Solo table service dining

[peachiepie]

My solo trip is coming up in January and I'm starting to think about dining. I had been planning on sticking with quick service, but I'm now wondering about adding some table service.

Where do people recommend for table service solo dining?

 

[gottalovepluto]

If you feel awkward about it Sci-Fi is a nice one since it’s got the movie clips running. You’re placed in a car as a hitchhiker and promptly ignored by the rest of the car as the restaurant experience doesn’t lend itself to small talk.

If you want something to do I like to download a book onto my iPhone. Keeps me distracted from those around me while keeping my from scrolling social media/news.

 

[peachiepie]

TBF I'm not awkward about being on my own. I'd rather not be forced into a social interaction with group. I'm happy to dine alone, I'd prefer somewhere were people didn't feel they were forced to include me, or leave me feeling like is gatecrashed another group.

 

[Miffy]

I eat solo pretty often at WDW since my travel companion is often done in at that point. I don't go anywhere where there's a group table (I gather Biergarten is like that) and I'm not usually into character meals but I love Tusker House, so I always have a meal there every trip, either with my travel companion (my sister) or by myself.

OP, you should just go to the TS restaurants that you like and avoid the places with group seating. I don't know where all those places are, but perhaps someone else will chime in and let you know. You might want to avoid '50s Prime Time, since there's interaction with the waitstaff, but you wouldn't be seated with anyone else at your table, if that's your main concern. You'd probably be seated with a group at Hoop De Doo as well, but that's another animal altogether.

And enjoy those single-rider lines! The one for RotR is always quite short.

 

[jimmymc]

The bars at Flying Fish and Steakhouse 71 are great for solos who want a good meal.

I personally also like Jungle Skipper Canteen, Jiko, Hollywood Brown Derby, and Wine Bar George.

 

[gottalovepluto]

The bars at Flying Fish and Steakhouse 71 are great for solos who want a good meal.

I personally also like Jungle Skipper Canteen, Jiko, Hollywood Brown Derby, and Wine Bar George.

I’d add Swolphin’s bars at Il Mulino and BlueZoo. The new steakhouse also has a bar, not sure if they do their full menu too.

Jungle Skipper is the one that feels a bit weird to me as a solo. The staff try to interact and it for some reason it doesn’t play well when it’s just me, just kinda ends up awkward.

 

[Skippyboo]

I eat solo pretty often at WDW since my travel companion is often done in at that point. I don't go anywhere where there's a group table (I gather Biergarten is like that) and I'm not usually into character meals but I love Tusker House, so I always have a meal there every trip, either with my travel companion (my sister) or by myself.

OP, you should just go to the TS restaurants that you like and avoid the places with group seating. I don't know where all those places are, but perhaps someone else will chime in and let you know. You might want to avoid '50s Prime Time, since there's interaction with the waitstaff, but you wouldn't be seated with anyone else at your table, if that's your main concern. You'd probably be seated with a group at Hoop De Doo as well, but that's another animal altogether.

And enjoy those single-rider lines! The one for RotR is always quite short.

Biergarten doesn’t sit you in a group anymore. Only place where you might get put with other people is Beak and Barrel or Oga’s. Oga’s you probably get put at the bar.

I like Boma and Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[AcusTwinhammer]

The biggest problem tends to be getting the reservation, as the system only will allow single diners to grab one as long as there are two-person tables available--and there's usually not a ton of them at any given location.

Other than that, I have noticed that places where there is some sort of special server interaction (like 50's Prime-Time cafe or Skipper Canteen), I didn't get much when I was solo. Granted, I don't have a huge sample size (one time at 50s, never in a group, twice solo at Skippers plus once in a group), so I may just be unlucky, but I suspect it's harder to bounce the jokes and such off of a single diner.

 

[zackiedawg]

I've eaten solo almost everywhere, from Signature dining to family/interactive spots. With exception of the popular bars, and Biergarden, I've always gotten my own table.

At 50s Prime Time, Whispering Canyon, and Skipper's Canteen, there was still interaction with wait staff - often they'll do the schtick on you in a way that includes nearby tables - like 'he didn't eat all of his green beans!'. Or if I wasn't looking for the full interaction, I just made a hint of it early on and the CMs take the clues very well and will play it down.

Last trip, I did Steakhouse 71, Topolino's, Geo 82, Prime Time, Trattoria Al Forno, Nomad Lounge, Cake Bake Shop solo. I prefer to get tables, not bar seating - more room to spread out, relax - tables are close enough that if you feel like engaging or talking with others, you can - but unlike the bar, you're not shoved right up against others (fine when they are social and you wan tto talk too - but awkward if you get a party next to you that clearly doesn't want to be social).

My December trip upcoming is likely to be solo (a friend is considering trying to make it, but probably won't be able to swing it) - I've got T-Rex, Beak & Barrell, Art Smith's Homecomin, Boatright's, and Frontera Cocina booked.

In February, I'll be with a friend and doing two, and in June will be there with another friend...September next year may be solo, then December with a large group - my trips are random mixes of solo, one friend, some family, or big groups.

As long as you don't have any hang-ups about eating solo, don't worry about it and choose anyplace you want to try or eat at - there are only 3 or 4 restaurants/bars where they may seat you with others - 99% of them you'll have your own table.