Recommendation for non Park Solo Dinner

[Hopefully]

Hi all,
I just booked a trip to Orlando for a work conference in February. I will be staying in Orlando, but I can not be so close and not come to Disney. I will have a car so I will dry over one evening (probably around 7 before I can get there).
I will not have park tickets, so I am thinking I will eat at a resort or DTD.
I am just back from a week at the BWV with DH and DS, Most of our dinners were in WS but we also ate at Jiko (WONDERFUL!!). We did not go to DTD at all on this trip.
In the past I have eaten at Narcossee's (Loved it), Citrico's, 'OHana, Kona, Concourse Steakhouse, Flying Fish, ESPN Club, Big River Grille, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, Hoop de Doo, Portabello Yacht Club, Fulton's when it was the Empress Lily, Raglan Road, Bongo's, Wolfgang Puck, and Rainforest Cafe.
I am looking for something that will help give me my "Disney Fix", that is not too expensive with good food. It can be a repeat. I will most probably be alone, so somewhere comfortable for a single diner is important.
Thoughts?

 

[disnut8]

Yacht Club Galley. Dinner for two for us was about $60. That included an appetizer of clam chowder (delicious) for me, and a beer for my husband. No dessert although I was eyeing the Boston Cream pie which I think was about $6. Easier to get a reservation and a very lovely atmosphere. After dinner, you can walk around the Epcot resorts, enjoy the Boardwalk activities, and maybe even play a round of miniature golf on your own at the Swan.

Over on the monorail resort side, you could do the Grand Floridian Cafe for the same reasons as above. And then do a monorail resort tour.

 

[gigi1313]

i totally suggest a monorail resort restaurant... try to be on the beach or w/a castle view for the fireworks! perhaps kona or GF cafe?

although, personally, unless i were speaking/leading the conference, i'd likely duck out early, splurge on a ticket and spend an evening at a park, grabbing CS food and taking in a few shows/parade/etc

 

[Hopefully]

gigi1313, I would love to duck out early and spend some time in a park, but I am working a vendor booth in the Conference Exhibition Hall and there is no way. The best I can hope for is that I really do get out at the 6 PM Hall closing. If there are customers in the booth at closing time, we end up having to stay until they leave.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I was thinking maybe Concourse Steakhouse since it will be closing for good before we are back. The menu looks good. We ate here on our first trip in the 80's. But the CR doesn't necessarily have the most "Disney feel". I do want to decide ASAP so that I can make an ADR.
Anyone else have a thought?

 

[Simba's Mom]

One of my favorite non-park solo meals was Grand Floridian Cafe. My server was great! Unfortunately, I can't remember his name, but I know that it began with an "S". Also, he has a British accent. For a real "Disney Fix", I also recommend the Cape May Character Breakfast. I've done it twice solo and loved it both times.

 

[Maggi May]

Jiko and I think the California Grill (and maybe a few other restaurants) have seating at a counter where you can watch the chefs in action. I've not done that at Disney, but there are a few local restaurants where my DH and I love doing that. It's fun to interact with the chefs and just split a couple of appetizers and a glass of wine or two. I think that would be a fun thing to do if traveling alone.

 

[fmed845]

What about the Turf Club bar and grille at saratoga springs


Dinner served 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-Alcoholic Specialties

Sour Apple Freeze - sweet and sour and Sprite blended with Granny Smith Apple mix $3.99

Blackberry Lemonade - lemonade and blackberry syrup $3.99

Milk Shakes - Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry $4.29

Frozen Cappuccino - topped with whipped cream $4.29

Appetizers

Crab Cake Bites with Dipping Sauces garlic mayonnaise, sun-dried tomato salsa and a mango-passion fruit $10.49

Fried Calamari - with aioli and spicy marinara sauce $9.49

Caesar Salad - $5.49

Steamed Mussels - in a garlic white wine sauce with applewood smoked bacon $10.99

Buffalo Chicken Strips - with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks $7.49

Onion Rings with Dips $4.99

Entrees

Grilled Top Sirloin Steak - with Turf Club potatoes $19.99; add topping of crab meat and grain mustard sauce $22.99; add topping of Blue Cheese, portobello mushrooms and balsamic-port glaze $21.99

