We were blessed with tickets to Busch Gardens this week. I was so excited and researched the food options. I have two girls ages 6 and 3. We are all on a gluten free diet. This makes for a complicated day of tryin to figure out what to eat. I found out that you cant bring food into the park. (Later on after the face I found out that you can in fact bring some) Nevertheless you dont want to be carrying a lot in the park anyway. I cant walk long distances so we rented a wheelchair which is challenging in and of itself. I do have to say busch Gardens does a great job of trying to accomadate people with disabilites. I would love to go back and know what I know now. On their map a restaurant called Grograns Grill is labeled Allergen Friendly. So I thought Great! Not so much! Grogans grill has pork loin, pork, and more pork with a side of cabbage...not so much for those of us that pork doesnt agree with us, or anything for my kids. the manager was very nice and even made our plates up, but then told me their is a restaurant on the opposite side of the park with gluten free pizza! AH! Why was that not listed on the map? I was also irritated because I had called the day before to speak with someone more about the allergy free options only to get a generic answer of speak to each manager before ordering. Really?! She gave me an email to email, and no one emailed me back. I emailed corporate and received an email two days later, a little too late...
My name is Joshua Rainville. I am the Group Supervisor for Ireland Culinary and represent the allergen resource team for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The safety of your family’s dining is very important to us. Our supervisors and managers have been educated and trained in allergen management in association with The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) to ensure your safety. Although none of them are experts, they can help. They have an ingredient book that will be very informative to you.
The supervisors and managers at each of our restaurants have been trained to answer allergen related questions concerning their individual menus and ingredients as well as the items in the snack locations nearby. In addition we have designated meal facilities where the supervision has been trained to answer questions for our entire park, in order to better assist you in planning out your day. At Busch Gardens the designated meal facility is Grogan’s Grill and at Water Country USA it is Hot Spots Café.
Most of our restaurants carry foods that are easily modified to meet many if not all of the 8 major allergens. I urge you to ask for a supervisor when you arrive at a restaurant. You should also be informed that none of our meal facilities are free from cross contact. In order to ensure your meal is safe, please discuss the preparation with a supervisor. Based on your specific concern about gluten I would recommend Grogan’s Grill or Trapper’s Smokehouse as they both offer many gluten free menu options. For children I highly recommend Das Festhaus as they offer gluten free pizza. We also urge you to visit our meal facilities during non peak times so that you can be efficiently served.
Depending on the severity of your allergies, I would also urge you to speak with our dining room supervisors to assure that your table has been properly sanitized, to avoid potential contact. Your safety is our number one concern. If you feel that you would be best served by bringing your own food, please notify guest relations of your allergen concerns on your arrival so that you may be permitted to bring outside food in. You may bring a cooler, but it must be collapsible and able to be carried.
We look forward to your visit to SeaWorld Parks. Please let me know if I can further assist you.
Regards,
Joshua Rainville
It was awesome that he emailed me back but I was disappointed that it wasn't BEFORE we went to the park!
