Sitting Alone at a TS Restaurant

[KCMiller]

Hi,

I'm more than likely going to be solo for most of my WDW trip in December (going with the marching band, but I'm not chaperoneing anyone but a bunch of taiko drums - and my DS and DD will be off in the parks with their band buddies - I'll see them sometimes, but probably not at meals). I'm sort of looking forward to going solo, but I have a restaurant question.

I seem to recall that at 50's Prime Time there was a counter where you could just go and sit, without waiting for an ADR - can anyone tell me about this? Also, are there other such arrangements at other restaurants, where a solo diner can be accomodated without taking up a whole table and sitting in solitary splendor? And I've already thought of Teppanyaki, but not being a fan of that sort of cooking, it's out.

And what do y'all think of me bringing a book to read at the table?


Thanks,

KC

 

[aristocat]

Biergarten seats you "authentic beer hall-style" with other people.

Although, I'm sure it's not a big deal for one person to take up a small 2-person table at any of the restaurants.

A book sounds like a good idea while you're waiting for your food (if you're sitting alone)

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I've eaten solo at several WDW TS restaurants and have never felt strange. I do bring a book or use the time to write up parts of my trip report in a small notepad. As far as different types of seating goes, I've always been seated at a regular table - usually for 2 or 4.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We have seen several people eating solo at TS places in the park. They generally get seated at a two person table. No one seemed out of place and they all seemed to have a good time. We did notice the servers would generally talk to them more than some of the other tables.

 

[zookeeper]

Honestly, I don't think I even took notice of anyone else in the restaurants because we were so busy with the kids and taking everything in ourselves. Going solo is something I would like to try one day. ENJOY!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I go to WDW very often solo. If I am thinking of eating at Biergarten or Teppenyaki I will not bring anything to read. Otherwise I always have a book or magazine to read.

If you are never going to see the other guests again why should you care what they think of you for being alone and reading?! And the servers will treat you just as any other guest.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think the counter you remember is the bar - although I can't see why you can't eat there.
I go solo most of the time. At Jiko, California Grill and I think Flying Fish, you actually can be seated at a counter and watch some of the food prep. And talk to the chefs if they have time.
Sure, bring something to read (unless you'll be seated with other people). Or, bring your notebook and update your trip/dining report NOT, of course, that we're forcing you to do that and don't forget your camera so you can add pictures of the food to the report (that we're nof forcing you to write, remember).
With the tables in some restaurants so close, if an adjacent party seems receptive (aka fun and friendly) I've been known to join in their conversation - for example, comment on how good something looks or, if they're a course or two in when you're seated, ask what they recommend. I think I've done this at Concourse, and quite naturally at 50s Prime Time - since there, we're all family Plus, if nothing else, you can watch the tv show clips.
At CRT a few years ago, I was seated next to and at the same time as a small family, so we did converse a bit.
As others have stated, do NOT be concerned about taking up a table!
For the record, I've eaten solo at: Olivia's, California Grill, Jiko, Les Chefs de France, Kona Cafe, Concourse Steak House, Boatwright's, 50s Prime Time, Hollywood Brown Derby (JUST for the Cobb Salad), Coral Reef, San Angel Inn, Restaurant Marrakesh, Cinderella's Royal Table before the menu/service changes,,, I think that's it for table service. Oh, you can ask at any restaurant if they have a community table. Disney Institute did and I ate there with other solo diners and couples. This assumes, of course that you WANT to dine with strangers

 

[deany]

Wow. Going solo means you can eat where you want, ride what you want, stay as long as you want...sounds better and better. Really, I think I would like to go solo one trip. Actually, I am going with DD18 and her BF19 and they keep telling me that "they aren't going to ditch me" but I hope they do sometimes. I would certainly take something to read or write on. Nothing says you have to read it if you strike up good conversations in the restaurants.

 

[2xcited2slp]

I went solo back in Feb. of this year. I ate lunch at Concourse Steakhouse at the CR--not the best experience. They sat me literally in the center of the restaurant. I asked to be moved even before the menu was placed on the table but was denied. It was not even busy.

My other solo experiences were Flying Fish for a very nice, elegent dinner. I sat at a regular four top table by the window. It was early and by the time I was finished, they got pretty crowded. I also had lunch at Whispering Canyon (again at an off time 2pm) and it was alot of fun. Again, it was not very busy and I was "harrassed" by my waitress for being alone. She was trying to get me to share with the family next to me.

I had a wonderful breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe. There were several other solo diners at that time, just relaxing and reading the newspaper. I also had a late dinner at Kona. I had to wait a bit but it was well worth it.

Keep in mind that I had no ADR'S--just walked into all of these places. It was Feb. so not really crowded. The rest of my meals were CS.

It was fun--I definitely recommend it.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I've eaten solo several times, never with an ADR. A couple of times while I was in the waiting area as I chatted with other folks they actually offered to let me sit with them so we could finish our conversation and I wouldn't have to wait! I've met some great people that way (though i did turn down the one family with the out of control kids, lol). Most times I sat by myself and just enjoyed the meal, and the waiters were very attentive and made sure that I wasn't lonely or bored. one even brought me a coloring page and crayons.

 

[BroadwayGirl]

Although some guidebooks recommend Biergarten for solo dining, I find that the shared banquet style seating can be more isolating that having your own table. Most people are there with others and are involved with their own party. To me it is more awkward to be seated with 7 complete strangers.

Because of the grill tables at Teppanyaki, it isn't as bad as Biergarten but still not a favorite.

