Table for 2?

[Deanie1]

I am thinking ahead for when I take my first solo trip. I am hoping to meet up with some fellow Dis'ers for a meal or two. Do you solos make am ADR just for one or do you make it for more, hoping to meet up with someone on these boards? I am planning to go Oct 2016 so am no where near that window yet. TIA

 

[BadPinkTink]

I just book for 1. I have no problem eating at restaurants on my own. I bring a book or people watch. So what if people stare, they are the ones who have a problem with me eating on my own. I like to try new restaurants, I am a foodie person If I like the look of the menu, and its in my budget, then off I go. I have booked a solo trip to Disneyland Paris in February 2016, I will be booking at least 2 table service restaurants for that trip and will probably eat at Planet Hollywood as-well.

I go to restaurants on my own in my home city too. Last week I had lunch at Hard Rock Cafe and I regularly go to Nandos ( a UK / Portuguese mid price restaurant ) on my own

 

[karly05]

I've always heard it's easier to drop a person than add one, so if you're serious, I'd book for 2. I've also heard of solos who booked ADRs for 2 when they couldn't get a res for 1 and just showed up as 1 with no problems.

 

[gzmtlock]

I recommend searching for 2. Not only for the flexibility of adding one, but also because the computer system will sometimes return availability for 2 when it shows none for 1. This is a known issue with Narcoossee's and CRT, and I've seen it occasionally with a couple other restaurants. You'll be at a 2-top, even when eating alone, so it really doesn't make any difference to the restaurant. (Well, it does from a revenue standpoint, of course. But I mean you'll be seated at the same type of table, so there shouldn't be any delays or confusion around getting seated.)

On at least 4 occasions, I have booked for 2 and showed with only myself. No issues, no questions, no weird looks.

 

[spiceycat]

yea some of the restaurants will not take a solo dinning reservation - so in those chases you will have no choice.

 

[samsteele]

I agree with the PPs & I always book for 2 even though I am a solo diner. I often get better dining times with booking 2 so am not stuck with 8pm or later. I am taking a 2 top anyway so no worries. When I check-in and am asked about 2 people, I just explain that it is one dining tonight and there is no problem and I have never been charged a no-show fee. In fact, all of my ADRs for my upcoming Fall vacation are all for 2 people so this is what works for me.

 

[Deanie1]

Thank you for the replies. I am hoping that when my dates get closer, that another solo dis'er can join me for a couple of them. I am not someone who goes out for dinner alone at home. This will be my first solo. I am sure I will be lonely once in a while and going on attractions is more fun with someone else but then again, I like the 1/2 days or so that I have toured on my own. but on this next trip, I don't want to compromise my plans too much for someone else.

 

[Deanie1]

Do any of you solos ever do buffets, and if so, how did that work out? I love Boma!

 

[samsteele]

Boma dinner is an excellent choice when dining solo. You are up getting your food at least 2 or 3x so it makes the sit down time go by faster. I also enjoy Cape May Cape Dinner Buffet (seafood) for the same reason. Its a beautiful, short boat ride to and from Epcot's International Gateway and fun to enjoy the Boardwalk lights at night. Biergarten is also good but it is a long communal table rather than your own 2 top table. Some guests aren't aware of this and are taken aback and can be a bit frosty. I always position myself right behind the seater when walking in so I can get to one of the furthest seats, closest to the stage, and simply turn and watch the show if my table mates aren't in the mood to talk. Try to make your ADR to coincide with their posted show times and give yourself at least a half hour from check-in to the start of the show and to get your first plate of food. The Biergarten show times are available online if you google it. I have not done any of the character buffets or breakfast buffets so can't help you there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I am thinking ahead for when I take my first solo trip. I am hoping to meet up with some fellow Dis'ers for a meal or two. Do you solos make am ADR just for one or do you make it for more, hoping to meet up with someone on these boards? I am planning to go Oct 2016 so am no where near that window yet. TIA

I always make my ADRs for two people. Maybe on the way over I'll meet someone whom I might want to invite to dine with. Or since I am married, there's always the possibility that DH will surprise me and be waiting for me. But neither has ever happened, so I always show up as a solo and say that my dining companion was unable to join me. Fortunately there's never been a problem.

 

[winthropf]

I agree with the suggestions to search for table of 2. For years, the Disney reservation system has shown no availability for 1, but plenty for 2. I do it all the time with the intent of only having one person. One person takes the same table as 2. Sometimes you just have to work with the system as it exists. Just be aware that if you make a reservation for 2 and don't show up, you will be charged the no-show fee for 2 people.

 

[kwdw]

I frequently book for 2 when going solo - mainly because I sometimes have a traveling partner join me at the last minute.... My last trip, he didn't join. I actually called Disney a day or two before I left and had the person change all of my reservations to 1 at that time. Made it easier to pre-order at BOG breakfast. Other times, I haven't done this - and its no issue - I just confirm at the podium when checking that the other person won't be coming.

BUT - I have found that I've been able to get BOG lunch ressies pretty late in the game for 1, but not 2. I am suspicious that for BOG breakfast and lunch - the system is counting the total number of people - not party sizes. Maybe someone else knows for sure.

It's really no issue to show up as a party of 1 if the reservation is for two.

Two trips ago - had to go from a party of 5 to a party of 2 for one meal since unexpectedly three of the folks were dealing with an emergency so I took just the kid. The emergency came up that morning and it was a late breakfast reservation. They didn't charge us for the no-shows. I do think they adjusted the table assignment as we ended up at a table that only would have sat 4 people.

 

[ludari]

I just make my reservations for one. Typically they will sit you at a four top table so you have plenty of room if you want people to join you.

 

[Delphinus317]

It depends. For my upcoming solo trip, I have 2 ADR's for 2 ppl & 1 ADR for 1 person. In my experience, the harder-to-get ADR's show more availability for 2 people, and some don't show availability for 1 person even when there is availability for 2.

So, when initially setting up my ADR's, I search for 2 people. Once I have everything I want, I'll go back & search for 1 person. If I can find decent availability for 1 person, then I'll replace my current ADR's. Otherwise, I'll keep the 2 person ADR's & invite other solo Dis'ers to join me.

If you want to leave some flexibility to invite other solo's, make your ADR's for 2 people. It'll be fine if you show up solo anyway.