Hello Solos, where do you eat?

[tinkandme]

I'm going in September on a solo trip, I was wondering where do you eat when you are solo? Do you do TS? If so, what's the best TS? Or are you a quick bite kinda person? Thanks for your answers!

 

[okaybye]

ABSOLUTELY do table service... it's really quite fun. A tip: if you do a character meal, just make sure to befriend a nearby table or ask a server/cast member to help with the pics. (Actually, allowed me to be as giddy as I wanted to be

I've eaten at several places solo for Table service... and will be doing some more when I go down again in Oct. But my best story may be from going to the Brown Derby on my own. I was pleasantly eating when the Streetmosphere Players made an appearance. I started taking pictures for the group at the table across from me while they had 'Jack Diamond' harassing them.
Next thing I know when I return to my table, 'Flavio Fellini' sits down across from me and starts messing with me. Offering me parts in his play... okay... just really wanting a new girlfriend... and on and on and on...offering me jewels, furs... anything I wanted... Next thing I know, his 'starlet' is over at my table, making a big scene... calling me the "other woman" and cracking everyone up.

PRICELESS.

Doesn't matter if you're alone. Quite frankly, going solo just increases the possibilities for magic at EVERY turn

Have fun!
H

 

[twinklebug]

...
Next thing I know when I return to my table, 'Flavio Fellini' sits down across from me and starts messing with me. Offering me parts in his play... okay... just really wanting a new girlfriend... and on and on and on...offering me jewels, furs... anything I wanted... Next thing I know, his 'starlet' is over at my table, making a big scene... calling me the "other woman" and cracking everyone up.

Oh that's priceless... next time I'm leaving the kids at the door

 

[mef78]

ooh! fun question! I love to eat solo and just watch everyone and their families...or order room service and eat on your balcony (if you have one!)... One of my favorite places to eat alone is at the counter service places at resorts--especially if they're near pools. I love people watching at pools--little kids learning to swim, moms and dads remembering why they fell in love while the kiddos are splashing around, grandpa waiting for his granddaughter to come down the slide...so fun!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I've eaten at the bar solo at Yak n Yeti in AK, and at the bar at House of Blues (very good service both times, very comfy dining alone there). I've eaten solo at Cape May Buffet (drew funny looks there, and strange remarks from the server), Rose&Crown (great service!), Artist Point (very lovely), Boma (one of my favorites), and Kona Cafe (very indifferent server). I usually bring a notebook and a camera. Gives me something to do when I'm not chatting up the server or some complete stranger.

 

[Clifton]

At Epcot after an hour of traveling the "World" and undecided since they have great food selection....I only did a quick stop at a McDonalds Nuggets/Fries booth in front of Canada lol

 

[zackiedawg]

Back and forth between the two myself. I do get counter service for lunches most of the time - but I do that whether I'm with family or not. Usually, once or twice a trip I'll have lunch at a decent sit-down place - I've eaten lunches solo in Concourse Steakhouse, Le Cellier, and Rainforest Cafe, for example.

For dinners, I'll pick a few nights for restaurants - but I usually avoid grand stuff like Jiko or California Grill if I'm alone. Mid-level restaurants are fine for solo meals, like the ol Concourse Steakhouse, Maya Grill, Boma, Nine Dragons - or especially ones that have patio dining, like Rainforest Cafe, Turf Club at Saratoga, or Rose and Crown.

The other nights, I'll probably pick a counter service or bar service place like ESPN Club or Raglan Road, or even one night might bring food back to my room or villa if I just feel like relaxing back at the resort.

 

[SoloFriendly]

I prefer TS over CS. I think the food tends to be healthier. I had great TS meals at Le Chefs de France (where I got a great window table for people-watching) and Mama Melrose's (though I think I was the only solo in the place, I focused my attention on reviewing my photos on my digital camera until my food arrived, so I was fine). I also enjoyed dinner downtown at Wolfgang Puck's and House of Blues. I sat at the counters in both of those places, which I try to do when I'm alone to increase my chances of striking up a conversation with someone else. I do try to bring my journal with me and take advantage of the downtime before my meal arrives to take notes of what I did that day.

