Disney/Anaheim/area vacation for non-theme-park-loving vegan
July 20, 2019 6:29 PM Subscribe
Spouse and I are vacationing in Disneyland with the in-laws. This is very much not the sort of vacation we would choose on our own, so I'm feeling completely overwhelmed on trip planning. Please help me enjoy Disneyland, find some non-Disney things to do, and suggest vegan eateries. Details inside.
Background:
We will be staying 4 nights at the Disneyland Hotel in late October with my brother- and sister-in-law and 6-year old niece, and mother- and father-in-law who both have limited mobility (walker, cane). Spouse and I will have tickets for 2 days at Disneyland, hope to get away and to some non-Disney stuff on our own. We might stay stay additional 2-3 nights nearish-by (LA? Beach?) where we can do more of "our" vacation thing.
Typical vacations for spouse and I are either (A) kite-flying, bird/wildlife watching and reading books on the PNW coast or (B) staying centrally in a big city where we walk or public transit to museums, botanic gardens and local neighborhoods.
Specific questions:
(1) Are there any interesting museums, gardens (especially succulents!) or neighborhoods to walk around that we can reasonably get to from Disneyland? I don't think we're going to rent a car. Also, we might stay a couple extra days somewhere else in the area (LA? Beach?) that has those things, especially if those things are walk/transit friendly.
(2) Tips for enjoying Disneyland for a grownups who aren't that into it? Crowds are not my spouse's thing. Theme parks are not my thing. I tried Disney California Adventure last year when there for a work conference and...meh. I'm willing to make the best of it though!
(3) Suggestions for vegan eats inside and outside the park? Research suggests I should be able to get by at a number of Disney restaurants by asking for off-menu vegan dishes, but nearby non-Disney options don't look particularly promising.
Background:
We will be staying 4 nights at the Disneyland Hotel in late October with my brother- and sister-in-law and 6-year old niece, and mother- and father-in-law who both have limited mobility (walker, cane). Spouse and I will have tickets for 2 days at Disneyland, hope to get away and to some non-Disney stuff on our own. We might stay stay additional 2-3 nights nearish-by (LA? Beach?) where we can do more of "our" vacation thing.
Typical vacations for spouse and I are either (A) kite-flying, bird/wildlife watching and reading books on the PNW coast or (B) staying centrally in a big city where we walk or public transit to museums, botanic gardens and local neighborhoods.
Specific questions:
(1) Are there any interesting museums, gardens (especially succulents!) or neighborhoods to walk around that we can reasonably get to from Disneyland? I don't think we're going to rent a car. Also, we might stay a couple extra days somewhere else in the area (LA? Beach?) that has those things, especially if those things are walk/transit friendly.
(2) Tips for enjoying Disneyland for a grownups who aren't that into it? Crowds are not my spouse's thing. Theme parks are not my thing. I tried Disney California Adventure last year when there for a work conference and...meh. I'm willing to make the best of it though!
(3) Suggestions for vegan eats inside and outside the park? Research suggests I should be able to get by at a number of Disney restaurants by asking for off-menu vegan dishes, but nearby non-Disney options don't look particularly promising.
I'm assuming you're planning to go to the theme park because your in-laws love it. (I certainly hope that the only reason that any of the grown-ups are going is the 6-year-old. Awfully heavy burden for one little kid.) So do the things they want to do, see the things they want to see -- just the way you would if you had a bunch of kids. Their enjoyment is the enjoyment you're looking for. Maybe take lots of funny pictures? Maybe say "We're going to sit by the lake while you stand in line and then take that FUN RIDE." And then sit by the lake and read your paperback book.
One suggestion: there's really a lot of walking involved. I would strongly suggest that the adults with mobility issues consider renting a motorized scooter or two. It will be very much easier for everyone.
I haven't been in years, so can't give you up-to-date recommendations, but if I ever go back down, I very much want to visit the Richard Nixon Library and Museum. And Rose Garden. (Because I find myself looking back with nostalgia to the Tricky Dick years.)
Hope you have fun!
posted by kestralwing at 6:57 PM on July 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
One suggestion: there's really a lot of walking involved. I would strongly suggest that the adults with mobility issues consider renting a motorized scooter or two. It will be very much easier for everyone.
I haven't been in years, so can't give you up-to-date recommendations, but if I ever go back down, I very much want to visit the Richard Nixon Library and Museum. And Rose Garden. (Because I find myself looking back with nostalgia to the Tricky Dick years.)
Hope you have fun!
posted by kestralwing at 6:57 PM on July 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
Lifelong OC resident. I like walking around the resort area: the theme parks and Downtown Disney. But otherwise, it's not a very pedestrian-friendly area. To get to a garden or museum, you're going to need a car.
