Vegetarian/vegan dining help, pretty please!

sixxmum

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Sep 22, 2007
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Hi! I'm not a new poster, just an old poster who can't remember my old password (used to be 6xmum). Anyway, we are going back in January and there will be 1 vegan and 2 vegetarians in our party (along with some omnivores). I'm vegan for health reasons, so I can't just "guess" what is or isn't. Last time, we had very poor luck getting chefs to speak with us about options and only at CRT was anything special prepared (and that was some extremely icky frozen waffles and unseasoned potato cubes, bless his heart). I've also had problems getting calls returned when I try to call ahead. If anyone has advice about items to order, places to go, etc., I would love to hear it! And, if anyone has email addresses or more direct contact info for Chefs, I would *really* love to be able to contact them ahead to make sure everything is good and I don't have to bother people at the last moment.
Thanks in advance!
 
I'm not a vegetarian, but my brother and sister in law and their children are. The went to WDW last year and purchased the dining plan after alot of thought. They had a great time. Said that everywhere they went the chefs were great. I would suggest that you call the ADR number and see what they can offer you.
 
There is a fantastic book you can get valled Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando (by Susan Shumaker and Than Saffel). It has been so helpful to me in planning our October trip. It has great tips and meal ideas. I got it on Overstock.com I think for 10 or 12 dollars.
 

Thanks, TJ. That was where I got the idea to call ahead last time. The problem was that no one called back! I didn't call ahead for our buffet seatings, but I did for CRT, 50s primetime, and Marrakesh. In all cases, I left multiple messages (the connect you to the head chef's voicemail) which were never returned. Maybe it was just a bad month when I called. This time, I think I would like to talk to someone at Boma, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree, 50s Primetime, and maybe Marakesh (unless someone has another suggestion for EPCOT vegan/veg dining). I've read here that some people email the chef, but I'm not sure how to find out their addresses : )
 
Deb Will's All Ears Net site has tons of detail about vegetarian and vegan dining, including a list of table and counter service restaurants and what's available.

If you go to

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

look to the left hand side menu, scroll down to the Vegetarian dining section.

Enjoy!

Oh, and one recommendation. The chefs at Boma are often able to whip up a vegan/vegetarian entree, and are also available to walk you through the buffet and let you know what's veg/vegan.
 
Well I'm a vegetarian so I'm not sure how much help I can be on the vegan front. In terms of the vegetarians, I think you will have no problem at all. There is something vegetarian on almost every menu--of course, usually there's only one thing so there's not a lot of choice.

If I were you I would try to plan table service meals around restaurants that appear to have something vegan (or easily made vegan) on the menus already. (I know that's hard since you don't have a list of ingredients though.) And continue to try to talk to the restaurants about the ingredients in those entrees.

Some things I thought of:

-- Boma: I'm almost positive there are numerous vegan items on the buffet. Plus, I've seen many photos of people with one of the chefs. He is apparently very willing to come out and talk to people and make special entrees for folks (I see a lot of fried oreos in pics too--boy I should have asked for those!)

-- Signature restaurants: These restaurants don't seem to have many vegan options, but I do think since they are a little more upscale the chefs are probably more willing to do special entrees than at some of the more casual restaurants. We went to Flying Fish a few weeks ago and there was nothing vegetarian on the menu. I asked about a vegetarian entree and the chef came over and offered to either make me a pasta dish or make me a tasting dish. I went for the tasting dish and felt very special! (The chef also made a point of getting clear on what things I do and do not eat and asked if I had any other food preferences.) California Grill usually has a few different vegetarian options (including something called "the vegetarian unplugged"--a tasting plate of other vegetarian sides/appetizers on the menu).

-- Ohana: I'm guessing the wontons and dips, mixed greens, and veggies are vegan. They also made me an entree w/out meat that was a stir-fry with fried tofu in miso broth; this might be vegan except for the noodles which maybe they could replace with rice? Unfortunately there is only one dessert here--a bread pudding--certainly not vegan.

-- Kona Cafe: I had a lo mein type dish here w/out the chicken. The menu says it was made in a "vegetarian stir-fry sauce"--I suspect the sauce is probably vegan. Again maybe the noodles could be replaced. The Kona salad (greens, gorgonzola, fruit, nuts) would still be good without the cheese. Not sure about desserts here.

-- Spoodles: This might be a good option since it's Mediterranean based. They have a hummus appetizer and a mediterranean dips appetizer (olives, nuts, 2 kinds of hummus, tzaki, and feta cheese). Also when I asked about other vegetarian entree options they were pretty accomodating.

