Vegetarians and the Dining Plan

[mooncrumbs]

I hope it's ok to post this, I couldn't find anything else like this. If not, I'm sorry, and feel free to delete.

I was wondering if there were any vegetarians who have had the dining plan and thought it was worth it? When my DF and I planned our last trip, we got the free dining offer. I'm not complaining by any means, since it was free, but I didn't think it was worth it, at least for me.

I am quite a picky eater, and a vegetarian. This made things rather difficult for me, since most vegetarian meals were based around mushrooms, which I hate. Normally when I eat out, I just pick a few veggies and call it a day. Since I was on the plan, I felt that I needed to pick a meal, so basically ate a veggie burger and french fries almost everywhere.

We are planning our honeymoon now, and I just don't think we should do the dining plan whether it's free or not. My DF wants to consider it just because it makes it a bit easier when going out to eat.

What does everybody think?

 

[CDoobee]

Hi

I am also a picky vegetarian. I also hate mushrooms and a lot of other vegetables! I've used the dining plan several times, but only when it was free. It is DEFINITELY worth it if free! I have had the "regular" dining plan free a few times. I wasn't always impressed with the food I had, but it was worth it since it was free. Also I enjoyed visiting some of the restaurants I hadn't been to before. DH is a big meat eater, so he loved being able to go to places with a heavy emphasis on meat, which we probably wouldn't have if we'd had to pay for our food. I also like knowing I don't have to budget much (if any) for food!

My DH and I will be going in a little over 3 weeks and will have the free QS dining plan this time, since we are staying at a value. I actually like the QS menu items better than most of the TS ones, anyway. I love the Vegetarian Platter at Tangerine Cafe, and the Lighthouse Sandwich at Columbia Harbor House. If we are somewhere that I can only find a veggie burger, at least their veggie burgers are good and I can load them up with toppings.

So, my answer is FREE is always good!

 

[mooncrumbs]

Thank you for the reply

Hopefully, for my DF's sake, we will get the offer. I know he really did love being able to get whatever he fancied without the money hassle.

I am definitely going to check out the Tangerine Cafe and the Columbia Harbor House on my next trip. I have never been to either of them!

 

[CDoobee]

I always sit outside at Tangerine Cafe! You can hear the drummers from Japan when they're playing and the Mo' Rockin' band from there in Morocco. It's a nice place to have a rest while eating QS and still have (hear) some entertainment!

If you're a people watcher like I am, at Columbia Harbor House, go up to the second floor and eat at the tables by the window. You can watch he people walking underneath you between Fantasyland and Liberty Square. It's usually less crowded up there since lots of people don't even realize there is a second floor!

 

[sharonabe]

There is another way you could use the DDP, especially if it's free. The meals are given to the room, not to the individual. So, your then DH could use the credits and you can pay OOP for the lesser expensive vegetarian options, or the veggies you want. This would mean you could either do more TS meals or do some signature meals. It means you need to budget a little more money, but you might get a better meal experience.

 

[mooncrumbs]

@CDoobee: I love people watching! That's my favorite thing to do when I'm a bit tired in the parks. I will def check out that second floor!

@sharonabe: What an excellent idea! I never thought of that, but it's a wonderful idea. I will be bringing this up to the DF! Thank you so much!

 

[angierae]

When we took a vegetarian to WDW they were amazing. We noted on the reservation that we had a vegetarian in our party, and at many places, the chef came out to talk to her. She got an entire special creation at Ohana, including her own appetizer, since the appetizer the table got was pork.

They were extra amazing at Ohana and the Luau, but every restaurant was super amazing.

 

[mooncrumbs]

When we took a vegetarian to WDW they were amazing. We noted on the reservation that we had a vegetarian in our party, and at many places, the chef came out to talk to her. She got an entire special creation at Ohana, including her own appetizer, since the appetizer the table got was pork.

They were extra amazing at Ohana and the Luau, but every restaurant was super amazing.

This is one of the things I really need to think about. I am very shy and I don't ever want to feel like I'm being difficult, so I never think to actually mention my diet preferences. I have heard nothing but wonderful stories such as this one about the way Disney handles vegetarians, so I will be sure to always let them know next time.

 

[SGMCO]

ARe you Vegetarian or Vegan? because there is much more choices for Vegetarians than Vegans. When I was Vegan I ate mostly Veggie burgers w/out cheese, but that was a while ago, I know that food choices and views about special diets have changed since I was vegan. WDW Chef's are willing to make changes to fit your special diet, without any problems.

a little off subject: I also used to hate mushrooms but I kept trying them and now they are one my favorite foods.

 

[DCDisney]

The costs of the dining plan are pretty close to what you would pay for the average meal but if you are always eating the cheapest thing on the menu generally you may lose money especially if you aren't a soda eater and wouldn't normally eat 2 desserts a day. Since you will be on your honeymoon you might enjoy doing some signature dining which cost 2 credits on the dining plan but usually the costs are only about 1.5 times a regular sit down meal. When we plan a trip with signature dining we usually don't do the DDP and try hard to ignore the prices since I KNOW we are saving paying OOP. I drink water and usually would not eat a dessert twice a day so it's rarely a savings to do the ddp for me in any case but it depends on who else I'm traveling with.

 

[LumosQ102]

We did the DXDP on our trip earlier this year and although pledged never again (too much food - and we love our food!!) it was fab to have so much freedom at signatures. We went to almost every signature over the 2 weeks and when there wasn't anything I liked on the menu (too much mushroom - I'm with you there - and Pasta) they would be very accommodating in creating other options for me.

We went to Artist Point twice and both times they (2 different chefs) came up with lovely options when I asked for some vegetables. Lovely fresh flavorful veg cooked beautifully with creative sauces and spices. Yummy.

Something else that is worth asking for is 'vegetarian unplugged' - a previous trip saw us at Cali Grill which is where I first had this and got the name for it. Its basically 4 side dishes - great if you fancy a little bit of everything. The lovely lovely chef at Flying Fish did the same for me but didn't name it unplugged - just a creative approach to a vegetarian option without pasta. Hurrah!

One piece of advice though - I would never ever go to Monsieur Paul again. The chef was rude to a new level that I didn't eat meat and I was told I would have a pumpkin ravioli with mushroom sauce. Revolting. I would have been happy with a side or 2, or a salad from the starter menu, if given the choice. But instead I was served what looked like vomit and tasted like bad canned soup. Plus the combination of pumpkin and the mushroom was possibly the most horrifying flavor combination I have come across. I travel a lot for work and haven't come across such an attitude anywhere in France, even in the poshest of restaurants.

Overall though I have found the Disney restaurant at all levels nothing but accommodating. Salads without the chicken made a wonderful lunch at Columbia Harbour House and it was no trouble for them to leave it out. Don't hesitate to ask - if they can help they will.

That long ramble was supposed to say - don't rely on the menu, ask!

Wishing you a wonderful trip