Dining solo- advice/suggestions

[carefreegal]

I am excited about my first trip to WDW except for the meal plan. I am a little nervous traveling alone and what to do about restaurants. This is the first time I have ever traveled and have not eaten alone at a restaurant. Depending on where I go will I be seated at a table alone or with others. Is there any place you recommend for a single diner? I don't just want to eat in fast food/counter service all the time. I would enjoy a sit down meal occasionally. Do I have to make reservations. I have heard of character meals and am not sure about whether I should do one alone. I think it might be interesting and fun but am wondering if this is more for the children to enjoy.

 

[becka]

Well I have never gone to WDW by myself but I know lots of people have - in fact I believe there is a board just for solo and adult travelers here. I recommend you check out that board for more information.

I have never been to either place but Teppanyaki and Biergarten are two restaurants in the World Showcase at Epcot that I believe feature "communal" seating - meaning several groups sit together. You would certainly not feel out of place there.

If you want some of the most popular places during peak times you might want to make a PS (priority seating). A PS is not a reservation but allows you to be seated fairly quickly (usually within 10 minutes).

The character meals are great for kids of all ages. DH and I have been to several and we never felt out of place and the characters "played" with us just as much as the tables with kids.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have been to WDW 5 times solo, soon to be 6. That's a lot of solo meals! Dining sit-down isn't the most comfortable to me, but like you say, counter-serve can get tiring all the time. One tip I've found that really helps is to bring a little 50 cent spiral notebook and a pen to spend that time writing down your thoughts-where you've been, the good and bad, where you want to go, what you've eaten, etc. Now I buy that notebook before I go to write down park hours and stuff and then review it while I eat. One little side advantage-CMs sometimes think you're an "under-cover reviewer" of their service and the resturaunt and service is pretty good. I liked eating solo at CRT, LTT, Chef's de France (especially at a window table). I've had bad luck with young, male servers-they tend to get too involved flirting with young, single girls and thus they "forget" the middle-aged lady alone (this happened at Resturaunt Akerhaus and last time at Chef's de France). In answer to a couple other questions, I've always made PS and I've never had the nerve to do a character meal solo (yet).

 

[hoosll]

Many of the restaurants have "bar" service or have a table facing the kitchen - Flying Fish, California Grill.

I also like the window views from Ohana, CRT, patio at Big River Grill. Teppanyaki is a great idea.

I like to write my postcards and letters while I wait for my meal.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have done Chef Mickeys solo for breakfast, because I was staying at the Contemporary and it seemed like the thing to do. It was so so food and character interaction to me, but for the kids that were there, it was good interaction. I would not hesitate to dine anywhere solo, even V&A Chefs Table. I traveled a lot for my job, so I got used to dining solo. I think I have done 7 or 8 solo trips to WDW, both business and vacation, and I never had a thought about solo dining. Do check the Solo and Adults Board, and also the meets board. You may be going when others are, and a lot of Disers (like me) like to have little Dis meets that include food!

 

[DeeP]

If you like sushi and tempura a good place for a light meal is Matsunoma Lounge in Japan. It provides a great view of WS and even Illuminations if you time it right, it's a quiet, cool, very relaxing atmopshere, and has very good sushi and drinks. Seating is at individual small tables for 2-4, with very good views.

 

[katypop]

hi carefreegal,
i just went on my 1st solo trip in may , and never having dined alone before was a little nervous too. my 1st meal was at LTT which is a character meal in mk. i felt very self-concious at first, and decided to write in my journal while i waited for my meal. well, i never did get anything written, the characters started coming around and i had a great time they sat with me and pretended to share my meal and goofy would not leave until the cm serving me had taken a picture of me kissing his nose a women from another table who was dining with her children and grandchildren stopped to tell me how jealous she was of all the attention i got don't be afraid to try , i think , for the most part, you will enjoy yourself the only place i felt really uncomfortable was at HDD and the poly laua. i really enjoyed my perfect view from CG of the mk fireworks, boma, le cellier, san angel inn , crc and a few others
katypop

 

[DisneyCP2002]

When I was on the college program last year I had many experiences dining alone. Although it was quiet enjoyable I did miss the interaction of others. I think my favorite solo dining experience though was Garden Grill in Epcot. I had a corner seat in the long booth and all the characters sat down and either helped me eat my food or colored. What was really neat was that I had worn my Tokyo Disneyland shirt that day and Mickey actually signed his name in Japaneese on my coloring sheet I was working on to pass the time. That was the most coolest thing I've ever had happen. I definetly will be going back there this christmas.

 

[dolphinea]

My favorite solo meal past few trips was sitting at the bar at Jiko.

It's not a bar, like an alcohol bar, but a bar with stools around the area where the chefs prepare the flatbreads and a variety of other appetizers.

I had a great time talking to the chefs, it was very relaxed and intimate, and gave me something fun to do in between courses.

~Amanda

 

[dznyntnh]

I'm flying solo for the first time at wdw in October and I'm actually making more sit-down PS than I ever have, becasue I get to try the places I want to try instead of having to take a vote .

I've been in Vegas solo a couple of times and just use the time waiting for my meal to make out postcards or bring a paper with me.

So far I've made PS's for California Grill, Narcoosee's, Yachtman's Steakhouse and Shula's none of which I've ever tried before as well as lunches at my old favorites Sci-Fi Dine In and Alfredo's. I'm just waiting to make my PS for CRT for dinner and I'll be all set.

Once I adjusted to the idea of going solo this time (originally the trip was with a friend, who now cannot go), I became very excited, since this is the first time I get to exactly what I want to do when I want to do it.

 

[propchick]

Disney is a great place to dine solo!

The servers are very respectful of solo guests. If you bring a book, paper, or notebook, they'll usually leave you alone. If you don't, and keep looking around like all the world's a floor show, you'll not only have great conversations with your servers, but also with people all over the restaurant. Every single time I go I end up talking to people from all over the world. (And they always start the conversation, not me. Most people admire someone with the confidence to go somewhere alone, and that will actually usually be the first thing they say to you!)

If it really makes you uncomfortable, just remember that nobody knows that you're alone. Maybe your kids are off waiting in line, etc.

 

[disney4me4ever]

I have done WDW solo a couple of times (conventions, large meetings, etc) and I've had some wonderful dining experiences! Last fall I did the character breakfast at the Poly and it was great fun! I would highly recommend CRT also. Virtually any of the sit down restaurants will be no problem. Don't forget the restaurants on the Boardwalk! The Flying Fish is excellent. Have a great time!

Nancy

 

[ArnyVee]

I experienced a day's worth of parks and dining solo this past January. I had a blast!

First off, sometimes the other person(s) like to do something that you are not in the mood for as far as dining goes. Usually it's one of those majority wins situations. But, with going solo...you are the master of your decisions! LOL

At any rate, it's great deciding to explore new places to dine as well as areas of the parks to see.

I even did a character breakfast by myself (Breakfastosauras in AK) and had a good time!

Good luck with your trip!

 

[flyingchef]

Don't worry about solo dinner,

California Grill make sure to eat at the Sushi Bar counter and ask yoshie to sing for you

Flying Fish make sure to eat by the counter to explore cooking technique and chef intercative

Jiko sit by Pizza counter to get taste of the wild adventure

Boma is fun because the chef will stop and u will forget eating by yourself because the food will keep u busy