BY CHARLES FINN - AUGUST 2002

Vegetarians and others with special food needs know how difficult it can be to eat well while traveling. In some places it is next to impossible. So it was with the spirit of a brave pioneer that I set out on my quest for fine vegetarian dining during my stay at Walt Disney World and my cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. A pioneer spirit that was totally unnecessary, by the way. These days The Mouse thinks of everything.

While in the resort I ate twice at Spoodles on the Boardwalk. At dinner, I was initially put off by the menu, which didn't have a single vegetarian item on it. But a quick chat with the waiter, Roland, produced a wonderful and immense sampler plate with items that ranged from very good to truly excellent. The meal was not inexpensive (I was charged $19.95 for my sampler plate) but the atmosphere and service were excellent. Breakfast at Spoodles offers all of the usual items, with plenty of choices for every taste. I was easily able to order the Mediterranean Platter with no meat items.

Epcot offers many vegetarian dining options. I chose Morocco for lunch. The counter service café offered a vegetarian sampler plate that included tabouleh, hummous, and a huge pile of kalamata & green olives. Total was about $12.00 including drink and dessert.

For my last dinner before boarding my cruise I went to Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge, one of Disney's finest restaurants. Again, there were no vegetarian entrees on the menu, but my server arranged an excellent pasta dish with the restaurant's specialty: smoked Portobello mushrooms. My meal was equally as flavorful and elegant as those of the other diners. I give special marks to the server, Carlos, who knew immediately which appetizers had hidden non-vegetarian ingredients such as broth or gelatin.

Aboard the Disney Wonder there was a vegetarian pasta entrée offered in each dining room every night, along with the chef's vegetarian special (which is vegan). At the pizza parlor on deck, cheese pizzas and vegetable pizzas are available, and there is plenty of fresh fruit at the buffets.

Based on my brief experience, Disney offers a lot of vegetarian food, but you often have to ask for it. Don't be put off by menus on display that offer no meatless choices. Go in and ask and you will be well-rewarded!

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