Thoughts On Restaurants For Solo Trip?

[crazycatlady]

DH and I are planning one more trip with our APs before they run out. I will be solo for the first six nights of the trip and then DH is flying out to join me for the last four nights of the trip. I have never done a solo trip of any sort, so eating in a restaurant alone is going to be a new experience and I must admit, a little scary. We will have the regular Dining Plan for the whole trip. DH picked out the four restaurants for his portion of the trip and they are:
Homecomin', San Angel Inn, Cape May (dinner) and Mama Melrose

I am trying to pick out my six restaurants and so far I have chosen:
Yak & Yeti, Spice Road Table (never eaten) and Raglan Road

The restaurants under consideration for my last three are:
Maria & Enzo's (either lunch or brunch)- have never eaten here
Chefs de France
Coral Reef
Sanaa
Jungle Navigation Co- have never eaten here
Tutto Italia- haven't eaten here in years

I like the idea of trying some new places, but it's not a necessity. I am trying to stay away from places that seat you half on top of the table next to you because it seems like that would be awkward if I am alone. Any opinions on these or are there any other that you would recommend for a solo diner? Thanks in advance!

 

[NYCgrrl]

I can't think of any restaurants I've eaten at @ WDW that feature shared tables except some QS; Biergarten and Teppan Edo so you should be fine in that manner.
Don't be worried about eating alone. I'm sure you've done it at home and perhaps at work.
Bring something to read and you wont even think about the people sitting nearby. I've been doing that for donkey years, domestically and internationally and find it pleasantly..sensory to nourish my tummy and mind simultaneously. No cutting up food, no sharing just order what you like and savor the experience. You will now be in prime Me, Myself, and I time.

As for the restaurants you chose? You want to eat there, right? Then do it unless Myself has doubts and which point consult Me and I.

Have fun!

 

[toocherie]

The chicken at Spice Road was absolutely outstanding and the servers were SO nice!! I was there with friends but can’t imagine they wouldn’t be accommodating to a single diner. I have eaten solo at Raglan, Yak N Yeti, Chefs de France (on my birthday!), Jungle Navigation and never felt uncomfortable or rushed.

 

[Dug720]

I travel solo and have never had a problem. I don't do Biergarten (shared tables) or Sci Fi (I despise that they call the extra in the car a "hitchhiker"), those are the only two I can think of that would be awkward.

Of your list, I've eaten at Coral Reef (awesome - I had a table right by the tank) and Skipper Canteen (LOVE it!!!) and would recommend both.

 

[bananabean]

I'm a solo traveler most of the time and I haven't found it awkward even in the "shared" settings. Definitely don't let it prevent you from going to a restaurant you want to enjoy! For example, I love Sci Fi, and every time I've gone solo it's been 3 separate parties in the cars. Probably wouldn't do something like Hoop Dee Doo since it's family style, but other than that, I would go anywhere solo!

 

[crazycatlady]

Thanks for the reassurances everyone! I'm actually really excited to try a solo trip to Disney and I am sure that I will get used to eating out alone once I am there. I like the idea of taking a book along in case I feel uncomfortable.

I travel solo and have never had a problem. I don't do Biergarten (shared tables) or Sci Fi (I despise that they call the extra in the car a "hitchhiker"), those are the only two I can think of that would be awkward.

Of your list, I've eaten at Coral Reef (awesome - I had a table right by the tank) and Skipper Canteen (LOVE it!!!) and would recommend both.

Can I ask what you had at each of these restaurants?

 

[Skippyboo]

I love Boma as a solo traveler plus it’s a excellent value for a TS credit.

 

[crazycatlady]

The chicken at Spice Road was absolutely outstanding and the servers were SO nice!! I was there with friends but can’t imagine they wouldn’t be accommodating to a single diner. I have eaten solo at Raglan, Yak N Yeti, Chefs de France (on my birthday!), Jungle Navigation and never felt uncomfortable or rushed.

I am really excited to try Spice Road Table because of all the great reviews here. Is the chicken you are talking about the skewers?
Did you enjoy Jungle Navigation? What did you have there?

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for the reassurances everyone! I'm actually really excited to try a solo trip to Disney and I am sure that I will get used to eating out alone once I am there. I like the idea of taking a book along in case I feel uncomfortable.


Can I ask what you had at each of these restaurants?

Coral Reef...
Lobster Bisque
Shrimp and Grits
Chocolate Wave

Skipper Canteen 1st Visit
Falls Family Falafel
Dr. Falls' Signature Grilled Steak
Quick Sand

Skipper Canteen 2nd Visit
Falls Family Falafel
"Tastes Like Chicken" Because it Is!
skipped dessert this time as I had the Halloween Party later

All those were the allergy friendly (gluten-free) versions.

 

[crazycatlady]

I love Boma as a solo traveler plus it’s a excellent value for a TS credit.

I love Animal Kingdom Lodge and was lucky enough to stay there a few days last December because of a great deal my DD got on the DCP. Part of the reason I added Sanaa to the list was to go visit the resort. I have eaten breakfast at Boma a couple of times and enjoyed it. Have you ever tried dinner there?

