Vegans at Marakkesh?

[sixxmum]

The last few times we've had a meal at Epcot, we've gone with Teppan Edo. It's fine, but nothing to write home about. We have also tried Marrakesh (and Coral Reef - pretty but pricey and kids did not love). The trip we did Marrakesh, we had an awful experience with dietary restrictions. The chef refused to speak to us and the waiter said that they couldn't accommodate vegans other than with a salad. I suspect this was just someone having a really bad day, but I wanted to see if you all had any feedback on vegan dining at Marrakesh.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I wonder if the vegetable couscous is vegan?

 

[sixxmum]

As of the last time, it was not, and the waiter made such a big deal about the fact that it would take over 1/2 hour to specially prepare it for us that my DD actually ended up in tears. It was our worst WDW dining experience ever. That's part of why I feel like it must have just been and anomaly.

 

[bumbershoot]

How could it *possibly* take half an hour to make some couscous without, I assume, butter? How ridiculous of that waiter.

Now, we had that couscous dish, and it wasn't all that great (and SO expensive for something so incredibly inexpensive to make), so...if the whole family is vegan I'd look elsewhere, and if it's just one person, I'd recommend that they eat before going, and take that salad if still hungry.

 

[minnie mum]

I'm sorry that you had an unpleasant dining experience. But I don't think being vegan qualifies as a dietary restriction, the way a food allergy or intolerance is. Disney will usually go out of their way to assist those with a true, medical dietary restriction. But this requires advance email notification of the particulars involved. In this case the restaurants will be prepared to offer a meal that is acceptable and safe for that person to eat.

Vegan is a personal preference, way of life, call it what you will. If you want something that is not on the menu, and the kitchen cannot accommodate you (especially with no advance notice), then it is what it is. In order to avoid a similar disappointment in the future, perhaps you should check out a restaurant's menu before making your ADRs.

 

[sixxmum]

Hi, Minnie mum,
2 members of the group are vegans in part because they do have serious allergies. And, what many non-vegans don't understand is that, once you have been a vegan for a long while, attempting to eat meat/dairy/eggs will result in severe physical illness - so it's not a choice in the same way as "should I have chicken or fish today?" might be. However, in all cases, we make sure that the restrictions are on the ADRs before we arrive at the restaurants, confirm via email to special diets, and let them know again when we check in. We also avoid the most heavy times of service and don't mind paying more for specially prepared items. There aren't many restaurants in WDW that have vegan items on the menu, but dining services has indicated to us that virtually every place can accommodate vegan dining. However, sometimes it's hard to tell what that means unless you speak to someone else who has had the experience.

Thanks for the feedback though!

 

[minnie mum]

Ah, now I understand better. No wonder you were upset, if allergies were involved. Especially if you had been in contact with Disney special diets!!
I hope that you have sent a letter or email to Disney to draw this problem to their attention. Perhaps they need to have a little talk with the chef at Marrakesh.

 

[TDC Nala]

Marrakesh is not a Disney restaurant. They may not follow the same procedures as a Disney restaurant would.

I have a friend who is a vegan and had a bad experience at Marrakesh apparently like the one you had. They made it better for her somehow although I can't remember how. Ask for a manager if the server gives you problems. Don't ask for the chef - ask for the manager.

 

[sixxmum]

I did contact them after and they apologized for the problem. It was definitely not characteristic of Disney service. I certainly understand that our diet is an additional burden for the restaurants, and that's part of why I like to get some feedback beforehand. Most seem to have go-to dishes and can accommodate without it really stressing anyone out, but it's hard to know what those might be unless you find someone else who has had one. Thank goodness for food blogs and disboards!

 

[sixxmum]

TDC Nala - I did not know that! That's an interesting factor in the mix. Hmmm...

 

[TDC Nala]

If you do not get anything out of the manager, go directly to Epcot guest services and tell them that Marrakesh refused to accommodate your family's dietary restrictions. Do not wait to complain after you leave WDW. I know a lot of folks don't do this, because 1) we don't want to take time out of our vacation or 2) we don't like to complain or have confrontations. But you really need to take care of this sort of thing onsite. Marrakesh may not be a Disney restaurant but they are leasing their space from Disney and Disney should get the feedback. Third party restaurants are generally less flexible than Disney restaurants but they should be able to accommodated allergies or dietary restrictions.