Dining Alone in Disney World Tips

[IvyWinter]

Hey guys,

so first of all, some of you may remember me from earlier this year. I was crazy afraid to do my first solo trip in late February, but thanks to all of you, I did it, and it was a blast!

Anyway, I'm doing a series of YouTube videos from time to time on tips for solo travelers. I definitely don't want to be super promotional here, but I figured I would share one of my videos, specifically on dining alone, because I know it's a huge point of concern for a lot of solo trippers here.

Anyway, here's the link,would love feedback and more thoughts from you guys because you are such a wealth of knowledge (and also if this helps anyone, great!).

 

[Pmason83]

Hey guys,

so first of all, some of you may remember me from earlier this year. I was crazy afraid to do my first solo trip in late February, but thanks to all of you, I did it, and it was a blast!

Anyway, I'm doing a series of YouTube videos from time to time on tips for solo travelers. I definitely don't want to be super promotional here, but I figured I would share one of my videos, specifically on dining alone, because I know it's a huge point of concern for a lot of solo trippers here.

Anyway, here's the link,would love feedback and more thoughts from you guys because you are such a wealth of knowledge (and also if this helps anyone, great!).

Went solo last year and this was the biggest obstacle, when I arrived and sat at my table everyone else couldn't care less I was alone, I even saw other people eating solo so it is definitely all in the head. Great video

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Thanks for this. I'm thinking about going alone and actually my biggest obstacle would be the rides.
But dining too

 

[besweeet]

Thanks for this. I'm thinking about going alone and actually my biggest obstacle would be the rides.
But dining too

Going solo on rides isn't bad at all. You can ride them without having to worry about if your partner is enjoying them or not, giving you your own time to take them all in.

 

[karly05]

Thanks for the video; I'm another who will vouch for the idea that no one else at WDW cares that you are solo. And I had lunch at Brown Derby for the first time this year, had an AWESOME CM waitress and a fantastic lunch and it is now on my "must do" list for future trips.

Am I the only one, though, who feels more awkward dining at QS solo? That's where I always feel I'm "taking up too much space" (I never seem to find many small/2-top tables at QS spots).

I want to chime in and say, my Big Food Find of the Trip this year (besides Brown Derby) was The Wave at the Contemporary. Had excellent breakfast and dinner there, great service, quiet atmosphere, and it seems to draw a more adult/convention-y crowd so it does not seem uncommon to dine there solo. If you're a solo looking for a good meal at a less-hectic place, go to the Wave!

 

[besweeet]

Am I the only one, though, who feels more awkward dining at QS solo? That's where I always feel I'm "taking up too much space" (I never seem to find many small/2-top tables at QS spots).

It can seem odd at first, but I quickly just sit back and relax with my [typically unappetizing] theme park food, sometimes with my legs up on the empty chair across from me. Anyone who thinks it's weird should probably give solo trips a try.

 

[TACK]

I don't feel odd eating alone, have done it so many times now. The only thing I find is that I finished my food much faster as a result of no distractions. I do try not to take up the largest table if I can. Sometimes I will bring a magazine to read just to slow the meal down.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I sometimes eat alone near home and I don't mind it so much if I have a book with me. I wouldn't want to burst my "Disney bubble" with a book though. I'd probably just be on my phone or maybe read some Disney literature

 

[loves to dive]

I sometimes eat alone near home and I don't mind it so much if I have a book with me. I wouldn't want to burst my "Disney bubble" with a book though. I'd probably just be on my phone or maybe read some Disney literature

Kindle App for your phone, best thing ever. You don't have to carry a book around and if you are an avid reader, you can even use the time in lines that don't have much interesting to do reading. It will run down your battery a bit but mine still lasts all day with about a 40% charge left.

 

[Grumpy247365]

Cool video. I have no problem eating solo. I know some people do, but there is NOTHING wrong with enjoying a meal alone. You get to eat where you want and whenever you want. I prefer it, to be honest.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Kindle App for your phone, best thing ever. You don't have to carry a book around and if you are an avid reader, you can even use the time in lines that don't have much interesting to do reading. It will run down your battery a bit but mine still lasts all day with about a 40% charge left.

