DDP For Vegetarians?

[famsen]

Here's the thing; DD and I are vegetarians. We don't eat beef, chicken, pork, fish or eggs. We usually are able to make due pretty well everywhere at WDW but sometimes it's hard and at times we have to put together several items to make a "meal". For example for lunch I may get a side salad with onion rings and maybe a side of cole slaw or beans. We couldn't do that on the DDP right? It would only allow for one "entree"? I'm sure table service would be fine for us since I can always find something on a menu that is specifically vegetarian or the chef can make it vegetarian.

I'm always jealous seeing people using their DDP. The ease and convenience of it seems wonderful but is is practicle for vegetarians?

 

[smartestnumber5]

Well I'm a vegetarian and I've done the DDP once, but I didn't pay for it. Vegetarian entrees can be a lot cheaper at TS places (sometimes it's a $20 difference at signature restaurants), but I think it would still be worth the money. We go during free dining though so it's even better!

As far as putting together sides for meals you can do that somewhat with the snack credits. Sometimes I just like a pretzel at AK since there aren't very many veggie CS options and use a snack credit. You can also always use 1 CS for a entree salad w/out meat and 1 snack for a side and share the things between you. We do our best to plan our CS meals a little bit instead of just eating wherever we happen to be when we're hungry. There are lots of CS places that have good veggie options. We like Earl of Sandwich in DD (hoping to try Wolfgang Puck Express this trip), Columbia Harbor House in MK (Cosmic Rays seems to have a few veggie options too), Sunshine Seasons and Tangerine Cafe in Epcot. I have a harder time at AK and we either do Pizzafari (which is just okay) or Tusker House which is closing soon. MGM is our least favorite park so we don't spend much time there; I hear a lot of complaints about the CS food but there are numerous places with veggie options.

I would go for it!

 

[septbaby]

We are also vegetarians, but have a more flexible diet than you listed. Part of our strategy is to use buffets. That way you can put together whatever you want to get a meal. There have been a lot of for Boma offering lots of vegetarian choices. Chef Mickey's has a tasty veggies lasagna (even for breakfast). Many buffets will have a great salad, fresh fruit offering too.

For CS I think you have to know the menus and know what you can/will eat where. I don't know where you plan to stay, but it seems that the resort CSs have wonderful options (including a veggie plate, ie. mix and match sides) to get a full meal. That is our step 2, use the our resort CS for good meals too.

One thing I've decided, don't expect to get a meal at AK. Thus on that day we head over to Boma shortly after Park closing for a good meal. We'll get a good breakfast at "home" and grab snacks as needed in the park.

 

[thunderbird1]

I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian, and have never had a problem getting a meal. Check out the menus section here on the DIS and over at allearsnet.com for ideas. Allearsnet also has a pretty good article about eating vegetarian at WDW, including a nice table outlining which restaurants can accomodate various degrees of vegetarianism.

TS restaurants are a piece of cake. Even though you don't eat eggs, as long as dairy is okay they should easily be able to put a meal together for you, if they don't already have something on the menu. Even without dairy, most places can come up with a vegan meal, though advanced notice would be recommended.

CS restaurants are a little harder, but probably still doable. I've had veggie burgers, at least 3 or 4 different vegetarian sandwiches, vegetarian chili, vegetarian stir-fry, pizza, just to name a few. You may want to do some advance planning to figure out where you could eat and still be able to avoid eggs.

The only thing I'm not sure about is how well you'd do with the desserts on the DDP, particularly at CS restaurants. Most cakes and cookies do contain eggs, and most CS restaurants have limited dessert selections. If you don't mind (or even prefer) fruit for dessert, that's almost always an option.

I say, give the DDP a chance! It's as much fun as it looks.

 

[battricia]

my boyfriend and I are vegetarian (we do eat eggs though) and have used the ddp the last 2 visits to the world (and are going back soon!). We think it is very much worth it to have the dining plan. We usually eat our biggest meal at a table service and that works out well. We eat something lighter (cs) either in the morning or midday. Some counter service options that are some of my favs: (unfortunately there is no more tusker house so I can't list that one anymore).

Magic Kingdom:
columbia harbor house: they have a delicious sandwich (i think its called lighthouse) that has hummus and a broccoli type coleslaw. It's really good. The bread is amazing. They also have a vegetarian chili, and I believe you can also get 1/2 a sandwich and small chili or something like that. It's definately a good option for the DDP. This is my favorite but I will list some other things you might be interested in (none of these I have had): vegetarian taco @ el pirata y el perico, and veggie pizza @ pinnochio village haus (I THINK this is CS but if it's not please correct me!)

Epcot: Sunshine seasons food court has what they call a veggie cuban sandwich. It's very good. It's got roasted veggies, i believe provolone cheese (might be a different cheese but similar to provolone) and some sort of mustard like dressing. I like sandwiches a LOT and since it's harder to find them being vegetarian it's nice to have a good one. You can also pick from a million desserts they have there for the dining plan. I think sunshine seasons also has a veggie stirfry too in the asian section. I did not have this though. I have not had, but heard at the tangerine cafe in morocco that the veggie platter is very good.

