Solo Dining?

[Aunt Michelle]

Do you show up solo or have you made ADR's? For example, for Jiko's? Cape May? Hollywood and Vine?

Bobbi

If there is somewhere I really want to eat I make ADRs in advance. Most of the time I make them on-site. I am really flexible when I go solo so I just get up that day and say "what do I feel like today?" Not the norm I know.

 

[Lenc324]

I made my reservations in advance.

 

[dahirsh]

I book most of my reservations in advance, but have walked up and been seated on occasion and have also been turned away at least once

 

[Dawn414]

OK, I'm a little late to this party, but thought I'd chime in. I am going solo for the first time ever...We've been 4 times in the past year with the kids and one other time where it was just me and DH. We have season passes this year and I wanted just ONE MORE TRIP! So I am going alone. As for the dining...I often eat out alone (whether due to work or because I just need a break from the kids). I found you can do several things (most of which have been mentioned already). I usually have a paperback book with me...I've also had my iPod where I can 'people watch' while I'm eating. I don't have the dining plan, but have been there enough to know it's nice to sit and have a meal versus the rush rush of counter service. As for character meals, I am doing Garden Grill in Epcot when I go in a couple weeks. Not so much because of the characters, but because I think the food is really good there. And I was shocked because even though the trip is less than two weeks away (I just booked it yesterday), I got all the ADRs I wanted.

If you're nervous about having a meal on your own, I'd suggest trying it where you live first...like at your local Friday's or Chili's or something. You'll find the only one that might care about you being alone is you...

A funny story around that though...I went into Chili's once for lunch (during work) and the lady asked me how many. I said, "1"...She said, "Oh, I'm sorry". I looked at her and said, "Why? I'm not. I'm going to have a nice meal by myself and relax." I think I made her feel bad, but I thought it was important for her to know that eating alone isn't a curse!

Good luck to you!
Dawn McG

 

[englishrose47]

Just returned from my first solo trip! I had no problems at all I did make ADRs ahead! At Chef de France not only was the service excellent the couple at the next table were very friendly and we chatted away all the time. At Biergarten I thoroughly enjoyed sitting with others and is a great place for solo diners At CP they ladies at the next table were really helpful taking pix for me and I didn't feel the need to read a book at all I just enjoyed people watching !

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I always make ADRs - I just love to plan. And I've never felt ill at ease while dining solo anywhere, especially at WDW.

The only time I DID feel weird about being a solo was when I was waiting on line to meet Woody and got a bad taste in my mouth from his handler's reaction to the fact that I was a solo in WDW (this was in 2005). Without sounding mean and without meaning to offend anyone, this ignorant handler just couldn't grasp the idea of an adult loving WDW enough to want to go alone AND to be photographed with characters shouldn't throw stones. As a little person (I think this is a P.C. term), he should have more understanding for different types of people. hmmm - after 2+ years, I'm still irked by this!