Dining TS as a solo (ADR-less, except for one character meal somewhere)

[tsukata]

I've read bunches of older threads on this topic, but I have a few specific questions that I'm hoping y'all can answer, and I'm open to any recommendations as well. Otherwise, apologies if you're like "gah! I've read this question this too many times!"

I'm doing my first solo trip 7/1-7/4, scheduled at the last minute as a result of finding cheap airfare at good times...and also to celebrate having gotten my MBA (3 years of part-time classes over and done with! ). I'm very much looking forward to it, and I'm researching good places for "drop in" TS dining given that I may or may not bother to do ADR's (as much as anything because I'm planning to park-hop a good bit and don't know exactly where I'll be). And yes, I know, it will be super-crowded...but I'm a frequent visitor, and I have no need to do everything on this trip. I just need my dose of the world.

Question one is what are good places for solo's to drop in? For example, I've heard that the Wave bar at Contemporary is a good place. In particular, I'd love to hear about places with very friendly staff and/or situations where the arrangement or setup is such that I could chat/socialize.
I'll have my Kindle with me, but I want to have some occasional human interaction.

Question two is regarding character meals. I particularly like Chip n Dale, but Garden Grill's family style dining seems a bit wasteful for me to do as a solo...not to mention awkward (though I could totally finish off the apple crisp dessert on my own! that stuff is wicked good!). If anyone has gone there as a solo, do they cut back the portions? Are there any character dining places that you would particularly recommend for solo? If you go to a princess dining, do the princes show up at all and are they flirty (within family-friendly boundaries, of course)? Because that may be the one thing that would make me interested in "unmasked" character dining.

 

[sam_001]

i have eaten at coral reef, crystal palace, garden grill, san angel inn, 50's prime time,sci-fi diner all good restaurants.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Okay, let me attempt an answer to your questions.

1. l prefer Tune Inn Lounge to 50's Prime Time. Friendly bartenders and a full menu. I usually meet at least one or two new peeps while sitting there.

2. Just the other day I was at Epcot with a friend and we walked up to La Hacienda de San Angel. . .the new restaurant in Mexico and got a table right then. No waiting. The menu is limited but the food was excellent. Enjoy it. Try the margarita flight. . .not just the tequila flight. Not on the menu but ask for it.

3. I have really had no issues getting a same day table. . .sometimes the wait is long, but its never an uber long wait. Go to the ones you like. The only restaurant that seems to be an issue is Le Cellier. . .

 

[siskaren]

I've gone to Disney solo 10 times, and while I've never eaten at Garden Grill, I have eaten at Whispering Canyon Cafe (which has an all-you-can-eat skillet), as well as 'Ohana for both breakfast and dinner (which also does the family-style dining), and they will bring you an appropriate amount of food for one person, although you can certainly get seconds (or thirds ) of any item you'd like more of.

And with regards to your question about situations where the setup allows for socializing, Biergarten seats guests at tables that I believe seat 8 people, so you would definitely be sharing your table with other people. (I believe Teppan Edo does this too, but I've never eaten there, so I'm not sure.)

 

[Bethannk511]

I went solo this past November. I dined at Jiko and sat the the cooking place. They seat you by where they prep the appetizers. The wait staff and cook staff were absolutely excellent!!!! I also ate at Narcoossees. I wasn't that impressed by the staff. They sort of acted shocked that I was alone. Maybe the bar there would be better next time as they do have a fabulous bar.