Dinning Solo

[ANTSS2001]

I'm considering a solo trip this Jan.....
I love traveling by myself and spent 3 months in Europe doing just that with out a problem.
I've also had "mini-solo" trips to WDW, meaning Ive spent an extra day or two by myself and had a great time.
I know I would have a lot of fun going solo, but one thing that worries me is eating by myself. I always feel like people are feeling sorry for you.
Can some friendly disers share some stories or advice on eating at resturants. I'd have no problem at the CS places, but I want to enjoy some TS while I'm there too!
Has anyone done meal time meetups with other disers? How are those experiences?
What TS places would you really recommend for a solo?

Thanks everyone!
Jessica

Hi jess... I just got back from my so called 10 day solo trip... there are ADRS that I tagged along with other disers... But also did Solo dining.. I enjoyed the Wave ambience for solo ... plus it being in a convention type of location... Solo was a normal thing in the dining room... Also did Raglan road one to many times this trip solo because of the sticky toffee pudding and that was fine... alot of solo diners were encountered too... and in my previous trip.. I tend to go do TS that has alot of activity going on... like for dinner at raglan road the singing on the table etc... it is nice to eat and watch at the same time... also Ohana is another place I enjoy solo.. since you are dining with cousins and Lipoa is very entertaining... and in my April Trip I did prime time solo and ended up with Aunt Becky (who made me fix all her tables...hahahaah everytime I eat and a family comes it she drops the silverware and stuff on my table for me to give it to the family....) and she made sure I never felt alone she was a riot... to make this comment short.. I think you will be OK at any WDW dining location.... esp'ly if you get a CM who is very much in character.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

... and in my April Trip I did prime time solo and ended up with Aunt Becky (who made me fix all her tables...hahahaah everytime I eat and a family comes it she drops the silverware and stuff on my table for me to give it to the family....) and she made sure I never felt alone she was a riot...

That IS hysterical! Great story.

 

[BellTinkR]

Hi there -

My experience has been that the wait staff takes extra special care of solo diners They will pause and chat with you and in general they are really friendly. You'll have a good time!

 

[perriwinkleblue]

I've never dined solo at Disney so I'm sure I don't have the best answers...but I did give it some thought. I think I'd be comfortable at buffets like Crystal Palace and Boma. Both have good food and so much activity that no one would notice if you were solo or not. They both are visually stimulating so you wouldn't be bored. If you enjoy watching kids, CP, 1900 Park Fare and even the Playhouse Disney buffet at Hollywood & Vine are fun. It's really cute and entertaining to watch the kids do their parades and dances.

Or, I'd go the other way and treat myself to a really nice restaurant that had an entree I wanted to try. I'd enjoy a glass of wine while I waited for my entree and revel in the solitude Ah, to be eating at a table where no one is drinking from a kid's cup...

 

[Pinkdiamond816]

Thanks for all your great input!
I'll be posting all my ressies this weekend in hopes there are a few disers who might want to meet up! (WS crawl anyone????)
Thanks again for the pep talk! I dine alone all the time in the city between classes and work and stuff, and I spent a long time in Europe by myself but I'm still having moments of freaking out thinking about being in Disney solo. I guess I just think of it as the place I go with my friends and family. But.....I'm really looking forward to eating where I want to eat and doing what I want to do!!!!!!!

~Jessica

 

[ANTSS2001]

Thanks for all your great input!
I'll be posting all my ressies this weekend in hopes there are a few disers who might want to meet up! (WS crawl anyone????)
Thanks again for the pep talk! I dine alone all the time in the city between classes and work and stuff, and I spent a long time in Europe by myself but I'm still having moments of freaking out thinking about being in Disney solo. I guess I just think of it as the place I go with my friends and family. But.....I'm really looking forward to eating where I want to eat and doing what I want to do!!!!!!!

~Jessica

looking forward to your adr's!!!

 

[imsoscared]

you get those really amazing cm's time to time on solo trips who just truly make your day.

last solo trip was 7 nights of a whole lot of food eating and for the most part i never had any problems going solo at any ts. im there to enjoy myself and not care about what others around me could be thinking.
this upcoming solo trip is 5 nights, but only doing a few ts as it was a somewhat last minute trip and i couldnt get the primary resturants i wanted to hit this trip nor good times to go.

only 5 more days to go before i drive down!

 

[DisneyTN]

..but one thing that worries me is eating by myself. I always feel like people are feeling sorry for you.

They're probably too preoccupied to even pay attention. Doesn't matter what they think anyway. You're having a ball; enjoying your own vacation...so who cares. I've never felt sorry for other folks I've seen eating solo. Usually never pay it a second thought.

Just have fun.

 

[VolvoManiac850]

If you're flying solo you might want to eat at the Biergarten in Germany. You'll be placed at a table with other travelers, giving you some time to chat with folks from all over the world.