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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
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Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
We are thinking of planning our next trip - but wondering about going with a child with several food allergies. I was hoping a parent on here has BTDT and could share a bit of their experience. I know that they have a special department you can contact but I was hoping to hear some real experiences. If it helps DD is allergic to Milk (so no dairy), chocolate, oranges, strawberries and shellfish.
Did you find any restaurants more helpful or more accommodating than others?
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Posted 1/2/12 1:10 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
You know we brought all our food or got it all from Gardengrocers.com
But if you want to do your meal plans I suggest contacting them directly.
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| Posted 1/2/12 8:33 PM |
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montimom
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/05 479 total posts
Name:
Misha
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Our son has peanut and nut allergies and when we make reservations at every restaurant we let them know and they have been amazing. At many of them, the chef personally came out to tell us what was in certain things (especially helpful at the buffet restaurants like Chef Mickeys), and what things we should avoid. As long as it is on your reservation, you are likely to get a lot of help and service. I don't know what would happen at the quick serve places b/c obviously they aren't staffed as much.
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| Posted 1/2/12 8:34 PM |
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
We didn't do any counter service meals. all sit down.
They were wonderful at every place we ate.
They sent a chef out to discuss DD's allergy and what they could do for her.
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| Posted 1/2/12 11:16 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Posted by smdl
You know we brought all our food or got it all from Gardengrocers.com
But if you want to do your meal plans I suggest contacting them directly.
Kaitlyn wants to eat with the princesses and go out we don't want to eat in our room - plus we will be at a mod this time so harder to get back to the room than the poly was. I was thinking maybe a PB sandwich in my bag just in case we can't find something but from what I read they are good with allergies so I was curious how they handled the food with others.
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| Posted 1/3/12 9:11 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Posted by montimom
Our son has peanut and nut allergies and when we make reservations at every restaurant we let them know and they have been amazing. At many of them, the chef personally came out to tell us what was in certain things (especially helpful at the buffet restaurants like Chef Mickeys), and what things we should avoid. As long as it is on your reservation, you are likely to get a lot of help and service. I don't know what would happen at the quick serve places b/c obviously they aren't staffed as much.
Did you try the counter service?
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| Posted 1/3/12 9:12 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Posted by avabrodymamma
We didn't do any counter service meals. all sit down.
They were wonderful at every place we ate.
They sent a chef out to discuss DD's allergy and what they could do for her.
Thank you!! I don't know how many sit downs we would do - probably 1 a day (we are probably going to do the regular dining plan we think) - so we will probably have breakfast in our room, lunch at CS and dinner at TS.
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| Posted 1/3/12 9:13 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
I saw chefs come out twice to speak with parents about allergies and figuring out what the kids could eat. It seemed like they really try to accommodate you.
EAT - both times it was in the Polynesian - the Ohana character breakfast and then at the other sit down restaurant (can't remember the name right now....)
Message edited 1/3/2012 1:04:40 PM.
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| Posted 1/3/12 1:03 PM |
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Mouse Tales Travel
LIFamilies Business
Member since 7/08 417 total posts
Name:
Melissa Salinas
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
My niece has an extreme dairy allergy and we have clients with allergies ranging from nuts to spices, so I've BTDT with members of my own party and handled dozens of reservations for clients with dietary restrictions. Once you say "allergy" to a Cast Member, it's taken very seriously.
When you make your dining reservations, specify what you're allergic to. If it's not one of the checkboxes online, call Dining at 407-WDW-DINE to let them know. About 2 weeks before you travel, send an email to [email protected] with the allergy, dining locations, date & times, and confirmation numbers.
At the podium for table-service restaurants, you'll reiterate your allergy and it's usually printed out on your table ticket. Once you're seated, the chef, or his representative, will come out to discuss the issue and tell you what's safe to eat on the menu or how they can otherwise accommodate you. If it's a buffet, they'll walk the buffet with you.
Counter-service restaurants will share ingredient lists with you and you'll usually be dealing with the manager or shift supervisor.
Most guests find dining at Disney - particularly at table-service venues - is easier than dining almost anywhere else.
- Kimberly Hill
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008
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| Posted 1/3/12 2:41 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
They are PHENOMENAL with food allergies. I have a dairy allergy as well and every sit down mean the chef comes to speak with me to go over the menu and ask me what I want and/or goes through the buffet with me item by item telling me what I can eat.
