Vegan dining options in and around Disneyland

[nancy drew]

I'm so glad it's not medically required for me to be vegan. Meat? I could totally do without it. But a world without cheese? That's just no world at all!

I thought this as well, but it has been surprisingly easy to do without cheese. I have found a shredded substitute that fills in nicely on things like tacos, pizza, burgers, etc. I miss a good, cheesy pizza, but I know how bad that would be for my health so I'm OK not eating it.

I was going to let this go, but I really hate leaving misinformation out there, which people then believe as truth. Egg-free pasta is not more expensive than egg pasta. A trip to the grocery store confirmed that. Most boxed pasta is egg-free, and cheaper than egg pasta by nearly 50%. So please don't get sucked into the "Vegan food costs more" myth.

Also, my food bill has dropped considerably since going vegan because I don't eat in restaurants or order in nearly as much as I used to, and what money I used to spend on meats I now spend on other foods that last longer (dried beans, for example).

I'm not trying to convince anyone to do anything, I couldn't care less how anyone else eats. My choices are my own, and I respect other people's choices to eat and do whatever they want, and hopefully others feel the same way and respect the choices of people who eat and live differently from themselves. I just want to clear the air so no one walks away from this thread thinking that a vegan diet is somehow a wildly expensive lifestyle.

 

[tinkermomma]

yeah I personally couldn't live without cheese. Especially the blue and creamy stuff.

I did live without it while I was pregnant, and boy did I miss it! Wine, coffee, sushi, deli ,meat, ad nauseum..... I was fine without (although coffee felt physically strange to without at first) but cheese.... ugh! I was SO excited to have the good stuff again when DD came.

I really respect Vegans for their commitment. I've tried it but I don't have that kind of will power.

Also was going to drop it but I am SUPER curious where the "meat is less expensive than veggies" people shop. I find their statements to be completely opposite from my own experiences and feel like I live on an entirely different planet.

I shop 2 local produce markets, Farmer's Market and Trader Joe's and one otherv locally owned Whole Foods type store (we have a WF but this place is better AND cheaper), and my meats are 2 to 3x more than my veggies (berries not included). I just gotta know, where are you guys shopping?

 

[furb & dez]

I'm not trying to convince anyone to do anything, I couldn't care less how anyone else eats. My choices are my own, and I respect other people's choices to eat and do whatever they want, and hopefully others feel the same way and respect the choices of people who eat and live differently from themselves.

I can respect this. Unfortunately, most of my encounters with Vegans are the ones who get off on loudly proclaiming their food choices and "make a show" of being an *** about it. "Meat is murder," *tsk*-ing, staring, or mumbling at diners eating meat, etc. (basically, PPP's).

Honestly, people, no one cares what you eat. Just eat it and leave us alone with our choices!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I find your comments interesting in that I'm the one usually getting roasted over the coals for eating differently than the rest of the population. I normally tell people that being Vegan is not for everyone, but it's a matter of personal choice. I am a Vegan living with a bunch of omni's. I respect them for what they are, and give them whatever I'm eating as a option when I cook it. Do I expect them to eat it...No, but at least the choice is there if they choose to do so. There is no right or wrong way to eat. It's what's right for you. I think that there need's to be more respect given on both sides. There tends to be radicals on both sides, and I'm sorry that you encountered some of the Vegans on the more extreme end of the lifestyle. I can assure you that we are all not that way. I tend to be moderate both in my views about Vegan, the animal rights issues, but to me I feel that I don't have the right to impose my views on anyone. However I feel the best way to show Vegan lifestyle in positive light is to live well, feel healthy and show people that you can be healthy on a Vegan diet, and if it makes me a Rebel, so be it.

 

[furb & dez]

I respect them for what they are, and give them whatever I'm eating as a option when I cook it. Do I expect them to eat it...No, but at least the choice is there if they choose to do so. There is no right or wrong way to eat. It's what's right for you.

There need to be more people like you. Off to the cloning room!!

 

[nancy drew]

I can respect this. Unfortunately, most of my encounters with Vegans are the ones who get off on loudly proclaiming their food choices and "make a show" of being an *** about it. "Meat is murder," *tsk*-ing, staring, or mumbling at diners eating meat, etc. (basically, PPP's).

Honestly, people, no one cares what you eat. Just eat it and leave us alone with our choices!

I hear ya. There are some militant vegans out there. I'm not one of them . I'm pretty new at the vegan thing myself, and I'd probably be ridiculed and yelled at by other vegans because 1) I buy and prepare meat for my kids 2) I eat honey 3) I don't pay attention to whether or not my clothing or anything is vegan. And luckily I've avoided those militant folks. I couldn't possibly express my thoughts better than Belledozer did here:

I tend to be moderate both in my views about Vegan, the animal rights issues, but to me I feel that I don't have the right to impose my views on anyone. However I feel the best way to show Vegan lifestyle in positive light is to live well, feel healthy and show people that you can be healthy on a Vegan diet, and if it makes me a Rebel, so be it.

