Going solo at WDW

a2grafix

a2grafix

Well-Known Member
Well this is a first, I am finally going on my long-awaited vacation to WDW after a 14 YEAR ABSENCE. Yes, make that 14 years and two months. My last trip to WDW was in August 1993, but who's counting?

I know there have been "doing Disney solo" threads in the past, but wanted to get some input from you on the board anyway, just for my benefit (not that the solo threads have been pretty good info).

I am doing Disneyworld solo. It's my vacation and my time off.

I'm down at WDW for a week in late October. It just happened that way, with my TV station in the middle of the break of the sweeps months (ratings). I'm spending a day, or two at Universal, spending a night at the Magic Kingdom to take in Mickey's Not So Scary Hallloween Party, and will be staying two nights off property and four nights on (Shades of Green).

This will be interesting for me because it will be just me. I am the boss and I will dictate where and when I go. The only rules I have to follow are to catch my flight down from Detroit and my flight back from Orlando. Anything else in between is fair game.

I was thinking of staying at a Disney hotel, but since I am military I got a better rate at Shades of Green. I also know the place, well in its former life as The Disney Inn. Last time I was at WDW, well one of the last times (1990) was at The Disney Inn (which had just changed names from The Golf and Tennis Resort -- I know I'm dating you all.)

I pretty much have my whole trip paid off, except for military-discounted park hopper passes and three nights to pay at Shades of Green. Can't pay for the tix until I am down there, but I did purchase an advance tix to the Halloween party.

I know my budget and I am figuring the whole trip could cost me upwards of $1000, maybe a little less, if I eat at fancy restaurant or two, or decide to "drink around the world." I have been to WDW 12 times over the course of my lifetime, so I have tasted food in many of the restaurants and been pretty much all over WDW, except for the new stuff. And yes, there is quite a lot of new stuff, and stuff that I knew that is not there anymore. It will be like my first time.

Oh, I was considering to stay at All-Star Music or any of the All-Star hotels, but I was quoted a $109 per night price, plus tax, so I opted out. I was told rooms are booking up since it's right near the start of the PGA Walt Disneyworld Classic, food and wine festival, and whatever else is down there at that time. I ended up with Shades of Green, which is no tax and since I qualify because I'm active reserve military (national guard). Hey, sacrifices has its perks and all.

Anyway, a point or two of my questions are -- I didn't go with the meal plan since it's just me. I know it would be great, but it's just me. I know I might splurge on a dinner or two, but do I relaly need reservations?

Do I?

Do I need a reservation for Sci-Fi Dine In if it's just me? Can I just slip in at Prime Time Cafe and get a counter seat? How about the Cantina de San Angel?

Or will it be best for me to schedule a reservation? Or can i just get ready to eat at a fancy restaurant -- any really, at any of the resorts, ar the WDW Marketplace, oops, sorry -- Downtown Disney -- and just ask the maitre d' or the hostess if there are any openings?

Regardless I am going to have a great time, a relaxing and rewarding time at that.
 
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pinkrose

pinkrose

Well-Known Member
It is best to have you dining reservations in advance. If you decide while you are there that you would rather eat at a certain place on a different day/time, try and schedule it. If they are booked, then you have your original reservation to fall back on. In other words, it's best to go with "something" to make sure that you don't end up with "nothing". It doesn't mean that you have to keep them. You can always cancel.
 
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AEfx

AEfx

Well-Known Member
Yes, you will need ressies for all those places. Especially because you will be there for the Food and Wine Fest.

The only one on your list you could likely do is the counter seat at Prime Time Cafe. Sci-Fi and San Angel will both require a ressie. There really are no such things as walk-ups anymore (they happen so rarely they don't even register), even for one (because there are no tables for one, you will take up at least a table for two).

Now, if you don't want to make them this far ahead of time, you probably have a decent chance of scoring some while you are down there calling the morning of or the day before. I keep WDW-DINE on my cell phone handy for this. However, what I would do is make some lunch reservations and have them set. If you find you need to move/change them, it's better to have them than not.

Good luck!

AEfx
 
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a2grafix

a2grafix

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for the info all. But like AEfx pointed out, my trip is not until October and I do not know where I want to eat and when I want to eat.

I will keep WDW-DINE handy and call ahead to set a reservation a day or the morning of, because I do not know what parks I am going to yet. I do know, but just not the order and the days.

