Decision to make....CRT solo or cancel?

[MyMuse]

Hello adult and soloers!

I have a decision to make; I had a ADR for 2 at Cinderella's Royal Table , but I think my friend will probably bail on me.

Anyone done CRT solo?

It is for lunch, I thought it would be a nice touch after the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I was SHOCKED when I got an ADR for it.

I need to call within the next few days to go to Party of 1 or cancel.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

I haven't done it yet but have it booked for my solo trip in January..Im sure you will have a great time regardless of whether or not your friend comes..i'd keep it

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd definitely keep it also. I've done CRT for lunch solo twice, but it was when there weren't characters for lunch. However, I got a nice table and I loved the atmosphere. Also, I've done character meals solo many times, and always enjoyed it-it's so much fun to watch the characters interacting with the children.

 

[MyMuse]

I haven't done it yet but have it booked for my solo trip in January..Im sure you will have a great time regardless of whether or not your friend comes..i'd keep it

I'd definitely keep it also. I've done CRT for lunch solo twice, but it was when there weren't characters for lunch. However, I got a nice table and I loved the atmosphere. Also, I've done character meals solo many times, and always enjoyed it-it's so much fun to watch the characters interacting with the children.

After going to the Ultimate disney Experience on Saturday, I'm much more comfortable with characters and perhaps taking pics solo.

Thanks for the PrincessBelle & Simba's Mom.

Simba's Mom, I'm so glad you went solo for lunch twice. Then I don't feel so out of place.

I haven't heard back from the friend definitely yet, normally this does not bother me, but this one is pre-paid. I have other ADRs that she may or may not show up at.

 

[LindaBabe]

Go Solo! You'll love it! About half my trips are solos, so I eat alone often. You often get much more interaction with other parties as well as CMs when you're alone.

 

[MyMuse]

I did go solo and it went very nice.

On the line for Cinderella, I got some very strange looks from the families who decided to lunge in front of me for the Cinderella pic. LOL! The Disney Photopass people then realized that I was there for the pic, ushered me in & the lady then hustled me upstairs.

Though, it was tough to here, "Party of 1" yelled amongst the noise.

The family next table to me were very nice and took photos of me with Princesses (they were so tiny!) and I'm very grateful. I have them my "CM thank yous" as a thank you for being so nice.

My table was the 3rd in line for the Princesses and they could nto be nicer and my waiter was awesome. I didn't get a wand, but I really didn't expect one, but I did keep the "Wishing Star" emblem.

I'll have it in my trip report soon.

 

[SoloFriendly]

I'm so glad it went well for you, MyMuse!

Though, it was tough to here, "Party of 1" yelled amongst the noise.

Oh yes, that is a difficult moment. It's happened to me, too. Restaurant workers really need some training not to say things like that (or "Just one?").

 

[xenole]

Personally, this is something that would make me a little uncomfortable. I've got 4 solo character breakfasts booked for next month which shouldn't be too bad as they're buffets and loads of people will be milling around. CRT is a sit down meal and a little more formal, so I would expect any solos to stick out even more and there's bound to be waiting for plates etc?

How does the photo for a solo work out anyway? It says on the reservations page that you get a photo set included for a party of 4 paying people etc.

 

[MyMuse]

Personally, this is something that would make me a little uncomfortable. I've got 4 solo character breakfasts booked for next month which shouldn't be too bad as they're buffets and loads of people will be milling around. CRT is a sit down meal and a little more formal, so I would expect any solos to stick out even more and there's bound to be waiting for plates etc?

How does the photo for a solo work out anyway? It says on the reservations page that you get a photo set included for a party of 4 paying people etc.

It went fine. They pack quite a lot of people there and no one really stared at me or anything. Others were way too busy paying attention to their own families.

I kept myself busy & the plates were very fast. The waiter was very cool. The photo was just me; I don't think I understand the question. They will just take a photo of you with Cinderella.

 

[Bete]

and I have to say I wouldn't go there solo. You may be able to handle it better than me. It's really meant for families to be together and that's very evident everywhere you look.

I did a solo trip in 2008 and I was fine with most TS, but there are some I would stay away from like Teppan Edo and Biergarten. CRT is not quite as bad, but unfortunately it would not be for me alone.

Everyone is different, but the fact that you posted and asked about it tells me you are leaning towards the same conclusions.

You can do it on another trip with someone; so, I would skip it this trip.

 

[LindaBabe]

and I have to say I wouldn't go there solo. You may be able to handle it better than me. It's really meant for families to be together and that's very evident everywhere you look.
I did a solo trip in 2008 and I was fine with most TS, but there are some I would stay away from like Teppan Edo and Biergarten. CRT is not quite as bad, but unfortunately it would not be for me alone.

Everyone is different, but the fact that you posted and asked about it tells me you are leaning towards the same conclusions.

You can do it on another trip with someone; so, I would skip it this trip.

FLUFF! As you see, the OP had a great time.

There are those who say 'WDW is meant for families to be together and that's very evident every where you look' and that's equally bogus.

