Eating Solo in Magic Kingdom

[stitchlike]

I asked this on the discussion boards of the WDW Flickr group, but remembered this place and decided to ask here since there are so many experienced solo travelers here.

The breakdown of my issue is:

• Going do MK for the free Disney on your birthday deal for my 22nd birthday and am going solo for this trip.
• I normally have parkhopper when I go and have almost always eaten in EPCOT.
• I don't really find quick service options appealing at MK from what I've read, it's all the same nuggets and burgers and hot dogs and would like to eat somewhere nice (but not character dining - expensive!).
• Is it possible to make a reservation for just yourself and if so, what places are best in MK as far as eating solo at a sit-down goes so you don't feel too awkward? Or is it possible to maybe get the food as sort of "take-out" and pay everything and leave a little tip, but take the food elsewhere? I think I remember getting some leftovers "to go" years ago from a sit-down place.
• If I can make reservations for a single diner, is it best to make reservations as soon as I get there (or whenever it opens?) or should I call tonight to make the reservation and if so, what's the number to do so?
• I am a Florida resident and am just driving over for the day and coming home, so no resorts or anything and I'm looking to make the most of my day and stay in-park, so no resorts are really possible.

Little long, sorry! Thank you SO much for any input!

 

[acm563]

I asked this on the discussion boards of the WDW Flickr group, but remembered this place and decided to ask here since there are so many experienced solo travelers here.

The breakdown of my issue is:

• Going do MK for the free Disney on your birthday deal for my 22nd birthday and am going solo for this trip.
• I normally have parkhopper when I go and have almost always eaten in EPCOT.
• I don't really find quick service options appealing at MK from what I've read, it's all the same nuggets and burgers and hot dogs and would like to eat somewhere nice (but not character dining - expensive!).
• Is it possible to make a reservation for just yourself and if so, what places are best in MK as far as eating solo at a sit-down goes so you don't feel too awkward? Or is it possible to maybe get the food as sort of "take-out" and pay everything and leave a little tip, but take the food elsewhere? I think I remember getting some leftovers "to go" years ago from a sit-down place.
• If I can make reservations for a single diner, is it best to make reservations as soon as I get there (or whenever it opens?) or should I call tonight to make the reservation and if so, what's the number to do so?
• I am a Florida resident and am just driving over for the day and coming home, so no resorts or anything and I'm looking to make the most of my day and stay in-park, so no resorts are really possible.

Little long, sorry! Thank you SO much for any input!

First and foremost, yay for solo trip....sometimes they are the BEST ones, and Happy Birthday when that time comes

Keep in mind that you are NOT limited to MK for your dining options as you could go to any of the resorts, so why not really treat yourself to something special for your birthday!!! As for making ADRs for one, yes you can do that, as I do it all the time.... If you are not looking for anything major, yet something a bit more spectacular than counter services you could always go to Park Fare and have the dinner buffet...yes, its character meal but who doesnt want to see Cinderella and Prince Charming. If you do want to stay in MK then go for dinner at Cinderellas Royal Table.... With all the different resort dining options your plans could be unlimited if you did decide on that option!!!! Also, keep in mind that sit down meals do take up time so if you are not wanting to waste park time then consider that there are many more options than burgers at MK, especially if The Noodle Station is open...you also have Columbia Harbor House, The Plaza, I believe there is a CS over in Toon Town that serves subs and pizza as well..................

 

[JohnEric]

I agree with Angy's post. Here are my thoughts...

First, check the link here for the full collection of dining options at MK (I think this is fairly up to date, and it includes menus with prices):
http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_rest.htm

For full-service, I've eaten at Tony's, Plaza, and Cinderella's Royal Table.

Cinderella's has the best food IMHO. I had the Castle Salad, Prime Rib, and Chocolate Cream Cheese Buckle, all of which were fantastic. It's prix fixe, so you'll probably spend more here than anywhere else. Reservations are difficult to obtain, so I'd recommend calling ASAP (407-WDW-DINE). There's a rather cute show that goes with the dinner, and be prepared for lots of excited princesses. Great atmosphere, though, and a lot of fun.

