Popular Topic: Solo Dining Anxiety!

[dauser]

Hi-

I know this is one of the most discussed topics about solo travel, but I cannot bring myself to eat alone at a table service restaurant during a solo trip to Disney. I’ve been on one solo trip to DL and two to WDW and have yet to dine alone at a table service restaurant. I now seem to be averaging about two Disney trips per year, one solo and one non-solo. I’m even thinking of getting an AP which would far increase my solo visits. I want to get over this hump, and would love any suggestions or personal stories.

The odd thing is that I used to travel alone for business all the time, and had no trouble dining alone. When I was traveling for business though, I knew that I was there alone due to necessity, and had no trouble going to a restaurant by myself. When I vacation alone though, I know that I am there by choice in a place where solo travel is unusual and worry that others will look at me and think ‘What is that dork doing here by himself?’ I try to blend in as much as possible when traveling alone, and feel that eating in restaurants is when I will feel most exposed.

Help! Again, any advice is appreciated.

FYI…my next solo trip is scheduled for Dec. 16-19, 2007 at WDW.

Rick

 

[DaisyDuck001]

While I have dined alone in table service restaurants enough that I have become comfortable with it, I do find it more enjoyable to have company, especially at WDW.

I plan informal small-group meals with other solo visitors to WDW. Sorry we'll just miss each other, as I'll be there December 4-15, and I have get-togethers planned for every day. My complete schedule is posted on the thread "Meet a Friend, Share a Ride".

If you can change your travel dates, you would be welcome to dine with us. I still have space available in the dining reservations for almost every meal.

Daisy

 

[fakereadhed]

I don't really have any advice for dining alone(I think you just have to get used to it)but I will be at Spoodles for dinner on 12/17 and you are welcome to join me. And if I'm there solo and anyone is looking at me wondering why I'm sitting by myself I will probably just smile and wave!

 

[Master Mason]

So I think the big thing, is what's the difference between work travel and vacation travel for you? In either case you need to eat.

My take on it is its my money, I can spend it as I choose. If I want to go somewhere solo and eat a good meal, then I do. I'm not there to worry about anyone else that is sitting there eating their meal, so why should they be worried about me sitting there eating mine?

And on the other side, If I go to someplace to eat, I certainly don't sit there and worry about the people sitting at the table next to me, or accros the building as long as they aren't doing something that would wreck my meal. I went there to eat, not to worry about others.

 

[kapoof]

you could bring along a book or the newpaper or paperwork to make you feel more occupied while your eating and people arond you will just think your on a dinner break from work.

 

[GalDisney]

I dine all the time solo at table service restaurants, at wDW and in my neigborhood. Does not bother me at all. JUst becasue none of my friends want to join me, does not mean i cannot enjoy a wonderful meal by myself

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi-

I know this is one of the most discussed topics about solo travel, but I cannot bring myself to eat alone at a table service restaurant during a solo trip to Disney. I’ve been on one solo trip to DL and two to WDW and have yet to dine alone at a table service restaurant. I now seem to be averaging about two Disney trips per year, one solo and one non-solo. I’m even thinking of getting an AP which would far increase my solo visits. I want to get over this hump, and would love any suggestions or personal stories.

Help! Again, any advice is appreciated.

FYI…my next solo trip is scheduled for Dec. 16-19, 2007 at WDW.

Rick

I can really understand your feelings about dining solo at WDW. My first solo trips were almost all CS because of my feeling "odd". On about my third trip, I tried a couple TS resturants solo, felt so strange I went back to CS. What helped was when I started bringing a little spiral notebook (and a pen) to jot little notes during my dining. I'd write about my experiences-my thoughts on attractions, food offerings, etc. And when I got home, I'd tuck that notebook away with my other souveniers/paperwork from my trip. What fun to read back on it later! One real surprise was the fun of doing a character meal solo. It took me about 8 solo trips to get up the courage to do one, then I was sorry it had taken me so long. What a place for people watching! And if you're afraid people will look at you, forget it! They're only looking around to see the characters, and I don't mean you! Next week, I'm going on my 10th solo trip, and I've got two character meals booked in 5 days.

 

[dauser]

Hi All-

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I think that I am too worried about what others might think of me, and should just concentrate on enjoying myself. I am going to try and do a TS restaurant in Dec. 2007. If I don't like the experience, I can always go back to CS restaurants. Now to just choose the one I would like the most…!

Rick

 

[ReneeQ]

I have dined at TS restaurants in Disney solo, and I didn't like it. I felt uncomfortable. So, I just don't do it. If you don't like it, don't do it. I save the TS restaurants for when I'm at Disney with others. When I'm solo, I eat at CS. Why spend the extra on TS, if I don't enjoy it? By eating CS, it makes my trip cost WAY less. With CS meals, owning DVC, and stretching out a 10 day ticket over 4-5 trips, my solo trips are practically free! Or at least they feel that way!

