Solo dining ADR's what should I book??

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Looking at a solo trip for 4 nights in Jan 2010 and Im not too sure where to look at for ADR's. I will be eating out of pocket but I can't just live off of chicken nuggets and dole whips for 5 days (although I probably could live off of Dole Whips and be happy for life )....last April I went solo and enjoyed Rainforest Cafe and Tony's in MK for TS meals and other than that just had CS meals for the remainder.

I know that I don't think I could brave a character meal alone but I really do want some "good food"...any recommendations?

 

[Nadjalu]

Personally I would do San Angel Inn. It is a quiet yet romantic setting, and good food. A bit pricey I think though, but the atmosphere is very nice. I can see solo travelers in that environment would make you look mysterious...lol

I also would recommend Ohana. Pretty good food and all you can eat. A nice setting as well.

 

[ScubaCat]

Princess Belle on a solo trip? Where were you in my life 10 years ago?

When I need an escape from the family (at least once per trip), I usually head over to Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD. I think, dollar for dollar, it's the best deal out there. It's order at the counter and then they'll serve you from that point -- and it doesn't take too long to get your food (usually less than 10 minutes).

 

[tink771]

BOMA at AKL, great food. Kona at Poly. Earl of Sandwich at DTD.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Personally I would do San Angel Inn. It is a quiet yet romantic setting, and good food. A bit pricey I think though, but the atmosphere is very nice. I can see solo travelers in that environment would make you look mysterious...lol

I also would recommend Ohana. Pretty good food and all you can eat. A nice setting as well.

Hmmm I think i'm going to go for the "mysterious look" that always looks better than the "weird loner" LMAO plus i've never eaten there just the quick service location right out front

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

BOMA at AKL, great food. Kona at Poly. Earl of Sandwich at DTD.

Now would you say Boma for breakfast or dinner? I've heard good things about their breakfast

 

[tink771]

Now would you say Boma for breakfast or dinner? I've heard good things about their breakfast

Personally I love the diner! I feel like you can get pretty much the same breakfast anywhere really.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I know that I don't think I could brave a character meal alone but I really do want some "good food"...any recommendations?

Don't discount character meals. Like you, I wasn't brave enough to do one for 8 solo trips. Then I was staying at the Beach Club, really wanted a big breakfast, so I went to Cape May in spite of it being a character meal. Well, I loved it! I didn't have to worry about reading a book or otherwise keeping myself entertained-watching the characters interact with the kids was entertainment enough. I think the characters themselves were very in-tuned to the fact that I didn't want much interaction myself. After the first trip by, Minnie would just blow me a kiss as she came by, and Goofy would stop and kiss my hand. And is anyone staring at the person sitting by themselves? Sorry, but they could care less about me. They just wanted to know where the characters were.
Besides the character meal I went to, I recommend Coral Reef, Chefs de France (for lunch), Sci-Fi dine inn, and California Grill.

 

[simonmunro]

I have heard great things about jiko at the "bar" by an open kitchen where the chef kinda chit chat while cooking sometimes and you get to watch. Maybe Cali Grill also has that? I may be wrong. Teppan Edo & Biergarten you sit together with various groups? I coulld be wrong about which places I've read what about.

 

[cigar95]

When in January are you going? I also have a solo trip scheduled that month, so perhaps you could even have a companion for a meal or two.

I've eaten just about everywhere as a single over the years, including CRT. If you're eating solo, I've never found it to be a problem. (The character meals are pretty relaxed, the characters tend to take their cue from you when you're dining alone.)