-- Le Cellier: There is only one vegetarian entree on the menu and I think it rotates. I had it a few weeks ago and it was delicious. It was black bean/corn/onion filled red peppers topped with cheese and a peanut sauce noodle lo mein. I suspect it could be adapted to be vegan without too much trouble.

Good luck--hope you have a great trip!
 
Thanks, Maggi May. The allears guide to vegetarian dining is good (I've been using it the last few years) but it hasn't been updated in a while and, unfortunately, I just haven't had good luck using the tips. Even at Boma last year, when we asked to have someone walk us through, no one ever came (though I would go back there regardless). This is our 4th disney trip and we've had vegetarians every time, but each time there are more of us, and I've been vegan the last two trips which complicates things a little more. I'm hoping the authors of the vegetarian dining section on Deb's site will update it soon.
 
I really need to wear my glasses when I am posting. I thought the icon I selected for that was a question mark and did not realize until just now that it was a thumbs down. :rolleyes1
 
I really need to wear my glasses when I am posting. I thought the icon I selected for that was a question mark and did not realize until just now that it was a thumbs down. :rolleyes1

LMAO! I was wondering about the thumbs down.

There is a really good review from a vegetarian with and omnivore GF. Look in the Restaurant Reviews. I would look at the menus. I know they do change, but it will give you and idea. I saw a veggie entrée at Coral Reef that looked yummy to me and I am a meat eater. Vegan is harder, but can be worked with. I'm sorry to hear your last trip was not accommodated. I have heard nothing but great things about special dietary needs. I'm sure you next trip will be better.:goodvibes
 
I have a good friend who doesn't eat meat or dairy. We went to WDW together but she didn't want to call ahead or make a pest of herself in any way, so she just tried to eat whatever she could off of the regular menus.

It was kind of hard picking restaurants because of that not calling ahead thing. While I respect her not wanting to be a pain in the butt for others, it made restaurant selection kind of a pain in the butt for ME, but I guess that's fine. Don't want to make life harder for strangers who are paid to help you...but making life harder for your pal is peachy. ;) :)

She managed to find something to eat everywhere we went. :) I do remember that she broke down and ate some eggs at a Boma breakfast. I thought I was going to fall off my chair when she sat down with eggs on her plate! :rotfl:

The restaurant that made it easiest was Restaurant Marrakesh. The waiter was so unbelievably nice and very helpful with suggestions. I don't remember what she had there, but she loved it. :) San Angel Inn was very helpful, too. She had something at Kona that she liked a lot, too.

Check out the stuff at allearsnet.com - that helped me pick restaurants. I'd call ahead, too. WDW told me that if you call ahead, any restaurant can help you out!! :)

Good luck!
 
Sorry it took so long to get back to your question, the book is pretty recent as it includes Animal Kingdom Lodge and park. You'd be surprised what you can arrange and how many things are actually vegan/veggie.
 
When you make your ADRs, tell the person to make a note of your dietary needs. Then, when you check in, again let them know and tell them you would like to speak to the chef. I'm a vegan (allergic to dairy to very important that they get it right) and love going to WDW for dining. In June, here is where we ate and what I thought of them:

Chef Mickey - yuck (even the meat eater agrees); Chef made a pasta dish for me but it was ordinary

Contemporary Grill - they have a vegetarian/vegan dish on the menu. Very uninspired and not worth the price. Again, the meat eater hated it too - ruined his steak.

Crystal Palace - very vegan/veggie friendly and interesting buffet. One of our favorites.

Coral Reef - Amazingly good vegan dish from chef and the meat eater was happy too.

Boma - The absolute BEST!! Ask for chef TJ and you will get the most awesome dish you have ever had (do not eat from the buffet - he will make it all for you). The hummus there has dairy in it but he will get you some that is dairy-free. And, save room for dessert - he does this incredible thing with fried oreos and it is vegan.

Tangerine Cafe - great counter service food in Epcot.

Hollywood and Vine - okay; not great but not bad either. My DD insists we do this one for the Fantasmic package.

Although we didn't eat there in June, Jiko is great. Also, the veggie burgers at Cosmic Rays are okay and the fixings bar makes them much better.

Just remember to ask to speak to the chef when you check in and all should be fine. If necessary, tell them you have a food allergy and the chef will be at your table right away.
 
Thanks for all the advice! I think next time I just have to be more persistant. Last time, I didn't mention that it was a health issue, and maybe that was part of why we didn't get a great response. I can't wait for this trip. Man! I love Disney!
 
Yea,im a new poster here, and became a vegitarian 3 weeks from yesturday,and i was wondering any good resturants for good vegiarian meals beacause me and my mom are going in December for my 16th birthday.
 


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