Solo ADRs

[kgoodb00]

I am planning my first solo trip and deciding on what TS restaurants to dine at. What places have you dined and felt comfortable in doing so? I have thought about doing 'Ohana, Narccoossee's, or California Grill. I have one already for Le Cellier and for Kona Cafe. Have any you fellow solo travelers been to any of these? Do you have any tips or advice? Thanks!

 

[karly05]

I'm kind of repeating myself from your earlier thread, but - On my recent solo trip, I had ADRs at Via Napoli, Flying Fish & Les Chefs de France, and had great experiences at all. CMs/Servers were all pleasant and took good care of me (the stories about the cute Italian waiters at VN are true), and Remy stopped at my table at Les Chefs and let me take a photo of him. In all 3 cases, I was seated at a 2-top by a window (Les Chefs was especially nice, since it was lunch time and I could "people-watch" on the promenade).

One other thing, I ate breakfast 3 out of 4 days at the Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club (I was staying at the BC) and really enjoyed the breakfast buffet there (no characters, just food). Solo diners were common there in the mornings, since there was apparently a convention going on.

The one restaurant you mentioned that I might hesitate solo-dining at is 'Ohana, because isn't that served family-style? Not sure how that would work for a solo, but I'm sure someone here has done it and can report. I would think the others you mentioned would be pretty similar situations to the ones I did.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I have eaten at many disney restaurants including
Boma (breakfast)
Kona cafe
The Wave
Victoria and Alberts
Sci fi cafe
California Grill
Jiko
Narcoossees
Citrios
Tony's Town hall (the only one I ever had trouble with that was 6 years ago the waiter brought 2 pink lemonades and ignored me for a table with more people on it)
Victoria and Alberts

I have (with the exception of Tony's) never been any less welcome for being solo than the only time I went with family members.

 

[siskaren]

The one restaurant you mentioned that I might hesitate solo-dining at is 'Ohana, because isn't that served family-style? Not sure how that would work for a solo, but I'm sure someone here has done it and can report.

I've done 'Ohana solo and they just brought out a platter of food with an appropriate amount for one person (although of course you can always ask for more.)

 

[HugsForEeyore]

On my solo trip last week, I never once ate at a table service restaurant. I have on prior trips, but this time, I just didn't want to deal with the whole experience. I found eating alone is just too awkward, and I get so tired of feeling "invisible" or a second-class citizen, or having the wait staff not know what to do with you.

For example, I will always remember when I ate alone at Rose and Crown, and while everyone else was being placed on the patio or near the patio, I was placed inside at a 2-seat table next to the swinging doors to the kitchen, all alone in a room. And I mean completely alone in the room, as I was the only diner in there. It was so awkward, for me and the staff. Never again. I had enough of these kind of experiences, so I won't bother anymore with table service.

I had a very nice time eating only at food courts, I actually prefer them to an extent since the food is simpler (I can't eat spicy food, or onions and peppers, which makes eating out very tricky!).

Good luck to you solo's who do table service - hope it goes well!

 

[ClareH37]

I'm still a newbie re. solo trips (my 3rd will be this year) but I love the table service restaurants at Disney so was not going to miss out being a solo.

I had great service at all restaurants and great tables too.

At San Angel Inn I was give a 2-table right by the waters edge facing the river, so my back was facing the restaurant. I felt really comfortable here as I could just face the 'view' and not the restaurant, I was a little apprehensive beforehand as I knew the restaurant is obviously dark and no view to talk of apart from the river.

My favourites for service/comfort so far have been:

Flying Fish - love sitting at the bar or the kitchen, plus free wifi works here too so I was able to access facebook and internet on my phone without incurring costs

Kouzzina - great breakfast, haven't made it for dinner yet (also free wifi)

California Grill - sat at the open kitchen, great interaction from the chefs

Rose & Crown - lovely 2-table overlooking the lake

Captains Grille - lunch, it was full of conventioners so I wasn't the only solo lol

Can't wait for my upcoming trip, going to try some new places

 

[bababear_50]

Headed down to WDW in a few weeks for Spring break Solo.
I have booked
GF afternoon tea
Boma Breakfast
Chefs De France Lunch
Wishes Dessert Party

In the past I've dined solo at
Crystal Palace-great fun and never felt awkward or out of place
The Plaza Restaurant-sat beside the kitchen doors and felt uncomfortable.
Wishes Dessert Party-excellent seating and had a great time


I've made up some solo dining cards that I use when dining solo
link to my photobucket
http://s940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/bababearbucket/Coupons/

did this after having my food thrown out when I made a quick trip to the ladies room.

Have fun planning
Hugs Mel

 

[claire_ont]

<snip>
I've made up some solo dining cards that I use when dining solo
link to my photobucket
http://s940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/bababearbucket/Coupons/

did this after having my food thrown out when I made a quick trip to the ladies room.

Have fun planning
Hugs Mel

Love the cards! Do you mind if I borrow them?

I have never had an issue travelling alone and eating in restaurants, but I do it every week when I travel for business. I have gotten use to eating in restaurants alone. I enjoy people watching when I am alone, and chatting with the staff. I haven't tried it at Disney yet, but the staff there tend to be so friendly and there are so many people, and children to watch, I suspect it would be very enjoyable. O'hana with it's children's activities would be like a free dinner show. I am planning a solo trip next spring, and can not think of some place I would not be willing to eat alone.

Claire

 

[kgoodb00]

Thanks everyone for the great dining advice! I am so excited to go and try out new things! When I have gone to WDW in the past, none of my friends that I was with really wanted to try any dining experiences so I am making myself try some this trip! I'd really like to try a signature restaurant out just to see what its like but I just can't make up my mind!

 

[bababear_50]

Love the cards! Do you mind if I borrow them?

I have never had an issue travelling alone and eating in restaurants, but I do it every week when I travel for business. I have gotten use to eating in restaurants alone. I enjoy people watching when I am alone, and chatting with the staff. I haven't tried it at Disney yet, but the staff there tend to be so friendly and there are so many people, and children to watch, I suspect it would be very enjoyable. O'hana with it's children's activities would be like a free dinner show. I am planning a solo trip next spring, and can not think of some place I would not be willing to eat alone.

Claire

Hi Claire
Feel free to use the cards,I agree the CMs I've met while traveling solo have been great.


Hugs Mel

 

[tekoa]

In October I ate at the Sci Fi Diner. I sat in the back or third seat with a family in the first 2 seats. Very nice, did not feel uncomfortable as no one knew I was dining alone. It is dark in there and you are facing the movie screen so something to keep you occupied while you dine. I enjoyed it there. The food was pretty good too. I will try to go there again in May. I did not have an adr in October, I walked in and got a table within 15 minutes. The waitress was very nice and treated me very well.