Traveling with food allergies or intolerances can be stressful. Hands down, Disney is second to none when it comes to accommodating guests with specific dietary needs.
My family and I have had first-hand experience for years at Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts with my child’s severe nut allergies. We have always felt safe and well taken care of at every meal and with every in-park snack. My recent experience with Disney Cruise Lines far exceeded my expectations.
I’ve recently uncovered a laundry list of food intolerances. Some of my favorite foods have been making me really sick for a really long time. I mean, who can’t eat chicken?? So naturally, I was more than a bit apprehensive about meals on board. To the point that I packed a lot of safe foods (my “snacks”), fully expecting there would be times that I could not be accommodated.
The owner of Airplanes and Adventures Travel, the agency that I am an Independent Contractor for, set sail with me on the Disney Dream. We’ve also been friends for about 25 years so we certainly had a good laugh and joke about my “snacks” often, but I know how serious food allergies and intolerances are, especially for children. I was anxiously waiting to see what was in store for me at dinner.
Our nightly dynamic duo, Bharat and Rey, have not only been hilarious, they have really made sure that my meals consist of more than just twigs and berries. One night my appetizer was a fennel, orange and quinoa salad and it was phenomenal! As I was finishing up the salad, Rey who is from Peru, swings by our table and shares that quinoa is actually native to his home country. He explained how it grows high up in the mountains and was eaten by the Incas…a true ancient grain. He also shared a few ways that Peruvians eat quinoa since he knows it is one of the foods I can eat. And let me tell you, it is NOT in a salad. Ha! But the fact that he took the time during a busy meal service to tell me all of this really made an impact on me. I mean sure, he’s hoping for a great tip and the end of the cruise, but he also really wanted to help me.
Bharat has been amazing in that he is my kitchen liaison who works with the chefs to ensure all my dietary i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed. He takes personal offense if he thinks I am not asking for enough.
We also get a daily visit from Aziz, the head server, to make sure my meal has been to my liking and if there’s anything I need. It’s certainly not necessary, but it is appreciated.
The entire food services staff has gone over and above what I would have expected. They have prepared amazing options for me at every single meal. It’s usually a variation from that night’s menu made with all of my intolerances (wheat, rye, egg, whey, cabbage, chicken, mustard, pepper, shrimp and cranberry) in mind. The chefs have been outstanding. Nary a twig in sight the entire cruise!
My Mickey waffles must be made purely out of magic and pixie dust because it’s certainly not wheat, eggs or dairy!
To learn more about my experiences with Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts and Disney Cruise Line while having food allergies and intolerances, feel free to contact me. I can help guide you through the planning and booking process.
Travel Along With Megan 
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