How do you deal with sit down eating alone.

[ajiuo]

I am a single person who loves going to Disney parks and have decided that I am not going to depend on other people in order to go and do what I love…. So much so that I am in the process of getting some DVC points for AKV.

For the most part I have no problem doing things alone. I go to movies alone, I go to the zoo and many other places alone. I went to Disney world with family in early 2020. I spent a day alone at universal, half a day at Animal kingdom, and several hours at other parks.

For the most part I really enjoyed myself. It was a bit awkward sometimes, riding rides with people I don’t know, but it wasn’t too bad to deal with. The single rider lines were actually kind of awesome. And we had the photo thing, so I was even able to get photos of myself.

I guess the thing that seems most odd to me is the idea of eating by myself at a sit down restaurant. Any time I would eat by myself I went to a quick service place, which I was perfectly OK with. But going on a whole trip by myself I am not going to want to eat at quick service the whole time.

How is it eating at a sit down service restaurant by yourself? I’m not sure why I’m so weirded out by it, because quick service doesn’t bother me at all… maybe it’s the idea of a waiter/waitress serving me while I’m by myself that weirds me out… I’m not sure. Do many of the sit down places at Disneyworld have bars? That might not be as weird.

For my first DVC trip next year my mom is coming along… so I won’t have to deal with this until 2023… but it’s something that has been on my mind… and some thing I even considered when deciding to buy DVC… I ultimately didn’t let it stop me, but I still wonder how to deal with it.

i’m sure I’m being ridiculous, Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[daae3]

You are not being ridiculous...it is something to get used to...I recommend starting at a local place at home and getting comfortable with it. I travel for work so got comfortable with it because I had to...i found Disney to be an amazing experience. One of my first solo dinners was at brown derby where I discussed my obsession with the cobb salad and grape fruit cake with my waiter...who brought me the recipe cards. As you get more comfortable you realize, no one is looking at you or if they are, they are jealous...or possibly making up a story about you and you have now become an exotic figure in their vacation. Even when I travel with family, I found myself seeking out table service for a break...I have had amazing meals solo at San Angel inn and chefs de France because I needed an escape. If solo dining is too uncomfortable you can seek out bar service, but I recommend trying it. Keep a phone and a book or tablet to entertain yourself, but chat with your servers and enjoy yourself!

 

[brad813]

I am a single person who loves going to Disney parks and have decided that I am not going to depend on other people in order to go and do what I love…. So much so that I am in the process of getting some DVC points for AKV.

For the most part I have no problem doing things alone. I go to movies alone, I go to the zoo and many other places alone. I went to Disney world with family in early 2020. I spent a day alone at universal, half a day at Animal kingdom, and several hours at other parks.

For the most part I really enjoyed myself. It was a bit awkward sometimes, riding rides with people I don’t know, but it wasn’t too bad to deal with. The single rider lines were actually kind of awesome. And we had the photo thing, so I was even able to get photos of myself.

I guess the thing that seems most odd to me is the idea of eating by myself at a sit down restaurant. Any time I would eat by myself I went to a quick service place, which I was perfectly OK with. But going on a whole trip by myself I am not going to want to eat at quick service the whole time.

How is it eating at a sit down service restaurant by yourself? I’m not sure why I’m so weirded out by it, because quick service doesn’t bother me at all… maybe it’s the idea of a waiter/waitress serving me while I’m by myself that weirds me out… I’m not sure. Do many of the sit down places at Disneyworld have bars? That might not be as weird.

For my first DVC trip next year my mom is coming along… so I won’t have to deal with this until 2023… but it’s something that has been on my mind… and some thing I even considered when deciding to buy DVC… I ultimately didn’t let it stop me, but I still wonder how to deal with it.

i’m sure I’m being ridiculous, Thanks for any thoughts.

I would think about it the same as going to a table service restaurant alone at home. It’s only awkward if you make it that way. People will be too preoccupied with their own things to judge you, and Disney wait staff, according to what I hear, go out of their way to make sure you have a pleasant time.

 

[Missingmypooh]

The first time is alittle weird, and no lie, I’ve had people stare me down (mostly older folks) because I also take pictures of my food... but it’s quite fun!

perks of eating table service by yourself:
-AC + rest so you can enjoy your day
-Special convos with waiters/ staff especially if you casually ask them about their life
- excellent people watching
- ordering extra to take on the go so you don’t have to do it twice (I prefer lunch, take Togo, eat around 3 and then snack in the late evening).
- people watching or joining in with other tables (yes even in today’s age people will still talk over the distance).

