Good place for solo dinner?

[mmtska]

Heading down to WDW in the next week. I'm not sure if I'll have a ticket to get into a park, but I'll be staying on property at POP. Any really good resort restaurants-not signature, I don't have a ton of money-for a solo meal? I know I'll have 1 dinner with a friend, but I need a 2nd dinner, and not sure about this one. I'm not into buffets by myself, and I really don't need a buffet lol!!

I've perused the menus, and have found something yummy everywhere, but I need to pare it down!

 

[Nadjalu]

Some places that come to mind are....

The Wave at the CR. Haven't been there but hear it is a hidden gem at WDW.

Whispering Canyon at WCC. We love this restaurant. The staff does do antics, so not sure if that would be good with being solo. If you are cool with it, the food is very good.

And lastly, Kona at the Poly. Again haven't been there but it gets steller reviews by everyone here on the boards.

Oh and you could try Ohana. LOVE it there. The bread pudding alone is worth going for. Obvioulsy you can't just have dessert there, as it is family style all you can eat. And no menu, but that dessert makes me go back there everytime!! LOL

 

[crabbygal902]

If you are willing to meet new people and be seated with others, Biergarten could be fun. There's also a show that would entertain you during dinner.

Again...willing to sit with others...Teppan Edo would be a good choice for the entertainment of watching the Chef during dinner.

Dinner at La Hacienda or Tokyo Dining could be fun with the large windows overlooking the water and the fireworks--if you timed it right.

 

[mmtska]

If you are willing to meet new people and be seated with others, Biergarten could be fun. There's also a show that would entertain you during dinner.

Again...willing to sit with others...Teppan Edo would be a good choice for the entertainment of watching the Chef during dinner.

Dinner at La Hacienda or Tokyo Dining could be fun with the large windows overlooking the water and the fireworks--if you timed it right.

Thanks, but I'm not sure I'll be in the theme parks. I was hoping for more of a resort restaurant

 

[Pugmalion1]

Why even stay on proprerty at all if you don't have a park ticket? You don't have need for most of the benefits that come along with a Disney resort stay.

For the same price you're paying for a night at Pop Century, you could get a better room at one of the Downtown Disney area off-site hotels, from where you will be in walking distance to Downtown Disney. This way, you can take in some nice Disney atmosphere without actually having to shell out the money for a one-day ticket, as well as be within walking disntance of many great restaurants that would be perfect for a solo diner.

On top of all of that, if you still wanted to resort hop, you can use any of the Downtown Disney buses to find your way to places like the Boardwalk, where you can spend a relaxing evening, if you so choose. To me, in this case, staying off-site in that area seems like the best possible scenario.

 

[leebee]

You don't need a park ticket to stay at a Disney resort. I'd do one night at POP any old day... if I didn't live in Maine!!

We really enjoy Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. The food is reasonable, and they have a prix fixe, appetizer, entree, dessert, for about $30. The selections are limited but they have our favorites (duck pot stickers and coconut almond chicken) on the lists so it's good by us!

If you are at Downtown Disney, check out Wolfgang Puck Express. Yes, it's counter service, but the food is incredible (we dream about the mac-and-cheese) and reasonably priced for the location.

One of our favorites is Kouzzina. I had lamb shanks, DD16 had stewed cinnamon chicken. Both were incredibly flavorful and well-prepared. I can't wait to go back!

I haven't been there, but have heard from 3 friends (different trips) that Sanaa is a great experience! Try to get an ADR as soon as they open and you'll get a window seat and view of the animals on the savanna. Also, I know you aren't interested in a buffet, but we love Boma. They have cozy window tables in small nooks that keep you out of the hustle, bustle, and noise of families. We love their food. HTH!

 

[mmtska]

Well staying off-site isn't an option now. So that doesn't help me. Plus I may get to a theme park, it's just not for sure. And well, I WANT to stay on property. I got a good rate, I've wanted to stay at the POP to check it out-now I have the chance.

Either way it has nothing to do with restaurants. So thanks for the advice, but I have made my decision on where to stay-I'm just debating on where to eat.

 

[mmtska]

You don't need a park ticket to stay at a Disney resort. I'd do one night at POP any old day... if I didn't live in Maine!!

We really enjoy Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. The food is reasonable, and they have a prix fixe, appetizer, entree, dessert, for about $30. The selections are limited but they have our favorites (duck pot stickers and coconut almond chicken) on the lists so it's good by us!

If you are at Downtown Disney, check out Wolfgang Puck Express. Yes, it's counter service, but the food is incredible (we dream about the mac-and-cheese) and reasonably priced for the location.

