Solo Dining at WDW

[DisNorth]

I'm contemplating my first solo trip to the world and wondering from the experts (you all), where is your favourite place to dine solo? (and why?)
TIA

 

[Simba's Mom]

Two places come to mind-Chefs de France and Sci Fi Dine Inn. At Chefs de France, during the daylight, I've always asked for and gotten a window table, so I could people-watch throughout the meal. Sci Fi Dine Inn is cmfortable-just like eating in front of the TV!

 

[Amysita]

May fave for solo dining is 50's Primetime Cafe...also, if you like characters, don't hesitate to do a character meal, it's a blast to do...not awkward at all. I think the only type of place I might feel 'out-of-place' would be more romantic restaurants. Not speaking from experience here...since I've never tried any of the more up-scale 'couply date night' places...I just don't think I'd be comfortable. No matter where you eat...savor it, I find even some of the counter service meals exceed my expectations...relax...and have fun!

 

[Simba's Mom]

May fave for solo dining is 50's Primetime Cafe...also, if you like characters, don't hesitate to do a character meal, it's a blast to do...not awkward at all. I think the only type of place I might feel 'out-of-place' would be more romantic restaurants. Not speaking from experience here...since I've never tried any of the more up-scale 'couply date night' places...I just don't think I'd be comfortable. No matter where you eat...savor it, I find even some of the counter service meals exceed my expectations...relax...and have fun!

I especially agree on character meals. I was really reluctant to do them solo, but once I did, I found that I was having so much fun watching the interaction between the characters and the kids (and interacting with the characters myself) that I didn't think about being solo. Cape May is usually a good spot for a solo to do a character meal. With the nearness of the convention facilities, there's always been a few other solo travelers when I've dined there. And Prime Time Cafe was fun-where else could you sing the theme song to "Car 54, Where Are You?" along with a total stranger?!

 

[karly05]

I will second lunch at Les Chefs - I was seated by the windows overlooking the WS promenade, and really enjoyed the Prix Fixe lunch (even got to meet Remy!).

I also had great meals solo at Via Napoli and Flying Fish. CMs were great everywhere. This was my first solo trip, and I would not hesitate to dine solo again (looking forward to Artist Point and Raglan Road for my next trip).

 

[DisNorth]

Thanks for the ideas!
I think I would be too shy for the character meals but I like the idea of Les Chefs and the possibility of seeing Remy.

 

[imsoscared]

i guess some people think it would be weird goin to a character meal solo and i thought that way the 1st time i did it a few years ago but i really still enjoyed it. seemed i got more face time with the characters on my own then with anyone else.

if the places your dining at have bar's to eat at you can usually get decent conversations from the bartenders/chefs. i always sit at the counter at jiko's and strike up a conversation with the chefs there about all kinds of stuff.

 

[kwdw]

Character meals are good solo. I recommend going at the very start of time or the end of the time. I did "late breakfast" at Chef Mickey's - and it was great. The family next to me took photos for me, and I took photos for them. And because it was winding down, my waitress chatted with me a few minutes and since she had been working at Disney just shy of 40 years (really!) - she told me what her first job at Disney was like compared to now. Characters were great with me - probably the best interaction I've had with them.

50's Prime Time was good solo. The waiter made fun of me (in a good way) and integrated conversation with me and the neighboring table.

I also really liked Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast one day as a solo. I was there early - so the restaurant was not full at all. The waitress had time to really give me suggestions off the menu and made sure I was fine during the meal. As we had shared a conversation about coffee -- she made sure my cup was never empty. It was really quiet, and because it was not full when I was there, it was just a "nice" way to start the morning. If you fear feeling alone - bring a book or the newspaper.

The only meal I didn't love being solo at was Citirico's - it was prime dinner time and I'd been there a couple of days solo - and I ended up missing my boyfriend since there were lots of couples there. The meal was awesome, waiter was great, I was just a tad lonely at that point.

