Solo Dining?

[toocherie]

Well, I haven't quite gotten up the courage yet to do a solo trip to WDW but am seriously thinking about it. My question--with so many wonderful dining opportunities in WDW resort, how do solos do it? Especially signature restaurants and character dining? Do you feel self-conscious? Or is there usually enough activity to keep you occupied that you don't mind? Do the CMs treat you differently? This is one thing I am concerned about--that I won't get the full benefit of the resort experience (even with the DDP) and will end up doing CS or "lesser" eating choices as a result.

 

[wdw1972]

I haven't done any character meals solo - mainly because I don't want to do them at all! I did them all when my son was growing up, and now I pick places that won't have an an overabundance of kids everywhere (as much as possible).

I've been dining solo at WDW for years - probably over 10 years now. I take solo trips, and also take some trips where I'm with other people or sometimes on a solo trip I'll meet up with a local friend for a meal. I don't hesitate to book table service meals for myself, though. At first I thought it would be awkward, but it's not. I just started doing it at home, and it's perfectly fine.

If you want, bring a small paperback book to occupy yourself while waiting for the food to arrive. Remember that nobody else in the restaurant cares that you're there solo - and if they did, it's THEIR problem, not yours.

Give it a try - no reason to miss out on anything just because you're solo!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Surprisingly, character dining can be a great option for a solo diner, if you enjoy watching the characters interact with the kids. It took me about 8 solo trips to get up the nerve to do a character breakfast (I recommend Cape May). I should have realized the first thing I was afraid of wouldn't be true-no one's looking at you, all they care about is where's Minnie (or whichever character) and when's he/she going to show up? Also, the time really went by fast for me, since I really love to watch the characters with the little ones. And if I wanted to get a picture with a character, I learned that a whisper in the character's ear gets action-"Boy, I'd really like to get a picture with you-who can take our picture?" The character always enlisted someone-sometimes the server or the "handler", but sometimes just the person sitting at the next table. And no one ever says "No" to a character!
As far as other dining, I bring a sudoku puzzle and/or a little notebook for keeping a journal of what's going on-what/where I'm eating/my server's name, attractions I've seen, will see, etc.

 

[StageTek]

TS dining was the only aspect of my solo trip I didn't like. But
it certainly wasn't due to the CM's who were all terrific. I just
felt uncomfortable but I can't tell you why so it must be just a
personal thing.

Character breakfast at Crystal Palace was fine - the characters
all stopped by and sat with me for a while.

Lunch at 50's Prime Time was fun. The waitress was sarcastic and
funny and kept harping on me for putting my elbows on the table -
which I kept doing.

Even Hoop Dee Doo solo was fun. Way too much food, but the women
in the cast flirted with me often and the servers made me feel
very welcome.

I won't do the DDP again - I ended up not using a few of my TS
meals because I was uncomfortable. But I sure got the full benefit
of the resort experience. Everything else was amazing.

 

[LittleFlounder]

During my trip in November I had 3 table service meals and I had no problems, although none were character meals. I ate at the Coral Reef Cafe, 50s Prime Time and the Kona Cafe. I took along a little notebook, which I was keeping a journal in that whole week. I never felt weird about being alone while eating, no one questioned me being alone, and none of the CMs made a big deal of it, except maybe at Kona. I got *exceptional* service from my server! I'm not sure if it was because I was solo or because I was one of 2 "parties" in the whole restaurant (it was 7:30 am), but I've never had such great service in any restaurant I've ever been to anywhere!

 

[FoggyToad]

Thank you for posting! I will be going solo to DW for the first time in early February. I have always gone with family or friends on past trips and this was a little scary but I wanted to try it on my own this time. I also have wondered a lot about TS and about how uncomfortable or comfortable I might feel dining alone. I hope you will get a lot more responses from those who have done this. What a great idea to journal while waiting for your meal~~if I work up my nerve to try some TS meals, I will definitely write in my journal.

 

[fakereadhed]

Here's where I ate by myself on my last trip: Narcoosee's, Sci-Fi, Chefs De France, Garden View Tea Room, Spoodles. I brought my journal for something to do while waiting, but ended up writing in it at night back in my room. I didn't have time because I was busy eating!

The nice thing about being a party of one is that you don't have to wait for everyone's orders to be finished before you are served. Most of my TS meals took about 30 minutes, not because they rushed me, but because the food was ready. This is also nice when you want to get back to the parks. Kind of like a CS length break, but much more relaxing.

