Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant/Dining Help Thread

[itsalebeau]

I've stayed at POFQ three times and love it - because it's small, you never have to walk too far, and it's a very pretty resort.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding great vegan meals and snacks. On my last trip I noticed that they had many of the vegan "Divvies" snacks (caramel corn, cookies) at various counter-service places. And I've seen a blog that said they have Babycakes at Downtown Disney now (in the restaurant that replaced Macdonalds) - vegan cupcakes and other treats!

We're heading back at the end of February, and planning meals at Sanaa, Tusker House, and Le Cellier (so far)...

Teresa

That is good to know! I've only been to DLR and I've always loved New Orleans Square, so I was sort of drawn to it.

Just so you know, they are currently renovating the rooms at POFQ! It will all be done by your trip in June. This includes the addition of queen sized beds. Just thought you would like to know to help you with your decision.

Thanks! Good to know.

Granted, I never asked about having something special made, but POFQ seemed to have an underwhelming amount of veggie options. While I'm sure there were vegan snacks, fruits, etc., the menu at lunch didn't indicate any veggie options while I was there. I'm not sure if they have the same options every day, or if it's in some kind of rotation, but I was very surprised. If I had asked, chances are they probably had a veggie burger in back or could have made a salad, but I didn't bother. Personally I didn't mind too much, since we eat most of our meals in the parks or at TS at other resorts, but it would have been nice to have had some options for the days that we checked in/out.

If you're a family that eats a lot of meals at the resort, I would suggest looking elsewhere. However, I will say that POFQ is a beautiful, cozy, and quiet resort. I liked it so much that I would definitely stay again, even with the lack of options.

The menu didn't look...exciting. I think they had a veggie burger. I'm not sure where to stay that would be good as far as having a ton of vegan dining options (that is in our budget!).

I honestly don't know if we'll do any TS dining. !!! That is probably crazy. We are only going to Epcot/MK, and weren't going to get park hopper passes so we wouldn't be able to go to AK to eat, for example. We don't tend to do zoos and things, so we planned to skip AK altogether. I really just want to go to MK, and threw in Epcot too! I figure we can make plans for the future to come back and do more, rather than stuff it all into one vacation.

 

[itsalebeau]

Hey, I did the multi-quote right!

 

[Plasticletters]

That is good to know! I've only been to DLR and I've always loved New Orleans Square, so I was sort of drawn to it.

Now that Emily and I live in southern California we've been to Disneyland a couple of times. It's ironic that you bring up New Orleans Square because there is a little stand there that sells DELICIOUS vegan gumbo in a breadbowl!

 

[danyella522]

anyone ever go on the disney cruise as a vegan? I was curious as to how it went!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

We're going in February, so I'll be sure to report back!

Teresa

 

[bumbershoot]

Not sure if this has been mentioned. The key lime pie and the chocolate (mousse) cake at Boardwalk Bakery have gelatin in them. The CM even checked for me. Gah. That's such a cheapo way to make those things!

 

[danyella522]

We're going in February, so I'll be sure to report back!

Teresa

keeping my radar on you!! I really want to go next year but my boyfriend is macrobiotic and super picky.

 

[disneydreamkate]

I really want to change out one of our ADRs, and firm up 2/1 This upcoming trip will be DH, DS 5, and myself. We are on the dining plan, and all three of us are vegetarians. I'm flexible with our park on 2/1, so either MK or Epcot is fine. Here is what I have so far...

1/31 Tony's Town Square (this is the one I want to change, but definitely want to stay at MK)
2/1 Biergarten for lunch (?) and dinner at 'Ohana or Tutto Italia (?)
2/2 Sci Fi for appis and shakes OOP and Boma for dinner
2/3 Garden Grill for dinner
2/4 Crystal Palace dinner
2/5 Counter Service only so we can enjoy as much park time before our 6:45 flight!

Any advice is appreciated. TIA!

 

[Li-sa]

Hi,

Does ayone know if the tiramisu at Via Napoli is 'safe' ie no gelatine?
Do all the standard CS chocolate mousses contain gelatine?

Any other dessert tips on what is safe and what to avoid?

Slightly off topic but following on from what itsalebeau said:

We don't tend to do zoos and things, so we planned to skip AK altogether..

What is AK like for animal welfare? I don't do zoos either, but I'm hoping that the animals are well cared for and have enough space at AK.

 

[VeganCupcake]

Did everyone see this?
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/12/02/disney-brands-its-own-snack-chip-line/
How neat is it that if you look on the back of the blue chip bag there is a vegan symbol?? Definitely another big step in a vegan friendly direction!

 

[danyella522]

Has anyone reported back about their meal with Chef TJ at Park Fare? We'll be going next Wednesday (and Sunday if it's extra enjoyable)

 

[pigby]

Now that Emily and I live in southern California we've been to Disneyland a couple of times. It's ironic that you bring up New Orleans Square because there is a little stand there that sells DELICIOUS vegan gumbo in a breadbowl!

