Solo Dining

[DelftBlue]

Greetings All,

Going on my second solo trip to WDW in November. I'm interested in trying a few different restaurants, Le Cellier in particular. I'm not really comfortable dining table service alone. Does anyone know of any restaurants that at least have bar seating? Any tips for dining alone?

Thanks in advance!

 

[purple figment]

to the disboards.

You'll need to make a reservation for LeCellier. On the online dining reservation page you can try for party of 1, but if nothing comes up, input a "party of 2." The Disney res system has a quirk that makes it harder for odd numbered groups to book a table so add 1 and often you'll have better luck with even numbers. This is because most tables are 2-4-6 tops and the system wants to fill every seat so it'll ignore someone searching for 1 seat, but make it an even number and things open up.

Le Cellier (in spite of it's name) does not have a bar.

The nice thing about bar seating is none of them accept reservations and many have food offerings - either their own limited menu or the entire menu from the adjoining restaurant. Many of the resort restaurants have bars (many listed in the threads I've linked at the end of this post), but in the parks the options are more limited.

None of the MK restaurants has a bar. Only Be Our Guest serves wine and beer at dinner, but a reservation is necessary.

In DHS '50s Prime Time has a bar, but it doubles as the waiting area for the restaurant.

In AK Yak & Yeti has a bar just inside the lobby. I'm pretty sure Rainforest Cafe also has one.

In Epcot Tutto Gusto has it's own menu plus the full Tutto Italia menu. Rose & Crown Pub has a very limited menu and virtually no seating. La Cava de Tequila has a limited menu.

Here are a couple of recent thread discussing the lounges and bars. For the ones that serve food you can look on allears for the menus.

Threads about bars and lounges:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3143937

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3158329

Menus:
http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm#res

 

[Simba's Mom]

Greetings All,

Going on my second solo trip to WDW in November. I'm interested in trying a few different restaurants, Le Cellier in particular. I'm not really comfortable dining table service alone. Does anyone know of any restaurants that at least have bar seating? Any tips for dining alone?

Thanks in advance!

First, my tip-when you check in, be sure to point out that you're alone, and since you won't have a dining companion to talk with, you'd like something to watch to pass the time. I've gotten some great tables that way-tankside at Coral Reef, next to the window at resturaunts with windows, on the porch at Rose and Crown, etc. For bars, there's Jiko and California Grill (pre-renovation). But CG was one where they gave me a window seat, so the bar wouldn't have helped. And 50s Prime Time has a bar, but I'd rather sit at a table and watch movies.

 

[karly05]

In addition to the places already mentioned, Flying Fish has counter/bar-type seating, I think Jiko does, too (haven't been there). I'm sure there are others as well.

I'm not the most adventurous person in the world, certainly not the most outgoing, and I've had great experiences dining solo at WDW. Nearly every place I've gone, I've been seated at a 2-top by a window without even asking; that's just where they put me. Servers have been lovely, no one has made me feel awkward or uncomfortable. Dining solo may still not be your cup of tea, but that's just sharing my experience.

 

[PoohLover78]

First, my tip-when you check in, be sure to point out that you're alone, and since you won't have a dining companion to talk with, you'd like something to watch to pass the time. I've gotten some great tables that way-tankside at Coral Reef, next to the window at resturaunts with windows, on the porch at Rose and Crown, etc. For bars, there's Jiko and California Grill (pre-renovation). But CG was one where they gave me a window seat, so the bar wouldn't have helped. And 50s Prime Time has a bar, but I'd rather sit at a table and watch movies.

Wow, that's some great advice for dining alone. Seriously, I never would have even thought about telling the waiter to seat you someplace where there's something to watch. Huh. I definitely need to remember that. "Seat me by the window do I can watch people outside rushing about."

 

[mickey1968]

I will second that recommendation for the Flying Fish. I did a solo dinner there two years ago and sat at the chef's bar. It was great, I got to watch the chefs cook and they were friendly and kept asking how everything was, etc.

Another tip is if you have an iphone or other smartphone with internet, is you can read the DIS boards while you wait! Having an iphone is really good in these downtimes between activities and it also makes a great point & shoot camera.

 

[DelftBlue]

Thanks so much for all the tips & ideas! I'll definitely keep Simba's Mom's tip in mind and look into the Flying Fish.

 

[mkymouse40]

I've been to Disney several times solo. I actually have a great time and dining isn't a problem.

At LeCellier...last year they sat me in a section that had 3 two-toppers in a row. A really nice couple sat at one table, me at one, then another solo woman at the third. We all talked like we had known each other forever. It turns out that the other solo woman and I were both headed to the Candlelight Processional that evening so we met up and sat together. At the CP, we met a very nice elderly couple and talked a lot.

Sometimes, people ask me if they can join me and then we chat it up.

On prior solo trips, families next to me struck up conversations and again had a nice time chatting and giving Disney touring advice to them. They were thrilled. (Yeah, new people to listen to my stories!!).

Anyway, don't be afraid to get a table to yourself, you would be surprised what nice people you meet.

 

[mevelandry]

How about Sci-fi Dine-in?

They can sit you in a car and you get to watch cartoons and old horror movie trailers which is pretty cool and entertaining.

If i was alone i would totally go there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

How about Sci-fi Dine-in?

They can sit you in a car and you get to watch cartoons and old horror movie trailers which is pretty cool and entertaining.

If i was alone i would totally go there.

I think that's the best place for a solo who might be unsure about solo dining. It's just like sitting on the couch in the living room in front of the TV!

 

[mevelandry]

Also, the food is great and affordable. (Sci-fi)

 

[DelftBlue]

Also, the food is great and affordable. (Sci-fi)

I looked into this option, and it seems interesting.

Do you think I could just get dessert there?

 

[princesskristen]

i agree with sci fi
outside the park ESPN has a bar and i have never felt odd at big river brewing company also paradiso 37 i sat at the bar

 

[DelftBlue]

i agree with sci fi
outside the park ESPN has a bar and i have never felt odd at big river brewing company also paradiso 37 i sat at the bar

Thanks for the suggestions! I forgot about places outside the parks.

 

[benji2012]

Sometimes I'm Solo, and sometimes I travel with my BF, but he likes to lay by the pool and isn't as keen to check out all the restaurants like I am...so it's pretty much solo then too!

I would say my best solo experiences have been at Flying Fish (chefs counter) and Sci Fi. I know I shouldn't feel awkward, but I do at times. Both of these were less intimidating in my opinion.