I think I have read it on this sight and I know I have read it on all ears, that when you have an allergy they will give you a number to talk to the restaraunts. I have made all my ADR's and there is one restaraunt that I would like to talk to. I have an allergy that would not be in a lot of restaraunts I do not think, and is usually easy to see and stay clear of. I am highly allergic to coconut. I will carry and epipen but I want to avoid any problem. I doubt it will be a problem as I said in most places but I could see a problem at Spirit of Aloha. I told the lady on the phone and she seemed to down play the situation because I was only asking for this restaraunt chef or manager. When she wrote it done she told me that there was no place to write in coconut, so she would just put down other allergy. I called back a few days later and got no where again. Does anyone know what I should be saying to be taking more serious? Is there a number I can call to talk to the chef or manager? Or if nothing else does anyone know what may have coconut in it if I eat at Spirit, but since it is such a life threatening allergy that needs me to carry an epipen, I really need to know how much cross examination maybe. In most places you can just stay away from desserts but I am not sure with a Laua that that would be the same. Any suggestions?

I sent you a PM with some info from another site. I don't know if I can post it here.

BTW, they most certainly can specify the kind of allergy. I'm highly allergic to kiwi, such a strange thing, as well as fish. When I went to tea at the GF, the server came to me and said, "I understand you're allergic to kiwi and fish. There are several things you cannot eat. The chef suggests you substitute......" It was WONDERFUL. I never said a word! On my ADR card, ALLERGY was highlighted and circled. I guess there was some kiwi flavoring in a tea that we stayed away from, some fruit tarts, and some shrimp and salmon tea sandwiches. We ate at Coral Reef and they were careful to make sure that none of my food touched any seafood in the kitchen. I had NO problems.

The food staff deals with life-threatening allergies all of the time. They have a form that you can fill out. It comes from the Food & Beverage manager, but I can't find a specific phone number. It's somewhere here or on allearsnet. Maybe someone else can help. If I run into it, I'll post it for you.

In addition to the epi-pen, which obviously is for anaphylactic shock, I have found that those little Benadryl films--you know, the ones like the Listerine breath strips?? are great. They melt IMMEDIATELY. They have been great for stopping a much worse reaction. You can carry them in your pocket. Just rip the envelope, stick on your tongue (they taste terrible) and it melts. It worked faster than liquid or pills and are a breeze to carry. For me, if fruits are cut by the same knife as a kiwi, I get a reaction. They've been a god-send. Not for every situation, but nice to have with. Just a thought.

For a lot of information concerning how WDW handles food allergies go to Page 3 of the link in my signature.

For a lot of information concerning how WDW handles food allergies go to Page 3 of the link in my signature.Or I'll just save you the trouble of searching:

First, here is the current menu for the restaurant (http://www.mouseplanet.com/guide.php?pg=BLP403), from the MousePlanet menu archives. There are a few things right off the bat that I can see will be a problem, such as the Pineapple-Coconut bread. In my experience, fresh pineapple is frequently served with a sprinkle of toasted coconut, though I haven't eated at Spirit recently enough to know. The Polynesian rice may also be a problem - it may be prepared with coconut milk.

Second, I can tell you that the person you spoke with did not handle your issue correctly. When you make an ADR and advise them of an allergy, they are supposed to either give YOU a number to call a few days before your meal so you can discuss the matter with the chef(s) who will actually be working, or they are supposed to have someone contact you. I would call back (during normal Monday - Friday business hours if possible), and politely ask to speak with a lead. Explain that this is an allergy, not an aversion, and that it is severe enough that you carry an Epi-pen. That should get you to someone who can really help. If that doesn't work, there is a CM at WDW who is responsible for overseeing allergy concerns, and I'll dig up her e-mail address for you.

I am also allergic to coconut, and my brother-in-law has potentially life-threatening food allergies. I've experienced the same frustration in trying to make dining reservations. It seems like everyone has food allergies, and some (a very few, really) CMs seem to think that it isn't as much of an issue. On the other hand, we've encountered CMs who have gone SO far above-and-beyond it is incredible. (Donna in the kitchen at Boma is a true blessing to those with allergies, and she takes these issues SERIOUSLY. My brother-in-law ate better than we did!).

If you don't feel that the CM is taking your issue seriously, you need to escallate the situation until you get to someone who will.

Good luck, and let us know what you find!

AVP