Herb-Roasted Half Chicken - with Turf Club Potatoes $15.99

Spiced Salmon Salad - on tossed arugala, vine-ripened tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon, and aioli $16.99

Barbecued Spare Ribs - with french fries and apple-cinnamon barbeque sauce $17.99

Penne Pasta with Shrimp - artichokes, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and garlic $18.99; with grilled chicken $17.99; as a Vegetarian entree $16.49

Angus Chuck Cheeseburger - topped with cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and fries $11.49


Sides

Seasonal vegetables $2.79
French Fries $2.79
Turf Club Potatoes $3.49

Desserts

Individual Apple Pie - served warm with vanilla bean ice cream $5.49

Chocolate Lava Cake - with raspberry sauce and vanilla bean ice cream $5.99

New York style cheesecake - with seasonal berries $5.49



Disney Cruise Line | Disneyland Resort | Universal Orlando Resort
Sharing the Magic | Store | Press Room | Contact Us

 

[TigerKat]

As previously suggested I'd go to Cali Grill and sit at the counter/bar to get my Disney fix!

 

[fla4fun]

gigi1313, I would love to duck out early and spend some time in a park, but I am working a vendor booth in the Conference Exhibition Hall and there is no way. The best I can hope for is that I really do get out at the 6 PM Hall closing. If there are customers in the booth at closing time, we end up having to stay until they leave.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I was thinking maybe Concourse Steakhouse since it will be closing for good before we are back. The menu looks good. We ate here on our first trip in the 80's. But the CR doesn't necessarily have the most "Disney feel". I do want to decide ASAP so that I can make an ADR.
Anyone else have a thought?

I think Concourse Steakhouse is a fine idea. If you need a bigger Disney fix, take a monorail ride around to the other monorail resorts, or take a walk along the walkway between CR and MK (it actually goes beyond MK if you follow along by the water past the monorail station). The resort monorail has always run until about 11pm when we've been staying there (I'm assuming it's to accommodate guests dining at other resorts).

Are they selling Disney convention tickets to your conference? The reason I'm asking is that they have a one day after 4pm admission ticket which is only available to convention attendees that might work for you. It's not too expensive and even though during February many of the parks close early, Epcot is open until 9pm. If it were me, I'd rather spend two or three hours wandering around WS munching on some CS food and catching Illuminations than sitting in a TS restaurant. Just a thought.

 

[gigi1313]

If it were me, I'd rather spend two or three hours wandering around WS munching on some CS food and catching Illuminations than sitting in a TS restaurant. Just a thought.

DITTO THAT BIG TIME!!! i'd skip the expensive meal and buy the park ticket instead!

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks for the suggestions!!!
I will look into the possibility of Convention Tickets. I never thought of that. I too would rather spend a couple of hours in WS than any other place in WDW. When we were there 2 weeks ago we ended 5 of our 7 days in WS. One night we went to Raglan Road and had a blast and one night we went to the AKL and Jiko. Other than that we were in Epcot. We enjoyed a day of "Noshing Around the World" at the Food and Wine fest, and another dinner - after a big lunch at 50"s Prime Time - was just F & W fest bites. The other nights we ate at San Angel Inn, Restaurant Marakkesh, and Teppan Edo.
I was just thinking that $75 dollars for 2 hours seemed outrageous. I thought that I could at least feel the Disney magic at dinner, a little cheaper. I am also now trying to figure out if I can make it to The World more than once I had to admit to my family yesterday that I really am addicted.
I will investigate Convention tickets. Thanks again

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Jiko and I think the California Grill (and maybe a few other restaurants) have seating at a counter where you can watch the chefs in action. I've not done that at Disney, but there are a few local restaurants where my DH and I love doing that. It's fun to interact with the chefs and just split a couple of appetizers and a glass of wine or two. I think that would be a fun thing to do if traveling alone.

This is exactly what I was thinking. My husband and I did this at Jiko. It is nice to have the interaction with the chef. Not sure where else you can do this.