single dining

[tinkerone]

i am off to see the mouse all alone and am looking forward to it. i'm wondering about dinning. can anyone give me hints or tips on dinning alone. any places that i should avoid or places that are better for this than others??
tia

 

[BriarRosie]

It depends on your personal comfort level. I have no problem dining alone at any WDW restaurant, but others might feel awkward. There are restaurants that have bars or lounges that serve food, so that might be a choice.

Most of the places that serve from bars will be signature restaurants. California Grill, Jiko, and Flying Fish come to mind. But there are a few that aren't signture restaurant. Yak and Yeti, the Tune In Lounge (next to 50's Primetime Cafe), and Sanaa are a few examples.

There's no reason to be intimidated by eating alone.

 

[Quin]

I would say to mostly just pick based on the food and your location. If you are OK eating alone in the real world you will be OK eating alone at WDW.

If you want to take one night where you can 'join in the party', so to speak, schedule a dinner at Biergarten. Nobody is a stranger there. All tables seat 8 and you WILL be placed with other parties to fill a table, just as you would in Germany. How much or how little you interact with the other guests is completely up to you, but it can make for a very fun time.

 

[EvilQueenT]

i like the counter type areas at cali grill, the sushi bar at wolfgang pucks, and teppan edo. i can't remember if flying fish or citricos has one as well. i like these types of settings because people utilizing them are more likely to be open to being social.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I've gone solo 3 times now and have the 4th trip booked.

I haven't done a character meal solo but have done many other meal types including Teppan Edo and had a very nice time.

So far I've done:
Yak N Yeti lunch
Teppan Edo dinner
Via Napoli dinner
Chef De France lunch
Coral Reef lunch
Le Cellier lunch
Plaza lunch
Boma Dinner

I feel like I might be missing one but you get the idea.

 

[tinkerone]

thanks, looks like theres hope for me yet!

 

[mlittig]

I will be doing my first solo trip next month and am really looking forward to it

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've always stayed away from Teppan Edo and Beirgarten since you get seated with other diners there. I also find any buffets a little troublesome, since I don't enjoy leaving the table unoccupied when I go up to get my food, even though I've never actually had a real problem with one. Character meals might also not be a good idea, since you have to depend on someone else for photos. I also don't enjoy family-style meals so much solo, since they bring out an insane amount of food, and it seems like a lot gets wasted.

 

[karly05]

For GASleepingBeautyFan and anyone else who has gone solo to Via Napoli - do they seat solos at the big, long table, or at a 2-top, or does it vary?

Same question for those who have gone solo to Flying Fish - do they usually seat solos at the counter, or a small table?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

For GASleepingBeautyFan and anyone else who has gone solo to Via Napoli - do they seat solos at the big, long table, or at a 2-top, or does it vary?

Same question for those who have gone solo to Flying Fish - do they usually seat solos at the counter, or a small table?

I've only been to VN once, but I got seated at the communal table, not sure if that's because I was solo, or just because I didn't have an ADR, and that's what was available. FF I've been to several times and have always gotten a table.

 

[tinkerone]

I will be doing my first solo trip next month and am really looking forward to it

i see your staying at the pop as well. i'll be leaving just before you get there. its my first time solo although i have been there 20 times and i'm soooo very excited to be let loose on my own. can not wait.....

thanks for all the answers i have been getting. its nice to hear the different thoughts and ideas. i don't mind solitary dinning but its harder for me to get my head around being seated with strangers and having to make talk. it always works out but normally in this situation dh is with me and he is a talker (one of the reasons i'm happy to be going on my own...lol).

 

[Uncleromulus]

You can get a full meal (or not) at the bar at Flying Fish, Citricos, Shulas, California Grill, Narcoossees, Blue Zoo, Jiko, Paridiso, Yak and Yeti and Raglan Road.

There may be a few others as well, but those are the ones we frequent. I seem to recall seeing folks dining at the bars in Portobello and Fultons, but can't confirm that..or if a full meal is available.

I think eating at the bar is perfect if you are solo.

 

[rlovew]

Captain Jack's will also seat you at the bar if you wish. It doesn't bother me to dine alone and I go regularly by myself during the day while DH goes to class and then we meet up for dinner.

 

[let'sgo]

My last trip was solo and I had no problem with people offering to take my picture at the character meals. I ate at 1900 Park Fare and I think that Tigger felt sorry for me because I was alone. He was a riot. I also ate in the castle and had a wonderful time.

There's no need to feel ackward eating alone. The CMs are all wonderful and will take good care of you.

Have a fun time!

 

[3pletprincesses]

I would love a solo trip and you can bet I would be eating out at all kinds of restaurants It's fun to go with my family but boy would be nice to eat and not have someone saying "Mommy I need to pee". I have in the past taken pictures at character meals for solo travellers, I don't mind doing it and they get a pictures with the characters. I've also seen solo traveller at places like Crystal Palace to places like Citricos. Keep in mind I travel alot to the bathroom with my triplets, seems like they all need to pee at different times during meal time LOL

 

[everythingALICE]

I think Raglan Road would be fun solo, because you can grab a bite, a beer, and enjoy the entertainment.