We’ve been plant based for four years. The lifestyle change wasn’t something that happened over night. It was a gradual change that happened over time. When it comes to meal preps at home, that part is easy. But it gets complicated when choosing a place for a special occasion, especially when we go on vacation. Some towns are not vegan friendly, while others support a plant based lifestyle. Read this article to find out the best cities for vegan travelers. Restaurant reviews have been a lifesaver for us. If it wasn’t for patrons providing their honest opinions about eateries they’ve visited, I’m not sure how we’d be able to navigate the vegan dining experience. For that reason, I wanted to return the favor.
On our 11 day trip to California, we were in for a treat. We stayed at a charming Carmel hotel for our whole stay there. The plan was to hit up as many places as we could within that time frame, including Disneyland.
When it comes to visiting the theme park, there’s a lot of rides and other adventures to choose from. But I can’t say the same for food options. I should preface by saying, we try to avoid heavily vegan processed foods. For example, foods like the Impossible Burger that tend to be loaded with fat, sodium, and chemicals is a no-go for us.
Before visiting the Disneyland theme park, we downloaded the Disneyland app. It had everything from all of the park’s features, maps, scheduling and wait times. It also had a breakdown of the places to eat with many of them requiring that you order directly through the mobile app. It’s easy, convenient, and a great way to maximize your time so that you can enjoy the experience. However, I did notice that not all of them had plant-based options.
The app is also limited with regard to requesting meal changes. There were a few food stands that sold butter flavored popcorn. But the Cozy Cone Motel 5 Popcone located at Disney California Adventure, Cars Land was the only one that could confirm they’re ingredients included canola oil and not butter. Side note: I got the information directly from the lady behind the counter who then made a call to get confirmation. Those details were not included on the app.
Cocina Cucamonga had a plant based menu option with a few items including Tacos Dorados de Papa crispy Potato Tacos topped with Cabbage Slaw, Dairy-free Crema and Tomatillo Salsa. Frijoles Charros Chorizo and Bacon stewed Pinto Beans, and lime-cilantro rice.
The selections at Disneyland Park were similar. We settled on the Galactic Grill, which had a Veggie Wrap Black Bean and Fire-roasted Corn Medley, Mixed Greens, Dairy-free Cheese and Sun-dried Tomato Spread served with French Fries or fresh Fruit. We chose fresh fruit because the fries looked soggy.
Even though there weren’t many options, we were able to make adjustments. I would suggest bagging your lunch, if possible. It’s a great way to also save money. That includes water. A bottled water at Disneyland will set you back about four or five bucks each. We usually make breakfast and lunch and then splurge on dinner to balance out our spending.
Speaking of breakfast, the hotel did have a modified continental menu because of Covid-19, which didn’t provide many vegan options. They hotel restaurant staff served individually wrapped meals that included eggs, pork sausage, hash browns every morning. They also had cereal with whole or 2% milk.
When it came to fresh fruit, there wasn’t a lot to choose from. After three days, the bananas were all gone. So, we purchased them at the local drug store. Fortunately, we rented a car which offered us the flexibility of driving to the supermarket to pick up items. Our 2 bedroom hotel suite had a complete kitchen which allowed us the convenience of cooking healthy meals and storing leftovers.
So, if you’re a vegan and planning a trip to Disneyland, do your research and plan ahead. It would be a great idea to speak with the hotel about vegan food options. Choose one with nearby market options too. We were fortunate to have stores within walking or short driving distance. Bring your own food to the park, if possible. We actually packed our own lunch on one of the days we visited.
I also forgot to mention that there were a few stands that sold fresh fruits at the theme park. If you make reservations at one of the dine-in restaurants, you can also ask your server to “veganise” your meal and substitute ingredients accordingly. Obviously, a traditional diet choices far outweighed vegan food options. But if you improvise, you shouldn’t have any problems.
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