Indicate the allergy when you go for ADRs. I don't find a lot of dairy honestly in the CS meals (I eat a lot of veggie burgers and stuff), but you can call ahead for that as well I beliieve.
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| Posted 1/3/12 4:08 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Posted by Mouse Tales Travel
My niece has an extreme dairy allergy and we have clients with allergies ranging from nuts to spices, so I've BTDT with members of my own party and handled dozens of reservations for clients with dietary restrictions. Once you say "allergy" to a Cast Member, it's taken very seriously.
When you make your dining reservations, specify what you're allergic to. If it's not one of the checkboxes online, call Dining at 407-WDW-DINE to let them know. About 2 weeks before you travel, send an email to [email protected] with the allergy, dining locations, date & times, and confirmation numbers.
At the podium for table-service restaurants, you'll reiterate your allergy and it's usually printed out on your table ticket. Once you're seated, the chef, or his representative, will come out to discuss the issue and tell you what's safe to eat on the menu or how they can otherwise accommodate you. If it's a buffet, they'll walk the buffet with you.
Counter-service restaurants will share ingredient lists with you and you'll usually be dealing with the manager or shift supervisor.
Most guests find dining at Disney - particularly at table-service venues - is easier than dining almost anywhere else.
- Kimberly Hill
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008
Thank you!!! That is great to know that you have 1st hand milk allergy experience! Did you find that it really hampered your niece's experience? I guess the reason we are nervous is that we did a Celebrity cruise and it was really difficult. They were really bending over backwards (we are elite and traveled with my parents who were the most sailed on the cruise) but we had to order all of DD's food (4yr old) the day before and sometimes the food didn't show or they said they could do something then couldn't. They made her baked apples for dessert that the Maitre D' even said he wouldn't have wanted. So we are a bit nervous. Neither girl is a huge sitter - on our last trip we did the dining plan and did sit downs every dinner and by the end it was hard they sit better now but I know we won't do more than one TS meal a day. I figured we would eat breakfast in our room and I could always carry a PB sandwich or something else non perishable in my bag for lunch just in case - but I would hate for her to find only one selection for the entire week.
We will plan to do garden grocer so that we can have juice boxes of soy milk, and some safe snacks and breakfasts.
Did you niece do better at TS sit downs or TS buffets? We might consider doing Cinderella's table this trip, and I know our girls would probably like to go to Akershus, and maybe 1900 Park Fare, not sure where else we would try for. I would think they would have things like carved meats and veggies they could cook for her if the ones on the buffet have butter. We have done Ohana's in the past but not sure if that would be okay for her this time.
I know I read over on Disboards about a list that they have of safe foods - do you know if any of your clients have gotten that list?
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| Posted 1/3/12 6:33 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by Mouse Tales Travel
My niece has an extreme dairy allergy and we have clients with allergies ranging from nuts to spices, so I've BTDT with members of my own party and handled dozens of reservations for clients with dietary restrictions. Once you say "allergy" to a Cast Member, it's taken very seriously.
When you make your dining reservations, specify what you're allergic to. If it's not one of the checkboxes online, call Dining at 407-WDW-DINE to let them know. About 2 weeks before you travel, send an email to [email protected] with the allergy, dining locations, date & times, and confirmation numbers.
At the podium for table-service restaurants, you'll reiterate your allergy and it's usually printed out on your table ticket. Once you're seated, the chef, or his representative, will come out to discuss the issue and tell you what's safe to eat on the menu or how they can otherwise accommodate you. If it's a buffet, they'll walk the buffet with you.
Counter-service restaurants will share ingredient lists with you and you'll usually be dealing with the manager or shift supervisor.
Most guests find dining at Disney - particularly at table-service venues - is easier than dining almost anywhere else.
- Kimberly Hill
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008
Thank you!!! That is great to know that you have 1st hand milk allergy experience! Did you find that it really hampered your niece's experience? I guess the reason we are nervous is that we did a Celebrity cruise and it was really difficult. They were really bending over backwards (we are elite and traveled with my parents who were the most sailed on the cruise) but we had to order all of DD's food (4yr old) the day before and sometimes the food didn't show or they said they could do something then couldn't. They made her baked apples for dessert that the Maitre D' even said he wouldn't have wanted. So we are a bit nervous. Neither girl is a huge sitter - on our last trip we did the dining plan and did sit downs every dinner and by the end it was hard they sit better now but I know we won't do more than one TS meal a day. I figured we would eat breakfast in our room and I could always carry a PB sandwich or something else non perishable in my bag for lunch just in case - but I would hate for her to find only one selection for the entire week.
