eating dinner

[cheapi86]

So I have a solo afternoon/evening at Jikos on May 11th. This is going to sound sad, but I've never eaten alone in a restaurant before. I will usually get my order to go.

What do you all do in a rest. when you're alone? Do you bring something to read? People watch?

Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you haven't left yet... do NOT get your order to go!!!!!!!!!!!! Ask to be seated at the prep counter. There are stools there - and obviously a counter - and you can chat with the cooks when they have time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Again, do NOT get take-out! Go, sit, relax, enjoy!

 

[cheapi86]

Thanks for letting me know about the prep counter. That would be a neat experience. Don't worry I wont do take out

 

[Donald is #1]

I will be eating at Jiko solo a week from tonight. I will also try to sit at the prep counter. In a restaurant that doesn't have a prep counter, I usually bring something to read. I don't always read; sometimes I people watch. But I like to make sure that I have something with me in case that I want to read.

By the way, one of the reasons that I read while I am dining solo is that I find that I eat too fast if I don't.

 

[bookgirl2632]

While I have never been to Disney solo, I have dined solo many times. I usually bring a book with me to read, but often times I don't end up needing it. I'm usually distracted by people watching. I'm going to Vegas in July for a wedding and I know that I'll be eating alone at least a couple of times. I'll take my book with me, but there are a lot of "sights" to see in Vegas. I'm sure I won't need it!

 

[Devil_Dog99]

I travel for business all the time and have eaten many a dinner alone. I almost always have a newspaper to read or if I go to a sports bar type of place, I make sure I am facing a TV. People watching is also fun.

As another poster said - relax, enjoy, have fun!!

Bon appetit!

 

[NewYorkRedNeck]

I like to get a window seat if possible and people watch.

 

[rtobe]

I travel on business as well and always eat in the restaurant. Sometimes I read, or write a postcard or just enjoy the surroundings. One of the best times I had was sitting at the counter near the sushi chef at Calif. Grill.

 

[Princess Bella Luna]

Like the poster before, I love to write postcards while dining alone. Another thing you can do is bring a guidebook with you to read and plan out the day ahead of you. If all else fails, grab a bunch of good magazines at the airport and bring one with you to dinner.

 

[Karnak]

During my most recent solo visit to WDW I ate at several good restaurants, including Le Cellier, Liberty Tree, Tony's, Coral Reef, San Angel, and the Brown Derby, as well as some of the counter service spots in the parks.

At some of these places there are plenty of things to watch, like the fish at the Coral Reef, the boats going by at San Angel, and the crowds and parades from the front porch at Tony's. (The fireworks as seen from the California Grill were also fun to watch during an earlier solo trip.)

I never take a book, and don't spend time looking at the park map. Instead I enjoy the atmosphere, and people watching. I always enjoy myself with myself. Of course, we never argue and seem to like the same things.

Solo trips to WDW are a blast.

 

[Sue88]

I have had solo days at Disney several times and had a ton of fun. Going on rides, seeing shows and sight seeing I proudly do on my own. But..... I tend to be intimidated by going to a sit down place to eat by myself. I will go to counter service places or go eat outside by myself. I would like to try some of the nicer places so I may confront the fear on my next trip.

I did Disney's Western cruise in 2004 and had a fabulous solo time!! I wasn't worried about eating at the restaraunts with my assigned tablemates because I generally get along with anyone. On my first evening that I sat with my table mates (a family with 3 teens) they asked my WHY I was travelling alone and seemed perplexed that anyone would do such a thing.
I don't understand people who don't enjoy their own company and a little peaceful pampering once in a while.