Vegan and Vegetarian Options at Disney’s Lunar New Year Celebration
Hello lovelies! Disney’s Lunar New Year celebration has already begun at the parks, aaand it’s the year of the Snake (aka Taylor’s year for all of my fellow Swifties out there, which makes things even more exciting because it means she’ll more than likely release Rep TV this year… ) but I’m getting sidetracked 😅
As a half-Korean American, I’ve been very impressed with how Disney has showcased this special holiday at DCA in recent years. They really make an effort to share how the different countries (Korea, China, and Vietnam) celebrate it in their unique ways because unlike what many would assume, we don’t all observe it for the same reasons.
It was recently suggested that I share veggie park guides on this site, so I figured I’d start with this good ole fan-favorite event at Disney California Adventure (although, as the title implies, this guide covers everything from DCA to Disneyland and the hotels on the property).
By the way, most of these food options will be available through February 16th, with a few items even being available through April 27th, so don’t worry if you can’t make it to the parks by the actual holiday; you’ve still got a good amount of time to enjoy these delicious goodies. But first, let’s quickly talk about how you can save some money at the festival because this wouldn’t be a Thrifty Disney Gal blog if we didn’t:
How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
You have the option of purchasing festival-themed gift cards on site that can be worn around your wrist like a nice little bracelet. However, while they are indeed cute, I personally recommend purchasing your Disney gift card ahead of time at a discounted rate. Read my guide on how to save up to 30% on Disney gift cards here, then use that to pay for your food and beverages at the parks!
Another option is to buy the Sip and Savor Pass (I know I’m biased, but I can’t get over how precious Mickey & Minnie look in their hanboks!!) for $48 ($45 if you’re a Magic Key Holder). With the Sip and Savor, you’ll receive six digital coupons for small plates and non-alcoholic beverages.
FYI: You can even use the Disney gift card that you bought at a discounted rate to buy a Sip and Savor Pass to maximize your savings!
Veggie Foodie Guide
I’ve organized each item into four categories: Entrees and Appetizers, Desserts, Alcoholic Beverages, and Non-Alcoholic, and I’ve included the prices, too.
There may not be many meat-free Lunar New Year entree options, but practically every food service place has a vegetarian and vegan option year-round, so you can get one of those and enjoy the festive sweets and drinks while still feeling full and happy. Anyways, here’s your list of vegan and vegetarian options at Disney’s Lunar New Year celebration (you can download a free PDF version here).
Entrees & Appetizers
Garlic Noodles (Longevity Noodle Co.) $8.25
Kung Pao Bao (Prosperity Bao & Buns) $9.25
Plant-Based Beef and Broccoli (Paradise Garden Grill) $15.49
Snake Sourdough Bread (Aunt Cass Cafe) $11.99
Desserts
Almond Cookie Bread Pudding (Aunt Cass Cafe) $7.49
Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Rod Sticks (Grand Californian Great Hall Cart) $16.00
Chocolate Firecracker (Lucky 8 Lantern) $7.50
Crisped Rice Treat (Grand Californian Great Hall Cart) $9.00
Dalgona Coffee Bundt Cake (Cappuccino Cart) $7.25
Firecracker Marshmallow Wand (Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff) $7.99
Five Spice Sugar Doughnut Holes (Great Maple Modern American Eatery) $11.00
Green Tea Donuts (Lamplight Lounge) $8.79
Lychee Fruit Sundae (Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream) $8.50
Macaron Box (Grand Californian Great Hall Cart) $21.00
Mandarin Orange Cream Puff (Wrapped with Love) $8.50
Mango and Coconut Sago Parfait (Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta) $7.29
Mickey Lantern Caramel Apple (Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff) $10.99
Mickey-shaped Sugar Cookie (Grand Californian Great Hall Cart) $10.00
Strawberries and Cream Roulade (Paradise Garden Grill) $6.79
Strawberry Milk Tea Macaron (Bamboo Blessings) $8.50
Sweet Taro Bread (Select Outdoor Vending Carts) $9.25
Toasted Sesame and Red Bean Churro (Churros at Hollywood Land) $7.50
Vietnamese Coffee Churro (Churros near Goofy’s Sky School) $7.50
Alcoholic Beverages
Brewery X Panda Pool Party Lager (Prosperity Bao & Buns) $14.50
Dragon Fruit Cocktail (Bamboo Blessings) $18.00
Guava Lemongrass Cocktail (Lucky 8 Lantern) $17.00
Harland Raspberry Yuja Lemonade Ale (Prosperity Bao & Buns) $16.25
Honeydew Collins (The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel) $15.00
Lunar New Year Beer Flight (Prosperity Bao & Buns) $18.50
Mandarin Citrus Mule (Longevity Noodle Co.) $19.00
Moon Dragon (GCH Craftsman Bar) $18.00
Peach Makgeolli Cocktail (Red Dragon Spice Traders) $18.00
Strawberry-Lychee Cocktail (Prosperity Bao & Buns) $17.50
Study Break Lychee & White Tea Hard Seltzer (Prosperity Bao & Buns) $16.25
Three Weavers Expatriate IPA (Prosperity Bao & Buns) $16.25
Year of The Snake Margarita (Lucky 8 Lantern) $17.50
Non-alcoholic Beverages
Brown Sugar Milk Tea (Bamboo Blessings) $7.50
Green Tea Horchata with Matcha (Cappuccino Cart) $7.50
Taro Vietnamese-style Iced Coffee (Wrapped with Love) $7.25
Tiger Milk Tea (Paradise Garden Grill) $7.49
Tropical Coconut Cooler (Longevity Noodle Co.) $8.00
*Please note that for whatever reason, the Pixar Place Hotel didn’t list the prices of its festival menu items, but they offer the following:
Great Maple Modern American Eatery
- Five Spice Sugar Doughnut Holes served in a Chinese takeout box with chocolate sauce, raspberry sauce, and whipped cream for dipping
The Sketch Pad Café
- Coconut Custard Bao Bun
- Giant Brown Butter and Lemon Fortune Cookie
- Red Velvet and Creme Cheese Whoopie Pie
- Strawberry and Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
- Coconut Matcha Latte with sweet mango purée and coconut jelly (Non-alcoholic beverage)
- Taro Dirty Milk Tea with rainbow agave boba (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Which Dishes Are Vegan-Friendly?
I put a little green leaf next to the menu items that were listed as plant-based in the PDF guide, but there are other items, such as sourdough bread, that could possibly be plant-based as well. I’m unable to confirm that either way, so it’s better to ask the cast members in person.
Have you been to DCA during the Lunar New Year celebration? What’s your favorite food festival?