 

[Skippyboo]

I love Animal Kingdom Lodge and was lucky enough to stay there a few days last December because of a great deal my DD got on the DCP. Part of the reason I added Sanaa to the list was to go visit the resort. I have eaten breakfast at Boma a couple of times and enjoyed it. Have you ever tried dinner there?

Multiple times. There is a wide variety of food, the soups are really good. The salads are good too, the spice rubbed sirloin is very good. Try the zebra domes.

 

[OfCourseTheresAlwaysMyWay]

I was nervous the first time I did a solo trip. I had been to Paris by myself years before, so for my first night I booked Chefs de France. I did been to Parisian bistros like that by myself in Paris. Figured it’d be a good way to ease in.

I was totally right! It’s really no big deal, it just took me one meal to see that.

Highly highly recommend Skipper Canteen. First time I’d ever eaten a whole fish and it was terrific.

 

[toocherie]

No not the chicken skewers—it was roasted pieces of chicken at Spice Road and we all agreed it was the best dish we had. I did enjoy Skippers Canteen. My waitress was very fun and engaging and we chatted quite a bit. One of the best CM interactions I ever had alone was at Tiffins. I was going to Victoria and Albert’s the next day and she had gone there the night before so she told me a ton about the experience so I knew what to expect. It wasn’t that busy at Tiffins that day so we talked quite a bit. I don’t remember what I had at Skippers Canteen but I know I enjoyed it!

 

[RealBlast3]

I've done 7 10-day+ solo trips and counting now, usually eating at 3 restaurants a day in Disney. Eaten practically everywhere in the parks and at the deluxe resorts, almost. Always have a fabulous time. I've even done all the character dining one can do multiple times.

I only avoid the two communal seating places mentioned in Germany and Japan because I prefer privacy and my own table. I don't mind the seating arrangement at the Sci-fi dine-in even if I am designated a "hitchhiker" because I at least get my own row so it doesn't feel too bad.

The wait-staff at Disney has almost always been extraordinary to me, I have to say, especially at the resorts and usually the theme-parks as well. Best service I have ever had for sure. I do find sometimes the service is less magical at the Disney Springs restaurants - not bad, mind you, you just sense that the Pixie-dust doesn't quite travel all the way there, that's all, and it's just like eating anywhere else with the same chance for either good or spotty service. Which makes sense, since I think most of those eateries operate more or less autonomously from the Disney brand, I think.

My last solo trip last Nov./Dec. was honestly the best one ever for overall service in restaurants, barnone. From Be Our Guest to Tiffins to Jiko to Skipper Canteen to Coral Reef to Spice Road to California Grill and more. Not a bad meal, not a bad experience in my 10 days, all beyond exceptional. Never felt rushed, always felt taken care of, even got what I felt like were perks with the Deluxe Dining Plan much of the time, in that I ordered extra appetizers, and wasn't always charged for them, and often got both my regular beverage + my cocktail without an extra charge for that 2nd beverage, too.

Waitstaff was always friendly and personable and polite and professional. Some of them I've actually had previously as I do return to my fave restaurants, and it made their day to tell them I remembered them and how wonderful they were on previous occasions. One of the reasons I keep coming back to Disney as a solo visitor is for these rich and rewarding experiences which make you feel almost like family.

 

[kaytieeldr]

First, do you have two separate reservations (did nights plus four nights), or one ten night reservation? If the latter, you will have a total of 20 TS credits, 20 QS credits, 40 snacks, but just two mugs.) Right now, it appears you will be using just 14 TS credits.

Anyway, I would try Biergarten and/or Teppan Edo.

 

[crazycatlady]

First, do you have two separate reservations (did nights plus four nights), or one ten night reservation? If the latter, you will have a total of 20 TS credits, 20 QS credits, 40 snacks, but just two mugs.) Right now, it appears you will be using just 14 TS credits.

Anyway, I would try Biergarten and/or Teppan Edo.

I do have two separate reservations so that the dining plan wouldn't be an issue.

Thanks for the post, RealBlast3! It is great to hear that you have had such great experiences with solo dining! I considered Deluxe Dining because DH prefers the regular DDP so I have only gotten to do the deluxe plan a few times, but I wanted to snack around the Flower and Garden Festival and I am always too full to snack on that plan!

 

[karly05]

Six solo trips here, no problems dining solo. Before my first solo trip, I had never eaten solo at a TS restaurant - so I ate out solo a couple of times locally pre-trip, and found I was fine with it. (In fact, I still do it locally now and then.)

Of your places under consideration, I had lunch at Les Chefs several years ago (the old prix fixe lunch with French onion soup, salad, croque monsieur sandwich, and profiterole), and lunch at Skipper Canteen a few years back (had the arepas appetizer as my lunch and the kungaloosh dessert). Enjoyed both and would be happy to go back to either.

I'm also going to put in a vote for The Wave - I love that place! I've always had good food and service there, and it's been quiet and relaxing.

 

[crazycatlady]

Awww, I miss the profiteroles at Chefs! We went there a few times when our kids were younger and then it fell off our radar. I was disappointed to see the profiteroles gone from the menu.

I am definitely putting Skipper Canteen on the final list due to all the great reviews here.