If you're planning to stay near the coast, I'd recommend Laguna Beach. It's the most picturesque and walkable of the beach communities.
A couple other area attractions that would be more your style (but will require a car to reach):
- Huntington Library and Gardens
- Getty Villa
posted by bunbury at 7:09 PM on July 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
If you're planning to stay near the coast, I'd recommend Laguna Beach. It's the most picturesque and walkable of the beach communities.
A couple other area attractions that would be more your style (but will require a car to reach):
- Huntington Library and Gardens
- Getty Villa
posted by bunbury at 7:09 PM on July 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
I’d suggest shelling out for an extra tour at Disneyland to get some of the behind the scenes history. We took a garden tour and learned so much about the landscape architecture of the park. Also, there are amazing succulents on the Storybookland Canal Boat tour ride! It’s little mini versions of the villages from each of the Classic Disney animated features. Each time I ride, I see a new detail. The artistic detail in It’s a Small World (I know) is breathtaking- check out Mary Blair before you go.
There’s some good books that can help with understanding the art and design of the park - check out Poster Art of the Disney Parks and Maps of the Disney Parks.
The pool at the Disneyland Resort is really nice, and it’s right next to Trader Sam’s, which has awesome cocktails. The Napa Rose bar is nice for wine during the afternoon, if you don’t want to spend a lot on dinner there. Award Wieners in California Adventure has a great vegan dog with mushrooms. My favorite spot for a beer is also in California Adventure - Flo’s V-8 Cafe patio, where you can watch people zoom by on Radiator Springs Racers. ALSO - the famous Dole whip is vegan! Get it as a float with pineapple juice in Adventure Land.
For outdoors stuff, rent a car and make your way to Joshua Tree, which is great in late October. I also love Crystal Cove state park in Orange County - it’s a beautiful beach with camping facilities, and you can hike into a canyon.
posted by topophilia at 7:24 PM on July 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
There’s some good books that can help with understanding the art and design of the park - check out Poster Art of the Disney Parks and Maps of the Disney Parks.
The pool at the Disneyland Resort is really nice, and it’s right next to Trader Sam’s, which has awesome cocktails. The Napa Rose bar is nice for wine during the afternoon, if you don’t want to spend a lot on dinner there. Award Wieners in California Adventure has a great vegan dog with mushrooms. My favorite spot for a beer is also in California Adventure - Flo’s V-8 Cafe patio, where you can watch people zoom by on Radiator Springs Racers. ALSO - the famous Dole whip is vegan! Get it as a float with pineapple juice in Adventure Land.
For outdoors stuff, rent a car and make your way to Joshua Tree, which is great in late October. I also love Crystal Cove state park in Orange County - it’s a beautiful beach with camping facilities, and you can hike into a canyon.
posted by topophilia at 7:24 PM on July 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
For sure go to the Huntington Library Gardens! It’s spectacular and they have amazing succulents.
posted by quince at 7:28 PM on July 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by quince at 7:28 PM on July 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Vegan restaurants in Orange County (also see Trip Advisor and Yelp.)
posted by blob at 8:18 PM on July 20, 2019
posted by blob at 8:18 PM on July 20, 2019
Travel time by automobile from Disneyland Hotel. (Distances don't count as much as congestion in the LA basin.) Traffic congestion can add one hour or more to these times.
Huntington Gardens is at least 45 minutes away
Getty Villa is at least 1 hour 6 minutes away
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center is at least 2 hours away
Crystal Cove State Park is at least 41 minutes away
Richard Nixon Library and Museum is at least 27 minutes away
posted by blob at 8:27 PM on July 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Huntington Gardens is at least 45 minutes away
Getty Villa is at least 1 hour 6 minutes away
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center is at least 2 hours away
Crystal Cove State Park is at least 41 minutes away
Richard Nixon Library and Museum is at least 27 minutes away
posted by blob at 8:27 PM on July 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
The nice thing about Disneyland, and Disney parks in general, is that if you're not into riding rides or watching shows, there's still plenty of atmosphere to soak up. Granted, there aren't as many benches as there used to be, but there are interesting shops to browse and scenery to take in. A leisurely ride on the monorail or the steam train (a real vintage steam-powered train!) can be fun and relaxing. See also the riverboat Mark Twain and sailing ship Columbia. (It's my understanding that some of the scenery along the riverbank has been taken over by the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge expansion, but I'm fuzzy on the details.) And yes, the chefs at the sit-down restaurants are super helpful about finding or making dishes for vegans, vegetarians, and people with allergies. I've also heard good things about Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel, but I haven't been there myself.
Disney's signature pineapple non-dairy soft serve, Dole Whip, is totally vegan. And there are several locations where you can get it with rum. (No more sneaking in airline bottles of Captain Morgan's to surreptitiously add to your dish!)