Interested in these veggie options to satify DD - but also wondered which stand was this in DLR - is this the one that also does mint juleps (attached to French Market) - just wondered

 

[bumbershoot]

Interested in these veggie options to satify DD - but also wondered which stand was this in DLR - is this the one that also does mint juleps (attached to French Market) - just wondered

Royal Street Veranda. Near, but not next to, French Market. The gumbo comes in a sourdough breadbowl; if you don't want all that goopy bread, you can get it in a small to-go bowl and get the bread to take away in a bag!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

What is AK like for animal welfare? I don't do zoos either, but I'm hoping that the animals are well cared for and have enough space at AK.

From what I've seen, it looks like the animals have a lot of space, and are well taken care of. They do spend nights in barns though, and I'm not sure how much space they have in there though.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I'm a writer who did an article on the animals at AK for an inflight magazine (it comes out this spring). I was able to spend a full day with the animal team at Ak and go around backstage to see how they are cared for and I have to say I was quite impressed. They spent a full year designing the animal habitats before any animals were brought in, and consulted extensively with experts about how much space and what kind of environment each animal needed.

To use the elephants as an example: they carefully selected elephants (from zoos) that they thought would be compatible in personality to start the herd. Before AK opened, there had been NO live births of an elephant in a North American zoo for 20 years. The elephant experts wanted to create an environment where the elephants would feel happy and content enough to have babies - and obviously they succeeded, with five healthy elephant babies now in the herd! The elephants have a considerable space to roam, and the staff do a lot to enrich their lives. For example, they hide raisins in tree bark and other places, because the elephants think they are a treat and like to hunt for them.

AK is one of the few places that has enough space to have room for both the females and babies and males.

They have been so successful in breeding the endangered rhinos that they have taken some of the babies back to Africa to help increase the species there.

One thing they learned was that the animals found it stressful if they were always "on display." So if you look at each area, all the animals have a place they can go where nobody can see them, if they want to go there. That's why sometimes you don't see any animals.

Nothing is done by force. They wanted the male lion to sit up on the rock so that people could see him, but he wanted to stay down below in the shade. After trying a few things to make the top of the rock tempting, they ended up putting air conditioning up there. Yes, the lion is much cooler on top of that rock than you are bouncing past in the truck. The point is that they found a positive way to get him to do it, rather than forcing him.

The animals are called in at night to the barns, but are not forced to go there. If they would rather stay out in the ride area, they just do. They have a different sound for each animal, and most of the time they want to go in because they get some food when they do. The barns are designed so that the people never go into the stalls/pens: the animals are called to come up to the sides and then they are cared for. (This is because when people are inside the pens with the animals, they are more likely to force or hurt the animal out of fear of being hurt themselves.)

Disney has spent a lot of time creating appropriate foods for each species of animal. They collect and monitor the feces to make sure that the animals are healthy and modify the foods as needed. (I had a long interview with the man who oversees the food for the animals - he happens to be a graduate of the university I work at part-time!)

You might also be interested in knowing that the manatees and sea turtles and other marine animals in The Living Seas are actually rescue animals who are treated and cared for and then released back into the wild. Once they are released, they are carefully watched and monitored to ensure they are doing okay. (One manatee, Mo, had to be brought back to the Seas three times, but he finally made it and is doing well out in the wild.) They took many sea turtles from the Gulf of Mexico during the oil spill and nursed them back to health before releasing them.

Disney is heavily involved in conservation projects around the world, including a new sanctuary in Africa for orphaned baby gorillas. They coordinate their animal breeding programs with other zoos and sanctuaries, and have some "behind-the-scenes" programs for animals that are never seen by the public.

They also do a great deal of research which is published and which helps other organizations working with animals. For example, they've learned a lot about elephant communication because they are able to observe the elephants so closely, yet the elephants are living fairly natural lives. Their research on appropriate foods for the animals has helped many animals living in zoos. (Before AK, many zoos just fed their animals foods that had been developed for cows or pigs.)

I have been highly impressed by the dedication of the CMs caring for the animals, and by the lengths they have gone to to provide good environments for the animals in their care. I enjoy visiting that park more than ever because I know the animals are happy and well-cared-for. Would it be ideal for all animals to be free? Yes. But one of the CMs said to me that people are more likely to care about animals they know, and giving people a chance to see these animals at Disney may motivate them to be more concerned about protecting them.

Sorry this is so long!

Teresa

 

[itsalebeau]

That is really interesting Teresa, thanks!

 

[s&k'smom]

I'm a dedicated vegetarian but as of today I'm going to do my best to go vegan so this thread is great.

 

[danyella522]

I'm a dedicated vegetarian but as of today I'm going to do my best to go vegan so this thread is great.

best of luck!!!

 

[s&k'smom]

Thanks Danyella, I've been prepping for a couple of weeks slowly weaning out dairy (cheese being my downfall).

 

[Tamar]

Has anyone reported back about their meal with Chef TJ at Park Fare? We'll be going next Wednesday (and Sunday if it's extra enjoyable)

Chef TJ is still doing his magic, now at Park Fare. We ate there in October.

He walked me through the buffet, and then brought special appetizers, main course, and desserts for me. I'm a pescatarian, so you'd definitely get something different from what I got, but I'm sure it'll be tasty.