an active role in making sure everyone is attended to safely and leaves happy.
Additionally, she never feels left out of the fun just because she can’t take part in what everyone else is eating. The chefs go out of their way to make her feel special, which actually adds to the magic.
Our favorite – for this and other reasons – has been Chef TJ. We first met him at Boma, but then ran into him again at ‘Ohana. Whenever we run into him (which hasn’t been for a year or so now) we take pictures with him and mess around. I think he’s used to that, since he’s always ready to pose with us, as you can see below. That’s Katie, TJ and me.
Evidently, I'm the only guy in the world who can screw up the 'hang loose' sign. I look like I'm doing a handicapped 'rock on!' move.
Discussion
I agree Disney really do go the extra mile, we are lucky not to have this problem, however when we were in Le Cellier in Sept 2010, the table next to us had a food allergy and the chefs came out and were fab I thought they took great care and attention on everything the lady asked for, they also came back and checked that everything was ok as well.
I hear that when you tell them that you’re allergic to riding Expedition Everest, you’re given a Fastpass for the Tea Cups. Not that I know anyone that is allergic to riding Everest. Ahem.
I am allergic to grains (including rice) and love going to WDW, I have only met one crabby chef and have had some wonderful meals made for me. The only problem has been the occasional chef who won’t let me have creme brulee for dessert – really now, what grain is in that? Even staying at a value resort, they have an allergy chef on duty at the food courts!
Once staying at an off-property hotel I must have gotten some cross contamination and the reaction didn’t kick in until 45 minutes later when I was on the Backstage Tour. The tour guide called her supervisor and from the time she picked me up, took me to first aid and got me back to the tour – 7 minutes had elapsed! I had benedryl with me and I couldn’t find it with my clumsy “I have hives fingers” the nice nurse at first aid watched me take the benedryl and then gave me one for later. The friend I was traveling with started carrying benedryl as well.
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