Dining solo at TS restaurants

[AuroraRora]

I've been to WDW solo several times, and usually when I eat alone I sit at the bar and either strike up a conversation with other people, or just play on my phone or people watch. Last time I ate at BOG and if I remember rightly, one or two other TS restaurants with no problems. However, I ate alone at Le Cellier and it felt so awkward, there was a couple at the table next to me whispering about me being alone and I noticed people staring - I wound up leaving feeling almost tearful. Now I'm going again in October I have ADR's for Boma, Chefs de Frances, and the Yachtsman. I'm MOSTLY ok with Boma because with people getting up and down for the buffet it's not a quiet typical sit down restaurant. Chefs de France is over lunchtime and for some reason that seems easier to me than dinner. But I'm really nervous that Yachtsman will be a repeat of Le Cel. I'll be eating my steak while playing on my phone and I'm worried it'll just look really awkward. I could ask to be put somewhere where I can look out the window or people watch but I think I'll just get put wherever the next free table is. Has anyone been there (maybe alone?) that could vouch for the awkward factor of going solo?

 

[aVASTGrl]

I'm so sorry you had such a rotten experience! I've never eaten at either Le Cellier or Yachtsman since the menus don't really appeal to me, but I've never felt stared at or awkward at any of the TS restaurants I've been to, and I was REALLY nervous about dining alone my first solo trip!

I'm kind of passive/aggressive though, so I have a feeling if I ever found myself being whispered about, I would smile and wave and embarrass THEM until they stopped! haha

I wouldn't let the fear of others' reactions prevent you from eating someplace you really want to try!

 

[daae3]

I have eaten solo at Le Cellier and agree that if the people seated near you are whispering about you-it would be awkward-but you just got stuck next to a lame table-I ordered a light up drink (my favorite) and my "dining companions" were fascinated and we struck up a conversation and had a lovely chat. But again-depends on who you are seated next to. FYI-I have had a similar experience at dinner solo at Chefs de France-lunch is def. less crowded so you will prob not be seated so closely to other people. It has been ages since I ate at the Yachtsman but I remember the tables being more spaced out than any of the Epcot restaurants, so you will prob be fine. Sorry you had a bad experience and if it happens again, raise your light up drink and smile at the nosy ones...it is none of their concern as to why you are in a restaurant solo.

 

[godders]

I'm really sorry you had a bad experience! Have you thought about writing a trip report and updating it while you're sat down eating or taking a book to read that you can get absorbed in? I find just playing on my phone I pay more attention to what is going on around me but with a book I don't. I personally never noticed anyone looking at me or talking about me when I'm eating solo but I'm not sure it would bother me anyway. I just think that for all they know I could be at a conference or a local (I'm British so that's less likely) and that's why I'm there alone. Who cares if they're talking about you....you're doing something that you enjoy and that's all that matters! Besides if it was a couple they were probably thinking how amazing it would be on their own so they could do this or that without their other half complaining! I have one TS meal everyday at Disney on my solo trips and I'm paying just as much as everyone else so you can be sure I'm going to eat where I want!

I hope you enjoy your ADRs on your next trip!

 

[loves to dive]

I've never eaten at Yachtsman solo but I've eaten at other places and never had any problems. I have a kindle ap on my phone and read while I eat, which is not any different than I do when I go out by myself at home expect I take the real kindle, I read when I eat at my desk at work as well. I've had the chef come out at a number of TS restaurants at Disney and talk to me or send a free app. out when I've been solo, no I don't look like a food critic and am not but they have always just been really friendly.

 

[karly05]

AuroraRora, I'm sorry you were seated next to those rude people. FWIW, I've never experienced that and I've done a good amount of solo TS dining.

I've eaten at Le Cellier once, and it felt like the tables were practically on top of each other. I was lucky that my neighbors ignored me, but I swear I could hear every word of their conversation.

This year, I had dinner at Yachtsman's Steakhouse and really enjoyed it. It definitely feels more spacious, and when I was there, it felt more relaxed and quiet than a lot of places (certainly moreso than Le Cellier). Filet mignon was delicious, my nice CM waitress suggested I have the sauce on the side and she was right, the steak really didn't need it. Definitely try YS!

I had lunch at Les Chefs in 2012 and really enjoyed that, too; I would go back. I had a perfect table by the windows overlooking the WS promenade, server was so nice; it's a busy place, but again, no trouble with my neighbors.

I really think your bad experience was an unfortunate exception to the rule; please don't let a couple of rude busybodies keep you from dining wherever you want.

