dining solo... lets discuss..

[Tink rules]

www.disneyworld.com

you don't need a reservation # for your room to make ressies... just look up at the top and it will say something like where to eat...

 

[Tink rules]

If you go to any of the Character meals... who takes your picture with the characters?

 

[Tink rules]

When looking for a place to eat if you don't have an ADR ask if they have a bat you can sit at. Some (not all) WDW restaurants have a bar that you can sit it and enjoy full service...Plus you can befriend the bartender...and that's always a good thing.

can you eat at Cal Grill without an adr at the bar? I know it would depend on avail.

 

[Chuckers]

If you go to any of the Character meals... who takes your picture with the characters?

Do what you would normally do if you were with another person and you both wanted to be in the picture! Ask the people next to you

If the character is a full costumed (big head) character (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip, Dale, etc) they will more than likely have a handler with them as they tour. The handler will probably take your picture.

If the character is a human (Princess, Prince, etc) ask someone at the next table. (I've actually had the character ask on occasion).

A few things to remember when eating solo at Disney:

1. You may be the only solo person you can see, but there are others. It's not uncommon. Disney CM's are there to make everyone happy.. not just the families and newlyweds.

2. Almost everyone else in the restaurant is excited about the meal, the trip, the day in the park, etc and will more than likely be chatting within their group and too busy to "notice the solo eater."

3. If you do happen to see someone staring at you, you can just think to yourself that that person isn't having a good time with his/her group and is probably envious of the fact that you're on your own, having a great time, and not busy plotting ways to ditch the rest of the traveling group..

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you go to any of the Character meals... who takes your picture with the characters?

Or what I do is just give my camera to the character and ask him "Do you think anyone would take our picture?" The character always finds someone-maybe it's a friendly server who interacts with him. Or sometimes the character will run over to an adjacent table and motion for someone to take our picture. That's always fun-no one says "No" to Goofy (or whoever) at WDW!

 

[Califgirl]

www.disneyworld.com

you don't need a reservation # for your room to make ressies... just look up at the top and it will say something like where to eat...

Thank you so much! It is really fun finding restaurants like this. And there is a lot of availability for single diners!

 

[ebtbmom]

I just did my first solo this past weekend and it was an awesome time. I initially was just going to do CS meals, but when I was able to get free DDP I decided to just go for it! I ate at Le Cellier, Crytal Palace, and Mama Melrose. I never felt awkward or uncomfortable at all. The other diners were really into their own meals and families and didn't seem to pay me any attention, but all of my servers were great and very attentive.

I enjoyed watching other people's kids and savoring the atmosphere of the restaurants. At CP the character's handler took our picture, I mostly went there b/c I like getting in the MK before rope drop, plus there is bacon on a buffet.

My advice is to relax, go where ever you want, and enjoy your experience. No one will notice or think anything of it, and if they do, you'll never see that person again anyway!

 

[Susan R]

For the person who asked if you can make a reservation to sit at the bar in the California Grill...I was told by the person on the Disney Dining phone line that you can't...it's first come, first served. She did suggest making a reservation and when you check in to request to sit at the bar.

Susan

 

[Tink rules]

Thanks that wasy me...

I can't get an ADR for when I want to go... but I figured I could give it a try and have a back up plan just in case...

 

[Disneylover1971]

I've NEVER been to Disney solo and had prefer someone go with me. If I were to go I'd probably eat at the fast food places instead of sit down dinners. To me it would be rather awkward sitting in say, Le Cellier all alone you know. But that's just me.

 

[superslickdls]

There's nothing wrong with dining alone (in and out of the World)...unless you're still in high school.

 

[Missytara]

How far ahead did you make your ADR's for your solo dining?

I know it's often difficult to make ADR's for 2, since most restaurants don't have very many 2 tops, but it's easier to make an ADR for 3 since there are more 4 tops. Does this crowd the solo diner out of a table?

If you want to eat at the bar, do you still need an ADR?

Actually, in most restaurants, a 4-top is made up of two 2-tops. I have never had any trouble making ADR's for one at any of the sit-down restaurants.

You cannot make an ADR at the bar ahead of time.

 

[Cherinva]

Thanks for all the tips...I'm doing my first solo trip and I was wondering about solo dining.....this has helped

 

[Tink rules]

You are going to LOVE going solo... you'll want to leave everyone home from now on!!!

 

[Disneylover1971]

Well I don't have anyone really...but don't want to go alone either

 

[Tanbellisima]

I've NEVER been to Disney solo and had prefer someone go with me. If I were to go I'd probably eat at the fast food places instead of sit down dinners. To me it would be rather awkward sitting in say, Le Cellier all alone you know. But that's just me.

Going single to Disney can be fun. I too like to do things in groups of at least 2 and the more the merrier in my family. But I see singles having a good time too at the parks. If you are into thrill rides the single rider line at Rock In Roller Coaster at HWS is awesome. My sister and I were able to ride several times with 10 to 20 minute waits when the stand by line was 120 minutes.

Single you can get a table at Chef Mickey and Le Cellier faster. When I went 3.5 weeks ago walk ups for Le Cellier who were single got seated within 5 minutes. There were 3. The rest of us had to wait and have ADR's. LOL!

When are you thinking of going on a single trip?

I hear the Jiko Cooking Place, Kona Sushi Bar, California Grill are great places for singles also Captain Jacks and Fulton's at DTD. Sitting at the bars seems to be a great place for singles to be seated. Also the Biergarten is a great place for singles because you can be seated with a family. Great for a beer if you drink and to make friends. Also cast members are really friendly and are always offering to hang out after work etc. Great way to make friends at Disney and be included in a group of singles is to talk to cast members during the wait in line or in the shops or while eating. They always have fun things to recommend.

 

[kaffinito]

I'm very glad I read this thread.

I have reservations at Bistro de Paris, Don Shula's, and Sci Fi Dinner theater for my solo trip.

All of those are way too pricey for the way my boys eat, so I get to dine in style. I might do a breakfast or a lunch somewhere, but I don't know where yet. I'm just so excited!

I'm planning on having two appetizers at Shula's - the lobster bisque and the crab cake.

Now If I could just pick a resort I'll be all set!

 

[Chuckers]

The Sci-Fi Drive In is a lot of fun.. very cool layout and theming.. The movie clips are wonderful.

 

[GaRain]

Actually thinking of setting up a character breakfast for my solo trip....if only to get into the parks early....anyone had any experience with that?
I mean, I would still want my pictures with the characters....

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, I've gone to lots of character meals solo. And, as I said here, this is what I recommend doing-

Or what I do is just give my camera to the character and ask him "Do you think anyone would take our picture?" The character always finds someone-maybe it's a friendly server who interacts with him. Or sometimes the character will run over to an adjacent table and motion for someone to take our picture. That's always fun-no one says "No" to Goofy (or whoever) at WDW!