Narcoossee's

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

-Walt Disney

I decided to use a quote on dreams because dinner at Narcoossee's really is like a dream. I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people on reddit and disboards for all of my trip planning but particularly in searching for the most romantic dinner I could find and that search lead me to Narccoossee's. 

If you google romantic Disney World dinner most lists rank Victoria & Albert's as first, what I can't help but wonder is who eats there? Seriously that place is can be more than $100 per person! 

If you are that rich that place looks amazing, personally I don't think it's possible for a meal to be worth that much money but I guess I'll never know. 

Tied with Narccoossee's for second most recommended is The California Grill in Disney's Contemporary Resort this restaurant does seem stunning and worth a visit but I could only do one and chose Narccoossee's for reasons I'll go through in this entry.

Narccoossee's is a signature dining restaurant located in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. Narccoossee's is located on the water and can be seen from where the buses drop you off for the Magic Kingdom, so if you've been and not heard of them you've definitely seen it. As lovely as it appears in the day bright in the Florida sun with a view of palm trees, peaceful water and the distant bustling joy of the Magic Kingdom, night is Narccoossee's really shines!

The interior decor is a classy yet simplistic with a sea side theme , but the real beauty of this dining experience is the location. As I said before while I am sure this is still lovely in the day with their light and airy water side location the evening is when you can really appreciate this restaurant. 

My tofu dish was amazing!

 After listening to the lobby band and pianist for sometime in The Grand Floridian lobby which I also highly recommend doing before hand, we strolled a long the beach and back around for our 9pm at Narccoossee's. We arrived a bit early for our ADR and seated a little early as well. Narccoossee's has an entire vegetarian  menu and the majority of it can be vaganized ! When we were seated there was a bit of a mix up with the menu's because vegan comes up as an allergy from special diets to the restaurant first we were given the special allergy menu which is also available however nothing on that is vegan. Our waitress asked what our allergy was so I didn't even have to point out what happened as soon as I said we are vegan she said she had another menu she'd bring.

 I was so happy to see an entire vegetarian menu even if some wasn't vegan, what progress! 

My partner Jamie got a light oil based pasta dish and I got an Asian inspired tofu dish.

At 9:15 just after we had ordered the Electrical Water Pageant sailed by our window. The Electrical Water Pageant is one of Disney's lesser known shows, similar to the electrical parade in the magic kingdom, or if your from southern Ontario like me, like a floating version of The Festival Of Lights. 

Fairy tale-esque creatures and nails made up of sparkling lights float through the night sky tethered to nearly invisable boats glide around the Seven Seas Lagoon, a moment in which this body of water really lives up to it's name. 

As the water pageant ended our food was served. It's hard to call but I am going to say something controversial here, the food was better than trails end's off menu specials. For those of you who know Trails End as a mere buffet and not for the hidden treasure it 

really is all I can say is, subscribe cause it's a coming!

Jamie's pasta dish

 Narccoossee's food and atmosphere the whole experience was hands down the best dining experience of our trip. As we ate we heard that special music and knew it was time to take our champagne out to the veranda, Wishes was about to begin. Narccoossee's as a breath taking view of Wishes the full sky is open, the castle's towers are peaking out above the entrance area which is as close to empty as possible just across the lagoon. To add to the magical view Narccoossee's pumps in the sound track for the full experience. Let me tell you, absolutely nothing is more magical then standing in your loved one's arms out on that white veranda, with champagne in hand and watching the Wishes spectacular while it reflects off the dark lagoon.  Perfection.

I thought about including a picture of the view but none co

uld do it justice, this is something that can't be captured only experienced.

We did this one on our last night and I cannot picture a perfect story book ended to what was the best week of my life.

The Yummiest Place On Earth!

Go on, unfold your menu 
Take a glance and then you'll 
Be our guest, Be our guest, Be our guest! 

-Lumiere 

Disclaimer : I am very laid back about cross contamination so still ask your server for clarification if you hold a high standard for purity.

I am going to highlight a couple experiences briefly before giving a quick easy run down of options and will give reviews of the places I tried as a series starting after this post.

Even though this one was prior to Disney its worth warning that in the Buffalo airport I got a black bean patty sandwich from a sandwich shop (I did not double check for egg I just assumed it was fine) regardless of ingredients I recommend waiting until you get to Orlando to eat. It was so gross I was almost scared away from all things black bean.

Savior of the black bean for our first trip was quick service at Pecos Bills, This was my favourite quick service of the trip! Pecos Bill's is a western themed restaurant which features Mexican cuisine. This location offers bean burritos and bean and rice bowls, be sure to specifically request plain white rice the cilantro rice it comes with by default contains dairy. This is one of the few restaurants that has a vegan dessert other than sorbet or enjoy life cookies.