I will admit that character dining can get strange... but I’ve also had some amazing experiences doing it solo that I wouldn’t have had with my family there.

and also, I know that solo dining isn’t always a blessing when it’s forced, but there are many people who comment about how they wish they could go to Disney solo or enjoy meals in peace (and of course the opposite- solos who would love a family to be rowdy!). Hopefully you can find the mental/emotional balance to enjoy your meal without feeling awkward

 

[Skippyboo]

Now a days, everyone is stuck in their phones to really care about what other people are doing. I have done multiple solo WDW trips. I will be there this Saturday for a week solo. I am used to dining out alone at home. When I am at Disney, I surf the Internet, text with my Disney fan friend back home on what I am doing at the parks and play Pokémon go. Pokémon go is great at Disney tons of gyms, stops and Pokémon plus you walk a tons of miles already while you are there.

 

[Spinster Travel]

Like @daae3, I travel for work and had to get used to eating solo. When working, I often opt to sit at the bar because I found that it is filled with people like me dining along, but during the pandemic, bars were not an option in many states (my home state being one of them), so I got used to sitting at tables (and preferred to have the space given social distancing). I don't know why I wasn't doing tables long before. It's really just fine...As others have said, most people are totally obsessed with their phones and won't even notice you. At Disney MANY will be jealous and long for the peace and quiet that you will have in the confines of your own table. I took a solo Disney trip back in April and did meals/reservations solo at Ogas Cantina, Hollywood Brown Derby, Jungle Navigation Co and Wine Bar George. Hollywood Brown Derby was my favorite! I had a great meal, some wine and enjoyed every minute of it. It will feel odd at first, but trust me, its really just fine! Book your favorites and enjoy!

 

[Bete]

Sometimes I try and have a conversation with someone at the next table. I don't bother anyone if they are busy doing something else. This especially works well with another solo eater.

 

[BrianL]

It's just something you have to not worry about. Mostly, you are more self-concious than others are about you being there. Nobody much cares really. People eat alone - it's not that weird of a thing. I usually just play it up that my friends are lame and didn't want to come - their loss (also true story ). The servers have always been nice to me, though I admittedly don't do a lot of sit-down dining solo at Disney, but mostly because my solo-trips are more about how fast I can get to the next thing - no time for breaks!

 

[loves to dive]

I've done a number of solo trips to Disney as well as other places, hubby doesn't like to travel I do. I also eat out at home solo if he is away on business or away at his family home. I have the Kindle app on my phone and just read most of the time. I don't read before the wait person comes to take my order, usually I'm busy looking at people and settling down. As others have said, go out to some places you are familiar with at home to sort of practice. I rarely eat at the bars, I just do the regular TS. I prefer not to eat at the bars because most of the time I don't really need/want to talk to the other people or the bar tender and they always feel like they should talk to you if you are solo. The wait staff will talk to you as little or as much as you indicate you want them to. Heck, I've had the chef or manager come out and check on me many times when dining solo.

 

[JoJoGirl]

Agree with all the comments and coping strategies here. The wait staff at WDW is amazing with solo diners, and will do their best to make you comfortable.

Just want to add one little strange thing that happened to me while dining solo at Tiffins in the AK. It involved having to visit the restroom between the entree and dessert. General etiquette tells you to leave your napkin on your seat to indicate that you will be returning, but I hate doing that! I really don’t want my napkin resting on a surface where who-knows-how-many-backsides, which have been sitting who-knows-where, have also rested. In a theme park that is just yucky. So I left my napkin, along with my hat, sitting on the tabletop next to my place setting - thinking that would make it obvious that I hadn’t left the restaurant.

Well, in the three minutes I was gone, a couple at a nearby table assumed that I had indeed left and told the server so. So my hat was taken to the host stand. Thankfuly when I returned, they had the good grace to tell me what they had done and apologize! I was a bit mortified that a.) someone had thought I’d dined-and-dashed, and b.) my hat was in bad shape due to it being very hot that day and it had sweat and makeup on the inside brim. I was more embarrassed by the state of my hat than by their mistake. So I sheepishly retrieved the hat, my server acted as if nothing had happened, and I enjoyed my dessert, lol!

I guess the moral of that story is that it might be smart to carry a little card or sign to leave at your table if you have to get up for any reason. Apparently people can forget that solo diners need to use the restroom too, lol.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’ve dined solo multiple times at WDW. My key notes

-yes, it feels weird. Just remember weird is ok
-bring something to read on your smartphone. I buy an iBook before a trip so I have something to do while waiting around for food. At first I used to browse my phone but news, family, etc was not very relaxing. I’m in a much better mood disappearing into a book as vacay for me when I travel solo is about disconnecting.
-make ADRs for however many people you need to in order to snag your reservation. ADRs for 1 are rare. My ADRs generally range from 2-4 people, whatever the lowest party number that gets me the ADR is what I use. Check-in using the app when you arrive for the ADR and adjust the number of diners down to one. This prevents awkward host conversations of “turns out I’m just one today”.

 

[rainyvegandisney]

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[Scouter]

Agree with all the comments and coping strategies here. The wait staff at WDW is amazing with solo diners, and will do their best to make you comfortable.