I have pretty much sworn off any electronic book devices I love the feel of a book in my hand. But while at WDW I wouldn't want that unless it's Disney related.
I'd probably buy myself a new book on the first day there and read it while eating. OR if I'm gutsy enough, I'd just people-watch which is what I prefer.

 

[jasoncane]

Very good video. This is something I've always felt weird about in the past but I have started doing it this year and enjoy it.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I've met lots of great people from DisBoards by arranging to get together for a meal. So I don't dine solo as much as I used to. Those meals where I am solo, I like to focus on enjoying the surroundings, the décor, the theming, whatever makes that restaurant unique. I wouldn't want to miss out on the experience by being too absorbed with my phone or reading something I brought, because to me, that would defeat the whole purpose of being there. I would rather be present in the experience.

 

[cashbruh]

When I first started going alone all my friends thought I was nuts, they always asked "how could you go by yourself???" It's way easier! The times I went with people were fun, sure, but when I'm looking for some alone time and really wanna indulge and enjoy myself I think solo trips are the best. The dining always made me nervous but I put myself into the mindset that I spent $800 for the annual pass and I should really have no personal limitations on what I do just because I'm by myself. Kinda eased the anxiety for me.

 

[besweeet]

I put myself into the mindset that I spent $800 for the annual pass and I should really have no personal limitations on what I do just because I'm by myself.

That's an interesting way of thinking about it, and I like it. Like you said, you just spent $800~ for an annual pass, so quite frankly, there should be zero concerns about what others may think when you're at the parks on your own.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I have already had 19 annual solo WDW vacations. I have found that the QS dining locations can be a problem for me. QS tends to be extremely crowded, and I feel a sense of confusion when I am carrying a loaded tray, and trying to find a seat for myself. Once, I ordered ribs at Cosmic Ray's. AFTER I finally found a seat, then started to eat, I discovered I forgot to get napkins. It is impossible then to get up, leave your food at the table with no one there, just to get the napkins. (I used up all of my tissues). If during your meal, you need to go to the bathroom, your food may no longer be there! For me QS would be easier for me if I had a companion. By contrast, a sit-down meal may be more expensive, but it is far more relaxing for me. The first time I did the Sci-Fi Dine In solo, I did feel awkward, and yes - they did call me a hitch hiker. However, seeing that everyone is looking in the direction of the movie screen, I did not feel like I was put into their party. I also think what made a difference was that I was in the back seat, so I really did not feel at all like I was intruding. I have done Prime Time alone, and most of the time I was OK. The CM instinctively knew that I didn't want to play the games, solo. I just watched other people get scolded for having elbows on the table. LOL! I have found that for ALL restaurants in WDW, if you are solo, it is a good idea to visit the bathroom BEFORE you are even seated, so you won't have to get up and leave your food on the table unattended.

And PS ...... the video was great!

 

[LSU Mom]

Each park has a Starbucks café which I found to have healthy sandwich options for adult meals. At HS – The Trolley Car Café, AK – Creature Comforts, Epcot – Fountain View and MK—Mail Street Bakery. You can also use your Starbucks cards to pay there.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Each park has a Starbucks café which I found to have healthy sandwich options for adult meals. At HS – The Trolley Car Café, AK – Creature Comforts, Epcot – Fountain View and MK—Mail Street Bakery. You can also use your Starbucks cards to pay there.

My personal preference while at WDW is to stick to restaurants we don't have back home. YMMV.

 

[nevergirl]

Each park has a Starbucks café which I found to have healthy sandwich options for adult meals. At HS – The Trolley Car Café, AK – Creature Comforts, Epcot – Fountain View and MK—Mail Street Bakery. You can also use your Starbucks cards to pay there.

WHAAAT? When did this happen? When I went last time in 2011, trying to find iced espresso drinks in or near the parks was insanely hard. Yay!

 

[Amirah95]

Before I saw this thread I had already written down to avoid 50s Prime. LOL! I for some reason cannot get that one into my head.