We also went to the Ice Cream Parlor On Main which offers both Rice Dream and Tofutti ice cream. 

Vegan snacks available in the various parks include: Mickey pretzels! Popcorn! Dole Whip! Dark chocolate bars! 

At Disney I really felt I could walk in anywhere and not have to worry all I had to do was ask and vegan options would appear. Keep in mind though some places will be more prepared than others, if you don't call ahead the option you get may not be a full filling as if you had called ahead. 

Most quick service locations feature the basic veggie burger, be sure to double check the patty as they do change them and sometimes the default one will have egg. The standard dessert is enjoy life cookies as the dessert but there are some with more exciting options.

Pecos Bills as I mentioned offers burritos and burrito style bowls in Frontierland. In Hollywood Studios coming in an extremely close second for best quick service is Planet Pizza which offers veggie pizza with vegan cheese, an Italian side salad and you classic enjoy life cookies for dessert.

A 100% must do for all vegans and anyone interested in trying vegan food is Trails End in Fort Wilderness when Chef Tj is working. Currently Chef Tj is off on weekends so make your ADR for a Weekday ideally around 5 before the Hoop Dee Do rush hits due to using a shared kitchen. Tell your server you'd like Chef Tj he will come out and then allow him to surprise you with specialty multi course meal from heaven, 100% cruelty free too!

Easy Parks Guide

Magic Kingdom

Snacks ( Many of these available at various locations throughout all the parks locations given may not be the only location offering):
Hummus & chips, vegetables (without the dip which has dairy), apples (without the caramel which has dairy), fruit cup, and chocolate & regular soy milk at Gaston’s Pub & The Lunching Pad
Popcorn (including caramel popcorn) & Pretzels throughout the parks
Cinnamon glazed almonds & pecans and frozen pineapple bars
Tofutti & Rice Dream at Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (cone contains honey)
Dole Whip in Adventureland (Fruit flavors only)
Divvies Snacks at Main Street Bakery
Meals:
 Tony’s Town Square - pasta options
Crystal Palace -buffet (select items ask server)
 Peco’s Bills & Tortguga Tavern-Vegetarian Burrito and nachos (the cilantro rice in the burrito has romano cheese in it. Ask for plain white rice instead.)
Cosmic Ray's-Veggie burger and sandwich, fries in the dedicated fryer, 
green beans, gluten-free chocolate chip cookie, and mango gelato
Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station-Tofu & rice
Columbia Harbor House -Veggie sandwich (the Lighthouse sandwich) with no slaw, vegan chili, fries, and apple pie
Be Our Guest-Onion Soup (no cheese) or Layered Ratatouille  (really did not like)

Epcot

Coral Reef- Gardein ch'kn

America -Liberty InnVeggie burger w/avocado

Germany-pretzels

Japan-Kaki Gori, veggie rolls

Norway- Kingla Bakeri in Norwaysweet almond pretzel

Sunshine Seasons- Korma, packaged snacks & cookies
vegetable sushi,tabouli and hummus roll ups
middle eastern sampler, vegetable barley soup
tofu noodle bowl – no cracker,Sushi veggie roll

Morocco-veg platter – no pita, no lentil salad
China-mango tea

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood and Vine-tofutti ice cream (you have to ask) with strawberry syrup

50’s Prime Time – spaghetti with tomato sauce, tofutti sundae

Backlot Express-veggie sandwich on multigrain ciabatta – pesto is vegan

black bean salad,baked fries,southwest salad no chicken

Prime Time Cafe-veggie burger,vegan shake

Pizza Planet ! As previously mentioned does vegan pizza with vegan cheese and side Italian salad

Animal Kingdom

Dino Cafe - Veggie burger

Pizzafari- vegan cheese

Tusker House, Africa

 Vegan Waffles (upon request), Various Potatoes, Fresh Fruit

Option: Sautéed Vegetables, Couscous, Tabouleh, Tofu with Zucchini, Samosas, Various Dips, Breads

Yak and Yeti Restaurant, Asia

Vegan Option: House Salad, Vegetable Lo Mein with Tofu

Harambe Market, Africa

Vegan Option: Chickpea Salad, Roasted Broccoli, Tomato Salad (all found at Kitamu Grill)

Mickey waffles throughout the parks and resorts (vegan upon request)

Starbucks is also available throughout all the parks and the vast majority of drinks can be made vegan with soy or coconut milk.

For more detailed lists (price ranges included) check out http://vegandisneyworld.com/