We will plan to do garden grocer so that we can have juice boxes of soy milk, and some safe snacks and breakfasts.
Did you niece do better at TS sit downs or TS buffets? We might consider doing Cinderella's table this trip, and I know our girls would probably like to go to Akershus, and maybe 1900 Park Fare, not sure where else we would try for. I would think they would have things like carved meats and veggies they could cook for her if the ones on the buffet have butter. We have done Ohana's in the past but not sure if that would be okay for her this time.
I know I read over on Disboards about a list that they have of safe foods - do you know if any of your clients have gotten that list?
I just want to say that Disney was really on top of all of our needs for DS. Did in a timely manner, with a smile and no attitude.
They were well trained and they really have their stuff together. So if they told me they could do it, I would completely trust them! Because they are really that reliable.
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| Posted 1/3/12 8:57 PM |
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Mouse Tales Travel
LIFamilies Business
Member since 7/08 417 total posts
Name:
Melissa Salinas
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Posted by Lillykat
Thank you!!! That is great to know that you have 1st hand milk allergy experience! Did you find that it really hampered your niece's experience? I guess the reason we are nervous is that we did a Celebrity cruise and it was really difficult. They were really bending over backwards (we are elite and traveled with my parents who were the most sailed on the cruise) but we had to order all of DD's food (4yr old) the day before and sometimes the food didn't show or they said they could do something then couldn't. They made her baked apples for dessert that the Maitre D' even said he wouldn't have wanted. So we are a bit nervous. Neither girl is a huge sitter - on our last trip we did the dining plan and did sit downs every dinner and by the end it was hard they sit better now but I know we won't do more than one TS meal a day. I figured we would eat breakfast in our room and I could always carry a PB sandwich or something else non perishable in my bag for lunch just in case - but I would hate for her to find only one selection for the entire week.
We will plan to do garden grocer so that we can have juice boxes of soy milk, and some safe snacks and breakfasts.
Did you niece do better at TS sit downs or TS buffets? We might consider doing Cinderella's table this trip, and I know our girls would probably like to go to Akershus, and maybe 1900 Park Fare, not sure where else we would try for. I would think they would have things like carved meats and veggies they could cook for her if the ones on the buffet have butter. We have done Ohana's in the past but not sure if that would be okay for her this time.
I know I read over on Disboards about a list that they have of safe foods - do you know if any of your clients have gotten that list?
You are most welcome!
We love Garden Grocer and use them whenever we fly instead of drive! Having something in the room really helps. When we travel with my niece, each child gets a "snack bag" filled with things they can eat that are easy, not messy, etc. Kind of a personalized trail mix. They carry their own bags and dig in whenever they're hungry - works well for us.
My niece did well at both table-service and buffets so I think you're fine at either. CRT (dinner) and Akershus (breakfast) were hits but we haven't done 1900 Park Fare with her so I don't have experience there. 'Ohana was great too as the meat, noodles, wings, and salad were safe for her.
I've heard of the list but haven't used it for us or clients. Disney changes things often so I'd rather deal with a real person on allergies than go from a list which might be slightly - or greatly - out of date. It's a control thing. ;)
As long as you're prepared, it's truly not hard at all. Enjoy!
- Kimberly Hill
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008
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| Posted 1/4/12 8:35 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
At both Cinderella's Royal Table and Akershus they have made me awesome completely dairy free meals including waffles and eggs without milk.
I find the character breakfasts to be the best for allergies for some reason.
Also, the buffets are great. I was in heaven at Boma!
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| Posted 1/4/12 11:03 AM |
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tran92
LIF Adolescent
Member since 2/08 732 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
not allegies perse... but we did take advantage of the hotline for allergies with meals. carried food for him during the day, since counter service would have been iffy. but for sit down meals, i spoke to chefs at every restaruant before hand, there were notes in the reservations, and i spoke to several of the chefs once we got to each restaurant. i had a semi-easy request, i needed one of three choices for meals. and i never had a problem getting what i needed. my favorite was the buffet in germany though. chef came and spoke to me when we were seated, i told him the items my ds would eat. he said not to worry he'd make up a plate for him. 15 mintues later he comes out with a plate that had chicken nuggets, chicken fingers and fries, and a separate bowl of pasta with sauce for him. (and a second plate of nuggets, fingers and fries, in case he was really hungry.) DS ate his nuggets happily, daddy ate the fingers (and was happier with those than the buffet) and everyone left with a smile on their face and a full belly.
