Can (and should) I make an ADR for 1 person?

[Worfiedoodles]

I'm heading out for my second solo trip for the Princess Half, and I'm not sure about ADRS. Last year when I went by myself, I just ate counter service. I do have a few meals planned with some friends, so it's just a matter of a couple on my own. I'm wondering if I should consider table service for one person (say at the LTT, or Kona Cafe), or if it's just going to be impossible to get a table and awkward, and I should plan on counter service...I don't mind eating alone, I can always read the DIS while I wait for my meal

TIA!
Maria

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, you can make an ADR for one. And in a lot of restaurants, you should have an ADR. Kona you might be able to walk into or at least sit at the sushi bar if you're there for dinner (you can sit there and order from the Kona menu), but you should probably have a reservation for LTT.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Yes, you can make an ADR for one. And in a lot of restaurants, you should have an ADR. Kona you might be able to walk into or at least sit at the sushi bar if you're there for dinner (you can sit there and order from the Kona menu), but you should probably have a reservation for LTT.

Thanks!

I wasn't hesitant to try to see if it was allowed, and wondered if it just wasn't "done". I think I'm going to go for it!

Maria

 

[minniebride]

I've never done it, but I have read a bunch of dining reviews from people who have done solo trips. All of the reports I read sounded like the solo diners had a very positive experience, in terms of service and seating. There are also several restaurants that offer bar type seating with open kitchen viewing for solo diners, if you prefer. It's a nice way to mingle with other solo diners, if you are looking to socialize during your meal. Otherwise, you can sit at a reguar table as well.

I say go for it! Kona is just too good to pass up!!

 

[cigar95]

If you have trouble getting a reservation for one, make the reservation for two and you will find better availability. True it makes no sense, but that's how the system is set up.

I've done a number of solo trips, and I don't have any reason to feel self-conscious. Everyone's always perfectly pleasant about it. (And it makes it much easier to flirt with the princesses at CRT if my wife isn't with me.)

For some locations, you will want to call to cancel the second person on the reservation if it will cost you money to dine with just one.

 

[SpinTheWorld]

As a former cast member I can tell you this: ALWAYS try and get ADRs for one.
And whoever said 'book as a two' is right. When you get to the podium, you just tell them the other person isn't showing up.

If you try walk-ups, you'll find most will tell you they are 'full'. Truth is, they don't want to waste a two top on 1 person.

 

[fla4fun]

If you try walk-ups, you'll find most will tell you they are 'full'. Truth is, they don't want to waste a two top on 1 person.

Really? Do they do this with parties of three because they don't want to waste a four top? I could maybe understand this during peak season, but even so - to turn away a paying customer without knowing for sure that you will get the party size you want, is a bad way to do business. The restaurant has no way of knowing whether the one person will order a full app/entree/dessert meal and the two people will split a dessert and water. Just because there are more people does not mean there is more revenue.

As to the topic at hand, most of my Disney trips are solo, and I have never felt uncomfortable or had issues with getting tables as a solo. Sometimes I book ADR's, if it's a popular restaurant or it's a busier time of year. Sometimes I do walk ups, especially if it's a less popular venue. There are so many conventions going on with either solo attendees or the significant others in the parks while the conventioneers are meeting, that no one even gives you a second look.

 

[TDC Nala]

And whoever said 'book as a two' is right. When you get to the podium, you just tell them the other person isn't showing up.

It's not advised to do this at restaurants that require a credit card hold.

 

[mrzrich]

I have a few solo days coming up before the rest of my family joins me. I had no trouble getting ADRs.

BTW, one place that loves solo walk ups is Teppan Edo. Think of it like the "single riders line" of dining. They use you to fill a table that would otherwise have an odd number or empty seat.

 

[gabzee]

And whoever said 'book as a two' is right. When you get to the podium, you just tell them the other person isn't showing up.

With the cancellation policy, you would have to pay for the person that didn't show up. I would not suggest doing this. There are plenty of availability for ADRs for a party of one.

 

[TDC Nala]

With the cancellation policy, you would have to pay for the person that didn't show up. I would not suggest doing this. There are plenty of availability for ADRs for a party of one.

The cancellation policy only applies at 19 restaurants, it would probably work at the others. But as of now, we have to assume that if you show up with a partial party at one of those 19 restaurants there will be a no-show fee charged.