One of our favorites is Kouzzina. I had lamb shanks, DD16 had stewed cinnamon chicken. Both were incredibly flavorful and well-prepared. I can't wait to go back!

I haven't been there, but have heard from 3 friends (different trips) that Sanaa is a great experience! Try to get an ADR as soon as they open and you'll get a window seat and view of the animals on the savanna. Also, I know you aren't interested in a buffet, but we love Boma. They have cozy window tables in small nooks that keep you out of the hustle, bustle, and noise of families. We love their food. HTH!

Um I just saw mac-and-cheese out of ALL of that LOL. Guess I'll be checking out WPE. I may have to make a stop there instead of the Earl of Sandwich....you don't even know-I have a serious weakness for mac and cheese-HOW did I miss this!! Looks like I'll be eating way too much at Disney now. That helps a lot I'm probably going to check out Kona (besides 2 people in this post, I've heard a lot about it....) and WPE. Unless someone comes at me with more mac and cheese....

 

[JessicaFaye508]

My #1 Recommendation for you would be the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs. The location is sort of random, however, that is probably my favorite restaurant in all of WDW. The food is AMAZING. I can't even begin to tell you how much i absolutely love it. On my iPod app of Disney Dining, it says the pricing is 35.99 and under per person, which really isn't too bad considering the quality of food, especially if you're going alone! I would definitely consider that one.

Whispering Canyon is also favorite of mine. The food there is delicious, however, like someone mentioned, everyone is very perky so being alone might not be the best at this restaurant.

I don't believe I have been to Boma or Jiko, but all I hear are fantastic review about both of them. So I would look into those maybe.

The Wave at the Contemporary sounds good as well, but once again, I haven't eaten there.

 

[leebee]

Macaroni and cheese... SERIOUSLY!!! Hands down my favorite food in the world, the one I'd take to the deserted island where I'd be stranded and only have one food for the rest of my life (ok, and peppermint stick ice cream for dessert!). Chefs de France has some seriously good mac and cheese too, very grown up and hardly able to call it by such a bland name, but it was truly yummy (but would require a theme park ticket... keep it in mind for your next trip!!).

 

[mmtska]

My #1 Recommendation for you would be the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs. The location is sort of random, however, that is probably my favorite restaurant in all of WDW. The food is AMAZING. I can't even begin to tell you how much i absolutely love it. On my iPod app of Disney Dining, it says the pricing is 35.99 and under per person, which really isn't too bad considering the quality of food, especially if you're going alone! I would definitely consider that one.

Whispering Canyon is also favorite of mine. The food there is delicious, however, like someone mentioned, everyone is very perky so being alone might not be the best at this restaurant.

I don't believe I have been to Boma or Jiko, but all I hear are fantastic review about both of them. So I would look into those maybe.

The Wave at the Contemporary sounds good as well, but once again, I haven't eaten there.

LOL We're going to Turf Club on our July Trip-well hopefully. I may have have to check it out earlier I did forget about the Wave though-and there is an open reservation...hmmm

Macaroni and cheese... SERIOUSLY!!! Hands down my favorite food in the world, the one I'd take to the deserted island where I'd be stranded and only have one food for the rest of my life (ok, and peppermint stick ice cream for dessert!). Chefs de France has some seriously good mac and cheese too, very grown up and hardly able to call it by such a bland name, but it was truly yummy (but would require a theme park ticket... keep it in mind for your next trip!!).

Chefs is my backup if we don't get Le Cellier for my trip in July-I'm so thinking we won't get Le Cellier so it's ok LOL. I'd take chocolate mousse instead of peppermint stick ice cream, but I gotcha other than that!

 

[POOHsie]

The Grand Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian resort is just the place. Excellent chef-created food, professional service and decor. Not over-the-top expensive. Not noisy or with tables crunched together. While you are there, you could wander the hotel and see the Disney characters inlaid in marble in the floor, and listen to the live music in the main lobby. Take the monorail for a short spin. Here is their menu for dinner. They serve breakfast and lunch, too. On this link, on the left, you can see how to access menus of different WDW resorts.
http://allears.net/menu/men_gfcd.htm

If you would like less to eat, I would highly recommend the Grand Floridian Garden View Lounge Afternoon Tea. Tea service in china cups, and you can order tea sandwiches, fruit, cheese, traditional English pastries. You can even have press-pot coffee or other libations if you don't want tea. It's an immersive experience with a beautiful window view that is unique and unforgettable.
http://allears.net/menu/menu_gft.htm

Have fun!

