Solo Dining Dilemma

[Cafeen]

So, here's the basics:

Solo trip Feb 4-11 on deluxe plan. Have all ADRs made (and then some, but this is where the dilemma is), and wondering thoughts about solo dining at both Biergarten and Teppan Edo.

With the communal seating and me not being the most outgoing of people (I'm fine if others talk to me, I'm bad about initiating conversation though) that neither of these places may be too good of an idea. I do have Rose and Crown (L) and Tokyo Dining (D) booked for the same times on those days right now, and will be canceling the ones I decide against.

For reference (since I know people will make other suggestions ), here's the rest of my plans for the week:
4-Feb (Arrival): San Angel Inn @ 6:30pm
5-Feb (the day in question): Biergarten/Rose & Crown @ 12:00pm, Teppan Edo @ 7:00pm / Tokyo Dining @ 6:30pm (I think, I have an old version of my spreadsheet here at home.)
6-Feb: Sci-Fi @ 12:00pm, Artist's Point @ 5:30pm
7-Feb: Le Cellier @ 12:30pm, Tony's @ 6:55pm
8-Feb: Boma @ 4:45pm
9-Feb (Birthday): 50s PT @ 12:00pm, Yachtsman @ 7:00pm
10-Feb: Yak & Yeti @ 12:00pmish (Again, older spreadsheet)
11-Feb (Departure): The Plaza @ 11:45am

 

[chocovrdmicears]

hmmm...that's a tough one. I think the food and atmposphere at both Biergarten and Teppan Edo make for wonderful dining experiences. I can understand that you might feel a little uncomfortable with the seating arrangements...but that makes me really sad! Are you sure you don't want to switch your trip to Dec. because we would LOVE to have you sit with our chatty family!

 

[MariDisney]

We were seated with a solo diner at Biergarten last month along with another family. I don't know who made the first "move" but it turned out the solo diner was a DIS member and we hit it off quickly. We ended up sitting and chatting long after we had actually finished eating. Of course it all has to do with your comfort level, but I wouldn't skip them if they are places you think you would like otherwise.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'll give you the negative side of communal dining as a solo. I've been comfortable dining alone in over 10 solo trips, but after one experience with communal dining, I'm afraid I won't chance it again. I went toTeppan Edo, where I was seated next to a teenaged girl who obviously had just gotten her worst nightmare-being seated next to a middle-aged lady, NOT a goodlooking boy! My attempts at being friendly and asking questions about her trip were met with monosyllabic grunts. I was a high school teacher for many years, so I knew those grunts were common so I didn't take it personally. However, the time dragged and I don't know which one of us was more happy when the meal ended.

 

[engle]

Personally, I would not do the communal thing. Especially if you are not a chatter....and it sounds like you aren't if you don't initiate conversation!! I am like you, I will talk to people if they start the convo up....and if it were me, I would do Rose and Crown and Tokyo Dining....

 

[christinec68]

So, here's the basics:

Solo trip Feb 4-11 on deluxe plan. Have all ADRs made (and then some, but this is where the dilemma is), and wondering thoughts about solo dining at both Biergarten and Teppan Edo.

With the communal seating and me not being the most outgoing of people (I'm fine if others talk to me, I'm bad about initiating conversation though) that neither of these places may be too good of an idea. I do have Rose and Crown (L) and Tokyo Dining (D) booked for the same times on those days right now, and will be canceling the ones I decide against.

For reference (since I know people will make other suggestions ), here's the rest of my plans for the week:
4-Feb (Arrival): San Angel Inn @ 6:30pm
5-Feb (the day in question): Biergarten/Rose & Crown @ 12:00pm, Teppan Edo @ 7:00pm / Tokyo Dining @ 6:30pm (I think, I have an old version of my spreadsheet here at home.)
6-Feb: Sci-Fi @ 12:00pm, Artist's Point @ 5:30pm
7-Feb: Le Cellier @ 12:30pm, Tony's @ 6:55pm
8-Feb: Boma @ 4:45pm
9-Feb (Birthday): 50s PT @ 12:00pm, Yachtsman @ 7:00pm
10-Feb: Yak & Yeti @ 12:00pmish (Again, older spreadsheet)
11-Feb (Departure): The Plaza @ 11:45am

Based on what you said here, I think you might be ok at both places.

