4Th Question Regarding Trip to Disneyworld, Sorry!!!

I would have them ask the wait staff when they are going out to eat, but to also bring food for her (I have brought many meals for my daughter while visiting the parks). Disney will do what they can to accommodate ALL their guests. I would also give a list to your in laws so they will have an idea what foods contain gluten (that will make it easier for them to stay away from certain items). I think that would be a big help to them.

She will most likely get some of the things you mentioned but as long as everyone (your family) is aware what she shouldn’t eat then she should be just fine.

Disney World is very accommodating when it comes to special diets. My daughter has lots of allergies, and when we went, everyone at every restaurant (including the burger stands) was attentive to our needs. At no point did they ever treat me like the pain in the *ss that I thought I was. And there was no advanced notice required.

Having said that, I will say that it will take an extra long time for your family to receive their meals if they have a special meal on their order. I think it took us more than 30 minutes to get grilled chicken from a burger stand once. It wasn't too long of a wait when we went to a sit-down restaurant. Have your parents put in the food order before the kids are already starving and ready for a meltdown. I hope your daughter isn't a picky eater. She will most likely end up with grilled chicken at every meal at the park. Another good alternative is to have your parents just bring food (sandwich meat, hard boiled eggs, and fruit?) separately for her. It will save them time and money. Good luck to you!

Hmmm that is tough... If you don't mind doing the research, I would prepare a list of restaurants in the area that they will be staying in, as well as researching the park food and just prepare a little guide that your in-laws can take with. This will ease your mind and help them out. So you could write:

XYZ Restaurant : Grilled chicken tenders
Fries
Fruit parfait

ETC... and make sure to include some fast food choices if you can find things that she can eat there. You could also make a list of all of the things that are naturally dairy/gluten free so that they have an idea of what things to look for.

If they eat primarily in the parks, they will be good about helping to find foods that your daughter can eat. Based on my experience at Disneyland and a recent Disney Cruise, the restaurants have gluten-free, dairy-free options for things like hamburgers and hot dogs (including the buns) and french fries. They all offer fresh fruit. They will prepare things specially for her if needed. It may take a little more time, but they can do it.

Do your in-laws have iphones or an ipad? I have an app called "iCan Eat" and it has menus with allergen information for many fast food places and counter-service restaurants (Panera Bread, Corner Bakery, etc). It has helped a lot with my son's allergies.

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about avoiding sugar.

Tell them to ask the waiter or waitress ahead of time. It's actually very common today for children to have food sensitivities and requirements, so most places are quite accommodating... especially places like Disney.

If you can, give them a list of "safe" foods that are OK no matter where they go as well as "definitely not" foods. I can tell you that at the parks they have foods that would meet your daughter's needs. As for places off of the grounds, they would have to ask.

We were out-to-dinner the other night and my son asked for mac-and-cheese as his side dish instead of fries and the waiter immediately asked me if he had a food allergy or sensitivity b/c it's simply that common. He doesn't, but this particular chain restaurant would have accommodated him if he had needed something different.

Lyme Disease.

I'd be interested in hearing how your 5 year old contracted Lyme Disease and how it was caught?

Anyhow, the current diet is to promote faster healing. The foods will not make her any sicker with the disease and an occasional slip will not harm her recovery.

Going prepared with a list to avoid and knowing that your In-Laws are comfortable asking about ingredients and they will try to avoid the dreaded items, is probably safe enough. Throwing up is not the end of the world. Plenty of kids do that after riding a roller coast too much. She'll be fine A.. Talk to her personally about making good choices while she's there. It's a difficult place to not want a special treat, especially while her siblings will probably not be denied anything. Perhaps there is one item she can look forward to?

Researching the restaurants first is a great idea. Contact Disney world and explain the restrictions and ask if they have a list or resource to help you. They are very customer oriented and you will not be the first to ask.
I would also have your older two kids work as a back up. They've been around this diet for 4 months now even if they are not on it. They should be aware enough to speak up remind grandparents 'no ice cream or she'll hurl'.
I'm not sure if Disney World allows it, but I would also see if they couldn't pack snacks that fit her diet so the surrounding treats aren't as tempting.

Personally, I think you should have them try to avoid those foods completely. Then, if she has a little something accidentally it probably won't affect her as much. There are tons of kids these days with allergies so I imagine somewhere like Disney would be super accommodating. I don't have issues with the particular foods you listed but I follow a vegan diet. When I go out to eat even if there is nothing vegan on the menu the restaurant will always make me something special. Don't worry so much about it!

could you make list for them of some of the foods you know that she should not have and another list of foods that you know she can have!! at least then they have some idea of what to ask and what she can have!