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| Posted 1/4/12 2:21 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Thank you everyone!!! Our last 2 trips with her she didn't have the allergies so we never had to bother. DH is allergic to crab - but it has never been an issue for us so we had no experience with their system at all.
Thank you Kim. I think maybe if we go with the dining plan maybe I will use DD#1's CS credit to get breakfast for DD#2 and pack a lunch those days if we have trouble finding her something.
I figured if I could find the list it would give me a rough idea of the options but I know they constantly change things there (saw a thread on Disboards that they got rid of rolls that were dairy free -but at least it would give me an idea of thing types of things they can offer). We are lucky in that her allergies aren't severe but we carry an Epi pen just in case.
We will definitely have to consider Ohana's again if that is the case as we always seem to have fun there and the girls like the activities.
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| Posted 1/5/12 11:31 AM |
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MrsMC107
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/10 451 total posts
Name:
Meg
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
I have Celiac & am on a strict Gluten free diet.
DH & I went to WDW for our 1st anniversary & I was pleasantly surprised with Disney's accomodations for special diets.
The chef at each restaurant came to the table to tell me what I could have. And they walked me through the buffets. (They even made some things specifically for me ie - delicious wonderful spareribs at Cape May Cafe)
The selection is unbelieveable! I was even able to find things to eat at counter service (pizza, chicken fingers, fries, awesome chicken & mashed potatoes at Sunshine Seasons...plus amazing prepackaged cookies)
I remember saying to my DH how happy it made me to have the opportunity to eat so much & that it made me even happier to know that kids in a similar situation would not feel excluded.
(If you call ahead to some of the restaurants, you can even get a special diet cake made)
Oh yea - I was even able to order ahead of time at the Boardwalk Bakery for a gf muffin.
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| Posted 1/5/12 1:12 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Posted by MrsMC107
I have Celiac & am on a strict Gluten free diet.
DH & I went to WDW for our 1st anniversary & I was pleasantly surprised with Disney's accomodations for special diets.
The chef at each restaurant came to the table to tell me what I could have. And they walked me through the buffets. (They even made some things specifically for me ie - delicious wonderful spareribs at Cape May Cafe)
The selection is unbelieveable! I was even able to find things to eat at counter service (pizza, chicken fingers, fries, awesome chicken & mashed potatoes at Sunshine Seasons...plus amazing prepackaged cookies)
I remember saying to my DH how happy it made me to have the opportunity to eat so much & that it made me even happier to know that kids in a similar situation would not feel excluded.
(If you call ahead to some of the restaurants, you can even get a special diet cake made)
Oh yea - I was even able to order ahead of time at the Boardwalk Bakery for a gf muffin.
Thanks!! I read that they are great with gluten free - but there was a thread recently on Disboards that mentioned that they got rid of some of their dairy free/gluten free items and replaced them with just gluten free items. Can you tell me more about special diet cakes?
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| Posted 1/5/12 6:44 PM |
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MrsMC107
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/10 451 total posts
Name:
Meg
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Posted by Lillykat
Thanks!! I read that they are great with gluten free - but there was a thread recently on Disboards that mentioned that they got rid of some of their dairy free/gluten free items and replaced them with just gluten free items. Can you tell me more about special diet cakes?
It looks like they now take orders through BabyCakes in Downtown Disney (newest location) & it still gets delivered during your dining reservation.
BabyCakes is a vegan bakery in NYC. They cater to special diets. And their stuff is delicious. My husband hates gluten free food -but anytime we stop there for me, he has to get a donut. They are to die for!
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/12/28/babycakes-nyc-bakery-now-taking-cake-orders-from-disney-dining-guests/
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| Posted 1/6/12 7:55 AM |
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Mouse Tales Travel
LIFamilies Business
Member since 7/08 417 total posts
Name:
Melissa Salinas
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Re: Has anyone done disney with a child with food allergies?
Yes, Babycakes in Downtown Disney handles the gluten-free cakes for the table-service restaurants now.
- Kimberly Hill
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008
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| Posted 1/7/12 10:39 AM |
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