Going Solo and dining

[TriciaSDMom]

I am planning my first solo trip Aug 8-14th. I am looking forward to going at my own pace and doing the things I want to do. The only part I can see bothering me is mealtime. I think I will get lonely when I sit down and relax. Any suggestions on how to avoid this?

 

[aggielawyer]

People watch. Download a game for your phone that you can play. Bring a book if you want to.

I usually spent time on my phone catching up on Facebook and Twitter or playing a game. Just looking at the ages of the children in your signature, you might enjoy getting through a whole meal without any interruptions.

 

[TriciaSDMom]

That last part is definitely true. I might actually get to eat hot food!

 

[j9000]

I am planning my first solo trip Aug 8-14th. I am looking forward to going at my own pace and doing the things I want to do. The only part I can see bothering me is mealtime. I think I will get lonely when I sit down and relax. Any suggestions on how to avoid this?

If its table service i take a book,

counter service, i people watch and think about what i can do on a full stomach for a bit (ie not a rollercoaster)

 

[Amysita]

Write out postcards to home. Go through your camera and delete the pix you can see right off the bat aren't going to be good ones. Bring along your favorite kind of puzzle book (Sukoku, word searches, crosswords) and do one or two.

 

[maxiesmom]

When I am dining solo, my favorite past time is people watching. I like looking around and seeing how the family dynamics are all playing out. My dinner at the California Grill I spent some time taking pics of the food and sending them to my sister back home. It was a way she could kind of share the experience with me.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I bring a book with me for ts as well. I like catching up on my reading.

This last trip I went during a busier time of year and could hear people asking each other why they thought I was alone - it became a game after the 1st few times - my favorite was one family how came to the conclusion that I was a nanny and was on some free time.

 

[Jillinwonderland]

I always have on hand, A book, a notepad with pen or pencil, and an ipod during my solo trips.

For CS I normally people watch while listening to music. For TS I like to read after I have studied my surroundings, the little things you never get to notice. WHy the notepad? I normally will find a few things I will want to tell family and friends and over the course of a 4 day trip I don't want details of each thing combining so this helps me keep them straight. Also helps in keeping track of what I ordered so I can put up reviews here on the Dis!

 

[ChiCat]

The others have all suggested good things. When I've dined alone (not at Disney obviously because I've never been yet!) and it's a nice restaurant I usually take a book, the first few times I had to kinda psyche myself up for it and force myself to relax. I was worried people would be looking at me like 'omg what a weirdo' but I realized no one cares at all, and now it feels totally normal to me to eat alone. For me it just took a few times to get used to it. Also I'm also a text-aholic so I usually catch up with chit chat with friends when I dine alone.

 

[Beavis]

Also don't pass up the idea of dinner shows. People are to busy with that to even notice there kids wandering off.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Lots of other people have given you good suggestions. My electronic Sudoku game goes everywhere with me, and I love to people watch. But what I really wanted to say was don't push yourself to feel comfortable with TS dining solo. I'm perfectly comfortable solo dining....now. However, for about 5 or 6 solo trips, I didn't like solo sit-down dining. And what made it worse is that other people who went solo didn't mind it, so I kept feeling like I "should" like it. You might try a practice meal-go alone someplace around home to eat and see how it is.

 

[Maleficent Lives]

I almost always have a book with me when I dine alone, but I don't always use it. Sometimes reading causes you to miss things. Request a seat by the window so that you can watch people walk by. You might even get to see a street show. Chat with your servers. Each CM's badge tells you where they are from, so dig into their past. Also, ask your server their favorite Disney secret, then make plans to do or see it. You never know what gems you will discover. Sometimes I talk to other tables and ask them about what they are eating so that I can know whether I want to order it and sometimes other tables do the same. Most important: Take your time. Disney has some good food and sitting down for an hour and a half to eat is a great way to recharge.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Don't forget there are a few places you can eat at the counter of the open kitchen. CA Grill & Flying Fish come immediately to mind. Have heard people say they had wonderful interactions with the bartenders and chefs while sitting here.

 

[Missytara]

Sit at the bar; you not only get to know the bartenders, there is usually a turnover of guests waiting to be seated at their table.

Some great places I have gone:

The lounge at the WL
The Prime Time 50's Cafe
Raglan Road
T-Rex
RFC
Cali Grill at CR
The Wave at CR
The bluezoo at the Dolphin
Crew's Cup Lounge at the YC

There is also some nice interaction on the deck of the Turf Club at SSR; a lot of people come thru while playing golf, and you can watch the water taxi all afternoon.

 

[ClareH37]

I loved sitting at the Flying Fish open kitchen/counter, met some great people (some from this site) and never once felt uncomfortable. I took a book with me but never read it lol

Next trip I'm going to make it to Jiko to sit at the open kitchen there.