The only place I was a little uncomfortable was in the Sci Fi because I was in the front and I could hear the girls behind me whispering about why I was by myself. Now, if we were seated at the same table where we could see each other I could have talked to them. But it was a little weird to have to turn around in my car. Plus you are in almost total darkness! I would go there again, but I would request the back of the car for sure.

 

[Dedejf]

Here's where I ate by myself on my last trip: Narcoosee's, Sci-Fi, Chefs De France, Garden View Tea Room, Spoodles. I brought my journal for something to do while waiting, but ended up writing in it at night back in my room. I didn't have time because I was busy eating!

The nice thing about being a party of one is that you don't have to wait for everyone's orders to be finished before you are served. Most of my TS meals took about 30 minutes, not because they rushed me, but because the food was ready. This is also nice when you want to get back to the parks. Kind of like a CS length break, but much more relaxing.

The only place I was a little uncomfortable was in the Sci Fi because I was in the front and I could hear the girls behind me whispering about why I was by myself. Now, if we were seated at the same table where we could see each other I could have talked to them. But it was a little weird to have to turn around in my car. Plus you are in almost total darkness! I would go there again, but I would request the back of the car for sure.

Do you mean you were both seated in the same car? You in front and them in back or two separate cars? Sci Fi was one place I was thinking of but need to rethink that if you're in the same car with another party that is dining.

 

[Withacy]

Do you mean you were both seated in the same car? You in front and them in back or two separate cars? Sci Fi was one place I was thinking of but need to rethink that if you're in the same car with another party that is dining.

I've been there many times, and since there are (if I remember correctly) 3 seats for 2 people in each car, they often seat multiple parties in the same car. A party of 4 and a party of 2, for instance. It seems very unlikely that they'd put one person in a car alone. Actually, I think I'd feel more awkward if they did! But I agree, I'd rather be in the back if I was by myself. I haven't tried it alone yet...but it's only a matter of time.

 

[Rivercat]

I took along a little notebook, which I was keeping a journal in that whole week.

This is what I usually do when traveling by myself anywhere. Sitting down for a meal is a great time to reflect on the trip and jot down some thoughts, as well as check over the guidebook to make sure I didn't forget anything.

WDW also has a number of great eateries with counter seating, which is perfect for solo diners... a little harder to people watch but the open kitchen can be a little show in itself.

Kate

 

[Donald is #1]

I've eaten solo at many of the TS restaurants during my October
06 and May '07 trips. I normally had my notebook with me and besides eating and people watching, I would also update my notes during my meals. If I remember right I ate at: WCC (twice), Biergarten (twice), Le Cellier, Rose & Crown, Mama Melrose, Plaza Restaurant, Spoodles, Boma, and Jiko.

I didn't have any problems or feel out of place at any of them. I haven't tried a character meal solo yet but to be honest I have only done 2 character meals total before.

 

[aprile]

If you are a little uncomfortable about eating alone, Jiko is perfect because they have seats at the cooking place where you can eat and watch the appetizer cooks doing their thing. I stayed at AKL in December and went to Jiko my first night with a reservation and they asked if I'd like to sit there instead of a table. So my last night I went there without a reservation and had no problem getting a seat at the cooking place.

Narcoosees is also a great place to go alone because the view of the castle is so nice. Plus the food is unbelievable.

Prime Time Cafe has a bar (the Tune-In Lounge) that you can sit at and get the same food. That worked well one hot day last August, the door was closed to keep the cool air in so it wasn't packed with people because it didn't look open. The bartenders were very nice.

The Garden View tea is also a nice thing to do solo.

 

[fakereadhed]

The Garden View tea is also a nice thing to do solo.

I agree! The setting is beautiful and the CMs are wonderful. I had been to several local tearooms and new the drill, but don't feel intimidated if you've never done a more traditional tea- they walk you through everything.

