Dinner for one.

[QTPie7375]

After going at least once a year to Disney with my hubby and girls (we are DVC members) I am doing the unthinkable and traveling to Disney by myself. I have a convention there next week. Any suggestions on a place that I can go eat by myself and not feel like such an outsider? I am staying at Coronado Springs (this is where the convention is) but am getting park tickets so I could eat at any restaurant in the parks or at resorts. Thanks for the help!!

 

[madalex]

Anywhere will be fine. I have done numerous solo trips to WDW. On such trips, I quickly realized that no one was paying the slightest bit of attention to me or cared at all that I was eating alone. I'd try somewhere that you always wanted to go to, but never got a chance to go to with your family.

 

[Duke&Tree]

I agree with the PP...I don't think that anyone will think it is out of place. I imagine that any restaurant with a bar would be a good option for a solo diner? The bartenders could be good company and you might not feel so 'alone'!

Have a great trip!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, really anywhere is fine. But I can say that because I've taken so many solo trips by now that I'm perfectly comfortable dining alone. But I remember that it didn't start out that way. Sci-Fi was a great place to start-it's dark and everyone's looking at the movie screen so you feel like you're just eating in front of the TV set. Chef's de France was good, too, at lunch or an early dinner when it's still light-ask for a window table and it's lots of fun to pass the time by watching everyone rush by. Wherever you go, don't hesitate to point out that you're solo and would appreciate a table where you can look at something to pass the time. I've always gotten either a window table or at Coral Reef, a tank-side table that way.

 

[princess aleya]

I think you should be fine at anywhere you choose to go, I don't mind eating alone.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Try places where they seat you family style with other people if you don't really want to dine alone. You can also see if there are any other conventioniers that might not want to eat alone.

 

[OhThePain]

I say if you can afford it, treat yourself to some signatures. Most of the signatures, if not all, have bars where you can also order from the menu. FF and CG both have countertops that you might be able to get a seat at on short notice. As others have said, this is chance for you to eat and do things that you may normally be restricted in doing.

 

[vettegirl]

I have dined at a few signatures alone. I love sitting at the bar and visiting with the bartenders and just enjoying me time.

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

I just returned from my first solo trip to Disney, and I thought it would be awkward to dine amongs honeymooners, families, and friends, but I had a great time. As others have mentioned, Sci-Fi was great for lunch.. I also dined at Flying Fish at the Chef's table which was really nice. But again, if you are comfy in your own skin, you will really be just fine anywhere.

 

[molly213]

I'd suggest Teppen Edo. They have 6 people sitting around the grill top and you can interact with many different people. My husband loves to talk to the other guests. We stop at Teppen at least twice each trip.

 

[Greg K.]

Both California Grill and Flying Fish (at Board Walk) have counter seating, where you can watch the chefs work and, if they're feeling especially generous, they'll offer you free samples of what they're working on.

I've done both. They're friendly and will put you at ease. Bon appetite!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Where do you like to eat? Where have you always wanted to try but it wasn't a good fit for the family? Go to those places. I doubt anyone will pay a bit of attention that you are there alone...at least not in a negative way.

I had a great solo meal at Flying Fish. I sat at the counter where they were preparing food. Got a chance to chat with a couple of the chefs, and 2 nice ladies from NJ were also seated with me.

Enjoy...and stop worrying what others will think!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Solo travel to WDW is not as unthinkable as you think it is...if you haven't noticed the solos in the restaurants on your previous trips (and they were probably there) nobody will notice you or consider you an outsider.

 

[GalDisney]

I dine at the disney restaurants all the time..I have even had dinner by myself at "Ohana.

 

[tinkgurl]

Do you like sushi? The Kona Cafe Sushi Bar at the Poly is great! You can grab a seat either looking at the chef making the food or looking out the window watching the monorails go by!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd suggest Teppen Edo. They have 6 people sitting around the grill top and you can interact with many different people. My husband loves to talk to the other guests. We stop at Teppen at least twice each trip.

Unfortunately, I had my only very bad experience dining at Teppen Edo as a solo. I was seated next to a teenaged girl who obviously was way too cool for dinner with her parents and OMG she was seated to this middle-aged lady besides! Initially I tried to be friendly and ask her questions (I spent over 20 years as a high school teacher so I was used to teenagers). But when any questions I asked were met by monosyllabic grunts (Ah, yes-I recognize the teenaged grunt), I gave up. And since I was sitting at the end of the table, I couldn't really yell over to anyone else. Unfortunately, at the end of the meal, I met her mother, who was very nice and also a high school math teacher. Why, oh why, didn't people sit in a different order? Anyways, I'd rather sit alone than wish I were alone!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

You'll be fine anywhere.

I've eaten at the following TS places solo and enjoyed every one:

Coral Reef - just last weekend.
Tepan Edo - you are at the mercy of your seat mates though so if you get ones that won't talk with you, it could get boring.
Chef De France
Yak N Yeti
Le Cellier

I feel like there's one more I've done solo but I can't think of what restaurant it would be.
I've got La Hacienda De San Angel and California Grill booked for my next solo trip. I'm really looking forward to it!