Allergy Note Option Removed From ADRs

[Chip Chipperson]

Has anyone else noticed the option to note a food allergy was removed from the app? Now there's just the usual disclaimer about possible cross-contamination. I'm sure the kitchens will still provide the same service that has made WDW a safe space for those with food allergies but it seems odd to me that they would not want any sort of data telling them how many guests with allergies are booking reservations.

 

[RememberWhen]

Has anyone else noticed the option to note a food allergy was removed from the app? Now there's just the usual disclaimer about possible cross-contamination. I'm sure the kitchens will still provide the same service that has made WDW a safe space for those with food allergies but it seems odd to me that they would not want any sort of data telling them how many guests with allergies are booking reservations.

That’s definitely interesting. I’m also surprised, but maybe they have so many people marking various allergies that they are able to manage the “usual” ones on the spot and don’t really need the heads up.

I also wonder if people were marking allergies when they had non medically relevant requests. I think it’s interesting that the below screenshot says, “When we know the modification requested is more than just a taste or texture preference, they will inform the kitchen to use the allergy request process, which involves a Special Diets-Trained Cast Member.”

I guess we’ll see how it plays out.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

There was a recent case where an allergy was reported on a mobile order platform and missed/ignored. The decision noted the affirmative written receipt of the allergy as notice which was ignored to find liability against the restaurant. From a risk/proof standpoint its better to just keep the general warning on the app, and make the notice come orally from direct interaction at the point of sale. It puts it on the orderee to make the affirmative allergy at right at the time of sale, and would make it an oral he said/she said situation at trial, as opposed to having a written record of it on the app.

It also means the order will hopefully be given special attention, as opposed to just one of several incoming requests on the ap

 

[networkpro]

We are quite the litigious society to point where not using explicit language or offering what maybe construed as a tacit acceptance of liability can be costly.

Perhaps it gets to the point where you will need to sign a waiver if you have severe dietary allergies in order to dine.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Recently someone wrote that even with telling the server their circumstance, the request wasn't paid attention to and the order was made incorrectly. Human error can't be avoided no matter how cautious you are. .

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Human error can't be avoided no matter how cautious you are

It seems like everything should be done to eliminate it though. This seems like a step back.

 

[DisneyFreak]

A lot of the time it's on the kitchen not paying attention, and not the server.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Recently someone wrote that even with telling the server their circumstance, the request wasn't paid attention to and the order was made incorrectly. Human error can't be avoided no matter how cautious you are. .

Very true, unfortunately. Several years ago, my wife and I were on vacation in SF and went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant. I ordered gluten free pasta. About 5-10 seconds after my plate of food was set in front of me, a manager came rushing over to stop me before I had a chance to take any bites (thankfully). They only served 1 type of gluten free pasta and he thought he saw a different type mixed in when the food runner grabbed the plate. He took my plate away and made a fresh one, personally overseeing it to make sure it was safe. For me, it's bad enough dealing with allergies of the unpleasant things that happen when I accidentally eat gluten (and a 6-hour flight home plus the hour drive from the airport would have been absolutely miserable), but it must be 1,000X more nerve-wracking for people with allergies that can be fatal. Disney-owned restaurants have always been good to me, and the servers always ask about allergies even when it was already noted on the reservation.

What would really stink would be if they extended this change to mobile ordering. The process already (understandably) takes longer, but being able to mobile order has really made a huge difference when I'm ordering with my family since we can schedule our pickup and know approximately when our food will be ready. Prior to mobile order being available, it was always an extended wait. We all understood and appreciated the fact that it meant the proper care was being taken, but I no longer feel like a burden making everyone else wait longer for their food since it's ready when we arrive.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Aren’t they currently involved in a lawsuit with a Disney Springs restaurant regarding allergies?

My guess is their attorneys felt online reporting was creating a paper trail that can be used against them when mistakes do happen.

The fact they don’t even run the restaurant, essentially landlords, and are still getting sued shows just how litigious our society is.

 

[networkpro]

Aren’t they currently involved in a lawsuit with a Disney Springs restaurant regarding allergies?

My guess is their attorneys felt online reporting was creating a paper trail that can be used against them when mistakes do happen.

The fact they don’t even run the restaurant, essentially landlords, and are still getting sued shows just how litigious our society is.

Yes, Specifically Ragland Road where a Doctor from Long Island, NY that was allergic (dairy and nuts) to the point of anaphylaxis had dined there and was dead 45 minutes later. They supposedly have a frozen sample of the food as evidence to be tested. The husband split with his wife after dinner, went back to the hotel and then stuck her doggy bag in the freezer, unaware it was going to be evidence in a future civil lawsuit, according to court records.

In the case the widowers representation has claimed that Disney is culpable as well since the company advertises an emphasis on accommodating food allergies.



IMHO it would be up to question if a sample of the stomach contents was retained so that it could be matched to the takeaway, otherwise it would be he said/she said to prove that they matched as well as did not include food items from elsewhere.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Recently someone wrote that even with telling the server their circumstance, the request wasn't paid attention to and the order was made incorrectly. Human error can't be avoided no matter how cautious you are. .

Years ago (I was in middle school, so we're talking 15 years ago) we had to send my order back three times. I was so hungry I was in tears.

This was at Boardwalk (I think it was Kouzzina's at the time). They not only reduced our bill, but we came back and found a fruit basket (with none of the fruits I'm allergic to) and they gave me several pins and wrote a note apologizing. It was above and beyond. I still have the pins and I believe the note.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Yes, Specifically Ragland Road where a Doctor from Long Island, NY that was allergic (dairy and nuts) to the point of anaphylaxis had dined there and was dead 45 minutes later. They supposedly have a frozen sample of the food as evidence to be tested. The husband split with his wife after dinner, went back to the hotel and then stuck her doggy bag in the freezer, unaware it was going to be evidence in a future civil lawsuit, according to court records.