I've had very good experiences solo at Kona Cafe (JASON ROCKS!), 50s Prime Time and Le Cellier. The seaters and servers at all 3 restaurants seemed to have a knack for making solo diners feel comfortable. Nine Dragons can be hit or miss. I went there solo once and really felt poorly treated because of it. I took out a notepad and pen to start writing a trip report and immediately the level of service was upgraded exponentially with a manager even coming over to check and make sure everything was okay. I think they thought I was doing a review of the restaurant and were backpedaling to keep from getting a bad one. I've dined there solo since then (it is always easy to get a table there) and the service has been much better.

 

[scoutsmom99]

I have eaten at a number of places solo as well. I don't read anything during my meal. I usually take the time to update my trip thoughts and my thoughts about the meal I'm eating in a mini notepad. Sometimes I will look at a park map or times guide, but that is about it. I have had good expereiences everywhere I have gone as far as seating and servers except at Jiko (really bad server there).

 

[GOOFYsince71]

Hi!, I actually work in a restaurant in Illinois and single diners are never a problem....Ever! They bring everything from Books to Paperwork !
Never even think that anyone is paying attention. It is so common, it isn't even an issue.
Relax, have fun! Before you leave your Resort,stop at the Guest Services. They have mini menus from most of the restaurants that you can bring with and plan your next meal.
Be prepared though to be "envied" ...Can you imagine all the parents with tables full of kids wishing they could trade places with you!!!!!!

 

[KCMiller]

I tell you what, I AM really looking forward to some ME time in the parks. Of course, I do wish my DH could be with me, or one of my darling sisters could make the trip (are you listening, Fitzkerry and Poohlvr ?), but there's a big part of me that is anticipating this eagerly. I've been married for 20 years, and have 3 teenagers - I can't remember the last time I've been mostly on my own for more than a day...

And the other neat thing about dining alone is yes, that I can pick the restaurants I feel like dining at - go to the parks I choose - ride any rides I like - and all this without a conference (where do you want to eat? I don't know, where do YOU want to eat?). And I love talking to strangers - I'm always the one on the long line who starts group discussions .

Now, to decide WHERE to eat. I'm thinking there's going to be a fireworks timed Cali Grill dinner, some sushi at the lounge in Japan, maybe even lunch in the castle!

KC

 

[taximomfor4]

I was at WDW with my stepmom Dec 19-24 2005 and Mar 13-18. We had a bit of time separate, which I wholeheartedly enjoyed, on one of those trips. I kept our Marrakesh ADR without her (she was running late so didn't come at all). I wish I could remember what day it was -- I know it was afternoon. I was sat at a 4-top I think. There was another solo diner as well, a cute woman with a khaki baseball cap-type hat. She seemed so perfectly comfortable alone! I tried to copy off her, but I really wanted to invite her to come sit with me! I remember thinking she HAD to be a DISer, even though there was no lime green that I could see.

Was that any of you? 'Fess up!

Anyway, for advice: bring along something to read, by all means! The worst part, for me, that made me really uncomfortable, was that I was not prepared to dine alone. I had NOTHING to do but look around, which made me FEEL more alone and out of place.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've eaten solo at several TS restaurants, and all different kinds of TS too. I've eaten at regular a la carte menu TS, buffets, character meals, family style meals, etc. The only place I didn't sit at a regular table, was at Jiko, where I ate at a bar type area, but I was offered a choice if I wanted to sit there or at an actual table.

At all times, well, almost all, I thought service was excellant. There was one notable exception at 1900 Park Fare, but I blame that on him being a grumpy old man, not on eating solo. Luckily that was towards the end of my trip, so didn't make me nervous about eating solo.

I've eated at Boma, Brown Derby, Crystal Palace, Tony's Town Square, Ohana, Akershus, Le Cellier, CRT, Jiko, Kona, Marrakesh, Mama Melrose's, 1900 Park Fare, Coral Reef, and Artist Point solo, as well as going to a Party for the Senses. But since you're going in Dec, that's really beside the point.

This year I'm trying Rainforest Cafe, Liberty Tree Tavern, California Grill, Nine Dragons, Citrico's, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Chefs de France, Blue Zoo, Teppanyaki, Garden Grill, Rose and Crown, and Flying Fish, solo, as well as returning to Boma, Brown Derby, Crystal Palace, Ohana, Le Cellier, Jiko, Kona, Mama Melrose's, and Artist Point.

So, as you can see, I have no problem eating solo. Maybe once in awhile I wish someone was with me. Like at Boma, I felt the need to take my purse with me up to the buffet, so I would of liked company there, and at Ohana, there was too much food for one person, and I don't like wasting food, and knew what I didn't eat was going to end up in the trash, but that isn't stopping me from eating at either of those places.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Since I've been to WDW solo many times, I've eaten at lots of table-serve resturants solo. But it took me about 3-4 trips to feel comfortable doing so. I'd really recommend you either bring a book to read or a notebook for writing notes on what rides you've been on, places you've been, etc. These notes are great to look back on as "souveniers". Some resturants are better for solo diners than others (that is, they have more to "see" while you're dining). I love getting a window table at lunch at Chefs de France. Just be aware that the people outside often think nothing of coming right over and looking in back at you (actually, they're just looking at the resturant, but it seems they're looking at you). Also, I love Sci-Fi-everyone's just sitting in the dark, watching the screen, sort of like eating in front of the TV! Just please, if you read a book, don't ask for a window table. We were at AP recently, watched a solo diner who hardly ever looked up from the book she was reading, yet she was seated at a window table with a gorgeous view. Meanwhile, we were there celebrating our anniversary, asked, and couldn't get a window table.