Get out there and go and do and don't be a bit self concious - people are WAY more interested in their companions or their book or their thoughts than they are interested in you and whether or not you are a 'party of one'.

Ps. I'm here at the world. now. alone. and having a wonderful time.

 

[MyMuse]

and I have to say I wouldn't go there solo. You may be able to handle it better than me. It's really meant for families to be together and that's very evident everywhere you look.

I did a solo trip in 2008 and I was fine with most TS, but there are some I would stay away from like Teppan Edo and Biergarten. CRT is not quite as bad, but unfortunately it would not be for me alone.

Everyone is different, but the fact that you posted and asked about it tells me you are leaning towards the same conclusions.

You can do it on another trip with someone; so, I would skip it this trip.

Thanks for your post, Bete, but I already went (in December) did have a good time. It was no biggie big. I had a window table overlooking Fantasyland, so it was fine by me!

Thankfully, the table next to me did take my pics, which was really my only worry.

I would think Teppan Edo & Biergarten would be the easiest, since there would not be "tables"??? They are on my list for next time. I'd figure if I can do CRT, Yak & Yeti, The Plaza all solo, I can do pretty much any restaraunt. It was basically character meals, since there is no one to take photos.

Don't worry about it, go! It's all about you. Disney is anything anyone wants it to be. That's the magic of it!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I would think Teppan Edo & Biergarten would be the easiest, since there would not be "tables"??? They are on my list for next time.

Well, hopefully you'll be luckier than me, but I have to tell you my experience at Teppan Edo. I sat on the end, so I only had one person next to me, a teenaged girl, who'd just had her most unmagical moment-being seated next to a middle-aged woman. And I bet she could tell I was a teacher-a MATH teacher at that! My attempts to ask her pleasant questions about her trip were met with monosyallbic grunts. As a high school teacher, I'm used to those responses but it wasn't fun. I don't know which one of us was more glad to see the meal end. Boy, did she move fast to get out of there!
I've been to WDW so many times solo, and eaten solo at so many resturants, but this was by far my most unpleasant experience (and probably hers too).

 

[Bete]

I prefer being with someone on vacation; so, when I'm alone I don't feel as comfortable especially with TS meals. I'm not an introvert, but I won't go out of my way to push myself on someone, either. Usually, you can tell after a few sentences if a conversation with a stranger will work or not. Also, I think the longer you stay alone somewhere the harder it is to be alone.

I have struck up some excellent conversations at Disney, too with strangers. I will say those times are too few.

I will say if I do it again solo at Disney, I will probably do more QS meals. Doing a TS meal does take longer and if I'm alone I'd prefer doing more rides and shows with the time I would save.

Another factor is whether you are single or not. I think it would be easier for me to be solo at Disney if I was single.

 

[MyMuse]

Well, hopefully you'll be luckier than me, but I have to tell you my experience at Teppan Edo. I sat on the end, so I only had one person next to me, a teenaged girl, who'd just had her most unmagical moment-being seated next to a middle-aged woman.

I've been to WDW so many times solo, and eaten solo at so many resturants, but this was by far my most unpleasant experience (and probably hers too).

Ahh...teenager, forget it!

I want to say that I've been to the Biergarten once before with my mom before she passed away. And I had no idea about dining reservations back then. LOL! I remember a band playing though. Do they still do that?

I'm going to try it anyway...leave it on the list for next time.

I prefer being with someone on vacation; so, when I'm alone I don't feel as comfortable especially with TS meals. I'm not an introvert, but I won't go out of my way to push myself on someone, either.
I have struck up some excellent conversations at Disney, too with strangers. I will say those times are too few.

I don't have the option right now of being with someone on vacation right now. So, if I want to do anything, for the most part, it will be solo.

I certainly don't push myself on anyone to talk with. Most times, someone else will start. For all my TS solo meals, went quite quick. The lovely decor, texting, doing my journal, taking pics...all take time. Plus, I didn't want to stay forever either. I did want to get back out to the park, but it was nice to sit, relax and be waited upon for an hour. I only made one ADR a day; usually lunch.

I did strike up quite a few convos with CMs, those were really interesting!

All in all, I had quite a good time. As evident, in my TR below. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, how I wanted. It was alllll good.

For the next time...Teppan Edo, Biergarten, perhaps tea at the Grand Floridian, maybe even Brown Derby.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Ahh...teenager, forget it!

I want to say that I've been to the Biergarten once before with my mom before she passed away. And I had no idea about dining reservations back then. LOL! I remember a band playing though. Do they still do that?

:

Fortunately, I've been a high school teacher for many years, so I know not to take it personally and to be quite used to those monosyabic grunts of a teenager.
The last time DH and I went to the Biergarten, the band was playing. I think their exact schedule of times is on the WDW Entertainment website (I forget the exact website name, but hopefully someone else will supply it). Although I've never been to any of the other places you named, I'm pretty sure a solo reported on going to the tea at the GF and they really enjoyed it.