I travel a lot with my two 3 year old boys. We always have. I take them to theme parks all over the South, playgrounds, botanical gardens, zoos, etc. NO WHERE has EVER given us trouble whatsoever about me bringing in a small lunchbox with food for my PA son up till now.
We took them to Disney world this past Fall and they were totally cool about bringing in a small lunchbox with some crackers, sandwiches, fruit and cookies for him to eat throughout the day.
So we are going to Dollywood next week. First time taking the boys there. I check out their website for food options and their food policies. They said no outside food allowed and seemed strict about it. So I called the person they said to call if you have food restrictions. She did not call me back for over a week. I heard nothing. So I call again and leave another voicemail. This time she calls back with immediate attitude.
I explain my sons allergies and how from the stuff on the website it looks like I may have a hard time finding something he can and will eat. She explains that they do not use peanut oil which is good. She also explains that the peanut butter sandwiches come prepackaged which is also good. But all the food she lists as possibilites for my son to eat are stuff I KNOW he won't eat! Barbeque chicken, meatloaf, salad, baked potatos. Most 3 year olds will not eat that happily.
I like to bring soy butter sandwiches for him to eat when we go out to places like this. It is not fair to make my son eat meatloaf while he gets to watch all the other kids getting PB and J kids meals. If they don't sell soy butter sandwiches or some other non peanut butter sandwiches then why can't I bring one in? She gets more attitude with me. Then tells me that she will talk to her manager and that since there are options for him she is not giving me permission.
I get pretty darn livid. Are they that greedy that they are going to begrudge a 3 year old a soy butter sandwich and some oreos? Really!? When we are buying two adult admissions and food for 2 adults and one other child along with souvenirs?! Really?!
So I hear back from the manager by email and he says I can bring in the food but I have to leave it up front at the First Aid area. Dollywood is a big theme park with lots of walking. So everytime my son gets hungry they expect me to run through the entire park to get his food. Then run back to drop it back off?? I don't think so!
It is not fair to make us jump through hoops backwards because our son was born with a PA. All I am asking is to bring a small lunchbox for cripes sake!
So I kinda told off the manager in an email and never heard back from him. We plan on just sneaking in the lunchbox and going about our own way. I was just very upset with their stubborness and rudeness about the entire situation.
They didn't even begin to address the dessert issue because while there may be food he can eat, I doubt they could provide safe desserts he can eat and my child deserves to eat dessert just like all the other kids. So I bring oreos.
I don't ask for people to bend over backwards and make stuff just for him. All I usually ever ask is just let me bring something for him. He likes having his own special food. It just made me livid.
Anyone else have bad experiences with Dollywood?
We are planning a trip to dollywood the last week of May 2011 and my son has a severe PA. From what I understood there are signs posted on all of the resturants that have anything to do with nuts in any of the foods. They also said they have "start fresh" packs for ppl with severe food allergies- in which they put on new gloves, a new cutting board, new untensils, etc.. that are all stored in a "start fresh" pack and are brand new- and are supposed to be used if you tell them about the severe allergy.
I totally agree that there shouldnt be a problem with bringing in food if you have severe food allergies. I havent asked them about this myself but have read on other forums that ppl with PA kids have visited and brought in food without a problem. They have also raved about how wonderful the Dollywood staff is about it. I just assumed we would have an easy time with his allergy, but now I'm reconsidering after the trouble you had with them. I hope you have/had a wonderful trip and things go smoothly for you guys. If you have already visited I would love to hear about your experience and any advice you could offer us. Thanks, Tiffany