The Plaza was unremarkable in my experience, and the food was decent, but it tends to be very crowded and noisy.

I've eaten at Tony's a few times, and I enjoy the food, though the Chicken Parmigiana isn't as good as you will find elsewhere. Some excellent desserts. If the weather is good, and you can get outdoor seating, you may be able to watch the parade.

As Angy indicated, the Noodle Station (when it's open) has some pretty terrific noodle bowls (stay away from the more standard Chinese fare, such as Orange Chicken... a few pieces of chicken and a whole lotta rice). Soups are probably the healthiest fare at MK. Not table service, though, but if you can't get reservations anywhere, this would be my top choice for grab 'n' go.

Also, the Contemporary is a quick monorail ride from MK, and I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend The Wave... food is phenomenal (again, IMHO). Their menu is also available at the website above.

One other thought... rather than getting the single-day admission for free, you can apply the full one-day admission amount ($75) towards a three-day Florida Resident pass... meaning the three-day pass will only cost you $54!!! This is as per Disney's site: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/florida-residents/ You should be able to apply the full amount ($129) towards a Seasonal or Annual Pass later, should you choose to do so... though I'd confirm with Disney beforehand so there are no surprises.

Hope you have a fantastic birthday!!!

 

[stitchlike]

Thanks for the input! As I said, I'm not interested in character meals (am an unemployed (nearly) 22 year old full time student at the moment) or going off property (don't feel like wasting park hours venturing elsewhere). So yes, my options are limited to cheapish (but not dirt cheap, I remember plaza being not too bad) and on property if that helps narrow my options.

Thanks!

 

[travelin' tigger]

Thanks for the input! As I said, I'm not interested in character meals (am an unemployed (nearly) 22 year old full time student at the moment) or going off property (don't feel like wasting park hours venturing elsewhere). So yes, my options are limited to cheapish (but not dirt cheap, I remember plaza being not too bad) and on property if that helps narrow my options.

Thanks!

This is my favorite place to eat at MK. Although it's CS, I LOVE their Anchors Aweigh (tuna) sandwich and find their food in general to be very good. Here's a link to their menu:
http://allears.net/menu/men_chh.htm

 

[nurse.darcy]

I love dining at Tony's Town Square. I think this is an excellent option. Its Italian food with a twist and they have some great choices. I prefer patio seating but the indoor seating is nice as well, enjoy. Not CS and not Buffet but they really are SWIFT about bring food out and getting you out and on your way in the parks.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've eaten solo LOTS of times in the MK. My favorite place is the LTT at lunchtime. When I'm solo, I prefer eating TS at lunchtime and CS at dinnertime in the MK. That's because the CS eateries are usually so crowded at lunchtime, and as a solo, I don't have anyone to look ahead and save a table. So I've spent lots of minutes juggling food at CS places. Or if you really want to eat CS at lunchtime, I went over to the Polynesian's CS place for lunch and really enjoyed it (the fact that they have Dole Whips didn't hurt!). So lunchtime at LTT-the big entree salad that has apples, walnuts, and cheese (I forget the name), then an ooey gooey toffee thing for dessert. Yummy!

 

[bound2travel]

I will also be going down for my birthday solo. My plans are CP for lunch (I like Pooh and friends) and then LTT for dinner. I did Tonys for Easter many years ago and it was fine. I've also eaten at Plaza and enjoyed that as well. Like others said, read through the available menus online and then you can best determine what will suit you.

Personally, I love Pecos Bill because of the toppings bar, but I really want to have sit down meals on my birthday.

Depending on when and what day of the week you are going, I would absolutley make ADRs as soon as you know where you want to eat.

Have fun,
Kristi

 

[stitchlike]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Turns out I didn't have to dine solo, really. Only once for lunch where I ate at Ray's to watch Sonny with some less than fantastic chicken.

A friend of mine let me know he was off at AK at 2:30pm and we ended up eating at Plaza which was, again, not great, but at least it was better.