 

[robert72]

I am going solo this year for the 3rd time I have never had a problem being solo at any of the resturants

 

[NJDiva]

there is not one restaurant that I wouldn't dine at. normally I am so busy lookihng through my pictures or my tablet that I don't realize what else is going on around me. I love going to Primetime and LeCellier....they are so friendly to you as a solo diner and they seem to pay extra attention to you if you are solo.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I haven't done it yet so I can't really say, but I will be in the World solo for the first time in September, and I am realllllly looking forward to dining at The Plaza and Kona Cafe (twice) solo! The others of the week I will be with a friend who is down the same time as me. But I cannot wait to do a solo trip. Kona is more of an open-air restaurant so it just seems like it would be less uncomfortable alone. Not that I care what others think at all and neither should you! Have a great time!!

I have a funny feeling this is going to be the first of MANY solo trips. Just reading others experiences it seems like solo is the way to go and it is just so relaxing doing what you want, when you want in WDW.

 

[Jennafoo]

This will be my first trip ever - a solo trip in September. So glad to hear about Le Chefs de France being good for solos; it was one of my "must eats". I was going to try Sci Fi Dine In theatre, but I heard that you'd have to share a car or sit in the bar area, which didn't sit right with me.

 

[dahirsh]

there is not one restaurant that I wouldn't dine at. normally I am so busy lookihng through my pictures or my tablet that I don't realize what else is going on around me. I love going to Primetime and LeCellier....they are so friendly to you as a solo diner and they seem to pay extra attention to you if you are solo.

I'm glad you mentioned Primetime. I haven't there been solo yet, but I'm thinking about it for my next trip

 

[DisNorth]

Lots of great ideas, thanks! Helps alleviate some of my hesitation.

 

[disneydiva1313]

I go solo every year...my favorite dining experiences have been The Plaza and Crystal Palace...both in Magic Kingdom.

 

[mickey1968]

I went last December and really enjoyed my free dining. I ate at the Flying Fish and requested to sit at the chefs table and it was amazing!! I enjoyed their signature red snapper and watching the chefs. My waitress was super nice too. Sci-Fi is one of my favorite places at the Studios. The cars you eat in actually make it nicer for a solo diner. There are three bench-style seats to seat two people each and all of them face the screen. So it is easy to be tucked in behind other people and never worry about carrying on a conversation. now if some little kid kept turning around through the whole meal I might not be too happy. lol

Enjoy your trip! I am planning another trip myself for Halloween week!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Enjoy your trip! I am planning another trip myself for Halloween week!

What a coincidence! I'll also be there solo Halloween week. On the day of Halloween, I'm doing "Lunch with an Animal Keeper" at Sanaa. Really looking forward to that!

 

[POOHsie]

I did my ADRs just a little less than 180 days out. Tried to book 'Ohana for dinner for one. No dice. I thought maybe it was just popular beyond words, but it turned out there wasn't seating for 1 or 2. Three people and up, there were all sorts of times available. This is very disappointing. Is it possibly this way for solos at other family-style meals, like dinner at LTT?

 

[Cafeen]

In 3 solo trips (well, half solo, but still) I've never taken anything other than what I'd like to experience into account when planning my meals. I've done character meals, signatures, family-type (not family style, but your typical casual type meals), and the more upscale meals all solo. I've eaten at bars, tables, and inside a car . I even did a multiple person special dining event thingy!

Now, communal dining doesn't interest me, so I stay away from Teppan Edo and Beirgarten, but that's just me.

What a coincidence! I'll also be there solo Halloween week. On the day of Halloween, I'm doing "Lunch with an Animal Keeper" at Sanaa. Really looking forward to that!

I tried to fit it into my schedule this year (I'll be there ~a month before you this time), but it didn't fit . Really enjoyed it last year. Would have enjoyed it even more if I was feeling better too (Mom had given me a cold before she left... put a damper on a few days in the middle of my solo time).

 

[aVASTGrl]

What a coincidence! I'll also be there solo Halloween week. On the day of Halloween, I'm doing "Lunch with an Animal Keeper" at Sanaa. Really looking forward to that!

Wow, looks like there will be a lot of us there Halloween week!

I'm really enjoying these recommendations, I'm really looking forward to trying some new places on my solo trip!