Families managing food allergies have a not-so-spooky option for fun this fall at Disney World’s Halloween event.
The Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) offers families a safe and inviting atmosphere that allows the entire family to experience seasonal fun. Treat bags are provided at the event, and those with allergies can ask for a teal-colored treat bag so cast members know to provide you with a teal token instead of candy. The teal tokens can then be traded at one of two locations for allergy-friendly treats. At the locations, there will be a display board listing the available candy (or crafts) and the allergens they contain. A cast member will work with you to select safe candy and put it in your treat bag. If you are curious about the association between this color and food allergies, read Why Pumpkins Are Turning Teal: Allergy Trick-or-Treating.
Disney World's allergy-friendly trick-or-treating is a great opportunity for families for several reasons. Children and adults with allergies get to eat safe candy, which is not always possible at holiday events. Secondly, they get to join the fun and experience trick-or-treating like everyone else by going through the line (and getting a token to trade for candy later). They can participate with minimal attention highlighting their food needs. Those with food allergies can feel they were able to enjoy the full party experience they paid for instead of missing a key aspect of the party. Lastly, the entire family can stay together during the event as everyone trick-or-treats together and because the teal token trade-in does not require a large amount of time as a separate activity.
Here are some tips for allergy trick-or-treating at the party:
On the day of the party, obtain your wristband that allows you entrance into the event. There are several places to obtain your wristband; the line in Tomorrowland across from Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin seems to be the busiest, so ask about other locations.
You will receive a party guide with information and a bag for trick-or-treating. Request the teal allergy-friendly treat bag.
Adults are allowed to participate in trick-or-treating, and most adults do, whether they collect regular candy or teal tokens.
When you trick-or-treat, the main line splits into more lines near the candy bins. Cast members will scoop candy out of the bin and put it in treat bags for non-allergy guests. For allergy guests, they will take a teal token out of their apron pocket or a bag and put it in your bag.
Sometimes, cast members do not realize you have a teal treat bag and start to put candy in your bag. Make sure you (or your children) do not eat candy from these bins. Collect a teal token from these treat stations, then turn in the tokens for allergy-friendly candy at one of two locations listed on the event guide.
Most treat stations hand out the teal tokens at the end of the line where the candy tubs are located, but some stations have a cast member wearing a teal apron at the front of the line handing out tokens. If they do not see your bag, you will go through the line and not get a token. Have your teal bag easily seen by cast members even at the front of the line to minimize this problem.
Oversee your children’s candy selections when they turn in their tokens and read all labels before they eat anything.
Each year, the cast members seem more reluctant to fill up the allergy treat bags with more than a minimal amount of candy. If there is certain type of candy you want, be proactive and ask for it. It is acceptable to take a moment and look at the display board and review your options and make requests.
You can go to the allergy-friendly centers more than once during the evening.
For tips on how to maximize your time at the MNSSHP, review my previous post Have a Ball This Fall At Disney World: Strategies for the Halloween Party. This allergy-friendly event allows everyone to enjoy some Halloween fun; it just might be the magic someone you know needs this fall.