Food allergies at theme parks: Can I eat freely at Disney World, Universal?

It can be challenging to dine out when you or someone you’re with has food allergies. According to the Food Allergy Research and Education, about 33 million people in the United States have at least one food allergy, which is roughly 1 in 13 children and 1 in 10 adults. 

It can seem especially anxiety-inducing and frustrating when you're planning a trip to a amusement park and think you won't be able to enjoy all the iconic themed treats. However, for Florida's top theme parks, it might not be a problem.

From Universal Orlando to Florida's upcoming Great Wolf Lodge resort, many have been highlighted by experts and guests for their ability to accommodate guests with food allergies or sensitives.

Planning a trip to a Florida park and wondering how to navigate the menus? Here's a guide to each park's food allergy accommodations.

Walt Disney World

The Disney World parks in Orlando have been touted as one of the best vacation destinations for those with food allergies. On its website, the company highlights its strict food handling policies and availability of many allergen-free food items.

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"You can request to speak with a chef or a special diets-trained Cast Member at most table-service and select quick-service restaurants. In most cases, no advance arrangements are needed," the food allergy section of the website says.

Most Disney table-service and select quick-service restaurants can accommodate the following common allergy-friendly requests and intolerances without any advance notice:

• Eggs
• Fish
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Sesame
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Tree nuts
• Wheat

Its website does highlight a few allergens that would require advance notice, such as food without citrus, MSG or lactose. Guests needing to reach out ahead of time are asked to do so less than 14 days before your arrival.

To request to see allergy-friendly menus, consult a special diets-trained Disney World Cast Member, or if you’re traveling with someone who has more than four allergies or multiple people with allergies, they ask those to email Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com.

Universal Studios Orlando

Similarly to Disney, Universal Orlando's website boasts its array of allergy-free menu items and the communication between guests and culinary staff.

The park recommends those to research the menu's before visiting; however, they stress you can ask to speak to a chef or manager at any restaurant within Universal Orlando Resort.

"Let them know which guest in your party has a food allergy or intolerance, and what the allergy/intolerance is. Our culinary staff will make every effort to prevent that allergen from coming in contact with any part of that guest’s meal."

The website does note that Universal Orlando does not have separate food preparation facilities in which to prepare allergen-free foods. There is occasionally the chance that allergens may have been introduced to one or more ingredients before they reached the kitchens.

To get advice about allergy concerns at Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay, and Universal’s CityWalk, email FoodServiceCUF@UniversalOrlando.com.

SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay recommend parkgoers first choose where they would like to eat. Second, upon arriving at a chosen food venue, they must go straight to the cashier and ask to speak with the supervisor to give them details about they allergen concerns.

"To make sure your meal is free from any cross contact, request to see a supervisor and have them explain the food preparation process. Next, order your food with the supervisor to make sure your meal is prepared free of any cross contact," the websites share.

Lastly, determine and choose a meal that is safe for you. And then enjoy.

They also list a designated allergy friendly restaurant for guests to enjoy — SeaWorld's Sharks Underwater Grill and Busch Garden's Dragon Fire Grill & Zambia Smokehouse.

To talk to someone who’ll help plan your visit to SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, Aquatica or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, email AllergenFriendlySWF@SeaWorld.com.

Legoland Florida

Winter Haven's Legoland offers a dietary guide on its website to help guests location eateries that offer allergy friendly options, such as gluten-free, soy-free or vegan options.

For example, the park's famous "Granny's Apple Fries" stand offers most allergy-free options except for nuts allergies. If you do have a nut allergy, you can try out Burger Kitchen, Beach Street Taco or Ultimate Sandwich Builder.

To get advice about allergy concerns at Legoland Florida, email LLF-Food@aramark.com.

Great Wolf Lodge

While Naples' new water park resort still has yet to open, the resort has been praised by many food blogs for being allergy friendly. According to food allergy app Spokin, it's the fourth best food-allergy friendly theme and water park in the country.

Its website shares it does not use or serve peanuts or peanut-based products in any of the Great Wolf Lodge branded restaurants to help avoid a common food allergen, adding it has separate allergy-free prep areas. They also allow guests to speak with chefs beforehand.

They do note on their site that while the staff is "very cautious with allergy-free preparations," some ingredients may be manufactured in facilities that also process nuts and other allergens, so they cannot guarantee that there has been no cross-contamination during the manufacturing process. 

Tips for attending theme parks with food allergies

Still worried about accidentally coming across an ingredient you're allergic to? You can never be too prepared.

Last year, USA Today interviewed Allie Bahn, who helps travelers with food allergies through her Miss Allergic Reactor website and Allergy Travels Facebook group, on how guests can navigate parks with food restrictions. Here's her tips for parkgoers:

• Do your research before heading to the parks
• Don't go to theme park hungry
• Pack snacks
• Always carry medication or epinephrine
• Ask questions
• Advocate for yourself
• Trust your gut and double check items

Contributing reporting: Eve Chen, USA TODAY