Just want to add one little strange thing that happened to me while dining solo at Tiffins in the AK. It involved having to visit the restroom between the entree and dessert. General etiquette tells you to leave your napkin on your seat to indicate that you will be returning, but I hate doing that! I really don’t want my napkin resting on a surface where who-knows-how-many-backsides, which have been sitting who-knows-where, have also rested. In a theme park that is just yucky. So I left my napkin, along with my hat, sitting on the tabletop next to my place setting - thinking that would make it obvious that I hadn’t left the restaurant.

Well, in the three minutes I was gone, a couple at a nearby table assumed that I had indeed left and told the server so. So my hat was taken to the host stand. Thankfuly when I returned, they had the good grace to tell me what they had done and apologize! I was a bit mortified that a.) someone had thought I’d dined-and-dashed, and b.) my hat was in bad shape due to it being very hot that day and it had sweat and makeup on the inside brim. I was more embarrassed by the state of my hat than by their mistake. So I sheepishly retrieved the hat, my server acted as if nothing had happened, and I enjoyed my dessert, lol!

I guess the moral of that story is that it might be smart to carry a little card or sign to leave at your table if you have to get up for any reason. Apparently people can forget that solo diners need to use the restroom too, lol.

Good tip!

 

[Blondie58]

The only time I ever gave eating out a second thought alone on Disney property was when I did the High Tea Experience at GF during the Garden Show. (I have done other tours alone and not an issue.) This expereince just felt a little "lonely" becasue of the format of the event. However, I am so glad I took the opportunity. Usually I do not miss conversation and visiting when alone at WDW but I did at this event.

 

[goofyernmost]

It is not my intent to ridicule because I know a lot of people have this thing about eating alone. I do not understand it and probably never will. Every single person alive must eat to remain alive. Somewhere along the line it was considered embarrassing to not be with someone when dining out. Never was there a more ridiculous thing ever directed, mostly at women. It shamed women that were apparently not married and therefore shouldn't be out in public dining in a restaurant alone.

I have gone solo for years, after my divorce, in 2001. Granted I am a man but this is what I did. I called and made reservations if necessary, then I walked in, sat down, looked at the menu, picked what I wanted, the waitstaff took my order, and a short time later it was placed in front of me. I ate it, paid the bill and left, full and happy. I am a male, but if anyone can tell me what difference that makes and why in the 21st century people are still traumatized by this I will happily admit I'm wrong. Just go, you don't know any of these people and even if you did the chances are pretty good that they are in the restaurant to eat too.

Hint: over the years I have experienced a situation that seemed foolish to me, but I found away around it. Some, not many, require at least two people when making a reservation. If they ask you can just, yes, two, when you get there you say that the other person wasn't feeling well so you came by yourself. They will seat you and not mention it again. Someone is going to say that it is wrong to circumvent the rules, I say that ignoring that single people need to eat as well as couples is probably a violation of human rights.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I would go solo for many years. It's easy to do a sit down. The only issues I ever had was actually getting a reservation for 1. Most times I had to book 2 just to find someplace. And then when I arrived I let them know I was solo.
I still go a few days solo but my husband insists on joining the last couple of days. I miss my 100% solo trips.

Sometimes I spend time looking at the pictures I've taken, other times I look around the restaurant at the decor. For me it was easy. Maybe try it with a local restaurant and you can start to get used to it?

 

[Tinkerlund]

I find that bringing a book helps. I keep a journal so this is the perfect time to write about my day. Otherwise I tend to forget to do it as there is so much to do at the parks, and I'm usually dead tired once I'm back at the hotel.

 

[Two Toe]

I eat out solo often and enjoy it. I bring my phone and earbuds. I'll usually listen to my audible book.
I stay away from the bar at restaurants, it tends to become somewhere people go that want to socialize. I've gotten into a couple uncomfortable situations dining at the restaurant bar, men thinking maybe I'd like their company. At the table everyone leaves you in blissful peace.

 

[Karin1984]

Your thoughts are not unusual. Eating out is considered a social activity. And when you are travelling solo you have no one to socialize with.

Some tips:
- No one is paying attention to you, people who are eating out together are focussed on themselves. They might notice you, but they will not look at you.
- "Just one?" from a CM is not an insult, or an expression of pity. They need to double check the size of the party.
- Even if you would get a look of pity, whether it is a CM or another guest... A. they have forgotten all about you a second later. And B. You do not know these people and you will never see them again either ;-)
- Bring a book, cross word puzzle, people watch, or go through the pictures you have made on your camera or phone.
- Go for mindful dining, enjoy every bite, admire the plating, the entire ambiance, the decor.

 

[Lilsia]

Millions of people eat alone every day. Even at WDW, there are tons of solo travelers that are eating at the sit down restaurants, you just don't notice them because you are busy with your own trip. And that is exactly what everyone else does too. So any "awkwardness" is in your own mind. Nobody is paying attention to you. Go and eat wherever you want and enjoy your trip.