 

[cigar95]

The cancellation policy only applies at 19 restaurants, it would probably work at the others. But as of now, we have to assume that if you show up with a partial party at one of those 19 restaurants there will be a no-show fee charged.

That's why I made sure to say that you book for two to *get* the reservation, then at some point you call to cancel the second person. Guess I should have been more explicit about that. Sometimes they will be able to formally modify the reservation, other CMs seem to not know how to do this, but they can always make an annotation on the reservation that there will only be one dining.

When I've done the "reserve for two" trick, I don't find it necessary to try to explain about my other party not being there, I just say "It's just me today" and everyone's happy with that.

TDCN, since you've been keeping an eye on this whole situation, have you yet come across any reports of actual charges for incomplete parties? (I know about the problems with merging of multiple parties, but that one is slightly different.)

 

[TDC Nala]

I have not yet seen any firsthand empirical evidence of what happens when a partial party actually shows up for a credit card hold reservation. All I've seen are those who call Disney Dining and ask. Some are told there will be a charge for a partial party and some are told there will not be.

So at this time unless you're good with paying the $10 for a no-show, I don't recommend that a party of one book for two and then change at the podium at these restaurants.

 

[cigar95]

So at this time unless you're good with paying the $10 for a no-show, I don't recommend that a party of one book for two and then change at the podium at these restaurants.

Yup, if you're going to do this, make sure to change in advance. I've done this a couple times with CRT and had no problem.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yup, if you're going to do this, make sure to change in advance. I've done this a couple times with CRT and had no problem.

And remember that you have to change at least a full calendar day in advance - for example if your reservation is on Saturday you must remove the extra person by close of business on Thursday.

 

[canter2u]

I use my phone or iPad on the Disney reservation site as late as an hour or two to as early as the day before to make a reservation where I want to eat. I make it for one....I'm honest... And the available times are listed. Sometimes their reservation list isn't as updated to include my reservation, but I always say I made it on the website, and I cannot ever remember having to wait. I find the hostesses and waitstaff very positive and accommodating. I tip appropriately for their help.
My favorites are: Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Cat Cora's Kouzzina at the Boardwalk, Yak n Yeti at the Animal Kingdom, Mama Melrose's at Disney Hollywood Studio, either of the Italian restAurants at EPCOT, and whispering Pines at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[LindaBabe]

Just did a solo trip - had 1 adr for 1 pm at the Plaza restaurant, aand ate with friennds onn their adr at Yak and Yeti. Besides that, I ate at Jiko (cooking counter), Boma, Sanaa, Tusker House and then Tangerine counter service. ALL were very positive experiences. It's easier to get a walk up if you go when they first open or toward the end of the serving period - or - indicate a willingness to eat at the bar.

 

[Kwaschitz]

I'd be careful with reserving for 2 and dropping one....

We had a trip planned with my niece on the reservations and the due to grades and proximity to finals, she couldn't go with us (we had paid for the room and ADRs but hadn't bought her flight or park tickets knowing her going was dependent on her Spanish grade). At any rate -

When we called to change the ADRs from 4 to 3, we either had a cast member who didn't know how to do it or the process really is this bad. She insisted that the ONLY way she could do it was to cancel the ADR for 4 and re-book it for 3. However, she also said that the second she dropped it, it was available for someone else and another cast member could then book a different family in before she could get back to the starting point on her screen to book us in.

Sounds convoluted and ridiculous, but my husband once lost a flight on a similar system when a ticketing agent tried to be "nice" to him for Christmas and give him a free upgrade to first class.

Having had that experience, we left all our ADRs as a party of 4 and were advised to just tell them that we would be a party of 3 for the night. We had no problems and weren't charged any extra fees for the missing person on the ADR. I wouldn't count on not being charged though - I think it was entirely discretionary and we very easily could have been.

 

[mrzrich]

I honestly don't think you need to lie. Just make the ADR for 1. I made several for myself with less than 30 days notice and got every place I wanted. Even Le Cellier lunch was available.

 

[cigar95]

I honestly don't think you need to lie. Just make the ADR for 1.

It's not uncommon to find reservations available for two and no availability for one. So I don't lie, I just reserve a table for two.