Enjoy your trip, doing it however YOU feel most comfortable!

 

[dahirsh]

Hi All-

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I think that I am too worried about what others might think of me, and should just concentrate on enjoying myself. I am going to try and do a TS restaurant in Dec. 2007. If I don't like the experience, I can always go back to CS restaurants. Now to just choose the one I would like the most…!

Rick

I know this is easier said than done, but don't worry about what other people might be thinking. Chances are they aren't even noticing you anyway. And out of the small percentage that do notice you alone at a table, some of them, wish they were you.

Try it, if it's not for you, at least you gave it a try and then, you'll know for sure.

 

[english rose 47]

Anyone going in Feb 08 ! I'm going alone ,as of right now. I don't mind eating or being alone at all ,but if anyone is looking for company you are welcome to join me!!

 

[newholidayx2]

Last March 06 I booked both the Crystal Palace brkfst and O'Hana character brkfsts solo. I was meeting up w/friends after 3 days solo. They didnt want to do the characters but I did. First time solo dining - no problem. Waitresses helped w/pictures, autographs etc.
This past April I spent an entire week solo at WDW. Dined solo at 7 lunches. No problem. Carried maps, little spiral notebook w/me. I figure these ppl will never see me again so why not do what will make me happy? Sometimes I asked to be seated at certain areas and most met my requests.

This coming Nov I have the Norway princess lunch booked solo. Its the day before my 50th. I have a solo AR at LeCellier on my actual 50th birthday day! Other solo lunch ARs I have booked for Nov are Rose & Crown, Marakesh (first time eating here), San Angel, 50s Prime Time. Booked 2 Food & Wine festival events solo too.

 

[Scott2tune]

I'm DH47 with DD16 and DS19. But I'm the Disneyworld fan in this household. I'm taking meeting my son for 4 nights and then I'm spending an extra week at WDW by myself. Okay then. I did this once before while on business for 3 days. I ate at the Bistro Paris, Yachtman's Steakhouse, and even went to Spirit of Aloha.

So what's the secret to feeling relaxed and not worrying about what people think? First off it goes without saying you can strike up conversation with those around you. Most likely people will be just a bit envious or enjoy my story of why I'm there etc. Plus I bring PLENTY of reading materials. Backlog of magazines in my backpack will keep me quite busy during the sit down meals. Just relax- enjoy yourself- it's WDW afterall not Ruth Chris Steakhouse!

 

[Terk-1]

I love to read, so I always have a book with me in my backpack. When I am dining, I will take it out and read while I dine. I find this takes away any awkwardness of dining alone. I, of course, give my servers my complete attention, but reading helps me focus on the delicious meal.

If you are not a big reader, bring a notebook with you and write stuff down that you have done so far that day for a trip report.

 

[NewYorkRedNeck]

Had no problem eating table service alone. Even at beirgarten I had a good time and met a few people that I wouldn't have gotten to otherwise

 

[Wanna go to Disney?]

I wish this world weren't so crazy, cuz my first reaction would be to invite you to our table. Or should I say my table as I have also been in Disney and Universal solo. To be truthful I didn't think twice about going to the park or eating alone. One time I had a delayed flight and an extra ticket so I just went and saw what I wanted to see without the gang. On one hand it was great, on the other there was no one to share it with.

No one knows what your situation is and to be honest, they likely don't care of think twice of it. That is sad on one hand but if I saw you alone, I would assume that you might be stealing away for a bit and give a good on ya! Don't give people credit that they may not have earned.

I hope that you strike up a conversation with some fun folks, but if you don't and you are by yourself, Enjoy! I just buried a friend and she can't enjoy. We still can!

Love and Peace to ya!

 

[daisax]

I think that I am too worried about what others might think of me

I think Twain said "you wouldn't worry so much what other people thought of you if you knew how seldom they do."

Seriously -- in your trips to WDW, do you remember taking the time to even NOTICE, let alone contemplate, people who were in the restaurant alone? I don't ever remember seeing anybody, and it's not because I think they weren't there. I was concentrating on getting a table, then getting my order placed, then getting my food, then eating it, etc.

I dine alone elsewhere fairly commonly, but haven't done it at WDW yet. But I don't anticipate much self-consciousness. I DO tend to take a book with me, because I'm not that into people watching.

 

[english rose 47]

Just dined alone today1 Didn't feel strange at all!!

 

[fakereadhed]

Just dined alone today1 Didn't feel strange at all!!

That's great! Where did you go? It would be great to have a thread of solo friendly dining.

 

[ASFCurly]

maybe you should start out slow, maybe a buffet at a more casual sit down restraunt first to get used to being there by yourself.