 

[Goofy-Runner]

I've been solo before when I went down for the marathon a couple of years back (doing it again this year with my nephew to be). I liked the Flying Fish for the counter watching the kitchen, one of the best restaurants on site in my opinion too. I also enjoyed the Rose & Crown, outside with a view. Food isn't the best but great beer. Shula's and the other nicer restaurants at the Dolphin and Swan are also good as a solo traveler since they cater more to the business trade so there are usually a few other solo diners hanging around. I enjoy the experience since with the kids I will usually not try the nicer restaurants but will splurge on myself.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Don't discount character meals. Like you, I wasn't brave enough to do one for 8 solo trips. Then I was staying at the Beach Club, really wanted a big breakfast, so I went to Cape May in spite of it being a character meal. Well, I loved it! I didn't have to worry about reading a book or otherwise keeping myself entertained-watching the characters interact with the kids was entertainment enough. I think the characters themselves were very in-tuned to the fact that I didn't want much interaction myself. After the first trip by, Minnie would just blow me a kiss as she came by, and Goofy would stop and kiss my hand. And is anyone staring at the person sitting by themselves? Sorry, but they could care less about me. They just wanted to know where the characters were.
Besides the character meal I went to, I recommend Coral Reef, Chefs de France (for lunch), Sci-Fi dine inn, and California Grill.

You know when I really think of it you are right im sure that other families will be so preoccupied with characters they would never really notice...what do you think would be the "quietest" character meal ... i'd be looking for breakfast and im a rope drop kinda gal so it would be early...1900 PF, Cape May, Akershus etc?

When in January are you going? I also have a solo trip scheduled that month, so perhaps you could even have a companion for a meal or two.

I've eaten just about everywhere as a single over the years, including CRT. If you're eating solo, I've never found it to be a problem. (The character meals are pretty relaxed, the characters tend to take their cue from you when you're dining alone.)

Oooh i'd love to CRT (havent done that one yet...I think I may wait till the honeymoon though) I havent nailed down a date but im looking at Jan 11-15(my birthday is the 14th so i'd like to be there for that despite the end of the free birthday promo) if not it would be Jan 4-8

 

[wisnieea]

How about Teppan Edo for a change of pace?

That way you have some company for one of your meals. Its especially fun too see kids first reactions to the whole thing.

 

[ScubaCat]

Teppan Edo is a GREAT idea!!! I never thought of that. Next time I'm on my own, that's where I'm going!

 

[cbg1027]

I haven't actually dined anywhere at Disney solo, but this was a great question to ask b/c I may be going solo in March.

There is a counter in front of the sushi chef's station at Cali Grill. I bet that would be an awesome place to dine solo. I hear they they sometimes slip samples to people at the counter...

 

[disneygirlinnj]

If you want any signature restaurants, Jiko and Citricos are on my list for when I'm solo in January. I'm also going to try Sanaa, and maybe Kouzzina.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Thanks everyone for your great ideas!! I'll have to make a decision soon since I just realized that if I do go on the 4th of January I just missed my 90 day mark...it will have to be whatever I can get...thanks for all the advice!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

We ate at the Beirgarten this summer and had a solo diner with us. I think it was the perfect place to go as a "solo" because you are pretty much eating with strangers anyway....

 

[Simba's Mom]

We ate at the Beirgarten this summer and had a solo diner with us. I think it was the perfect place to go as a "solo" because you are pretty much eating with strangers anyway....

Well....I'll give you the other side of dining at communal tables when you're solo. I ate at Teppan Edo and got seated next to a teenaged girl who made it obvious that being seated next to a middle-aged stranger was her worst nightmare. My attempts to be friendly and talk about Disney World were met by monosyllabic grunts. Fortunately, I was a high school teacher for many years (she must have sensed that!) so I knew better than to take it personally.Unfortunately, I was at the end of the table and it was too loud in there to talk to anyone but my next seat mate, so it was either her or no one. It was the longest meal for both of us, and I don't know who was more happy to see it end.

 

[ajpa]

Thanks everyone for your great ideas!! I'll have to make a decision soon since I just realized that if I do go on the 4th of January I just missed my 90 day mark...it will have to be whatever I can get...thanks for all the advice!!

Keep trying even when you're already there for places you really want, specially those with a counter/bar.
A single diner has a much better chance of getting a seat.