 

[mmtska]

The Grand Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian resort is just the place. Excellent chef-created food, professional service and decor. Not over-the-top expensive. Not noisy or with tables crunched together. While you are there, you could wander the hotel and see the Disney characters inlaid in marble in the floor, and listen to the live music in the main lobby. Take the monorail for a short spin. Here is their menu for dinner. They serve breakfast and lunch, too. On this link, on the left, you can see how to access menus of different WDW resorts.
http://allears.net/menu/men_gfcd.htm

If you would like less to eat, I would highly recommend the Grand Floridian Garden View Lounge Afternoon Tea. Tea service in china cups, and you can order tea sandwiches, fruit, cheese, traditional English pastries. You can even have press-pot coffee or other libations if you don't want tea. It's an immersive experience with a beautiful window view that is unique and unforgettable.
http://allears.net/menu/menu_gft.htm

Have fun!

Thank you! There are a couple things that sounds delicious. Good thing both Kona and GFC have Chocolate fondue lol

 

[tinkgirl1984]

My hands down pick would be Sanaa. I just ate there for the first time the last week in October and can't stop raving about it to anyone who will listen. It was by far one of the best meals I've had at Disney in a long time, well, aside from Artist Point, but Sanaa is much cheaper. LOL. Also, the restaurant is pretty small and kind of dark like the rest of AKL, so I would feel very comfortable there by myself. Aside from Sanaa though, I would probably go with Kona. You can never go wrong at Kona. Really though...try Sanaa. You'll love it.

 

[fla4fun]

Not knowing your particular tastes, it's difficult to recommend one particular restaurant. However, I would book something either at a monorail resort or at a resort in the Epcot resorts area, because you can spend some time exploring other resorts and taking in the general ambiance before and after dinner.

If it were me and my personal tastes, I would go with something in the Epcot resorts area, because I like being in that area in the evening. I'd probably be just as happy sitting at the counter in Beaches and Cream for a burger and sundae, catching the high fireworks from Illuminations, and wandering the Boardwalk.

 

[Scampi]

Never had a bad meal at the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. It's a great hotel to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere also.

Enjoy!

 

[Max Webster]

Try the food court at POP. That's my advice. LOL

Max

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you are willing to meet new people and be seated with others, Biergarten could be fun. There's also a show that would entertain you during dinner.

Again...willing to sit with others...Teppan Edo would be a good choice for the entertainment of watching the Chef during dinner.

Dinner at La Hacienda or Tokyo Dining could be fun with the large windows overlooking the water and the fireworks--if you timed it right.

W-E-L-L...let me tell you my one solo experience with communal dining. I got seated next to a teenager who obviously didn't want to be there, especially seated next to this middle-aged school teacher. And I think she hated math and knew instinticvely that's what I taught. Trying to talk to her and be friendly was met by monosyllabic grunts (hey, at least since I taught high school, I was used to it and didn't take it personally). But when mealtime was over, I don't know which one of us was more relieved to get out of there.
I've dined solo LOTS of times, but it took a while for me to get comfortable about it. My first comfortable places were Sci-Fi (just staring at the screen was like sitting in front of the TV with dinner), Chefs de France (if it's light enough to look outside-great people-watching!), Coral Reef (love to watch the fish). When you check in, don't hesitate to point out nicely that you're solo and that since you won't have anyone to talk to you'd like a table with a view of some type, if possible. I've gotten seated by the window everytime this way, if the resturaunt has windows. This helps a lot!

 

[mmtska]

W-E-L-L...let me tell you my one solo experience with communal dining. I got seated next to a teenager who obviously didn't want to be there, especially seated next to this middle-aged school teacher. And I think she hated math and knew instinticvely that's what I taught. Trying to talk to her and be friendly was met by monosyllabic grunts (hey, at least since I taught high school, I was used to it and didn't take it personally). But when mealtime was over, I don't know which one of us was more relieved to get out of there.
I've dined solo LOTS of times, but it took a while for me to get comfortable about it. My first comfortable places were Sci-Fi (just staring at the screen was like sitting in front of the TV with dinner), Chefs de France (if it's light enough to look outside-great people-watching!), Coral Reef (love to watch the fish). When you check in, don't hesitate to point out nicely that you're solo and that since you won't have anyone to talk to you'd like a table with a view of some type, if possible. I've gotten seated by the window everytime this way, if the resturaunt has windows. This helps a lot!

That would totally be my luck I haven't seen an ADR for Sci-Fi for either of my 2 days so Plus I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to go into a park. If I had a chance, I'd love to go to Sci-Fi solo-something to do lol

 

[Funky Chicken]

+1 on Kona and The Wave. I have eaten alone at both. I think for dinner I'd pick The Wave.