 

[snowbell]

I have not done a solo trip yet, but am hoping two next year....
I think a great place to be solo and have great interaction is Teppan Edo (Japanase Hibachi in Epcot). There is so much going on that you would not have the time to feel uncomfortable... + you have others at your table that you can strike up a conversation (unless they are lame of course)

 

[Simba's Mom]

+ you have others at your table that you can strike up a conversation (unless they are lame of course)

That's what happened to me when I was there solo(although I'm sure I was the one considered "lame"). A teenaged girl who was allergic to middle-aged math teachers had to sit next to me. My efforts to engage her in conversation were met with monosylabic grunts. Unfortunately, the resturant was too loud for me to talk with anyone else (I was on an end). It was a very uncomfortable experience-I'm sure she was so relieved to rush out when the meal was over,and I admit I was glad to see it end. I'm not anxious to return there solo.

 

[smiller]

If you are a little uncomfortable about eating alone, Jiko is perfect because they have seats at the cooking place where you can eat and watch the appetizer cooks doing their thing. I stayed at AKL in December and went to Jiko my first night with a reservation and they asked if I'd like to sit there instead of a table. So my last night I went there without a reservation and had no problem getting a seat at the cooking place.

I'm planning 3 solo TS meals this coming September - Jiko, Cali Grill, and San Angel Inn. I'm so excited!

I love dining solo. It's relaxing--and much needed after countless meals attending to DNiece4 and DNephew1. I love 'em to bits, of course, but Auntie needs a break from feeding, cleaning up, taking photos, coordinating autograph books, etc. This is my vacation, too! Thank goodness I bring along a bag of tricks to keep them entertained. DSis and I will trade off the kiddos - she and DBIL will have the early seating at CG; I'll have the late. I'll dine early at Jiko, then they'll head to YSH.

Anyhow, back to the solo dining. I think I might ask to sit at this "cooking place" you speak of because it sounds interesting!

Anyone sat at the bar at CG? I thought that might be different - but I do LOVE the view you have by the windows, there!

And as for San Angel, I think I'm more excited about having a good excuse to enjoy a margarita at 11AM.

I usually don't read or write, just enjoy my food, the atmosphere, spend some time reflecting. If I think of something I need to make a note of, I'll whip out my little travel notebook that's always with me!

September can't come soon enough!

 

[fakereadhed]

A teenaged girl who was allergic to middle-aged math teachers had to sit next to me. My efforts to engage her in conversation were met with monosylabic grunts.

I have two of those creatures in my household. That's just how they communicate. Other forms of communication are eye-rolling and shoulder shrugging. That's why I leave them at home.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've dined at the following restaurants solo; Cinderella's Royal Table 2x, Crystal Palace 3x, Tony's Town Square, Liberty Tree Tavern 2x, Akershus 2x, Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Le Cellier 2x, Marrakesh, Nine Dragons, Rose & Crown, Brown Derby 3x, Mama Melrose's 2x, Wolfgang Puck Cafe 2x, Boma 2x, Jiko 2x, California Grill, Citricos, 1900 Park Fare, Kona Cafe 2x, Ohana, Blue Zoo, and Artist Point 2x, so I've eaten solo at just about every type of table service meal there is, (character, buffet, signature, etc.)

Here are some things I've realized.

I really don't like doing buffets solo. I always feel uncomfortable leaving the table empty while going up to get food, and I won't leave my bag there, so I feel the need to drag it up to the buffet with me. I still have to eat at Boma and Crystal Palace at least every trip though.

Character meals are fun, and people at the neighboring tables are always happy to take my picture for me, sometimes they ask me, before I even ask them! You can of course always get your server or the handler to take your picture too.

The family-style meals are a lot of food. Though there seems to be some portion control, I am never able to eat everything they give me, which I imagine is also what they give to two person parties.

The rest of the meals, the signature restaurants especially, can be a very relaxing, nice break from the parks, which at times, I need.

 

[Imagination]

Never has any issues solo dining (The times I have gone to WDW without nieces or nephews). The restaraunt in the Japanese Pavelion which groups sit around the grill can work in many ways.[You may get into conversations with other guests and you will have the cook perform a show cooking the food and keep you entertained/fed etc].

Marrakesh (Great Lamb Shank), which has a belly dancer for a distraction during the meal, can work though the single/two person tables are all in the 'walkways' which does make you feel like you are an afterthought.

Some restaraunts have views (Like Narcossie, Ohana, California Grill, and lots of the restaraunts in Epcot) and that can provide the solo person with eye etertainment beyond the antics of other guests at the restaraunt.

 

[maple girl]

I'll be there solo for part of my trip in March. I was wondering if I would be alone in doing this and felt a little uncomfortable. I have read the posts and the Garden View tea room could my eye. Where is this place?