I would also guess that the reservation line comes in handy for me if I would need to schedule a reservation at one of the resort restaurants? How about some of the restaurants at Downtown Disney? Ragland Road?

Should I just play it safe and secure reservations for all the big sit-down restaurants?
 
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Chezman1399

Chezman1399

Active Member
Do I need a reservation for Sci-Fi Dine In if it's just me? Can I just slip in at Prime Time Cafe and get a counter seat? How about the Cantina de San Angel?

Of these three restaurant's I would call before you head to Prime Time. I've done so on my way to the park or standing in line for Rock 'N' Roller, but that is one of the toughest restaurants to get into at MGM. Sci-fi is usually not a problem, and usually Japan, UK, Canada will get booked up before Mexico so you should be safe that time of the year. Even if not making a reservation at Prime Time I would probably call ahead just in case that morning some time.

Or will it be best for me to schedule a reservation? Or can i just get ready to eat at a fancy restaurant -- any really, at any of the resorts, ar the WDW Marketplace, oops, sorry -- Downtown Disney -- and just ask the maitre d' or the hostess if there are any openings?

If I was going alone I would go to The Flying Fish one night followed by Beaches and Cream, or The Yachtsman followed by Beaches and Cream, if I had some extra money to burn. I wouldn't think, unless you wanted to eat in the castle, any other places would be a problem to walk up and ask. I just like to save time by calling while doing something else if I'm going to one of the more popular places. I'll probably be heading down sometime in late October too, so I just might hit those places.
 
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EMThompsen

EMThompsen

Member
It sounds like you will enjoy the freedom of going solo & being able to do what you want when you want. But I would still make reservations. Check out Disney’s web site www.disneyworld.com or try www.allears.net for some info under dining. You might be able to read menus & get an idea of places you would like to eat. Call Disney Dine (407-939-3463) to see what times are available for a few of the restaurants you want to try. Keep in mind you won’t need reservations at counter service restaurants. Grabbing a lunch there whenever you decide might fit in to your plans. Hopefully the lines won’t be too long & you can get on with the fun stuff. Some places like Le Cellier , for instance you need a reservation for whether it's lunch or dinner. Plan your itinerary around the reservations. That's easier said then done because I think it's impossible to stick to a planned itinerary. But you’re better off having a basic plan. As plans change you can cancel reservations if you need to. Remember, as Aefx said “It’s better to have them than not.”
And most importantly just go with the flow & you’ll have a great time
Have a wonderful trip:sohappy:
 
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B

bigang

New Member
Hey, Just Booked My First Solo Trip For Sept 13-16, At Coronado Springs. Went Last Oct , Brought Wife And Family To Grand Floridian And Had A Vision About Going Solo , So Here I Go!
Allthough I Don't Know If I Have It In Me To Dine Solo, May Be A Lot Of Counter Service For Me
 
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AEfx

AEfx

Well-Known Member
bigang said:
Allthough I Don't Know If I Have It In Me To Dine Solo, May Be A Lot Of Counter Service For Me
Click to expand...

You should only do what is comfortable for you, but know that WDW, like any major city, is really easy to dine solo in. No one will bat an eye, especially the servers. Not only from travelers like us, but executives, etc. who eat there solo.

Now, personally I've never done a character meal solo (just not my bag), but I've eaten just about everywhere else at WDW and I've never had anything but great experiences. The wait people like us - usually we aren't terribly hard to please and good tippers LOL. This is especially true at lunch - don't be afraid to try it. Sci-Fi, Mexico, and LTT at the MK are all good choices for sit-down solo lunches.

AEfx
 
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a2grafix

a2grafix

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks everyone once again on the input. I'm starting to look at the restaurant menus on AllEars.net.

I know it will all depend on my eating habits, if I have one big fancy-schmancy meal or just quick counter service, or do something spur of the moment. But yes, UI do have to experience fine dining again at Disney. I has been way too long.

I just have to do some major research because some of the restaurants I went to as a kid with my family are either not there or changed names. And of course, there are so many more dining opportunities since August 1993, lol.

I'm sure I will have an awesome time, regardless of what I do and where I go.
 
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AEfx

AEfx

Well-Known Member
If you need help associating new with old be sure to post - many of us like to remember those times and love to talk about them, LOL.

AEfx
 
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