Eating alone

[DisneyShack]

I'll be in Orlando later this week on a business trip. My DW and DDs are sending me to Epcot for my birthday. I'll be touring alone and don't mind as I have done this a couple of times in the past. However, I have never had dinner at Epcot alone in a sit-down restaurant. I don't mind doing this but hope no one thinks I'm "weird" (e.g., a stalker). I cannot recall seeing a person eating by themselves at a sit down restaurant in all my trips to Disney. I'm not sure I would think it was weird, perhaps odd but definitely not weird (as in "I'm ready to call security" type weird). Here are my questions:

1. Is it common to see people alone at a sit down restaurant in Epcot?
2. If you did see someone eating alone at a sit down restaurant would you hide the woman and children and ask for another table?
3. Any suggestions on a restaurant? I'm thinking LeCellier?

Thanks.

 

[Kaycee]

If you take a look at the Disney for Adult and Solo Travelers Board here on the DIS, you'll see that many of your fellow DISer's dine alone at WDW sit down restaurants often, and with no problems at all. I'm fairly new to solo travel myself, but I have a solo week at WDW planned for next week, and I'll be dining alone at sit down restaurants at least a couple of times. This is not something I'd be comfortable doing most places, but after all the things I've read here on the DIS Boards about solo dining, I'm not nervous about it at all.

Probably the reason you've never noticed solo diners at WDW in the past was because you were so busy enjoying yourself, and they just didn't stand out enough to notice. That's how it will be when you are there dining too!

I know that I've read solo dining reports on Le Cellier, and if I remember correctly they were great experiences.

Go and have fun celebrating your birthday in the World!

 

[disneyloveralways]

I have meet a couple of people who were dining alone. In the case of Tempanyaki Dining Room or Biergarten they are seated with others so you really aren't dining alone.

 

[heffalump9]

I did a solo trip last year during Spring break and found Epcot to be a great place for solo meals. My two favorites were Chef de France (get a window seat), and Rose and Crown Pub.

 

[oogieboogie]

2. If you did see someone eating alone at a sit down restaurant would you hide the woman and children and ask for another table?

1. Do you look like Marilyn Manson, Scott Peterson, or the Count from Sesame Street?
2. If you look like Marilyn Manson. If you look like the Count I would sic the kids on you since kids love the Count.
3. If you look like Scott Peterson, I'd call the cops on you since you're supposed to be on death row!



you'll be fine, just don't start picking food off other table and you'll be left alone.

 

[ducklite]

I've dined at WDW alone several times and never felt uncomfortable or out of place. I bring something to read.

Anne

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

Hi DisneyShack,

I came back from WDW in February when I was on a solo trip. I am part way through posting my trip reports if you are interested in reading them (UK section trip reports). I had a great time and dined alone for every meal for seven days including several meals at Epcot). As someone has already said, you have previously been enjoying the company of those in your party and have probably never particularly noticed lone people before, but there are many many many lone travellers to WDW!

As long as you have something to read or do - even a park map to study, you will be ok. I think it can look rather sad if someone is by themselves and has nothing to do.

There are many reasons why people are at WDW on their own. I met a fellow English lady in Epcot travelling around the park on her own who had been to a conference in the area. She was leaving for home the following day and she didn't want to miss the opportunity of visiting the park before flying home. This is a typical story. There is no reason to feel uncomfortable about being on your own.

 

[DisneyShack]

Fortunately, I do not look like Marilyn Manson, Scott Perterson, or the Count, nor any other infamous person. Glad to see it is quite common (at least not unusual) to dine alone, I'll just make sure I bring something to read!

 

[ducklite]

BTW--The place that I've been treated absolutely exceptionally as a solo diner and had one of the best meals ever was at teh Yacht Club Galley.

I ate three because DH ad DS were off doing something and I didn't feel like cooking, so I drover there to ahve dinner. It was quite worth the hour round trip!

Anne

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

I totally understand your concerns. I thought the same when I booked my upcoming solo trip. The doubts lasted about 2 minutes!

I love to eat out, it is a big part of my holiday and I will not let being solo affect this at all. Anyone who has a problem with it can go away and deal with it, they are of no consequence to me. I'll be too busy enjoying my food!

That said, I will take a book with me to ease any awkwardness that arises. I read all the time anyway at home, in the bus/train, at the hairdresser etc.

Also if you go to a buffet, consider leaving something sitting on the table so the server knows you are still there and doesn't clear the table. I suppose if you haven't paid yet that would give it away too .

I can only remember seeing one single person eating. It was at Boma, a man sitting at the next table to us. I didn't think anything of it, in fact the only reason I noticed at all was because he complained about everything. What a party pooper - Boma is one of the wonders of the world (Disney world that is)!

Louise

 

[TLinden16]

I have eaten solo at many sitdown restaurants around the World, including Le Cellier. The cast members are usually extra attentive, and very friendly. I find that the servers in the resort restaurants usually have more time to chat if you want that. Since you are planning on dining at Epcot, take a few minutes to chat with your server about their home country.

Most of the time I'm dining solo, I see other people dining solo as well.

Go, and have a great meal!

Karen