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:37 PM on July 20, 2019 [8 favorites]
Disney's signature pineapple non-dairy soft serve, Dole Whip, is totally vegan. And there are several locations where you can get it with rum. (No more sneaking in airline bottles of Captain Morgan's to surreptitiously add to your dish!)
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:37 PM on July 20, 2019 [8 favorites]
Forgot to add: you can study all the menus for the park and hotel restaurants in advance here.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:41 PM on July 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:41 PM on July 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
Thanks to the bounty of YouTube recommendations, I started watching videos by Disney Food Blog even though I don't plan on visiting Disney. She has a ton of research, including this page on vegan dining: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/09/30/vegan-dining-in-disney-world/
posted by batter_my_heart at 12:22 AM on July 21, 2019
posted by batter_my_heart at 12:22 AM on July 21, 2019
Vegan food: Native Foods at “The Camp,” which is a sort of pretend hippie anti-mall in Costa Mesa
Cafe Gratitude, also in Costa Mesa.
Both will require a Lyft or cab ride from Disney.
A while back the company I worked for had its annual conference at the Disneyland Hotel. We were there for a few days. One of the things we discovered we really enjoyed was finding a shady bench somewhere and people watching. You see lots of happy people, some frustrated ones, some surprised ones, and some who will walk up and ask you to to take their picture in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. We had to drag ourselves away after a couple hours of it. The landscaping is great, too.
Second the Laguna Beach idea.
posted by notyou at 6:27 AM on July 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
Cafe Gratitude, also in Costa Mesa.
Both will require a Lyft or cab ride from Disney.
A while back the company I worked for had its annual conference at the Disneyland Hotel. We were there for a few days. One of the things we discovered we really enjoyed was finding a shady bench somewhere and people watching. You see lots of happy people, some frustrated ones, some surprised ones, and some who will walk up and ask you to to take their picture in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. We had to drag ourselves away after a couple hours of it. The landscaping is great, too.
Second the Laguna Beach idea.
posted by notyou at 6:27 AM on July 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
Seconding kestralwing: MIL and FIL should absolutely rent mobility scooters at Disneyland - or possibly, through some other company, to take to Disneyland. They will be SO MUCH MORE comfortable during their time there, without having to struggle with limited mobility, able to fully enjoy their time rather than grimly forcing their way through the pain - and therefore, the time that you spend with them there will be much more enjoyable than it would be otherwise. It is a pricey expense, but very very very much worth it.
posted by WaywardPlane at 7:50 AM on July 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by WaywardPlane at 7:50 AM on July 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
Disney, especially at sit down restaurants, are known to be especially accommodating of all sorts of dietary restrictions, vegan included. Asking for things off menu won't be seen as unusual and if you have reservations somewhere, call ahead and talk with them and they may be able to be more accomodating.
posted by mmascolino at 11:57 AM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by mmascolino at 11:57 AM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
I am not vegan but am by necessity gluten free. Restaurants at Disney were exceedingly accommodating to my special diet. I would expect that when at the park you could be reasonably as well.
We also enjoyed The Aquarium of the Pacific. Maybe you could use Uber or Lyft. About thirty minutes away.
posted by ChristineSings at 7:09 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
We also enjoyed The Aquarium of the Pacific. Maybe you could use Uber or Lyft. About thirty minutes away.
posted by ChristineSings at 7:09 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you do go to Laguna Beach (which is a great suggestion and October is a great month for it), I'd definitely take a bus about 30 minutes north to Newport Beach and go on a whale-watching trip... October is when blue and finback whales are pretty plentiful here.
The Bowers Museum is not too far from Disneyland, about 20 minutes even in traffic. It's small but pretty interesting.
posted by Huck500 at 8:03 AM on July 22, 2019 [3 favorites]
The Bowers Museum is not too far from Disneyland, about 20 minutes even in traffic. It's small but pretty interesting.
posted by Huck500 at 8:03 AM on July 22, 2019 [3 favorites]
There is all kinds of wonderful Vietnamese food in Anaheim and the nearby areas. Some of it can be vegan!
As for Disneyland, think of it as one giant midcentury art museum/botanical garden! It's really beautiful.
posted by exceptinsects at 10:29 AM on July 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
As for Disneyland, think of it as one giant midcentury art museum/botanical garden! It's really beautiful.
posted by exceptinsects at 10:29 AM on July 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
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The Indiana Jones ride is really fun! Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain are the thrill rides, it’s definitely worth it to do all three! Skip the Matterhorn.
For classic vintage Disney, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is awesome and superior to the one in Orlando. The Haunted Mansion is a must.
You didn’t mention if drinking is something you like to do on vacation, but if it is, please go here at least once.
posted by cakelite at 6:50 PM on July 20, 2019 [8 favorites]