In the case the widowers representation has claimed that Disney is culpable as well since the company advertises an emphasis on accommodating food allergies.



IMHO it would be up to question if a sample of the stomach contents was retained so that it could be matched to the takeaway, otherwise it would be he said/she said to prove that they matched as well as did not include food items from elsewhere.

I still suspect she ate something AFTER she went there. I mean, you CAN have a reaction that late after eating, but usually, food allergy reactions happen pretty quickly. For me, I also can taste when something I'm allergic to is in my food (it tastes metallic). So I know to stop immediately.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Yeah, it's totally not there anymore...

Looks like you can't mobile order if you have allergies; you have to go up and order. Which I have unusual allergies, so if I had a concern (ie I'm allergic to pineapple, but we stay at Poly a good bit) I'd usually go up and order.

The TS restaurants are the more frustrating change. I did notice a few times when I was there that I had to ask for the allergy friendly menu verbally. I think because the servers are used to it being noted, they also weren't asking so I had to remind them more than once.

I understand we live in a litigious society and that people were probably using this as a preference rather than a true allergy, but this is frustrating as someone who deals with multiple food allergies.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

What would really stink would be if they extended this change to mobile ordering

The good thing is that a lot of the QS locations flat out don't have peanuts/tree nuts on the menus. That's the big one that can be fatal for a lot of people, especially the peanuts. There's still the risk of cross contamination if something was made off site, but I'm pretty allergic to peanuts and don't really have to worry about it at the majority of QS locations. Also not allergic to hazelnuts (I don't get it either) so France is safe.

My problem is pretty much always dessert because mine are nuts and fruits.

 

[networkpro]

The good thing is that a lot of the QS locations flat out don't have peanuts/tree nuts on the menus. That's the big one that can be fatal for a lot of people, especially the peanuts. There's still the risk of cross contamination if something was made off site, but I'm pretty allergic to peanuts and don't really have to worry about it at the majority of QS locations. Also not allergic to hazelnuts (I don't get it either) so France is safe.

My problem is pretty much always dessert because mine are nuts and fruits.

Germany as well... Hazelnuts over peanuts any day

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Germany as well... Hazelnuts over peanuts any day

France was how I found out I'm not allergic to hazelnuts. I was a teenager and wasn't exactly being careful. Definitely allergic to other nuts, but not that one.

Just no one tell my mother...I'm 30 years old but she'll still give me a lecture about it. She knows I'm not allergic to hazelnuts, just not the details of how I know this.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

A lot of the time it's on the kitchen not paying attention, and not the server.

True, I've had servers make catches because the kitchen missed it.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I also wonder if people were marking allergies when they had non medically relevant requests. I think it’s interesting that the below screenshot says, “When we know the modification requested is more than just a taste or texture preference, they will inform the kitchen to use the allergy request process, which involves a Special Diets-Trained Cast Member.”

Just noting that some allergies present differently than others.

I have an oddball shrimp allergy (no other fish/shellfish...just shrimp...). My symptoms are gastrointestinal and migraine, unlike my other allergies which are more classic (swollen tongue, hives, throat closing, trouble breathing). I thought it was an intolerance until I mentioned it to my allergist and he said "nope, that's an allergy."

Recently, I also had to stop eating fried food. At WDW, that means frequently requesting other sides besides french fries, which frequently are off-menu. It's not a preference; I will legitimately get sick. This is just as valid as a food allergy request, even though my food allergies (besides shrimp) are life-threatening and this is not.

Eating is just TONS of fun for me...

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Just noting that some allergies present differently than others.

I have an oddball shrimp allergy (no other fish/shellfish...just shrimp...). My symptoms are gastrointestinal and migraine, unlike my other allergies which are more classic (swollen tongue, hives, throat closing, trouble breathing). I thought it was an intolerance until I mentioned it to my allergist and he said "nope, that's an allergy."

Recently, I also had to stop eating fried food. At WDW, that means frequently requesting other sides besides french fries, which frequently are off-menu. It's not a preference; I will legitimately get sick. This is just as valid as a food allergy request, even though my food allergies (besides shrimp) are life-threatening and this is not.

Eating is just TONS of fun for me...

I'm glad that Disney and their Cast Members take these issues seriously. I've been to places where the staff couldn't care less. A PF Chang's near me somehow got a tempura battered shrimp in my "gluten free" chicken fried rice take-out order once even though they knew it was a gluten free order and even put the bright orange "gluten free" sticker on the lid. I didn't notice until I had already eaten a fork full (thankfully from a different area of the container and managed to only feel a little crappy the next day instead of the usual week-long agony). The manager seemed annoyed that I made a complaint and tried to tell me that they don't have battered shrimp on the menu despite it being an obvious option on the menu. For me, it wasn't about the money wasted. I just wanted them to be more careful because it would have been much worse if it happened to someone with a shrimp allergy.

 

[networkpro]

Just noting that some allergies present differently than others.

I have an oddball shrimp allergy (no other fish/shellfish...just shrimp...). My symptoms are gastrointestinal and migraine, unlike my other allergies which are more classic (swollen tongue, hives, throat closing, trouble breathing). I thought it was an intolerance until I mentioned it to my allergist and he said "nope, that's an allergy."

Recently, I also had to stop eating fried food. At WDW, that means frequently requesting other sides besides french fries, which frequently are off-menu. It's not a preference; I will legitimately get sick. This is just as valid as a food allergy request, even though my food allergies (besides shrimp) are life-threatening and this is not.

Eating is just TONS of fun for me...

My mother is allergic to the iodine in shellfish so I can identify with your diet very well. It's heck growing up on the Georgia coast.