Guide to Vegan or Vegetarian Eating at Disney World
Plant-based dining is more popular than ever. It used to be that you’d have to talk to a chef or ask to see the ingredient binder if you wanted to go meat-free at Walt Disney World, but that is no longer the case most of the time. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years, and I usually follow a vegan diet when I eat out. I have never had a problem finding something delicious to eat at Walt Disney World. Here is a thirteen-point guide to help make vegetarian and vegan dining easy.
1 – Check the Website
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney made a commitment to add at least one plant-based option to each Disney-owned restaurant on property. There is even a plant-based page on the Walt Disney World website, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/plant-based/. Menus have changed somewhat, but there are still plenty of options.
2 – Know the Terminology
Disney likes to use the term “plant-based” instead of vegan. That is because, in some restaurants, cross-contamination is possible. For example, French fries might be cooked in the same fryer as chicken nuggets. Disney defines plant-based as “made with plant foods like grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruit—and without animal meat, dairy, eggs or honey.”
3 – Look for the Leaf
It’s easy to see what is plant-based on the menus. Just look for the leaf logo. It’s a simple design of one full leaf in front of another leaf. Not only will you see the logo on restaurant menus, but it is also on menu boards for all four festivals at EPCOT. That makes choosing easy.
4 – Plant-based at EPCOT’s Festivals
Regarding the four festivals at EPCOT, the two larger ones are filled with options. The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival features Garden Graze. You will purchase five plant-based options and receive a sixth (usually a special flavor of Dole Whip) for free. The Food & Wine Festival has had an all-plant-based booth called Earth Eats for the past several years. Historically, the Festival of the Holidays and Festival of the Arts haven’t had nearly as many options.
5 – Vegetarian Choices
Vegetarian choices are not marked. In some ways, it has become easier to follow a vegan diet than a vegetarian one. If you don’t consume chicken fat or beef stock, be prepared to ask questions if a dish is unfamiliar. (Something you’re used to, like cheese pizza, will be vegetarian.) Each restaurant has an ingredients binder, so it is easy to get answers.
6 – Snacks
A large part of a Walt Disney World vacation is snacking, and some of the most popular snacks fit right in with a plant-based diet. You can order a Mickey Pretzel (without the cheese if you’re vegan), popcorn cart popcorn, and even the fruit flavors of Dole Whip! If you’re vegetarian, you can swirl Dole Whip with vanilla, which contains dairy. If there is a limited-time Dole Whip treat with a special candy on top, that candy might also have milk in it.
7 – Mobile Ordering
Mobile Ordering is as easy as can be. Pick your restaurant and time. Plant-based will be one of the choices at the top of the restaurant’s page. Just tap that, and it will take you right to your options.
8 – Full-Service Dining
If you are at a full-service restaurant, it is never a bad idea to tell your server right away about your dietary preference. That will keep him or her from having to go through a spiel about the fish of the day and the different cuts of steak. If there is nothing meat-free on the menu that sounds appealing, ask. There very well could be an off-menu option or two.
9 – Buffets
At a buffet, it is easy to dine as a vegetarian. There are usually plenty of options. If you’re vegan, ask to speak to a chef. He or she will walk you through the buffet and point out what items you can eat. Often, the chef will create something off-menu as well.
10 – Chef TJ at Cape May Cafe
A special shoutout needs to go to Chef TJ, who currently works at Cape May Cafe. He is known for creating special off-menu items for vegans, including a special dessert. Chef TJ is also popular with those with food allergies and takes good care of everyone.
11 – Vegan Baked Goods
There is one place at Walt Disney World where you won’t have to look for the leaf logo or ask to see the ingredients binder. At Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, everything is vegan, gluten-free, and kosher! There are cupcakes, donuts, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and other sweet items. Dairy-free ice cream and hot chocolate are sold as well. Some of the bakery items from Erin McKenna’s are sometimes sold in other Walt Disney World bakeries, and they could be part of a plant-based dessert in a full-service restaurant. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC is found in The Landing at Disney Springs.
12 – Faux Meats
Walt Disney World serves a lot of faux meats. These are made to imitate real meat, just with plant-based ingredients. Disney has a deal with Impossible Foods, known for burgers so realistic that they often fool meat-eaters. Beyond and Field Roast products are often used as well.
13 – Recommendations by Park:
Although faux meats are common, you can find some delicious dishes without them. Here are a few recommendations.
Magic Kingdom
One plant-based dish at the Magic Kingdom is found at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. Look for Curried Vegetable Crew Stew. This dish has seasonal vegetables and pineapple Tofu in a house-made curry sauce served with coconut rice.
EPCOT
At EPCOT, try to get a dinner reservation for Space 220 Restaurant. The entree is Terra-Bolognese, made with corn linguine and tempeh ragu. The reason why you want your reservation at dinner is that dessert is included. Many vegan diners say that the plant-based Carrot Cake is the best dessert they have had at Walt Disney World.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
One of the most popular plant-based quick service options is found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, try the Felucian Kefta and Hummus Garden Spread. The description says “plant-based meatballs,” but they are closer to falafel than faux meat. It is served with hummus, tomato-cucumber relish, and a pita.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
My personal favorite dish at Walt Disney World is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Satu’li Canteen features make-your-own bowl options. The Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl with sweet potato hash as the base and charred onion chimichurri is near perfection. The rice and beans for the base are also vegan.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Outside of the theme parks, a newer option already has quite the following. Steakhouse 71 has a Vegetable “Wellington” that features mushrooms and artichokes wrapped in a puff pastry. If you’re dining with another vegetarian or vegan who doesn’t like mushrooms, there is an off-menu Impossible Burger that has also received rave reviews.
If you are vegetarian or vegan because of allergies, let a Cast Member know or note it on your advanced dining reservation. Otherwise, you don’t have to let the restaurant know ahead of time. The staff at any Walt Disney World-owned restaurant will take good care of you.