 

[samsteele]

I'm also sorry this happened to you. I've dined many times solo at TS restaurants in WDW and have always had either pleasant or distant dining neighbours. The closest tables I've experienced were at Coral Reef and I had a mother/daughter combo next to me. We struck up a conversation about WDW restaurants and had a good visit. It sounds like you just had rotten luck being seated next to nosey and clearly bored diners who had nothing better to do than gossip. I agree with PPs: don't let this turn you off dining at TS that you are excited about. All the very best for a much better experience in the future!

 

[Bete]

I've only done one solo trip. I was lucky enough to hook up with some disboard members for TS meals. I did it when the $10 deposit wasn't required. I made reservations for two even though I was a party of one and then I was able to get others to join in. You are seated for a table of two anyway. I have heard as long as someone shows up for the reservation Disney won't charge for the absent person. You could try here and see if you get anyone to join you. I was happy to have the company and being able to talk with a fellow diehard Disney World fan was enjoyable.

Also, I did have a few meals alone and then I tried to strike up a conversation with the table next to me if it seemed appropriate. One single next to me joined me at my table. After the meal we went our separate ways.

Now, if you truly want to be alone then you just have to have diversions; so, you can ignore your surroundings to a degree. The suggestions above are all good ones. I would order quickly; so, there would be less time in the restaurant.

I will say if I go solo ever again I will probably do more quick service meals. The experience was too lonely for me; so, I'm not sure I will go alone again. I know that is not what you want to hear, but it's truly how I feel.

 

[bryanb]

OP, sorry to hear that. It must be so disappointing to have an experience that was meant to be enjoyable and relaxing turn into a negative -- but I also applaud you for doing what you want to do and going right back in October! It seems that your neighbors at Le Cellier were projecting their own insecurities about dining solo. Otherwise they wouldn't have given it a second thought.

In my last solo TS meal, I saw that a few other guests noticed me too because it was a crowded setup. When the waiter arrived, I just addressed it by saying that I was "just me, today" and I couldn't come all the way to Orlando and not enjoy one of my favorite places to eat. Once I was in that mindset, I felt like I had taken control of my own story.

When booking a TS meal, I've also found it helpful to ask for a seat that's not sandwiched between other parties. Having a table off in a corner can definitely be more relaxing.

 

[ozliz]

I ate at the Yachtsman solo earlier this year and found it better. There were a couple of other solo diners that I assume were there because it is a convention hotel and probably working (based on the fact that they were middle aged or older men).

Chefs de France was so busy that no one really noticed that I was solo.

I am pretty comfortable solo but do find I get a few odd looks from staff occasionally as I travel solo internationally (common among Australians I was told while on the Canadian Rockies a few years ago) and have got past the backpacker age and into the 'why aren't you getting married and having kids?' age.

 

[karly05]

PP reminds me - yes, YC is a convention resort, I always saw "business" diners solo on my 3 mornings at Captain's Grille in 2012, so I bet solos are less uncommon at YS.

 

[AuroraRora]

PP reminds me - yes, YC is a convention resort, I always saw "business" diners solo on my 3 mornings at Captain's Grille in 2012, so I bet solos are less uncommon at YS.

This is good news for me, I completely forgot that YC is a convention resort. Thanks for reminding me, you too. Thanks for the reassurance guys, its nice to know others have had good experiences too. I think I'll stick with my reservation at Yachtsman.

 

[gzmtlock]

I'm sitting at MCO waiting for my (delayed, of course) flight home after 6 days solo on DxDDP. Ate at Yachtsman's one night. I was seated along a wall, and it was a very comfortable experience dining solo. Was able to people watch without feeling obtrusive, didn't notice anyone noticing me.

My most unusual experience was at Biergarten. Had never eaten there before, and thought the "family style" would be more open seating. Um, no. I ended up sandwiched between a family of 5 and a young couple. It started awkward, but rapidly became quite enjoyable. The family were also DVC, so we had that in common. They were getting ready to go on their first DCL cruise, so I shared some thoughts about that. I am NOT good at making conversation with strangers, so it was actually a surprise to me that it went so well. I don't know that I'd repeat that experience (in case I didn't get such friendly tablemates), but I was certainly appreciative of the pixie dust this time!

 

[raddisneyfan]

I think a similar experience might put me off of solo dining too, but you've got to just move on. DO NOT let them stop you from enjoying anything and everything that Disney has to offer--dining, rides, lodging--EVER. We want to hear that when you get back from your trip in October, you've had the best time ever and that you've enjoyed every bite of your steak at the Yachtsman.