MGM: they have a tebbouleh wrap at the ABC commissary. I had this and I thought it was pretty good but others here have reviewed it as being awful so i don't know, maybe I just got lucky. Some things I have not had at MGM but are vegetarian: backlot express: grilled veggie sandwich, ABC commissary: veggie noodle dish, and starring rolls grilled veggie pita.

Animal kingdom my favorite used to be the sandwich at tusker house but it is no longer there, so I know there is pizza at pizzafari (obviously.)

Some of my favorite counters at hotels are: Pop Century: Last year they had a veggie flatbread which was wonderful. My boyfriend also got a veggie burger there. and you have to try the twinkie tirimisu (sorry to butcher that) but it's so good.

At POFQ they have a veggie sandwich that is similar to but not exactly like the veggie cuban at sunshine seasons. It was pretty good but I was kindof dissappointed that I couldn't get a grilled cheese (it was VERY late and they had already closed down the grill). They do HAVE grilled cheese at most places. Also I cannot say enough about the beignets!!!

I hope some of these suggestions help. The dining plan is not for everyone, but I wanted to give you advice as two vegetarians that do enjoy the plan.

tricia.

 

[QueenGoblin]

DD and I are ovo-lacto and DH is vegan and we went last year during free dining and were fine. We had it noted on our ADRs when we made them. We ate our TS meals primarliy at buffets (DH like QUANTITY) and we had good options at 1900 Park Fare, Boma, CP and we had good luck with the CS places already mentioned.

What I would look at, is whether the DP is worth it to you. If you aren't going to be having steaks, expensive seaood, etc. you aren't going to see the same price difference between the dining plan and ordering off the menu that people with a more traditional American diet do. I would look at some of the menus, price out what it would cost you to order off the plan vs on the plan. For example, if it were just DD and I, we would never get the dining plan, because I rarely order an appetizer or dessert, muchless both. And DD and I would probably share a CS meal b/c she is only 4 and rarely finishes anything. My DH being in the mix changes things though, because he really needs to hit one of the buffets daily or he start getting surly (marathon runners like to eat). Since buffets are at least $25 or so (or more), if we go to one of those daily the dining plan starts to make sense for us again.
So check out allearsnet and price things out. Happy eating!

 

[10nismama]

Good info, since I am a new vegetarian, this will come in handy in Feb.

 

[havoc315]

Good info, since I am a new vegetarian, this will come in handy in Feb.

Do not rely on 2007 information about the dining plan. A lot has changed since then.

I assume you are going on free dining? Under current pricing, the DDP would be a horrible deal for a vegetarian. Often, they will not allow you to use the DDP credits for an appetizer -- so you can't get a vegetarian appetizer as your meal.

If you have free dining --- Then take a look at current menus to find places that have dishes that match your tastes. If you don't have free dining, then don't pay for the dining plan. You'll have more flexibility, and it will be cheaper, OOP.

 

[cavepig]

On the Dining Plans you always get a desset, most will have eggs, likes cakes/cookies, so I'm not sure what you would get.I know you can get a bottle of water or fruit instead at most CS places.

I'm lacto/ovo vegetarian and have done both the quick and deluxe plans and they are doable and fine. However, as stated the veggie option is usually cheapest, so you really don't save on the plan. You can't do a few sides to make up a meal, they are rather strict about sticking to the entree rules. I am not doing any plan this trip in May which will be great because I can get dessert elsewhere and can make up a meal of sides if I want.

 

[Bete]

We have been at it since the inception of the dining plans. TS DP was sort of worth it for vegans way back when you could do an appetizer, but that option vanished pretty quickly. I find you are very limited on choices with a few exceptions like Boma. We are actually tired of the same choices over and over again. I will say buffets help, but I don't think I would be doing that many buffets if we weren't on the plan. Sometimes I think it's more interesting getting two appetizers for a TS meal.

Next, do you really need a dessert at every meal? We are satisfied with tap water at the parks and resorts. All of this makes the dining plan less worth it. We use our snack credits for breakfast items; so, it's not so bad on that count.

With CS meals the choices for vegans even gets worse.

Now, I will say Disney is good enough to address this issue and at least you can eat vegan whether it's TS or CS.

In doing the math it seems better for us to be off the plans now if we have to pay for it. 2012 had a good increase in prices for the plans.

You have to do the math and use available internet menus to see how it will work for you if you are paying OOP for the dining plans. Also, remember, you should account for tips going to TS meals. We tend not to do as many TS meals when we are not on a plan and we tend to go to TS lunches which are cheaper.

This is an individual choice, but it's getting harder and harder for the plans to be worth it even if you are not vegan.