If you are unsure, I would probably be more inclined to keep the biergarden adr - since it's a buffet you can eat and leave quickly if you are uncomfortable.

 

[aubriee]

I go to WDW several times a year solo and have never had a problem eating at most restaurants down there. The one exception was Biergarten. I posted here about it, when I got back. Several years ago I was seated at a table with three men. I wasn't pleased, but assumed a family would probably be seated in the remaining chairs. I went to get my food and when I returned found four more men seated at the table. So I was the only female sitting in the middle with seven men. I don't know who was more uncomfortable me or them. I am not that outgoing and felt very uncomfortable. I quickly ate the one plate of food I had gotten and got the heck out of there. I didn't even bother to get dessert. Now I refuse to do either Biergarten or Tempan Edo solo. I do love Tokyo dining though and in fact I ate there solo just this past Sept.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would go for it, you are never going to see these folks again so no worries if they do or do not speak to you...or go during a weird time like 4:40, it is usually quieter and you may get seated alone or spaced out between guests

 

[jamstew]

I'm also a solo diner who isn't at all talkative among strangers. Consequently, I don't do communal dining as I know it would make me uncomfortable. There are too many other great places to eat for me to stress over it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I go to WDW several times a year solo and have never had a problem eating at most restaurants down there. The one exception was Biergarten. I posted here about it, when I got back. Several years ago I was seated at a table with three men. I wasn't pleased, but assumed a family would probably be seated in the remaining chairs. I went to get my food and when I returned found four more men seated at the table. So I was the only female sitting in the middle with seven men. I don't know who was more uncomfortable me or them. I am not that outgoing and felt very uncomfortable. I quickly ate the one plate of food I had gotten and got the heck out of there. I didn't even bother to get dessert. Now I refuse to do either Biergarten or Tempan Edo solo. I do love Tokyo dining though and in fact I ate there solo just this past Sept.

Somehow that would make me very uncomfortable to. And when I was a kid, my parents taught at an all-boys school and always dragged me along on events, so I was used to being way outnumbered. Then I went to a college with 2000 males and 24 females. I guess adulthood has made me more conservative or something. There are lots of other places to eat-and except for communal dining, there's no place else I'd advise against solo.

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm going solo, and I decided against anything dealing with communal dining. I just think I would be too uncomfortable.

 

[daisax]

I ate solo at Biergarten a couple of weeks ago - it was fine, except I was the first person at the table. The waitress took my drink order, then told me to head up to the buffet. I did, and when I got back to the table, it was completely full. So I was standing there and had to ask another server what I was supposed to do. They shuffled some people and said "oh, we thought you had left." Well, you took my drink order and told me to go get my food, so why would you think I left?

After that it was fine. The other people all knew each other except for one honeymooning couple. Fortunately there was one child at the table and he loosened things up and mostly we all just watched the kids dancing.

 

[Bete]

and I can mix in pretty good, but I can understand your feelings.

I would still go for it, but I would give yourself a few defenses like bringing a book or video camera. If you don't chime in you'll have something else to do. I loved filming the chef at Teppan Edo and I talked some at the table, as well. For Biergarten I would time it with one of the shows.

If you feel uncomfortable with your table ask to wait for another table. If you are first then insist on someone going before you. Usually, those restaurants try to bring you in together as a group, if possible. I think you can stage the set up to a degeee.

 

[Cafeen]

After a lot of thought, and a lot of soaking in what people have been saying, I think I'm going to go with my "Plan B" of R&C and Tokyo Dining.

Biergarten and Teppan Edo will be done next time I go with others, so I'll at least know a couple people at the table. I do appreciate all the comments for sure.