Disneyland Paris Vegan Experience review #1 - Auberge de Cendrillon
We have booked a couple of days and have breakfast, teatime and dinner included in our holiday package.
First we arrived and were incredibly well greeted by Ana Maria and Joana at the front desk. Ana Maria explained us everything about the parks and provided the meal vouchers. She exceeded expectations when she got us a leaflet about allergy meals and the best restaurants to get them.
Forseeing that it would be hard to eat around here, after looking at the restaurant menus online, I decided to simply say I am allergic. Not that I'm ashamed to say I'm vegan, I just find that unfortunately people tend to be more open to make changes for you for health reasons (even religion!!) than ethical beliefs.
So the first Disney Paris restaurant we tried was Auberge de Cendrillon
We were however 12 minutes late to our table reservation because our bus had been late to the hotel.
[On the way in a young women and her daughter whispered "don't take the chicken", she looked quite angry. I answered "we don't eat meat". She stopped for a moment looked at us and said "that's very wise!". Not a great first impression! ]
Then we were greeted by a not-so friendly lady who, upon discovering we did not speak French, pointed nervously to her watch and groaned. Not a great second impression either!!
Then we were greeted by a not-so friendly lady who, upon discovering we did not speak French, pointed nervously to her watch and groaned. Not a great second impression either!!
We were taken to our table. I pointed to the waiter that I did not want to eat anything with eggs or milk or meat, "maybe something from the allergy friendly menu?"
They do not have the Natama menu at this restaurant. (but should)
They suggested the vegetarian option which sounded very nice but upon confirming with the chef it turned out it had egg in it.
So the chef offered to cook something just for me.
As a starter they served grilled vegetables with rocket salad. Now this wasn't great: the vegetables were cold (!!) and the rocket salad was dry (no dressing). But it was vegan and I was happy. (I believe this is part of their regular menu, which they serve with an egg on top)
Then I got served some baby potatoes with potato mash and mixed veggies. Another big rocket salad as a side with no dressing.
The potato mash tasted unfortunately a bit like fish, maybe cross contaminated (!!). The veggies were good and I got some olive oil (on request) for the salad dressing.
For dessert we got a fruit salad with melon, watermelon, apple and grapes (half was fresh fruit the other fruits seemed canned).
This is one of the Disneyland Character Dining experience restaurants. So this means while you are having dinner Cinderella, Prince Charming, Rapunzel, Sleeping beauty and many other Disney characters will come over and say hi and take pictures with you. That's the big plus at the restaurant, and that's what you're paying for here, not the food.
It's not a cheap meal, the food hasn't the wow effect you expect for the price(even the "regular" foods off the menu are not that good; my boyfriend asked for the vegetarian option and it was very bland) but the experience is unique and the people working there try their best to accommodate your dietary requirements.
I rate this
5/10 for food
9/10 for ambience
8/10 for friendliness
5/10 for price
Vegan friendly - yes (if requested!) but not great