 

[Kitties rule]

I'm going in September on a solo trip, I was wondering where do you eat when you are solo? Do you do TS? If so, what's the best TS? Or are you a quick bite kinda person? Thanks for your answers!

I'm going on my first solo trip in Dec. and I have ADR for most of the days I will be there.

 

[Puget Peach]

How many of the TS restaurants have bar seating? Is it difficult to get seating at the bar? Are ADR's available for bar seating? I'm solo in September and would prefer chatting up the bartender to listening to Toddler Speak at the next table. I usually only order appetizer and/or dessert. I really enjoy solo dining - eat when I want, as slow or as fast as I want, and review my tour plan or people watch without distraction!

 

[Bill Brown]

I enjoy all the WDW TS restaurants. However, I don't like schedules of any kind when I'm trying to relax on vacation. Having to get ADRs months or even a day or 2 in advance is annoying to me. I only manage to use the few ADRs I do make about 1/3 of the time because I'm usually having fun at the wrong park at the allotted meal time.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

How many of the TS restaurants have bar seating? Is it difficult to get seating at the bar? Are ADR's available for bar seating? I'm solo in September and would prefer chatting up the bartender to listening to Toddler Speak at the next table. I usually only order appetizer and/or dessert. I really enjoy solo dining - eat when I want, as slow or as fast as I want, and review my tour plan or people watch without distraction!

I just asked this question by e-mail to the DIS Unplugged Podcast team, and they answered it on last week's e-mail show.

The two bar seatings I've tried so far are House of Blues in DTD and Yak&Yeti in AK. I have heard that the Flying Fish is wonderful, too.

 

[Simba's Mom]

It took me several solo trips to be comfortable with TS dining. Now I prefer it, and no worry about finding a table! At character dining, I like to hand my camera to the character and say, "I'd love to have my picture taken with you." It's always funny to see the character motion to someone to take our picture(sometimes just the person at the next table-no one says "No" to Mickey!). I like a resturant with a nice view-Chefs de France (by the window), Sci-Fi Dine Inn, Coral Reef, and Rose & Crown are among my favorites.

 

[barrie]

I've eaten at the bar at Flying Fish and California Grill. I always make a point of doing both on every solo trip. Flying Fish also has a counter where you can watch the kitchen while you eat. Once when I was sitting at that counter the guy cooking the sides kept giving me samples of what he was making. I had so much food I made another complete meal out of it that I had back in my room the next night!

 

[NewYorkRedNeck]

Yeah do the TS's. you will have a good time. . Boma is nice.. character breakfasts are fun as all get out.. It's nice to sit down and relax after all the walking.

 

[ILuvCrush]

I've booked 3 TS meals for my upcoming solo. In general I've never minded eating alone at restaurants, and do so on a regular basis at home.
I decided that I'll never stand being in WDW for 5 days with nothing but CS meals!
I chose to try some new places...to get a feel for whether the family will enjoy them on our next trip
I'm doing Ohana (dinner) Monday
Tonys (dinner) Weds
Boma (bfst) Friday.... (I love a good bfast buffet, but since the kiddos always want ones with characters, I decided to try something different!)

I brokethem up over the few days, so that I had some variety

BTW... it's alot easier to book ADRs for one...than for 4-6 or more!!!

Paula

 

[buena vista]

Last trip I solo'd at Teppan Edo and loved it! It's family style around the hibachi which is usually entertaining even if you don't have a talkative group. When I went, I met some nice people and had some great conversations. There were two couples: newlyweds on their honeymoon, and a 60ish couple spending a long weekend in Orlando at a conference. The other 3 were a 30ish couple and their DD. Lots of stories, sharing of tips, etc. It was fun .

 

[feistygalkmc]

I am going to WDW solo (and my first trip) in April/May and I am planning to do several TS. I booked the Deluxe DDP, I figured might as well go big the first time. lol Currently I am only going to do one character dinner at 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella and the Ugly Stepsisters. I love the villians so I am really excited to see Lady Tremaine I also am going to be making ADR's for Brown Derby, Yak & Yeti and some others I can't think of at the moment.

I think that you will be fine by yourself, I haven't done it yet so I'm not sure what it is like but from what everyone here has said no one makes you feel awkward or out of place.