And, just because it feels appropriate for this discussion... .

 

[oumagic]

I would treat a vegan diet the same as I treat my wife's tree nut allergy: call Disney Dining. They really are fantastic. I had the head chef call me back last year to discuss the situation before we booked our package. It is one reason that we have chosen to keep going back. Disney is much more accommodating toward special diets than many other vacation destinations. We love to vacation but the headache of a special diet can make it almost work. Disney was a dream last year and I think you will be pleasantly surprised as long as you go into it with a plan. I do not think that you are the type to go to the Corndog Castle and ask for vegan options or you wouldn't be posting here, just like my wife is not the type to go to Paradise Bakery and ask if there is anything there that she can eat (the chef said to avoid that place like the plague with my wife's condition).

 

[BELLEDOZER]

nancy drew welcome to world of Vegandom!!! I would be kicked out of the fraternity, as I continue to wear the slightly used leather biker jacket I bought second hand a couple of weeks before I went Vegan (didn't know I was going Vegan until I had a massive allergic reaction to Dairy and eggs 2 weeks after I went Vegetarian) (according to the Vegans on a forum that I belong to that because I bought it used, it's OK, not that I care). Basically had to jump full bore into it with no warning. I still can't find good Vegan cheese, but know a place a 20 min drive from here that I can get it from. Problem is that I'd spend too much money there as it's a Vegan store, so I'm avoiding it for the moment. I think the tag on my call name say's it all. Have a great day everyone!

 

[nancy drew]

nancy drew welcome to world of Vegandom!!! I would be kicked out of the fraternity, as I continue to wear the slightly used leather biker jacket I bought second hand a couple of weeks before I went Vegan (didn't know I was going Vegan until I had a massive allergic reaction to Dairy and eggs 2 weeks after I went Vegetarian) (according to the Vegans on a forum that I belong to that because I bought it used, it's OK, not that I care). Basically had to jump full bore into it with no warning. I still can't find good Vegan cheese, but know a place a 20 min drive from here that I can get it from. Problem is that I'd spend too much money there as it's a Vegan store, so I'm avoiding it for the moment. I think the tag on my call name say's it all. Have a great day everyone!

Daiya shredded "cheese" is a good substitute. I don't think I'd eat it plain, though.

 

[disneychrista]

Going to Disneyland Vegan, Gluten Free, or with any other allergy is just like going out to eat in your home town. You have to check & double check to be sure that food is "safe." Call disney dinning and find out (and of course post your results here.)

My daughter enjoys the Vegie Chilli in a bread bowl at Pacific Wharf. The Pasta at Plaza Inn, Bean Burritos at Rancho. But each of those things have potential to NOT be vegan. Sourdough bread is usually vegan but some do have dairy. Pasta may have eggs but is likely the dried egg free cheap boxed stuff, not fresh. And while most tortillas are dairy free they too may contain dairy. We had been to Disneyland many times as vegetarians but this was only once since becoming vegan and these were not things we were thinking about.
I didn't see anyone else mention this but there is fresh fruit at various stands around the park.

I still can't find good Vegan cheese

Daiya shredded "cheese" is a good substitute.

I second this recommendation. Or should I say my daughter does. She has tried it on Chilli, Burritios and even girlled "cheese" and seems to like it.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Pizza sauce, for example, usually has meat or meat flavorings in it. Pizza Hut's does, for a fact.

Actually Pizza Hut does not contain meat flavorings in their sauce. Here's the link to their ingredient list.

 

[furb & dez]

Actually Pizza Hut does not contain meat flavorings in their sauce. Here's the link to their ingredient list.

Then this has changed. When I worked for PH (oh, so long ago), it most definitely did contain meat/meat products.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I think I might be making a trip to the Vegan store I know of a 20min drive from here, to do a stock up on the Vegan items I can't find here sooner than later. I've heard good things about the Daiya cheese, but for some reason can't find it in the city I live in. I'd also like to try Teese, a cheese that's good for nachos. I've got some items on back order from this store, and am hoping the Soy creamer in individ pouches comes in before the trip, so I can take it with me. Have a great day! I have tried the Veggie chilli, and the Veggie gumbo before I went Vegan, and found both hearty, filling and you couldn't tell it was meatless.

 

[disneychrista]

I've heard good things about the Daiya cheese, but for some reason can't find it in the city I live in. .

Do you have a Whole Foods anywhere near you?

