Dining Plan on Solo trip?

[wasabi girl]

Hi guys!

I am thinking of doing a solo trip in April/May (my first ever) and I am wondering about adding a dining plan. I usually travel with at least 2 or 3 other people (generally DH and/or DDs) and we usually have a deluxe dining plan...which is a TON of food! I am not worried about the trip exactly, I am just sort of wondering about so many sit down meals as a single? What do you guys find works best? Do you enjoy the sit down restaurants as a single diner?

[dahirsh]

I find it's important for me to plan a TS meal per day or I have a bad habit of not stopping to eat. To give you an idea of how rarely I'll stop for CS, in the 5 week long trips I've taken since '99, I've eaten at Cosmic Ray's twice and no other MK CS. So I make one ADR per day and generally keep it. It's a nice break in my day.

[wasabi girl]

Thanks. I kind of thought that it might be a temptation to live on Grand Marnier Slushes and skip meals....

[jordancej]

Grand Marnier Slushes - Arnt they are dream!! Man those are so good! But the 9 bucks kills me.... so i'm only good for one... :(

[suzycute]

I got free dining when I went as a single 2 years ago and worried about eating on my own but I really enjoyed it. I took a book and a journal and if I felt a bit awkward, either wrote in the journal or read a page of my book. I ate at Concourse Steakhouse (gone now!), Yachtsman Steakhouse, Le Cellier and Crystal Palace. The only thing I didn't like (purely personal) was attending the character meal on my own (much prefer to do this with others) but overall I had a great time! Go for it! :thumbsup2

[ClareH37]

I'm not planning on doing the DDP for my upcoming solo trip as I'm planning on eating at some non-DDP restaurants but I'm definitely going to try and have a TS a day, I enjoy taking time out and relaxing over a nice meal :goodvibes

I'm still undecided about a character breakfast, but currently am planning on eating at Blue Zoo, Flying Fish, Fultons (can't you tell I love seafood lol) and others.

[disneylove69]

I love going alone. I bring a book or magazine. This is the only way I can get the books read that I have been wanting.

[jamstew]

I don't mind dining alone, even at character meals, but I don't do the dining plan. I'm not interested in trying to "maximize" it by eating the most expensive thing on the menu, I often have an appetizer rather than entree and rarely eat essert. Paying OOP saves me money.

[WizardLarz]

I went last summer and used the Plus Dining Plan (1 snack,1 CS,1 TS per night). Looked like the best value for a solo like me! Plus with the $15 Planet Hollywood certificate you get a free meal too!!pixiedust:
I'm thinking about just getting the Quick Service Meal Plan (2 snacks, 2 CS, 1 refillable Mug) this time so I don't have to worry about ADRs!

[wasabi girl]

Thanks guys!

I'm going in April (to see DD who will be there with the CP), and have decided not to add a dining plan. I'm not really a desert kind of girl...I'm much more "maybe a couple of appetizers and some nice wine" kind of girl, and I think no plan will just give me much more flexibility...I appreciate all of your help...now I just need to learn where they have the best drinks at Disney...I discovered the Grand Marnier slushes last trip (MMMMM).

[Bill Brown]

I don't mind dining alone, even at character meals, but I don't do the dining plan. I'm not interested in trying to "maximize" it by eating the most expensive thing on the menu, I often have an appetizer rather than entree and rarely eat essert. Paying OOP saves me money.Ditto for me. Also, I don't like having to buy various items not included in dining plans.

[lauritagoddess]

I'm doing the QSDP for my upcoming solo trip. I feel like with this trip I want to play it by ear about what I'm going to do and don't want to feel locked into any TS reservations. If I was going to do any sit down meals, I don't think I'd feel out of place eating at some of the nicer TS restaurants, but might feel a little out of place at a character meal or say 50s PTC, which to me are definitely more family oriented.

[Nie0214]

I don't mind dining alone, even at character meals, but I don't do the dining plan. I'm not interested in trying to "maximize" it by eating the most expensive thing on the menu, I often have an appetizer rather than entree and rarely eat essert. Paying OOP saves me money.

Same! I enjoy appetizers more than desserts, sometimes won't want a whole entree, and I usually drink water with my meals (or perhaps an adult drink).

[cassie]

Ok guys, where are you getting the Grand Marnier slushes? I have a fondness for the frozen Margaritas in Mexico.

[SoloFriendly]

Like some of the others, I do eat TS alone, but don't do the dining plan, because it just isn't cost-effective for me. I don't eat a lot of sweets, so dessert is wasted on me, but I do like appetizers. Sometimes, I'll even just have appetizers for dinner, and no entree. The dining plans aren't flexible enough to allow you to swap things out like that.

[wasabi girl]

Ok guys, where are you getting the Grand Marnier slushes? I have a fondness for the frozen Margaritas in Mexico.

At Epcot, in France, there is a stand that sells Grand Marnier slushes and something frozen and lemon-y with vodka. They are my new favorite "wow, you've walked all the way over here" reward to myself....:drinking1

[feistygalkmc]

I had the DxDDP booked at first, but when I was 100% sure that I would be going solo I decided to change to the QSDP. I don't eat as much as I did a few months ago so the QS plan will work out better for me. I have been checking out the different menus to get an idea of things I want to try. I have to have one of the Grand Marnier slushes also! I am dying to try one :)

[toocherie]

I don't mind dining alone, even at character meals, but I don't do the dining plan. I'm not interested in trying to "maximize" it by eating the most expensive thing on the menu, I often have an appetizer rather than entree and rarely eat essert. Paying OOP saves me money.

Ditto for me. Also, I don't like having to buy various items not included in dining plans.

Same! I enjoy appetizers more than desserts, sometimes won't want a whole entree, and I usually drink water with my meals (or perhaps an adult drink).

I'm with all of you--I love soup and would prefer to have a bowl of soup and an appie (with an adult beverage)--so no dining plan for me this trip either!

Ok guys, where are you getting the Grand Marnier slushes? I have a fondness for the frozen Margaritas in Mexico.

At Epcot, in France, there is a stand that sells Grand Marnier slushes and something frozen and lemon-y with vodka. They are my new favorite "wow, you've walked all the way over here" reward to myself....:drinking1

I had the DxDDP booked at first, but when I was 100% sure that I would be going solo I decided to change to the QSDP. I don't eat as much as I did a few months ago so the QS plan will work out better for me. I have been checking out the different menus to get an idea of things I want to try. I have to have one of the Grand Marnier slushes also! I am dying to try one :)

Grand Marnier Slushies are the BEST. So, what do you eat with them? (because I'm a lightweight when I drink, and if I don't eat something--watch out!)