Hey there, Disney dining friends! When you think of Disney, the attractions are probably the first thing that comes to mind, but the food can’t be far behind. Disney has come a long way from the days of burgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks, with an incredible variety of dining experiences spread across Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite between attractions or settling in for a leisurely table-service meal, there are cuisines from around the world to enjoy, along with seasonal menus and festival food booths that always seem to give us another excuse to snack our way through the parks. Even with all of that variety, though, a recent trip left me wondering whether Disney’s dining options are quite as diverse as they first appear.
On one of my visits last year, someone in our group was vegetarian, and while there were certainly menu items available for her, a pattern quickly started to emerge. It seemed that, particularly at many quick-service locations, the choices became surprisingly repetitive. There was often a salad, a plant-based burger, or one token vegetarian entrĆ©e, and that was about it. Of course, I don’t expect every menu to offer dozens of options for every dietary preference, but I did find myself wondering if there could be a little more creativity. Aside from breakfast and sweet treats, there weren’t many choices.
It wasn’t something that caused too much frustration within our group, and our vegetarian friend happily found meals throughout the trip. What surprised me more was how often we ended up ordering from different locations because the rest of us had plenty of choices while she was selecting from just one or two. As someone who usually has the luxury of picking anything that catches my eye on the menu, it really made me stop and think about how different the dining experience can be depending on your dietary preferences.
Now I’m curious to hear from those of you who experience this every time you visit. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, how do you find dining in the Disney Parks? Have you discovered plenty of hidden gems that I’m simply overlooking, or do you also find yourself wishing there were a few more imaginative options, especially at quick-service restaurants? I’d love to know if this is something Disney has room to improve or if I’m just spoiled by having the freedom to choose from almost every item on the menu. Share your thoughts in the comments. I have a feeling there are plenty of great recommendations waiting to be discovered.
