Hi Monica! We’re so happy you came back to see us at planDisney with another great question. I know when there are special dietary needs in a family, it requires a little extra care in planning your vacations. Rest assured Disney has options available to ensure your son can enjoy every magical meal at Walt Disney World Resort!
Disney has excellent protocols in place for
special diets requests. Many restaurants will be able to prepare meals that are free of the most common allergens listed by the FDA, including eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat. They can also usually accommodate requests for meals that include other allergens such as gluten, lactose, and corn, just to name a few.
You can do a little advance planning by looking at menus online, if you have list of dining locations you plan to visit. Some menus list which allergy-friendly options are available. Just scroll all the way to the bottom of the menu to see if allergy-friendly options are listed. If you don't see any there, it doesn't mean they don't have any available. You will just need to inquire in person on the day you dine.
At table service dining locations, be sure to inform your server of your son’s dietary needs and ask for a menu with allergy information. You may also request to speak with a Special Diets-Trained Cast Member to discuss what lactose-free options are available. His meal should then arrive with a special visual marker, so you know the meal has been prepared according to the needs you provided.
At quick service dining locations, the procedures are similar. When ordering, ask for an allergy-friendly menu and you can also ask to speak with a Special Diets trained Cast Member. I just took a peek at the
online menu for
Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and there are quite a few allergy-friendly options listed.
I also recommend that you consider placing an order for a grocery delivery, so you can have some lactose-free snacks on hand in your room. Services like Garden Grocer and Instacart can deliver right to your resort hotel. You can either meet the delivery driver or have them drop your groceries at Bell Services, where you can pick them up later in the day. Bell Services can also refrigerate cold items, based upon space availability. It's important to know that Bell Services is unable to accept age restricted items, such as alcohol. You would need to meet the driver to show your ID. In the United States, you must be 21 years old to purchase alcohol.
Monica, I hope this gives you reassurance that your son will be able to enjoy meals that are safe for his needs. If you have any more questions, be sure to come back and see us at planDisney.
See ya real soon,
Casey