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Let me just take this chance to say if you have a chance to try anything from the Gardein company, do so. We tried their sliders in a Yardhouse restaurant while on vacation earlier this month and they were by far the best veggie burger/slider ever. And this is coming from someone who doesn't usually care for the meat substitutes. You can find some at Lucky's, Safeway and Nob Hill/Raley's, but Whole Foods has the best selection.

I just came back from buying one of everything they had because our resident veggies wanted to try it all!

 

[nancy drew]

Let me just take this chance to say if you have a chance to try anything from the Gardein company, do so. We tried their sliders in a Yardhouse restaurant while on vacation earlier this month and they were by far the best veggie burger/slider ever. And this is coming from someone who doesn't usually care for the meat substitutes. You can find some at Lucky's, Safeway and Nob Hill/Raley's, but Whole Foods has the best selection.

I just came back from buying one of everything they had because our resident veggies wanted to try it all!

I love the Gardein BBQ Shreds. I have to add a little of my favorite BBQ sauce just to zing it up a little, but they are really good, especially on a grilled garlic pretzel bun (in all fairness I'd likely eat anything if it were served on a grilled garlic pretzel bun) with a side of sweet potato fries! I also like the Gardein Mandarin Orange "Chicken". I'll have to check out their burger/slider, thanks for the recommendation!

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

I love the Gardein BBQ Shreds. I have to add a little of my favorite BBQ sauce just to zing it up a little, but they are really good, especially on a grilled garlic pretzel bun (in all fairness I'd likely eat anything if it were served on a grilled garlic pretzel bun) with a side of sweet potato fries! I also like the Gardein Mandarin Orange "Chicken". I'll have to check out their burger/slider, thanks for the recommendation!

Oh, DH was especially interested in the mandarin orange chicken, so your recommendation is great! I was most interested in the pulled pork shreds. While I still eat meat (I don't like tofu and most meat substitutes), I do like to eat the veggie stuff when it tastes good. I actually prefer the Quorn brand chicken patties for chicken patty sandwiches or what we call "poor man's chicken parm" (which is just marinara sauce and cheese on the patty) over the real chicken patties.

 

[nancy drew]

I used to love Quorn, but it has egg in it so I don't eat it anymore. The Gruyere Quorn patties are the *best*.

 

[mlgb]

" You can get a list of ingredients for everything at City Hall (and you can ask at the restaurant as well), so if you have doubts, you should check in to confirm. I do recall reading that the restaurants fry their fried foods in vegetable oil so as to accommodate veggie/vegan's needs. "

City Hall has a list for Celiacs, but really was not helpful with other issues (I asked for Vegan and for Dairy, they didn't have either). I was however able to ask at all of the carts and counter serve restaurants.

This are updates from yesterday. Note I am just dairy free, not vegan, so actually I eat meat. Just be sure to double check if you are vegan.

I know that the "buttery" flavor they use on popcorn has no dairy in it. The tortillas both corn and wheat are dairy free.

At Cocina Cucamonga, they use a canola spray, no dairy. So you can get vegetarian beans, tortillas, and the sauteed veg. The tomatillo sauce is dairy free, as is the pico de gallo and the packaged La Victoria, but the Guajillo sauce and the tamales have dairy. I forgot to ask about the guacamole. Also, the cinnamon crisps (aka Crispitos) are made with vegetable shortening. They have ingredients on the bottom, and they list soy, but not Milk, on the allergy warning panel. The Mexican rice was dairy free, but if you are vegan check this one, since I was just looking for dairy.

At Lucky Fortune, they have the tofu on rice bowls (the Korean sauce is great), edamame, mango slices. They have an allergy book.

At Pacific Wharf Cafe, the sourdough has no dairy. I believe the veg chili is okay, you'd want to look a the book, and hold the cheese.

There is supposedly soy milk at the bakery on Main Street.

There is no soy or dairy free ice cream at the fast serve places other than the Dreyer's strawberry bar, and the Minute Maid cups.

The caramel sauce with apples is dairy free, but the ingredient list is scary. #1 HFCS, for one.

I think you'd also be able to get the vegetarian chili, I know the sourdough is good but didn't read the ingredients on the chili.

If you are not having cheese, be sure to ask them to hold it at Cocina Cucamonga, they sprinkle it on everything.

If you send an email, they will give you a number to call, and eventually one of the chefs will call back and can answer questions. She advised me on the buttery spray issue, says it is canola like a PAM product.

As for snacks, the popcorn is dairy free, but the churros have casein!!

 

[nancy drew]

Wow! Thank you! This is awesome info. I do plan on checking in for a list of ingredients, and mentioning it at restaurants, but it is really nice to have some idea of what's OK and what isn't. I figured the churros wouldn't be safe, so good to know that it isn't. I'm really glad to hear the popcorn is likely safe! I am a popcorn fiend, so I'm happy that we'll be able to have that.