Dining alone at Disney?? Anyone done it? Share your thoughts!

[Starscream88]

Traveling to WDW in Dec alone to use up some extra DVC points,
The wifey can't go, and my buddy let me down so its me solo,

Thats not what bothers me, to be honest I'm actually rather looking forward to it!

The ONLY thing I "might" have a problem with is what to do about food?

We always get the dining plan when we come down, eating at Disney is one of our favorite things and we love so many restaurants,
and at $42 per person its very reasonable IMO compared to what you get,

So I'm thinking of treating myself to the dining plan but from memory I have never seen anyone eat alone in the disney restaurants!

Has anyone here done it?
Care to share some details

I'm not sure if I'd feel weird dining alone, but at least with the dining plan I wouldn't have to worry about food,

If I don't get the dining plan I know I could totally handle counter service food alone, thats not weird,
But a sit down dinner alone, looks kinda strange no?

 

[maxiesmom]

Many people go to Disney World solo. I just did for my fist time this past April.

Suprisingly, I didn't feel strange at all eating by myself. The servers were all very attentive, and didn't make me feel like a big looser for eating by myself. I actually did the California Grill for the first time, and it was a wonderful experience!

If you are worried you will be bored, just take along a book, or some Disney flyers to read. Me, I just spent a lot of time people watching. I find that to be great entertainment.

Go for it and have fun!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Traveling to WDW in Dec alone to use up some extra DVC points,
The wifey can't go, and my buddy let me down so its me solo,

Thats not what bothers me, to be honest I'm actually rather looking forward to it!

The ONLY thing I "might" have a problem with is what to do about food?

We always get the dining plan when we come down, eating at Disney is one of our favorite things and we love so many restaurants,
and at $42 per person its very reasonable IMO compared to what you get,

So I'm thinking of treating myself to the dining plan but from memory I have never seen anyone eat alone in the disney restaurants!

Has anyone here done it?
Care to share some details

I'm not sure if I'd feel weird dining alone, but at least with the dining plan I wouldn't have to worry about food,

If I don't get the dining plan I know I could totally handle counter service food alone, thats not weird,
But a sit down dinner alone, looks kinda strange no?

I've been going solo at least once a year for 15 years, so that's a lot of solo meals. Doesn't bother me at all. I actually prefer TS to CS at lunchtime-the CS places are usually so crowded and I'm always worried about getting a seat. My DH travels a lot on business, though, so eating solo is nothing new for me. Some of my favorite places are-Chef's de France by the window, so you can "people-watch", Sci-Fi because it just feels like eating in front of the TV set-most of us have done that, and Coral Reef by the tank. I've found that if you tell them nicely at check-in that you're solo so you'd like a table where you get a good "view" to watch so you won't get bored, the CMs bend over backwards to give you a nice table. I got a window table at California Grill, a porch table at R & C, and although no special view at Cape May breakfast, I got 2 servers constantly checking on me. Two tips-1. Don't discount character meals. It's so much fun to watch the character interaction with the kids, and second, I'm not too fond of the group dinin g places, Biergarten, Teppan Edo. You may get nice table mates, but I've been very unlucky. And it's too loud there to talk to too many people if your immediate neighbor isn't friendly.

 

[mainegal]

I have heard suggestions to eat in the bar part of the restaurant if you don't want to look like a person sitting a table all alone.
Myself, I'd prefer the table!

 

[michellejed]

The trip wasn't solo but a dinner or two were.

My DH and DD were too pooped to go to Epcot for our reservation at Rose and Crown so I went by myself, I had an excellent time and food and service was perfect.

I was not bothered by being alone in fact I could do what I wanted when I wanted lol

Have a great trip!

My goal is to go solo some time, maybe next year!

 

[vettegirl]

I had a few solo meals in October as my MIL had to leave early for from our mini trip, and it was fine. The servers were really nice and enjoyed the "me" time.

 

[Starscream88]

Wow thank you for all the positive responses!

Alright then, I shall treat myself to the DDP for myself in December

 

[mainegal]

I will be dining some meals solo in December.
I think I will like the buffet meals better because I can "do something". I can go get my own food instead of sitting wondering what do to while waiting for my food to come to me.

 

[Starscream88]

Yes a buffet style might be a good idea,
the one at Animal Kingdom lodge is very nice,


Hmmmmmmm now the trip gets that much more interesting
I'm actually really looking forward to going alone, Something I've always wanted to do and also at Christmas time,
Never seen Disney at Christmas, I hear its really spectacular

 

[mainegal]

I will be there December 4-19, with the podcast cruise in the middle.

My buffet ADRs are Crystal Palace, Cape May Cafe, Tusker House and akershus (I think that is sort of a semi-buffet).
I am doing Boma and Biergarten with other DISers.
Other ADRs are for Chefs de France, Marakesh.

I think I would not mind if they seated me with another solo diner.

My only two trips (not counting the day in the MK in 1972) were in December. I only know the parks decked out in holiday garb!

 

[FireDancer]

When I lived in Tampa I used to make solo day trips all of the time. Since moving back to Ohio I've gone down solo twice. I have never done the DP but anywhere I wanted to eat I went and ate. Other then Boma I made no ADRs and never had to wait more then 15 minutes to get in anywhere. That is an advantage of going solo, much easier to just walk up. Of course I went during marathon weekend and not at peak times so that may be a factor.

It is nice to go down and just do what you want and eat when and where you want.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

I'm not too fond of the group dining places, Biergarten, Teppan Edo. You may get nice table mates, but I've been very unlucky. And it's too loud there to talk to too many people if your immediate neighbor isn't friendly.

But on the other hand, you may get seated with other solo diners &/or a great table of people. If you have an outgoing personality these were the first places I thought of (especially the "beer"garten )

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I had a few days solo after my friends left from marathon weekend last year. I had the most amazing meal at Citrico's by myself. They sat a few solo diners in the same area so we could chit chat a little bit across tables but didnt' have a full blown conversation. The waiter seemed more attentive as well. I would bring a book or a journal and jot down some notes about the trip

enjoy!

 

[TDC Nala]

I usually do the bars and lounges at signature restaurants and some others, but you can't do that on the dining plan. I don't do the buffets.

Yesterday I had lunch at San Angel Inn, yes, by myself. About halfway through a family of ten came in, didn't like the two tables they were assigned, and the apparent matriarch of the group demanded that the manager move me so they could have my table to add to theirs ("she's just by herself anyway.") To his credit, the manager immediately refused to move me.