best bets for solo dining

[elbodans]

i'm spending three days in disney alone this coming march. when i'm traveling alone i have no problem eating at restaurants (actually i do it all the time in my regular life when my husband is working and/or when he just doesn't want indian food and i do!) but this trip is going to be VERY busy for a solo trip. so i was thinking that one table service meal a day would be good. i NEED one table service meal per day because i know at some point during each day i'll need to sit down and have someone bring me food...anyway...here are my plans so far, please let me know what you think...(note: i'd really like to work in chef's table at flying fish on day 1--the 5:45 seating--but don't know if i can spare that much time. i'd walk from WS to the boardwalk, and have done this before so i understand the distance--i'm fine with it.)

Day 1: MK in am, monorail resort tour mid-day, epcot at night
Lunch--Kona Cafe
Dinner--Epcot counter service

Day 2:AK in am, moderate resort visit mid-day (CBR or POR), epcot at night
Lunch--Yak & Yeti
Dinner--Epcot counter service

Day 3: HS in am, moderate resort visit mid-day (CBR or POR), MK at night
Lunch--Brown Derby
Dinner--Counter Service at MK

I'm least enthusiastic about the last dinner, as MK counter service does not thrill me.
Oh and I'm staying at POP, which means i'm ruling out all possibility of ever eating there, as it is only a food court (sorry--food snob here. totally guilty. and i bet that means i'll end up falling in love with the pizza at POP!)

so, basically i'm asking if anyone can see better options for me, or advise me in any way. i'm visiting the moderate resorts for research purposes connected with the goal of the trip (i'm doing research for a book--again, long story!)

thanks so much in advance!

 

[aggielawyer]

My family calls me a food snob as well, and I have to tell you don't rule out the food court at Pop. When I went on my solo trip I stopped one night and got salmon with green beans, rice, and corn bread. It was a really good meal for a counter service option. The other thing that I loved was the Pop waffle in the morning.

Of the places you've listed, I've only eaten at Kona. I can't say it was my best meal on property, but it was good. I understand not being excited about counter-service at MK. Honestly, that's the night I'd eat at Pop. Or if you are going to another resort try that food court.

Have fun and good luck with your trip.

 

[IllumFan]

On the last evening, instead of counter service at MK, what about taking the monorail or walking to Contemporary and eating at the Contempo Cafe? It's a little different from a typical "food court" and it'll give you a break from the parks.

Good luck with the book and have a great trip.

 

[kwdw]

Maybe instead of CS in the MK on day 3 - go to the Grand Floridian Cafe for dinner? I just had breakfast there as a solo diner. Might be a second big meal though, after your scheduled lunch that day.

In the Magic Kingdom, I went to The Plaza for dinner solo. Had an inside obstructed view of Wishes, but saw some of it.

Two of my most entertaining meals were at the places that are "interactive" - 50's Prime Time at HS and Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge. I EXPECTED to be slightly uncomfortable at those - but the CM's were great about including me as a solo diner.

The one place I DIDN'T love being solo was at Epcot at night. At night in Epcot - there were LOTS of couples out for the evening and it made me miss my boyfriend. You've got all your time at Epcot at night - when it's busiest - and I think fullest of adult couples. I loved Epcot first thing in the morning and exploring the countries at rope drop. I got some great photos of the buildings and enjoyed the views before it filled up with folks.

 

[pookybean]

if youre a "food snob" this might not appeal to you, but sci fi was great when i went solo. i even got to be in a car!

the only other place i ate that was ts was the big river grille on the boardwalk.

i think the best part of going solo was eating mickey ice cream bars for breakfast and cinnamon buns for dinner!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I'm going solo in March for a weekend too!

I'm staying at Pop and will probably have breakfast there.

I was thinking lunch at San Angel Inn or Big River Grille
And for sure, a dinner at Captain's Grille.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I am solo this February and just nailed an ADR at Le Cellier, where I have never been. Traditionally I have always gone to Le Chefs de France, but it was sort of "underwhelming" last time. Hopefully I will get to share my scintillating border-state conversation with the CMs at Le Cellier.

 

[Farm Girl]

I love your plan! I am going solo in the fall and the idea of breaking the day with a tour of another resort is wonderful. I usually Disney with my sister and we like to break up our days using the various transportation options.

Have fun!

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

I have been to all of your sit-down restaurants except Flying Fish, and they were all very good. Brown Derby was my fav, followed by Kona, then Yak and Yeti. As far as counter service in the MK goes, I always enjoyed Cosmic Ray's and the Columbia Harbor House, but you could always head over to one of the resorts. We stayed at the Poly last time and liked Capt. Cook's the two times we ate there. They have good flatbreads.

 

[andersonfamily]

I went solo last january and i had the best dinner at flying fish. I sat at the bar next to the chefs table. It was fantastic food and very entertaining to watch the chef cook.

 

[Princess of the Poly]

Kona is a great choice to eat solo. If you're interested in the sushi bar at all, you won't have to worry about having enough seats for the other people with you! Anybody know the name of the new sushi place in Epcot? Another nice solo option.

I'm a food snob myself, but I have been guilty of grabbing quick service food at one of the MK hotels and taking it to the beach to watch the water pageant!

 

[LindaBabe]

I don't love Brown Derby. I'd prefer the food court at the moderate resort to eating their. Snobby service and meh food is my take on that one after two meals there.